Various topics

I was very excited last week when we experienced a brief thunderstorm. It came up quite quickly- and I was first notified by that old "sheets of rain" sound on the roof, that I hadn't heard it so long. It was followed by thunder and lightening. Not much, but enough to remind me of a good old Saskatchewan summer storm. Lo and behold a lightening strike about 5 kms from home started a big fire. I drove by on the weekend and witnessed at least 3 choppers out doing their dosing duties. This was on Saturday. There were numerous spectators sitting on the side of the road, watching. I drove back again Sunday and there seemed to be less smoke, and less spectators. It was cool seeing one of the choppers (a pretty red one) come in for the landing quite close to the road, as I was driving by. Luckily the road had just been retopped so the speed limit through that section was slow, allowing me to watch. It came very close to houses, but was in the hills with the trees, so I think didn't cause any home damage, fortunately.

I've been thinking NZ Housing prices were super duper high, and it was confirmed today in a newspaper article. A quote " New Zealand was divided into seven areas for the survey and was the only nation in which all markets were rated severely unaffordable. " see the full story at :
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4366750a10.html
Interest rates are in the 10% neighbourhood. In my part of the country it seems houses tend to be in the $300-$400K neighbourhood, anyway. $30K of interest buys a lot of rent!

I visited Picton a couple of times on the weekend. It's not quite Nelson, but I love that little town.

Much in the news of late has been about the death of Sir Edmund Hillary. The one who "knocked the bastard (Everest) off." First, that is to say. Sometime around the same time as Queen Elizabeth was coronated. From everything I've read, he was a humble man, and he contributed greatly to advancing the lives of people throughout the world. He will be missed.

Happy New Year

My unprolific blogging continues...

I spent Christmas this year in lovely Nelson. We had a lovely pancake breakfast, before having a full on huge dinner with a group of others. My contributions included greek salad (trying to be authentic meant no lettuce), and help with a fruit flan. How exciting. We had BBQ meat instead of the traditional Canadian roast. Despite a very overcast morning, the clouds lifted and the afternoon and evening were lovely.

Many kiwi businesses go through an office closure period over Christmas/ NYs when people take holidays. Since I already took holidays, and I was busy at work, I worked all of the non-stat days over the season, other than the 31st. As I was for the most part the only one in, I felt like I got a lot done! I had a number of days out in the sounds over the holidays due to the stats, returning to work on the 3rd. We spend NYs in the sounds, and I attended for the first time the great Whatinihi boat race. My contribution failed to finish the race however was picked up by the boat race officials so did make it to shore. It's actually a great idea. The sounds community of Whatanihi hold their annual boat race on NYs day- people build boats, made mostly of natural material. They're dropped into the sea and the first one back to the finish line wins and gets their name pencilled in on the cup. :) And bragging rights of course...

Weather has been quite hot here of late. Although despite the heat, I'm a deck gardener for the first time. Yes indeed- my tomato plants have red tomatoes. How exciting! I did get a green pepper too- but it didn't turn out well. It looks like I have chilis coming as well. How very exciting!

I'm finally getting into my running routine again, with the half marathon coming up in a few months. I've discovered I have a long way to go training wise. The run this morning was pure agony, even though it was no longer than any other day in the prior couple of weeks that I've been running it. Maybe it was the humidity.... Lets say. :) Hopefully it'll be easier tomorrow.

I can't remember if I reported I get the joy of going to see the oral surgeon next month to have 2 wisdom teeth removed- not really looking forward to that. It costs $1350 inc GST and was quicker to get in than in Canada.

I'm beginning to think of taking a wee camping holiday of a week or so in a couple of months to see more of the south island. Stay tuned for developments.

The earth quake

Some of you have emailed about the earth quake.

It was a 6.8 magnitude quake, occuring near Gisborne in the north island. Blenheim is a long way from there, so although I felt the quake about 9 last night, it didn't feel like a big one. The extensive damage is not in the Blenheim area.

For further info, read: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4332596a10.html
or look at other articles on http://www.stuff.co.nz

As Christmas approaches...

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...

December in Marlborough

I've been back a couple of weeks already from my visit to Canada. It was great to see family, and the 3 days I spent in Regina weren't long- but it was good to get to catch up with a few people. For those of you I saw, it was really good, and for those it didn't work out, I was thinking of you just the same.

The flight back was surprisingly good. The biggest excitement was getting selected in Edmonton for a random search. I was hoping to be able to catch a bit of the Riders game in the Vancouver airport. The international terminal is quite nice with several big TVs- but they were all showing NFL football. Not the Grey Cup. I could sneak one place where I could see through the glass into the US departures food court to see the big tv, but I pretty much missed the game. I am however pleased to hear the results... Go RIDERS. :) The flight back on the 777 from Vancouver was great. I again had no one in the middle seat, and a really interesting doctor was sitting on the aisle. We had a good chat. Plus I managed to sleep in excess of 6 hours, which is GREAT for me on the plane, although somehow I still feel sleepy. This is because I keep waking up at 5/ 6/ 630 before I actually get up. I'm sure one day I'll adjust to the small 19 hour time difference.

I'm back but must run. Heading out to the Sounds for the weekend. I'll try and post again on NZ life again, soon.

