Hallelujah . . .

. . . who knocks on my door while I'm trying to bang out my 16 miler this morning?

My.  new.  best.  friend.  Mr "TNT" [NZ company] delivery guy.

Giving
me
this
back.

My L i f e!  [I know, I know, it's a sad, sad life].  so. completely. happy.

So after retrieving 16 [no joke] voicemail from [ALL boys] for Peanut.  yikes.  I started up the treadmill to finish my run.  Seriously, long runs go so much faster when you text and run.  [I'm sure this is doing really bad things for whatever "form" I have].

whatever.

I have my phone back!  Who freaking cares!

So I finished this.

Yippee!

Then, I got back to my phone.  We have photos people - - photos!

That you want to see!

Like the sweet ride we had the whole time we were there. [please remember the Pita is 6'8" without shoes].

awesome.

It was like a go-cart on wheels.  Yes, dad it got great gas mileage.

And this seriously had me rolling on the 2X2" floor of the car.

Made Pita pull over & stop the go-cart for this one.  The pita:  Em, they are just pink sheep.  Me:  just pink sheep?!? Like that's normal [tears of laughter flow].

This was sad but noteworthy.

Where the last episode of the Bachelor was filmed.  The "eagles Nest".   

Pretty sweet place.

There is just no explanation for this.

We saw 8 total while driving.  Yep, pig skins.  So.  Gross.

You know only a man would do that.  I have pig skins - hear me roar!  oink.  oink.

The trash can I loved.

I was a tidy kiwi spouse.

Well, that's all I'll bore you with today my friends.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

I'm beginning my countdown to this.

I.  Can't.  Wait!

8 days & 1 rant = not bad

Peanut:  Ummm, we're staying here?  This is no resort.

Ahhhh, my little Peanut.  Run.  Run for your life.

Oh man, how she should have begged to take that statement back.

[little info to help]

We love Priceline.  We should own stock in Priceline.  Seriously.  A resort for $55 a night?  With a flat screen tv/bubble jet bath tub/a tv to watch while in the bathtub/slides at the pools/fun little sample size offerings in the bathroom [her fav]/etc.  Love it.

Hokianga . . . . let me just say . . . .  beautiful.  amazing.  breath-taking.  they have no idea what resort means.  We were in NZ in the "off" season = great rates = happier wallet for us.  So when we found we could stay at the "resort" for an insanely great rate - we swooped it up.   Much to Peanut's dismay - this in all fairness - did look like a motel 6.

Then it hit. 

Well, his words hit. 

For like - e v e r. 
or
7 minutes that felt like the most hilarious 7 minutes I had ever witnessed. 

A father.  trying.  to.  explain.  what.  life.  was.  like.  for.  him.  growing.  up.  without.  resorts.

Rant:

"did you really just say that.  you can sleep in the car.  when I was a kid [Me - thinking-ahhhh crap, here it comes]  we didn't get to stay in hotels we were broke.  I didn't have an ipod or mp3 or napster or cable.  heck, I hardly even got to watch TV I had so many chores to do and when I did.....it was usually whatever he [step-dad] was watching and even then I just had to stand up every 2 minutes and change the channel, by hand!
 
it continued [I had to go into the bathroom at this point, sorry kid.  I was crying I was laughing so hard and it wasn't making the Pita any happier]

..... no playstation 3, no atari even!  No frogger, no mario . . . ya guess what we didn't have a computer or internet or [gasp] google?!?  no microwave popcorn [not sure what that one was about], no caller ID, no call waiting, no call declining, no voicemail, no texting, no cell phones.  No DVD's no blu-ray.  You are spoiled Peanut.  So SUCK IT UP and enjoy the resort life in Hokianga!" 

HOLY ________!

I peeked my door open to see the damage - in true Peanut fashion - her first words were.  "oooooooooo kkkkkkkkk aaaaaa yyyyyyy.  got it.  So Mom, wanna go to the beach?"

Ummm, you better believe it.  I'm outta here!

So this is how we got these sweet pictures - Peanut has a thing for flowers in her photos.  Yep, she took them.

Enjoy!

Man, I'm just happy he left out that "walking 5 miles, up hill both ways" part.

s p a i n

I have never been there.

But after my trip to New Zealand, I think I have a pretty real understanding as to what it would be like to cheat death from an angry bull.

{this is for you BDD}

I'm guessing my little bull-friend wasn't used to seeing American chicas pass by too often [on foot] on the nearby motorway.  Truth be told, I can't believe I actually ran on the motorway.  The posted speed limit was 100km. 

But I did just find this on wikipedia:

In many respects, New Zealand highways are simply the major roads between significant places and can be used by any traveller, including cyclists, [runners-I may or may not have added this part],pedestrians and even farm animals.

Yes, they are so NOT lying on the farm animals part.  I learned this fact in Waipu.  Yep, you got it pronounced WHY-POO.  Which Peanut loved.  "Mom, waipu when you can just pee?  It's faster."  nice. 

