So This Is What We Do For Fun... Part II

Autumn has nestled its way well into Wellington these past few weeks and winter will be peaking its chilly head here soon. While Wellington does not get snow in winter (ok, it did snow in Wellington last August, but that was the first time in 40+ years...), those who have Skyped with us recently have commented on our layered garb and constant tea-drinking. Let us note, however, that it's only the inside of our flat that's particularly cold. Outside, it's usually a pretty warm 12°C. Unfortunately, due to a serious lack of insulation or double-glazed windows, we have resorted to bundling ourselves in hoodies and blankets to save on our power bill (which is significantly more expensive here). Saying this, we have continued to play outdoors when the sunshine blesses us with a visit. Like Vancouver, Wellington has a strange way of making you forget that it has just rained for 3 days straight by giving you the most beautiful clear, sunny days.

I've been meaning to post these first pictures for ages! This little knitting project (inspired by the lovely Robyn) was started on the airplane from Vancouver to Auckland, continued as a passenger on our cross-country roadtrip, and finished during my housewife period. I'm somewhat notorious for being a ridiculously slow knitter (i.e. my skanket, anyone?). But seriously, guess what everyone's getting for Christmas? I'm assuming that everyone has iPads... If not, too bad!

Below are also a few snapshots I've been holding onto for whatever reason. Easter long weekend fishing on at Lyall Bay, where the kahawai were seriously hungry. Note the many fishes suntanning on deck (or stuffed into that man's bucket).

After the farmer's market one beautiful Sunday morning, Kevin and I wandered into Te Papa, which is New Zealand's national museum. We meandered through the exhibits, particularly enjoying the gianormous squid and Maori artifacts.

Since we've acquired Sophia the stationwagon (not the llama--I know, disappointed), we have had the luxury of exploring the city heaps more. Two weeks ago Kevin and I took a drive out to Breaker Bay, which is literally a 10 minute drive from our flat. In those 10 minutes we went from city-dwellers to feeling like we were on vacation. These pictures seriously do not do justice to how incredible this beach is. It's funny how the ocean here seems so much bigger and vaster than back home. The roar of the waves goes right to your bones. I think we're both looking forward to spending summer evenings with a bonfire, a few bottles of wine, and some friends.

Last weekend, despite the grey cloudy weather, Kevin, his workmate Nathan, and I went out to Makara Beach for some tramping/geo-caching. For those of you who aren't familiar with geo-caching, it involves using GPS coordinates to play hide-and-seek with containers. Nathan had downloaded a few caches in Makara and, SUCCESS, we found all three! I was really hoping for some gold chocolate pirate coins or something, as the whole process kind of felt like Easter egg hunting for grown-ups. Unfortunately, there was no candy, but we still had a blast. Plus, the view didn't hurt!

And of course I need to leave you with clearly the most important part of the whole tramping/geo-caching adventure... SHEEPS! Probably my most favourite animal ever (those of you who know me well have been introduced once or twice to Butt-Lambie), it took all my might not to go run and hug them. Next time you sheeps, next time...

Baah!

Gettin' Paid

I hope all you little kitties had a wonderful long weekend and a family-and-friends-filled Easter holiday. Kevin had four days off, but since we don't have a vehicle just yet, we spent the weekend in the city. We did, however, get up to some fun: fishing, fish eating, salsa-making, bike riding (popping a tire was not actually fun), farmer's market-ing, swimming, yoga-ing, surfboard buying, sangria-making, sangria-drinking, and all around lounging and relaxing in the beautiful sunny weather. Photos to come soon, but here's a sneak-peek!

Fishing at Lyall Bay

But before the weekend arrived, on Thursday afternoon, I received a job offer! Yay! As of Friday, I will officially be an Addictions Counsellor!!! I have been hired by an NGO called CareNZ, and have been placed in an office just outside the city in a neighbourhood called Lower Hutt. Essentially what I'll be doing is running intensive outpatient group therapy sessions and doing individual intakes, assessments, and follow-ups for group participants. This is a HUGE step for me! When I went in yesterday to sign the contract and get a bit more info about the position, every person I was introduced to laughed and wished me good luck when my boss told them where I'd be working. She then sat me down to explain that this office is "a little run-down, extremely disorganized" and helps clients that are from much lower socioeconomic statuses, have a lot of gang affiliation, and are likely at a higher risk of violence to themselves and others. I think she used the word challenging... Now, for most people (like Kevin), their first reaction is "WTF?!? Why would she put you there?" And naturally, I'm ridiculously excited about this opportunity and see it as an incredible learning endeavour. And hey! This is the first job I've ever had working Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 5:00. Can't complain!

Beautiful and strange sunset at Mt Victoria

It's funny how things work out--I likely applied to 60+ jobs over the past six weeks, with only two of them being anywhere near relevant to my education and experience. Day after day, I was receiving rejection emails, which gets a little discouraging when it doesn't seem to stop. This worked out smoother than I ever could have imagined and I can see myself being very happy in this role. Although, I hate to inform our friends and family back home in Canada... Kevin has his dream job. I just got my dream job. Can you put the pieces together? I think some of you guys'll have to book some flights out here...

So This Is What We Do For Fun... Part I

It rained today, all day. And while I do realize that, yes, this is the first rain we have seen in two full weeks of clear skies and sunshine, I still feel warranted in my complaints. It has also provided me with some inspiration to share with you some of the fun we've been having now that Wellington is home.

A few weeks back, Kevin and I went to a Wellington Phoenix footie (or soccer, or football) game. Up to this point, Wellington has reminded me a lot of Vancouver, or San Fran. But it wasn't until I attended a sporting event did I realize how small this city really is. The Canucks are averaging 19000 fans in attendance per game this year. The Lions, 28600. The Whitecaps, 20800. In a city that takes sports pretty seriously (and by sports I mean rugby, soccer, and cricket), I came to terms that we are living in a pretty darn small city when there were less than 7500 people in attendance at the game. I'm sure that when the All Blacks come to town, there will be a much bigger turn-out, but... really? 7500? That's cute.

In their defence, we were sitting on the more crowded side of the stadium than these photos depict... Oh, and we won! 

After Kevin's knee surgery last year, he started actively swimming at the Y. Then he became acquainted with  Chris, one half of one of the most wonderful twosomes that exist (ILU Jen!). The story goes, boy meets boy, both boys like sports, boys play sports together all the time. Chris is a triathlete and has a pool in his apartment, and the two boys spent many a man-date splish-splashing around together. Once we got settled in Welly, we learned that a) memberships to the pool are quite pricey here, b) EVERYONE in Wellington is pretty much a triathlete, and c) the ocean is right at our doorstep. So Kevin thought it wise to invest in a wetsuit instead of a pool membership. And by wetsuit, I clearly mean batman suit. I haven't partaken in this activity (Chris, Kevin is very lonely in the water without you), but I am more than happy to come down to the beach, read a book, soak in the rays, and snap some photos of very own Bruce Wayne.

Speaking of water sports, considering we live a mere 2 km away from the best surf spot in town, we saw it only fitting that we give it a whirl. Since neither of us had ever tried surfing before, we (more, I) thought it wise we take surf lessons for the first go. It goes without saying that Kevin was a natural, as he is at every sport he does, and stood up on his first try. I, on the other hand, needed a bit more practice, but was able stand consistently after my 6th or 7th shot.

And we're hooked! *Sigh*, yet another expensive activity to invest in. How many toys is too many toys? Stay tuned for Part II, for more fun things that we do here in Aotearoa, or more commonly known as, the country of "the long white cloud". Cheerio!