Volunteering is a wonderful thing to do.  Back in the States, I didn't always have the time in my schedule to help out around town.  Sure, I did things for the school, but it isn't the same.  Giving back to the community is a nice way to say "thanks."  It's even nicer if you love what you are volunteering to do.  I've helped out in a kindergarten classroom, back at home, which was incredible.  Here, I get to walk dogs. Once a week, for 2 hours, I volunteer at the Dunedin SPCA.  All I have to do is come in, grab a lead, poo bag, collar or harness, and excited dog!   
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Boi, a staffy and black lab mix.
On my first day, I walked two dogs: Boi and Dottie.  I spent most of my time just wandering around the area and figuring out a good route.  The SPCA is about a 20 minute walk away, on the top of a hill, so--needless to say--I do not know the area too well.  Anyways, the first dog I walked was Boi.  He is a staffy (similar to the Pit Bull) and lab mix.  He was incredibly sweet.  During our walk, he would randomly stop and lean against me to pet him.  He was wonderful on a lead (leash) and only pulled once or twice.  When we got back, he was happy to get a drink of water but sad when I left him and took Dottie out.
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Dottie, a staffy and dalmatian mix.
Dottie has been my favorite so far.  She was even sweeter than Boi, always had a slack lead, and was so happy.  Before I went to get her, one of the workers warned me, "she might be a little stand-offish.  But don't worry.  Once she realizes you are going to take her for a walk, she will warm up to you."  Well, when I opened the door, she bounded over to me, jumped and bounced circles around me, and kept wiggling with excitement when I put the harness on.  So much for being "stand-offish."  Dottie has since been adopted!

The second time I went to the SPCA, I walked three other dogs: Toys, Chimp, and Lucy.  Toys is a Fox Terrier and Collie mix.  This pup could not have any more energy!  She was quite small, but managed to jump up to my chest.  She constantly pulled the lead: You aren't fast enough!  Let's go!  Oh!  Bird!  Chimp had the same mentality, except he was twice the size of Toys and twice as strong!  But he was just as sweet as all the others!  Finally, I walked little miss Lucy.  She's an old pup, 10, but a gorgeous, loving, Golden lab/retriever.  

On a side note, I recently got my first NZ fish & chips from--apparently--one of the best places in Dunedin.
PictureI saw it on August 21st.
I also went to my first movie premiere, ever!  My kiwi host got tickets to see The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.  I'm a huge fan of the books, and I was so excited to see how the directors would transfer it over into film.  I used to hate film adaptations of books...but I am slowly coming to like them.  I've learned that they are NOT one and the same.  The movie and the book tell different stories; sometimes they compliment each other, and sometimes they are completely different species. The different species thing is usually when I hate the adaptation, for example Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince or Percy Jackson & the Olympians: the Lightning Thief.  If the movie ignores the book completely, it is terrible.  If it follows it partially or really well, then it is usually good.  Anyways, this was an amazing adaptation!  Now that it is actually out in theaters, I feel alright talking about it.  But, at the premiere I had to hand in all my electronics and sign a paper for copyright laws.  The actors and directors did a wonderful job of transferring characters and concepts (especially ones that are perilously close to Twilight) onto the big screen.  

So, this post is about two things: volunteering and movies.  Volunteer.  Do it.  It's fun, gratifying, and valuable.  Also: watch movies.  They are also fun, gratifying, and valuable.  There is a DVD store across the street from my flat...and they have $1 DVD's (that you get for a week).  I have been watching about 5 a week.  Some are for cultural education, some are longstanding interests, and some are recommendations.  

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