I've been naughty again in the frequency of my posts. This is in large part due to the excitement of Shortland Street, a NZ soap which starts at 7pm. I have been rushing home from work to make sure I could be there by 7, so haven't had much time. Now Shorters is done until after the NY so I have time to update this once again...
Back in NZ. I didn't mention the array of wildlife spotted in Canada including many deer, mountain sheep (unfortunately not the more elusive mountain goat- I'm still waiting to see one of those...), coyotes, and a moose.
There isn't so much wildlife in NZ, but upon my return I've been having to battle the local insect life. I had quite a number of spiders in my bathroom when I returned from Canada (as I discovered when one descended on its web right in front of me when I was in the shower- as I screamed and made a fuss- it ascended rather quickly.) Anyway, I had to battle the spiders. First I nicely relocated them back outdoors, but within a day or 2 the 2 I'd relocated had found there way back inside. In a lack of oversight, I left the bathroom light on one evening (kiwis don't use window screens) and so returned to find all sorts of insects in the place. Not just spiders!!! I again went on the attack, this time with shoes and other such smushing devices. That will teach me to forget I'm in NZ. Don't leave the window open with the light on at night!! I shut the window, relocated most of the spiders and dealt with the pests. I thought my insect woes were over... But it got even better the next day- when I found a large snail that had come up through the plumbing. Finally now, I think most of the creatures are gone, although I do have one resident daddy long legs in the kitchen, who can stay there as long as he stays up the wall and not down around my face. I also discovered a nasty large black creature calling on the roof this morning. Not wanting him to fall on me, or me to smush large messy creature on the nice painted ceiling, I decided to see if he has disappeared by the time I get home tonight.
It was good to get back to the sun and summer of Nz after the winter-ish-ness of my visit to Canada. I loved the feeling of walking between terminals at the Auckland airport and feeling the air. it just felt different- and a good different. I'm not so keen about the gale force winds wind in my home at Tua Marina. My poor pot plants are not fareing so well. My herb garden has died, and my tomato plant keeps snapping off and leaving not much more than stalk. It needs to be hardy to survive the ever present wind.
Work has been very hectic upon my return... Things do seem to pile up in a 3 + week absence, unfortuately. Many folk here are taking off the Christmas period, but I expect to mostly only take the stats off to enable me to hopefully begin to catch up. (Fingers crossed...)
I had a consult with the oral surgeon today... Unfortunately my bottom ones have to come out- and that will happen in February for a tidy cost of $1350 GST included. The top ones can't easily come out (damaging other teeth if they do) so they shall be staying for the great hope that they will not cause trouble in the future. I was referred in I think October, my appointment was in December, and surgery in February. Much quicker than the timeline in Regina- when I was planning on getting them out before I left, but couldn't due to the time line. Also cheaper than Canada. But unfortunately unlike in Canada I do not have a drug plan. I've been advised to book a week off work. I'm REALLY not looking forward to it.
I started my half marathon training today. The 30 minute run sure did tire me out. I have a long way to go towards getting back in shape...
Not much else new and exciting. I renewed my first car registration for a tidy sum of less than $200. I also got a quote on my car insurance from another company than my current insurer- and was surprised to see that I can get it almost 1/3 cheaper!! I guess it can pay to shop around- but too bad I've paid almost a year already at the high rate.
That's it for now. Until next time...
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