Holidays

I absolutely love the holidays. I think I like them more now than when I was a kid. I love raking, I love baking, I love it all. Seeing family is great as well as seeing snow. Driving is a little tedious given extreme weather, but it's still great to see most of America (as I have and will through the coming weeks) as winter sets in.

I have been watching some of my Christmas favorites -- Elf, of course and I'm even watching Muppet Christmas Carol right now. I like Advent calendar and seeing churches decked out for the season. I just love it.

I am trying to figure out if I have a point. But I don't think so. :) Just a note to say that I'm enjoying the crap out of the season and I hope you are too.

Wrapping Up

Whew, kids. It's been a while since I had time to write. I don't know that I have time to write now, but I am doing it. Let's update, shall we?

Job: I am working this one week temp job and today is my last day. I've nothing for it. I consider myself a hard worker, but I think that there is just nothing to do. I am here "just in case". That is good, as it allows(ed?) time for working on my thesis. But that's a whole other bullet point. I feel very guilty, nonetheless, sitting here and doing nothing. But I've run out of holiday shopping (ideas only - internet style), recipe gathering (those are coming your way soon, Mom), and news reading. Because let's be honest, I don't like reading the news. I should, I know. But I don't. After a grand ol' week, I am sick of the internet. But I am getting much more daring in what I will do on this computer that everyone can see. I was just checking myspace. Honestly. I am getting paid. It's silly, really. So there's that then.

Thesis: Well, it's almost done? I don't know. It's been "done" for well over a month now, but I have to do little revisions and I have been doing them all week while I have been at "work". But I am waiting for hopefully the last set of "Do this and it's done" comments. Here's hoping. This wretched piece of Microsoft Word and Endnote better not follow me home. Or heads are going to roll. Seriously. :)

Teaching: So I never got certified. I am vaguely remembering thinking things like, "Well, I'll be going to grad school first and graduation is so busy. I'll just take care of that later." Oops. That's really coming back to haunt me. It shouldn't be too big of a deal as I've technically done all I need to to be considered certified, I just haven't signed papers. Once I am in the same country as said papers, life will be a bit easier. [Note: I've taught already though. I mean, I taught summer school after I graduated. Should I announce to the world that I taught kids without my certification sorted? I personally think it's funny.]

Packing: Packing is wretched as well. I am not going to be able to bring anything home with me really. I was hoping, but I didn't prepare and now it's so close. Boo. My friends are getting some sweet pictures/paintings thingys. Goodbye decorations. But some of them were too girlie anyway I suppose. And I guess I have to get out my red, white, and black phase at some point. In addition to packing, though, there is cleaning. Mold. It's everywhere and probably not helping the cold I've had all week. It's just ridiculous though. There was mold when I moved in; there will be mold when I move out. Such is life. But I'll clean all I can, with the understanding that I've already gotten my bond back. So... you know. I'll try.

Leaving: I am leaving so soon!! I leave on Tuesday here, and arrive on Tuesday there. Tuesday! That is so soon! I am really finishing up the "lasts". The last time I see this show, the last time I eat here, the last time I see this. Man. How has it been almost two years? It's insane really. I had some co-workers take me out for lunch yesterday at the ever wonderful Staff Club. [I will always love the Staff Club. I always felt like a stowaway even though postgrads are definitely allowed, as well as staff, which I also am. Plus, I'm pretty sure anyone can go. You don't have to show ID, but I always felt so naughty going there. It's great.] They asked me if I was happy that I came here to NZ. Definitely. But I'm ready to come home. Maybe the whole reason I had to leave was so that I could say that one sentence. I'm pretty sure I've never said it before unless I was ten and ill. But I am definitely ready.

Snow: I am so happy to see snow. I am so happy to see Thanksgiving in AMERICA. That's where they celebrate it, you know. :) I had someone ask me the story of Thanksgiving. I gave the first grade answer, which is basically all I know (though I've since looked it up and it's more or less what I thought). He asked if it was like the Treaty of Waitangi. That's the treaty that was made between European settlers and the native people here in New Zealand, the Maori. I had to respond with, "Well, no. After Native Americans helped the Europeans live for those first few years, they sorta killed the Native Americans off. Well, not completely. I guess." Oh, America. :) But I am very happy to have a proper Thanksgiving. I had a mini-Thanksgiving with another American last year. Though that was great, nothing beats family. So bring on the tofurkey, kiddos, I'm on my way.

Whew. Update central. I might write more before I hop on a plane. I am sad at my lack of interesting posting lately. The blog was mostly supposed to be a way to keep people aware of my life while I was here in New Zealand. We'll see. Life afterwards might be entertaining too. It's a bit up in the air now. ;)

Purging is Fun

It's been (and continues to be) a fun process of getting rid of everything I own. The goal is to get me down to two suitcases, though I am not optimistic. I like stuff. But it is really liberating to get rid of everything. Don't get me wrong; I will love nesting down somewhere soon and buying lots of crap I don't need. But it's a good feeling to know you could walk down the street with everything you'd need for a good long while. I think I should do this every two years. :)

No Tricks OR Treats!

Halloween is such a non-event here. I guess I was vaguely aware that it was Halloween. But I sat exams and no one showed up in a costume and I never saw any storefronts decorated. I saw not one jack o latern. The only pumpkins I saw were grey and in the store... for eating.

No trick or treaters and no university-aged girls dressed up as slutty cops, slutty nurses, slutty maids, slutty nuns, or the variety of other creative female costumes. And the boys weren't any better. No costumes. No candy.

I'm starting to miss home pretty bad. Granted, I get to come home in like two weeks (18 days, but who's counting?). I cannot complain. At dinner last night, I enjoyed a nice coversation about all the things that would be great about America:
"Target! Remeber Target?!"
"3-packs of tshirts for under 30 dollars!"
"Two words: Taco Bell."
"Oh, restaraunts? Oh man, this is going to be a long list: Olive Garden, TGIFridays, Applebees, Red Lobster-"
"MEXICAN FOOD!!" (that was me.)
"Okay, okay, but what about heat?"
"True, and cheap heat at that."
"Oh God, Walmart. I know it's evil, but I can't wait to afford stuff again!"

Sigh. I like it here, I do. But I'm ready, man. It turns out America really is awfully convenient. :) Who knew?

Time to Catch Up

I know... it's been ages. But here's what's going on (that has nothing to do with my thesis):

• supervising exams still sucks. And now I am all over the campus, with some very entertaining stories about crazy, Nazi-like supervisors. These stories shall wait; it's painful enough to have to sit still for 7 hours a day (not including all the active portions of exams such as collecting exams and name slips and running to the toilet every four minutes). But oh, they're coming.
• The World Series happened apparently. I was reading up on a celebrity blog (what passes for news for me) and it was mentioned. Now, I guess I knew it was coming up; I have friends who like baseball and I know they mentioned it. But it's still odd to me how monumental sporting events that I've grown up with can just fade into the background here. That being said, I have never watched the World Series (or any baseball, for that matter; excluding if I knew someone playing, or I just went because I had free tickets). I only watch the Superbowl for the commercials, and not the whole game. Too much football for not enough commercials. It's still nice, however, to get the deluge of advertising and trash talking between fans. I miss it.
• Vegemite (and, I'm assuming, Marmite) have been OUTLAWED in the States. Now, I wish I could link to some nice article about this, but I am too lazy to find one. This little tidbit was told to me by a very reliable source and I am devastated. Devastation does not begin to describe it, actually. Apparently it has too much yeast or something. I was anticipating bring large jars of it back to the States with me. This means I cannot do that. I cannot have it sent to me in the States by friends here. I cannot eat it unless I leave the country!!! I will be living close to Mexico, so maybe I can go over for black market Marmite. How sad. Now I have to eat it like there's no tomorrow... because for Marmite? There is no tomorrow.
• They are beginning to look at a new smoking ban in New Zealand: no smoking in your own car. I am not even a smoker and I am offended. The argument is that the toxins stay in the car and any unwitting passengers that come in after you've finished smoking will suffer. Ridiculous.

That is all, friends. Hopefully, I will find more time to update you on my oh-so-exciting life. :)

Limbo

I am still alive, I promise. I am working way too many hours for sanity to prevail, but that's what happens sometimes.

The thesis is done.... sort of. I am waiting on the final okay from my supervisor. So I'm done, but definitely not done as well. I am sort of hating it. I just want to turn it in, come what may. But I only say that now; I'd also rather like to get my Masters.

Does anyone fail?? Does anyone write a 100 page paper and not get the title? Because that would blow. Blow like nothing has ever blown before.

We are also in less-than-a-month territory for my return to the States and I am really excited. Not that NZ sucks or anything, but I am tired of no real job, no real income, etc. Stability, I crave thee; who knew?

