Highden Manor

My new digs are beautiful. The house is lovely and the grounds are something out of a Jane Austen novel. I try to imagine what it would be like living in this house but it's so silly. Catholic priests used to live here, then some sort of buddhist monks. It was then an American summer school for rich kids where they did hippie things. Which I could totally see happening here. But amazing as this historical house is, today i feel like Harry after cleaning Headquarters. Tomorrow is my last day of work here and then a day sighseeing in town :)


Today I met a woman whose sister lives in Richmond! So crazy I love the 6 degrees of separation! Reminds me about a girl I met at the last place I was at. She graduated from Lewis & Clark. People, this was my dream school. Literally I spent countless hours daydreaming about going there. It's in Portland, Oregon and specializes in environmental degrees. But looking back I wish I had just applied, but it is a private school and wicked expensive . With all that time wasted I could have easily applied, who knows what could have happened? It's silly how we aren't always brave enough to do the things that would make us happy. And when I met the graduate from Lewis & Clark it was such a slap in the face of realization. Love it haha

today after everything was finished I relaxed on the veranda and did a little cloudwatching. NZ is the perfect place to do it bc the name means one long white cloud. It was erfect :) Also, I still can't get used to the rustling of tons of tree leaves. I still think it's rain. It's weird that I get confused. Shouldn't everyone know the specific sound? Ah the amazingness of being in NZ, in love!

Oy Vey

The bus problems started two nights ago. I told Anna the bus will pick me up in Manutuke 5 min down the road so she didn't have to drive all the way into town. She replied ok and we will leave at 9:35. Super early for a 9:50 bus so I figured she had something to pick up before. Wrong. We went all the way into town and then she was all surprised bc apparently I told her to go there as I had said to go to the 'usual place'. Uhh no if you have only been somewhere once you can't say usual place. So we miss the bus. No big I book another one for the next day. It drives right past me, luckily it realizes its mistake and circles round. Though upset I'm standing in the wrong spot. Listen dude there is no sign for the bus this is a gas station. There is no allocated spot. Bro. Travel 3 hrs to Napier where the connecting bus is to leave at 1:15 and we arrive at 1:20. The driver tells me not to worry. I am. One hour later the bus still isn't there, it had driven off without 4 of its passangers, classy. We are driven to another city to be picked up by another bus to continue south. Hallelujah we make it. Offered apologises and 25% off the next bus ticket. Please I'll be needed full reimbursement not $5 -10 off.

Germans don't have scones. I think that's odd considering they always brag about their bread.

driving through NZ affirms the fact that dinosaurs really did exist (not that there was any doubt).

One Mississippi

When you are little you don't understand time, how long an hour is or why a minute is 60 seconds instead of 100. Ask a kid to count to 10 and it's done in 5 seconds. That's why we are taught how long a second is in Mississippi's. One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi. It wasn't until watching The Blind Side tonight to think it was incredibly strange. What's a Mississppi? Is it some football term?

Found the song puts my feelings about NZ into words "The Hills Are Alive", my favorite line:

"My heart want to beat like the wings of the birds that rise from the lake to the trees'.

Sunday Funday

Stolen apples taste good. Stolen apples right off the tree taste even better.

First time actually buttering a pan. Think I used more butter on the pan than in the recipe.

Jack. Honestly the best dog ever.

Rugby balls at the chocolate factory.

Chocolate in different languages.

I saw where all the kiwi trees are yesterday and they look so weird! but in a good way. I booked my next two places and i'm reallz excited about them. I think i am tired of looking at persimmons.. today i'm just relaxing with The DaVinci Code and some cheesecake. Ok i'm beyond spoiled. life is good :)

Oh Them Apples

Saw my first apple orchard today! It was heaven!! And then ate one right off the tree! It was a perfect way to end the walk we took around the property (massive!). I can totally understand why Snow White took that apple from the creepy/ugly/evil witch. they are too tempting and delicious!

