Results from Home

I passed my Level 2 Media Studies Short Film.
Super yay ! 


Even though I thought the final project was totally lame, I had my fingers and toes crossed that all the work I had done would pay off. And it did! I got Achieved for both parts, which is fine because it's a pass. 


For those interested, my teacher emailed me my feedback which is bellow in Italics. 


That's all for now, 
School tomorrow (:


You've got achieved for both standards - well done, you. Pretty impressive when you had to go it alone with such a small time-frame.

AS90765 Achievement - 6 credits 

Clearly structured storyline with a kick at the end. You maintain appropriate tone and angle throughout. Cutting some of the repetitions out would have been useful because it tends to lag a bit and this would have made it more snappy. Design is thoroughly planned to brief and storyboard adjusted to reflect changes. Shots are limited in range and there is a problem with gaps/unevenness in sound, which needed more work. Lighting generally effective. A solid piece of work, Nicole, held back from being polished through the sound and repetition - but it is impressive that you got it done in the timeframe you had.

AS90282 Achievement- 3 credits

Camerawork is steady, well focused. Shots are straightforward in composition. Dialogue is clear but there are problems with the sound which further editing could have eliminated. Sound is straightforward - some effects but not complex mixing. Pace and rhythm is maintained - tighter editing would have lifted mark. Definitely competent use of technology and could have been lifted had you had more time. You did well in the time you had, Nicole.

It's all fun and games until someone throws up.

With only two days left until I start school, I'm enjoying the last of my holidays. 

Ready to enter the fair complete with our excited faces.

So as I'd previously said I went to Des Moines to do some shopping and go to the fair. It was very nice. I bought a pair of jeans, a couple of t-shirts, sunglasses (mine went walk abouts at camp) and a belt. Although short timed, the shopping trip was nice. I can now say I'm well set for school. 

The next day, we went to the Iowa State Fair, which apparently is the largest fair in America. That's exciting ! There were so many different food stalls, selling things from Corn Dogs to Cotton Candy and Funnel Cake. Veronika and I halved a funnel cake, it was batter funneled onto a plate with icing sugar on top. It was so yum, but I definitely couldn't have eaten it by myself ! We explored the fair for a while and went on a ride, though it was pretty tame. It was way too hot though, and since we arrived at 9.30am it felt like we'd been there all day when infact we were home by 2pm.

Showing some pre-season football spirit.

Friday was also an exciting day. A couple of Anna's friends came over and all seven of us went to the Mexican restaurant for lunch which was fun and very entertaining. That evening, Veronika, Anna and I went to the football scrimmage at school which was where our school teams played each other as an introduction to the season. Though there were mosquitos everywhere, it was extremely humid and I don't understand the smallest bit about football, it was fun. There's so much school spirit, and apparently there was a bad turnout compared to normal football games. Most of the crowd was wearing an Emmetsburg t-shirt or our school colours; black and yellow.

Aaron, Zach, Maddie, Myself, Jacob, Anna, Veronika &  Elizabeth
As you can see, I'm not very impressed.

Other than that, yesterday (Sunday) we went to Jake's (Anna's boyfriends) church in Mallard for a youth group where we had Tacos for dinner and then had a "crud war". Basically, they poured a whole lot of mushy food onto a slip-n-slide and we were to slide down it. This didn't appeal to me, but I wore older clothes nevertheless. Even though I didn't go on the slip-n-slide, Anna, Jake and Veronika were kind enough to smother me with hugs so I got covered in condiments such as Salad Dressing and food similar to creamed corn. Disgusting. They tried to convince me to slide but I was definatly not going to slide, unless they wanted me to puke on it. Just the smell made me gag a little. I know, I'm a charmer.

After being hosed off and changing clothes, the four of us older kids (Anna, Jake, Veronika and I) went across the road back to Jakes where we watched Kick-Ass. Hilariously violent. Yes, I was watching it legally cause the rating is only R15+ in America. Unfortunately I had a stinging headache and something in my tummy wasn't feeling quite good and I ended up puking after the movie and on the way home. But all is okay now, I'm recovered and happy thanks to a good nights sleep.