Drowning

I am drowning in thesis!! I think I'll be alright, but man oh man. We have Labor Day Weekend (yes, it's different) this weekend, so I get a three day, paid weekend to finish this dreadful thing. Then, I focus all my time on my 10 hours of work a day. Oh, and it is officially a day less than month until I leave for the States and a month until I get to the States. So. Much. To. Do. I apologize for the drought of normal posts. Drowning in papers, I tell you.

Hello, you pretty light at the end of the tunnel. Focus on light, not tunnel, focus on light, not tunnel. Whew.

I Rule

And am humble. Promise.

I was sick, sick, sick this weekend. My sinuses hurt so bad I had to take headache stuff as well as cold stuff. I slept all weekend. Almost literally. I did work on my thesis (because I'm hardcore) and also I went to a play on Sunday because I had already paid for the tickets and was feeling a bit better, but mostly I slept. I slept more than a cat. But, I have conquered the illness. I only have a bit of a sore throat today, which I think is remarkable.

As I still have work to do on my thesis (though there are less than 30 pages left!!), I have work still, and on Wednesday, I start proctoring exams again. Such the schedule!!

Also, I will be back on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again, in just over a month now. So much to do!

Heehee.

I am officially a computer nerd. Loves it.

Counting My Eggs...

I am so excited to have a real life. I know it sounds silly because everyone loves college, but I am so excited to have a real job, a real income, a real apartment... everything. Life is sweet. But, I found this website for getting puppies from the humane society; you can find them for any city, but you can look at pictures of animals you can adopt!! So excited!

Now, that will be months away, but still. Not too many months away! I've also spent most of my free time at work today looking at apartments and trying to learn about Tucson (yes, I'm a nerd).

It's sad to be leaving NZ, especially when it's actually getting hot today! But I am excited to be done being a temporary person, a student, and poor. :) Woohoo, real life.

Funny Feeling

I get these E.S.P. feelings sometimes. I would call it Impending Doom, but it isn't always bad. So if you are someone I know and something big is happening to you, let me know! I don't like this mild tummy ache!

And just to be on the safe side, be careful everyone. :) Thanks and good day.

Spring Snow

It snowed this morning. I took a picture, so I'll put it up later, but it snowed. Did we beat the American first snow? Because, remember, it's almost summer here. It has been the craziest weather ever here today. When I woke up, it was so sunny that it hurt my eyes to look outside. A half hour later, it was pouring. Then five minutes later, there was snow so big that I actually doubted that it was real. It's been alternating between rain and sun, all with gusty winds. It's days like this I wish I had a car.

Happy Birthday!!

Boo. I tried to put a beautiful picture up of my darling brother, but "there were errors". Sad. But it's his birthday! Yay! Happy birthday to the best brother ever. See you at Thanksgiving, Bro-town.

Update: here is my brother!!

A is for Annika

I got to go to a party yesterday. It was a theme party. You had to go as something that started with the same letter that your first name starts with. Creative (but really!). So I went as... an annoying American. It was fun. Came very natural to me. I got to wear a hoodie and "sneans" (the dreaded jeans and sneakers combo) and carry around a camera and a map. My intent was to ask someone to consult the map with me whenever I moved to a different room in the house, but thankfully I forgot about that trick early on.

Also, I got to introduce beruit finally!! (Or beer pong to you non-Valpo goers.) It was great because kids would walk in the room and be intimidated by the beruit table, which is especially odd and as it is/was a staple of most Valpo parties and parties that Valpo alum still hold. But I did my part to bring culture to this corner of the world -- and they loved it.

The thesis shall not overcome. I am just under halfway done, so that's good news. I deserved a night off! ;)

Another Present for Annika

Someone should buy me this...
from the ever popular www.bustedtees.com.

Yes, I'm Actually Working on my Thesis!

Words are taking over my life. To read more hilarity, click here.

Heehee

This is the coolest thing ever. As soon as I have a lawn, I want them. Check out these "gnome-be-gones" and other coolest things ever here.

Home Offices and Buffet Mania

I have abandoned the library. I now hate it. It was my own fault, really -- it did nothing wrong. After spending several hours every day there, however, I was sick of it. My collar bone even began to have a dent from where the laptop bag dug in several times a day. Instead, I sleep in a little later, get up and work in my pj's. I am shockingly more productive. It's more than appropriate to get up and wander around, make a cup of tea, and talk to yourself (through a thesis point, naturally...), and just take a bit of a break. You can spread your papers all over the room instead of a tiny table and most importantly NO CHATTY KATHYS. This is by far the best reason for working at home. Plus, it cuts down on transition time. Walking to the library and setting up, then packing up only 2 hours later to trot down to work, then setting up again to pack up only 2 hours later again (I'm confining myself at this stage to the 9-5 workday). Too much bustle, not enough hustle. I'm happier.

Don't worry; I'm sure I'll hate my flat in about two weeks time.

Then last night, on a journey to buy more soy sauce (when do I not need more soy sauce?) I made the rash decision to eat out instead. Buffet style. NZ is expensive so buffets don't always seem like the best deal. Pizza Hut has their dinner buffet... for $20 per head. Good Lord. No thanks. This dinner buffet was 14 dollars, which is definitely not bad. Oh, and I ate. They had unlimited sushi and pumpkin soup. That primarily what I ate, though I did gorge myself on oranges and spring rolls too. Top that off with an ice cream with sprinkles? Ohh, I am happy. The only sad part is I only just realised that this place was so good. I leave in less than two months. That's a lot of buffet to make up for!

I'm up for the challenge!

Scents and Sensibility

I was walking through the library today, which I know is a huge shock, when I distinctly smelled homecoming or Spring Weekend. There was a mix of day old hairspray, perfume, slushie and (I swear!) vodka. Maybe this poor girl didn't really smell like all this, but I assume she just came into the library straight after a night of drinking, which I have to admire. To help with the sensory overload, it is getting to be the end of the school year, with summer well on its way. I am stuck in the library and I think it might be 1000 times more fun to be out partying for a weekend straight with my friends.

I was then slammed back to remembering the 7-11 guy who would sell slushies for higher prices during homecoming and spring weekend just because they went so well with vodka and nice weather. Then I remembered that it is homecoming weekend right now at Valpo (I think). Instead of hanging out with nostalgia and some of my nearest and dearest, I am in the library half a world away, working on my thesis.

I really am a grown up. Boo. Boo, I say.

Book 'Em

I went to the police station today because I need fingerprints done for my Arizona certification. I wasn't even sure that it was a service that was provided because I could find no information on it. But I rang up and they seemed to be willing to fingerprint me -- and even for free. I went this morning and was not convinced at all that it was normal for me to come and get this done, but I needed it. After spending several minutes trying to explain what it was that I needed done and after producing three different forms of I.D. (I mean, really), I was brought to the booking room.

I was following this police officer (without a gun, heehee. NZ is so cute) through a maze of cell blocks. I felt the urge to make some joke reminding him that I was just here for the fingerprints, not the overnight stay, but it didn't seem appropriate. I saw so many locks and iron gates that I really was starting to get nervous. Plus, he was practically running me through the maze. Especially given my fantastic directional sense, I realized I would never be able to get myself back out of this wrought iron maze. Finally we get to the fingerprint room that is also (conveniently) where they take mug shots. It smelled a little like pee.

While I was getting printed, I heard what could have been some minor construction, but probably wasn't. Sure enough, the kind police officer asked me to excuse him and he went out to the hallway and began reaming out a guy named Wally. (Of course his name was Wally.)

-Wally! Keep it down in there!
-I will not be ignored!!!
-Yes you will. We got company!
(I tried not to be alarmed at being referred to as 'company'.)
-Ooh, what kind of company? (Still banging on his cell door...)
-Shut up, Wally! I'm gonna get someone in there!
-That's all I'm asking for! I refuse to be ignored!
-Bob! Get in there! Wally's gone crazy!!

Then, my officer came back in with a little smile and asked if I'd like to finish up and leave. Then back through the maze we went, after a brief detour past Wally to yell at him, and I was on my way.

Come to think of it, the whole place smelled rather like pee. I'm glad I was just visiting.

Fat Outlawed

They're banning fat. I mean, really? I disagree. And strongly. I think I can handle ordering my own food, thank you very much Mr Government.

Check it out.

Quiz Time!

I got 15/15! I should! English teachers rule. ;)

Check out the spelling quiz...

MSN, Can you spell?

