a drew update

Life in the big city has fallen well into routine now that I'm thick in the books and being hit by them. My week starts out at 6:00am Monday when I barely register that the alarm has gone off. By 7:00am at the latest I'm out the door with a backpack full of books, change of clothes, lunch and school supplies to make the 25km bike ride to school. This gives me an hour to get there, change in the nearest washroom stall, and make my way to 8:30am lecture - Chemistry. Let me tell you, after a very invigorating ride to school, I am jam packed with learning energy. I'd say I have a high bonding potential, but that might not come out quite right. Though it shocks me to report, energy levels in lecture hall at that time are not what one might describe as rambunctious.

Around 5:00-5:30pm I make my way out of Chem lab, jump into the stall again to don the spandex, and it's 25km home again. These rides keep me sane, giving me time to let things go and focus on the inside. I'd call it meditative, but New Zealand drivers make Canadian driving look like laser precision. If anything I come home feeling a bit shell-shocked, and have to suppress the urge to leap into the nearest bush at the sound of a passing car. Apparently there is a graduated licensing program here for new drivers. Age doesn't seem to play a part in a round of "what's this wheelie rolling thing in my way?"

That's most of my routine, really. The rest involves eating, studying, sleeping, and time to spend with Karen. Today it was pointed out in lecture that we have had no time allocated for our harvest and winemaking portions - this comes out of our free time. I love being immersed in wine. I love my lecturer in Disease & Pest Management - never have I met someone so absolutely fired up about all things infectious to plants.

This past weekend was In Praise of Riesling, a 10:00am-10:00pm fiesta of all things Rieslings. So much good Riesling, so little time. Too bad I had a cold. But that didn't stop me from having a good time! Oh no! I was even told afterwards by someone very well established in the industry that my remarks in open discussion were very provocative. Once it's worked out if this is positive or negative, I'll let you know.