....not a cloud in sight. So, I guess I'm doin' alright!
After spending an entire day in bed, drinking tea and juice and watching 80's movies (what is it about Sixteen Candles and Jake Ryan that turns a cold around?), I'm feeling ALOT better. It was a great day here in New Zealand. Jo and I even took our lunches out to the park behind WRAC and layed out in our suits. It was so great! Blue Sky! No Clouds! NO WIND! YAY!!
Work was awesome, too. I'm coaching more Flippaball classes and my Thursday kids are great. I'm still a wee bit congested with a cough but I'm feeling better. Thank goodness I brought DayQuil and NyQuil with me.
I don't really have plans for the weekend. I'm on call for Saturday morning and I'm working for 2 hours on Sunday. I was invited to a Halloween party on Saturday night but depending on how I'm feeling, I might not go. Plus, I really don't have a costume. I could go as a spy (black pants, black shirt, trench coat, and sunglasses).....or is that more Jackie O? Haha.
I want to wish a Happy Birthday to my cousin Aly! I was so out of it on Monday (her Sunday) that I forgot to include it in my last blog. I love you so much Aly! I hope you have a fantastic day, filled with all sort of Texas things to do. I miss you and you deserve the best Birthday ever!! HUGS!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Ohh, the insanity!
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
After spending the entire day sick and working, I come home to the stove broken and a cell phone message from Frazer, my flatmate, that said "Ya, we broke the stove. The guy is coming to fix it tomorrow. In the mean time you are more then welcome to come to my parents house with Katrin and I for the night." The starter on the stove that ignites the fire is broken so its emits really loud, obnoxious CLICK noise. I have to decline the invitation to stay at Frazer's parents house due to the fact that I'm really sick.
The good thing about being sick is that I actually don't know what my fever is. I know I have a fever because all the swim instructors that are moms kept feeling my forehead today at work and telling me how hot and clammy I was and how my eyes had this glazed over look that only they can see and tell if a kid is really sick. Wow, the gifts you get when you shoot a human being out of your womb. Basically, I spent the day going through the motions and the kiddy pool at WRAC felt like a sauna and the pool at Raumati just made my throat wrecked. I'm officially taking my first SICK day tomorrow. (but it might end up being a INSANITY day with the click, click, click, click of the stove!) It is times like this that I really miss my own bed with my own pottery barn sheets with my own pillow and my own CABLE tv! At least I have my own sock monkey flannel pajamas. *sigh*
Also, the top story on New Zealand's ten o'clock news was "Firestorm takes California". I yelled out "HOME!" when I heard the story. The information is pretty vague but I'm doing my best to stay on top of the news with abc7.com. The news showed a satellite picture of all the fires and the smoke and I can't believe it. It's so sad, sadly though, I have to admit I'm glad to be missing it. The ash, the smoke smell, the air....glad I'm not there to have to take a constant shower to feel clean. Please, everyone stay safe and don't inhale.
Anyways, off to bed with two doors shut and a pillow over my head the "clicking" isn't too bad.
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
AAARRGGHHH!
After spending the entire day sick and working, I come home to the stove broken and a cell phone message from Frazer, my flatmate, that said "Ya, we broke the stove. The guy is coming to fix it tomorrow. In the mean time you are more then welcome to come to my parents house with Katrin and I for the night." The starter on the stove that ignites the fire is broken so its emits really loud, obnoxious CLICK noise. I have to decline the invitation to stay at Frazer's parents house due to the fact that I'm really sick.
