a.k.a. our home
15 Apr 2006

This is the first chance since we left Austin on March 23rd? that I've had time to leisurely check my e-mail and update everyone on what is going on with us.

So, I'm writing you from what will be our office.It is a small white room (maybe 8' x 8') with lots of LIGHT! It faces southeast so it gets a bit of morning sun, but not full-on. In this room we have our phone and my computer, and now a folding camping "captain's" chair. No desk yet.

The rest of the flat consists of a master bedroom (slightly larger by a foot or two each way, I think), a bathroom-tiny (with vanity/sink), a separate toilet room (very tiny), a living room that is a decent size (with north facing windows which are apparently essential in NZ), and last but not least a smallish kitchen which overlooks the living room. Everything minus the carpets is WHITE. The owners just spent a few months re-modeling the entire flat... The curtains, the paint, the carpet, even the sink and vanity look new, a new range, a dish drawer (small dishwasher that pulls open like a drawer, very cool). The only thing that is even remotely old is the front loading washer which gave us quite a surprise the first day we moved in. We had just finished loading the fridge in the kitchen the day before and I went to clean the filter in the WM. I put another load in and came back a few minutes later to find water pouring out of the WM. It was nearly to the carpet and all of the kitchen was absolutely soaked! I scrambled to save to carpet... then it hit me... We don't even have a mop! Greg ran to the landlord's place in the front to get a mop & a half an hour later we just had it dry enough for the bed delivery person to drop off the bed. What timing!

The other day I was in the shower when I heard Greg in the kitchen. *WHAM!* "Oh, CRAP!" then nothing. I came running thinking that Greg had fell and broken something (like his head) and I found Greg standing, gobsmacked staring at a floor full of soda. He had opened the fridge door and a fizzy pop exploded when it fell out. It was EVERYWHERE. It took me an hour to wipe all the surfaces and mop the floor (again, this time with a mop that we now own-which sucks and I'm taking it back). The floor is freakin' spotless now.

We have found that there are several things missing from our diet that we would easily find on the shelf in North America:
1. Shredded Wheat is available, but only if you are willing to sell your soul.
2. Grape Nuts are even more dear.
3. Dr. Pepper, I need my prune juice!
4. Blue Bell Ice Cream, of course
5. Fresh Jalapenos & Habaneros & Chipotle & any other SW US pepper
6. Crumbly Goat Cheese
7. Tomatillos (Green Tomatoes)
8. any decent tortillas

Other things we are missing:
1. Good yarn and yarn supplies
2. Unscented Fabric Softener
3. Lotion infused tissues and unscented tissues

Things we are NOT missing:
1. Thai food - you can't throw a stick without hitting at least one Thai restaurant here.
2. "Gourmet Pizzas" - Sure, they're great! But I'd rather make them at home.
3. Any other Asian food - The high population of Asians here insures us of good quality, high quantity Asian restaurants.

Considering the amount of sheep in New Zealand I am appalled at the lack of knitting accessories and quality wool. I am determined that I will have to start spinning it myself if I don't find something soon!

Greg and I rented a car the first week and a half we were here, trying to find a descent place to live and before that temporarily stay at. Once we moved our luggage in we returned the car. Now we are busing it. Eventually we will buy a car for out of town trips, but so far it's pretty convenient to just catch a bus. And we are located so close to town that we can walk easily to the city centre when we need to (15 min walk.) Grocery store and shops are only a few blocks away (also on the bus stop if you can't carry a ton of groceries, etc).

Greg got his temporary work visa (not to be confused with the residency we have already applied for) so he can work now if they choose. It looks like he'll be starting on April 26th, Wednesday just following ANZAC Day. When he starts work I'll also be looking for a job. Until then, we are going to enjoy setting up and exploring this new place we call home.