Epitome of Adulthood

I have been feeling rather grown up lately. I have been going to library at 8.30am and therefore getting up around 7 to shower, make my breakfast and lunch, do little things around the flat, etc. Then I have been given quite a bit more work at my filing job, full on making me a contact in the office increasing frantic phone calls and mail with my name on it. Very exciting. Yesterday I even had a lengthy discussion with a co-worker on the merits and shortcomings of market theory, first in education and then in various other capacities. I hung out laundry at 7.30 this morning making me feel beyond adult (and also out of a different era -- what I wouldn't give for a washing machine. Okay, well apparently, I wouldn't give $400... because that's how much they cost.), and headed off to the library, laptop bag in hand.

I was throwing out words, quality words, for my thesis like it was nothing. Proud of myself, I started proofreading and thought, I can use a source on that. Looking through my list of references, I saw Boehner. Then I thought, "Boehner. Ha, that sounds like boner... Boner. Heehee!"

I guess I'm not all that grown up after all.

Boner. Heehee.

Hi, Nice to Meet You...

I'm That Girl. Good Lord, was I. I was at the library today just plugging right along on my thesis (I really am getting quite boring) and rocking out to some music. Suddenly, the girl next to me gets up and starts wandering around near my desk, as if she's trying to find the source of some noise, smell, or light. I gave her the "What are you doing, Freak Girl?" face and then she makes the face that prompts me to pull out my wee ear buds.

"Is that your music?"

As soon as I was ear bud free, I was horribly embarrassed to still hear my music, albeit faintly. In the process of paper shuffling, I had pulled the cord halfway out of my computer. My music was still in my ears, but also in the ears of my fellow study buddies. I turned several shades of red and apologized profusely, but I was humbled. I should be a little nicer to the loudies here at the library. Maybe they don't even know how irritating they're being. :) Maybe.

Time to Switch

I have to switch churches. They make too many racist jokes. And gender jokes. Sad.

Procrastination Patty

I'd just like to say I understand why people do not recommend working while finishing your Masters. It's hard. Due to a large SNAFU, I was at work until 5 (I know, real people work time) and then I had to go to the library to track down some more books. By the time I'd done that, it was 5.45. I was hungry, I was tired, I was done. I took the books home and read on the couch for a while, but only a couple hours. I was over it.

So I trucked on to the library at 9 (that's as early as they open) to once again hash into it. Fun. :) And I have been mocked because as much as I complain, I do like knowing the stuff I'm learning. So there. Regardless, I have devised a list of telltale signs that I am in the library meant to be studying:

• all my post-its and highlighters are exactly parallel with the desk.
• my email inbox is empty for the first time in months.
• I have checked my email 47 times in the last 15 minutes.
• the perfect studying playlist has been created (coincidentally, it's currently the soundtracks to Kill Bill and Kill Bill Vol. 2).
• I've updated my blog. ;)
• all my books and articles are organized by color coded paperclips, highlighting, and post-its, chronologically by use in the paper.
• I've used the toilet three times in as many hours.
• the deaths of all the Talky Talkersons have been plotted and perhaps illustrated on my notebook.

I would also like to reinforce the concept I described last year while writing my mini-thesis. Writing is like having the flu. You can prepare all you want, but it's still gonna suck. This feeling just builds up with no relief and then suddenly you just vomit it all up. You feel a lot better for a few minutes, but it all builds up again after that. You are pretty much disgusted by what's sitting in front of you. You smell; you haven't showered; you have ceased to care what you look like. All you want to do is lay in bed all day. You spend much of your time thinking, "It'll just be a little bit longer. I have to get over it eventually."

And eventually you just give in to it and plug along. It's horrible the whole time and afterwards just thinking about it can make you nauseous.

I do not recommend postgraduate education to any of those of you who can avoid it. Here ends today's allowed procrastination. See you tomorrow. :)

Aw, That's So Cute!

I have been spending a little QT down here at the library (the locale from which I am currently procrastinating the inevitable completion of my thesis). I am using a different computer than my trusty ol' laptop because this one has endnote (I would go on about how much I am in love with that program, but I'm nerdy enough already). I had to get this computer set up to work on the school's network and while I was sitting at ITS having them be my technology slaves, I saw a sign for wireless. I was thrilled because they only just last year got broadband for the library (I know.).

I asked how far the network went to because I live only a few blocks from the library and asked about their network blockers. I just got a puzzled look from the ITS guy. I asked where all the wireless network worked, thinking I had spoken over his head. He then pulled out a map of the library and told me which areas would work. It doesn't even work through the whole friggin' building!!

Now, I know that New Zealand has a notoriously bad telecommunications set up down here. But honestly. In three months time, when they've had time to see "if it catches on or not"(?!), they might expand it to more areas of the library -- not the whole library, just "more areas". I can't wait to be back in the world of cheap internet and phones and everything.

Sigh. I guess they're trying.

As the Countdown Continues...

I am starting to realise how much I am going to miss it here. Just a couple of examples:

• Fairly often in the past couple months, I have seen this very old man on my way to work. He is carrying some kind of tiny dog. Every time he sees me, I give him a little smile and he always says, "Should have gotten me a horse!" And I laugh. This has happened about ten times. I still get the same joke and I still give the same smile.
• I saw a 1984 Mitsubushi with dented doors, beat up body, and a funny odor with a for sale sign advertising it was a mere $4000. That is sort of a deal.
• My gourmet vegetarian sandwich that I bought from the cafe by my work had: pumpkin, shredded carrot, pineapple, red bell peppers, bean sprouts, corn, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese on it. When I commented on how it was different, they replied, "Yeah, we put cheese on them now."
• I still find advertisements on TV that try to convince you that a dryer is a good idea because you shouldn't have to depend on the weather and that insulation is new technology. It certainly is a simpler place.

But... I will enjoy when I can get a vegetarian sandwich without corn in it. I will enjoy a cheap reliable car that isn't older than I am. I will enjoy central heating, double paned windows, screens, and insulation. But it's bittersweet.

And Then I Cried

Last night was a welcome change of pace. Instead of working, working, or working, I went to my soccer team's Senior Prize Giving. I got a going away present that I wasn't expecting at all -- a hat with the club's logo on it (something I've been lusting after since we introduced them) and my jersey with my name printed on it and everyone's signature on it. It was great. And I cried. Then some other people cried. But it was fun because after all that crying (and lots of booze to fuel the sentiments), we played singstar. Which I hate. But! It was fun because the two good people would just compete with a whole group of people surrounding them, singing along. You get to belt out the tunes with all your peeps (yes, I said peeps) and your tone is not being rated for all to see. Trust me, I've heard me -- I already know I have no tone.

Then I got to see the inside of some bars again. Big relief. Though I did punk out early (at two though!!), and though I have no voice this morning, it was well worth it. I even still got up at 8 to do more work. I'm sick, man; so very sick. :)

Education Sucks

Without going into too much detail, I think I am now officially jaded to the whole of education. My thesis is not going to be good. Well, I mean, it'll be well written, but after fighting and fighting to get it to be what I want, I am just giving up. My advisor wants it to be something different (by that I mean, something dumb). It will be worthy of a 2 page article in the Phi Delta Kappan with lots of pictures of flowers and A+ stickers in the background.

My apologies to those of you who think that the Phi Delta Kappan is hard, analytical, relevant material.

But I have decided that (for my own sake and sanity) I must focus on the silver lining. This is the reason I want to go into educational reform. I have yet to have seen a teacher who could teach education. I have had one who came close. That's it.

So while I will not let any of you read my thesis and while I'll probably be a little ashamed of it, it'll be done and it (or the degree itself, at least) will equip me to change things... in about two decades.

Scheduled Return

Due in large part to the bank... I mean, my parents (love you guys!), I do now have my return to the States planned.

I will be back in the land of cheap convenience (which I miss desperately -- both the cheapness and the conveniences... oh, and all you people that live there) on the 22 November.

I will allow time for rejoicing and exultation....


Yay. :) :) :) :) :)


Oh, and :).

Things That Are Dumb

• Thesii (thesises?)
• Deadlines
• Money (only insomuch as I lack it)
• Supervisors who don't supervise
• Lately? TV. I'm over it.

Sublist! Things that I am over:

• lack of centralised heating
• long hair (on me)
• working at a job that isn't my career
• being a student
• writing my thesis
• walking everywhere
• not having a car
• only having four channels

I am, however, not in a bad mood. Just overwhelmed by things that are dumb/no longer novel and cute.

Things I am Looking Forward to:

• turning in Boyfriend's thesis
• reading a secret stash of good books I found
• having a Master's degree

...The end.

How? Why?!

Last week, I didn't watch Gilmore Girls. I felt I had better things to do as I recall. The week prior I had to miss it because I was at a BBQ. It is apparently in poor taste to halt a party for an hour to watch Gilmore Girls. Apparently.