The good thing about being sick is that I actually don't know what my fever is. I know I have a fever because all the swim instructors that are moms kept feeling my forehead today at work and telling me how hot and clammy I was and how my eyes had this glazed over look that only they can see and tell if a kid is really sick. Wow, the gifts you get when you shoot a human being out of your womb. Basically, I spent the day going through the motions and the kiddy pool at WRAC felt like a sauna and the pool at Raumati just made my throat wrecked. I'm officially taking my first SICK day tomorrow. (but it might end up being a INSANITY day with the click, click, click, click of the stove!) It is times like this that I really miss my own bed with my own pottery barn sheets with my own pillow and my own CABLE tv! At least I have my own sock monkey flannel pajamas. *sigh*
Also, the top story on New Zealand's ten o'clock news was "Firestorm takes California". I yelled out "HOME!" when I heard the story. The information is pretty vague but I'm doing my best to stay on top of the news with abc7.com. The news showed a satellite picture of all the fires and the smoke and I can't believe it. It's so sad, sadly though, I have to admit I'm glad to be missing it. The ash, the smoke smell, the air....glad I'm not there to have to take a constant shower to feel clean. Please, everyone stay safe and don't inhale.
Anyways, off to bed with two doors shut and a pillow over my head the "clicking" isn't too bad.
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
AAARRGGHHH!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Are you on fire, again?!?
The Malibu fires made our top news story here this morning. I then had to explain to my flatmates why it was such a big deal, where Malibu was, and what Santa Ana winds are.
On Saturday, James and I went out to dinner and then he took me around to a few cool places around Wellington. We watched the sunset from across the harbor and then headed to this beach called Red Rock, where all the kiwi's go to motocross, ATV, camp, etc. Then we headed off to the movies.
Part of Wellington. Reminds me of San Fran, big city on the water.
The view over looking Red Rock, with the South Island in the distance. (VERY rare to see!)
Sunday was a BBQ at Jim's house. We did steak, chicken, sausages and watch a new episode of CSI! (WHOO!!) We then walked his two greyhounds on the beach. It was really warm and was a great day for a BBQ.
I have a few travel plans coming up. In December, Nicky's family is going to come over and they have pleasantly invited me to come along on a week long adventure of the South Island with them. So I will be gone in mid-December.
My Dad and I have also worked out a trip for when he comes in April! We are going to spend a week in Wellington, 10 days in Sydney, and then head to Maui for two weeks!! I can't wait! I know it's still 6 months off, but I'm so excited (and for my Dad to take a month off work is HUGE!! Thanks, TOM!) I also found some great priced airfare....about $1,100 for the entire thing.
So heading back to work tomorrow, but at least it's a short week. But wait, I already get Mondays off. Haha.
Be careful over there and remember, only you can prevent forest fires!
Today is Labour Day so no work for me. Instead I'm being lazy and sick (sick being cough, headache, sore throat). This is our fourth AWESOME day in a row...Sunny, puffy white clouds, little wind, and it's even in the high 60's and low 70's.
This weekend was pretty fun. On Friday night, a bunch of the coaches (Nicky, Adrian from Barbados, Eamon from New Zealand, and Seka and her boyfriend) all went out to our new favorite pub, Hope Brothers. It was a great time. I have to admit, the pubs here play the best music. Its good old classic rock!
On Saturday, James and I went out to dinner and then he took me around to a few cool places around Wellington. We watched the sunset from across the harbor and then headed to this beach called Red Rock, where all the kiwi's go to motocross, ATV, camp, etc. Then we headed off to the movies.
One of the many Maori Statues in the city. I just like how cool the sun looked behind it.
Watching the sunset behind the city.
Watching the sunset behind the city.Part of Wellington. Reminds me of San Fran, big city on the water.The view over looking Red Rock, with the South Island in the distance. (VERY rare to see!)Sunday was a BBQ at Jim's house. We did steak, chicken, sausages and watch a new episode of CSI! (WHOO!!) We then walked his two greyhounds on the beach. It was really warm and was a great day for a BBQ.
I have a few travel plans coming up. In December, Nicky's family is going to come over and they have pleasantly invited me to come along on a week long adventure of the South Island with them. So I will be gone in mid-December.
