As Fi Bows to Peer Pressure

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!!!