All eager to start school sporting my attractive new P.E gear.

Not much is planned for tomorrow and then on Wednesday school is finally starting, I can't wait. Of the people I had lunch with, Mara is a senior and she's going to be in my Physchology class and Critical Thinking class, and both Natalie, who is a Sophmore and Mara are in Concert Choir with me which is good. At least I know some people. 

Over and Out (:

Off to the Fair

Swimming with Anna and Jake.

Just a quick post before I'm off to Des Moines to go shopping and then to the fair tomorrow ! 


Since Saturday we haven't done anything outstandingly exciting, been swimming a couple of times, had a tour of the school, watched some movies, further investigated the supermarket and general stores around Emmetsburg and what not. Since Anna had arrived on Sunday evening, Veronika and I have met a couple of her friends who will be at Emmetsburg High this year too which is great. 

Investigating the local Supermarket.

Today, as I mentioned we're going to Des Moines which is about three hours from here I think. We're going shopping a bit when we arrive this afternoon and then we're staying at Heather's (Linda's Daughter's) house overnight to go to the Iowa State Fair on Thursday morning. This is important because Amanda (Linda's Grand-daughter / Heather's daughter) is signing the National Anthem at 9.30am (I think). 


That's all for now. I'll update when I get back from Des Moines (:

Timetable Alteration. Yes already.

Yesterday David took Veronika and I into school registration to be finally put into classes and our "grade". It was all very exciting.

We are going to be Juniors (in grade 11) which suits us well because we'll be with people our age and since we're only here for 6 months there's not any point to us being Seniors, cause we won't be graduating anyway.


Then was the task of choosing our subjects. I began with a huge list of subjects that interested me. Unfortunately a lot of them clashed or were in Semester Two. Initially I had chosen the minimum amount of subjects (plus P.E and Choir which are 1/2 subjects) but decided to add American Literature because two study periods a day would be a bit boring. So yes, I've already had a timetable alteration. Those familiar with my subject changes will know it's a good sign that I'm happy now, cause at Albany Senior High I changed a bit too many times. 


Eventually, I decided on the following subjects;


Human Relations
American Literature
Practical English
Critical Thinking
Psychology
US History (Compulsory)
(Hopefully the school Councillor will be able to get me into the American Government class instead which I can use as a substitute for US History but I have to wait and see since it's a Senior subject only and the teachers a bit picky about his class apparently)
Choir
P.E (Compulsory)
(both of which are 1/2 subjects, so they alternate. One day I have P.E the other I have choir.)


I could've chosen another subject, but Linda says it's best to keep one 'free period' which I have Study in. It means I go to the study hall and am able to do my homework and catch up on extra classwork which is good. 


The classes are 45 minutes each and we have 8 a day. So every day I have every class, plus either P.E or Choir and a study period. 


I also have my own locker, which I managed to open first time. I was very proud. 


Some time next week we'll go in and have a tour of the school, which'll be good cause I have absolutely no idea where anything is, except the office, lunch / study hall and my locker. 


In extra-curricular news.. We're doing a fall musical ! I'm excited cause it's called "All Shook Up". The principal told us it's based around Elvis songs. I think it'll be a great opportunity to get to know people as well as have some fun and do something I didn't have time to do in Auckland. Needless to say I'm nervous about auditioning. But I'll be happy to be in the chorus.


I was thinking about doing a sport, but in the fall the only sports for girls are either cross country or volleyball, and apparently all the volleyball girls are super competitive and really good. So I won't be doing that. 


But soon there'll be announcements for the swim team which, even though they practice every day after school, I'm interested in joining. Just for something exciting to do that's good exercise. Cause the wii fit isn't really exercise. Even though it says we're burning calories. (Yes, Veronika and I have taken a liking to the Wii, our favourite game is Wii Fit where we do different activities to build muscles and burn calories. Things from juggling to skateboarding, marching, snow ball fighting and yoga. It's definitely fun and good for you.)


That's about it for now, except that on Sunday David is going to pick up Anna, his youngest daughter (18) and she's gonna be here for two weeks which will be cool. She's taking us to the beach on Monday, hopefully we don't get eaten alive by mosquitoes. 


