St. Clair, Otago

St. Clair is a place just south of where we are in Dunedin.  It's known as one of the better surfing beaches in the area.  I am told this is in part due to the slightly warmer waters.  Not having yet put a toe in the ocean, I have little to base this on...this is still the case.  In Dunedin, the sun was high and wonderfully warming.  In St. Clair...the air coming off the ocean was not so much.  Mark braved the cold waters and reported that indeed, I would not be pleased if I stepped in.  I was, however, amazed how many people braved the waters and seemed to enjoy themselves.  It's my belief that they eventually went numb!
So, I was content to sit on a bench and just look out over the waters, and of course...take a couple of photos!

First, for those of you who aren't sure where in NZ we are...look for the star at the bottom:

It's not quite as tropical as the North Island, but you wont hear any complaints from me!

One surfer and one ocean kayak.  Both of these I hope to do, but maybe in warmer weather.

I love this... it's the shark warning bell!!

Maybe next time there will be a photo of us IN the water.  But I hear the ocean never feels THAT warm...so maybe just of Mark in the water and me in the sand.

Street Markets

Today in Dunedin was market day, at least it was for us.  We visited our first farmers market where we were pleasantly overwhelmed with food, smells, and the great energy these markets always seem to bring.

Fruit and veggie stand.

Stuck in the far corner was this group of guys playing a variety of instruments (some I recognize and others that are new to me...not sure their original intended use was to make music)... and singing.  They were surprisingly good.



This market was located next to the train station here in town...aka the prettiest station this blogger has ever seen...

Me in the grass in the gardens outside the Railway Station

With our bags full of goodies, we were off to our next street fair, more along the lines of an arts and crafts market.  This drew the largest crowds with countless vendors selling food, flowers, arts/crafts, clothing, and many performers.  I normally don't like crowds, but I couldn't help but wander my way through the thick of it to see everything I could.  Here are a few things I saw...

I didn't realize that costums are a welcome part of these markets!  Next time I'm wearing my fairy princess dress too!!!

What an awesome day!   



"No Worries!"

This is my new favorite saying... and is said by EVERYONE here.  Of course, I've heard people in the states use this phrase... but somehow the kiwi's manage to convey the true sense of those words.  Many of you have been eagerly awaiting photos (some more patient than others!)  So feel free to exhale... because here's your first glimpse of our world...

Welcome to NZ!

Taken on my run this morning.

...also on my run.  Just past the stadium on the right is the ocean!

Mark took this on a walk...

Street very close to our flat.

Park nearby.

I ran through the Botanic Gardens this morning, which is minutes from our front door.  So amazing!

City building on the "Octagon" in Dunedin.

This is a building on campus (yes they are all this beautiful). 

Front of our flat (it's shared and we wont discuss how TINY our flat really is).

 

River across the street from our flat.

They have the craziest trees here!  This is our front yard.

Tree on campus....I couldn't help myself!

Cutest phonebooth EVER!! (On the Octagon)

More photos to come.  We love it here, and love the people.  I've only had a few people who couldn't understand what I was saying... not Mark... just me!  We wont pull at that thread.  Until then...No Worries!!



It's all about the numbers!

2 people, 4 suitcases, 4 carry-ons, 1 car ride, 3 flights, 5 cities (beginning to end), 1 cab ride, countless miles (mainly because I'm too tired to think that hard), and 34 hours later...we FINALLY are here in our new home.  It was long and to be honest a little painful, but we are no worse for the wear.  We are barely holding our heads up so this blog is going to be short.  We just wanted everyone to know that we arrived safely.  And yes... crossing New Zealand and seeing it from the air is just as amazing you as could imagine.  Breathtaking, and the pictures you've seen don't lie.  Good night...good morning...whatever...

Our Last Days in the States

We are spending our last few days in the country tying up loose ends...not my favorite thing.  But here are a few photos that make me smile...

Me and my child!!

Bella (our niece) with a Justin Bieber tattoo (love it!!).

Mark and Whitney.

The Barrett girls.

Me and Dakota listening to music!

I love love love The Little Red Hen (Glencoe) and the new lunch lady!

My next post will be from New Zealand!!!





Packing Fun for All!

Holy HUGE Bag, Batman!!

And how is this NOT big enough for all my stuff!!  And where are my packing fairies!?!  Must be on permanent vacation with my cleaning fairies.  Everyone is fired!

Christmas in Bama

For those of you who haven't been to the rolling hills of northern Alabama, you are missing out!  I just returned from a two week trip back home for the holidays.  My parent's live on 100 acres of the most beautiful land in the south!  This is what I get to see when I go running at home... 

Of course, it only stayed this way until Christmas day where we had RECORD snowfall!  We got somewhere around 4 inches.  That's the most snow northern Alabama has EVER seen on Christmas day!  Everyone was so excited to have a real white Christmas... having lived in the Chicago area for almost 5 years now I was not near as awestruck at the "blizzard" outside (yes 4 inches constitutes a blizzard in Bama).  But it was beautiful!

Of course my absolute favorite part of going home is seeing my family and friends... specifically my sister's four amazing kids!!  I'm in LOVE!



I hope everyone had and is still having a great holiday season!  If not...take a trip to northern Alabama!  This blogger thinks it's the best EVER!!