My Dad and I have also worked out a trip for when he comes in April! We are going to spend a week in Wellington, 10 days in Sydney, and then head to Maui for two weeks!! I can't wait! I know it's still 6 months off, but I'm so excited (and for my Dad to take a month off work is HUGE!! Thanks, TOM!) I also found some great priced airfare....about $1,100 for the entire thing.
So heading back to work tomorrow, but at least it's a short week. But wait, I already get Mondays off. Haha.
Be careful over there and remember, only you can prevent forest fires!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Do'h!
Today I was suppose to drive the Raumati water polo kids from Raumati Pool down to WRAC for a water polo game using their High School's van. So, I leave practice, head over to their school, get the keys for the van, get in the van and....
.....its a stick shift! OPPS! I don't know how to drive a manual. My parents don't even know this story: The one time someone decided to teach me, was a boyfriend when I was 16 (when I didn't even have a license) in the El Modena parking lot. Well, I ended up running his car into a pole. OPPS! The car and the pole were fine but I've never had access to a stick shift (and if you think I'm going to learn on my dad's VW bus, then you are kidding yourself!) and both cars I've owned have been automatics. I guess I need to learn, eventually. (By the way, the other assistant coach took the kids and I ended up feeling like a doofus for the rest of my evening.)
The swim instructors at WRAC will do anything to keep themselves entertained, or on the verge of sane and insane. We started a game called "PEGGED" today in our mist of boredom waiting for a school to show up. Basically, you take a clothes pin (or a "peg" as kiwi's call them) and you have to get it on someones clothing without them noticing. The lifeguards, swim instructors, and even reception people were covered in pegs today. It was pretty hysterical. I came home and found them in my shoes, jeans, and purse. I think we've been inhaling to much pool chemicals.... (Next on the list is a game called "Assassin". We are just trying to see how many people we can get to play before we start that one. Plastic dart guns are involved!)
So far, so good in the work department. Even though I'm in the water ALOT, the kids are really cool, which makes the job easier. *knocks on wood* I don't want to jinx it.
The weather was great today. It had to be at least 62/63 degress with a bright blue sky, white puffy clouds, and green rolling hills (with sheep). It was great....no rain! (at least for today).
Anyways, going out on Friday night to celebrate Labour Day Weekend (NO LABOURING!) and there is a BBQ at Jim's on Sunday. Wanna go?
.....its a stick shift! OPPS! I don't know how to drive a manual. My parents don't even know this story: The one time someone decided to teach me, was a boyfriend when I was 16 (when I didn't even have a license) in the El Modena parking lot. Well, I ended up running his car into a pole. OPPS! The car and the pole were fine but I've never had access to a stick shift (and if you think I'm going to learn on my dad's VW bus, then you are kidding yourself!) and both cars I've owned have been automatics. I guess I need to learn, eventually. (By the way, the other assistant coach took the kids and I ended up feeling like a doofus for the rest of my evening.)
The swim instructors at WRAC will do anything to keep themselves entertained, or on the verge of sane and insane. We started a game called "PEGGED" today in our mist of boredom waiting for a school to show up. Basically, you take a clothes pin (or a "peg" as kiwi's call them) and you have to get it on someones clothing without them noticing. The lifeguards, swim instructors, and even reception people were covered in pegs today. It was pretty hysterical. I came home and found them in my shoes, jeans, and purse. I think we've been inhaling to much pool chemicals.... (Next on the list is a game called "Assassin". We are just trying to see how many people we can get to play before we start that one. Plastic dart guns are involved!)
So far, so good in the work department. Even though I'm in the water ALOT, the kids are really cool, which makes the job easier. *knocks on wood* I don't want to jinx it.
The weather was great today. It had to be at least 62/63 degress with a bright blue sky, white puffy clouds, and green rolling hills (with sheep). It was great....no rain! (at least for today).
Anyways, going out on Friday night to celebrate Labour Day Weekend (NO LABOURING!) and there is a BBQ at Jim's on Sunday. Wanna go?
