So I Think I Can Dance

I thought some of you might like to see me gettin' my grove on at the Ball...








And here is a picture of me and Deby at the Ball...this was all her BRAINCHILD!! She is so incredibly talented and creating parties. I am not sure I have seen anyone else quite like her. Her talents and abilities go far beyond just having a party. She creates experiences for people, offering them so much more than just a night, but a memory. Her gift she gives the world is needed and SO valuable...



Here is one of Michelle, Jared, me and Hayley (she helped put the Ball on...she did so much work!!!)

I secretly LOVE country music

I know, I know, some of you may never read my blog again, but it is true. I have had to expand my music here, mostly because so many friends here love music and my friend at work wants me to have an "encounter with music like he did." :)

But tonight I have to say that I just love me some old fashion good country music. My LA roommate always used to say that a country music song is like a mini movie. It is so true...

I had a pretty homesick week last week, and I found myself telling stories from CA a lot. Luckily I have some good friends here that let me tell them over and over again. On Monday I was telling her about one of my favorite Dad memories....

A couple of years ago my Dad took me out to dinner at this yummy steak place, then we went and saw a movie--I don't remember what it was, it was just the fact that we were doing it together, then we went and got a hot chocolate at Startbucks. On the way back to the car he smiled at me and said, "Steak dinner: $60. Movies: $30 Starbucks: $10 Night with my daughter: priceless"

There are dad's that really say that stuff...and I have ONE OF THEM!! Seriously I have the best dad in the world (note: my MOM is amazing too...wait until I get the package she is sending and you will see a blog about how she cares about the little details not just for me but for the people I love...)

I am listening the Tim McGraw song: My little girl. (I have listened to it quite a few times in a row tonight...) It is a song that seems to be written for my dad to give to me. And one day while I was living in LA he sent me the CD and a sweet note that said that 13 is from me to you....the song is amazing...here are some of my favorite lines:

Verse 1:
Gotta hold on easy as I let you go.
Gonna tell you how much I love you,
though you think you already know.
I remember I thought you looked like an angel wrapped in pink so soft and warm.
You've had me wrapped around your finger since the day you were born.

Chorus:
Your beautiful baby from the outside in.
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.
Go on, take on this whole world.
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl.

Verse 3:
Someday, some boy will come and ask me for your hand.
But I won't say "yes" to him unless I know, he's the half
that makes you whole, he has a poet's soul, and the heart of a man's man.
I know he'll say that he's in love.
But between you and me. He won't be good enough!

The chorus is incredible and the way that my Dad (and mom) have always treated me. I am able to traipse all over the world because I know that I can always come back to their home.

And who couldn't like that last verse....such a dad thing...and I LOVE IT!!!


Dad I love you so much and miss you, miss our quick cell phone chats, miss getting to call you crying because I think I am not saving for my financial future, miss knowing that you will take care of my car and all the details that overwhelm me...
Thank you for being such a great role model and teaching me that I was valuable and adored. I love you!

always your pumpkin

Back in WW!!

Well...I finally decided to actually go back to Weight Watcher--and GO TO THE MEETINGS, a couple of weeks ago. I forgot how much I LOVE this culture. I walked in the door and felt at ease!! I really loved working at Weight Watchers and just being a part of the environment. It was the highlight of my week in LA. I was very lucky and worked with one of the BEST leaders at WW--Lori is one of my close friends now that always has an encouraging word for me and ALWAYS made me laugh on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings--which, by the way our Saturday mornings started at 6:45AM!! And on Saturdays I got to work with Darryl, who was the most energetic leader I know! He was amazing at inspiring everyone who walked through the doors.

Each day I worked there I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I felt like over and over I was doing what I was made to do. It might not have been my dream job, but when you are using your talents and abilities you can't help but to feel satisfied and fulfilled. Each week I had the chance to smile at people, trying to make them feel at ease when they walked into a very vulnerable situation, I got to encourage them, track their success, and do it all really really fast! It was the perfect job!!!

I forgot just how much I loved it until I walked in the door a few weeks ago. I just felt at ease and at home! And now I am helping them each week (just volunteering) while I am here in NZ. Today I got to weigh people in and I was so happy. I left with so much energy--even after getting home from the Ball at 2am Saturday night and up at 7 on Sunday morning, then going to bed after 1 last night and up at 7 again....I wasn't tired at all! It was like I took an energy drug, but really I just did something that helped me serve other people and it gave me SO much life!

