pretty tired, and i think there are two reasons for that - having a bush walk today which was incredibly hot and sunny, and eating too much for dinner. I had cooked a big pot of mince, carrots, tomatoes, onions, garlic on Thursday and it had lasted me until today, which is 4 meals, and is on the verge of too long in the fridge (though i always heat it up thoroughly) so although it could have been two meals or perhaps a meal and a half, i finished it. had it on a bed of boiled potato and raw baby spinach. yum! i splurged at the bakery on friday for desserts for the weekend, partly because its the weekend before my most stressful week at work, though quite a big part of the reason was that i was waiting ages for the ATM and the bakery happened to be there! i wandered in and thought ok i'll treat myself and then i felt bad just buying one item so i bought another. oh well. bakeries are not cheap! i had a slice of bavarian apple cake last night and tonight (or tomorrow night if i remain this full) i have a custard tart. yum.

yesterday i stayed at home and relaxed and it was a hugely hot day so i did some washing, vacuumed my room, changed and washed the sheets, which is my Sat routine by now. i quite like having a routine for cleaning and washing, cos then i don't have to work out which is the best day to do it, and it's fixed. we don't even have fixed routines for cleaning or washing at home! but here i do. it gives a little structure to my week, since i'm missing my husband whose collaboration usually produces some kind of structure to the week normally. did some work too. and walked to j'ville to buy groceries and visit the bank (and was waylaid by the bakery).

today i went to church with S and it was really interesting. M gave a sermon involving themes picked from several books and Bible verses. it was about Christians being rich, and middle class, and no longer going out to reach towards the marginalised, that Jesus used to do. And the verses were somewhat "radical" ones, like giving a banquet for the poor and homeless, is that literal? (i think so) and the rich young man who asked how to gain eternal life and was told to sell up and give to the poor and follow Jesus and he went away sad cos he was too rich, and the sheep being separated from the goats, depending on whether they gave food to the hungry, a drink to the thirsty, clothes to the naked and visited those who were sick or in prison and Jesus said whenever they did that to "one of the least of these" they did it to Him.

then i went into town and who did I meet but "one of the least of these". i was sitting alone on a bench waiting for my friend. a drunk man was singing and carrying on and lay down to sleep on the street. then he got up after a while and came and sat next to me. remembering what we had discussed just this morning i spoke to him nicely, with respect and without negativity. we chatted awhile, about where we were from, introduced ourselves etc, and shook hands. (i remember the friendliness of drunkenness). after awhile he asked me for some money and i hesitated and finally said i didn't think i could help him. i was struggling because as he later said, he wanted some dollars to buy a beer, he said he needed a beer. i tried to steer the conversation to did he live around here, so i could suggest he went home to rest, cos he looked like he really needed some sleep and food perhaps. if he'd asked me for money for food i would have said yup let's go get you a sandwich. but he said he was going to get a beer. so i said i didn't think i could help him and eventually he said he would try asking someone else, and i said ok, and my friend arrived so we left for lunch.

is it my place to judge what he uses the money for, knowing he needs it? does this count as "needing" money? does he "need" a beer the way a hungry person needs food? i don't know. i came home and shared this with both P and S to see what they thought or what they would have done. P said he would also have bought the man food but not given him money for beer while S didn't have any concrete suggestions. P asked if a man in a burning house wanted some kerosene, should we give it to him cos he wanted it? is that analagous?

i might pose this question to my old BS group and current home group and see what they think, what they would have done. on my part, i felt i did right speaking to him like to any other person, not judging him, but then in my heart i was gradually afraid that if i steered the conversation too much or tried to make suggestions of what he did need, he might get upset and possibly aggressive. but i didn't treat him like he was going to be aggressive at all, didn't draw away, shook his hand when he offered it twice, looked him in the eye, didn't move away until my friend came. i wasn't afraid of him, only thought he *might* get upset, which was a possibility same as anyone. i could have offered a meal instead but i didn't. did i lack courage? i don't know. it's not the money, so maybe i just wasn't confident enough to do as Jesus would have, which i guess is to say "You don't need a beer, come let's go and get something to eat together". I don't think my friend would have been very thrilled at that though.

Any thoughts?

After that we went for a walk in the bush and it was beautiful, plus a proper uphill climb that left us both slightly puffed. I felt I got a proper workout, which is good. A good use of a beautiful Sunday.

