Friday, August 31, 2007

Make your CLAIM!

I walked in the door this evening and Haydn said there was a package for me on the couch. It was some really cute plaid pj's from Eddie Bauer. However, there was no gift note or name from who it was from. So, please tell me who sent them so I can thank them properly! I really appreciate it.

Frustration sucks. I was sitting on the couch tonight, watching a movie with the flatmates and I get a text message from my boss at WRAC saying that my sub for tomorrow cancelled. ARG! So now I have to try and be in two places at once....teaching for WRAC and coaching for Raumati at WRAC. (By the way, who calls in sick at 10pm on a Friday night???)

So that is what my weekend is looking like.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Stupid Casey Moments

Most of you know that a day doesn't go by that I don't do something to make myself, and those around me, laugh at something stupid I've done. I have told the following stories to my family and with much laughter, they have convinced me to post the following. So, here it is.

Stupid Casey Moment #1
(Background info: Kiwi's call Lifeguards here "Life Savers.") A few days before our staff meeting last week, my boss announces that there is going to be someone from Kiwi Saver to address us. Everyone told me I didn't have to be there since I wasn't a resident, but I just shrugged and said I'd go anyways. I thought the meeting would be important because it was going to be about life saving.
So, meeting day rolls around and about 15 staff members (including my two bosses, Ali and Bekki) are sitting around a conference table when a guy from Kiwi Saver comes in to start the meeting. He slides a pamphlet across the table and the second I read the cover I started to laugh. The pamphlet was from the New Zealand International Revenue Service. Kiwi Saver is NZ form of social security!!! OPPS! I turn to Alexia to whisper to her why I'm laughing at myself. She starts cracking up and she turns to Jo, who starts giggling. Jo then turns to Sandra, Sandra turns to Aaron, Aaron turns to Ma and by the time it gets around to Bekki and Ali the whole table is cracking up at me. Bekki then proceeds to stop the meeting and says "Casey, you obviously now know that Kiwi Saver has nothing to do with saving lives." It was a good laugh.

Stupid Casey Moment #2
In my frenzy of cleaning house, doing dishes, vacuuming, and doing laundry last week, I threw our white toilet rug into the washing machine to run after the dishwasher was done and after I took a shower. About 3 hours later, I realized I needed to run a red load, so I grab all my red laundry and our red shower rug. When I went to hang the red load out on the line, out comes our "white" toilet rug....which is now bright pink. OPPS! (Yes, I know you are suppose to separate your loads. I just forgot the white rug was in the washing machine.) I wrote a note to the flatmates apologizing and stating I would purchase a replacement rug. Later that night, when I came home I run up stairs to see the mates, and all 3 at the same time duck and cover and yell "Watch out! She'll turn you PINK!" It is now a long running joke. (BTW Katrin was much more pleased with our pink rug.)

Okay. Did you get a good laugh out of that? I hope you did because I know it brought joy to those around me. I'm glad I was born with the gift of not being embarrassed easily.

Off to fall asleep to 85mph winds. Night!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Some odds and ends!

I'm feeling much better today then the past couple of days. Still fighting a headache but I'm just giddy to not be uncomfortable and annoyed at every light and sound.

I had a chance to watched the Lunar Eclipse tonight. It was really neat. It started as I was leaving Raumati and the moon was completely covered by the time I pulled into my driveway. Kiwi's really enjoy nature and things of this sort. The eclipse was on the front page of all the papers this morning, the evening news, and all the kids learned about it in class (so they were all excited at practice). I can't even remember the last time I watched one and I'll be excited when the next one rolls around because then I can say "The last lunar eclipse I watch I was in another country!"

There is a new billboard on my commute to work to the city stating "Congrats, Welly! You were named the 5th best capital in the WORLD!" WHOO! I can't find the article to back this information up (I'm sure it is in the fine print, but when you're going 70mph it's hard to catch) but as soon as I do I'll be sure to post it.

