Batteries

I try really hard to not compare NZ and the US so that I can give my life here a real chance at succeeding. Never mind that the cost of living is much higher and the salaries are much lower, never mind that customer service is on island time and most of all, never mind that we don’t have central heating or insulation in our homes. Like I said, I try not to dwell on the negative….

I don't mind paying extra for meat, butter, milk, and vegetables because it tastes far better here, BUT the fact that a 4 pack of AA batteries are $11.89 is appalling! That’s about 3 bucks a battery! I mean really, come on people. I can get a 10 pack of batteries from Target for $6.99. That’s right, 70 cents a battery.

I can usually cope with things being so expensive here but, every once in a while something like the price of batteries just blows my mind.

(The photo was taken from my phone. Sorry it's so fuzzy.)

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Another birthday here and gone.

I was surprised by the number of emails, e-cards, texts, facebook messages, phone calls and visits (workmates stopping off at my desk to wish me a happy birthday and/or placing surprises on my desk) I received for my birthday. One of the things that was truly an unexpected surprise was receiving flowers from Holming’s longest and dearest friends, Zoltan and Emma (Photo is above). It’s just what I needed to lift my spirits about being away from home on my birthday and about living here in New Zealand. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by such good people whether I’m here or there.

Thank you all for being the good people in my life.

Who looks more pitiful?

Yes, that is me under all those layers. With a 10.5 °C temperature,
winds up to 46 km/h and random heavy showers, the show must still go on. Sunny needs to pee and I need to take him. So, we both had to wear our rain coats. Too bad we're not matching.

New Zealand is the third fattest nation

"New Zealand is the third fattest nation in the developed world, a report has found.

The obesity rate among adults in New Zealand in 2007 was 26.5 per cent with only the United States at 34.3 per cent and Mexico at 30 per cent higher, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Health Data Report 2009 released this month said."

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10584163

OMG..... I am Mexican American and living in New Zealand....... Should I be concerned?

Does this make me a kiwi?

I finally did it! Does this make me a kiwi? Probably not but it makes my husband a very happy man.

A quick description of a New Zealand meat pie is that it's a hand-sized pie containing minced meat and gravy. Hey, America has pot pies, the UK has steak pies and we have meat pies.

In all the years I have been visiting New Zealand, I didn't understand what was so appealing about buying a packaged meat pie from a dairy (corner liquor store), a petrol station or a sports game. I mean what possible nutritional value can be found in such a thing? None, right?

Wrong! Thanks to Donna Hay and her magical art of cooking, and my added touch, I have finally made my husband a good quality homemade meat pie that is healthy.

Ingredients: 1Tbsp olive oil; 1 onion; 1 potato; 1 1/2 kg eye fillet; 1Tbsp tomato paste; 4 cups beef stock; 1/2 cup red wine;m 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 2 Tbsp cornflour; 1/4 cup water; sea salt & cracked black pepper (if you want a copy of the recipe email me)



Aren't they cute?!?!?!