I can not help but to think about everything I will do at home, because traveling makes going home that much better.
I will be getting my hair cut, by this one gal in Tulsa. I will get to see some of my favorite people, and not just see them but hug them and tell them how great they are. I will get to laugh with them and hear their stories. I can't wait until that. I can play with my dog and take her on walks, possibly even chase her around the neighborhood. I can go drink coffee, real drip coffee, which New Zealand fails to have. Stupid long blacks, similar to an Americano. It's okay, but it's not it. I look forward to watching movies with the Parents and going to eat Mexican with them. Oh sweet Mexican food (it is interesting that food is such a big thing you miss when it has been ages since you've had what was your everyday thing). I would love to go to a football game, and I just looked at the schedule, it is September 3rd, a day before I come back here! I am going, anyone want to come?
Oh home, I am done for in happiness.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Plan to be surprised.
That quote has been going through my head all week. It is too funny how you think times in your life will go and then BAM, it all changes. With one tiny phone call from my parents my plans for this winter changed. If you are starting to wonder what I am talking about, then perfect, that is what I am going for.
I have been working at my job here in Auckland for about three weeks now and am seriously amazed by people. I work at a place that gets call about people wanting their parking tickets to be waived. $20-$90 can be hefty fines in this crazy economy, especially when they live in Christchurch and are up to their eyeballs in fed up with things, such as never ending earthquakes. Anyway, people are not happy and I am reminded how important it is to treat other humans with respect and even delight...otherwise, it is a stupidly negative environment. Another blogger/author wrote about this today. He says, "be nice to the cleaners." Read it here. True. Anyone, that is cleaning anything should be highly regarded.
So to wind up this post I am beyond excited to announce that I will coming HOME. That's RIGHT! I am coming home for a little over a month. I thank my Dad for his constant flying and saving his points up so that this gal can jump on a plane back to her favorite place, home.
That means I am canceling our skype dates for real live, face to face dates (coffee dates, coke dates, and especially queso dates). I will be eating Mexican food ALL DAY. Elote, McNellies, Dallas, OKC. Tulsa get yourself ready!
I love when plans change like this...
Rea, you can think of this as a really cool birthday present...20 days late.
I have been working at my job here in Auckland for about three weeks now and am seriously amazed by people. I work at a place that gets call about people wanting their parking tickets to be waived. $20-$90 can be hefty fines in this crazy economy, especially when they live in Christchurch and are up to their eyeballs in fed up with things, such as never ending earthquakes. Anyway, people are not happy and I am reminded how important it is to treat other humans with respect and even delight...otherwise, it is a stupidly negative environment. Another blogger/author wrote about this today. He says, "be nice to the cleaners." Read it here. True. Anyone, that is cleaning anything should be highly regarded.
So to wind up this post I am beyond excited to announce that I will coming HOME. That's RIGHT! I am coming home for a little over a month. I thank my Dad for his constant flying and saving his points up so that this gal can jump on a plane back to her favorite place, home.
That means I am canceling our skype dates for real live, face to face dates (coffee dates, coke dates, and especially queso dates). I will be eating Mexican food ALL DAY. Elote, McNellies, Dallas, OKC. Tulsa get yourself ready!
I love when plans change like this...
Rea, you can think of this as a really cool birthday present...20 days late.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
a burrito is not a wrap.
I thought I would post some fun pictures I took/edited on my ipod, thanks to all the awesome free applications. Enjoy!
Above is a picture of a dormant volcano.
A beautiful skyline of Auckland, where I am working.
"...sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself..."
Donald Miller in "Blue Like Jazz"
Monday, June 13, 2011
the earth is shaking...again.
In case the USA doesn't cover this, here is the biggest and not great news of the day. I am not in this city, but I have friends that are.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5136644/Powerful-earthquakes-rock-Christchurch
The magnitude 5.5 quake struck at 1pm, 10 kilometres east of Christchurch at Taylor's Mistake beach, at a depth of 11 kilometres, and sent people scrambling for cover. It was followed at 2.20pm by a more powerful magnitude 6 quake, centred 10 kilometres southeast of the city and 9km underground.
At least ten people were taken to Christchurch Hospital with injuries due to falling building material after the 1pm quake. Other residents from the devastated city cried in the streets and hugged their children.
Police said there were no reports of injuries following the second aftershock today.
The quakes are the latest in a series of dozens of aftershocks to hit Canterbury following the devastating February 22 earthquake, where 182 people died, and a damaging magnitude 7.1 earthquake last September. The February 22 quake measured magnitude 6.3 and left 100,000 homes damaged - 10,000 beyond repair. Christchurch's CBD was left in ruins, with 900 buildings - many in what has become known as the 'red zone' - expected to be demolished.
PM: 'WE STAND BESIDE THEM'
"We stand beside them, we are committed to rebuilding the city," Key said.
Key said Christchurch people were stoic people would regroup.
Key said Mayor Bob Parker was considering whether to declare a state of local civil defence emergency but the Government did not consider today's events serious enough to declare a national state of emergency.
Parker said it was "a serious situation" despite not declaring another state of emergency with power unlikely to be restored to the 50,000 who had lost it until tomorrow. The city's water infrastructure was also damaged. "Look after yourselves big time tonight," he said.
Today's quakes would "almost certainly" be considered a new event by insurer the Earthquake Commission, Key said.
The earthquakes were another blow to Christchurch residents, who found them frightening and upsetting.
"Quite frankly I think they're all over this and they want the sense of normality to return ... my heart really goes out to them."
It could have changed the areas that can be built on but too soon to stay.
