Last day of freedom.

Today I woke up at a reasonable hour, picked up a friend and ran errands.

I went to Lowe's to get some screws for my picture holding magnet strip thingy and a screw hook to hang up a lamp. Then to the fruit stand to pick up an application for employment and then to Haggen to get a small amount of stuff for a large amount of money. Immediately upon arrival back at my apartment, I hung out and did nothing for a little bit. I visited a friend that I hadn't seen since being back. I got back to my quarters around 5:30 and started chopping onions for French Onion Soup.

I melted a few tablespoons of butter and added the onions in.

About an hour later....

I added in 5 or 6 cups of the veggie stock that I made yesterday.

I let that brew for about a half an hour and made some toasted bread with melted cheese to go with my soup. When everything was all done, i arranged it just so, took a photo and then consumed. Despite the bland picture, it was quite tasty.

Having acquired a sore throat ( i think my sister is to blame) I took the rest of the evening easy and am planning on an early retirement .

Tomorrow I start classes again. Well, I start class again. I only have math tomorrow, and it is at 10 so I don't have to wake up obscenely early. I am not particularly excited about getting back to this school thing. While in New Zealand, I came to the realization that perpetual vacation life suites me quite well. But I suppose, since I am here, I will give school a chance. I'm sure there are probably good times to be had somewhere in this cold, windy town. I just have to find or invent them.

Where's my dinner?

I am back in Bellingham now.

Moved back into my room.

Reestablished the staple items in my kitchen.

Made vegetable stock.

Made Carrot and Cilantro soup form Anne Watter's Chez Panisse: Vegetables cook book.

It was fabulous but when the red onion salsa was added it was a little bit much. So, should you ever decide to make it, keep that in mind.

Tomorrow I am planning on going to the hardware store to get some screws to hang stuff up, seeing my friends that I have missed while in New Zealand, going swimming, and probably making another soup...either french onion or Broccoli and Potato.

That's all. Goodnight.

I am home now.

And I have been for about two weeks now.

I have been on New Zealand time though until this morning. So that is waking up at about 1:30 and going to sleep at about 3:30.

I had a fabulous time in New Zealand.

*Mermaid Pools at Kaitoke beach, Great Barrier Island*

I met fantastic people: Norty, Henry, John, Louise, Ashleigh, Yasmine, Terere, Ebony, Pru, Nina, Dave, Lena, Francie, Bex 1, Bex 2, Craig 1, Craig 2, Harry, Peter, Umiko, AJ, Jackson, Martijn, Steve, Wells, Hone, Sali, Carley, Archie, Andy, Ange, Sharpie, Malin, Adrian, Tamara, Sharon, AJ, Munky, Alex, Ramin, Jamie, Becky, Stuggi, Daryl, Natalie, Falk, Finlay, Brooke, Antoine, Simon. Plus other people too. Do not be offended if I did not list you, unless you have sound reason to believe that I did not like you.

*Norty, Alex and I in front of Alex's house*

I learned a lot of things and did a lot of new things: went on a 5 hour ferry ride, drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car, drive a manual, went to a (or 7) pubs/bar/club type things, work behind a bar, ate bacon, say rubbish instead of garbage or trash, count to ten in Maori, sushi, amongst other things.

*Me and Norty in Wellington*

I was home for a week and a half and did some stuff while I was home: got a hair cut, visited Kara, made cookies, made pizza, washed my car, hiked Poo Poo point with Ryan and Jess, and went to a impromptu barbeque at Green Lake with some high quality folks.

Now I am back to Bellingham and back to school.

*Jessica and Ryan on top of Tiger mountain*

*Tel and Mikey at Green Lake*

I have every intention to go back to New Zealand in December. We'll just see if i can make enough money over the summer!

Now, instead of dropping the blog just because i am home, I am going to abandon a different blog that I was doing and I am going to pick up here. It will be a blog where i will keep whatever I am doing or thinking. It will not be particularly consistent or regular. But if you are ever at home just wondering what I am up to in my life or what I have had for dinner all week, drop by Tramplings to see what's up.

I will do my first post of the new and improved Tramplings next!

Thanks for following me on my trip!

Wellington Today

I am 6 days from leaving and i have mixed feelings.
I am excited to come home and see everyone and stuff and junk.
But i am oh so sad to be leaving this awesome country and all of my new friends.
Norty and I are in Wellington now.
We got here last sunday and wewe here for about 3 days, left for about 4 days and then came back.
It is our favorite city by far.
Much easier going than Auckland.
Smaller too.
We have visited Te Papa museum 3 times because it is so interesting and big and there is so much to see.
They have a giant sick-nasty squid in a box that reminds me of 10th grade biology and animals preserved in jars.
There were lots of cool fossils that you don't see too much in the northwest.
Good deal.
We went to the art museum yesterday and saw some very interesting exhibits.
We learned about objective sexuality, saw some really cool old architecuretr plans and notes and walked into a room with a chior of about 60 speakers singing; each speaker was a different voice. it was very cool.
We have gotten a good taste of the pub scene.
Molly Malones had and incredible irish band playing on Saturday.
We have also gotten a good feel for the backpackers.
We stayed a few nights at Wellywood Backpackers which is a gian 6 level zebra striped building.
We saw Alice In Wonderland, which was a bit dissappointing but still worth a watch. And we saw Precious which was horrible, absolutly aweful. Watch it.
I have to go now. Norty has to potty.
We love you!
Bye.