What's a Tim Tam Slam?

Another week gone…not much to report for this one, unfortunately. It’s getting to be that time of year right before the midterm break where professors really love to make you work for your time off…three papers and a midterm to go before I make it! Actually, only two papers, but one is due the day I get back (why?!?!), so better to get that one out of the way or at least started beforehand. I’m missing the earlier days of traveling on weekends and reading all night. But I’ll be back to that the last two weeks of April while my parents and I traverse the south island!! That’s what really pushing me to get all of my work done right now. Less than two weeks to go until they get here!

Although schoolwork was heavier this week, we still made time for our usual fun activities: Pizza Monday, Gelato/Crepe Wednesday, and a new addition, Tim Tam Friday. Tim Tams are definitely the number one food item that I will miss after heading home! In keeping with my traveler spirit, Tim Tam Friday led to trying something new—a Tim Tam Slam. To perform this act, you bite off opposing corners of a Tim Tam, insert one end into a cup of milk, suck the milk up through the Tim Tam as if it was a straw, and then unceremoniously shove the entire Tim Tam in your mouth. All I can say is that there is a two and a half minute video on Nicole’s Facebook showing how I have yet to figure out this complex ritual. Nevertheless, there was much laughter to be had (as always), and we had a fantastic night. On Saturday, we had planned to go to the home rugby game…until at two in the afternoon, we realized that “home” sometimes means “in Napier, four hours away.” Whoops. Disappointed that we had been cheated out of a game, we decided to go out to dinner instead. Many of us have been bemoaning the lack of Mexican food (mostly Chipotle/Qdoba), so we headed off to the Flying Burrito Brothers. Although I wouldn’t say that it was quite what we were expecting, we still had a good time and left full and satisfied. While waiting at the bar for a table to open up, we took advantage of their margarita special, a grapefruit and cranberry concoction. Yum.

And now here it is, another Sunday. I have been trying somewhat fruitlessly to get some research done for my sociology paper…apparently, the school library’s website is not quite functional. My frustration was lessened since I got to talk to my whole family (even David was home!) and Alex on Skype. And I had spaghetti for dinner. Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to make me happy!

This last week, my homesickness hit its peak so far. I almost felt like I was going through a post break-up situation, when you do anything and everything in an attempt to distract you from whoever you’re thinking of with no real luck. Instead of thinking about an ex, I found myself wishing more than anything to be at home with my friends and family, back in my normal “at home” routine. Apparently it is a pretty normal phase to go through at around the length of time I’ve been away from home. Luckily, I can feel it loosening its hold on me as I get more invested in my school routine. Although I will be ready to come home in July, I’m not quite ready to give up everything and everybody here quite yet. This should not, however, discourage anyone to come visit me. I can even provide you with accommodation underneath my bed, since you probably wouldn’t fit on my limited floor space. How can you turn down that kind of offer?? Start booking your flights today! :)