Today was a breakfast for Breast Cancer Awareness month (hence why they are all in pink...I forgot to wear pink--GUTTED--I LOVE PINK!) These are the awesome ladies I work with on Monday mornings!

Only in New Zealand (part 9)

What the heck! Do you see that?!!! I saw this when I was shopping with Michelle tonight and she stopped me and said "Really...who is going to pay $58 for cheese?!" It got better when I noticed the price of the cheese beside it...$75---WHAT THE HECK?! $75 for cheese...I know that cheese is good...but seriously??

But I really started laughing when I saw this picture....this is the "ON SPECIAL" price!!!



OH Man! Only in NZ!

Masquerade Ball

I went to my first Ball in NZ last night!!! It is kind of like a prom...but not for high school kids. There was lots of dancing and you guys would not believe me if I told you how much I danced...I am not sure what happened to me, but i actually liked it!! In fact I am glad that I did not use my video recording function on my digital camera....let's just say what happened on the dance floor should stay on the dance floor!! Though there are some compromising pictures of me on some people's camera....let's hope they stay on their camera and don't go floating around!

The best part for me was the getting all dressed up and doing fun things with our hair and make up. I got ready at Michelle's and we did fun stuff with Mac make up and curled our hair--as you do when you go to a ball!

Here is me and Michelle...Pre Ball--no masks yet, but in our dresses that were GREAT deals! Mine was only $20 and hers was only $30!!!



Nichole, Shanny, and Danielle you would be so proud of my smokey eyes! I went on you tube and found a "smokey eyes tutorial" -- I know, so nerdy! But Nichole told me that would be the easiest way for me to see how to do it. And she was right! I got compliments all night on my smokey eyes! Thanks Nichole



And look how cute Katie's and Bek's "masks" are! They avoided the hot sweaty feeling I had under my mask...So CREATIVE!



And here are some good friends, Steve and Merryn, that I always have a GOOD time with in NZ. Tonight was NO different. You should have seen our old school dance moves on the floor! They were "Julieanne Qualls Material!"



Then there was Uncle Neville and Auntie Ali...What can you say to that? They always go all out!!! But my most favorite part of their outfits was how EXCITED Uncle Neville got about the feathers on his mask. Apparently, him and his mates spend $15 for a small amount of those feathers on his mask to make fly fishing things...and he got his whole mask for $2...he was in fisherman heaven!



All in all it was a fun night!

I LOVE KIVA

A few months ago I blogged about Kiva.org. I just found out that one of my two people that I loaned money too was able to pay back their loan in full, and has an up and running business where the profits are all going to him and his family.

What an incredible feeling they must have to have worked hard, paid back their loan, and now get to take their businesses to new levels. It was so fun, so easy, and took no time and not much money to help change someones legacy they can now leave their family. The coolest part is that once your loan is paid back you have the money you originally loaned back in your account. You can withdraw it or you can re loan to someone else. It is SO fun and kind of addicting....just to warn you!

If you haven't checked it out yet, give it a try. I also added their blog to my "blogs I love" list.

How cool would it be if you and your family or your group of friends decided to focus on one country and loan money together through Kiva, and saw people's lives change forever by your couple of dollars. What could happen???

Only in New Zealand (part 8)

So did you know that they make shirts with WOOL in them? I sure didn't!!

I have been FREEZING here in NZ. I feel like I can't get warm. Now some of that has to do with the fact that there is NO central heating in NZ at all!!! Yikes that means that when you expect to walk in a warm house, restaurant, or business it is NOT warm. It is about the temp outside or colder...What in the world?

A few weeks ago people started saying you aren't wearing any wool. I was so confused and I had it with being the dumb American that didn't know something else. And I thought, of course I am not wearing a wool sweater... I would be freezing, yet again and then once again they would say you are so cold, you don't have a wool on. Most times they would point to their long sleeve shirt. I kept thinking, "Got it. I have one of those on too and it is not keeping me warm at all!" While at the same time thinking "they aren't wearing a wool sweater so why do they keep saying I need wool on?"