Key said to demonstrate the significance of today's quakes, the magnitude six quake this afternoon registered an eight on the Mercalli scale which measures the intensity of earth quakes. By comparison the February 22 earthquake was a nine.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5136644/Powerful-earthquakes-rock-Christchurch
The magnitude 5.5 quake struck at 1pm, 10 kilometres east of Christchurch at Taylor's Mistake beach, at a depth of 11 kilometres, and sent people scrambling for cover. It was followed at 2.20pm by a more powerful magnitude 6 quake, centred 10 kilometres southeast of the city and 9km underground.
At least ten people were taken to Christchurch Hospital with injuries due to falling building material after the 1pm quake. Other residents from the devastated city cried in the streets and hugged their children.
Police said there were no reports of injuries following the second aftershock today.
The quakes are the latest in a series of dozens of aftershocks to hit Canterbury following the devastating February 22 earthquake, where 182 people died, and a damaging magnitude 7.1 earthquake last September. The February 22 quake measured magnitude 6.3 and left 100,000 homes damaged - 10,000 beyond repair. Christchurch's CBD was left in ruins, with 900 buildings - many in what has become known as the 'red zone' - expected to be demolished.
PM: 'WE STAND BESIDE THEM'
"We stand beside them, we are committed to rebuilding the city," Key said.
Key said Christchurch people were stoic people would regroup.
Key said Mayor Bob Parker was considering whether to declare a state of local civil defence emergency but the Government did not consider today's events serious enough to declare a national state of emergency.
Parker said it was "a serious situation" despite not declaring another state of emergency with power unlikely to be restored to the 50,000 who had lost it until tomorrow. The city's water infrastructure was also damaged. "Look after yourselves big time tonight," he said.
Today's quakes would "almost certainly" be considered a new event by insurer the Earthquake Commission, Key said.
The earthquakes were another blow to Christchurch residents, who found them frightening and upsetting.
"Quite frankly I think they're all over this and they want the sense of normality to return ... my heart really goes out to them."
It could have changed the areas that can be built on but too soon to stay.
Key said to demonstrate the significance of today's quakes, the magnitude six quake this afternoon registered an eight on the Mercalli scale which measures the intensity of earth quakes. By comparison the February 22 earthquake was a nine.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
What is Garth Brooks?
"What is Garth Brooks?"
"WHAT is Garth Brooks? Are you serious," I say to myself.
That was the question asked to me by a Kiwi (New Zealander) as I sang "The Thunder Rolls." Oh my. She is a fan of Hanson, so I will give her that. I have been spending most of my time with Kiwi's and I am really noticing the difference in cultures. I mean the difference is like being in Oklahoma and then living in the North East. They just say things weird, like how people ask for a coke. Is it soda? Is it pop? Or maybe you really just want a Coke.
There is also much more of a Maori presence in the North Island. I have heard it is because it is warmer here. I like the warmth too!
I am struck more and more by the goodness of people. We see a lot of bad in the news, but truthfully there is much good. I am being looked after here, better than I could have imagined and beyond ability to repay. That is our life with God though isn't it? He does not change and you always receive grace, even if you did the worst thing ever.
Matt. 7:7-11
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
I hope you are well and that you are living life to the fullest in whatever situation or circumstance.
And to end a quote by Anne Lamott, who always inspires me...
"You were loved because God loves, period. God loved you, and everyone, not because you believed in certain things, but because you were a mess, and lonely, and His child. God loved you no matter how crazy you felt on the inside, no matter what a fake you were; always, even in your current condition, even before coffee."
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Have I gone back in time?
In today's news...
Yesterday, I got on a plane for Tauranga. It is a beautiful town right smack next to the Pacific Ocean. I am up here ready for something new and different; also a job!
My flying experience with Air New Zealand is always awesome. If you haven't flown with them, do it! So, I got on the 50 seater prop plane (without going through security, thank you New Zealand) and if felt I had gone back in time. Everyone was very kind, I could see the door to the Pilot's area, and the flight attendant was a nice young woman that served us tea and coffee. The best part was when she asked a young boy to hand lollies to everyone. Domestic USA carriers need to revamp, because they spoil us here.
My current adventure involves moving to Auckland to live with a good friend of mine. She got me a job working with her Mom filing and such. I'll take it for $16 New Zealand Dollars (NZD)/hour! Come on now! That's the most I have ever gotten paid...even when exchanged to USD. On a side note, the USD is fading quickly. That is sad to watch. After the job is finished, I am back to live in Tauranga with an amazing Kiwi family (the Rosie's for those who know and love them), after which I am back to the YWAM base to staff the next backpacker's DTS. Fun things ahead and many people to get to know and many to say good bye to. I suppose that is life.
another good quote by Anne Lamott to end this small post.
"Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.
Yesterday, I got on a plane for Tauranga. It is a beautiful town right smack next to the Pacific Ocean. I am up here ready for something new and different; also a job!
My flying experience with Air New Zealand is always awesome. If you haven't flown with them, do it! So, I got on the 50 seater prop plane (without going through security, thank you New Zealand) and if felt I had gone back in time. Everyone was very kind, I could see the door to the Pilot's area, and the flight attendant was a nice young woman that served us tea and coffee. The best part was when she asked a young boy to hand lollies to everyone. Domestic USA carriers need to revamp, because they spoil us here.
My current adventure involves moving to Auckland to live with a good friend of mine. She got me a job working with her Mom filing and such. I'll take it for $16 New Zealand Dollars (NZD)/hour! Come on now! That's the most I have ever gotten paid...even when exchanged to USD. On a side note, the USD is fading quickly. That is sad to watch. After the job is finished, I am back to live in Tauranga with an amazing Kiwi family (the Rosie's for those who know and love them), after which I am back to the YWAM base to staff the next backpacker's DTS. Fun things ahead and many people to get to know and many to say good bye to. I suppose that is life.
another good quote by Anne Lamott to end this small post.
"Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.
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