(Artificial) Snow!

"When I was a young man .. I was an enthusiastic devotee of the branch of wisdom known as natural science. I thought it was a glorious achievement to know the causes of everything, why each thing comes into being, why it continues in being and why it perishes. I was always worrying myself over such questions as these: Does heat, by undergoing a sort of fermentation, give rise to animal life, as some people say? Is blood .. the instrument of our thinking, or is it the brain alone that supplies the sensations of hearing, sight and smell ..?"
~Socrates

If you are familiar with this quote you may know that it is the introduction to a very long proclamation by Socrates claiming that science and physical explanations hold little to no value in life. This is how my Physics professor introduced the course this afternoon. "Take from my teachings what you will", was the message, I suppose. I found it interesting that the professor fairly clearly stated by reciting this quote that science does not give answers to life’s big questions. Physics 160 does not define the world in which we live?! It will not enlighten us to the greater work that occurs in the universe?! Blasphemy ; )
It’s been quite a long day for me. I put in the number of hours equivalent to a full day of work at the Liggins Institute, had my first physics lecture and then came home to do exercises from physics class, pre-read for tomorrow's lectures, organize my schedule and prep for my work at Liggins for the rest of the week.
The university was abuzz today with first week activities... all of the uni clubs have stalls set up in the quad to recruit new members, there are barbecues, performances and "free stuff!" galore... Classic university.
Thanks to all the propaganda ; ), I am now officially a member of the Auckland University Canoe and Tramping clubs. Both take some pretty neat weekend day trips all around the North Island and host the odd social event throughout the semester. (Canoe club toga party Friday night? : ) my RSVP = Yes)
Yesterday was the last lacrosse game of the league season (But University club is starting up!). I'm really happy to have met all of the amazing girls on the team. Lacrosse was one of the very first things that I did when I arrived in New Zealand. The team's first practice took place on the Monday after my arrival (which was on a Saturday). Though I had always wanted to play, I never had the chance to while in school, so this was my first lacrosse experience. I read an article on the airplane ride from Los Angeles to New Zealand that interviewed a famous Kiwi opera singer. She used the phrase, "Keen but bewildered," to speak of her attitude when she first moved to London to attend art school. The same was certainly true for me in regards to Lacrosse. I don't believe I caught the ball at all during that first practice! As I was assured I would by my coach, I have become a competent player despite my seemingly hopeless first attempts. And as I anticipated, I love lacrosse : ).

Inside Snow Planet

I also went to Snow Planet on Sunday evening! I borrowed some gear from a friend and got a taste of the winter that I've so regretfully missed out on ; ) The facility isn't all that large- there is one main hill and several jumps and terrain park areas. Regardless of the size, it was a blast! I didn't have much opportunity to go snowboarding last year thanks to a combination of unsuitable weather and excessive school work, but the "rhythm" came to me very quickly and fortunately I didnt suffer any falls. I also got quite a kick out of walking the short distance from the snow to the parking lot and experiencing a temperature change of at least twenty five degrees Celsius. It should also be noted that there is a fence that borders the Snow Planet property that serves as a boundary for a sheep enclosure. Ha : ).
Other random bits from my day: I signed up to participate in a Habitat for Humanity build in a few weeks’ time. I'm very much looking forward to that. For dinner today I had really great stuffed eggplant with a salad and some nice ciabatta bread. Mmmmm : ) I've also been thinking a lot recently about my words and whether they are positive or negative. It’s such a basic principle and something I've heard about forever of course, but I feel as though I've had a personal revelation on the matter. I think of myself as generally being in a good mood with affirmative things to say, but I realize I still make complain-y comments quite often and also say things that may or may not be offensive, depending on who is listening. These kinds of words are neither constructive nor diplomatic, and I aim to be both of those things! It is also important to me though to be genuine and to be able to honestly and accurately articulate my opinions... So I've certainly been more considerate of the things I say.
Ballet class tomorrow! I can only go every other week now because I have a lab that conflicts with the class that runs every second week. Maybe I'll fill in my lost dance time with a tango lesson! ; )

Have a GREAT week!

Lots of love,
A