Last night, I was sure to make time for one of my favourite shows. Only... it wasn't on. Some other dumb Canadian show was on. I quickly consulted an episode guide online to realise that I had missed the last two episodes of the season! I was shocked. I actually shed a small tear. Then I read the (eerily verbatim) episode guide of the last two episodes and cried more. Worse is that I will have no opportunity to watch these episodes for quite some time. How would I? They might have season one on DVD here in NZ, but definitely nothing that just happened. And probably not in the States even. I will just not know.

That'll teach me to put life before TV.

I Fought the Stapler...

... and the stapler won.

It was tragic. I have been a bit harried at work lately because my entire division is stressed and I am the (for a polite term...) go-fer. I do this, I do that, I run to the hospital to deliver mail, I pick up contracts all over campus. I like the variety, but it gets stressful because I am doing all the stuff that needs to get done right now.

One handy fun thing I got to help me with my superhuman filing abilities is an electric stapler. It ran out of staples. In an attempt to refill it, it bit me. Hard. I have a blood blister. Ew, you say? Well, my thumb hurts. So we're even. :)

Note to self: Unplug, then refill.

Forgetful Me

I am losing my mind. It's official. I left the house today and thought, "Crap. I forgot to take my multivitamin." Not a huge deal, but I always feel a bit off without it. No worries. Then I got to work and realised I hadn't put on deodorant. I mean, honestly. Who does that? Then I remembered that I hadn't brushed my teeth since breakfast either.

Luckily I remembered to trade my slippers for shoes before walking out the door. Almost didn't.

Forgot a notebook for a muy importante meeting after work. I'm going to have to use my trusty post it and pen combo (always in every purse I own) or steal a notebook from work for a day. Man, oh man.

Also, this was all made worse because I felt like a real live adult because I got my first piece of mail that was mailed in to ME. I am the file/mail girl. I open up and deal with the mail that has the big bosses names on it, but that they don't want to open. So here I am feeling worthless (and worried about how soon I will begin to smell) and I look down there is mail addressed to me. Because I am now a correspondent with faculty.

Being an adult is all an act, I tell you.

Someone Best Get Me This

In my e-card searching, I came across this (www.evite.com). All I gotta say is that I better be getting this from somebody this February.

I'm in Love

Go to this website immediately. The shoes are my new favourite things ever. I found the site through a link from fabsugar. My new obsession is flats that are also cute. Boy howdy. Are these cute or what??

I'm Going to Jinx It

The weather's been gorgeous. Now, by the time I stop writing this email, it will probably be hailing down upon Dunedin just to teach me about bragging. I just can't help it. It has been nice for days. When I say nice, I mean that is has been warm and sunny most of the time. For almost 5 days now! People are starting to worry about their gardens and sympathise with the farmers because it's been 5 days without rain. It's true though. My lawn doesn't look so good and my flowers are looking a bit parched. It's a land used to moisture.

I'm just happy there was a weekend of sunshine for once. I got to look at the botanical gardens and play with the birds in the aviary. I befriended a parrot that licked hands and even faces (though not mine, I tell you what). I have even been convinced that having a super smart parrot would be like having a flying dog. (Maybe you had to be there for the persuasive argument.) I get to bust out my skirts again without people shaking their heads and saying, "Your poor, poor legs." I get to use my sunglasses and not use the heater or electric blanket. My flat dries out. Mould suffers.

Again, I know I've jinxed it, but if I could get just a couple weeks of summer this year, I'd be so grateful.

Slowing Down

One of the main differences, culturally speaking, between my American experience and my New Zealand one is pace. Things are slower here. Things are pretty much more laid back everywhere I've been than in the States. That's okay with me, but I do tend to be an active person. I walk fast, I talk fast, I type fast, I do things fast. Usually, while here, people have just chalked that up to me being American.

Recently, at my filing job, (where my apparent title is Administrative Assistant) my boss(es) keep telling me slow down. I do things too fast. I haven't made errors, I haven't done anything wrong exactly, but it's bound to happen if I keep working fast. It's been really hard to slow down. The way I figure it, if I do more stuff, I can do more stuff in that day -- everybody should be happy. But the idea here is to slow down and make sure that it's all done correctly (again, I'd like to emphasise that I haven't messed up anything). It's just funny to me that fast must equate errors here.

I am trying. I daydream inbetween looking at each file. I check my email 47 times an hour. I check, double check, and re-double check everything I do. I'm still going too fast. So here's hoping that me not having any morning caffeine, and just trying so hard to slow down is enough. :) I rather like my job and would rather not lose it on account of so much efficiency.

And I'm Done.

My parents used to tell me that I was like the dog, Bailey. If you've met Bailey, you'll understand why this isn't a huge insult to me. She's a wire haired fox terrier, full of energy and 100% stubbornness. She refuses to behave, not because she's not smart, but just for the sheer sake of refusal. She gets really scared in thunderstorms, and the only way she'll stop panting and licking her (nonexistent) lips is if I full on lay on her. She doesn't find comfort in the simulated caves that the vet recommended, but she does relax as soon as you are covering all but her snout.

I, too, like to be squished. When I used to have a waterbed (you know -- back when it was fashionable), I would end up lying between the bed and the sideboard. All that warm squishing was unreasonably comforting. I, too, tend to be stubborn for no reason other than being stubborn. I also have too much energy and not enough to do with it. We like the same movies, and she'll watch the odd scary movie with me on TV, though neither of us is particularly happy about it.

That isn't what my parents meant though, not entirely. Bailey loves to run. She likes to escape, though she will only do if you've made it oh-so-easy for her to do so. Then she'll run, as fast as she can, away. She has nowhere to go, but it's thrilling. She does not come when her name is called. She barely comes over in the house when you call her. We always fear that she'll run into the road. (We have good reason to think so. Once, my poor brother had to run after her down our road, down a main road, and then down the wrong way on a freeway off ramp. Traffic stopped and then a van opened its door. Between the van and my brother calling her, she chose the van. Bystanders had to get in the van's way so it wouldn't steal my dog. She's not a bad dog though... she just wanted to see where the van was going, I think.)

My parents made the point that I was like the dog because I wanted to run, but had no idea of the various dangers they may await me beyond my own (figurative) backyard. They may have been right. I have not made any huge mistakes, though plenty of small ones. I have not (figuratively or literally) gotten run over by any cars. But my defense for Bailey and myself is that we just need to run to see what's out there. We'll come home eventually. Now, I recognise that Bailey might want nothing more than to run away forever. She might not appreciate the warm house, prompt service of food, and poop removal that the family has performed for her year after year. She might not fathom that she will get run over if she keeps running into the street. She is, after all, a dog.

But as her human equivalent, I feel the need to speak up for the runners. I have been running for a very long time. Not to anything or away from anything: just running for the sake of seeing what's beyond my backyard. I also remember a time when I was quite prone to minor panic attacks in high school. I was on a field trip with the band in California. I was just stressed. I'm sure there were many important and relevant reasons for my extreme state of stress. I don't remember nearly any of them now. But I just had to run. I needed to clear my mind and just be moving for a while. Momentum. And all of a sudden, I was just done. Nothing was "fixed", but I could handle it. My head was clear, I feel as tired physically as I was mentally and everything regained its balance.

Again, I wasn't running away from or to anything by coming here to New Zealand. I just needed to know, needed to get my balance back, to get a clear head. But I think I'm done. I miss not having a backyard to venture out from. Dare I say it? I miss roots. Luckily, I am going to settle into a place for a long period of time, and that place gets to be back in the States where most of my friends and family are. I'm going to do that soon.

But it's weird to be in the last leg of the race.

Celebrity Moment

Okay, this picture is from the ever wonderful www.popsugar.com talking about how the speculation about Kidman's pregnacy status will flourish. Yes, I get it -- she's holding her stomach. Must be a baby and not a bad case of oysters. That's not my point though. Can you look at what a celebrity looks like with a normal person (her mother)? Look at her teeny tiny legs. Now I realise her mother isn't super thin, but she's not obese. She's normal and makes Kidman look stick legged. And I don't even think of her as one of the tiny celebrities. Imagine Nicole Richie next to these two. Goodness.

Another Day, Another Birthday

This time, it's birthday lurve to the one, the only: Kimmie Finn. :) Hope it's the best yet.

I Keep on Hoping

The weather is less than good. Not today particularly, just in general. But it's been teasing me. It'll be all sunny when I wake up, but then I find out it's still cold. Then I'll be off to work and see my not-a-cloud-in-the-sky weather turn to a thunderstorm. But this morning? I really thought it was a nice day. The sun woke me up in the morning and I felt blinded in the shower. But I just opened a window and a freezing cold draft came wafting in. Is it summer yet?

