I need to get something off my chest. Thus far in my experience New Zealand is shockingly racist. Now I suppose I should preface that with something like “of those I’ve encountered but not everyone” but I’m not going to. I initially encountered it when Matt and I first moved here back in January. At the time I chalked it up the ages of the people involved (not that it makes it any more acceptable). But going on my 11th month here I’m finding it everywhere I turn. Primarily I find it’s against Asians; Stereotyping them as bad drivers. Complaining that they’re a noticeable presence in the communities. Blah, blah, blah. The Maori’s seem to get their fare share too although it’s far more subtle in their case. Perhaps coming from a background so diverse and a community so by and large accepting I find it odd. I just don’t like it one bit and it really makes me uncomfortable.

Another thing that I’m finding odd is targeted advertising towards racial groups. Really it’s just towards Maori but it seems like every few commercials on TV is one encouraging Maori women to get breast screenings done. Or some other women’s health issue. Usually it’s a group of Maori women sitting around and saying “oh I didn’t want to do this and never understood why I should” but I’m glad I went. We don’t have that in the states. Can you imagine ads geared towards American Indian’s or some other ethnic minority?
It creates a stereotype, however valid it may be (especially given that they’re advertising on TV), that just seems unfair.

That’s enough of my musings. On to the good stuff. Work is going well. This week is particularly stressful and is a primarily of the culmination of what I’ve been working on the last 6 weeks, which fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. Either way I’ve been consistently praised for my work. It’s a nice feeling. Matt’s job has been going well and he’s finished a big project as well (check it out at http://www.cupspace.co.nz – he did all the back end forms for when you create your own cup and enter the competition).

The exciting bit of lately was meeting my personal travel hero: This guy (click the play button over the video here to watch it), Matt Harding.



We initially heard about him through Matt’s aunt Jenny who sent him the link as a fun poke in regards to the fact he wasn’t too chatty about where he was and what he was up to (his website’s name is wherethehellismatt). He’s been to over 70 countries and basically just does that silly dance. He’s since gained sponsorship and basically is paid to travel to all these places. The above video has made him something of a web celebrity as well.

In any event he came to Auckland last weekend as part of his new video which isn’t so much about the places but rather the people. For this new concept he’s inviting people to do that silly dance with him and Matt and I went and danced with him. We met up at Albert Park with about 3 other people and had a nice chat. Turns out he’s from Westport, Connecticut and upon mentioning that I used to live in Trumbull he said “Oh yes, I’ve been to the Trumbull Mall” which made me smile. His main video of him dancing with everyone all over the world (including us) will be released in June but for the meantime here’s us dancing with him in the park.



He stole my idea of passport stamps as a website background (well ok I was going to make them into links to photosets from those countries). But other than that he was pretty cool.

My friend from university, Chonos (aka Peter) is coming out to visit this weekend which should be nice. We’ve got a big Thanksgiving dinner planned which I’m quite excited about especially since I didn’t really do anything for the holiday last year.

Other than that Christmas is on its way. Matt and I head off to Australia the 14th of December for my first Christmas down under and away from any of my family. I’m excited but a bit nervous. I’m sure many of you think I’m away from the states without a care or a glance back. But I do miss everyone. It can be hard to be away from a lot of the people who I love and care about.

With that I leave you all. I probably will not update before next week so I wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving. I’m so thankful that I’m blessed to have some spectacular people in my life.