Written on April 4th, 2004

March has come and gone, whoee!- the pace sure has picked up. In the beginning, school began (though you dare not say ‘school,’ lest you seek a bewildered face, since only the young kids go to ‘school’ here), no, rather, ‘uni’ began. I rather like it, though I’m still adjusting to the pace. Classes last about 50 minutes, starting five minutes past the hour and ending five minutes before the hour, in order that you might get to your next class. So for first year ‘papers’ (courses) you have about two hours of lecture a week, and for third year ‘papers,’ about four. I really like this. It makes the day run much smoother and doesn’t drain you out. Instead, you have much more time to go and study the material on your own, as you are expected. Thus, I have class from about 10-1 everyday, take a gym class from 1-2, and then leave (I take the bus to and from school, about a 20-40 minute ride depending on traffic). The harder thing to adjust to is the fact that you won’t have any assignments one week, but the next week you are pressed hard to complete one.

My papers?

- World Archaeology (Anthropology 101): It studies human origins up into today, based on archeological finds, while describing processes of archaeology along the way. The first part of the course hasn’t been so interesting to me, since it’s a lot of evolution, but it sure has peaked my interest on the Truth faith in the area. I hope to read “The Genesis Question” by Hugh Ross, soon.
- Kapa Haka 1 (Maori Studies 190): This paper is ‘sweet as!’ (a NZ slang term, I feel it is the equivalent of ‘right on!’) Anyway, it meets for three hours on Thursday afternoons, and we basically learn a lot about Maori culture by doing. We started with witnessing, experiencing, and being explained to, Maori ceremony. Much of Maori culture and society is based around a central meeting house, with a courtyard (marae) in front, and a gate (waharoa) leading into the courtyard. The first day we experienced the welcome ceremony: standing at the gate, being called in by a kai karanga, a women singer, being seated in the courtyard with men in front, from whence progresses a dialogue between the male leaders and the welcomers, finally leading into the house, which is carefully wood crafted and painted with much symbolism. Anyway… the focus of the class is on Maori performing arts. So far we’ve learned about four songs (all in Maori) and three dances! At the end of the semester, we get to perform for friends and family! Wish you could be there… I feel blessed to get such a cultural experience while studying!
- Advanced Methods in Applied Math A (MATHS 361): I think it’s so funny how they always say ‘maths’ here instead of ‘math.’ No one ever understands me when I say ‘math.’ Heh… Anyway, most of you wouldn’t know much about what I have to say about this class, except that, yeah! I love applied math. And yes, Nick, we are beginning Fourier transforms! ;o)
- Real and Complex Analysis (MATHS 332): The fact that I have more time to study really helps with this class. At UCSC, it’s supposed to be the hardest required maths course. It’s not my forte, but I’m actually finding it interesting.

In each class, I’m making a couple of friends, but of course these friends are only the ‘hi, bye’ kind around uni. Friends outside that are yet to be made, though of course, my flatmates are always fun to talk to, and I meet with Sarah (another girl from the UC’s) for church and a bit of chat once to twice a week. I will leave it at this: I still have much hope for what is to come, and I’m realizing more and more just how much Jesus is my bestest bud. (btw- did you see the Passion yet? I suggest not thinking about the money or time, just go… I thought it was so beautiful… made the story all the more real to me.) I’m also becoming evermore grateful for the fellowship He has blessed me with in the past. My sister terms it ‘rare’ and I’d have to agree.

What else! Oh YES! I joined a city choir called ‘The Bruce Murray’ singers, which sings at events around the community, organizations, and rest homes. It’s run by Bruce Murray and his wife, and has been around for a bit over thirty years. There are twenty-four people ranging from age 20 to who knows how old. We sing pop songs like Enya’s ‘Only Time,’ ‘Grease,’ an ‘ABBA’ medley, etc. It’s only four part harmony, but that makes it all the more easier to learn. It IS a bit funny to me just how much pop music and culture is based around that of the US, though.

Last night, (with much excitement and emphasis, I must say) I volunteered for my first time at the Stardome Observatory!! A few weeks ago I saw a show, just about jumping out of my chair to finally have the Southern night sky explained to me. After the show, they have telescope viewings, where I related my excitement to the presenter, and then when to speak to the head of the observatory, Angela about volunteering. She said that, ‘yeah! Of course I could,’ and that if any positions for presenting opened up during the year, perhaps she would take me on (knowing my astronomy background.) I was tickled pink. This was the vision that the Lord had given me. Anyway, last night, I was given the ‘tour’ of the place- it has about two big rooms for meetings, a waiting area, a ‘behind-the-scenes area’ with a couple offices, a kitchen and whatnot. That whole place tickled me pink, especially with all the people coming in and reading the huge charts, diagrams, and displays about astronomy and finally going to their shows (they have two a night, Wednesday through Saturday, with a power point presentation afterward, and finally telescope viewing.) My job will be to help run the cashier, and afterwards, man a telescope (of which there are usually three of four) for public viewing. So last night, the guy training me told me where objects like the ‘Jewel Box,’ ‘Tucanae 47,’ and ‘Omega Centauri’ (bigtime southern hemisphere star clusters) were, showed me how to use the scope, and then told me to find them, which I did. He was happy with my quickness, and I was happy that I finally got to see these objects with my own eyes, and I was the one pointing the scope! Heh… woHOO! Anyway, it is such a joy to share astronomy, and especially with a different culture, if that makes any sense.

As far as church goes, I’ve been regularly attending the Christian Life Centre. The pastor is very genuine, and his teachings and character seem like a cross between Chip Ingram (previous pastor at Santa Cruz Bible Church) and Ed Rea (pastor of Calvary Chapel of Redlands)… I’m really being spurred on by the messages. Praise God! The church has really big visions and is completely solid that the Lord will accomplish them through team work. They have many ministries (including choir and dance) but I won’t be able to participate until May, when they have their Friends of the Vision course. So I’m waiting patiently for that, while trying to get involved in a home group.

On a side note, yes, I was asked out by a guy who works at this Turkish kebab place I love, but no, I’m not interested. *L* I just know many of you are curious.

Alright, enough about me… how bout you?
Take care,
Michelle