I was also evaluated at work....final score: 49.5 out of 50 (I was docked .5 points because I didn't have my lesson plan out. Am I suppose to have a plan?) Overall, I was hoping for a little constructive criticism, some new ideas, and maybe even a "Hey, you aren't doing this right." Bekki, the assistant manager said I'm a great instructor. I'm gonna have to pull some teeth to get some new teaching techniques because even I'm getting bored!

My dad, sister, and bro-in-law finally purchased me a new camera, so I should be getting that soon and with the upcoming two week holiday off (September 24-October 6) I should be able to get out and about to get some pictures taken of some views, sights, and outings. YAY! I know I want to go to the Wellington Zoo, Mount Victoria cable car, and take some pictures of some beaches.

Outside of those random things, the weather is getting really nice and I can feel the buzz of spring :) around the corner....and then it will be summer! YAY!!

Love you all!

Sunday, August 26, 2007

I feel like I should be an Aleve commerical.

Monday morning and I'm laying in bed with a migraine. Well, actually I slept off the migraine and now I just have a really annoying headache. (Don't worry. I'm only missing an hour of "training" at WRAC. I pick great times to be sick. I will head up to Raumati at 4)

I've been swamped with work all weekend. It is the Wellington Short Course Championships at WRAC. It is about 20 teams from the Wellington area (Raumati is currently placed 4th!) It runs over two weekends, with two sessions on each day. The first session starts at 7:00am and ends at 12pm and the second session starts at 4pm and goes till 9-10pm.

Saturday, on the break, Jim took me to a pizza joint called "One Red Dog" on Courtney Place in Wellington. (Wellington's social scene is on two streets that cross each other, Courtney Place and Cuba Street) Then we walked around the city and into a few shops. We then drove over to Lyall Bay which has really good surf and Jim took a nap while I sat on the beach and watched the surfers. The waves were huge, about 10+. It was relaxing to sit there doing something I would do at home.

Sunday, I spent the morning rubbing my head/eyes and telling the kids to stop screaming in my ear. I went home on the break and fell asleep, still clothed and face first into my pillow, for the whole 3.5 hours I had off. I then went back to WRAC to work the evening session, came home, took some sleeping drugs, and feel asleep at 9pm and woke up around 10:30am. I'm feeling alot better and might attempt to eat something soon. Maybe take another nap since I'm still really groggy.

I did have a date on Thursday evening. Not a big deal. I met the guy at the pub last Saturday night when I went out with some friends. His name is Paul and he actually played polo for Jim about ten years ago. It was a nice date, nothing made of fairy tales and butterflies, but nice. We had good conversation over a game of pool and then had a cup of coffee at a place called Espresso-aholic on Courtney.

That's it for now. Sorry I'm not more exciting.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Answered Prayers!

Just wanted to give you all an update:

I found a church! I'm really excited about it because it is seriously a blessing and God smacking me in the face saying "Wake up! I'm here!"

Many of you know that searching for a church was something I wanted to do but due to work constraints and not really knowing where to start has made it more of a burden then an adventurous journey.

Well, last week I mentioned in passing to my friend/co-worker, Alexia, that I was looking for a church. Nothing else was said so I let the topic die. Last night on our way to dinner, Alexia said "Hey. Are you still looking for a church? Want to go with me tomorrow?" I said "I don't think I can because I work in the morning" and she replied with "Not a problem. It meets at 6pm" (which was attraction #1...it meets at night)

I was wary about going because I didn't want to get roped into anything I shouldn't be in or not have it be the right fit for me. However, the church is perfect. It is a non-denominational Christian church called "Destiny" in the heart of Wellington. The sermon was perfect (a testimonial) and the music was really good (I even knew a song!). The congregation of about 200 people is a hugely diverse mix of European, Maori, Asian, etc and they were really welcoming and made me feel at home the minute I walked in the door.

At the end of the service I met the pastors and put into a small group with Alexia. This was an answer to prayers because I know my family and alot of friends have been asking God that I find my "home" here in NZ. The fact that it was right under my nose with someone I work with and became friends with right away, didn't have to go on the scary search, and have it be the first church I attended isn't just luck. It is God. Amen.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

The Pringles War Continues!

