good intentions

i've been meaning to do something like a "top ten" of new zealand, but when i finally sat down to make a list i came up with 15 things easily.  so clearly ten is probably a bit of a stretch.  so then i decided that, since it's the new year starting tomorrow, maybe i would do a year in review type thing.  because i know there were times when i didn't really blog, and so i ended up kind of skipping over a few things. 

i'm sure that i have some stories stored in my brain somewhere to share!

random aside: speaking of travelling and stories, i'm reading william least heat-moon's roads to quoz: an american mosey.  even if i hadn't previously read any of his work, i would still love it simply for the title.  and i'd be reading it much faster if stephanie weren't on a chuck kick, watching it on hulu all the time.  (it has adam baldwin, who is also in firefly and serenity playing jayne cobb.  jayne cobb's "cunning" hat is my next knitting project, if i can find someone to teach me how to use circular needles.  and how to sew up my previous knitting project, my "lumberjack" hat.)

urgh.

not even a week in, and i'm totally over ever working in retail/sales for the rest of my life.  also, that song that the store is so famous for plays over the p.a. system about every two minutes.  i have it memorized.  actually, i had it memorized days ago.  now it's just driving me nuts.

but if you have any questions about appliances...

happy holidays!

last night we had our holiday party (good timing too, as far as the weather is concerned).  it was good fun, and we spent a lot of the week making food, decorating and cleaning.  i made mulled wine and a pavlova, both of which got compliments.  i was relieved because the pavlova that i made, did not look quite like i remember pavlovas i've eaten.  meringue is a tricky thing!  we also had a white elephant gift exchange, which is generally hilarious.  the best part was that my mom got confused about two gifts, and my brother ended up picking a gift that was his actual christmas present--not the white elephant gift!  oops! 

i think i will spend the rest of this weekend doing not much at all.  the weather is rather unpleasant with several inches of new snow, and blowing winds.  it's cold.  and on monday, i start my new job selling cabinets and appliances at the midwest's favorite home improvement store.  the one where you can "save big money".  it should be an interesting experience, considering my current lack of knowledge about everything in our department.  except the part where i know how to use some of the things.  yeah, it's going to be a fun couple of weeks coming up!

"the other woman"

since a certain blogger has not posted anything in several months *ahem, stephanie* i have been added as a blogger on spencer list.  i did my first post tonight, and i have a couple more ideas.  even if you don't live in spencer, you should at least check it out. 

booklist

i still haven't done much by the way of working on adding new photo albums, but this evening i did replenish my stockpile of books to read.  the selection at the library here in spencer is a bit hit and miss, but i guess i went in at a good time this evening.  i was able to find a few non-fiction books that look interesting, as well as a couple of mysteries.  so far i have been able to resist dewey.  and i haven't really got any immediate plans to read it.  i feel as though i ought to, though.

(particularly as i was unable not only to resist twilight, but i went with my sister to the film, and i've been picking it up again to re-read certain parts when i'm trying in vain to actually be reading margaret atwood.)

i really wish that they had a better selection of travel books.  in that section, the pickings look fairly slim. 

how i feel about the snow: i wish it'd waited, because that means that grand meander was cancelled last night, and i was looking forward to it.  i wouldn't have minded so much, but it's not really quite right for the outdoor activities i would like to do, like cross-country skiing.  at least i'm gauranteed a white christmas, i guess.

the weather with you

crowded house, anyone?  (they're from new zealand!)  as before, i still miss the sun and surf.  but i'm adjusting somewhat to the idea of having christmas with snow and christmas lights this year*.  last night the parker museum, where my mom works, had an open house.  i helped out in the kitchen (swapping my pjs and slippers for a dress and boots), and had a look around.  the house is covered in christmas decorations, it's very cool.  there are a number of christmas festivities planned around here in the next few weeks, so there's plenty to look forward to.

 

it's so bitterly cold, that every time i go outside, i feel as though the skin on my face is going to fall off. hence the apparel that makes it look as though i'm about to embark on an expedition to the arctic.  or antarctic, take your pick. 

*not adjusting to the whole driving on the right side of the road thing--still looking the wrong way when i cross the street about 80% of the time.  good thing there's not much traffic around here!  and the one time i did drive (about three blocks) it felt strange.  and the blinker is on the opposite side.  d'oh!  it took me ages to get used to it being on the other side!

welcome home!

 

isn't this such a welcoming sight?  the mall of america, taken from the parking lot of ikea!  hooray!  consumerism at it's best!  it was in a way a bit welcoming: it meant that the over 20 hours of flying/sitting in airports was over.  that is probably one of my least favorite activities, even before spending 12 hours cramped in a crowded airplane with hardly any leg room.  (and i'm "average" height!)  i feel fortunate that, even though i had to change my flight the day before, i was still able to get a window seat for the auckland to los angeles leg.

so i've been back a week, but i haven't done an awful lot yet.  we had thanksgiving, which was also a belated birthday celebration for me, and i've been watching episodes of doctor who on youtube.

my sister has been reading my twilight books and doing the same ranting and raving i was, but slightly more eloquently and at great length.  (honestly, everything is vampires or, occaisionally, werewolves with her this last week.)  we've also been to see the film.  so see, it's not just me!  it really is quite addicting, even with all of it's awfulness.  but the film version of bella is easier to stomach, and i absolutely love all of the scenery.

and i don't know what's next, but seriously?  that's what every other person keeps asking me.  i wish i knew, just so i had something to say.  because i can't keep saying "sleep" forever.