Seeya in a while, Crocodile (:

Welcome to Emmetsburg

So as well as having a blog, I also have a YouTube account where I will be adding videos about my exchange. This will require a broadband connection or hours of time with a dial-up connection. I have added the first video from Emmetsburg to this post, but there's also a video about camp you may be interested in. I'll try to add the more exciting videos on here so you don't have to check my youtube account as well as here.

Wal-Mart, Pizza Ranch and Church

In an effort to post more regularly, here I am again. Twice in one week you say? I know! I even amaze myself.


Yesterday (Saturday), Linda, David, Veronika and I headed out to Spencer yesterday on the hunt for cellphones to use, since I can't just buy an American Sim for my NZ phone. That's too easy. It was all good though and very simple surprisingly. Veronika and I were just added to the family plan so we pay $10 a month. Hurrah.

Veronika and I at Burger King.

Before going to US Cellular we went to Burger King for lunch which was my first BK experience in the states. As I'd hardly had time to digest breakfast I wasn't very hungry but this was lunch so I had a Whopper Junior and a small drink. Try a total of $2. I like America. 


Then we went to Wal-Mart. Yay. Just a short trip, but Wal-Mart is always exciting. They sell Miley Cyrus clothes at this Wal-Mart. Save the children, don't let them buy it!


A short trip home, and soon enough Linda and David announced that we were going to Pizza Ranch for dinner. Think an all you can eat buffet, a lot of Pizza, some salad, chicken and good company. Yum.


This morning Veronika and I went to Church with Linda and David, which meant an early rise but I still have packets of New Zealand instant coffee so I was awake. Starting at 9am going for an hour we went to the First United Methodist contemporary service which was so cool. A lot of singing and the usual praise but in a surprisingly fun way. I enjoyed it a lot. During the service Linda introduced Veronika and I to the church and afterwards we had many people coming up and talking to us. Everyone was so friendly!

I love New Zealand AND Vienna.

Tonight Linda's church is having an "Ice cream and Pie social" to raise money to paint the roof so we're off to that which will be cool. I do like ice cream. 


At the moment Veronika, David and I are just watching some criminal programmes on cable. I'm quite enjoying the range of CSI-type programmes that David and Linda enjoy.


That's all for now. Keep smiling (:

Day 7 in Iowa

Almost the view from our house

After arriving on Saturday last week, I have been in Iowa for seven days now, and I love it!


On Saturday evening, Linda (my host Mom) picked me up from Mason City Airport which is about one and a half hours drive from our house in Emmetsburg.


At 8:30pm, David (my host Dad) picked up Veronika (my exchange sister) from another airport, about 270 miles from Mason City. So by the time they got home I had unpacked and fallen asleep. 


On Sunday, after David and Linda had come home from church and Veronika and I had slept in, we went for a tour of the neighborhood. It's larger than I thought it would be, with 3000 residents and many nice sights and shops. No clothing shops though, as Linda had said.

Emmetsburg, the middle of town.

From our house you can walk down a path (kind of Alleyway) and you're at the Lake. (Refer to photo 'Almost the view from our house') We're also pretty much directly behind the Movie Theatre on Main Street, so a lot of things are within walking distance.


On Wednesday afternoon, Linda took Veronika and I into Fort Dodge to do some shopping before meeting another exchange student at the airport. We went into Target where I bought a black Mossimo Cardigan for under $20 (the exact price I can't remember). We went into a Mall but I didn't find anything in there, except a travel clock. 


After visiting the mall we went to an Italian place for dinner which was very yummy, but hugggeeee servings, I didn't expect anything less though. Then we went to Wal-Mart which was a lot larger than than the Wal-Mart in Newport. I managed to excite Veronika with the idea that there might be a Nirvana t-shirt cause I saw one at the Newport Wal-Mart but after a dash to the Mens clothing we were only but disappointed.



Yesterday, Veronika and I decided to walk to the library cause even though it's across town, 2 miles isn't that long, right? Not if you don't have footpaths over half the way. 


