The resignation of Don Brash as Leader of the National Party came as no particular surprise to me, however I must admit that in some ways I’m sad to see him go, oddly enough. Although his time was definitely drawing to an end, I feel sorry for him in that his real goals were never realised. I guess for me the thing is that he’s been the National Party Leader for the time when I was most involved in NZ politics and so for better or worse, he’s the one that I associate with the National Party. I never saw eye-to-eye with his policies and I hated the fact that he rolled Bill English, but he was the leader and for that commanded some level of respect. My best wishes go to him, his family, and the party.
In other news, former Russian Spy Alexander Litvinenko has died and 160 people have been killed in car bombings in Baghdad. My prayers are with the families of all those who lost family members today, for whatever reason, wherever they may be.
I arrived in London two months and four hours ago, lost, confused and very very tired. I had wonderful people help me with my bags on the tube and the guys at Carr-Saunders Hall, where I spent my first night, were amazingly helpful. I remember wandering around trying to get my bearings before I stumbled back to the Hall and bed.
Two months later, life seems a little less all over the place (thankfully!). Although I miss everyone at home dreadfully, I’ve made some great new friends and they’re teaching me a lot about their different cultures. I have a church, which I’m working on getting more involved in, and I’ve been elected to some rep role on the Passfield committee. I’ve seen a few friendly faces in the form of two MPs, my parents, and family friends and next weekend I’m going to journey up to Chester to meet, and spend the weekend with, extended family that I’ve never met. I’m really looking forward to both the weekend away AND spending time on a train. I like trains.
I’ve become addicted to Facebook, handed in my first essay, watched my first American Football game, and made my room look vaguely home-like. I’ve mastered the art of using the tube, I even have an Oyster card, and have learned that sleep is actually very important. I’m looking forward to Christmas “holidays” and exploring SW England and spending Christmas in a little village/town near Cambridge, must sort that out, although I’m not particularly looking forward to the 4 essays due in the first week back in January. Life is good!
I spent the weekend at Cumberland Lodge with 45 of my Development Management buddies. We had a fantastic time and did lots of crazy things. The Queen was home at Windsor Castle (her flag was up), so it was nice to have her join us for the weekend, although none of us actually saw her . . . well some people did, but that was on Friday in London . . . but I digress.
Cumberland Lodge is set in the heart of Great Windsor Park, 27 miles from London and 4 miles from Windsor Castle. Its Patron is the Queen, who has granted sole occupancy of this splendid seventeenth-century house to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Foundation of St. Catharine’s. LSE postgrad students invade the Lodge throughout the year and this weekend was Development Management’s turn. I’m not sure whether they’ll invite us back next year after our rather raucus partying. Lots and lots of fun!! If you want to know more about what we did, email me and I’ll tell you the whole story, but here’s the basics . . . in photos :o) You can see all my photos here.
My life has come full circle and the reason for my prolonged absence has been election campaigning . . . I know I said I was leaving NZ to avoid running for anything again but that failed miserably and I am now hours away from another election. Luckily this one is much less serious than the last one, I’m standing for Postgrad/International/General Course (Year Abroad Students) rep on the Passfield Committee.
I’m blaming Zak, he nominated me and was convinced that it was a good idea. I’ve run a joint campaign with Ritika, another postgrad, who’s running for Bar rep. For some reason, running a joint campaign has really worked for us, it’s quite a fun way to run things. Our posters have been bright and fun and with as few words as possible. Although I’m taking it “seriously”, it’s nothing like last year and I’ve really enjoyed the frivolity of it, although it has meant quite a few late nights this week.
Voting happens tomorrow and then we’ll get results tomorrow night . . . although I won’t be around to find out what happens. I’m going on Development Management “camp”, we’re heading to Cumberland Lodge in Great Windsor Park for a weekend of expert lectures and fun (an interesting combination, I know). I’m really looking forward to being surrounded by trees and grass again, even just for a weekend, it will be very very nice! I shall take lots of photos :o) 45 of the 80 students are going, and I’m really looking forward to hanging out with my course buddies (as opposed to my Passfield buddies) for a weekend . . . although I shall miss Passfield anyway. It’s so generally fun here! Plus I won’t be here to celebrate or comiserate the election success/failure. What an exciting few days!!
Tomorrow our Aunty Helen is joining us at the LSE, I haven’t got a ticket because apparently she’s so popular that tickets disappeared in the space of a couple of hours, but I’ll be in line waiting for returned tickets and/or trying to use connections to get me in. If Kiwis can’t see their PM, then no one should be allowed to I say! I caught up with Judy (UF Deputy Leader) today, as she’s in town with Helen and co for the dedication of the NZ Memorial. It was fabulous to hear how things are actually going in Parliament, and to see her again. I do miss all my old work buddies, it really was a fantastic place to work for a few months!!!
Well it’s time for me to get campaigning again, we have leaflets to hand out at dinner and people to talk to as they enter the dining hall. I have really enjoyed doing this again, it’s been fun picking my own policies and making my own posters and stuff. This shall, however, not convince me to stand for Parliament again. Been there, done that, time to move on :o)
Lots of love to you all!!!
Yesterday I caught up with Samir, a friend I met in Vienna two and a bit years ago. It was totally fantastic to catch up and we (or maybe just I) talked far too much for far too long. It was just generally awesome and so good to again see someone I recognise. Weirdest thing was realising that it was like no time had passed at all, yay for old friends that know me oddly well!
I am procrastinating in the middle of my introduction to my Indonesian politics and religion essay. This essay is causing me no end of grief because no matter how hard I try, I can’t get totally interested in the subject as a whole and this is the first “essay” I’ve written in over a year. I’d quite like to go back to work where we didn’t have to write essays.
Lastly, dear Aunty Helen (our well-adored PM) is coming to speak at the LSE next Friday (a week from tomorrow) lunchtime and I am currently working on ensuring that I get a ticket. LSE public lectures provide the opportunity to ask the speaker questions and since I’ve never had much of an opportunity to ask Madame PM questions, I’m planning to make as much use of this as possible. If you have ideas about a good question to ask either email me or put them in a comment to this post. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Ahhh, NZ politics . . . one thing I could write 15 essays on if anyone would let me . . .