The French couple left and the girl left me her work clothes. the jumper is from H&M! Ohh yeaa its cute, pink, and fits perfectly :) NZ thought it could withhold it from me but I found a way! I bought two new shirts and a belt for $25! I am too happy! All the girls I have met so far agree with me, it's not your friends or family you miss the most it's your clothes. After wearing the same five shirts you are desperate for a little varity.

Thoughts..

There is a lot of depressing news lately esp the hate crimes. I think more states need to follow New Jersey's example and stregthen our anti-bully laws.

Need to check this out! Abe is my hero!
http://www.lettersofnote.com/search/label/abrahamlincoln

There is an old tv show 'Cracker' that stars the actor who played Hagrid. It's sort of like The Mentalist that's on now. All crime. But there was a scene where he was curled up on the couch all sad and I thought "thats impossible! Hagrid doesn't fit on a couch!".. He will always be my big friendly giant :)

Victory!!

I have finally seen HP7 part 2 special features! Huzzah! Loved the mini documentary. And the women of hogwarts segment :) also huzzah: putting this picture up via my phone. Technology will never cease to amaze me..

went surfing yesterday! Or sort of. Probs only stood up three times. Or two. But the point is I tried! And had fun and that's what really matters. All the kids in the house went and of course were all pros compared to me as they had a lesson already.

I introduced everyone to Jacket Potatoes for dinner last night. They were a hit, you're welcome Britain.

the other night we had a bonfire and the german girls taught us all about Stick Bread. You make the dough (its a little sweet) and then wrap it arond the stick and heat it over the fire, like you would with a marshmellow. It was awesome!!

thoughts...

if I had a secret I couldn't tell but for one person I know who I would choose. Alan Rickman. Lets be real he can keep a secret as proven when JK Rowling told him the truth about Snape. Everyone in the world wanted to know. Very noble Rickman.

the really old james bond movies are hilarious.

things I miss:

Favorite Things

- Duvets

- Learning German proverbs. Such as "unfaithful tomato" or "like jacket and trousers"

- Using my phone as a computer

- My new men's thermal socks

- Knowing people in Germany & France love Mika as much as I do

- Eating Nutella every morning on toast

- Feeling like waking up at 9 is sleeping in

- Home cooked meals from organic/fresh ingrediants

-Being in New Zealand

Manatuke

ok this is what I have been waiting for. I am spending my days in a persimmon orchard. sidenote: i've never eaten one before. today i picked and packaged flowers. the bed is so comfortable. staying at the farm is a french couple, two german girls and a german guy. they are all soo nice! and Anna and Colin are lovely. this is exactly how i pictured life to be. and i'm learning english from the german girls. seriously. you need to learn your own language from a foreigner, they know all the rules. but it's difficult bc they ask me hard questions like "when do you say 'something like this' or 'something like that'? what is the difference?" uhh..

breakfast is a meal. ive always known this and thought i ate a meal in the morning, wrong. A bowl of cereal does not suffice.it needs toast, fuit, tea, and of course nutella. Oh and eggs and bacon.

Japan Day

A day off. Sooo nice. My arms needed a break. We went into Napier the "art deco capital" of NZ. Why I'm not too sure. But it was nice and we ate sushi. Which was avocado rolls/vege rolls.. so maybe not sushi but who says vege cant be included? It was awesome right when we walked into the place a japanese song was playing and Yumi instantly starting singing along. classic. Went to chocolate place and bought two little chocolate eggs. Delish! Then came back and watched the Sound of Music. It was special edition so obvi I started watching the special features. You know the song the Captain sings "Edelweiss", well it was written specifically for the movie. Yet your boy Ronald Reagan played it for the Austrian ambassador. Good one. Japanese curry for dindin, didn't know they made curry and it was goood. Finally found a next destination. I was indeed getting worried, a bunch of places were booked for March. The news has been calling tomorrow to be a "Weather Bomb". Geez please make it sound a bit scarier and like I may really die. So we'll be staying inside.