We have arrived!

All three of my flights took off, flew and landed without problems (ok, one was delayed 45 min but whatever). I read almost an entire book, watched two movies and slept quite a bit.  Moose enjoyed the rides though refrained from meeting anyone save an adorable 3 year old who wanted to take him with her.  Elgamore (formerly mini-moose, Adrienne expect a postcard!) spent most of the flights stowed in the overhead compartment (locker to Kiwis) and Petunia had a very cold trip in my checked luggage, silly stowaway!  I was picked up at the airport by my darling Auntie KC, cousin Alvey and his girlfriend Emma.

Welcome to Wellington!

In the past week (has it really been a week since I left!?) I have gotten pretty settled.  I have:

• Made the first pie (Kiwi Custard)
  
• Unpacked (remarkably easy with only one bag)

• Explored/Tried to get lost (keeping bearings of course)

• Met friendly people (Bruce the Wellingtonian Concrete mixer, John the Irishman, Re...something the Honey Lady)
• Played board games (Meet-ups is quite the website :) )

Alvey, Small World, Emma

• Purchased a phone with New Zealand number (I've begrudgingly joined the smart phone revolution, with pink style points!)
• Visited a used bookstore and purchased a book (Dune Trilogy)

• Been enamored by the almost constant and strong winds (Seriously!!)

  

  View from my Aunt and Uncle's house, for serious.

• Been quite cold because of a rainy day (Yesterday was chilly and I was outside for a lot of it)

Overall I'm quite enjoying myself, I still have next to no idea what I'm going to do past the next few hours at any given moment but I don't mind so much...yet :P

Animal Companion Acquired!

Congratulations Moose! You have been chosen to accompany Renee on the quest "New Zealand Adventure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Also joining the party is this adorable small orange moose who hails from Norway and recently joined Renee thanks to her parents! This quest is worth many several experience points/Karma/plot points/etc. The time frame is one whole year though there is a slight possibility that you will finish early or find more to do and extend the quest. Your main objective is to aid Renee in taking pictures, meeting new people and providing occasional hugs. DO YOU ACCEPT THE QUEST? (Best response wins the first postcard :-P ) mini moose will aid you in your quest though s/he needs a name or things may get confusing.... (My favorite name will be used and I'll send you postcard number 2!)
We are currently at the airport starting what I have estimated to be 26 hours of travel, it is rather excited, as well as nervous, scared, sad, happy, and a touch bored (airports are only so exciting when you have tons of stuff to lug around). If I didn't see you, sorry, guess we have to stay friends until I get back, if I did see you....well, we'll still be friends when I get back too :-)  I managed to get by with a backpacking backpack, my trombone and a fairly small bag (picture to follow, it's on my camera) I hope I didn't forget anything.... Oh! And happy talk like a pirate day you scurrvy dogs! Next post will be from New Zealand!!!!!!

Choices Choices

As much as I love reading blogs about other people's adventures and seeing pictures of the amazing places they visit sometimes I get bored of landscapes and pretty scenery. Thus I introduce you to my possible companions!

Penelope is a poodle who loves adventure. She has been locked away in a box for the past few years and is ready to experience the world. She excels at standing out in a crowd and posing for pictures. Though she doesn't have any experience she believes she would be an excellent traveling partner for Renee.

Moose hails from Colorado though he also spent a fair amount of time in Wisconsin. He loves running, hugs and getting in people's faces - in the most loveable way possible. He knows he is a great traveling companion for Renee and would love to join her on this upcoming adventure.

Petunia often draws attention for her wide eyes and large head. She has been fairly neglected most of her life, only being brought out for random conversation starters. She is great as starting conversation though, given her unique appearance. She would love to visit the land of the kiwis since she believes them to also be unique in appearance.

Smaug is a dragon. He is awesome. Also he has a super sexxy voice, not that you can hear it on the blog.... He had been known to eat lots, horde gold and other fanciful things of which he looks forward to finding in New Zealand.

Who would you like to follow around NZ?

Tablet post!

So I've been trying to decide if taking my small laptop is necessary or if I can enter the modern world and just use this new, fancy tablet I got for the trip. I have been using the tablet more and more trying to get used to typing on not a keyboard but after spending so much time with physical buttons l'm having quite a bit of trouble transitioning.
Doesn't THAT make me sound like an over privileged white kid? :-P
I know I can get a keyboard to plug into this magic machine and that may fix all my troubles, I hope it does. I do find is ridiculously convenient to be able to take pictures with this beast of a camera and plop them right onto the internet, and I think this is the highest resolution screen I've ever starred at for extended periods of time (well besides the tv) and that's pretty magical. I guess the future is now and I'd better embrace it or it'll be a long and frustrating rest of life, I can just see me as an old crazy cat lady complaining about how good things used to be in the good old days before everyone got these screens glued to their faces....
And with that I will leave you for now to consider what you look forward to complaining about when you're old, crazy, and have the age-given right to do so!
P.S. 11 days!!!!!!!!

Two Weeks and Counting!!

I leave in two weeks! 
I'm rather excited and in the throws of packing away all of my things. My original goal was 6 boxes of things packed to stay at home, I thought  I was going to make it until I found 6 boxes in the basement with my name on them...where did I get all of this stuff?!?! I've been trying to get rid of things but I'm only so successful at that :P
While I have been packing I have been watching a lot of T.V. shows if anyone has any suggestions I'll at least watch the pilot episode.  If you'd like to see me before I go give me a call! I've got some plans but not too many :) If you're not around Colorado and want to speak with me before I go also give me a call!!
I have no concrete plans once I arrive in New Zealand besides seeing my dear darling auntie, uncle and cousins!  My thoughts for things to do include traveling, fruit picking, kayaking, seeing Mordor, Visiting a Hobbit, pretending to be Xena the warrior princess, playing with sheep and possibly making a pie or two :P
I do plan to write letters to anyone who sends me an address so if you would like a letter or postcard send me your address!!
Is there anything in particular you'd like to hear about my adventures?