Hi wonderful people,
Traveler and I would like to extend an invitation to join us for Christmas Eve dinner. If you actually know us in real life, please let us know if you would like to join us for a dinner round our holiday table by noon on the 23rd.
You do not need to bring anything, although a ribbon or something to add to the somewhat sparse tree would be welcome.
Peace and Joy to all,
Shannon & Traveler
Although a huge part of my heart is longing to be home with my family and friends in Oregon who are enjoying a white Chirstmas and a bit of extra time off from school,
I also am enjoying the signs that Christmas is coming to Wellington.
The poutakawa trees are in bloom.
The road crews are out.
Kirks and Stains's windows are decorated, although I am a bit confused by the upside down tree...
I was thinking of creating Christmas cards of Trav and I hanging upside with a greeting of Holiday Wishes from Down Under. Perhaps they were thinking along the same lines. Except they clearly have more energy that I do this year as they actually followed through with their idea, whatever the reason behind the upside trees.
After rowing today I finally went and got myself a tree. It wasn't as romatic of an experience as in years past. I went to a Petrol station near Pak N Save, handed over $15, and helped myself to a tree from the pile leaning against the wall. But I tossed it on the car by myself and tied it down all BY MYSELF. It was a different kind of good feeling, but just as memorable as previous years. 
Once home, I needed to cut off a bit of my tree to help it drink. Really it is just a cheaper subsitute for the cut flower bouquets I've been treating myself to lately, but a lot harder to trim.
For a Christmas stand I filled a paint bucket with water and gravel.
I also had my friends E and D over who kindly helped me decorate. Dai came down too to admire it and get in the season's spirit a bit.
Then to really celebrate life, I treated myself to a present. I paid off one of my student loans. It was pretty small one to start with, but 7 years later I no long have to look at this screen.
Too bad the Sallie Mae screen will be part of my life each month for many years to come. Oh well, baby steps.
The weekend after my birthday I went to Marbourgh for a Regatta. We're getting a bit better a racing. I got to do a lot of driving. I also got to see the inside of the captain's quarter on the Interislander...
Here are a few photos:
After Traveler picked me up from the rowing regata, we made our way up the hill. He mentioned that our friend Ulrika was coming over for dinner. Adult conversation and a beer was sounding really good.
Then he asked me to look under my seat for my birthday present. When I pulled it out I teared up for the first of three times that night. Traveler had organized permission for us to get a dog form our landlords and selected a collar for the large dog we'll have sometime in the next few months.
When I arrived home I quickly sorted that it was a surprised party. So many dear friends carrying really thoughtful gifts. Traveler had cleaned the entire house and created a massive mountain of food. It was exactly what I needed.
This photo is for you Kristin - turns out that my food photos actually are entertaining for some:)
Then my friend Hazel requested that we go see the goats. She had been waiting for awhile I suspect for me to arrive. We quickly ducked out and around the back of the house and then I had my second waterfall of joyful tears:
Inside my very own chicken coop were the most incredible laying boxes. The whole design was very impressive. I knew that Trav, Dai, and Al had been scheming and building all weekend. When I called out thank you, Dai yelled down from the grilling area on the deck that the girls were coming the next day. They actually didn't arrive until today, but aren't they lovely!?!?
And they are already laying... or perhaps the people who shipped them thought it would delay complaints if they tossed in an egg for good measure... we'll see when additional eggs start appearing:
Which leads me to the third moment of tearful joy... at the party Hazel and Iris each played a song on their violins. Seeing Hazel's new confidence as she played through two songs, one the classic of early violin students - Twinkle- that she now knows all the parts to beautifully and one that she created herself. Then Iris stood up and shared Rosie, her violin, with the entire group. The sight of them playing brought tears to me eyes. Then their mother stood up and impressed me with Happy Birthday. I've been playing with her for the past couple months and know how long it takes her to learn a new song. Each one goes more quickly, but I know that she puts time and effort into learning each one. I am sure there will be encores throughout the year. 
I spent the last weekend of my 20s at a rowing regata. It was a really great weekend, although there is something about driving around a flock of teenage girls 3-4 hours each way to make you feel a bit old.
It started with waiting to get everyone assembled and ready to go.
I had the distinction of being the only one on my team with a full, unrestricted drivers license.
I noticed that there was a distinctive pattern to the road trip. Phase 1 = giggle and gossip, when you passionately want to say something yell "oye, I'm talking!" Phase 2 = tunes and techno dancing (much better if you can use car speakers instead of portable ones) Phase 3 = fall into silence as the driver plods along into the night.
I overheard a few things that make me think:
I was exhausted by the time I returned at 5. Traveler came and picked me up and calmly waited while I cleaned the bus and returned it to the rental depot.
More and more I realize why goat children and human children share the name kid.
d
What you don't see behind the ATV is the Papa goat being head butted by the babies trying out their new horns. Nature is kind in this case and the babies are not born with horns.