Time Clash

Over the weekend, I got to go to a real, live house. I know! It's been ages. I have been in a grungy flat for too long now. And seeing a friend -- who has a house -- with decorations and heat and a dishwasher... well, it was just too much. I am full on craving someplace I can care about. A place where mould doesn't crawl up the wall almost as fast as the spiders. Sigh. But I was reminded of how modern Dunedin can be. If you're in a nice area, the houses are gorgeous, wonderful things.

Then this morning, on my way to work, I saw a guy who was hired to mow a neighbor's lawn using a push mower. Not just a mower you have to push, but the ones that used to be common before my birth and you now see in cartoons. I thought perhaps he had to use it to keep the noise levels down, but it's actually pretty loud. And it was ten am, so I don't think he'd bother any neighbors' sleep.

What a nice little contrast.

A Sidenote

I am so ready to be done being a student. Just FYI.

Like a Baby

The final of Grey's was on last night here. Oh. My. God. I knew I was going to lose it. I was crying at the previews/commercials for it! And yes, I was thoroughly mocked for that, but still. Even though, months ago (ish), I got a spoiler alert from the ever lovely Lisa, I still lost it. And you know where I cried the hardest? You'll never guess. Was it when the main guy died? No. Was it when Izzy quit? No. Was it when all the relationship drama was going down with McDreamy? No.

It was when they put the dog to sleep.

No joke.

I don't like when animals get hurt on TV. And yes, it was explained to me: "Annika, you know they didn't really hurt that dog, don't you?" But it's just so sad. I had the unfortunate experience of being in that little room sending my kitty, Snitch, off to eternal slumberland. It's horrible. Horr-i-ble. Awful. I'm actually tearing up a little right now just thinking about it.

Now add that to all the symbolic drama that little puppy carried with him and come on-- I never stood a chance. But there is a silver lining. I never saw the first season of Grey's, but they're playing it again now here. So I can catch up on my favourite addiction. :)

Sorry I Suck

I don't mean to be so slack on posting. I know, I always have so much to say, but I've actually been really busy lately.

I think all my fun stories would be about filing or staplers, and let's be honest. I don't think those are so enthralling as I find them. But what can you do? I'll tell you funny things as they happen. I will try to live a more entertaining life. :)

Dark Ages

So I blew a fuse yesterday. And still there are no lights working in the flat. Apparently, though, it's only the lights, and not other electricity in the flat. I'm used to a room or a section of house being on one fuse, but apparently, they do things differently here.

I don't know where the fuse box is (not in my flat, in any case), and my landlord must have been living it up last night because I still have no idea. He hasn't called.

It changes how you do things though. I went to bed earlier last night because it was dark and I couldn't do anything but watch TV. That wears on you after a while. Reading by candlelight - nice. But strains the eyes.

It is odd to feel like what things used to be. Electricity is relatively new (in the grand scheme of things). I forgot. Now I remember.

UPDATE: Lights are on. It was such a quick fix. I'm sad I didn't go further exploring yesterday. Ah well. It was nice to be not so bright for a day.

Beware the Staple

You might think that a job as a file clerk would be pretty tame. But you'd be wrong.

Case One: Last week, I suffered the dreaded triple papercut. That's right; while shuffling some papers together, three pages simultaneously cut into a joint (it's always a joint) on my finger. The pain was indescribable.

Case Two: Yesterday, I came home with a sore arm. Why, you might ask? From repetitively pulling staples out of stacks and stacks of paper and restapling them. Sore arm!!

Case Three: Whilst picking up a stack of paper, a stray staple stuck itself into my finger. The whole edge that is meant to be bent over at the back was embedded into my index finger.

I rest my case. Somebody owes me money. Or at the very least, a cookie.

To Add to the List

More obsessions:

Ginger. As in, I like anything with ginger. In an attempt to help my sleep (which has gotten remarkably better), I bought some herbal tea (caffeine-free!) to help calm me. While I bought some specifically entitled Sleepy Tea (how could I say no?), I also got some ginger tea. And it's fabulous. It could probably use a little more lemon, but mmm ginger. Way to be, ginger, way to be.

Sneakers. Call 'em what you like: runners, trainers, gym shoes, tennis shoes (go Wisconsin dialect!), but I am obsessed. It's thinly veiled fear, I think, of ice. I now wear them with black pants, with jeans (big faux pas here), with nice pants, etc. Basically, I have drawn the line at skirts. But seriously, with cold and ice like we got here, I think I'm a-okay for being a little fashionally daring.

Hitchcock. I know. I'm surprised too. I hate scary movies. But it's a whole new ballgame. The newer version of Psycho was on last night - Sunday Horrors. I watched it! I watched a movie that was a Sunday Horror. And even more? I loved it. I liked seeing Vince Vaughn acting instead of just playing himself. Not that I don't like Vaughn, but it was fun to see him in a real role. But I did stay up too late watching it. And I did have a dream that a man in a wig was trying to kill me. But it wasn't that scary. I mean, as far as my dreams go, that's really pretty average. So yay, Hitchcock!

Another Random Phone Call

Just to keep you abreast of the tortures of having a phone number that looks like a commercial number:

Got this message on my phone at 7.45am this morning. "Hi, it's Jean. The heat's out again. I'll need to hear from you asap. Cheers." I still don't know how American voices that make no reference to a business confuse people, but they continue to leave me messages. I hope Jean gets fired. :)

Worst Day Ever

I am writing this blog after the fact, but I just wanted to share about my worst day ever. On Friday, I was so tired. I have ceased to be able to sleep. I've never slept well, and for this whole week, I've been tossing and turning to a ridiculous extent. After reading up on, I am no longer allowed caffeine after lunch, not allowed naps, not allowed to read in bed, not allowed to watch movies or TV in bed, etc. Clearly, I was an unhappy girl. But, I decided to conquer taking a nap by skipping it on Friday.

Well, I am the only well person left in my office. There is some speculation about how long I'll last. The throat feels mildly sore and I sneeze a bit, but that could be anything. The flat was a mess, work was hard, it was rainy and cold. Then, when I got home, I decided to air out my bedroom; there is a door that goes outside in my bedroom. In an effort to open it, I broke a window panel on the door. I mean, honestly. The door was so warped by the damp that it refused to open. Using my hip to help it, I managed to not open the door, but open a window. Drat. So I called my landlord knowing that there was no way a glass guy was going to come Friday night, or all weekend. Then in a fit of insistence upon said door's opening, another window was smashed when it was closed again. Sigh.

Cardboard went up, tears were spilled, cold damp seeped through the flat with new intensity, but it was after all Friday. There's always another day, another week.

UPDATE: the windows have been fixed. My landlord is even going to try to fix my damp-damaged doors. Lucky, lucky me.

Now, That's What I Call Winter

While winter might just be wrapping up (knock on wood), I finally feel a real winter day. It is sunny, sunny, sunny. But bitterly cold. At least it was this morning. It's the kind of cold that hits from inside your lungs the minute you breathe in. Gorgeous.

See, I think it's important to mention that I haven't been hating winter. I have been hating rainy cold days for months on end. It's been sunny for the past month, I would say, with only spots of rain. I missed the dear sun and when it's this cold, there isn't a lot of moisture in the air.

I bundled up in long jacket, scarf, and gloves and was happy. I hummed a little tune to myself on the way to work. Then; oh then. I saw ice. Of course. I think it's like my kryptonite. But I managed to bravely book it to work only two minutes late. This is a huge accomplishment for me! Usually I have been paralysed by fear, but now I have conquered.

Winter is good for me. :)

Addictions

I thought it might be time for another list of current obsessions/addictions. So here goes:

1. Grey's Anatomy. Remember, we're behind here and there's only two episodes left. I am loving and hating it. It's so intense!
2. Baked beans. Is eating beans on toast a thing in the States? If so, why did I never do it?
3. Sushi. Still. But, I am budgeting my life, so no more eating out for a very, very long time. I shall wither away.
4. Puppies. Though it may be some months before this is a possibility (or a decade... it depends), I am obsessed with looking up dog breeds and guides. I will be well informed.
5. Ducks. Feeding them, that is. I love it. It's getting nicer out, so it's even more fun to do it.
6. Pumpkin soup. I am perfecting a pumpkin soup with garlic and ginger. It's so good. It's shocking it even came from my hand. Most things I cook are basic or weird, but never something you'd savor.
7. Purses. Since my arm is mostly better, I can have bags that I have to hold instead of just sling over a shoulder. I am getting reacquainted with my pretty bags.
8. Naps. They were out of the question for a while there, but the best way to spend an afternoon is still lounging around read a book and drifting off to sleepyland.

