This week could easily be classified as a city living, as I enjoyed many magical parts of Auckland. The weather is starting to slowly get warmer and the rain is far less frequent- almost to the point where I forgot how much it actually did rain throughout the last 2 months! Some mornings remind me of those “track mornings” while others definitely smell like Metamora Football- it’s not something you can pin down… but it brings back great memories!
So the majority of the week was spent studying/organizing my life. BUT, I was able to concoct a wonderful, tasty pot-pie. It was beautiful and flaky- especially considering the limited resources. Only one baking dish/knife/bowl and no measuring devices- not "Top Chef" worthy. Some substitutions were made, such as philo dough for the pie-crust, but the majority of the recipe was easily fulfilled. Mmmm…. Next up is the attempt at apple pie.
Since I ate so much pot pie- spinning class was another important component of the week. I tried it last week, but attended two classes this week and got an amazing work out each time. The room is Amazon hot, but you all know how much I love to work out and sweat. Hopefully this week will be just as hard!
Thursday brought a new discovery that kept me laughing for a considerable amount of time- the Warehouse Karaoke CD. I had randomly picked it up due to the “Do you think I’m sexy” song title on the back [it’s a personal fav], but I did not expect the jankness of this CD- it’s a real Karaoke CD with words that light up on beat. What knocked my socks of was the high quality backgrounds. “Do you think I’m sexy” featured two random koalas, while “teenage dirtbag” was placed in front of a random lion statue. Random is a key word. But at 7am in the morning when I decided to watch it while getting ready for class- it was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a little while.
Friday I ran errands, and completed the shopping list that I had for over two weeks. My roommate, Kaitlyn, and I got to play on the swing set… specifically the tire swing and teeter-totter. We both agreed that the merry-go-round was the best playground accessory, and a playground isn’t complete without one. That night we explored Ponsonby, another section of Auckland- and I had my first “hard drink” of 42 below and Apple Juice. The crowd was a little more sophisticated than the Irish Pub scene, but it was refreshing to not have people dancing on top of the bar. What was not refreshing was the pain inflected by new high-heels. I don’t know that the FBI currently uses for torture…but maybe they should look into making people walk up and down Auckland hills in high-heels. Ouch. One of the highlights was stopping in a gas station for a late night pie, only to stand in the candy isle and pretend to do the escalator, elevator, and a personal favourite inspired by Helen… the abseil.
On Saturday I attempted to study, but found myself frustrated with the gloomy weather. My other roommate Sarah and I ended up getting rush tickets for a Check opera, a cappuccino, and a beer from an 18 year old with a mullet at Father Ted’s. I actually don’t mind the taste of their local beers, but after few sips, I was satisfied and passed it off to others in the group. It was great to spend some time with the Boston girls, who met up with us, and dance to some live music.
Sunday morning I enjoyed a lovely art deco walk with the Art Deco Society- put on by the heritage festival. Due to day light savings time, only one other women showed up- so I was instantly adopted by two elderly women as their “American granddaughter.” The cool thing about the walk was that it pointed out buildings that I pass by daily and never take time to appreciate. The tour guide had lived in Auckland her whole life, and was anxious to share how life was “back in the days” when she was a girl. Pictures will be up soon! This week I hope to take the cemetery tour and the wharf tour… somehow I feel I will be doing something like this after I retire… In the evening I went to church with my friend from my theology class, Jess. She is the head of the Youth ministry at C3 [Christian City Church], and it was so refreshing to be in the community of God again. We ended up going out to coffee after with thirty other people, and apparently my “accent” was something that people “just loved” haha- I have to admit that I love my American accent, and I will never complain about not having a cool accent ever again.
Well, I’m currently working on a massive amount of emails- and I should get back to work, but Skype times have all moved up an hour- so they should be Sunday at 3pm and 8pm for Butler and 2pm and 7pm for Jess/Betsy/Meg/Parents. Night!
So the majority of the week was spent studying/organizing my life. BUT, I was able to concoct a wonderful, tasty pot-pie. It was beautiful and flaky- especially considering the limited resources. Only one baking dish/knife/bowl and no measuring devices- not "Top Chef" worthy. Some substitutions were made, such as philo dough for the pie-crust, but the majority of the recipe was easily fulfilled. Mmmm…. Next up is the attempt at apple pie.
Since I ate so much pot pie- spinning class was another important component of the week. I tried it last week, but attended two classes this week and got an amazing work out each time. The room is Amazon hot, but you all know how much I love to work out and sweat. Hopefully this week will be just as hard!
Thursday brought a new discovery that kept me laughing for a considerable amount of time- the Warehouse Karaoke CD. I had randomly picked it up due to the “Do you think I’m sexy” song title on the back [it’s a personal fav], but I did not expect the jankness of this CD- it’s a real Karaoke CD with words that light up on beat. What knocked my socks of was the high quality backgrounds. “Do you think I’m sexy” featured two random koalas, while “teenage dirtbag” was placed in front of a random lion statue. Random is a key word. But at 7am in the morning when I decided to watch it while getting ready for class- it was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a little while.
Friday I ran errands, and completed the shopping list that I had for over two weeks. My roommate, Kaitlyn, and I got to play on the swing set… specifically the tire swing and teeter-totter. We both agreed that the merry-go-round was the best playground accessory, and a playground isn’t complete without one. That night we explored Ponsonby, another section of Auckland- and I had my first “hard drink” of 42 below and Apple Juice. The crowd was a little more sophisticated than the Irish Pub scene, but it was refreshing to not have people dancing on top of the bar. What was not refreshing was the pain inflected by new high-heels. I don’t know that the FBI currently uses for torture…but maybe they should look into making people walk up and down Auckland hills in high-heels. Ouch. One of the highlights was stopping in a gas station for a late night pie, only to stand in the candy isle and pretend to do the escalator, elevator, and a personal favourite inspired by Helen… the abseil.
On Saturday I attempted to study, but found myself frustrated with the gloomy weather. My other roommate Sarah and I ended up getting rush tickets for a Check opera, a cappuccino, and a beer from an 18 year old with a mullet at Father Ted’s. I actually don’t mind the taste of their local beers, but after few sips, I was satisfied and passed it off to others in the group. It was great to spend some time with the Boston girls, who met up with us, and dance to some live music.
Sunday morning I enjoyed a lovely art deco walk with the Art Deco Society- put on by the heritage festival. Due to day light savings time, only one other women showed up- so I was instantly adopted by two elderly women as their “American granddaughter.” The cool thing about the walk was that it pointed out buildings that I pass by daily and never take time to appreciate. The tour guide had lived in Auckland her whole life, and was anxious to share how life was “back in the days” when she was a girl. Pictures will be up soon! This week I hope to take the cemetery tour and the wharf tour… somehow I feel I will be doing something like this after I retire… In the evening I went to church with my friend from my theology class, Jess. She is the head of the Youth ministry at C3 [Christian City Church], and it was so refreshing to be in the community of God again. We ended up going out to coffee after with thirty other people, and apparently my “accent” was something that people “just loved” haha- I have to admit that I love my American accent, and I will never complain about not having a cool accent ever again.
Well, I’m currently working on a massive amount of emails- and I should get back to work, but Skype times have all moved up an hour- so they should be Sunday at 3pm and 8pm for Butler and 2pm and 7pm for Jess/Betsy/Meg/Parents. Night!
No comments:
Post a Comment