Well its been a while since my
last post…sorry bout that, I was captured by Trolls plz...
Don't worry....I escaped thanks to some dude named Gandalf.....Long grey beard, pointy hat ya thats him
Things here have been absolutely amazing! I am
just getting into the routine of classes and learning tons about various new
things in the design world. The weather is fantastic and I am meeting new and cool
people from here in NZ and from across the world. Lets see, how should I
describe the past few weeks…..? Ok lets go through some highlights:
- · Tour through the wine vineyards in the rolling green hills of Martinborough
- · Learned how to make massive vinyl cut stickers using a professional vinyl cutter!
- · Watching the Super Rugby Final with the Van Heldens (NZ team won!!!)
- · Planned the South Island trip with Lucian to visit Queenstown, Dunedin (#chocolateforlyfe), Christchurch, Picton and some other places
- · Andy Warhol exhibit at Te Papa (my Screen Test)
- · Awaiting All Blacks game vs. Australia!
- · Did the Massey University Polar Plunge
- · Visited Weta Cave and toured through the workshop!!!!
Funny story about that last one, some international students
were guided tour through the Weta Workshop facilities which only just begun this year due to its 20th
anniversary since the NZ company's inception. While we were there we saw cast
molds, carvings, metal works and props for movies of the past and movies yet to
come. Sorry, I have no pictures because we were not allowed to take any in the
workshop. But, I can do my best to describe it. At first, walking in, one would not
think that all the magic from the Lord of the Rings and other movies was done
there. It is a series of smaller shops filled with people hard at work carving,
welding, sanding and computing wicked magic graphics on their computers. Their desks were littered with
remnants of face molds, metal scraps, plaster dust, cereal bowls and small models from the
Lord of the Rings, Avatar, District 9, the Hobbit, Elysium and new upcoming
movies. It was a loud and creative atmosphere. I can’t even believe we were
allowed back there, it just seemed like we got in the way. I felt like I was part of the Weta team on a normal day. At one point, when
the tour guide was talking the co-founder of Weta and creative director for the
Lord of the Rings Richard Taylor walks out a door right next to me unnoticed by everyone but
me and two others. He was working on a new film and was checking up on some
artists work around us. He then stopped and greeted me. I melted right there on
the spot. He was super friendly. After a little while he resumed his work. It
was unbelievable that I was able to meet with a five time oscar winning artist.
For all those who haven’t already figured out…I am a major Lord of the Rings
geek. I tweek out at the smallest Lord of the Rings things. Gosh…I would clean
toilets for 2 years just to be able to work there. Definite highlight.
Other
than that, things are going great. Just finished the Polar Plunge fire and ice
challenge with Massey. This is where you must eat a piece of a ghost pepper and
then jump off the dock (15ft) into the freezing mid-winter Wellington bay. The
combination of the fire in my mouth and the ice in my veins was absolutely
unbearable…but terribly fun. In my free time, and when the weather is great, I
enjoy going for runs and walks up Mt. Victoria. Pictures below:
Lastly, Lucian and I just bought tickets for our South
Island visit. We are planning to ferry across to the South Island to a place
called Picton then immediately busing to Christchurch to stay for a night at
one of my flatmates houses. Then leaving the next morning for Queenstown for 7
days to visit Milford Sound. Then lastly we will head over to Dunedin and eat
Cadbury till our bellies burst at the chocolate factory. Then fly back to
Wellington to finish the semester. Until next time. Miss you all! I wish to
give a great thanks to my parents, grandparents, extended family and my friends
for all your support and prayers. God is good.