Well, yesterday my life changed forever! And now I think I will make it through the winter here. I was complimenting Ali's cool top and she said, "and it's wool."

WAIT BACK UP! WHAT?!? She saw my confused face and then I just asked the question: "What? That is wool?"

And in that moment she realized I had no idea what they had been talking about for the last three weeks. She was so wonderful and explained to me that the shirts they were all wearing were wool. It blew my whole idea of what I thought wool was out of the water. She sweetly told me where to go buy some shirts. (thanks MOM & DAD!)

It really did change my life....they are just thin little shirts that made me the happiest (and warmest) girl in NZ.

Who knew...wool shirts????

Funny how if I would have just asked the question I would have been warm, but hey what do you do?

Impacts Sometimes Hurt

I had the coolest and strangest thing happen tonight. I was sitting in a bar after a great concert tonight by these cool guys that don't go to church but agreed to play a gig at ours this week. They said it was pretty risky for them to do it and felt quite nervous. They were INCREDIBLE and our crowd loved them. In fact it was one of the most alive moments that I have seen the group I hang with be since I have been in NZ.

As I was sitting there listening to them talk about the song they were the most nervous about playing because of what it meant and especially because of the lyrics "religion might be the thing that destroys the world" I thought of the risk they take to expose their inner wrestling of big issues like faith and hope and love. See these guys grew up in Ireland, and when you watch 1000's of people die because of two different religions it is hard to think anything that is at all connected to religion is good. There is no connection between faith and anything hopeful or loving, but yet these guys are grappling with how to make sense of this world and are courageous enough to put their heart on the line and share it with the world.

The truth is Christianity is connected to religion in most people's eyes. Whether it is a religion or not is kind of irregardless, because to most people they equate Christian with religion (or one of the religions to choose from). It was so interesting to talk to these guys and have them teach us so much tonight. They modeled risk, not only in their music since like great artist and song writers do, they wrote from a very real place in their soul. But they also risked by walking into a place that does not share their beliefs or faith and opened up to us. And out of that place they made a huge impact on me. There was no pretense, just an expression of what they saw in the world and how they are grappling with it all. Ironically, want to know what the chours of the song that the above lyric was from? "Freedom is Coming."

I felt as if they were speaking into the future based on what they saw in the present. Religion couldn't be it for them. There had to be more. And as they expressed authenticity, I came face to face with humanity and God all at once. What do I really believe? What do I really care about? Not what do I say I care about, but what really moves me to action? What really makes me wrestle with life? And what hope do I really see? I felt honored to learn from a band what HOPE was. They were a voice of hope in a generation that is searching for something bigger than themselves.

Making an impact is one of the greatest rushes possible. To see that your words, song, or life can make a difference in someone's life or in the life of a group of people or city or nation goes beyond what words can express. It has been a long few weeks for me here in New Zealand. The last few weeks I feel like I have had the last few months catch up with me. As I have lived my life here there have been many moments that I have stepped in land mines that I didn't know existed. I wasn't looking for them, but simply found them as I did things that seemed super normal to me. But what seemed normal and the only way I knew to live life, ended up exposing greater things all around me and in me.

I decided that making an impact isn't alway that fun. In my head an impact is a moment of encouraging someone, telling them how great they are, changing their world because you called out their greatness. But the truth is that sometimes an impact hurts. When something makes an impact on something else both objects are usually changed. In my head, an impact has always been a positive experience. I know, maybe a bit naive, but very true for me. This week I was reminded that impacts hurt and aren't always the most fun. But tonight as this sweet girl came and talked to me I had to smile internally at our conversation. One of my least stellar moments I blogged about a few weeks ago came around again tonight. And out of that moment, I had this girl come to me tonight and model great humility and say to me that though she thought I was CRAZY and wrong a few weeks ago, she was so thankful that I said and did what I did that week. She went on to share her journey with learning to love people that weren't like her and see beyond herself. She ended by saying I am so glad that you didn't go back to CA yet, and that you were here to say the things you did.

