Apr 2006

So, I know this is a little outdated, but I just had to write about the rugby game I went to...that and the fact that I am avoiding writing a paper yet again. So, a couple of weeks ago the Highlanders played the Cats. It was great! For those of you who don't know the Highlanders are the local team and the Cats are from South Africa. I now know where most of the teams are from and I have become quite well versed in rugby. Okay, I haven't but, I really want to. I have tried and tried, but sometimes you just can't accomplish without doing, and since I don't know anyone here to do, I haven't accomplished. Back to the game though. So, I bought my ticket before the game and thought I was good to go. Well, I was, but I didn't get the free Highlanders cape that they were giving out to those who bought tickets before the game. I got to the game and saw most of my group had these awesome capes. Well, I felt like in order to optimize my experience here in New Zealand I needed to have the optimal rugby experience. In order to have the optimal rugby experience I NEEDED one of those capes. I was about to start to sell my kisses for capes. When I realized that not all my options were out yet and I didn't want to kiss any of these guys here (I haven't seen any lookers that weren't on the rugby teams). I went over to the Times tent and asked about the capes. The guy told me to me where to get the capes and to get lost. So, he didn't tell me to get lost, so what. I asked him what he was giving away...kiddie bags. Well, I flirted and finessed my way into getting a bag for me and my four other friends that were anxiously engaged in the good cause of getting a cape. The bags had a foam sword, chocolate milk, and chips in them. I was happy with a sword, but, lets be honest, it's no cape. I continued on looking for a cape. I was about to steal one off a small child if I didn't get one soon, or start puckering up. Well, it was after I had numerous teen boys ask me for my sword when I realized that it was quite the little bartering tool. I had one kid walk up to me and ask me for my sword. I told him I would gladly trade a sword for a cape. He was able to get one of his friends to give me his cape for my sword, the milk, and the chips. I was stoked. Well, one of my friends started to barter an even better deal for the kid-she had two chocolate milks. I finally offered the kid two dollars plus the kiddie bag. He took the deal. I had my cape, plus I had gotten extra treats so I even had the snacks too. I was so happy. I watched the game and couldnt' have been happier. Until I met the rugby players. They were signing autographs after the game. I got the love of my life to sign my cape. It was great. I told him that I came all the way from the states to get him to sign my cape. He did, and then I took a photo with him. I am sure that we are going to get married some day. Well, I got more players to sign as well. It was quite a funny site when a player started to flirt with me about phone numbers and my protective host dad was standing next to me. I loved it actually. He went home and told the family that I was hit on. Too bad it was too awkward flirting with an audience or I might have come back with another rugby player. Well, I love rugby, and even more, the players!

SEALS I had no idea they weren't nice, okay, I did, I'm just stupid. I got to the beach hoping to see them out in the water and I didn't. I was a little devastated since I had already missed the penguins that day. Well, I turned and looked about 5 meters away....there were four just chilling taking a nap in the sand. I about blew up with excitement. I loved it. so, I took warning from Terence (he is always so worried about my safety and is always calling me back from the edge of the cliff...I think they think I am a daredevil that is stupid with all my adventures-but only because my roommate ashley doesn't care to push the envelope, she is good with just looking from the observation deck while I climb out on the cliff to get the optimal New Zealand experience.) and I just watched from a distance. Well, the longer we stayed there the more antsy I was to get closer. I mean, it is a seal. It is Andre, how mean could they be? Well, I crept closer, and then closer. Making sure not to disturb them I laid down next to them and had Ashley take a picture of it. Well, it was just about then that they woke up. Little known to me you aren't supposed to ever EVER go in between them and the sea-that is their escape route and only escape route if needed. Well, many times I had walked and cut them off from their route. And, at this particular moment I was laying in the way. So, this big old papa seal got all tuffed up (I know that isn't tough, it is a word I just made up on the spot to mean bent out of sorts) Well, he was pretty upset and bent out of sorts at me and started to attack. Thank goodness I wasn't wearing my wetsuit. I guess that really makes them go berserk and all heaps of craziness. Well, he started to attack me. I got away with him slapping me a couple times and biting my shoe...good thing it was a cold day and I had on real shoes instead of chacos. Well, I got away with the bite marks to prove it.
Well, if you don't believe the bite marks maybe you will believe photos of my encounter when I get home.