As I said in my last post, here are a few samples of poetry I have written. I’m still working out some kinks with them, but I figured I’d share the process with you, with my rough drafts.

The Joke

So the joke starts

Sailors
Grasping metal rails
Their legs helpless
To the force of the waves
On the side of the vessel

Salt coming in
Oceanic waves
Speckling hair
With white
Instant aging

Kia Ora! I figured it was about time to catch you all up on what I’ve been doing the past two weeks. I arrived in Auckland on the 11th of July, and was picked up and taken to my flat (but not before being told my passport was invalid! Turns out I needed only to sign it. Phew). I live on the 15th floor of my building in a small room tucked in the corner. Definitely feels like a city-dweller, starving artist kind of flat. But I like it fine.

So it’s T-2 hours until my flight and I’m seated anxiously near my gate waiting for boarding. I figured this would be the perfect time to reflect and share my thoughts. After spending my entire summer in Botswana, it was hard to say goodbye to family and friends for four whole months. But I know that the experience will outweigh whatever nerves I’m having right now!

A great part of living in Rondebosch is being in close proximity to a lot of different parts of the great Mother City, but nothing has been as stimulating as walking to Stormers Stadium. Disclaimer: I know nothing about rugby, and my football knowledge is limited.

I get on a plane headed for Omaha in the morning. I’m sitting here in my nearly vacant room next to a fully packed suitcase and thinking about these past six weeks. There has been some turbulence along the way, but the good times and good connections I’ve made here completely override the bad. There are so many moments that keep popping up in my mind as I try to recount the whirlwind that has been my study abroad experience.

This past weekend I took the train and spent two days in Nice. I will try to avoid the conventional “Nice is nice,” to describe my time there, though yes. Nice is, in fact, very nice.

Hello, again,

Here’s another quick update. I’m incredibly busy as this is my last week here. I leave on Saturday. I can’t believe it.