Frazer FINALLY ate the tainted BBQ Pringles with chili powder and the 3 of us just happened to be around when he did it. Here is how it went down:
I came home from work around 1pm today and the flatmates were all in a really good mood because they all have the day off. Well, we were standing around in the kitchen and I was eating a can of Sour Creme and Onion Pringles. Frazer said he was hungry and wanted some and I said "There is a can of BBQ that needs to be finished" and toss him the can of tainted chips. He didn't just take one...he ate all 5 that were at the bottom. Hayden was behind him doing the silent laugh, Katrin and I were standing there with a mouthful of food trying not to gag from impending laughter. Next thing, Frazer is spitting in the sink and saying "THOSE ARE BLOODY HOT!" We cracked up! It was was hysterical. We taught the Pringles Monster a lesson. Now I'm just waiting for "Prank War 2007" to start. (anyone have any really funny pranks I can pull out if it starts soon?)

Friday night, Raumati had a Fish n' Chips dinner to celebrate the kids that qualified for the Wellington Short Course meet next weekend. I was formally introduced as one of the new coaches and received my new coaches jacket and uniform. I am finally getting to know all the kids and know their names without looking at the attendance sheet. A group of 10-year-old girls bombarded me with questions: What's your favorite Disneyland ride? What's your favorite color? Do you have a boyfriend? Why aren't you married? Then they proceeded to fight over the seats next to me and I held two in my lap. I have to admit, it felt really special to finally get to know the kids.

Last night was a blast. Jo, Alexia, Seka, Seka's Boyfriend, and I went for some Asian food (after trying to get Mexican at the ONE place in the entire city....there was a 2 hour wait. I wanted to wait, but I was outvoted.) After dinner, we walked over to a pub called "The Bristol" (think Yardhouse) and had a few drinks, some great conversation, shot some pool, and laughed a ton.

And yes, I am the girl with the accent. I have never had an accent before and it's really cool. All night at the pub, people were walking up to Seka and I (Seka is from Washington) saying "Are you Canadian?" (Kiwi's always ask if you are Canadian first because they get offended if you call them American, where Americans don't care if we are called Canadian). They would ask us all sort of questions and I even had one guy tell me "American accents are so sexy". That is a NEW one in describing my accent, most people just make fun of it.

Now, I'm just waiting for Alexia to pick me up. She invited me to her church (which meets on Sunday nights) and I am super excited to finally get an opportunity to go to a New Zealand Christian church, especially with someone I already know. From the way she described her church they do a lot of praise and worship with a full band and do alot of hip/youthful sermons. I will be wary of it and hope this is a church God wants me to attend. (Thanks for all your prayers on that topic, by the way. I know a lot of you have been praying that I find a place of worship here and I really appreciate it.)

Lastly, I want to send a out a Birthday message to two Special guys! I already sent them B-day wishes but I want to make sure that all my millions of readers know it too!
Uncle Jim: I'm so glad I got to talk to you over the phone. I hope you have a fantastic day and celebration next week with the family. I love you and miss you! Happy Birthday!
Brandon: Sorry I couldn't get ahold of you today. I will try again soon. I hope you have a great day and that Kindra has something special for you two to do. Tell her to give you a hug from me. (And yes, the sheep are doing great and my mud hut is still freezing.) Happy B-dizzle!

Anyways, off to get dressed and have a quick bite to eat. Let's hope none of my food is lace with a strange substance.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Del Taco...STAT!

I'm having the worst Mexican food cravings. It doesn't even have to be the GOOD kind of Mexican food. Del Taco bean and cheese red burrito would do. Just ONE! I had a laugh with Jim once I figured out why they don't have Mexican food in New Zealand. There is no one to make it!! (They do have great Chinese and Thai.)