Anyway, while running in Waipu, there was a farmer [?] walking his cows on the motorway . . . ummm, ya this was after the charging bull experience so you bet your butt I turned around.

I'm really hoping I mentioned there was a fence between me and the bull.  Call me a baby, whatever but unless you've had a massive animal like that running full boar, straight for you . . don't judge. ;)

Have I ever mentioned, I am a treadmill girl.  kidding.  kidding.  So I had a week of me.  outside.  with nature.  in New Zealand.  no treadmills in sight :( .  If I was going to run, I was going to look around and enjoy every moment.  I thought it was so cool to run past animals, ocean, dead possums, mean Weka's, singing tui's, 75 year old women - - that when I saw the two massive bulls ahead I thought, "OMGosh, awesome, those are freaking huge bulls!" 

Then . . . . .

c h a r g e !

That thing snorted something fierce then came at me like nothing I have ever seen before.  [please keep in mind, I'm on a motorway {the ones with cars not farm animals} - I can't just move into the street!].  So, of course, I stop....still staring at the bull and now he and I are NO MORE than 3.5' away from each other [yes, the fence had stopped him].  looked at my hands.  s h a k i n g - uncontrollably.  Look at heart rate numbers.  Yea, I'm still alive!

All is well.  On the return, I was a smart little blonde and ran on the other side.  of course, I stared him down the whole time.  I saw him.  He was shaking.

[the motorway minus the bull]

leaving on a jet plane

Today.

I'm already worried that I'm not quite ready for the conversations.  I sat at my computer this morning to find an email from the Pita's sister. 

Here is just an excerpt:

"Hiya, can you please bring me some new trainers.  Mine are too small and have been needing to wear plasters with mine for months.  I'll pick you up at the airport.  Don't turn up in jandals!  It's cold!  Just so you know, my car has a bit of a pong to it but you'll live."

Oh man.  I don't even want to know what "pong" means.  And I'm hoping the "you'll live" part is a guarantee.

Check list:

*13.75 mile run in this morning.  check.
*3 new running books.  thanks Steve!  check.
*ambien.  check.
*Peanut's last day of 4th grade.  check.
*Peanut coming out this morning in this outfit proclaiming, "It's my last day.  I'm going to show them what I'm made of!".  I have no idea where she gets this [but see shoes below.]  check.

*sitter for Chuy [dog].  check.
*food delivery for Mase [dog].  Check.
*scorpion care taker. I refuse. [click.]
*Garmin watch. I am sooooo going to get lost.  check.
*camera.  check.
*these sweet new heels.  you bet cha.  you have to trust me guys/gals.  relax I'm wearing them with jeans [the sweetest part{s} will be covered].

trust me . . .when they are NOT paired with inappropriate leather, PVC and Lycra they actually do look MUCH tamer.  and I heart them.  Did I mention they were $695 and I got them for ---- well ---- a lot ---- LOT less.  check. 
*running shoes.  boring.  check.
*new zealand to english slang language converter.  [aka, iPhone google].  check.
*iPhone International phone package [$$$ ouch, this is robbery].  check.
*sleeping "u shaped" pillow thing that never works.  check.
*getting a surprise gift [and it is INSTALLED?!  what??] from the Pita last night.
said it was a "peace offering for the glitch in [running] training" [for July marathon] this trip may cause.

ummmm, want to go on any more glitch trips Pita?   check.
*two xanex.  huh, what?  Thanks Ashley! Man, I have awesome friends.  check.

Oh and now we'll be going here for three of the 9 days thanks to Uncle Rod's sweet bach in Hokianga.

Uncle Rod.  Is.  The.  Best. 

If I ever see him with more than his undies on . . . I'll get a photo of him for you.  Seriously.  The man loves his undies. 

And the bach?  Bare bones.  The Pita's mom sent me a text Saturday saying, "you know they are just drop toilets, and no cell service right?".  Uhhhh, ya, totally.  Duh, of course, I knew that.

w h a t ? 

This is going to be awesome.

Post edit . . . this email just in from the Pita.

Pita: "you know the water there is sketchy, right?"
Me: sketchy like - not clean?
Pita: Em, this is NZ - clean is standard
Me: sooooo you mean sketchy like "_____"
Pita:  like . . . not always available.

sweet.

Oh man, I'm so hopping I can figure out how to blog from there. 

I may have to run 20 miles to blog/get a signal/find water but . . ]

Things I learned in NZ [yes, even after 3 prior visits]

. . . .

• no one says, "hi". It's "hiya".
• "Oh my gosh" is not used it's "crikey"
• I was told to "brown eye" someone by the Pita's sister - can't even share what that means. But I'd like to go on the record as saying, "I didn't do it!"
• when you come in from a run and someone asks, "were you running full tit?" - [yes, I did spell that right] just say "yes".

• the Pita loves doing circus tricks with Peanut - more than she does. [can you blame her? That's a long way to fall]

• apparently someone has done this before?! "sorry for the dark photo-it reads, "warning - do not jump for the ferry".

• NZ parks don't get sued by their residents - the craziest playground equipment EVER!
  