Sunday, October 14, 2007
What a GREAT day!
So after a week of nothing but testing kids ("So...can you blow bubbles?" "I don't wanna!!" "Okay...Level 1 for you." Multiply that by about 500!) and arranging classes, I needed a DAY off. (I also had a swim meet on Saturday and covered a shift at WRAC on Sunday morning) So yesterday, Nicky, Seka, and I decided to call it a GIRLS DAY and Mother Nature wanted to come out and play too!
We ended up driving around the coast to a cafe in Miramar called "The Chocolate Fish", this is where the Lord of the Rings cast hung out for a majority of their three years in New Zealand. They filmed a TON in his area. I had the vanilla risotto, which was DELICIOUS!! The cafe is right on the water and you can watch the inter-island ferries come in and out of the harbor.
The Chocolate Fish. 
At the Cafe, they have this HUGE wall design made up of sea shells. So, here I am being silly with King Titan!
Miramar Bay. (and yes we played in the water, but only up to our knees!)
It was an AMAZING day, probably one of the best since I've been here. I'm so relieved the weather was nice. Yea, it rains alot here, but nothing beats a sunny day in Wellington.
Coming up this week: work, work, and more work! But this weekend is Labour Day! So...NO WORK! I plan on hitting up the town on Friday and Saturday night with my co-workers and then maybe a BBQ at Jim's house on Sunday or Monday. Should be pretty cool!
P.S. I used the public restroom (or TOILET!) at Miramar Bay and I can offically say they are cleaner/better then the US. I felt like I was using the ones in Nordstrom they were so nice! HAHA!
We ended up driving around the coast to a cafe in Miramar called "The Chocolate Fish", this is where the Lord of the Rings cast hung out for a majority of their three years in New Zealand. They filmed a TON in his area. I had the vanilla risotto, which was DELICIOUS!! The cafe is right on the water and you can watch the inter-island ferries come in and out of the harbor.
The Chocolate Fish. At the Cafe, they have this HUGE wall design made up of sea shells. So, here I am being silly with King Titan!
Miramar Bay. (and yes we played in the water, but only up to our knees!)
Standing on a rock in the middle of New Zealand!
On the way back, the three of us stopped at the studios where Lord of the Rings was created. It doesn't look like much, and honestly, it isn't. Sorry to disappoint ya, Brian!
So then we headed back into the city and looked around and decided to "Culture-ize" ourselves and see a French film about the famous singer, Edith Paif. It was really interesting and she had quite the life.It was an AMAZING day, probably one of the best since I've been here. I'm so relieved the weather was nice. Yea, it rains alot here, but nothing beats a sunny day in Wellington.
Coming up this week: work, work, and more work! But this weekend is Labour Day! So...NO WORK! I plan on hitting up the town on Friday and Saturday night with my co-workers and then maybe a BBQ at Jim's house on Sunday or Monday. Should be pretty cool!
P.S. I used the public restroom (or TOILET!) at Miramar Bay and I can offically say they are cleaner/better then the US. I felt like I was using the ones in Nordstrom they were so nice! HAHA!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Make Money Money!
Back to the grind.
My work schedule is pretty much as follows:
Monday- 5-7
Tuesday through Friday 9-8 (I have an hour commute to Raumati)
It is looking like alot of water instruction. Blech! And ALOT of younger kids (ages 4-6). I do have 2 water polo classes and I am coaching the Haitaitai Water Polo team on Friday mornings.
After about 3 days solid of rain, it finally cleared up on my way home from Raumati and due to the time change last week, I now get to drive home at SUNSET! YAY! On my drive home tonight I was literally looking at the pink sky with the ocean on one side and green rolling hills...and I thought "MAN! I'm in New Zealand!"
So thats it for now. I have a swim meet for Raumati on Saturday and I sub-teaching on Sunday.
Night. Night.
