Happy Christmas! (Days 22-25)

That's what they say in NZ!
It's Boxing Day here which is not celebrated. They just call all the sales Boxing Day sales instead of after Christmas Sales.
We spent Christmas Eve relaxing and preparing our Christmas Feast. I sat outside and read with my legs in the sun. I managed to get burned on my shoulders and my legs are still white. Go figure.

We took a drive to see the street with all the lit up houses. So lame! If Chris and I ever move here we have to live on that street only to show them how it is done. I am sad we waiting in traffic for that.
One Christmas Day, Chris and I took a walk on Takapuna Beach. It was warm but windy. My my hat is almost blowing off.
The tree I am standing next to is Pohutacawa which is the New Zealand Christmas Tree. It blooms this time of year. People still use evergreens in their houses.

We opened presents in the morning. Chris and I both got some nice things and I think his parents liked all the gifts we got for them.

Here we are at Christmas Dinner. We had turkey with stuffing (pesto and pine nut stuffing), cranberry sauce, broccoli salad, zucchini quiche, garden salad, bread and jell-o salad. For dessert we had Pavlova and fruit.
It was a lovely meal and we were all stuffed. We are still eating leftovers today.
I did miss my grandmother's cooking. As much as Christmas in the middle of summer didn't feel like Christmas to me, I realize how odd it is for Chris to have Christmas in the middle of winter.

Today is Wednesday and we are leaving Sunday night so we really only have 4 more days until we come home. I love it here but my limit for being away from home has hit. I miss Boogas, my mom, my bed, the couch, my kitchen, dance class, work.

Days 20 & 21

Here are a couple photos from Hawke's Bay.

We had a great visit with Chris's Auntie Heather, his Grandpa and Nana and all of his cousins.

Day 19: Grandpa's House

All grandparents houses are the same, even in other countries. All grandpas are the same. They tell you about the war, give you random things they have lying around the house and seem to have stashes of sweets hidden all over. There is something very nice about knowing that Grandpas have this in common.
It was nice for Chris to share his Grandpa and Nana Peg with me and it was very nice to meet them.

Day 18: EARTHQUAKE!

So today started out uneventful. We drove to Chris's Aunt's in Hastings which is in the Hawke's Bay Region.
We had a nice dinner with his Aunt and Uncle Eric. Auntie Heather had to go babysit for her son and Chris, his mom, Uncle Eric and I were sitting around talking. The light in the lounge (living room) flickered. That prompted Eric to ask if we had earthquakes in Knoxville because it made him think of them. Then it happened!
It felt like the house was on jelly. Like being on a rocking boat. It was unreal. You can't imagine something as solid as the ground and house being so wobbly. It wasn't at all like what I expected. It felt like it last several minutes even though it was really twenty seconds. I was shocked and grabbed Chris. After it was over I almost wished it happened again so instead of being scared I could really take in what an Earthquake feels like.
They have said that CNN and the news channels made it sound worse than it really was. No one was hurt and there was mostly minor damage. Things falling off shelves and walls and breaking.
Use this link for a map.
It was a 6.8 50 km off the coast of Gisborne. We were down in Hastings.

PICTURES

Pictures are up on all posts for our South Island Adventure!

Day 17: Back in Auckland

Today we are back in Auckland. Chris has gone off to help his dad and I am hanging out and doing laundry. I would like and try and get pictures up on all these posts when Chris gets back.
Some funny things I need to share.
1. Sheep. They are everywhere. Not kidding. Millions. But none to pat. Every time we drive by some I picked out the cutest one that I would like to pet and feed a banana to. Chris has realized that he could have saved a lot of money by just taking me to the petting zoo.
2. Street Signs. They are so pleasant. Instead of "flagman ahead" it says "please stop if requested" instead of "yield" it is "give way". There are also signs with exclamations points and the falling rock signs are pictures of rocks.
3. One lane bridges are everywhere. There is sign showing which side has to yield. I am going to write a letter to the Prime Minister. You would think New Zealand could afford two lane bridges.

Day 16: Rain, Rain Go Away

The rain caught up to us in Christchurch.
We had to stick to indoor activities. We went to the Art Centre and the Museum. Both were free and wonderful.
Then we headed out to the airport where there is a new Antarctic Exhibit at the Antarctic Center. All flights to Antarctica's Scott Base leave out of Christchurch. All the US, NZ and English teams have there main research stuff in Christchurch as well.
We went in a snow storm simulator that blew winds at -17 F. We were given boots and coats but Chris and I both had shorts on. There was one crazy guy in there with his shirt off. I climbed in the igloo to hide until it was over. We saw replicas of the equipment they use and learned about the conditions there. They also have a great penguin area.
They have actual blue penguins which are the small ones we saw in Akaroa and live in NZ.
I fell very educated in the ways of Antarctica.