Staccato

25 June 2008: First practice of the World Youth Day Cathedral choir.

We're singing for the pilgrims en route to Sydney. I decided not to go to the event, but if I sing to the pilgrims, they'll leave New Zealand for sure...

Our choir director, Ken, reads the sheet music in Braille. Quite fascinating.

image from: wikipedia

Thick

08 June 2008: Snow in Christchurch sent me running to the shores and hills.

Yesterday's weather report predicted dreadful weather, but dreamy surf. Who would be crazy enough to brave the weather in order to enjoy quality waves at Sumner Beach?

As it turns out, Boudewijn and I were the only ones that crazy. We had a quick look, then warm drinks.

Heading from the rain soaked shore returning inland, snow started to fall and stick. Even the university had a good powdering. The streets started to look like the New England winter I missed after crossing the equator.

Today, Tall and I hauled ourselves up Mount Richardson. I enjoyed the wonderful sound of snow crunching all the way up 1049 meters.

image from: jackie

Leggy

05 June 2008: My bicycle ride home now faces the challenges of winter weather.

My advice is: Do not listen to Flight of the Conchords in the cold.

I was smiling so much my lips froze to my gums.

image from: luzer

Limit

04 June 2008: Last tutoring session of the semester.

Sweet as.

image from: math threads

Breakfast

02 June 2008: I also got the joke of the weekend award.

Monday morning, Small notes she's surprised she can eat the same breakfast every day and not get tired of it.

I reply: It's called monogamy.

Then I had to quickly exit kitchen stage left because Tall and Small started to coo at each other...

image from: babi_santander

Peak

02 June 2008: Around Aoraki, it's easy to say the view really grew on me.

Tall, Small, and I arrived in Lake Tekapo Saturday night. Out in the blackness the couple gestured to the lake they're going to pedal 90 kms around in Sunday's mountain bike race. Instead, that night I continued to Unwin Hut at Mount Cook Village.

Sunday, I woke up in a cloud. I enjoyed rainy day walks around the Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier with no one but me to enjoy. Single bliss accompanied by Paul Simon songs. The weather partly cleared on my return, and I wandered along the Kea Point and Sealy Tarns tracks with fabulous views of the ice and snow on Mount Sefton.

Finally, by Monday it was all clear. All 3754 meters of Mount Cook's cloud piercing glory.

images from: jackie

Feet Shield

25 May 2008: Day-tripping in Akaroa with Annie.

Happy Brown Commencement!

image from: jackie

Buildering

13 May 2008: Today I had my first outdoor climb - scaling the university library.

Phillipe was there for moral support, and other members of the UC Climbing club were in fancy dress. Some in no dress at all...

Afterwards, I ate a celebratory sausage with my strong, sausage sized fingers.

Please check out the local news coverage video and pictures.

image from: jackie

Hail

3 May 2008: Last night was my first New Zealand hail storm.

My first was as a kid in the hills of Los Angeles. My sisters and I ran outside to catch the frozen beads in our soup bowls. As I recall, it was less like hail and more like stinging rain. My second hail was at home again. This time I was a big kid - and danced in it - eyes closed, mouth open.

Yesterday's hail smeared across the city streets right in the middle of my 10 km bike ride home. It was thrilling! I arrived home with numb fingers, but still floating on the rush.

image from: jackie