Busy days

I've not been posting much due to an extreme bout of to-do list itis. Somethings on my to do list have been really fun and relaxing. This weekend we went to two different dances. One was in a garage in an industrial part of town. Think 'rave' for the over 40 set, in 1920's evening gowns, dancing to a band that I can only describe as probably what was playing in the non-urban centers of America in the 20's and 30's. Banjo, fiddle, upright bass... but with horns too.  I actually have no idea what it could be best described as, but we enjoy it.  There was a few songs that I could lindy hop to, so that was great. They also had a dozen vintage cars that we could sit in.







Sunday night we went to a 'tea' dance. It was an interesting collection of dancers from the ballroom scene as well as the swing dance club. Sometimes we crashed on the dance floor, but it was really fun and lovely to see all ages dancing. It also was right on the water so it had a lovely view on the balcony. This is the view from a stop light not far from it:)

Last night I was up till 1 trying to get going on a poster proposal for ASHA – the American Association for SLP's. The conference this year is in Boston and if I can organize my finances, I hope to go regardless of what happens with this poster proposal. I reckon its good practice, though I probably need a better work area. My joints were killing me after hours of typing on the couch.  Plus my only available references are the few books I brought with me... 


Luckily Traveler made me some dinner, so I wasn't too exhausted. It was quite tasty, I must say.

Another day in the life of me...

Today I drove out over the hills to the Wairarapa region. It kind of reminds me of Eastern Oregon and Montana. Here is photo on the way back to Wellington.



I also took a couple photos on my way home from the bus stop today. Here is the view around 6:30.


I still find it fascinating that people put car parks on their roofs


and I really like the skate parks here (look toward the bottom of the valley)

too bad all I learned to do was slide down my friend's half pipe that his dad built in his barn – in a sleeping bag. Yeah I was a complete dork then too, but given my accident track record with skiing, motorcycles, and even crashing a parked car (as in my car was parked, not me hitting a parked car) probably good I didn't try to learn to skate board.

Laher flows in New Zealand...

In case the american media paused to look at world events such as the Laher in New Zealand, never fear all is well in our household.  and here is a video link from one of the local media outlets.

video

Cuba Street

Here are some photos from Cuba Street down town...

Otari Wilton Bush

Last weekend we join up with a group of other immigrants to enjoy the Otari-Wilton Garden. It is a lovely place dedicated to native plants and trees.

We had a picnic and quite a few kids were playing on the grassy hill nearby


Then we walked through the regenerating bush/forest.

In this free public garden there is even a 400 year old Rimu tree.

The stream also was a highlight for the kids to play in.


Its pretty nice that this is only a 15 minute bus ride from downtown and a 20 minute walk from our house. We ended up walking back after our lovely afternoon. Here is a bit of what we saw..

some lovely stainglass...


the wellington sewer drains..

and most intriguing of all...


if you look closely the firemen have placed their boots and all on the sidewalk so they can run and jump into them. I am pretty sure that they were on duty and had just gone out to play cricket with the radio on in case of a fire call. Everything was set up so they could just jump in and go and when we walked by the Karori fire station the garage was empty. I guess its better to be out getting exercise than just sitting around the TV waiting for a call. Don't know if this would be allowed in the states, but seems fine to me:)

Evening routines

We've been coming home after dark more often now that we're taking swing dance lessons and I'm slowly finding people to fiddle with. (note if any of you are coming this way, I am interested in having someone bring my violin and/or sewing machine from home...)

Some nights there is a lovely effect of the sun setting behind the ridge here in Karori...


my camera can't quite capture the light peaking through the windows of the houses on the ridge.

I'm also trying to get more creative with my cooking. Here is a recent adventure:



I definetely can't get enough spinach here after the spinach dramas in the states just before we left. I am going through a couple pages of it each week.  No popeye effects yet though:(