After getting instructions off Linda and David we were all set, once we turned off 8th Street we realised why they warned us there might not be footpaths on the side of the street we want to walk on. It was pretty terrible. Not only was there only ever a footpath on one side of the street, but it'd randomly stop in between houses. Sometimes there was no footpath at all. We quickly began to regret our decision. 


Eventually we reached the library, and it was as quiet as anything, there had to be two other people in there except us. I wanted to get out a book to start learning some more German, but nothing. Then I thought about learning some more Piano, cause there's a piano in the lounge. But nothing. So after a while I gave up and got out a book on Woodstock and a novel. Nothing too exciting.

Veronika outside my our school

On the way back we decided to take what we thought was a shortcut, while going past our school at the same time. After passing the school we couldn't believe that we saw 8th street, it was so much closer than the way we came. But after one block it stopped. Luckily we found our way back home through wandering in right direction. 


In the past seven days, I have been no-where near as busy as I was on ONE day at camp, but it's nice to relax. I don't start school until the 25th of August which means I still have a lot more time to relax and settle in, although I'm pretty well settled in now. I still have to decide my school subjects, get registered for school and buy an american cellphone / number. But more about that in the next post.

David, Linda and Gizmo, one of the cats at home

On an unrelated note, I am so lucky to be a New Zealander, just for the fact that our money is so much nicer than American money. I don't want my one cent change if I buy something for 99 cents! Seriously, who thought it'd be cool to have a one cent coin cause I dislike them greatly.


That's all for now, maybe one day I'll learn to post more often so it means I have to write less. 'Till then, sorry about the enormous posts. 

Flights to Iowa

Countless travelators and in airport train systems... What a day.

"The Cheeseburger Gang" (Minus Amy) nearly leaving EF Culture Camp

The past ten days have gone so fast and I had such an amazing time at camp. But of course, all good things come to an end and this morning all of us students left camp. First to go was Amy, who’s off to Minnesota for six months, who left at 1am on the very first bus with Cille, my amazing Dutch room-mate who’s going to Nevada for a year. Then we said goodbye to the Sarahs at 2am, Sarah Tilley who’s off to Idaho for 6 months and Sarah Palmer who’s off to Minnesota. Then there was just the five of us left, all departing from camp at the same time but on two buses going to two different airports. At 3am Grace who’s off to Oklahoma, Kim who’s off to Preston and Alanna who’s going to Iowa, hopped on the bus to Boston airport and Ashleigh and I go on the bus to Providence airport.

After a small nap in the bus to Providence Airport we were at the airport checking into our separate flights, and who did we see but Sarah Palmer who was leaving the airport around 6am like Ashleigh. We checked in and my luggage was an amazing 47 pounds (only because I have two super heavy carry on bags, but the airport doesn’t weigh those). Then we had to wait, oh the joy. Everyone was so tired and by the time Starbucks had finally opened I had already had a Red Bull in hope of staying awake until my 9:10am flight. That didn’t happen.

Sarah and Ashleigh around 5am at Providence airport.

I saw Ashleigh and Sarah off their separate ways and we wished each other the best of luck. No less than half an hour later I was asleep next to other EF students sitting at one of the tables in the food court until it was time to say goodbye to another small group at 7.30am. There was only three of us remaining after that; a German boy, Sarah a Swiss girl who I was talking to for a while and myself. When 8.45am finally rolled around I couldn’t be more relieved to board my plane, so I said goodbye to the other two and went my own way.

First I flew from Providence to Detroit which took two hours. Then from Detroit to Minnesota which was another two hour flight, luckily I met an Austrian girl from Norwich camp called Camilla who I talked to for a while. Now I’ll be waiting three hours to fly for an hour to Mason City in Iowa with Veronika who should be arriving soon. I really hope she doesn’t get lost, I didn’t even think to ask what flight she’d be on.

Update: Veronika's first flight was cancelled so I didn't end up meeting her 'till this morning cause she got into Emmetsburg around midnight!

That’s all the excitement of my sleep deprived travels for today; luckily I won’t have to do it again until I leave for Germany.

I hope wherever you are you’re having an amazing day (: