Jordandchan

It has now been raining fairly steadily since yesterday afternoon and despite bringing an umbrella to work – the wind didn’t help – my brollie ended up more inside out than in the right way… the city is still beautiful however and it has made me appreciate the thing that we didn’t ever get to see much of back home – the rain I mean. It is no wonder that everything is gorgeous and green with the way its been coming down.We received an email from home the other day with photos of a real beach with real kangaroos – one of the first times we have both felt sad about leaving… but not for long – we went to the markets on the weekend and purchased a lot of home grown and prepared goodies and even managed to culturalise (probably not a real world but describes the experience) ourselves at the arts centre markets where I picked up a few things I needed (well sort of needed – more convinced I needed them as time went on and jordans prodding that I have a job now so I can buy things). Church continues to be an up and down experience but we are feeling a little more at home each week (I think) and our small group of friends seems to be expanding a little which is nice and we have been invited to dinner with some of my work colleagues (they are married and both work here – its cool). Its hard to believe that in a couple of days we will have been here for 4 whole months… crazy stuff.

Well, for a quick update on soccer from the other night…

They only had 4 players in the end, so it was lucky i was there. The game is heaps quicker than futsal, which I am used to, as the field is sorrounded in nets and the ball never goes out. Getting used to the other different rules was a bit interesting, but i mostly have the hang of it now.

Anyhow, we ended up winning 8-4 which was good. And we found out the best thing of all, the sports centre has a bar upstairs overlooking the 3 nets. So we were able to go have a celebratory drink after our victory. Good stuff.

other than barbecued chicken - donuts are the hardest things to come across here in Chch.  its a bit strange that the things that you don’t really mind if they are around, are the ones that you want. we (well me) was never that into donuts back home - the odd krispy kreme was good but a warm cinnamon donut was  even better.  So… after 4 months of sort of a weird craving for them, we found a place that made mini cinnamon donuts…  i was overjoyed to say the least. i guess its just one of those things you get used to seeing around the place, except they arent here, well now there is just one place - but its great :)

i know it sounds trivial - but it sometimes the smallest things that make you feel at home…

I have been thinking a little about being over here and how our lives and those or people we know have changed. I know that in the almost 4 months here we have seen friendships we thought would stay strong, fade a little, and new ones have been forged since our arrival. I guess its all relative really – we know what we are used to – and as a race we are selfish, with time, with money, with each other.We are less enthusiastic at getting in touch with people as we thought and the mundane parts or life still exist no matter where you live, but we are trying – and hopefully those of you who we haven’t kept in great contact with still know that you are important to us and no less special from this far away. Keep reading…

Well after a brief hiatus, and a change of country, I am returning to the soccer field tomorrow night. A few of the guys at Chan’s new work have an indoor team and were quite pleased to hear about a potential goalie. So tomorrow night i will pull on the shinpads and try not to hurt myself.

Its not quite the same as futsal (which i used to play), the field is entirely enclosed and the ball rebounds which apparently, and understanably, makes the game a lot quicker paced. It should be interesting, hopefully i won’t screw up the rules too much.

Off tomorrow night to get a haircut, to add the scare factor.

on receiving an invitation to my 10 year high school reunion i was forced to contemplate a few things - that i actually finished school 10 years ago - and that i am getting old… some of you will be laughing at this but its all relative - believe me…

needless to say it reminds me of the movie Grosse Point Blank which is not only an awesome movie, bur revolves around a school reunion… now im not doing anything exciting like being a hitman (like John Cusack in the movie) but it was pretty cool RSVP-ing to it saying i was no longer in the country…

either way - its a scary monster to contemplate - out of all those people i stay in touch with one… more fuel to my ‘friendships of convenience’ theory… im right again.

Yesterday Jordan and I attended our first open house here in Christchurch. We viewed 3 beautiful townhouses on the outskirts of the city – one of which was almost fully completed and the other 2 very near completion. They were all quite different with one being the stand out one as there were glass sliding doors opening out onto the cutest little courtyard that would hold a BBQ quite well and the master bathroom would be large enough for an indoor soccer game and the ensuite of the main bedroom was very practical, although would benefit from a second shower head (as it runs wall to wall). The kitchen was absolutely amazing and not a far stretch to imagine cooking in it, and a double garage that opens straight into the house. Keep reading…

I’m sitting here watching a delayed telecast of a rugby league game between melbourne and canberra. Its 12:15am, we just watched Australia lose the bledisloe, and itscold, rainy and windy outside.

We had a nice quiet day today, doing lovely mundane domestic things like the grocery shopping and the washing. We think our neighbors have moved out without us noticing, but we’re not really sure.

I managed to delete some vital parts of the website last night. Thankfully it was mostly backed up, so we are up and running again. If you find anything curious happening, that would be why. I’m thinking of changing some things in the coming weeks anyway, so you have been warned.

One final things, a momento of a visit to akaroa last week…

Last night I experienced what would have been one of the best live music performance I have ever seen and the worst display of manners I have ever witnessed. We were at Als bar to watch Liam Finn who is touring to promote his new solo album which – if last night is any indication – will be awesome!  He was accompanied on stage by Jimmy Barnes’ daughter However – the rudeness of the people around us was incredible – the couple next to me talked in every song that was played – im not kidding EVERY ONE!! It was a joke but much to Jords surprise I didn’t have a go at them or lose my temper – I just sat with one hand firmly pressed up against my ear for a while – at one point I thought they had gotten the hint – but I was wrong. But it wasn’t only them – there were pockets of people all over the venue doing the same thing. It was a shame though – the bar was awesome and really lovely. I think it was the first time ever that we didn’t buy a shirt – which was a bit sad but maybe next time. 

All in all a good night with the rain not dampening our spirits. He is very talented and definitely a ‘must buy’

Here’s a funny story :)

Yesterday morning, emma, dan, chan and myself left the house at 4am to head to the airport, in order for emma and dan to get their flight home after a few days with us, and driving around the island. Needless to say we were all pretty bleary-eyed and tired, but they got the hire car dropped off ok, and we all arrived at the airport. When we got inside we checked the departure board and saw the one word you don’t want to see when looking there… Canceled. Keep reading…