Ooh, that reminds me. I had two (count 'em, two!) nightmares last night. One involved people breaking into my house to kill me. Naturally. The second involved this world wide pandemic of mental disease that causes you to kill those around you. Since everyone had it, a lot of people died. It ended very creepily. Like, I don't even want to talk about it. But let's just say I woke up questioning my sanity. So maybe I ought to cut out the naps altogether. :)

Om.

I have started going to a meditation class. It's actually not as "out there" as it sounds, though it is a little. I do like the incense and the hippies that show up, but it is mostly people like me -- just curious and keen.

It was the third class last night and they started in on the religion part of it. After talks of the "ideal lifestyle" that included only wholesome music; vegetarian diet; abstaining from alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and excess sugar; working out daily; and no napping, I realised that I perhaps was undergoing a sales pitch. I mean, waking up early, refreshed, every morning without poisoning my body in any way all day sounds fine. Until I get to work and need a cup of something! Usually tea, so I'm accidentally lowering my caffeine intake. Then I eat my lunch of tuna (which is technically meat, I know) while listening to angsty music. I assume that a glass of wine with dinner will just hit the spot, too.

So while I am keen to sit and learn the meaning of stillness and mental clarity, I am not interested in a new religion. Me and God are pretty good friends. I'd like to keep it that way. It doesn't really help that my entirely well-intentioned leader of meditation seems like she would have gotten obsessed with something -- meditation just got there before anyone else did. She also encourages us to "breathe in" things we want accented in our lives. Let's say you are about to have a very important meeting, you may well breathe in confidence and capability. She continues to encourage us to breathe in happiness, joy, and power. I don't feel unhappy and powerless. This is good, I feel. But I would like to breathe in clarity and connectedness, maybe inspiration and creativity. But if your spiritual leader (as I'm sure she'd like me to think of her) is craving power and happiness, you gotta wonder. After 20 years of meditating, I would hope to have found a hint of happiness.

Then again, she's a lovely person who looks about my age, while I guarantee she's closer to her mid-30's. She can wake up with a smile on her face at 6am - 7 days a week. She does marathons, can play several instruments, can sing, and is ridiculously healthy. There is something to be said for religion, I suppose.

Another Birthday!!

And yet another birthday (which will be a day early in the States)! Happy birthday, Lisa!! Lisa is also one of the most fantastic people on the planet. I lucked out, man. It just so happens my friends are the coolest people ever.

Happy Birthday!

As always, this post will be a day early in the States, but happy birthday to the lovely Beth. She's one of my best friends and best people in the world in general. :) I know. I've traveled. She's still up there on the list.

And with that, can we talk about how everyone I know is getting older? Can we? I mean, I'm 24 for the love of God. Almost halfway to 30, which is almost 30. Which is almost middle aged.

Don't blink, man, don't blink. You'll wake up and you'll be 80.

Quiet as a Mouse

It's happened again. Whenever I start a new job, I go into Professional Annika mode. I just feel that I don't need to jump in on every conversation or divulge too much about my personal life. It isn't that I think my life is too private for work or that I don't want my co-workers to know about me. It's just that whenever I tell a story, you'll be lucky to get out alive in twenty minutes. Especially when my story is really "I just dropped my pen." It's ridiculous. I like for people to think of me as quiet and diligent instead chatty or the girl who won't shut up.

Usually this wears off over time. I get comfortable, I feel secure in people's estimation of my abilities, etc. It hasn't happened at my filing job yet. They think I might be a stick in the mud who works too hard. Sigh. I know it will fade and they'll soon wish I never opened my mouth, but it still cracks me up. As I think of a half hour long story to explain how I am not a stick in the mud or quiet, I realise that maybe it'll be okay if they just think of me as quiet and hardworking... at least for another few days.

Panic

So I just realised I'm an adult.

Okay, not an adult exactly. But I'm on my way. Being here in New Zealand is/was kind of a way to put off the inevitable adulthood. Granted, it will also better my career blah blah blah, but mostly, it's another few years to live in excusable poverty and fun. But, my time here is drawing to a close. I have about four months left. Four! Months! Left! Then I have to go back to the States and get a job, an apartment, a car, and then I'll have to start being financially responsible. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

I know that adulthood sneaks up on you and your capabilities. Like, high school seemed like a big step the summer before I started. But my wise, wise parents told me that it was designed so that I'd be ready. If I wanted to go to high school as a 6 year old, there would have been problems. But you take on more and more so that you can take on more and more. But, graduation was a big ol' step in the adult direction. But I blew it off. "Take that, Graduation, I'm blowing this popsicle stand for a foreign land." Now it's come back again.

It doesn't help that most of my friends are already adults. I'll get back and be complaining about my nerves of having - gasp - my very own classroom and they'll respond, "Dude (yeah, they'll say dude), I've been teaching for two years."

The worst part is that while I fret about it now, it so won't be a big deal. It comes in gradually. Look I have my own apartment. Sweet, tick that item off the list. And now for my car. And oh look! It's my first day of teaching. Then - wham - I'll have been teaching for ten years and I'll suddenly be keeping tissues up my sleeve.

Adulthood, you sneaky fiend.

Hello, Old Friend

I'm going to re-become a gym rat. I basically stopped going. I live up a hill, for goodness' sakes. :) Well, that is my excuse. It's really far from my flat. But I realised that we only have two soccer games left (and only one training?!) so I need to get my fitness from somewhere else. That, and I haven't even been doing soccer since I broke myself (clearly).

I have decided to go straight from work because it's close. That makes me an afternoon worker outer. I am always a morning worker outer. But, if I go in the morning, I have to shower at the gym. I don't think I like that. I can shower at gyms, but I don't want that to become my morning routine. I like my 50+ shower products that I use everyday. For serious. Well, not about the 50+ part, but that I do use a lot of shower products. It is one of the ways I am high maintenance.

Regardless, I am now an afternoon worker outer. And I am working diligently on my thesis again. (Again, broken = not a whole lotta unnecessary typing.) So this is the start of Productive Annika. Again. It'll stick. I dig routines.

Breathe

So I started taking meditation classes. I know! Fun! I quite liked the first session and realised I just may have picked up some helpful meditation skills back in Valpo where I went to a Zen Buddhist temple once. Because I am much better at it than I thought I was. Now, this is not to say I achieved a wonderful state of calm and stillness in my head. But I felt I was near it several times. Harder than it sounds, for real.

Try not to think for the next thirty seconds.

Yeah. That's right.

In other news, I am attempting to play soccer again. Only training, not a proper game! But still, I am scared. I hate missing games and team time, though. It's hard to be a spectator. So tonight is the tryout. If I do okay, I can play on Sunday. Woohoo!

Scandal

This article talks about how New Zealand banned a commercial with Samantha from Sex and the City (because she was clearly playing Samantha in the commercial and not her own lovely self) selling cars. Ridiculous, right? Not because of banning it in general. But because I can hear every word under sun on TV at any given time. After about 7 at night, you just might see penises on TV. And I have never seen an edited for TV version of any movie on TV.

The article even talks about how liberal NZ typically is. But the public spoke. Are these commercials playing in the States?

Smacking

They're trying to pass an anti-smacking law here. As in, it will be against the law to smack your child. Now, I know it's a controversial topic, but I was spanked, slapped and generally physically punished many times throughout my childhood -- and I deserved it every single time.

I remember working daycare when we would joke that we should be able to get a hitting waiver for some kids. Now, that might sound horrible. It really might. But you know what else sounds horrible? Having one kid throw wooden toys at your head, bite your arm three times, and piss his pants on purpose knowing you have to clean it up, and throwing a chair at another student's head... all before nap time. I mean, honestly. I'm not saying beat the kid. But when nothing else gets through? I'm just saying...

Still, wouldn't it be funny if you weren't allowed to physically punish your children at all, under penalty of law? I am reminded of a Family Guy quote: "Hey, you guys wanna go harass the janitor because he can't legally hit us back? (others cheer in agreement)"

SNOW!

It finally happened. I got snow on my block. And okay, it's not very pretty and it's not very much and it's more slush than snow.... but! I got snow on my block. I can see snow on the hillsides in the distance. It snowed!! This is the first time I have seen real live snow in Dunedin (in my corner of Dunedin) since I got here. It's phenomenal. I want to build a slushman. I want to make slush angels. But since the weather's a bit warmer than it should be and the sky looks like it's about to unleash a reckoning of fury and damnation yet unseen, I bet it'll rain before I get done with work. Rain, which will wipe away all remnants of my pretty snow.

But still. Happy friggin' snowy Friday.