I'm double-booked for work the next two weekends in a row. It is the biggest swim meet of the season (Wellington Short Course Championships) and it is Aug 25 and 26 and Sept 1 and 2. About 25 of my kids made the meet (and from what I hear from past results, that's REALLY good). Well, warm-up starts at 7am and goes till 9pm. I have to teach lessons for WRAC from 9-1. Opps. I'm going to have to take teaching off for both weekends. I told ya I was working....ALOT!

I'm heading out for the night with Alexia and Jo, co-workers from WRAC. We are going to grab some dinner and then a cocktail after. Not a late night since I have to be up at 7am to teach. I will update tomorrow with a funny moment I had at the staff meeting on Tuesday.

P.S. Jimmy Buffett announced dates for Irvine. Tickets go on sale Monday. Are you going? You better! He is going to be announcing an Australian date for December some time soon. I'm going to plan on going. So, you can all laugh at me about not going to Irvine....but I'll laugh back when I see him in Aussie-land!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

A new level of hatred for cold toilet seats!

It was so clear and warm today! Not a CLOUD in the sky and it was toasty as summer. Okay, so I'm exaggerating that last part but it was still really nice. However, do you know what a cloudless, warm day means? A clear, cold night. And it just isn't cold...."It's bloody cold!" says Haydn. I even experienced my first frozen windshield this morning. Who knew my to-go mug of scolding hot tea could also work as an ice melter! Haha!

I have been working. What a surprise! Something different for Casey and her new New Zealand life. (I did get to pick my hours for next term for WRAC. *crosses fingers* Saturday, Sunday, Monday OFF!)

So, I'm going to write about some other things I've noticed since my arrival. Everyone really like the last post that I did for that, so here is another one:

Stars:
The other night I bundled up, grabbed a steaming cup of tea, and stood on our back patio to look at the stars. I could see the milky way, the southern cross, and even a couple of meteors. It's very relaxing to know that even in a city/suburb somewhere in the world, a person can still see stars....at least until your flatmate locks you out, then it's just cold and stupid to be outside.

Gas:
Please repeat after me..."I, insert name, will not whine or complain about gas prices ever again!" The US has it pretty easy when it comes to gas. It is our monster version of cars that is the problem. I'm currently paying $1.53 a liter and 3.78 liters equals one gallon. That is $5.78 per gallon. I get about 425k to the tank (265 miles), and that is considered a "gas guzzler". (Filled up my tank tonight for $60.00)
The government keeps all gas prices the same at every gas station. It is really nice not to have to worry about Mobile being $0.10 more then the Arco across the street. Certain grocery store chains work with some gas companies, for example, for every $50 I spend at Woolworths on food I save $0.04 per liter on my next gas purchase at Shell.

Mail:
I want to thank everyone that has sent snail mail letters and care packages (Mom, Grandma and Grandpa Morrison, Erin, April, the Winklers). I really appreciate it. It is really nice after a long twelve hour day of not really knowing anyone, to walk through the door of a house that doesn't really feel like home, and a flatmate says I have something on the counter. In a world of emails, text messages, and instant communication it's nice to know someone sat down to write. I know it sounds strange, but it makes the world feel even smaller, even with the Internet. Thank you. (Also, thanks for all the AIM conversations, Skype chats, and emails....keep 'em coming! I answer them all at night before I go to bed so that I think about everyone back home while I fall asleep.)

One last, special message:
I want to wish Graham a fantastic HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I'm so sorry this wish is late, bud. I miss you and I'm so sorry I couldn't be there to give you a big boy birthday hug. (I'm sure your mom and dad will do it for me) I love you! I can't wait to see you. You are going to be so big when I get back. Be good!

That's about it for now. I have plans to go out to dinner with some co-workers on Saturday night and a big group of us is going to see Bourne Ultimatum at the Gold Lounge opening weekend (Aug 30). Also, next to WRAC is the Kilbirine Recreational Centre and they are doing a 70's Roller Disco on the 8th of September. I'm trying to slowly jump start my social life.

Cheers!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Quote of the Night

So, Skyping with my Dad tonight talking about the wind we had and he asks "So, what do they call Wind there?" My reply: "Ummm, Wind...."

