Well my faithful blog readers, i have let you down once again and failed to keep my promise of writing more often. Actually that's not 100% true. I wrote the following about a month ago. And so to be lazy i give you the blog i wrote (and meant to post) on August 10th:

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It’s funny how sometimes everything can just fall into place. Life is really good at the moment. I’ve started on a new contract at work in a much more senior role (complete with payraise). Our apartment is looking great—Matt and I even bought our first piece of Artwork. We’ve been saying for awhile now that we wanted to get something that wasn’t your average pre-printed print. And we found this in a wine bar/chipper (and when I say chipper I really mean somewhere that sell French fries) across from a gallery.

Our most recent adventures saw us down in the Coromandel with Matt’s colleague Jeremy, his wife Lynda and their 2 kids, Felix (4) and Orla (2). Jeremy’s family have a bach (kiwi-slang for “beach house”) in Whiritoa right on the beach, so a few Friday’s ago we all headed down. It only took us just about 2 hours to get there which is a nice change from our usual 5 hour away road trips. They weren’t kidding too—it was right on the beach. Saturday we went to the beach—flew Matt’s kite, went sea kayaking, and did some hardcore hiking. Winter here is very mild it rarely gets below 50 degrees lately and when the sunshines (like it is today—note the new view from my desk) it’s just lovely.

Not much else to report at the moment. My friend Dulcy from the Uk is coming into town and I’m very much looking forward to seeing her.

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Well as you can imagine, Dulcy has come and gone and it was wonderful to see her here in New Zealand. It's funny how seeing friends can be so reassuring and give you just a warm fuzzy feeling. Time is flying as well. Osh and Caitlin are getting married in less than a month and Matt and i have been living in New Zealand for 8 months now. It's funny, it hardly feels like it's been 4 months. I've been at GSJBW for 6 months as well which officially makes it the longest "real" job i've ever held which would be sad if it wasn't for the fact that i've rarely been in once place (or country) itself for more than 6 months in the last few years. As before my immigration status remains up in the air--i think i've neglected to tell you all about it and as it requires lots of energy we'll leave it at the following: after spending all my energy in creating my residency application i found out to cover my @$$ (pardon my french to all you proper folks out there) i had to apply for a 2nd work permit. So i basically had to repeat the whole process again (thankfully no medical or 2nd background check tho). Oh and did i mention i had to give them my passport too? I'm officially ID less. All and all, It basically means dropping more money and now not only waiting on the results of 1 application but 2, both of which affecting my future on a grand scale.

Spring is in the air which is exciting. I've finally stopped wearing my wool coat to work in the morning (not that it was ever that cold). Although i'm having the feelings of "oh-my-god-i've-got-to-be-in-a-bathing-suit-in-2-months" anxiety that usually doesn't hit 'til mid April (it's a bit warmer here so i'll say it's like April). I know i've said this before but it's funny how being abroad can really instill a sense of patriotism in someone. I've been watching the rugby world cup consistantly hoping for an American victory and continually being let down. But really i don't know what i expected i think more Americans could identify Iraq on a map than could explain (or understand) the game of rugby (which is saying something!). Not that its hard to understand but it's still just a fledgling game over in the states.

Matt has taken his kite-ing ambitions higher and has purchased a proper kite (12 meters long) and board and is gearing up to have a proper go at ocean kiteboarding. Which for those of you who are unfamiliar with it is like putting a snowboard on your feet, strapping into a giant kite that is harnessed to your body, and "surfing" the ocean. Not quite my cup of tea (actually i suppose that's a lie, i'd give it a shot if i had more patience i think) but i'm quite happy for any activity that brings Matt and i to the beach.

And with that i shall leave you with some photos from the above "mis-adventures" here. I hope you all are well.

x
lindz


Our new painting:



Me and Dulcy at the heritage centre


Matt showing me the kiting ropes


In the Coramandel


Some views from the office:


From my old desk:


The pub where Matt works (top window on the right is his office (and an fine example of Auckland taking a stand against billboards):