I'm sorry this is so boring...

The last time I got on here, the post editor wasn't working, so you've been stuck with this for ages. Sorry 'bout that.

Life has continued as usual, with its ups and downs, good and not-so-great moments, but continuing on, none the less. The kids have been out of school for a week now, so I'm in a new routine with them, as in an all-day routine with them. It's been an interesting change of pace, and I find it hard to keep up with it sometimes, but there's six weeks of holidays, then more months of school, so I can get through anything, right? (This sounds like I'm totally complaining about it all, which I'm not. There are moments I love, but 12 hours is pretty full-on after 6 hours spread out over the day.)

But, on to the point of this post. My faith in humanity has been restored today.

I was out with the boy, re-filling the gas tank for travels around town, at a station where I could use my 15-cents-off voucher. I get out and try to fill up, but no gas is pumping, so I walk inside to pay. The boy is definitely distracted by the ice-cream cooler and candy bar display, but I keep his attention long enough to be told by the cashier to try filling it up again so I can use the card and not pre-pay. (That was my original plan, but no gas was flowing out.) So, I return, and it magically is working now. I fill up, walk inside with my voucher, hoping the boy would be obedient enough to resist the temptation of the candy sitting out, just begging to be eaten. I let him work for Maltesers (the American version is Whoppers), and he is good and patient. I try using the PIN 3 times on the boss's card, and then it is unaccessible. That's the safety feature here in NZ. Three strikes and the card is useless. The cashier asks me to wait as she rings up the next person. I feel bad for making her wait, and try to think if there's 64 bucks in my wallet in the car. I'm standing, waiting, trying to figure out the best option with the boy (as it's hard enough going in and out once, let alone twice or three times in a row). The lady behind me asks me what the problem is, and I mutter something "about the PIN" and she offers to pay for my gas. I look and say, "you don't have to do that" and she says, "No, it's all right. Merry Christmas." I'm stunned. The cashier rings her bottle of Diet Coke up, and says "no gas?" and she says, "No, just the coke and his gas," pointing at me. I'm fumbling for words, as she swipes her card. I try to find the words to say thank you, so I say just that, two or three times, and she says "no problem." I thank her one last time, still in disbelief of the situation, and smile on my way back to the car.


That was the most expensive 600 mL bottle of coke she's ever bought, I'm sure. Whoa!


I do believe it when people say Kiwis are nice.

Schedule

Maybe you'd enjoy hearing about my weekly schedule?


Sunday = roast. It's typical English dinner on Sunday nights. Roast, potatoes, veg, and dessert.


Monday - Thursday = 7-8:30 - help with kids' medicine, breakfast, lunch, get 'em ready for school, wait for the boy's taxi driver. After, I'm left to my own devices until they get back at 3. Sometimes I have some small things around the house, but mostly I do what I want. 5 = dinner that Nanny has made and brings in for the three of us. The parents get back at different times each day, but after 6 most days. 6:30 = drugs for the boy. 7 = shower time. 7:30-8 = retire to my room most days to watch my shows. Monday = My Name is Earl, Dollhouse. Tuesday = Sitcoms, The Big C, United States of Tara. Wednesday = night class: silkscreen printing, Sons of Anarchy. Thursday = Project:Runway. Friday = Glee, 7 Days, Wanna-Ben. Saturday = Restoration Man. Sunday = nothing really, depends on the movie each week.


Friday = 7-10 - same as the other days, but I take the boy to music therapy and then drop him at school. Day continues as normal until dinner. Friday is Fish n' Chips, a favourite New Zealand tradition.


Saturday = now that summer's here, the barbi has been fired up and there's something to eat from there. Sometimes I'll watch the kids on the weekend a bit here and there, but I mostly hang around and do whatever is to be done.


Hoping to see a real Kiwi soon,

A Month Later I'm Still Alive...

So, it's been a while, I know, but here's an attempt at redeeming myself.


The kids had school holiday, and we had two weeks where they weren't at school. Not completely a breeze, but there were good times.

• I visited the beach several times, found shells, climbed trails, car broke down, it was good.
• I started stripping on the side. You ask, "With a body like that?" And I say, "Yes. Body shape doesn't matter when you're stripping paint from wood." (I couldn't resist.)
• I signed up and paid for a night class I start next week: silkscreen printing. I've always wanted to learn, and I miss getting my hands in and dirty doing projects. Also, the possibility of getting some intellectual art conversation gets my blood pumping.
• I've been trying to think of what I'm going to do after this year is over. I feel like I'm betraying my "here and now" self with thoughts of the future, but there must be some thought, right?
• I've missed old and older friends.
• We've made plans of caravaning the South Island during the summer holidays (That's January for you Northern Hemisphere-ers) and I'm stoked to explore the landscapes there.
• I tried to make a resolution for a memory a day, which hasn't totally happened, but I like the idea and want to continue giving it a go.
• I've visited blogs and been inspired by beautiful things. It started a desire to create illustrations and graphic pieces of my own. I've started one, but after the first bit, I don't know where to go.
• I've found programs I enjoy watching at night as I wind down in front of the TV. (It's not completely vegging, as I like to play Freecell and Solitaire to keep my mind in shape.)
• I'll steal TV guides "the boy" has when he's not home to do the mind puzzles and keep my mind sharp. My favorite are the types where you use deductive reasoning to figure out who lives in what house in which colour with 6-ish statements as clues.

Life's been continuing, and it's coming on an up, so I'm excited about the continued ride up.

Love from Aotearoa,

Still not totally prompt...

I'm trying to get better about updating each Tuesday, as that is my week end day.


Definitely getting into my routine of au pair.  I think I like this.


Highlights of week 4:

• Reading books
• Sunshine between rainy days
• Clip ‘n Climb (recreational indoor climbing facility)
• Stop-motion videos
• Learning about laundering services
• Professional commercial test actor
• Cooking scones (successful and not-so-much)
• White Chocolate and Cranberries
  

clouds stop motion video

shoes stop motion video

Not on time

Highlights of week 3:

• Making food
• Going to the beach two days in a row! (even if it’s raining, I love the beach)
• Cake and cream
• Taking pictures each minute for an hour to make a video
• Reading books
• Taking “Nanny” to get her hair done
• Fish and chips
• Dealing with temper tantrums
• Going to church again
• Trampoline jumping

san francisco over the wing

new zealand sunset

morning tea

lazy cat

new zealand sunset

night times

mid-morning tea

under the stairs

teacups concert

lamb

sheep

seagull at milford beach in front of rangitoto island

After 2 1/2 weeks... I journal

Highlights of week 1:

• Arriving in New Zealand
• Getting my passport stamped with “Work” as the reason for entry
• Eating breakfast three days in a row
• Sightseeing in Auckland
• Driving on the left side of the road
• Having Johnny sit in my lap and say “Happy me”

Highlights of week 2:

• Moving to my home for the next year
• Helping install a shower
• Newly-designed bathroom
• Waking up to a cup’a tea each morning from “Nanny”
• Getting a 32” flatscreen in my room
• Using my first-aid skills productively…on myself
• Going to a concert by a band whose blog I read