The little things make all the difference.

Since moving into my new place, I have been busy, busy, busy. I had a few meetings regarding jobs, some with potential, others with no opportunities for the next few months, and none offering any real income! It has been a wee bit disconcerting and waves of homesickness began to rock me. Fighting the urge to turn the blankie up to full blast and devour all of the heavenly gluten-free dark chocolate brownies I have from Rhubarb, the cafe owned by the couple who boarded me up earlier this week, I instead turned up job-hunting mode to full blast and annihilated some applications for office positions and the like. I woke up this morning still feeling bummed but cheered myself with planning my activities for the day. The weather was forecasted to be less than friendly, and it was -- cold and rainy-- so I decided to finally visit the grand old house across the street called Olveston (see below).

After calling to schedule my tour (they run a tight ship over there) I put in a call to one of the ladies I met with earlier in the week at an independent research firm who handles work in the mental health and intellectually disabled fields. I told her I was open for any of the (volunteer) opportunities and she told me the director had more ideas for me to look into (!!) and that we should meet sometime mid week. Although there is not money involved, this is still a great intro into "softer," more sociological research that I might be working on if I become a Genetic Counselor. Still a Win, I think, despite the fact I have rent to pay. That being said, I have an official temp work day at Rhubarb this upcoming Monday, where I will be , drumroll please, washing dishes for the first time ever! That may not entirely true-- I washed plenty at the Pi Phi house...many of those weren't mine to begin with....and at my last apartment now that I think about it... Sorry, tangent. Yes, this will most likely be different, dirtier, and damp, however it's money in the bank! I may also get to help out with a wine tasting that evening as well. Either way, it is great experience in hospitality, where I currently have ZERO (I am a loyal patron though ;)), which may open up other opportunities. There was just a posting for a new cafe at the Otago museum, which is spitting distance from campus, ie the hub of activity. I am so grateful that I changed seats on the plane to Auckland, haha. I cannot thank Glenda and her clan enough.

Over the past two days I noticed have I have begun to seek out particular items of comfort specifically in case I feel lonely or homesick. Examples would be the above mentioned brownies (microwaved of course), gummy lollies of any kind, fashion mags, this beer I found that I had when I went to London called Old Speckled Hen, MY MACBOOK (seriously my most prized possession), My Lonely Planet guide as it makes everything sound so cheery and cool, etc etc.

I promise I'm not binging myself on candy and beer day and night. With all these uphill treks, my appetite has multiplied.

I definitely didn't realize how much my Macbook and my Mountain Hardware jacket (weird, I know) are so invaluable to me down here. I know everyone wears fleeces at home because they are prepster chic, but they legitimately keep you warm. I should know, since I live on the ground floor (glorified basement with windows) of a century-old house engulfed by the most finicky weather in New Zealand. BTW, I do love my little place, it just is an adjustment from NC. Like, I totally understand why people don't use AC around here, haha. I have never lived in a truly cold place, it really requires a different mind and skill set.

So tonight I've been invited to check out some local NZ music at the Student Union with the daughter of some friends of, you guessed it, Glenda. I am super excited, however I am trying to grunge myself up enough to fit in. My fashion sense is more classic prep with a little funk at times but everyone here is hopelessly hipster, which I deeply envy. I always feel like I can't pull that quirky effortless look off. The fact that I haven't really had access to a nice washer dryer util I moved into my place should help ;) Either way, it'll be dark and no one will care..plus I am just there to hear the music!! Prob won't be like LBLB on Thursdays in Raleigh, but it might just be better. I'll let you know!