I laugh to myself, as I walk away, thinking "huh, if only she could have seen me leave that night." (if we recall I cried a lot, ate A LOT of ice cream and cried some with Michelle more than once over the next few days) I walked away devastated and so upset at the situation and myself that night And ironically, after that night I walked into situation after situation where I just seemed to upset people either by what I said, challenged them on or just by something I simply did. Living a life of risk and caring about things bigger than yourself seems awfully glamorous. In fact, I dreamed of living a life like that. What I didn't dream of was getting in my car crying wondering why I came to NZ. Leaving a group of people wondering why I am here? Doing my job and upsetting person after person and thinking is this really worth it? I tend to not think of what hard parts might come along with "living a life that impacts others" and at the same time I tend to forget the hard parts of times when I have seen people impacted. Some call it denial some call it a positive spirit...let's go with positive spirit.

I want to make an impact, but I want to make impact after a positive and encouraging experience. But that just isn't always reality. My heart is tender and as thick as skin as I have developed over the years thanks to my dad and years of working with people, it will always be tender. No matter how good I might know it is to say or do something, when I know it has upset another person...even if I believe it will lead to a greater good, I walk away usually at one point with tears in my eyes. These are the moments I wonder why does God use me? There are so many stronger people out there that won't end up in tears and all worked up, but will logically be able to see the impact will be good eventually, even if it is not seen now. I am just not one of those people. I might tell myself that in my head, but my heart takes a few days to catch up with that.

I hope that I can live a life like the band I hung out with tonight. Their goal isn't making an impact, their goal simply is to express what is going on in their hearts, minds and soul. Their courage is HUGE trusting that what is in them will be used in someone's life. I want to have that courage...trusting that my part is authentically wrestling through life's hard realities and sharing that with others. My job isn't making an impact, but maybe my job is making sure that when an impact is made on me I receive it and allow it to change me forever. Out of that place maybe, just maybe others will be changed, not by my desire to make an impact, but by the authenticity of a human soul that has encountered God and humanity.

My Life Showed Up in a Package

Two of my favorite people in the world, Kimberly and Holly, sent me 27 Dresses in the mail this week!!!! I was so excited I was dancing around the house. If you keep up on my blog you know that I not only loved this movie....and saw it 2 times in the movie theater, but it is the story of my life! Complete with my issues and all :)

I was just looking in my friend Jared's DVD store the day before and saw that this movie isn't even coming out on DVD for another couple of months and I whined about how bad I wanted it. Then Wednesday night I got home late after a VERY long week to a great package from Kimberly and Holly. I thought I had died and gone to heaven!!!

It was one of the best surprises I have got and one I never guessed! They also sent me a VERY cool book on Product Red created by Bono and Bobby Shriver to help create awareness for HIV/AIDS in Africa. I was so moved by this whole project and went out that day and bought an Inspi(RED) hoodie. I am amazed at what Bono has done with his influence and his creativity. He inspires me, because not only is he the most talented music artist, he is actively serving humanity. He has maximized his influence. And for me this is even more dear to my heart. You see I have traveled to Africa and seen some of the devastation up close that AIDS/HIV has caused. More than that though, I am going to have a new little niece or nephew from Ethiopia in the next year!!! One of my best friends, and roommate from college, is adopting from Ethiopia. This is something that I have seen her dream of since I met her 14 years ago (YIKES has it really been that long since we started college?!)

If you haven't checked out any of the Product Red stuff, take the time to do it. You won't be disappointed!!

So Kimberly and Holly sent me a gift that seem to be my life in a package: A Movie I LOVE & A Movement that inspires my life!

Thank you KIMBERLY AND HOLLY!!!!! I NEEDED to get that package on that day this week! You two are wonderful!!

I LOVE YOU BOTH!!!!

Happy Birthday JACOB!!!!

Dear Jacob,

Auntie Dana Loves you so much!!! I wish I could be at your birthday today, but since I am far away in New Zealand I wanted to send you this special message....



I LOVE you SOOO much and can't wait to hear how your special day goes!! You are AMAZING Jacob, full of life and creativity. I love to see all the things that you make and all the fun ideas of pretend that you have fun doing. Your imagination is one of my favorite things that Mommy tells me about you.

Let me know all about your birthday!

I love you!!!

Love,

Auntie Dana

The Gas Gods Are Wreaking Havoc

Okay so I gather from some of your emails and blogs that gas prices are out of control in the States....and I know that Memorial Day is coming which seems to release the Gas Gods, to set gas prices at the all time high for the year.  

