Exam Time and Rugby

So we are well and truly into the time of exams and deadlines now at both AU and AUT. It is amazing how thankful I am still that I am not in that position - character building though. This means that CF regular meetings are now off till next semester. For me the routine looks a bit different at the moment - more time in the office and trying not to be distracting to those students who need to study but would prefer to have coffee.

The revision sessions in the library are something which I am all too familiar with. Something which has been new to me has been seeing the pressure that some of the fashion students are under as they prepare collections for this week - time in their studio can feel like being part of Project Runway (a new favourite - see right for Sarah measuring Kate's collar!) but can make you aware of the pressure there is to do well and the competition that surrounds them. What it also makes one aware of is the opportunities there are for these folks to be really sharing life together as they spend all the hours in the studio and the witness they have can be amazing.

Have had a really good weekend again, lots of rugby yesterday, playing touch and watching the ABs beat the meek English! Was my first International over here and it was brilliant. Quite different to a visit to Murrayfield. Mexican waves here involve not only raising your hands but everything else you've brought with you as well. Ended up covered in 'water' and showered with several, thankfully plastic, bottles. Not sure the genteel folk of Edinburgh could cope with that one. We were so close to the action! Good first half, game became a bit scrappy in the second half but was a really good first experience at Eden Park! Was also along at a fellow Scot's house for lunch today which was brilliant - so homely and welcoming to us.

So a slight change in pace over the past week but it has been good to have this time though as there are a few things upcoming to prepare for including a visit from teams from the Doulos OM ship which is now docked in Auckland and national conference happening in a few weeks. Will let you know how it all goes...