Bladwin Street versus an American

For some odd reason my university has a thing for exams on Saturday.  I categorize such a thing as cruel and unusual punishment, but they don't seem overly concerned with my opinion on this.  So, this morning I stumbled to an exam along with my fellow victims to yet another academic torture device.  But, unlike my perky 18 year-old counterparts, I have a husband who makes me a HUGE and glorious brunch after every exam.  It literally is the reason I have any enthusiasm to get out of bed!  I know regardless of how horrible an exam might be... I get a ROCKING brunch after!  How lucky am I!?!

After my amazing feast, Mark and I headed to the infamous Baldwin Street.  For those of you who subscribe to "Behind the Times", Baldwin Street is the world's steepest street.  And no doubt... it's stinking steep!  From what I hear, they have a yearly race up this thing.  It's suppose to be quite the spectacle!



So this is the view from the bottom of the street...

This is the view from the top.  I feel like this doesn't accurately portray how insanely steep it really is.  All I can tell you is that first hump in the middle of the photo...you can't see the road after because it goes straight down!

The view of the surrounding area alone was worth it!

This is either a result of my exam... or the daunting thought of finals in two weeks... or merely the hike up some crazy man's idea of putting a street on a hill like this... either way, here I am...

...and so you know, if it weren't for my belt catching on the road... I would have TOATLLY been sliding down the street!

Hope you're having a good weekend!!

Random Things

It has been brought to my attention (more than a few times) that my enthusiastic followers are suffering from my infrequent blogging.  Well far be it for me to deprive the masses!  However, seeing that I'm in my last few weeks of this semester with the threat of finals growing closer, I don't have any new kiwi adventures to share that doesn't involve the words "physics" or "laboratory".  This is said in the old english way of course, "laBORatory"...still cracks me up.
So, I started digging in our vast collection of photos and found a few that make me smile.  Some are old, some are new, some just didn't make the cut to get in the blog for some reason or another.  But, now it's their time to shine.  Hope you enjoy this random moment brought to you by yours truly...

This was a crazy car I saw walking around one day when we first got here.

Being right on the coast, we of course see our fair share of seagulls.  This one is less than thrilled at the big man taking his photo.

Is this the cutest railroad sign ever?

I don't feel like this one needs any commentary.  You all know why this is funny!

Me outside the Chinese Gardens here in Dunedin.  Taken back in Feb shortly after we arrived.

There is a Cadbury factory here in Dunedin as well.  They give tours daily with many opportunities to indulge.  Needless to say, I haven't come within 10 feet the doors yet!  Mark took this picture. I have no self control, and I hear they give you a bag of chocolate at the end.  TORTURE!

Mark assures me that the cow is being milked as part of this display in chocolate making.  But why does he need to face that way!?

Last but not least.... me and my buddy back in Chicago (we have a mutual appreciation for Kermit if you were wondering).  This was at my little birthday bash at The Little Red Hen in Glencoe (my favorite place ever!).  Miss you tons Zafo (don't feed the animals!)!!!

Hope this brightened your weekend.  If not, sorry...blame Chemistry... it's fried my brain!  Lots of love.