Tomorrow, starts another week that will zoom by. The only difference is I can't let this one go by without achieving what I need to do. There's going to be a lot, a lot of prayer, and I know a lot of prayer will be answered too.

10 days to go!

The weekend was rather sociable and I got out and about. On Sat I took the bus to Porirua, then train to Paraparaumu, then bus to B's sister's house. Met the brother in law and niece and nephew and contrary to what I was led to believe (that I was there for coffee), we hit the road immediately! It was a beautiful day (and weekend, the heat's back oh yeah baby!) and we walked along the Waikanae river. The men took bicycles while us girls walked along and chatted very sociably. Walked past a Christian campsite called El Rancho and walked all the way up to where G does vaulting. For other people like me who didn't know what vaulting was, it's gymnastics/acrobatics on a horse! Like a circus! I was so impressed with tiny skinny girl doing that kind of thing. No one was vaulting at the club so too bad for me, I was keen to see what it looked like.

After our huge walk we got back to the house and sat down for a snack, then soon B and I had to leave to catch the bus to the train. She was heading into town for a family do while I was going home. The train was almost an hour late, or else two trains didn't show up (they're meant to be every half hour) but luckily we were together so we chatted about everything. She said the trains weren't the most reliable cos they had to make way for other trains, like the two we *did* see - one was a tourist steam train and another was the overlander from Auckland. Cheh!

Public transport I must say is pretty expensive here. It cost me $11 each way to/from Paraparaumu for bus/train/bus each way. B's train ticket to Wellington cost $10 one way! Incredible. And there are people who commute to the city to work everyday. I wonder if driving can be much cheaper than that? Probably better not to think about it.

Sunday morning woke up feeling confused because my phone decided to daylight save unilaterally. It's really not til 5 April but for some reason it took the liberty of going back one hour while I was asleep so I woke up confused. Went upstairs, found other people and confused them too. But we all made it to church with no problem. Met a Malaysian couple with two young girls who've been here 5 years. The man was telling me all about how to get citizenship and all the tips and tricks. Reminded me a bit of my dad, the mover-shaker type of man. Turns out they go to the same home group as the couple I'm staying with. I feel rather at home in this church despite being there only for the second time. Could be because the group is small and people very friendly and service very interactive and participative. Could be because I found people to talk to and engage in interesting conversation both last and this week, instead of the usual how-are-you-then-walk-away type of interaction with new people. Everyone showed lots of interest in my course and what I'm doing here and I feel very welcome indeed. Maybe it's just Wellingtonians. A friendly and welcoming lot.

Then bussed into town (distinctly felt the "wah big city" feeling welling up in me as the bus entered the CBD) and met up with S and K for coffee in Cuba St. Lovely sunny day and was nice to be out in town. Missed the husband a lot though cos of all the interesting places we had been to together last time we were in Welly and all the interesting places we have yet to explore!

Came home mid afternoon and did quite a lot of work. Prepared for supervision which went well today. My main supervisor was sick and didn't come in so had a lot of time to read articles and things, in the afternoon had supervision and then went home early. Thought I'd do something different since I'd spent the whole morning working hard so went and sat in the library and flipped through two magazines. The gardening one inspired and entertained me somewhat, but the house one made me depressed that I wasn't home with my sweetie! So I left and came back here to relax and enjoy some peace without little kids running and screaming. Libraries here are not like when I was growing up that's for sure.

Bit tired today, cos of brain overload, hopefully tomorrow I'll be out and about with J and doing some fun stuff. Got a visit to the acute ward planned on Wed, will spend a day there, which is perfect cos I'm meeting some (more) Malaysians for dinner in town. Sociable!

Day 3 in welly and day 1 on the job...

It was very positive. Work environment homely and comfortable, very well equipped kitchen, even got a freestanding stove and oven! Supervisors lovely and easy to get along with, no generation gap there. My main supervisor is a 24 year old surfer who reminds me of D, down to the sunny disposition and blond beard. He's quitting to go travelling with his girlfriend so placement will finish early. Problem is then that I can't find a cheap flight to go home earlier on! Even if I finish on Wed, my current flight is on Sunday! Argh. I don't want to sit around here and do nothing. It's homely but not my home!