My work schedule is pretty much as follows:
Monday- 5-7
Tuesday through Friday 9-8 (I have an hour commute to Raumati)
It is looking like alot of water instruction. Blech! And ALOT of younger kids (ages 4-6). I do have 2 water polo classes and I am coaching the Haitaitai Water Polo team on Friday mornings.
After about 3 days solid of rain, it finally cleared up on my way home from Raumati and due to the time change last week, I now get to drive home at SUNSET! YAY! On my drive home tonight I was literally looking at the pink sky with the ocean on one side and green rolling hills...and I thought "MAN! I'm in New Zealand!"
So thats it for now. I have a swim meet for Raumati on Saturday and I sub-teaching on Sunday.
Night. Night.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Anything bigger then a few inches is a SNAKE!
Firstly, I want to apologize for screaming in my sisters ear yesterday why we were webcaming. Duffi and I were chatting about the meaning of life (i.e. chocolate) and I hear a knock on my door and Frazer asking me if I wanted some gummy worm candies. Of course I said "Yea! Come in" and he opens the door and shoves a 12 inch+ earth worm in my face. I freaked out because anything longer then a few inches isn't an earthworm....it's a snake! Gosh...living with male gender sure gets interesting. I wouldn't have been surprised if I wasn't home and the "snake" ended up in my bed.
Friday night ended up being ladies night! Nicky, Jo, Seka, two of Seka's friends, and myself met up at a pub called "Hope Bros" because I get a discount due to my status working with the City. So after a few drinks we headed over to this great 80's dance bar called "Electric Avenue" and we danced to Bon Jovi, Cindy Lauper, Madonna, Kenny Loggins, and New Kids On the Block. It was a blast! Nicky and I both decided we were tired and looked at our clocks and it was 2am. How convenient since that is the "last call" in the states. We are wussies!
Friday night ended up being ladies night! Nicky, Jo, Seka, two of Seka's friends, and myself met up at a pub called "Hope Bros" because I get a discount due to my status working with the City. So after a few drinks we headed over to this great 80's dance bar called "Electric Avenue" and we danced to Bon Jovi, Cindy Lauper, Madonna, Kenny Loggins, and New Kids On the Block. It was a blast! Nicky and I both decided we were tired and looked at our clocks and it was 2am. How convenient since that is the "last call" in the states. We are wussies!
I spent the night at Nicky's new place which just happens to be up the street from WRAC and we woke up to a windless, cloudless, blue sky the next morning. We could not let this day get away! So we headed out to breakfast and ended up making the 5 minute walk to Lyall Bay (Wellington's surf spot) to enjoy the "70" degree weather we were having (it was really only 62!)
Being reflective at Lyall Bay....don't you love my Pirate cuff? I got that at Electric Avenue the night before.
Being reflective at Lyall Bay....don't you love my Pirate cuff? I got that at Electric Avenue the night before.The next night Jim, Ivana, Adrian (the new coach from Barbados), Nicky, Jess (one of Jim's friends), and I headed out for dinner at Monsoon and then to the Gold Lounge to see the "new" Jamie Fox movie "The Kingdom" (and I say "new" because we get movies about two months later then then the States). The movie was alright, typical guy movie, and kinda left me tired so after a beer at this bar called the "Lotus Lounge" I headed home.
I have my own take-away (aka to-go) place!
I have my own take-away (aka to-go) place!I woke up this morning to pouring wind and rain (where's the weather????), went grocery shopping, and now I'm just hanging out before 10 weeks of chaos start all over again. The All Blacks rugby team lost to France this morning in the World Cup so all the kiwi's were really angry at the grocery store this morning....reminded me of shopping in the states ;-)
Oh, and I totally have conquered public transportation! Yes, I have taken the bus. It's easier to take the bus from Nicky's house into town for $2.50 then trying to find parking then having to pay 10 bucks for it!
So that's about it....my holiday break in a few words and pictures. It was a nice relaxing holiday but I'm looking forward to teaching again...with WEEKENDS OFF!!
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