It's a Minor Thing (Or getting to know some Kiwis)

It has been a while since I posted something to this blog (as my mother so kindly reminded me recently). This has not been because nothing has happened to me, it is just because the events which have occurred have been less easy to write about. It would have been (and is) difficult to write posts that would seem significant individually. Instead, I will write one longer post that includes a variety of events. I would say that most(but not all) of these events fit into the theme of meeting some kiwis.

Starting with last weekend, the most significant thing that happened on Saturday was that I baked a pie. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any shortening at the grocery store so the pastry was made with butter but that seemed to work pretty well. Since we have limited baking equipment, the pie was oval-shaped and baked in a casserole dish. See if you can spot the design that was cut into the top!

On Sunday, I had planned to go to the Jazz Service at the Cathedral in the City Centre but just as I was getting ready to go, I got a call that 'S' had arranged a ride for me to Grace Vineyard (my 'usual' church) which would have been quite difficult to turn down at that point. Going to Grace turned out to be a great thing. After the service, I met a bunch of the members of the youth/young adults group that 'S' leads and we went out to Denny's for food. One of the guys that I met actually had been at the cathedral earlier playing jazz guitar as part of the jazz service. It was a good chance to finally meet and talk to some of the members of the church, something which up to now had been very much lacking. Definitely worthwhile. I still hope to go to a Jazz Service before I leave though.

On Thursday night this past week, we went out bowling with a big group of guys from here in NZ. I knew a couple of them from earlier events (such as 'J's birthday part) and met many more. There were about 17 of us in total who went bowling. It was 10-pin bowling (much better than 5 pin).

After work on Friday, Our boss invited everyone in the group out for a beer with the following email. This was totally out of character for him and very much amused me.

Reasons to go to Speight’s after work for a beer today:

1. The sun came out this week
2. We worked hard all week
3. It is 'M's birthday
4. It is Friday
5. Beer is good
6. Why not?


[Name Removed]

As it was 'M's birthday, 'J', 'I', 'M' and I went to Speight's for this drink. It was quite interesting to talk to the group that showed up. Once again meeting some kiwis.

Friday evening, we headed out to 'S'' house for a party, partly to celebrate 'M's birthday, and mostly as a celebration of one of their friends (whom we had met bowling) departure for Singapore for a term of study. Also, it was the end of a between terms break for Universities here. Although a little awkward, I had a pretty good time at this event and once again met some more people from New Zealand.

The past couple (car-less) weeks have led to some good opportunities for making some new friends and learning some more about people living here in New Zealand.