Sweet As

Christmas Eve

The holidays were nice in New Zealand. Of course it doesn't really feel like Christmas Eve when you spend it slathering on sunscreen on the beach.

Christmas Eve Lee's family roasted a lamb on a spit. It tasted good and wasn't that gross to look at.

Corina and Lee had their engagement party on the 23rd. It was really nice to meet more of Corina and Lee's friends and family.

On Christmas we went over to Lee's parents' and just hung out there in the morning. Dad made the mistake of jokingly suggesting taking shots of Rakia at 9am. Tony (Lee's dad) brought out the shot glasses and the guys took shots before coffee.

Boxing day we went to a cricket game, which was fun. I am able to understand it more by watching it in person. I think. I still prefer my American football.

The 27th we left for a beach house ( I believe they call them baches here?).

We stayed there for 4 days with Lee's brothers and parents. The first day the weather was nice, but it got progressively worse and by the last day it was pouring rain. I finished the Hunger Games there and managed to work on my tan a little (sort of). Thursday night we went and saw Ladi6 and The Black Seeds play at the Mangawhai Tavern. It was this pretty cool tavern in what felt like the middle of nowhere. The place was packed even with pouring down rain.

Tonight is New Year's. I worked until 10 then got a beer with dad and Corina down the street at a bar that has Rogue Ales on tap! I went up to the biggest waiter at the restaurant (at least 6 foot) with a beard and asked for a napkin. Corina started laughing hysterically in the background. When I returned to the table (with my napkin) I found out that napkins in New Zealand are sanitary pads. They call napkins serviettes here. I am so glad she told me this before I started working at a restaurant. OH WAIT.

After the beer I should have gone out with Rocky, but instead I went back to Corina's with my dad. We are getting up at 7 tomorrow to go to the farmer's market with Lee's dad. I'm actually pretty excited about this.

So instead of partying at midnight like a normal 23 year old girl in Auckland I'm sitting here writing, watching the fireworks, wearing my pj's with swollen feet from work and listening to Rambo bark at the noise outside. Not the best New Year's, but not the worst either. At least I'm comfortable and happy.

Oh and for my American readers, if you are wondering why the title of the blog is "Sweet As," a lot of people say that here instead of cool. I've been warned about it because with a New Zealand accent it sounds like someone is saying "Sweet Ass."

Everything will be fine

Rambo's first brothel party.

I can now say that I've driven in New Zealand, not just New Zealand, but NZ's biggest city, Auckland. I can also now say that I've driven onto a sidewalk to avoid hitting a car head on because I turned into the wrong side of the road. Oh how I miss my Honda.

This week has been rather draining, and it's only Tuesday. Monday morning my mood was "why did I move to foreign country, I must be out of my mind to think this will work out," by Monday night my mood had shifted into "I fucking love this place, it's beautiful, everyone is so friendly and everything is ten time easier here." And that's how my mood generally is. My mom is not going to like reading about how much I love it here, sorry mom!

Lauryn is enjoying her job at Sale Street Bar. Today I had a great interview where I was asked if I had a boyfriend. I won't tell you where this was of course, but I will tell you that it wasn't a brothel. Actually a place I'm very keen to working at.

Oh did I mention my dad arrived on Friday? I haven't seen my dad on vacation in a while. It's really nice/weird to see my dad so jolly. He wasn't even this happy when he was on Vicodin a few years back.
I apologize for the lack of photos, I will work on documenting more.

It is holiday yet?

Mt Eden

Rambo and me

This week hasn't started off that great. It's cloudy and rainy here. But I did manage to figure out how to use the can openers here when I was making salsa! BIG accomplishment! Last week I went down to Mission Bay, the beach community in Auckland. Not to be confused with Mission Beach in San Diego. It was such a beautiful day and so relaxing. It made me thankful to be in such a beautiful relaxing place and reminded me how much room I have to relax more here.

I still don't understand Cricket. Games last for 5 days here (and you thought football games were long).

I'm looking forward to the next few weeks when my dad gets here and Corina takes 3 weeks off. It will be nice to spend my holiday on the beach, eating and drinking too much.

Friday we went to an "All-American" New Zealand party. Yeah...That was fun! Rocky was a great host. Lauryn and I talked to a lot of random people. It's weird going out here and meeting 20-year-olds at events like that. I felt like such a cougar talking to this guy. Having an accent always helps. I think I've given out my number more times here than I did in like a year at the University. I jumped on the mechanical bull that was at the party (well actually I fell off in my first attempt, but successfully got on the second time). But it wasn't working and there wasn't any padding...End of story.

Still looking for a job, I'm supposed to hear back from one that I had two interviews with today. I really hope I get it! But I'm also applying to other jobs that look like a lot of fun. I actually found an office admin job today that required a photo to even be considered. That would not be alright in the States.

This week I am meeting with a recruitment lady tomorrow and Thursday I have an interview at a restaurant. And Friday dad comes!! Yay!

If you are reading this, it probably means you need to get on Skype more and try to talk to me.

Sunshine, wet dog and......

Another week has gone by with not much new to report. I'm going through serious burrito withdraws, oh what I would do for a La Roca burrito right now. Lauryn got a job at a cafe in the Newmarket neighborhood! I had an interesting job interview last week that I'm not going to get into on my blog. On my way to the interview I got terribly lost for about 2 hours, but with the help of Corina and a few bus drivers, I made it to the interview with 30 minutes to spare. As much as I'm enjoying staying with Corina, Lee and Rambo, I am very much looking forward to finding a job and moving in with people my own age.

Last Tuesday Lauryn and I checked out this bar called Chapel, which reminded me of Max's in Eugene (minus the free popcorn and with a little more class).
Lauryn and I also explored High Street, which is just a street downtown.

High Street

Corina, Rambo and I hiked Mt. Eden the other day. I should have brought my camera, but I didn't feel like it. It had great views of the city. Rocky has been taking great care of Lauryn and me. He taught us some bar tending skills and keeps inviting us out to do things. We might go sailing with him on Wednesday.

Yesterday it was raining here, perfect weather to make cupcakes to test for Corina's engagement party.

Not much else is new here. This week Lauryn and I have many adventures planned. Stay tuned...