It's a Small World

Hey long time no see, Blog. I have a lot of catching up to do, don't I.

My time in New Zealand is quickly coming to and end and it's scary. I've never been more aware that time is flying.

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So I was getting a coffee at the Uni bookstore cafe last week when James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James" came on. I listened to the lyrics "the first of December was covered in snow, and so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston," and thought of how crazy it is that I'm on the other side of the planet and still hearing about my hometown on the radio. Well that's a stretch... 45 minutes from my hometown. My home state. When you're on the other side of the world, though, anyone from the States feels like a neighbor. Before I used to feel like someone from Vermont or Maine lived far away from me. Texas, California, forget it. Now I hear someone talking about Oregon and I have this weird sense that I can relate because I'm from "near there."

Speaking of craziness and hometowns on the other side of the planet, I met someone from WESTFIELD at the bar on Saturday night. We just vaguely recognized each other but we both ran track together in high school and knew all the same people. CRAZY STUFF. He is studying abroad at a different University in Wellington.

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-Watched some rugby with Boo
-Went out to eat and BYO with a bunch of Kiwis
-Spent some time at Verve cafe
-Handed in a paper I slaved over
-Was sick in bed with a fever and aches for two days
-Went to the Botanic Gardens last night with Boo to stargaze, play on the playground, and see the view of the city at night. All awesome.

FOOD UPDATE:

New Zealand Lamb Shish-kebab from Abrakebabra!

Bomb as Breakfast with VT Maple Sugar candy leaf included!
Thanks again Auntie Sherry, Uncle Kevin, Courtney and Hilary!

Steak in bed?

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Well after three and a half months in New Zealand it's become a reflex to look right first when crossing a street. I came around and started loving "flat whites." Walking on the left side of the sidewalk seemed natural since the second week I've been here, when people stop me for directions I can help them to just about anywhere, and I now know how to figure out a bus schedule. I only have two weeks and a day left and it's starting to get real. Like when Sophie and I had a deliberation regarding what to do about the toilet paper situation since our third useless roommate hasn't bought it in months and still will not, I just said "whatever I'll just suck it up and get a 12 pack that should last until I leave." AHHHHH things are lasting until I leave now.

I'm definitely making the most of these last two weeks! Lots and lots to do!!!

Shout out to Grandma! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!