Home Sweet Home

Published on Jan. 1, 2006 in New Zealand

I’ve had several requests to answer if I’m alive.

Are you alive?
I think so. *pinch* Yup
Good!

For those of you who want more information, read on. I beg your forgiveness as it is past 3am and I’m rather tired.

I have no joined the JAFA ranks, i.e. Just Another Fucking Aucklander. What can I say, I’m worse than a statistic. While I love the country-side, I don’t love the hick-side, and that is what Gisborne is. As you can tell by my belated entry my journey back was several months ago, so I’ll only recap a few stories.

Before coming back to Auckland I believed I had a place to stay. Upon arriving I checked my email and the place unfortunatly didn’t materialize. SadlyI dragged myself into the Surf n’ Snow (even though it snows nowhere near Auckland) and checked in. The lady (a Japanese/Somoa/something else “mix) was very kind. Rates were reasonable, and I was issued into a room with only one other guy. Another gentleman from South Africa, we talked a few minutes and since he was leaving gave me his towel — score!

The next week was quite painful. I woke up and began searching for a place to stay. My general maxim for life is to spend money on things that matter. And a studio apartment downtown that costs $200USD/week, A WEEK, is not worthwhile. Flatmates, here I come. Utilizing the power of the internet I located some 30 people who fit my criteria. Knows what the internet is, lives close to downtown, under $100USD/week. That’s about it. I would even live with a grandma if she knew about ADSL.

I located a few prospects and arranged to meet three or four houses. The first one I went to was a trek accross the downtown area, but the match was obvious. Great flatmates, amazing location. I had to wait a few days while the previous flatmate moved out, which, since I now had a place to live, was ok with me.

Moving in was a breeze, I only own 1 1/4 bags. Before even moving in I ordered a DSL modem from trademe and arranged for DSL to be connected. Until that happened I frequented Starbucks every day for five hours, at least. After a few days they were just giving me free coffee. Interestingly enough i just had to sit to make friends. Four or five people a day would start conversating with me; some inviting me to wine, others exchanging business cards.

Since then I have become quite emmersed in Kiwi culture. Certainly I have had a few highlights in the last two months.

I started playing Ultimate Frisbee again by joining a Spring League. We play every Thursday night, and as in-shape as I look, my out-of-shape body huffs and puffs while no houses fall down. Even more riveting is Thursday Night Curry. This isn’t ordinary curry, this is I.T. curry. A group of 15 - 20 IT professionals (define professional however you want) all join for good curry every other Thursday. I look forward to this Thursday every week! Then again, this also corresponds with rent day. Such a bittersweet day.

One weekend I joined what us nerd people call an Installfest. This is where several (30+) linux/IT nerds all gather and help normal folk install linux on their computers. I went intending to help people install linux, but instead just ate food and chatted with people. Consequently I have now become much closer to a great guy (Karl) who does microcontroller programming and another guy (Ben) who works at Vodafone.

My flatmates are worth mentioning as well. I don’t know if I could have picked a better group of people in Auckland. Hayden and Tanya are testimate to the old saying that “opposite attract.” Scorched into my memories will always be Tanya chanting “wwesssiiieeedddee” when I first moved in (my family lives on the West side of Auckland, where she is from). Owen and Kate are the other couple — quiet but jovial at times. Kate is the person I coordinated with to enter the flat. These lucky two are in Thailand right now. Same as Dillon, but on another adventure. Using Thailand as a segue, I have a vehicle.

A stick shift.

Those of you who know me know that I used to drive a stick shift in High School. But this ain’t High School, this ain’t no moden Honda, and this ain’t the right side of the road. That’s right ladies and gentleman: I drive an old stick on the opposite side of the road.

I’m a fast learner.

During December I visited my mom in Wellington where Richard and Ann (two of her friends) stated “he drives like he was born in NZed.” Flying to Wellington presented a new problem: fog. The plane was unable to land and had to drop us off in Palmerston North, then bus us two hours south. Besides this, my trip to Wellington was spiritual and revitalizing; I met two childhood “friends.” Johnny and Nicki allowed me to realize how my mom became friends with their family when she was our age. Smart, attractive, humorous and kind souled: any single ladies I know would mob Johnny, and any single guys I know would mob Johnny for Nicki. Ann’s kids were much quieter, but great to know none-the-less. Danial is NZed’s best youngest soccer player (or something like that). Ben quiety sits during the day but obviously is athletic. Rebecca the same. Five kids under one roof, and juxtaposing them clearly shows two different families both with a backbone of goodness.

My dad picked me up on December 23rd and drove me back to Auckland. Hour after Hour of riddles made the ride quicker. We stopped in Roterua for the night and continued the next day. For all you riddle folk:

What can go up a chimmney down, but not down a chimmney up.

This was a dumb riddle my dad told, it took me too long to get.

We arrived in Auckland and they dropped me off at my flat. I did a little work and prepared myself for the next few days: Christmas!

Actualy Christmas occured without any problems. I became much closer to Christopher, one of my fathers brothers. Quickly it became apparent how special that side of the family is. There are so many similarities, almost striking.

A slight, misjudgement, caused some problems after Christmas, but I won’t get into tha tnow. The verdict is still out.

New years was like any other. Went to a bar with a few of the flat mates, sent a txt message virtual kiss to Yan-Shih at 12:00am, and went home shortly there-after. My flatmates and I woke up with minimal hangovers (I simply didn’t have one).

And now it is the year 2006.

There are so many things for me to thank regarding the last year. I can’t wait for this new one.

So, it is getting a wee late which means bed time. More will come when more stories are created.

Until then,
Happy New Year

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