But let me give you a little perspective

$1.84

A liter

That means

$7.36

A Gallon

YIKES!!!!   

So when you fill up your tank remember:  "it could be worse I could be in a small country at the bottom of the world getting gas right now."

Enjoy the summer sun...no summer sun for me  :(

Fun with Coffee

While I never drank coffee in the states, I can't say that is true here...I actually will drink a Machachino every so often here--what is that you ask?  Chocolate, milk, and a little bit of coffee.  So when I ran across this fun little site I thought you might enjoy it as well.  

I won't tell you that the oracle called me high maintenance...which is ironic since I never usually get coffee!  But what do you do?

My life is a like a Chocolate Chip Muffin from Costco

For those of you in the States, you know those yummy muffins that are HUGE that come in the massive pack at Costco? Those scrumptious muffins that are blueberry, banana nut, poppy seed, and the best of all--CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHIP, you know the ones. (If you do Weight Watchers...the ones that have more than your daily point allowance...those ones) They are at every function that has a morning breakfast time or a snack time.

I mean look how happy this lady looks as she presents the muffins...oh man just seeing them makes my mouth water!



But here is the thing are the chocolate chocolate chip ones really breakfast? Or are the a dessert? Or are they just a snack? They seem a bit too chocolately (if that is even possible that something can be too chocolately) for breakfast, yet muffins are a breakfast food.

My life kind of feels like a chocolate Costco muffin this week. I had two friend here from LA and while it was so good to see them and hear American accents, I felt this odd sensation that I no longer fit in either world, yet I fit in both worlds. As much as I love my family and friends at home, I realized how at home I feel in NZ. It has drawn the best out of me at every turn. I love my pace of life, my attitude, my contribution, and my friends here. But there is still a bit of unsettling. I don't see myself going back to the States right now. But it is not entirely my choice to stay in NZ--it is up to immigration at the end of the day. I know, that if it is supposed to work out it will, but it still leaves me with this odd feeling that I am not sure which place I fit. I am an American and I really like being an American (especially as the Olympics approach..I am getting ready to cheer for the Red, White & Blue). But I love being in NZ and living with Kiwi's (exactly why I will be cheering just as much for NZ in the Olympics!).

Here is the the thing though...I am like those delectable muffins. I fit in as a breakfast food because muffins area breakfast food, but when someone wants one for a snack it is perfectly alright to grab one and have one. I fit in as an American because that is who I am, but I kind of want to be a "snack" too--I want to stay and live in NZ for awhile. But someone has the right to tell me, nope you aren't a snack food you are just a breakfast food...head back to the morning food section not the snack food section.

The funny thing is I am not totally sure what I actually want at the end of the day either. I love being here and love this culture and feel very at home, but there are little things that can flip me out...such as what about all my Christmas decorations in storage? I won't get to put those up. What about all my cute bedding that I have in storage? What about missing 4th of July the way I know it? What about Thanksgiving? I know there are answers to all of these things, but these are things that make me say "which am I? A breakfast food or a snack?" 

And maybe at the end of the day I am both. What does that look like? Who knows? And who cares? Because when you actually eat that muffin you really don't care if it is classified as a breakfast food or a snack (or that it is a million points). You just enjoy it thanking God that he made chocolate...and Costco.

Netball is not like Basketball

Why is this a true statement? Is it because you can't run with the ball in Netball? Nope not really. Is it because you literally stop dead in your tracks when you catch the ball and try to get rid of it as fast as you can? Kind of, but that isn't it. Is it because you only have two people on the court that can shoot the ball (in indoor netball that is)? No, not even that. Is it because there is no backboard?! No--but seriously that is so much harder. Is it because if you hit someone or make a body contact the game stops and you then stand next to your opponent while they shoot or pass? Nope, but I did frustrate the ref when I did that and had no idea what he meant when he said "stand next to her." Huh? It was almost like getting sent to the corner, but you were next to the person. Is it because you have to stand a meter away from the person when the shoot? No it isn't quite that, but let me say this...everything is just more chill in this country, even a "fast pace" sport is not as frantic and chaotic.

