A Ship Out of Its Harbor: "But what minutes! Count them by sensation, and not by calendars, and each moment is a day." -Benjamin Disraeli

It just dawned on me that I'm almost a quarter of the way through my year in NZ. Man time flies. In these past 3 months, I've managed to get a full time job, a flat, take a cross-country trip, (north to south anyway) and do some great traveling around the southern part of the south island. Of course it goes without saying that there's still lots more I want to do! The latest plan is to finish out our lease until the end of December, and then head north to spend the summer someplace warm. Brad's parents are coming around Thanksgiving (Kathy, start planning now how you're going to get canned pumpkin through customs), and my sister, bro-in-law, and parents are coming at the end of February, so there will be some opportunities to go see the best of NZ.

The Rugby World Cup has been occupying Dunedin for about a month now, and it has pretty much been mayhem. Starfish Cafe didn't so much see the rush on game nights, but more of the hungover crew the days after who needed water, coffee, and a whole lot of greasy food. The octagon was the place to be on game nights. Brad and I watched bits and pieces of the games, but were mostly in it for the food and "adult beverages" (as my dad likes to say). To be perfectly honest I still have no idea how rugby is played, but do I know that it looks like a hell of a lot of fun when they get tossed in the air, and it looks super painful all other times. The Dunedin games are over, but the following countries are playing in the quarter finals in Auckland: Ireland, Wales, England, France, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, and New Zealand. Go All Blacks!

Rugby ball-shaped mum bush outside the railway station

Epic costumes

The closed-off streets of the Octagon

Sheep painted with RWC team flags

"Dinkum" Donuts? Nice try, New Zealand.

The Octagon at night

Watching the game at Terrace Bar

Costumes at Metro

Irish invasion!

Rich supporting Ireland while pretending to fight H.H. Welcome to our house.

...and the aftermath of Rich's body paint.

Meanwhile, spring is trying desperately to rear its lovely head and we recently had a day where it got up to 60, a minor miracle around here. Keep it coming, my spring wardrobe is waiting...