Work...

At work for the last few days we've been helping out with sorting sediment samples for AUT because we haven't been able to start our own research yet since we need the boat and it's all weather dependent. All 5 of us have a tray with sediment and some water under a light and tweezers, sounds exciting i know. lol The animals are so tiny sometimes i can't even see them and they blend in with the sand but once we're done we have them in a little jar to send for results of the diversity in the different types of samples. I'm looking forward to the field work though because the lab work is very tedious and you need lots of patience to be able to do that all day, i give our supervisor credit she did 300 over a period of 8 months by herself for her thesis! I do like how everyday is different, we aren't always doing the same things and its a very casual atmosphere. It's all a learning experience. Oh and i forgot to mention the other day we went to a beautiful black sand beach to work and get a sand sample above where they buried a dead whale and Dr. Steve O'Shea told us the results today and it was loaded with bacteria! They have to monitor what happens because it's not safe if people picnic over that spot that don't know whats there! It was pretty crazy. Then we tried to dig up some dead large sea turtles they had buried just for fun to see and he forgot where they were but didn't say that until after the entire dune had holes and our nails were dirty! haha but it was gorgeous there so i didn't mind.

The AUT marine biology work truck

The black sand beach

It was so pretty! but very cold!

On the other side of the world missing my boyfriend <3

For you babe!

Horse trails!

These come from a certain species of squid and were all over the beach!

Clara our supervisor showing us how to use an Auger to get the

sample before we all took turns to get it!

Last night we all went out to experience the New Zealand night life for once and found the perfect place. It was so much fun and the music was what we used to listen to in Middle school and Jr. High, they had a huge disco ball and a black light and the atmosphere was casual enough i could still wear jeans (some places won't let you in because it's no jeans and collar only) New Zealanders dress very nice when they go out. Being "backpackers/tourists" though they cut us some slack sometimes haha.



This weekend we're all going to Waitomo caves since it's rainy and the Bay of the Islands should be saved for a sunny or non rainy weekend so boating is more enjoyable. The caves should be awesome i'm so excited to go see more of New Zealand outside the city, i love Auckland but i'm here for their gorgeous and stunning environment, it really is one of the most beautiful places in the world.