Free Gift with Purchase

I was just having a conversation yesterday about how unfair it was that celebrities get free stuff. The costly and gorgeous clothes stars wear down the red carpet are usually gifts to promote the designer's line. They get free gift baskets that cost more than a year of teacher's salary would be. It just seems unfair. I mean, they are the only ones who can afford a $10,000 dress with 1/2 million dollar earrings to match. But they get them for free.

Well, I had to bite my tongue about it today. In other fit of budgeting (which is getting more and more frequent, I must say), I decided to have a small lunch from home (costing a whopping 35 cents). But, at about 10.30am, my co-workers informed me that a morning tea had been put on for my department because of a co-worker's birthday. I scarfed down cheese rolls, biscuits, crackers and hummus, and chocolate. Then, I was told that the Law Faculty was treating my office to lunch for all our hard work over the past few months (I do measly filing and only for about a month). I took them up on it. I am regrettably full of food I didn't pay for. What about the poor people who can't scrounge together money for a meal? I get two free meals in one day, in the space of three hours.

It's the same thing I just complained about, but on a smaller scale. And you know what? It feels pretty nice. Shame.

Chump Change

I read this article (and then stole their picture) discussing whether the penny should be scrapped or saved. I think it's really interesting because here in New Zealand, not only have they got rid of the one cent coin, they are in the process of getting rid of the five cent coin. I know. It's crazy. Even now, if something costs $1.73... what happens? Well, I think I just get charged $1.75. But it is nice and friendly New Zealand so it's just as likely that I am getting charged $1.70. Unfortunately, I never pay attention because I pay with debit card. I hate cash. And coins.

But it is really that big a deal to get rid of the penny? I guess that I don't think it is, but I still don't like it for some reason. But at least American change is easy to handle. Thank goodness, New Zealand is revamping their coin system to make everything smaller and more manageable. Then again, as I read in the paper this weekend (me! reading a paper!!), a lot of coin operated machines are freaking out that all the coins are changing size.

Money, money, money - you are the cause of so many problems.

Working Stiff

Well, it's back to the ol' grind again. I took a little break for birthday fun and brokenness, but it's back to working a lot again. Now, that isn't to say that I skipped out on work. I still came, but we kept filing for later and big jobs for later. Now that I can successfully lift small piles of paper without cringing, I am back in paper filing business. I love mundane jobs. I don't feel I could do it for all my life, but for 4 hours a day for the next 5 months? Sure thing. I now have to match 5 digit codes from files to a spreadsheet. It is unreasonably soothing.

Less fun is that I have to resume work on the dreaded thesis. But again, the break has lit a fire under my buttocks that lets me work on guilt if not pure motivation.

There are downsides to being a working person again. I think I am coming down with the office cold. Jerks. It started on the ground floor, but worked its way into my office on the first floor because of a general staff meeting. Now I sniffle and look across the room to see what I'll be like in two weeks time. Then again, I seem to always be coming down with something, though never actually allowing it to reach full force. Maybe this sniffly nose and sinus headache will go away on its own. Or I have allergies I didn't know about. Whichever.

Also, I get a kick out of random office happenings. For instance, I nearly fell over laughing when a stray staple I was trying to remove flew onto the ajoining desk. That's not really that funny. But when you file papers all day long, it's hysterical. This saddens me. I don't want Office Space to get more funny to me. I don't want to scream along as they beat the copier into submission. Luckily, I'm easily entertained and as long as I can continue to use multicoloured highlighters and paperclips and play with the cool strips of white out, I should be fine. For 5 months more anyhow.

Tacos

I am in another phase of missing certain American luxuries: Mexican food, Olive Gardens, central heating... :)

Last night's menu consisted of tacos at mi casa. It was really good. Like really good. But the hard shell tacos from the store were a bit stale. I realised that this is because they were probably shipped from far away. I know for sure they aren't made in this country. Probably not Australia. So... somewhere far, far away.

I am learning more and more that I will miss certain things from here, food-wise: cheese rolls, pumpkin soup all the time, the sushi they have here, Marmite. And of course many things that aren't food, but that's a whole other post.

So the moral of my story today is that while I enjoy some toast with Marmite and some Indonesian noodles I'm sure I can't get in the States, you go out and eat some Taco Bell or, if time and money permit, someplace real, real nice for Mexican. Then tomorrow? Go to the Olive Garden. It's only fair.

I'm Better!!

...Well, mostly. As in, I can type again. For short bursts of time. :) I am happy. But I still think cleaning is hard with limited ability in the left arm region. Cleaning spree time has happened and it's hard. But satisfying, I guess. If I didn't live in a mold pit.

But it's been so sunny lately that I couldn't complain. I know a lot of you (Americans) are enjoying a little bit of summer, but let me tell you that I am enjoying a brisk day of my windows open and I couldn't be happier. Clothes on the line, flat airing out... What could be better?

And I was going to put up a picture of the view from my parents' new house. Blogger says it's too big. While I work on that, I'll just say I am envious as it is apparently the hot spot to this summer. Fish frys (fries?) and fireworks are among the activities I've missed so far, but I am sure I will test out the festivity factor of the house round about Thanksgiving.

Medical Update

Sorry that I'm so boring that I put up medical updates, but I should be painfree in about 2 weeks. Regular rambling posts shall commence then. :)

I no longer have a cast "to promote mobility"... so my arm feels "broken and dangly". Luckily this should improve vastly over the next few days.

Wish I was more entertaining, but I guarantee I will be up and running with stories so soon. :)

They're Taking Over

It's that time again; the beginning of a term. That means American exchange students and lots of them. I have no problem with Americans in general. I love and miss my homeland. But. These people would remind anyone why they left. They are loud (and that's coming from me). Things I have overheard from American students:

Student1: Do you say ah-pricots or ay-pricots?
Student2: Ah-pricots.
Student3: I told you they were all saying it wrong!!
______________________________________
Student1: Well, I want a scone, but that doesn't look like a scone.
Cashier: I'm sorry?
Student2: Can you just tell her what they taste like?
C: Like a scone. Try one, they're good.
S1: But I don't know what they taste like!!
C: There are 15 people behind you...
(I was one of them.)
_______________________________________
S1: Did you know it only costs $6 to take a taxi into town?
S2: I can't believe how close to downtown we are!
S1: I say we take a taxi into town on Saturday and hit all the clubs!
S2: Well, we can't do it all in one night, but we can try!!
("Downtown" is small. And no reasonable student will take a taxi the 8 to 10 blocks it takes to get from most student flats to town.)
________________________________________
Now, I'm sure it seems worse because the regular students don't come back till this weekend. So I only have to deal with peroxide skanky girls still wearing uggs for another couple days. Oddly, the loud American males haven't made too much of an appearance... yet.

So I Postdate Blogs...

Well, I may be writing ahead, but I felt the need to tell a story.

I was just perusing emails I save and I found one from my dad referencing the classic "We're not last!" story. So I shall now tell it here. I've always had a history of being on teams that love the game, though lack the talent. My brother being slightly taller than the average bear made me grow up watching him play basketball. When I came of age (10), I joined the team, too. I was not of amazing ability, but was a nicely aggressive defensive player and I could dribble the ball. Due to some team restructuring that is now foggy in my memory, the really good players got bumped up to the 7th and 8th grade team. This left me one of the star players... of an okay, I guess, team. But we loved it. We went to a tournament. I still the highlight was being crammed into my parents' minivan on the way down (to Racine?) rocking out to Jock Jams. But we played our little hearts out, earning ourselves the prized game -- battling it out over being last or second to last. We found the humour in it, and thriving on our good spirit, won our only game of the tournament.

We were ecstatic. We ran into our locker room chanting, "We're not last!! We're not last!!" We were laughing hysterically until someone realised our faux pas -- the other team happened to be sharing our locker room. It was awful and hilarious and has gone down in family lore.

I know that our team rapidly improved (as 10 year olds do) and I think we even finished the next year undefeated. It was still not nearly as fun.

4th of July

In honor of Independence Day that I'm missing...

Sorry

I know I've sucked at posting. You try to type one handed. :) But the arm has been getting steadily better. I can now sleep in just about any position, cook things if they require only boiling (yum...), and shower and dress myself. With some ease. Seriously, the tricks I've learned. If it was socially appropriate, getting dressed with one arm would totally be my new party trick. Not only one arm, but dead weight arm. It's worse, I think. Imagine putting a bra on one handed - I mean, honestly.

Unfortunately, I am now unnaturally afraid of walking. I fear any patch of water on the hill, picturing falling and breaking the other arm. And ice?? I shuffle like a 90 year old down the hill, but at least I haven't fallen again... yet. Knock on wood.