Anyway got the bus ok, got lunch from supermarket, got a bit wet in morning rain, went round visiting services in morning (nice to be riding along in the car instead of sitting indoors), lunch, then went to Porirua to visit more services, then to a cafe with both supervisors for our initial meeting. Then got dropped to J'ville where i got groceries and trudged up the hill. Dinner was made for me (! Haven't had chance to talk to the mum about me making my own food, though I must say it's nice to come home to hot meal) and we all sat down together, chatted a bit with both P and S separately, was nice, a bit like being part of the family. First time eating with the daughter, typical teenager always out, plus this one is active in drama in school and church too. M rang and asked us out for a walk, the parents had home group but I went and met B and M and M's husband. Went for a lovely walk up the hill and along a ridge until it got too windy and we turned back. Didn't see any calves but spotted wild blackberries and true to expectations the intrepid sisters went in among the bushes and thorns in their shorts and picked them. They were lovely ripe and sweet! I must say sweet blackberries is a rarity. Absolutely scrumptious and I was really impressed how M knew what berries were what along the way.

A brisk walk back in the darkening and cooling evening and a nice end to the day. All that prayer certainly never goes to waste :)

(just occurred to me funny how both placements are/were in places beginning with "w")

Yesterday I watched a crazy snow/hail storm really giving its all. But it didn't settle. The night before it'd already snowed and the hilltops were white.

Last night it snowed all the way down to our level, so in the morning not only the hilltops were white, the rooftops across the valley were white as well, and I don't mean a light sprinkling. In fact it reminded me of Sweden! In our own garden the deck railings were still icy, as was the car. It wasn't the usual ice on the car (well, usual in winter not #$@(^#* summer!) but snow.

Hello?? Is this not spring/summer?

Having recently watched a video of snow in Sweden, I find it unbelievable it's also snowing here down under! Both hemispheres snowing in the same season? Crazy!!! Yesterday I wore my ski jacket and a cardigan. Today I had to dig out my wool beanie and merino/possum gloves. SIAO!!!

I also came straight home after school and built a lovely roaring fire. Napped on the couch by the fire and felt better about working on my assignments. The man is in Chch for the day but already it feels (well he left before I officially woke up) like days in a faraway land. We're having a reunion date tonight :) Then RSA on Friday, Bern's on Saturday, how to do any work? Anyway, 2 weeks and a bit and we're all done. I'm stressed but I'm also over this.

I'm so glad I didn't plant out the tomato seedlings during Labour weekend as per tradition. The poor little things would have frozen to death!

Next pottle of seed sown and awaiting germination: Borage. Yay!!

J came over to NZ and after working his way down the country met up with us last Saturday. On Monday the three of us embarked on our road trip to beautiful Fiordland. We stayed at a lovely place (Campbell Auto Lodge) in Te Anau right across from the lake. Spacious, cheap and comfy bed and pillows! Because I just got my full licence (hold the applause, it took 3 years) I drove the leg from Gore to Te Anau. Fiordland is really stunning. Unlike Wanaka which is pretty in a pleasant relaxed sort of way, the view of Lake Te Anau and the National Park beyond is quite awesome. Raw, unpredictable and breathtaking.

We did the requisite Milford cruise, my favourite part was when the boat came really close to a waterfall and I looked vertically upwards to see the water leaping over the edge. But I was somewhat sleepy due to anti-nausea medication. Sea-legs? Don't have any. Between pukey and sleepy I guess I did alright.

One of the highlights was doing a short day walk on the Kepler Track. My very first time on a Great Walk! And my first tramp of the season. :) Winter is rough in these parts so there were many fallen trees. 30 minutes into the walk we came across a massive tree fallen right across the path. Had to scramble/kinda clamber over it. Mini adventure :)
Looking forward to more tramps this summer, I'm slowly but surely collecting more and more correct gear for this country's seasons and unpredictable climate.

J left on Fri on a bus to Chch. Today, therefore, I spent getting ready to delve into work next week - cleared the house, put things in order, continued work on the garden taking advantage of the sunny weather. Winter came early and so did spring so perhaps this spate of hot weather is an early summer? I'm not complaining.

Today was really productive both inside the house and out. Relaxing fun day in domestic bliss - L was working at home but relatively relaxed so we entertained each other now and again, napped together a bit. Tomorrow I hope I'll have a chance to finish up the garden for now until the next round of work needs to be done. Got a headstart on that though this season, definitely more prepared.

