Another Farewell

We went to a Farewell BBQ for Bryce's workmate and his partner who are moving back to Perth. I felt bad for B that one of his favourite kiwi mates was moving away.

An American couple hosted the BBQ. They've lived in Wellington for a couple years; we had a great time sharing tips and kiwi-isms. They even have a tortilla press from an American couple who started the company "Tio Pablo," where our corn maize comes from. (We have to make our own corn tortillas, they're not usually offered at the supermarket.) I found out that there's no lemonade, really, in NZ. I hadn't realized that, although I have noticed that you can't buy frozen juice concentrate. In NZ and in the UK, 'lemonade' is a lemon flavoured fizzy pop. So "Sprite," is called "lemonade." It's even called lemonade on the can. Apparently, what we gringos know as "lemonade" is also called "lemonade" in the UK/NZ. hmmm

We left to redeem our free tickets to the observatory at the botanical gardens, but it had closed early. It wasn't a wasted trip though; we had a gorgeous misty sunset view of the city and got to hear a lonely sounding tui bird.

Farewell Dinner

I just had a rather touching farewell dinner at Monteith's Brewery with my Porirua colleagues.

I'm really going to miss working in Porirua, I've enjoyed the team and driving around the gorgeous city. I got some ribbing for playing the tourist and taking a shot of the pretty sunset before dinner.

Tonight I had shnitzel for the very first time; it was pretty yum and went great with my cider on ice. For prezzies I got NZ Words fridge magnets, a kiwi cookie cutter, and a kiwi apron. They were perfect gifts for me-- I love to bake and I'm always having endless conversations with them about words and pronunciation. This week's learning was "pikelets," a type of pancake that sends me into giggles every time I hear it pronounced aloud. A wrapped stack of them were waiting for me at my desk this morning; made by my colleague Tania who said that she wanted to know what was so funny about the name.

Once home, Bryce showed me our visas-- newly stamped with our residency permit and returning visa. We can enter and leave the country as often as we like until 29 June 2012. And, if we never leave the country, they will never kick us out. cool. I mean, sweet as.