HAHA! Once he realized what he asked we both had a great laugh. He really wanted to know if Kiwi's had a name for it like what we call Santa Ana Winds.

No. It is just really strong wind.
Thanks for the laugh, Daddy. :)

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The WAR!

Around the flat, there is only one thing that is more important then money itself. This one thing causes anger when we don't have it. It inflicts pains in your stomach as you urge for the goodness. It makes all bad days good again. Smiles will spread across faces that in moments previous were creased in a frown.

This is thing is a tube of crunchy, salty, goodness.

It is Pringles.

Yes, Pringles. The chips that once you POP you can't stop.

It all started with my first grocery shopping adventure. I purchased three tubes and were met with a chorus of "OH YES! Pringles" when I arrived home. Well, it has taken on a mind of its own. (By the way, they are NOT cheap. About $3.00 a can)

The Pringles fairy magically delivers new Pringles every 3-4 days (the fairy being myself or Haydn) and we all have our favorites, but in a matter of a day they are GONE (Frazer being the main culprit).
I opened what I thought was a new can last week only to be met with crumbs and a chicken bollix cube. Haha. NOT FUNNY! I happened to come across the missing Pringles in a ziplock bag at the bottom of a pan in our cookware drawer. (Frazer is a prankster) I returned the missing chips to the can and hid them in the towel closet in the hall and left a note in their place that said "You messed with the WRONG Pringles fairy!"

So, last night after a long day at work I went to grab a handful of Sour Cream and Onion....empty can. Salt and Vinegar....crumbs. Check the BBQ flavor....about 5 left. Haydn had just purchased these about 2 days ago. So here is the plan.

Frazer is currently out shooting deer for the weekend. When he comes home he will be starving. He WILL go for what is left of the BBQ Pringles when he gets home Sunday night. What Haydn and I have planned is to cover the chips in red chili pepper (the same color as the chips). HAHAHA! It is going to be great. I'll let you know what happens.

Just the day in the life of a flatmate living at 13a Kingsbridge Place.

P.S. I always keep a can in my car, so I really don't get upset when they disappear. :)

Friday, August 10, 2007

And I thought Santa Ana winds were bad!!

Just wanted to drop a quick note and let you know Windy Wellington is releasing all its fury on the city tonight.
Currently, the winds are clocking in at 140kmp (87 mph) and is only going to get worse (at least 160kmp....100mph). It is seriously crazy. It also isn't the occasional gust of wind. It is a constant GUST. On my way to work this morning, I saw a grown man pushed back about 5 feet and then thrown from his bike in what my flatmates called "a light breeze" today.

The entire house shakes and every time it does I stop and go into "earthquake" mode and my flatmates just laugh at me because I guess this type of wind is NORMAL!

It is really cool, though, to see the big, white, puffy clouds whiz by at abnormally fast speed against the royal blue sky. I sat in my car today in the WRAC parking lot, fascinated by this phenomenon for a good 20 minutes. Really relaxing, too!

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Different isn't bad. It's just...Different!

I've been in New Zealand long enough to notice some strange things. Outside of the things I've mentioned already (sun power drying, driving, etc), there is some things I've mentioned in passing conversation to some, but not to others. So, here they are:

Driving:
It is quite the adventure to be driving on the "opposite" side of the road (kiwi's get angry when you say the "wrong side"). It is practically impossible to get lost in Wellington. Their sign system is SO much better then the US. There are two main motorways: PCH1 and the Lower Hutt 2. One takes you up the west side of the island. The other takes you to the east. I try to explain our freeway system in California ("Well, we have the 5 south and north, the 405 south and north, the 22 east and west, the 57, the 91....oh and don't forget the toll road 241") and the conversation often ends up with a Kiwi gone cross-eyed.
They also have sidewalks on their motorways. Yes, SIDEWALKS. With people running, walking, biking, sitting during rush hour. Can you imagine bikers on the 405 at 5pm on a Tuesday evening? They would get ARRESTED!

