Flatmate Required

We have just over a week to find a new flatmate. Oh the joys of flatmate hunting. Last Sunday, Carissa gave us her 2 weeks notice to move out. Totally wasn’t expecting it. So ads in the paper and online flatmate websites.

Fingers crossed we find someone cause who can afford 2 people’s rent?!

Anyone need a room?

I hate being sick...

Back at work today after being off work since last Friday lunchtime. Went to work last Friday with a killer headache. It felt like my head was in a vice and someone was turning it tighter and tighter. After nearly falling over from a head rush, I decided to go home. Not so easy when you still have an hour drive home!

Spent that afternoon and all weekend moping around the house. Had a nice sore throat to go along with the headache.

Finally went to the doctor on Tuesday to be diagnosed with an ear and throat infection. So on antibiotics for the next few days to clear that up. Was told I have to put up the blocked ear for up to 6 weeks! Yuck! Suppose to be off work all week (according to the doctor) but I have no sick leave, so I’m back at work today. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery because it’s FAR too expensive to be sick in the world today!! (Plus, I just don’t have time to be sick!)

My first "work paid" training course!

Wed and Thurs this week I attended a Dreamweaver course in Auckland. This is where we learnt how to make webpages and how to use Dreamweaver. The first day was basic concepts of creating webpages. I can already make webpages, so I struggled to stay awake! I did end up helping the other lady from my work that went as she had never done anything like that before.

Got to stay in a hotel and have my meals paid for, so that was a plus to going away for a course. We stayed in the Quality Inn in Grey Lynn. NOT recommended! The photos on their website must have been doctored because it did NOT look like that! The wallpaper had cellotape holding it up, the bed covers looked like they hadn’t been washed in ages and there was a funky smell in our room. Lucky the restaurant attached was of better quality. That’s where we had breakfast and dinner both days.

Boy, was I glad to get home!

4 Weeks until my Host Parents arrive!!

I can't believe that in 4 small weeks, Inger and Mogens will be here!!
I am SO excited!!!

The plan for them is to pick up a campervan in Auckland and drive to Tauranga, where we will stay with Mum for 5 days. I was going to pick them up from the airport but not sure how I was going to fit their things AND them into my small car! At least this way, we won't be cramped for 3 hours!

Talked to my host sister Anja online today. She's going home to visit her parents for the weekend. She is thinking of doing a semester's study abroad. Depending on a number of things, like money and if her university can do an exchange, she is looking at maybe a NZ uni! Yay!! That would be so exciting! Especially if it was Waikato or Auckland. I'd get to see her all the time!

Anyway, that's still maybe 2 years away, so won't get my hopes up yet. I'll get to see her next year when I go to Europe! Yay, that will be my next countdown!!

Cooking Classes have finished

Yes, I have been taking cooking classes! I wanted to take a night course to fill an evening a week, so I could get out of the house and do something! I convinced my flatmate Cameron to come with me.

We had 6 weeks of cooking classes at the local high school. Many different dishes were made, and with my dislike of onions, this proved to be interesting!

1st week: Leek and Feta Pie
2nd week: Mediterranean Frittata and Smoked Fish Frittata
3rd week: Tuna & Lemon Pasta and Tomato & Mint Fettuccine
4th week: Spicey Beef Stroganoff and some Lamb dish (don't know what it was called)
5th week: Caramel & Pecan Cheesecake and Dutch Ginger Cake (turned out like a biscuit though!)
6th week: Orange & Lemon Beef (Chinese dish) and Tart Tatin (French dish - upsidedown apple pie)

It was heaps of fun and now I'm hooked on this night class thing!
What will I do next term?!

Camp Quality Mini Camp 2005

Over the past weekend we had Camp Quality's mini camp, or winter camp. We went to Waihi Beach Christian Camp for 2 nights.

The bus picked us up in Hamilton on Friday 2nd and took the LONGEST trip to get to Waihi Beach, but we eventually got there! That afternoon was spent on the beach (200m from the camp!). I got to build a sandcastle with my 11 year old camper. I haven't built one of those in YEARS! It was so much fun. I had two 15 year old campers as well, and they were happy lying on the beach, reading magazines.

Most of Saturday was spent in Waihi. Firstly, we went to Martha Mine, which is a MASSIVE open-pit mine that is due to close down in 2007. They get gold and silver out of that mine. After that sightseeing trip, we got to go on an old fashion train and went for a trip into the gorge.

Sunday morning was spent at the beach again. Crazy kids who like going swimming at this time of year (including my 11 year old!). I watched from the safety of the beach. After lunch, it was another lovely bus ride home.

It was a nice, relaxed camp this time, so wasn't so tired when I got home. Still tired enough to go to bed at 8.30pm though!

Bring on summer camp in January!!