Greetings from Turtle Lake, Saskatchewan

I've arrived in Canada after a 16 month absence. The trip itself consisted of a $45 cab ride from home to the airport. They checked my luggage through to Vancouver- and I discovered that the person working there had been to Saskatchewan! She loved Saskatoon berry pies. How very exciting to discover a traveller who knew of SK, instead of just BC. My flight to Auckland was on one of the tiny planes Blenheim is known for- 10 rows, 21 seats, and I endeed up in the very back of the plane with the only 3 row seat in the plane. The poor man beside me got the middle and he was crushed between myself and the other fellow. It was the skinny plane without overhead lockers, and also I think without a lavaratory. Anyhow, I arrived in Auckland without incident, and made my way following the blue line to the International terminal. I wandered up to the shopping area, and finally through the gates. This was the first time I travelled with the new security "liquids/ gels" thing in action. I had a ziplock bag with my stuff ready- and though I went... (Although I did manage to leave my handbag at security - but only for a minute or 2 before I realized my load seemed a little too light.)

When I finally went to my particular gate, I discovered that I was to be on the inaugural flight from Vancouver to LA. I figured this out rather quickly, as I walked in to be handed a cocktail made of manuka honey and maple syrup, and was also handed a waffle with maple syrup. The room was decorated with maple trees and a ton of fake snow... I pity the cleaners. Anyway, eventually we made it onto the plane where I was delighted to discover there was no one sitting next to me. HURRAY!!! The flight crew was quite excited about it being the first flight, and the airline as well. They gave us presents (unfortunately not thinking of those with connecting flights, it contained lotions and gels...) They also provided free beverages during the flight. This wasn't overused due to a period of extended turbulence. I managed to sleep a bit, and finally the 13 + hour flight drew to an end as we landed in Vancouver.

I waited a seeming age for my backpack to finally come through, and then proceeded through customs and rechecked it. And then it was Canada- where I quickly proceeded to have some long awaiting for rootbeer (but not until after watching the Maori ceremony- as there were important folks on the inaugural flight, including folks on a trade delegation).

I decided to treat myself to one of those back massages, and again discovered another difference of being back in Canada- needing to add tax and tip. After an hour or two further of nice chatting with other young travellers from NZ and India, I was in Edmonton- where my brother picked me up. We went to Moxies for dinner- and I loved the non-stop pop! I forgot about that as well... And finally we made it home to mom and dads about 2am.

I've had a pretty relaxing few days since then, have visited some family and started trying to decide what clothing, shoes and handbags will be making the journey back to NZ with me.

Last night I was delighted to watch the election results and see that a change is coming. I only wish I would have been here to work on the campaign.

The snow began to fall last night during the election results. There are a solid few inches now, I'd say.

Temps havent been too bad- in the -2 neighbourhood right now, but it still feels cold for me. That said, the internal house temperature is so great and toasty warm! :)

Tomorrow mom dad and Shawn and I leave for Kelowna BC, (about a 15 hour drive)- to visit my older brother and his wife & her family.

After that, a stop in Regina, which was my home for 10 + years, is to come.

Other initial readjustments to Canada-
orange cheddar cheese
YUM YUM perogies
Call display & telemarketer

Counting down...

In a week and a day I depart for Canada for 3 weeks, and I'm starting to get a little excited... despite the nasty flight...

This time it's leave Blenheim in the afternoon, arrive in Auckland for a few hour layover, and then its the flight direct to Vancouver (HURRAY- bypassing the nasty LAX airport- so it can't be TOO nasty), for another number of hour layover, finally arriving in Edmonton something like 5 hours after I left. The wonders of time zones. :)

I've been terribly unprolific in my posting, in large part having nothing to report... Just this weekend the weather finally has taken a turn for the better- although the high winds have continued. There have been a few more earth quakes, one waking me up early in the morning- i think it may have been Monday or tuesday.

It just occured to me it is Halloween next week. This is not at all a big thing in NZ, just as others have said are other "American" holidays that are money making schemes, such as Valentines Day. To each country their own, I suppose- in Canada we certainly don't celebate Guy Fawkes, or whatever it is called.

I'm still liking living in the country, having made the adjustment from living with 4 flatties in a big house, to what I've got now. No regrets on moving so far.

The NZ civil elections are over. As mentioned in a prior post- these are done by post, and I think turn out was somewhere in the 40-50% range. I wonder what it is back home- ie if the post versus personal methods has an impact on turnout, so to speak.

I failed to mention in my previous post the very untimely demise of the All Blacks in world cup rugby. The pain was just too great in the hearts of many many New Zealanders. They lost to France, before making it anywhere. Some knock the single elimination- and there is some merit to the argument- but in my view a big team has to be able to win the big games- because that is what enables them to hold the "big team" banner. Not just playing well throughout the years between world cups.

I'm missing hockey like you wouldn't believe over here, and am not even doing a stellar job following results via websites- because it would just make me want to watch- and the options for watching here are pretty much nil. I'll have to take up rugby more so. I seem to enjoy it most of the NZ sports so far, much more than cricket (yawn...), or women's netball, or yaughting.

hmm... Some things from home you miss instantly (aka perogies)- and some things from home it takes a while to note are missing. No creamsicles here, although I must say the yummy cornetto things so distracted me it took me all this time to find out they were missing. Even if it is winter, i think I'll have one when I get back.

Back home the Saskatchewan election is on, and I am so remorseful to be missing it!! A special best wishes go out to LAURA ROSS running in Regina Qu'Appelle Valley, and to Jeremy Harrison in my parents riding of Meadow Lake. All you Saskies out there, please remember to vote... (My plea...)