Spring has Sprung

Many positive developments have been going on down here! First, the weather has been steadily improving; we hit 14 degrees on Saturday! I was actually able to haul out the Rainbows and shorts and hit the beach. Not quite bikini weather, but I'll take what I can get.

Secondly, I have landed a position with the University temping agency filling in for clerical and secretarial positions. I've been quite busy at the cafe as well, though I am not sure how much longer I'll be needed. I have been working through different scenarios (since the world is my oyster and all that) to occupy the slow months of December and January, when the students leave Dunedin, as well as other countries to visit before I leave this part of the world. I am considering heading to the super hot (I'll believe it when I feel it) Central Otago for fruit/vineyard related work or maybe picking up holiday work in Dunedin and/or going to visit a friend in Paihia (Bay of Islands) area. One of G's family members spends a lot of time in Malaysia, and she has two sons living in OZ, so I may zip over there as well. Decisions, decisions...I will be consulting the stack of tourist guides to see what sights there are to see before choosing.

I am in the process of signing on to a new flat as well, with several 4th year and post grads. I am quite excited about this, though the flat is in a larger, and seemingly older looking, house. I'd rather have the company of flatmates than the "swanky" place I have now. The new place is only a block or so away, so it is basically in the same area.

This past weekend was the long Labour holiday weekend (first sign of summer!) and I spent it working, swimming, and meeting the majority of the Tan family at Glenda's mom's 90th bday party. They were all lovely, and so welcoming, I truly feel I have known these people forever, haha. While bumming around the Farmer's Market this weekend, I spotted the perfect thing to give these Kiwi's a taste of the South I know best-- a pork shoulder. Before I left NC, I was perfecting my at-home pulled pork recipe, so I tried my hand at a NZ version and served it to everyone- seriously like, 10 people, as an NZ entree (aka appetizer; an American entree is called "main" in NZ). I was kinda nervous, especially because I misread the oven and set it at 350 degrees Celsius (!), thinking it was Fahrenheit. Luckily, it was only in there for 40 minutes. I realized what was going on and let the meat sit for 2 hours, reabsorbing the juices it lost. Despite that near-disaster, it was a hit! Next time I'll make some hush puppies and 'slaw to give them the full experience.

Hopefully will be posting some pics soon-- weather permitting I'll be doing some scenic walks with Ashley (a girl from SC who works at Rhubarb) later this week. I'm trying to get out to the Otago Peninsula as well, where the sea lions hang out! On my list of To Do is the Speight's brewery tour and Cadbury factory, both stationed here in Dunedin. So much to do so little time :)

XOXO from NZ