Random Day

First, Jehovah's Witnesses came to my house. I mean, really? I guess I just didn't expect it. Nor did they expect me to tell them I was not only raised Christian, but had gone to school from basically birth on in a Christian environment. When asked if I was familiar with their faith, I had to respond that my family used to invite them in on regular basis. Or at least my brother. Freak. So that was random.

Then, a couple days ago, my friend told me that since she was going to London, she would give me her cell phone! For free!! See, they're really expensive here which was holding me back. And I love cell phones. I mean, I'll have to learn how to txt and all that poop, but I can deal. (Calling is still too expensive for me.) And I expected the phone to come in a few days, but bam, in the mailbox this morning! Yay!! So I have a phone. But I now have to learn the NZ way to have a phone. I mean, you don't have to get a bill; you do the prepaid thing. Which I have never done. Blissful learning experience.

UPDATE: Oh, and I'm officially old. While trying to figure out txt, I accidentally tried to send a message, I couldn't figure out how to use or turn off predictive texting, and eventually had to find the manual online. Not only did I read the manual extensively, I printed off appropriate sections. I am old. And, it's an old school Nokia. Like my first cell phone. I am old, old, old.

Yes? No?

Are these in now? These cuties are from Target, available on their website. I would adore if rainboots came in style. I love them, but they seem very little girlish. However, I enjoy being girlie. And I hate wet feet. And barking dogs are cute. This is really win-win.

Workaholic

I've taken on a second job of filing. I, of course, love it. I am only in the beginning of training, but it seems that my best friends will be paperclips, staplers, stapler removers and Excel spreadsheets. I like all these things, though Excel and I still need to be better acquainted for my taste.

The filing system is, however, horrible. Due to many legit reasons, the files are merely stacked up in boxes rather than a filing cabinet. Lots of heavy lifting. It's okay, I can use the exercise. And the money. Oh yes, I do like money.

Marathon-itis

One of my favourite aspects of collegiate life, honestly, was the TV marathons we would have. I can remember one day of e-board training that was free -- we spent the whole day watching a Cribs marathon huddled under a blanket while we waited for the heater to warm up the apartment. I remember frequent Friends marathons. Sex and the City... forget about it.

Sometimes it was just movies, sometimes themed, sometimes not. But I miss it. There are a few good shows that I just missed bits of. Grey's Anatomy is one that I just started watching. While NZ is behind a bit, I still missed a bunch of the first season. I want that season back. Also, the OC is on at 7.30 (8.30??) on a Saturday night. I mean, come on. I have missed so many, I barely knew who Marissa's little sister was. I demand a marathon.

While I have to wait for my friends to be done with exams, I am already eagerly awaiting a marathon of Gilmore Girls. Or whatever else strikes me that day.

I heart Marathons. And it's probably VH1's fault. I love the 80's, 70's, and 90's did me in. So not my fault.

If I Only Had the Money

One thing I like to say a lot in New Zealand is: "If I only had the money to do the start up, you know what I'd do here?" Here is today's example. Sushi is big here. I like sushi. But I don't like walking for like 20 minutes to get it - yes, because I'm lazy. I then remembered that college was great because of the amount of food you could get delivered to your door. Subs. That was the kicker. Who would have thought of it? But once they did, hundreds of sandwiches were being delivered to dorms at 2 in the morning, every morning. Genius.

My latest idea is that there should be sushi delivery, combining with the ice cream truck idea. Take an ice cream truck, but make it only fridge cold, rather than freezing. Have the stacks of sushi all ready to go. Then, have a guy on a car phone being told where to take the sushi. Genius. And I'd pay a little more to have it delivered. The stuff could be made ready in the back. I have seen small sushi stands in the mall; you don't need a lot of room to prepare. Genius.

Friggin' genius.

The Things You Learn

Since I am oh so fond of lists, especially when summarising large amounts of time, away we go:

• It really is cold here. Damp and cold. Like a cave. Not just my flat, but some restaurants and hotels.
• I have adjusted to sub-zero temperatures and have ceased noticing when I can see my breath in my flat.
• Apparently, if you run the heater full time here, my flat grows mold (and quickly) because of the condensation formed.
• Queenstown is bloody beautiful. If I could move there tonight, I would.
• Wine tours are fun.
• Wine is fabulous.
• Some 6 dollar bottle of wine from the market rivaled the 39 dollar bottle we bought.
• My family will never stop having inside jokes that make us laugh hysterically and others shake their heads with wonder.
• We're still good at road trips; even on the other side of the road.
• Roundabouts make my dad sweat like a pig.
• Hot air balloon rides are like the parachute portion of sky diving.
• There are a lot of sheep in New Zealand. I mean, I already knew this, but man.
• Shags (mentioned in much earlier posts; the birds that are like half duck and can swim underwater) mate for life. It's adorable.
• My soccer team loves my family.
• I love my family.
• It's weird to send your whole family on a plane to the States when you're not on it.
• I cried equally as much while picking up and dropping off my family at the airport. A ton.
• For all the world traveling we've done, it's still fun to eat pizza, drink beer, and watch an old movie on TV together.
• I miss them.

More to come.

And She Returns

Well, I'm back. The fam was dropped off to the airport, while I got all teary-like, this morning. Here's one picture from us hot air ballooning over Queenstown. More fun stuff to come, but I'm exhausted and my flat is in a state.

What?!

We might get snow!! It's in the forecast. And this year, I'm high enough in the hills to see actually accumulated snow!

And I get the rental car today. Of course.

Clean Freak

My family gets here in t-minus 21 hours. Is my flat clean? Well. I mean. It's cleanish. I will do some more cleaning tonight, but Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives are on. I make no promises. :) But people from work have been asking me if my flat is clean.

I stated my philosophy. I think that my flat is cleanish. But it's sort of a dank with dusty corners kind of place. I have vacuumed and dusted, but it's small and accumulates dirt easily. So... are my dishes clean? Is the floor vacuumed? Is my bed made? The table cleared and my clothes safely in my closet? Yes. What more can I want? I got the comment: "If I was coming halfway around the world to see you and your place is dirty, I would be offended."

I responded: "Yes, my family is coming to see me. Not my flat, regardless of its cleanliness. And Luckily, my family are the kind of people who would not be offended by the state of my living quarters. I guess that's why we get along so well."

I miss my family. And the fact that cleanliness really isn't a big issue with us.

Dan Brown

So now I'm reading The DaVinci Code (as you do). I am glad that I'm reading it; my family is going to see the movie together when it comes out while they're here. And I'm glad I'm catching on the international best selling phenomenon, but I still can't figure out why it's so popular. I mean, don't get me wrong. I like it. It's good. I think so far (I have about 150 pages left) I still like Angels and Demons better but that's because I'm already sensing a pattern between the books. I have an idea of who the main bad guy in charge is based on how the first novel turned out. If that turns out to be true... I'll be a tad disappointed. If I can pick up the formula after 20 pages of the second book...

But still. I do enjoy it. They're hard books to put down. And that's always a plus. But I still feel like I've read more engaging books. I don't know. I think it's like anything else that's wildly popular. You hear so much about its success, when you finally see/hear/experience it yourself, it lacks something.

All this sounds like I don't like it!! I do, I really do. :)

Congrats

Leif graduated!! He's an official lawyer now. So here's a classic Jorgensen family photo. At least two out of three people are looking at the camera (way to go, Dad). :) The only thing missing is... me. :( But that whole group is coming to see me in two days!!! And here's my little brother (who is neither younger nor smaller than me) being a grown up. Officially.

And More Procrastination

Real funny. And not my Masters.

And More Procrastination