And my new, American, sleek sling should be arriving today from my mommy who loves me so. :) Which will be nicer than this piece of sponge I have stretched from arm to neck and back to arm again. Plus! The birthday package is on its way. This makes me immensely happy. That's right, kiddos. Only 6 shopping days left for Auntie Annika's birthday. ;)

So I'm sorry posting has sucked and will, in all probability, continue to do so. But I get a sleeker new cast a week from today so we'll see what opportunities that opens up.

Broken

I finally broke something - my arm. I did it falling on the ice... again. I should relish in the unintended foreshadowing. But I'm not.

And I'd really like to tell you all about my fun adventure - for real - but I literally have no use of my left arm. This takes too long. :) You people should all call me. But give me a lot of time to get to the phone. If I tense up my shoulder on accident, my whole arm spasms. I gotta do everything really deliberately. And I still live alone for the next ten days, so I have to learn to do everything one-handed. Why didn't I listen better when my mommy taught me to tie my shoes with one hand?!

Boo.

I Just Want To Know... I Think

Okay, so one bad part about shows being all delayed here is that you can always look online to see the episode guides and it sort of ruins the suspense. But I still like knowing how movies and shows end. It doesn't spoil it -- it just lets you wonder how you'll get from where you are to the end. In my humble opinion.

I was watching Grey's Anatomy tonight (like every Monday). This made me want to just find out what happens. A) I realised I missed all of Season One. I need to remedy that ASAP. I mean honestly. B) There are no good episode guides. They're all mysterious and vague. I wouldn't be reading them if I didn't really want to know what happened. Don't say "pertinent mystery guest"; just tell who the devil it is. I want to know. I think. :)

Well, the only plot line I am really insatiably curious about is Denny. Does he die? I really, really don't want him to. I think I might love him. (In that TV character/fake person, etc. way.) I think I want to know. I am almost positive I want to know.

So, dear TV addicted friends, who watched the finale of Grey's and can tell me if he lives or dies?! Whew. I already feel better knowing the answer is close. :) Help me, dear friends, help me.

Ice, Ice Baby

It was frosty this morning. Enough to leave frost on everything. I got up early. For some reason. (I'm currently exhausted.) I decided with all my free time, I'd return DVDs, books from the library, AND get some groceries. I know. So productive. Well, I started the trek down my icy hill. Ice. Hill. Clutzy Annika.... can you see where this is going?

Well, I made it down the first half pretty well. There are some stairs involved there, but they were icy. Then, after the stairs, I remembered I'd need to whip out the ice feet. You know, that funny walk you do when it's super icy out - silly, but effective. So I'm doing that and concentrating like a banshee (they concentrate!). Well, I get to the street I need to cross, and I see a car that has slid into the two inch ditch between curb and street. This is complicating traffic to a distressing degree. I manage to cross the street, almost step onto the curb and whammo - I'm down. Right in front of the car that went off the road. So people are flocking to me, yelling, "Are you alright?!" Sigh. So embarrassing. I jumped up, assuring people I was fine and joining in on the chorus, "Can you believe how bad the roads are?"

But seriously, I'm from Wisconsin. And I slipped on the ice. In the middle of a friggin' road. I have shamed the whole state, I think. The worst part is, I was in such a hurry to have me not be the centre of attention as the girl that fell that I didn't notice til I got all the way down the hill that my ankle hurt. And my bad hips (whatever - so I'm 80) must have been affected as well. So I have a sore right ankle and sore left hip, just to keep things interesting.

There was also no time to take groceries back to the flat, so I had to trudge into work with bags in hand. And a bruised ego. :) But luckily, everyone understood. Most of them had had to wait hours to come into work because the roads were even worse, especially farther out of town. So while I complain about the lack of snow, I probably wouldn't be able to leave my house without a sled in hand.

Wait, that could be fun.

More Pictures!

I know I suck about putting pictures up in a timely fashion, but here are some more pictures from when the fam was here. This picture was just a stop on the side of the road. Awesome, no?

Me falling off the giant concrete Kiwi, Leif looking shady behind me.

Dad and Leif with the giant Kiwi. Shady was Leif's theme of the day.

Oh, Queenstown. So pretty.

Like Clockwork

You know how after finals, your stress levels go down and you get sick? Well, I figured I would try to combat that by starting the second job (well, starting with real hours instead of a bit of training) the day after finals got done. Well, I had to take Nyquil last night, slept for 13 hours, took a red pill (some kind of cold something my mommy sent me) today and am exhausted.

Luckily, I adore meaningless tasks (for real - no sarcasm!) and I get to do data entry and filing all day. It's soothing. And I work in a proper office with a proper desk. That's mine. Ooh. I'm moving on up in the world. :)

Song and Dance

When I was little, my cousin and I used to do little song and dance things that my poor family had to watch. Sometimes they were plays, sometimes there was music involved. Who knew that style would be good later in life? At the sorority we had to do several things like that (thank God for my childhood experience!!). And this music video (pointed out to me by the lurvely Lisa) demonstrates the Fatboy Slim-like style music video. I dig it. Who knew my talents as a choreographer might actually be of use to someone some day? I think I could make this stuff up!!

So Excited

While on yesterday's topic of adulthood - I'm officially an adult. Not only have I blown my nose is quiet public, but I have a business lunch. Kind of. The new job is having a lunch do where the whole "team" can get together to celebrate me coming and mourn several others leaving. A paid for, two hour, gourmet (kind of) lunch. Me. Teachers don't do these kinds of things. I didn't think I'd ever get to be so... business like.

Granted, these are laid back people who will probably be wearing jeans and someone will probably spill something down a shirt or two (I'm banking on me), but it's still dignified!!

Also, I am excited because tomorrow is the last day of freaking exams. Amen, my brothers and sisters.

Adulthood

I figured out the defining characteristic of maturity and adulthood. It took a while, but I am sure. It's the ability to blow your nose in public. Especially quiet public.

I remember when I was younger in school; I wouldn't blow my nose in the classroom. You would use a tissue to wipe, but never blow. If you were going to do that, then you went to the toilet. As I got older, I would do the timid blowing. No gross sounds, if avoidable, but stops the necessity of sniffing. Now, as I watch these exams, kids will generally just blow their noses. There is no snickering, no looking, they are adults. But a "mature student" was just honking away in my last exam. I mean, honking.

No one looked except for me though, which I guess makes me the immature whippersnapper giggling when someone blows their nose.

Coolest Wound Ever

I just discovered an injury I didn't know I sustained while at my soccer game. This is understandable, given the hail and rain that served as an appropriate distraction. I have several places where the wet ball hit wet skin and left red circles, indented with the ball lines.

The one I didn't know I had is awesome. Three distinct scratches (from fingernails) up my upper thigh. I don't remember this happening, but it looks gruesome. If it was in a decent location, I would put a picture, but it isn't - so I won't. But what kind of rough game are you playing where someone draws blood on your thigh and you don't notice?

Actually, I'm pretty sure the nicest girl on the other team did it because I was playing near her most of the game. Funny.

Philosophy 101 and the Left Hand Door

The trouble with being an exam supervisor is that kids make the same mistakes all the time, but it's because they're new to the room, the exam process, etc. You can't blame them, but it's still really annoying. For instance, there is a table that we use to do some paperwork. After days of telling people repetitively, "Please don't put anything on this table. Please don't put anything on this table..." I had the brilliant idea of us just forfeiting that table for one on the other side of the room. Now, students still put their bags and coats on that table too. Now, they don't know that we use it. How could they? But having to say it 47 times every exam period still gets old.

There is only one set of doors they're allowed to use. They are allowed to leave when they are finished with their exam. But we lock the right hand door because it's really loud. It slams shut, whereas the left hand door just softly swings shut. Most of the other classes have had some troubles. When the right side is locked, they look a little stunned, but then try pushing the left side and lo and behold - they get out. Phil101 was different. First, the first three people struggled and futzed so much that they actually did lock both doors. After I helped them, one said, "Jesus. Why would you lock us in?!" Sigh. Yes, we care not for fire hazards and enjoy watching you fumble. Then a girl walks over, fumbles and unlocked the right hand door, walked through, and let it audibly and disturbingly slam. I walked right behind her (I was on my way to help) and relocked it. The next girl walked through and unlocked the door again. This happened three seconds later, literally. Frustrated, I relocked the door. The next guy just plainly couldn't get out. I had to write a sign that said, "Push this door to exit. Cheers." Because, come on. These are 19 and 20 year olds at the youngest and they don't know how to exit a room. And no one had troubles like this besides Phil101.

Only one more kid had troubles, but when I went to help him, he tried to explain he couldn't read English very well. Yes, the exam was in English.