• running is a lot [actually] A LOT more challenging - nothing is "flat" there.




• when you return from running - you had better gone far because the family is all there waiting for your report. "is that far enough if you are training?"

• "NZ time" does not equal "on-time". We could have walked to our destination faster ----but then we wouldn't have the sweet photo by the wine tasting now, would we?
  
  

• this bird [tui] - without a doubt sings the MOST beautifully of any bird I have ever heard before.
  
  

• "travelator" ? I thought Arnold Schwarzenegger was from Austria. What's even funnier? I'm the only one who thought this was hilarious [this one brought me to tears].
  

• Poppy's flowers at Spring time are even more beautiful than I had heard.
  
  

• Peanut does not have NZ "beach feet".
  
  

• If there is an All-Blacks game on [rugby] don't plan on ... a.) anyone to care you are [trying] to shop/buy something in their store. b.) any family member to answer your question [or heck, even realize you are speaking] c.) the decibel level of the TV being under 120db. d.) realize you will see this EXACT game at least 4 more times [in re-run form].





• If the All-Blacks lose - - a.) don't expect any New Zealand-er to care you are alive. b.) expect that every pub you walk by to be packed & quiet [no music......nada]





• If the All-Blacks win - - expect to hear about it everywhere you go [in a bathroom stall [yes, really], cafe, grocery store, library & at the Chinese take-a-way place.
  

Almost done ;)

• iceblock = Popsicle and "yes", you want one.
• don't ask for a napkin at the dinner table or your cousin will pass you a diaper. "It's a serviette." woooo wooo-well excuuuuuuuse me. ;)
• dinner is an "open slather" = free for all - get your own food.
• when the "panel beater" calls he just wants to talk to you about the dent on your car.
• when your MIL says, "you must have gotten up at the Sparrow's fart" - she really means, "at sunrise" [that one ------- um, can't really wrap my head around that one]

Oh & Nat, I apparently should have left my sweet heels with you. As no one [but the uber-chic ;) CRAZY, blonde American] wears leopard print platform 4" heels in NZ?! I believe the comment went like this ..... "Crikey, what did you kill [hunt/murder] and put on your feet?"

Well folks, I believe these are the only ones suitable for writing. Trust me - I [unfortunately/fortunately]? - have more.

Dorothy was RIGHT

...... there's no place like home. Yes, even when I have 4 [super] grumpy buyers, a car still in the shop, 6 loads of laundry to fold [I even did 4 loads in NZ?!], a Hubby already back at work [on a "holiday"?!], a now broken printer, no rental car drop-off in sight & no other food in the fridge but the bread my parents brought us last night - - yep, I still love being home.

The trip was a huge success. Trips to NZ always seem to be busy [VERY busy]. Always so many people to see/visit/get in touch with in such a small period of time. However, we made sure to relax on our second to last day there with a day trip to Waiheke Island. I'll retire in NZ any day, if it's here.

I'll be posting a lot of photos from our trip in the next few days. However, I could NOT wait a moment to post this one:

My favorite photo I took. We were lucky enough to go with Poppy on 3 walks around Whangaparaoa & Little & Big Manly - [beaches]. The only thing that would make this photo better would be if you could see this 89 year olds' calves - amazing. I will never forget first meeting Poppy. We sat down to lunch, started talking about our workout routines - look up to see Poppy on the restaurant patio floor doing push-ups!! He was 80 years old at the time! What a man.

The services for Nana were beautiful & I [finally] got a chance to meet most of Mike's family [more on that "experience" later] ;)

tomorrow - tomorrow - I love ya tomorrow

For those of you who may not know - I greatly dislike [actually hate] flying.

And we leave tomorrow for a super fun 12 hour one. .

This really stinks when your mom-in-law lives in London, your sis-in-law, niece & grandparents live in New Zealand, your bro-in-law lives in Australia, your parents go on a mission to Hong Kong [had to go there!!] and your mom-in law insists that every time you visit the UK we "must go somewhere else nearby since flights are so cheap from here" [at least they are cheap from SOMEWHERE] - so we scamper off to places like Italy & France. I realize this is a blessing [to be able to visit these places]. I still DREAD flying.

It's not even so much the smelly, stale, recycled air or the man across the way who snores like a freight train or even the "blankets" they hand out that seem to cover me as much as a wash cloth.

It's the water. It's all about the water. The flight to New Zealand takes place over about 96% water. Not sure why but I feel insanely more comfortable flying over mountain ranges.

What keeps me flying? Well other than the Pita who holds my hand 50% of the flight [the other 50% I try to be knocked out on something/anything - the drug of choice this trip ----- ambien - thanks Dr. Rada]. Oh and that I know I'll get to see this when we arrive:

rangitoto - beautiful.

So if any of you have an extra 60 seconds around 5pm tomorrow - a smallish prayer to the Big Guy upstairs - for a safe arrival - would be appreciated. ;)

And good news - it looks like my family & I will be in great hands with the crew members. Ummm help!