The Book list

Being bored has afforded me a lot of time to read.
Though I am a dreadfully slow reader, I have been tearing through the books.
They have passed through as follows:
January:
-The Pearl by John Steinbeck-- A short little gem (or pearl I guess) about the value of what is really important. It is a very short book. I think it only lasted the first leg of my flight. I left it at the Mercure Windsor hotel in Auckland.
February:
-On the Road by Jack Kerouac--Tales of Jack Kerouac and he crazy buddies revolutionizing American literature and bumming across the country. I gave this one to my friend Liz when she and George came to visit me on the barrier. She is Australia now.
March:
-The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna--This is a great story of a man whose life is dramatically altered when he hits a rabbit with his car. After nursing it back to health, he drops out of his previous life and travels around Finnland with the hare getting into all sorts of situations and unusual circumstances. It was a great book but I think there were some deeper meanings in there that I missed. I sent this one back home to Anna, who sent it to me in the first place.
-Thanks for the Memories byCecelia Ahern--This was a dumb book about a woman who recieves someones memories through a blood transfusion. By the author of P.S. I love you. I put this one back in the caravan that I found it in.
-20 Under 40: Short Stories form The New Yorker-- I bought this book before I left for a short story, Here We Aren't, So Quickly by Jonathan Safran Foer who, if you know me, you will know, I am obsessed with (within reason). I really enjoyed this book. It was full of entertaining short stories by many talented authors. I left this one to my friend Henry in Great Barrier Island with instructions for her to pass it on to my friend Grant when she finished it. But i am pretty sure her house ate it.
April:
-The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald--I really like Mr. Fitzgerald's writing. And this book did not disappoint. Though it did get a bit desperate at times I was thoroughly satisfied with it upon completion. I put this one on the book exchange shelf at the Centabay Lodge in Paihia.
May:
-Occupational Hazards by Jonathan Segura--This book was $3 at Whitcols. It was ok. A lazy reporter getting sucked in to a story to the point of danger. A bit raw which was refreshing. Awful ending. I have it to Grant for his bus ride home after his visit to Taupo.
-Maroc by Daniel Easterman-- A mystery through history novel taking place in Morocco. It was entertaining but not life changing. I enjoyed it. I sent this one home to Dad along with his birthday present. I though he would like it.
-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby--Amazing. I read it in about 4 hours. Very short, which is understandable as it was written but a paralyzed man who wrote the whole book by communicating by blinking his one functional eyelid. I put his one back on the book exchange shelf i found it on. Read it. It is a movie too i think.
June:
-Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer--This was I think my fifth read of this book. I love it. My favorite book in the "whole waarld" ( --;) Anna). Grant bought it for me when he was down here. It is sitting under my bed now. I may lend it to friends but will probably hold on to it.
-A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian by Marina Lewycka-- This was a good book. Not quite as funny as I wanted it to be but entertaining none the less. It touched on WWII which is a favorite of mine when it comes to books. I has great cover art. Grant sent me this one and i will probably send it back to him.

I am getting kicked off the computer now!!

Life on the lake

*Gnome friend in front of the Waikato River*

*Paihia friends out on the town*

*Me and My germans out for Sandra's birthday*

*Huka Falls*

I am going on seven weeks here in Taupo now.

I now:

--have a job waitressing at Portofino Italian Restaurant and possibly another one in the wings.

--Am working for my accommodation (which is a bunk bed in a garage with 5 other people) at a hostel in town.

--am a member of the local pool and get to swim pretty often.

--am the proud owner of a light purple (with pink detail) bicycle.

--am a member of the Taupo Library.

A few weeks ago, the group I worked with in Paihia stayed a night at my hostel on their way down to Wellington. We had a fun night out and won a lot of free beer at the Pub's quiz night. Fun kids.

I miss having friends.

Well, I have a few friends here; the two french kids form work, A couple cohabitants of the garage, some lifeguards from the pool. But it is mostly just Madeline most of the time. Thought i am expecting some visitors her in the next couple of weeks. :)

In other news, I have decided on coming home before Christmas. Mid-December I think. So I am pretty exactly 6 months away from my return....which is still a pretty long time.

I am looking forward to being in the country as New Zealand hosts the Rugby World Cup in September and to experiencing a New Zealand spring.