Teeth:
First of all, I want to thank my mum and dad for the 5 years of braces and congrats to myself for suffering through headgear and rubber bands. My smile and teeth have never been more noticed then here in New Zealand. I get compliments all the time on their whiteness, gap-free, and the overall appearance. The compliments usually ends with "....well, you are American." I guess us Yanks, are known for being crazy about our teeth. Well, I don't think that's a bad thing, considering some of the mouths I've seen over here (Dane Cook- "I'm a buck tooth. I like to hang out pass the lips." "Well, I'm a yellow tooth. I look like corn. Don't brush me. Don't brush me!").

Service:
Since tipping isn't common here (YES! No fighting over how much to tip!), service kinda sucks. Sure, you get the occasional Wendy the Waitress with service with a smile but usually they just ask, bring your food, and leave. One thing the US could pick up is when you are seated at your table the host/hostess brings a HUGE pitcher of water. Its really nice not to have to wait around for water. They do, however, go skimpy on the ice (unless, of course, it's a $22.00 long island iced tea....more ice then Antarctica!).

Medical Care:
New Zealand has this great thing called "Accidental Coverage" and it covers every resident, visitor, or immigrant. Basically, if I slip and hurt myself at work the government pays for my doctors visits and bills, my replacement at work, and 100% of the time I miss at work. This happens with any accident: car, road, home, etc. Pretty neat!

Sports:
It is really neat to see a country unified over one sport: rugby (specifically, the All Blacks). In the US, I have been in more then one conversation on why I hate football/basketball, why baseball is amazing, or why California really needs a hockey team. This is a country that doesn't care what sport you are playing, as long as its a sport (they consider underwater hockey a sport *tries to hide giggles*). When Saturday night at 7:30pm rolls around (that's when the All Blacks play), everything stops. Everyone goes to the closest pub, house, or tellie to watch. The local television station also plays the game 3 more times during the week, just in case you might have been in a coma and missed it.

Television:
To say this simply: It SUCKS! It is so horrific. I'm so glad that I have my laptop to stay up to date with my shows (Heroes, Grey's, House, etc.) come September. For example: they have America's Got Talent....but it's the last season (whenever this is on my flatmates look at me and ask "What's your talent, Yank?" I usually reply with a "To annoy you"). They just wrapped up last season of Grey's and Desperate Housewives, they are just starting the first season of Ugly Betty and Brothers and Sisters, and they are just starting season 4 of 24. Also, my flatmates love Dog the Bounty Hunter and the first night we watched it they asked me to explain "white trash" and our bounty system.
Also, it is perfectly acceptable to say the "F-word" on prime time television. This, I have to admit, throws me off. I have been better about not dropping my jaw every time I hear it because it sent the boys in the house into a fit of 12-year-old like laughter just at the sight at my astonished face.

Other:
-I payed for a $2.20 Snickers bar out of a vending machine the other day. Ridiculous. I bring my own chocolate now. (By the way, their chocolate is amazing here. So YUMMY!)
- Everyone carries water bottles here. No paying $1 for a bottle of Aquafina every time you get thirsty. I purchased a bottle of water over a week ago and have been using that since.
-They recycle like CRAZY over here. In our house, we have three rubbish bins: recycle, compost, and other. They have recycle bins next to every public trash can. We could really learn alot from the kiwis.
- They have no idea what "High Fructose Corn Syrup" is here. Their food is all natural. I can actually understand what every ingredient is on the label without going into a fit of pronunciation frustration.
-Kiwis LOVE their ice cream. Don't they know it's winter? And rainy? And windy? Nope. They don't care. They will line up 10 people deep to get to the ice cream man. I have to admit, it's pretty darn good. However, not good enough for the CA girl to eat it (and go numb from temperature) on a daily bases.
- I should have payed attention more in sophomore math class. More specifically, the part about the metric system. I'm horrible at conversions. Celsius, kilos, kilometers, meters, liters....ARG! Makes me go cross-eyed!
-I have to get into the habit of writing the date DD/MM/YYYY. It's really annoying when you see something written as 06/08/2007 and you think "June 8th" and it is really the 6th of August. You should see my time sheets at work. Scribbles everywhere. Opps!
Lastly, I want to say "Congrats" to my grandparents and welcome to the 21st century. They just received their first computer and learned how to send email. The following picture was taken by my sister, while I was webcaming with my g'rents. It was quite entertaining.