In the veggie garden I have leeks, celery, cabbage, mesclun and swiss chard growing.
Still a few shallots and carrots from last season, also spinach (they didn't name it Perpetual Spinach for nothing!).
The rhubarb has come back this year, as have the chives. (And the comfrey yay!)
In the sunroom aka plant nursery chez An I have basil seedlings ready to be pricked/planted out, 9 NZ flax seedlings, a very tall dill plant, two pots of coriander, two punnets of rocket, some melon and tomato seedlings. Also one very skinny vulnerable looking stevia seedling. And a healthy looking apricot plant growing fast!
Outside I have several pear plants germinated over autumn and hardened over winter too. Though they're tiny, one put out wee flowers this spring. So cute! So precocious.
The herb/bulb garden is expanding, with various bulbs interspersed with rosemary, thyme of two sorts, two sage plants and mint currently. The oregano and two other rosemary plants are ready to go in and join the lot too.
As for the oldies, the bay tree put out flowers this year and the lemon tree is in utter confusion with baby lemons, buds and flowers all happening simultaneously! I think the move confused it very much.

There is more work to be done, more seeds to be sown, seedlings to be planted and general work such as mulching with compost, sweeping/gathering up fallen branches, leaves, wood chips etc. Not to mention lifting and separating old perennials and continuing to feed and weed!

J helped me dig out the biggest monster fennel plant and I worked on several smaller ones. Bronze fennel is unfortunately an introduced and now naturalised invasive weed! Spreads like crazy and doesn't die down in winter like it ought. Instead it produces masses of seed heads which of course is why it spreads like crazy. I'm planning to plant bulb fennel to replace bronze fennel cos we don't really use the leaves much, a pity. The roots smelled really lovely and fresh though, I haven't researched it but I'm sure it's edible. If you think dandelion roots are tenacious and fat, you ain't seen dock, but if you think dock is monstrous, you ain't seen bronze fennel! The roots were comparable in size to my forearm!

Baking a wholemeal honey cake at the man's request, better go check on it..

that's what the man feels like, and i'm like the accompanying monkey with the accordion! ha well no, not really, cos i'm not part of the money making business part.

we've been on the road a lot for L's work. had a nice relaxing (relatively, if you ignore all the housework/renovating/errands bits) january, then it was back to work for the man. well, someone's gotta earn the money right? :p i'm the dutiful supportive woman behind the hardworking man.

we spent 3 long days (long for him cos of long shift; long for me cos of boring town!) in Timaru (no offense, Timaru-ites!) and drove back very late last Sunday home. Spent the Sunday cleaning cos this weekend we've a dear friend visiting from sg. Then Sunday night drove 2.5 hours south to Invercargill, which is a lot bigger looking and modern feeling than I'd expected. L really likes the hospital here and can imagine us working together here, it's huge and very new. Well I told him wait at least 3 years for that, I haven't even started yet! Start in 2 weeks' time.

We drove down to the southern most town in NZ, Bluff. Here the State Highway 1 starts (or ends, but I think starts, since it's the oldest settlement in NZ, I think) quite undramatically. We did a nice long walk along the cliffs on a track. Got really desolate near the end, and very spectacular. Reminded me of both Italy near Cinque Terre cos of the winding path along the cliff and Greece in its raw desolate emptiness.

Where the track started was a signpost, I guess a rather famous one in tourist books. It stated we were only 300km off being equidistant from the South Pole and the equator. Strange to imagine, cos heading south from here would only take one through lots and lots of ocean. Some islands and some small S Am settlements, but that's it. Northwards from the same latitude north, would be lots and lots more land, cities, people.

Was strange to think about it, seeing as it felt we were at land's end, which technically is true, but we weren't that far from the equator at all.

No we didn't take a picture of the signpost. Heaps of pictures of it on the net though.

Looking forward to C coming to visit, we've to head off right after work today, I've got to get everything together packed and ready to zip off. He'll be at the airport waiting for us and contrary to what one would think, I really doubt it takes any time at all to get off the plane (probably walk down a flight of steps to the tarmac) and pick up luggage (might or might not be a "belt", I'm thinking they probably heap the bags in a pile and you pick!) so I hope we'll be on schedule today!

Oh and Gong Xi Fa Cai everyone!