Summer is Short and Sweet in NZ

Our biggest highlight this month has been having my brother, Mark and his wife, Tracey come and visit. We managed to do a few pretty cool things like eat some damn good Mexican food (Mike was right when he told me that it's available here), explore a pretty cool beach, see Elvis, ride the cable car, explore the waterfront in Wellington, mountain bike (Mike and Mark only), and eat at a super-cool asian place called Monsoon Poon. One of the funiest things was Soren deciding that he had to sit at the bar. He ate almost his entire meal up there and refused to sit with us. In fact, even when we tried to get his attention he acted as if we were harshing on his scene! After saying goodby to Mark and Tracey and sending them off on their 6 person (including the pilot!) plane, we prepared for the summer countdown.

Soren started school this morning at his new Montessori school. It was bittersweet for me, but I think pretty neat for him. I have to say, I felt a little wierd and empty driving home from the school without him. All those things I wished I could do without a child in-tow seemed silly and unimportant this morning, but I did manage to get some grocery shopping done. I even got to stop and stare at the cosmetics for 10 minutes just 'cause I felt like it. I guess that's a start! The baby will be here in less than 3 months, so I'm determined to use my time wisely and soak it up.

A friend and co-worker of Mike's came over last night and helped me make some really cool business cards, so as soon as the boat arrives with all of our things, massage table included, I will do a little massage work. There's a pretty good network of folks through the bikeshop, so I think I should have some takers right off. My offer still stands: A free massage to any and all who make the trek down to Wellington!

A camping trip is in the works for the Anderson family. Mike also has a big mtn. bike race coming up. Stay tuned!!!

Adventures in Kiwiland: The Male Perspective

The things that make life here in New Zealand so rich for me are probably very different from those that Allison and Soren find appealing.

Obvious, eh?

I'm not pregnant.

I'm not three years old--though I may sometimes act like it.

Take the scene on the streets of Wellington this weekend, for example. It's what the call The Sevens.

Endless rugby at Westpac Stadium downtown, and an endless party. A bit like a big NFL game, though seemingly more complicated by the constant action and the lack of protective wear for the players. American football seems like a sport for the ADHD crowd governed by a bunch of liability lawyers.

But back to the scene here.

Men in flesh coloured (see, I'm already spelling like the locals!) leotards with conspicuous placement of fake black hair. People dressed like trees, Borat, convicts, and other random things, all rushing through the streets to get to the stadium before they imbibe too much to walk.

And then, there's Elvis. I don't even like Elvis. But, this guy is good. Really. Standing in front of one of the local sports apparel stores belting it out. Full volume with full on style like The King.

Soren and I were both dancing in the street.

Which is probably why, when it was all over, Allison was standing fifty yards away.

I've got to figure out a way to post the video that I took of the uniquely Kiwi Elvis, who sang and danced just like the boy from Memphis, but spoke like one of the local blokes when he thanked the crowd. An odd juxtaposition, indeed. Americana meets antipodean camp.

I love it.