I also want to send my love and congrats to my next door neighbors on 20th street: Emily and Gary Frye. Baby Quinn William was born Saturday, August 4th at 1:38pm. He weighed in at 7lbs and 3oz, and measures at 20.5 inches (He is adorable from the pictures I've seen). YAY! Congrats! Hey, whenever you want some sleep and he's crying at 3 in the morning just go knock on our door. I'm sure my dad will be happy to help. :)

Well, thats all for now. I get tomorrow morning off. YAY! Sleeping in!

Cheers!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

I admit it!

Whew! Long day! I taught for a straight six hours (in the water) at WRAC today and then headed off to Raumati for coaching and then a swim meet. I'm exhausted. But I did get to coach water polo at WRAC and it made me smile (and made my bosses happy..."You are a really good at coaching polo." Ummm, duh!)

I had another ISSUE on Monday. On my way to work, someone honked at me to tell me I had a flat tire. ARG!! Something else to give out on me. I made it to WRAC in one piece where I had to call Jim because I had no idea what to do, let alone the time to do it. He showed up and took my car to get new tires (all four) and I was stressed out about how I was going to pay for it. I've had the car for a week and now it needs new tires?!? I was really missing home and called my Dad, crying, at work. (Sorry, Dad) It was a moment of realization that I know all of one person in an entire country, I'm 7,000 miles away from everyone I love in the world, and I haven't been hugged in over a month. I was just feeling really helpless, vulnerable, and alone....and I cracked.

When I went to pick up the car, I found out Jim payed for the tires since I'm renting the car from him it wasn't my responsibility. It was still a big stress a majority of the day. First my camera, then my tires...what NEXT?!? (By the way, I still don't know what I'm going to do with my camera issue. I'm still trying to figure that one out.)

My flatmates were really awesome about my "Crazy" moment. I used Frazer's office at WRAC to call my Dad, so I could get a little privacy and since I haven't been payed from WRAC (I needed to get my tax information filed with the government which takes awhile), I'm a little low on funds, they offered to wave this weeks rent. I'm not in any danger financially (I don't want to dip into my emergency fund...but it is there), but it was a really nice gesture and it helps to that these people I've known for barely a month have accepted me and my pit-falls. (FYI: I get a nice, fatty check from WRAC next week. My tax info went through and I get all my hours on one check. WHOOO!)

So, I openly admit that I am homesick. I'm feeling alot better today...back to my old self. But it has hit, just like I knew it would. I'm thinking off you all and I love and miss you.

Oh, and I'm sick of being COLD! And my laundry is currently on day four of trying to dry.

Saturday, August 4, 2007

The Most Expensive Disposable Camera EVER!

So, I'm angry and bitter. Last night at dinner I pulled out my trusty Canon Powershot SD500, which I received as a great Christmas present a year and half ago, and it stopped working. The lens would retract and then beep at me a couple time and then shut down with E-18 error across the screen. I LOVE my camera. I have NEVER dropped it and I keep it in a padded case and in its own special pocket of my purse.

I come home to do some internet research and find out this is a common occurrence in Canon cameras!!! I spent the whole night trying to fix the thing. Doing what all the forums said to do: turn the lens clockwise/counter clockwise till it snaps back into place, run a toothpick around the lens, use an air compressor to get out all the dust, charge the battery, push on the lens, and whack it on a hard surface at the padded AV port. The thing just wouldn't work. I called tech support here in NZ (thanks for the info, Duff) and after an hour they said they could fix it......for around 200$ and they can't guarantee the work. So it could happen again. I went to a local camera store a town over (they also work with Canon) and they quoted the same.

THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!!! I'm on a trip of a lifetime and my camera dies.

So here are the last pics from my not-so-trusty camera:

Some of the Swim School kids being silly copying the aqua aerobics instructor.
It was really funny.
Jo and I (She's one of my co-workers from WRAC. She makes the job alot more humorous).
My fantastic uniform (in the water). Please note the bike shorts.
I deemed them the "Lance Pants"
So that's all for now. I'm really grumpy but that won't stop me from trying to figure out a solution for my now Amish camera ways.
Cheers.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

I now re-name you!

The shortest blog yet!

Just wanted to let everyone know Jim renamed my car today.

She is no longer named "Putt-Putt", despite its appropriate fitting.

Jim: "So how's Dorothy?"
Casey: "Dorothy?!?"
Jim: "Yea, your car."
Casey: "Its name is Putt-Putt"
Jim: "No. I own the car and you aren't in Kansas anymore."
Casey: "Hahaha! Dorothy it is."

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Bubbles! Bubbles! Bubbles! Bubbles!

Do you remember Caddy Shack and the scene with the Baby Ruth? We had that happen last night at Raumati. But it wasn't a candy bar of chocolate goodness. It was a gift left by a 2-year-old. A magical gift that equaled my long day (Tuesdays are usually 7am-10pm) resulting in standing in the rain to tell parents that were dropping their children off that the pool was closed and going up stairs to the Waterfront for a nice long dinner at a NORMAL time and then coming home and being in my pajamas by 7pm. Thank you bowel movement gods! THANK YOU!

Today was remotely uneventful in the teaching area, but I did get my first kayaking lesson from one of my co-workers, Aaron. It was amazingly fun trying to get my 6-foot frame into a tiny, plastic boat and even more entertaining for those around me why I tried to keep my balance.

WRAC has this SPECIAL machine in the 5meter pool (16.5 feet deep) called the "Bubble Maker." You hit a button on the deck and from the bottom of the pool raises a HUGE mushroom shaped bubble that's about 8 feet across and 6 feet deep. (It changes size and strength depending how long the button is pushed....2 second push is the norm). THIS THING RULES! It throws the kayaks around like toothpicks in the ocean. It teaches the kids not to freak out when they flip and how to get in and out of the kayak. So after the class, my boss and a few others came over to watch me play in the Bubble. I took my life vest off (we have to set "good examples for the kids") and dove down toward the bottom of the pool just as Aaron hit the button. The thing launched me (6 foot tall, 175 pound, strong swimmer) head over heels about three times and tossed me like a rag doll to the surface. I haven't laughed that hard since I've been here. It was really funny. I dove down again (feet first) and the button was pushed (this time by my boss, Ali) and the Bubble launched me a good 2 feet into the air and then flipped me backwards as Ali hit the button sending another Bubble my way which pushed me, like a slide, across 15 feet of water. It was quite hysterical and it's a good thing I was in the pool because I peed my speedo from laughing so hard. (And yes, we did get into trouble for hitting the button too long....OPPS. I guess a 5 second push swamps the gutter system and backs up the filters). Next time the Bubble Machine is on I will take pictures and try to get video. We are going to have a "training session" in a month or so, basically it's an excuse to play with this awesome toy!

On more personal stuff, for some reason my Ipod on shuffle likes playing songs that remind me of home, memories, and people. For example: Mexico by James Taylor=Mom, Dukes on Sunday by Buffett= Dad, My Humps= Duffi (strange but it makes me laugh thinking about dancing on her couch), Country music reminds me of all those nights at Incahoots, etc. Also, the rain still sucks, but I'm dealing. It's annoying because I need to do laundry but how does it dry if it's always RAINING?!?

Tomorrow morning I have off. Everyone together now.....aaaaaahhhhhhhhh, FINALLY! I plan on sleeping in, having a leisure breakfast with tea, and laying around in my jammies till I have to go to Raumati.

Night Night. Time to go dream of giant bubbles :)