So why is not like basketball? I was actually ok at it....I am SO not good at basketball, but I walked in the gym...which always makes me feel a little bit like coming home, since I grew up in a sports family and spent most of my childhood in a gym, I realized this was my first look at netball. It made no sense to me, and there were all these rules I just wasn't getting. Then they put me in the game. (which is actually the best way for me to learn anything) I actually picked it up kind of fast because the main premise is get the ball and pass it. I wasn't a shooter so I didn't have to worry about anything except getting it down the court or stopping it from getting it down the court. Not a whole lot of coordination was necessary for me...I caught the ball and didn't have to dribble, just had to pass it away.

I did laugh a little at how odd it is to be in such different cultures. There were so many rules that I just missed, I tried to intuitively figure out what those rules were so I didn't violate any of them. I wonder how often people enter my worlds that I am a part of and do the same thing. There were new phrases I didn't really understand, there were hand gestures that I didn't get, but I did realize the consequence--the game stopped and the ball went to the other team. You feel a bit dumb because you just don't know what you are doing. I am not a big fan of that feeling, but since I have lived in a different culture for 4 months I am aware that it is sometimes just a part of every day life. I can't say I like it now, but I am used to it. I don't talk about how much I feel it in NZ, but I feel it on a daily basis. There are just so many little things that we do that are unspoken rules of any group we are a part of...there is nothing wrong with that. The reality though is it can make people feel inferior or make people withdraw and we end up not seeing their best, not because they aren't amazing, but because they feel less than or "not on their game." I have such a high value for the human potential. I think that there is greatness in each of us. So a simple thing like not knowing you don't give pedastrians the right away (so bizarre to remember that one) can actually hinder someone's best. It is weird to think about it like that. But an act that has seemingly little to do with someone's greatness can affect their courage and their self confidence. It might not be this concrete, but it is there. When you feel dumb in one area, why would you risk feeling dumb in another...even if it is what you are created to do and what you are amazing at doing?

The challenge for me because two fold. One, simply is to be a self led person. Becoming self aware that I am allowing a simple cultural rule dictate my confidence helps me get past that and focus once again on what I am good at, what I can use within myself to better humanity. But even beyond that, and more importantly, it reminds me that the sub-cultures a part of my daily life must be monitored. Any group of people forms a sub culture--we have language or gestures that we put meaning to that to any outsider might not get the same meaning. If I really want to be someone that loves people and values the human heart and potential, I must be aware of this. Do I leave my subcultures? No, that is impossible, but I do stop and realize an important lesson: Life must not be about me. I know, I know, we learn that in kindergarten, but do I really get it? When life becomes about me, I stop thinking about how others might feel when they come into my group of friends. I stop considering how it feels to be new in a group of people. I look the other way when I tell a story with so many past reference and jokes, not really caring that someone doesn't get it in the group.

That is not who I want to be...I want to be someone that creates space for people to enjoy being included. Inclusiveness is the biggest gift you can give a human soul. It translates into acceptance. And when I feel accepted something in me changes. Courage rises up, I am free to not hide, I see others more than myself. This is the kind of person I hope to be...

Funny how a game of netball can land me in such a deep discussion. But I guess in the end it is probably the biggest reminder of all to me...do things that you aren't comfortable doing. It is a catalyst to help you care more about humanity. What would happen if we truly cared about humanity...even just for one day?

I love ZANE & AUDREY

I walked out my door yesterday and what was there? An AMAZING package from the Reynolds!!!



There was such cool stuff in there which made me feel so valued! The kids made me tons of pictures and the card Zane made me was so awesome!!! Audrey drew me so many great pictures that made me smile huge. There was fun stuff to help me relax and my favorite thing....the dress that Zane picked out for me!




Thank you guys!!! I love you so much!!!

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Today is May 5th in NZ...but in the States it is May 4th. Which isn't that big of a deal, but my computer is registered in the States so it is on U.S. time. Still not that big of a deal, but when I post it puts the date it is in the States at that particular time. So when I say Happy Cinco de Mayo...I realize that the date directly below it is May 4th, gutted.

