Xmas Eve

It's christmas Eve here in New Zealand.

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. It's 8.30pm here and im just about to head out to the city to open air carols. It's a nice warm night of about 20c and still sunny. The movie 'Love Actually' is just starting on TV. I'll have to go before i get caught up in the movie.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

PS. Starbucks is open through the concert so i might migrate there and i will also hear the carols from there.

Two More Days

Just two more days until Christmas 2007.

Today I have been to town to get my Starbucks coffee where i also got a FREE Starbucks 2008 diary because i had collected enough stamps to get one. I watched the people pass by out in the sunshine but was generally surprised at how quiet it was. Perhaps with the high interest rates and slowing economy, people are not doing as much christmas shopping...or perhaps......they are waiting until tomorrow!

Earthquakes

After all the fun of the earthquake that New Zealand has had recently things are feeling like a rollercoaster.

We live in the South so havent been affected by the recent Gisbourne quake but we have had a 'jolt' from it which people felt in the South Island. I personally didnt feel that particular quake as i was out walking at the time. There was a small earthquake last night as i was getting into bed at half past midnight. The bed gently shook before a mild 'jolt' hit the house. No damage at all anywhere in the city but it did make our tiny christmas tree do a seasonal shake!

The guys up north have been clearing up from their quake but it has left their town pretty damaged....the joys of living in an earthquake zone!

So is everyone geared up for christmas? I just have to go out and buy some food at the supermarket to get me over the one day holiday. People are going nuts here. For a start driving skills and rules have been largely abandoned by holiday shoppers. Crazy stressed out people are getting even more crazy and stressed out...and all for one day! Shops will be open on boxing day folks! And things will be on Sale......oh hell, the sales...sounds like another time to hide from the shops!

Getting warmer

Today has been like a real summers day. Temperatures have reached 28c with lots of sunshine. Tonight walking home from work was so mild that i could have walked for hours. It's hard to believe that this time last week i was in Canada with a top temperature of just 2c!

This is one of my favourite times of year. The weather is generally good, the longer lighter evenings are here and we still havent reached the longest day and Christmas is just around the corner. The general feeling at work is that everyone is beginning to wind down for christmas and the long summer break. Once one person starts to wind down others quickly follow.

Back From Canada

Im home!

I got home yesterday after having an awesome time in B.C. The weather was cold but the rain held off for most of the time. Canadians were very friendly and treated us well although i think a few people had a few problems understanding our accents!

I loved the variety of foods that were so easily and cheaply available. I enjoyed the clothes shopping. I enjoyed the sightseeing and my trip up to the Harbour Centre lookout. I enjoyed ordering a small coffee and receiving a coffee that is the equivalent size of a New Zealand large. I enjoyed watching the Vancouver Christmas Parade. I enjoyed....everything!

The flight over to Vancouver was half empty with gave me plenty of room to spread out. The flight home though was totally full so space was a premium. I felt like a caged chicken!

My trip from Vancouver to Seattle was great. I mounted the Space needle as well as done heaps of shopping. Seattle is the home of Starbucks so i made the effort to visit as many Starbucks in the city as possible! I was buzzing from all the caffeine!

The temperatures were cold over there in the northern hemisphere. We experienced 2c. I'm glad i took an extra jersey.

Now im back in NZ. The weather has been 25c today and sunny. Such a contrast. I was surprised that the evenings got dark so early in Canada (before 5pm) but there was so much to do to in the dark hours.

I now want to live in Canada!!!!