I realized it was Cinco de Mayo today and got a HUGE grin on my face. I am not sure why I LOVE this holiday so much. Maybe because I grew up with so many friends from Mexico, maybe because I LOVE Mexican food, maybe because it was always a party in our class at school growing up...who knows? I just love it. I text my friend Michelle today, wishing her a Happy Cinco de Mayo and had to explain what it was. Then realized I wasn't quite sure what it was. I told her it was not Mexican Independence day, I knew that much. And I said I think it was a huge battle that Mexico won (I looked it up and I was right...good job CA school systems!), but irregardless you MUST eat Mexican on Cinco de Mayo...and if possible you must also have a pinata...



So to all of you in the States please go eat Mexican, if for nothing else do it for me. There isn't really Mexican food here...nice attempts but not quite El Mariachi's in Redding.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

NZ Music Month Might have Made Me like Music...

It is NZ Music Month--they dedicate the whole month of May to only NZ artists. There are shows everywhere, only NZ artists are played on the radio, and the hype around music is at an all time high. And for me today I kind of had a music breakthrough...maybe. I just got home from a concert (we called them shows in LA...when you are in a small bar it just doesn't seem like a concert to me, but since I am in NZ, I say what they say) My friends all here LOVE music and going to concerts. It reminds me of my summer in Riverside. I went to so many shows, having Dan teach me about music so I wasn't too lame. I just have never been that into music. I announced one night at dinner after being asked what my style of music was, "I don't really like music." It was like I had just said I hate your mom. All my friends froze...I guess I should have figured that was a dumb comment since we were having dinner after a band practice.

I am always up for hanging out, so I love going with my friends I am just not always entertained like they are. But tonight it was well worth my $10. (and it was wonderful not to have to fight for parking, pay for parking, and have a 2 drink min...it made me really not miss LA tonight...LA friends, yes. LA traffic, no!) While I was completely enjoying myself I did feel a tiny bit guilty thinking how much Moni and Kimberly would be loving this moment, so I tried extra hard to enjoy it for them.

I heard two bands. The first was Luke Thompson. He was really good, and I will actually being going to his concert later this month, too. He is kind of a mix between John Mayer and Jack Johnson.


Bruce Conlon was the last band up, and he was really good, too...I am not sure what is happening to me, but maybe I do like music after all. He did cover, Kelly Clarkson--Since You've Been Gone, which was rather funny, but he was great. He was very nostalgic for my friends because he was in a band for 10 years here that they all loved. This is his first solo album, so it was fun to listen to my friends talk about some of their favorite moments of music gone past.



I also listened to this new band my friend Scott told me about--VHS Or Beta (can you believe it Moni?) It is a great band, too. I feel like I had a slight music breakthrough....but for me a slight breakthrough is good.

So, all in all, I had a lot of music today and it is only May 3rd....what is going to happen to me by the end of May?

Netball--NO . Cops and Robbers--YES!!

So, netball was a no-go.  We all got there ready to school the other team (well...maybe they could do that and I could cheer them on), but when we got to the Sports Center we wondered why there were no other teams there.  Apparently we had the wrong venue!  And the place we were supposed to be at was on the other side of town.  Seeing it was 5:20 when we realized that, and our game was at 5:30 we decided to forfeit.  GUTTED!  I spent all afternoon being nervous for no reason...

But we of course to pictures to document our team!

(Notice I am not quite sure what I am doing...)

Luckily there was a game of Cops and Robbers scheduled for that night, so I wasn't too disappointed because I still had something fun to look forward too.  I haven't played cops and robbers for years.  The premise of the game:  there are tons of "robbers" dropped in one point of the town and they are all trying to get to particular checkpoints, and end up at the designated destination.  At the same time there are "cops" that are chasing the "robbers" around town.  The object: DON'T GET CAUGHT.  Here is a pre Cops and Robbers pictures with my friends, Mark, Aaron, Michelle and Jared.  Aaron is Jared and Mark's cousin from Canada.  It was his last night in NZ and we decided to play Cops and Robbers for his farewell.  I am going to miss Aaron because we fondly referred to each other as Team North America--so now I am the lone member of Team North America.

Jared and I were the last one on our team left.  We ran, hid in bushes, ran some more, darted across streets, ran some more...never getting caught.  Though we didn't win because they called the game at 10:30 and we weren't quite home yet (so close, but not home...only 3 blocks away).  I was pretty proud that I kept up with Jared and that I didn't get caught.  

So though, netball didn't happen--I was okay since I didn't ever get caught at cops and robbers!