(no subject)
I'm writing from the lounge of the hostel Katy and I are staying at in Nelson, on the South Island. WOW it's been a busy past week or so! After two days of staring at the wall last weekend (decompressing from school), I kicked life into high gear, getting lessons planned and other things wrapped up before Katy's arrival on Monday, the day after Easter. It was so surreal to pick her up from the Napier airport - my worlds are crossing in a very strange way! But it's been sooo fun. It's so nice to have someone to show around, to go places with, to talk over weird NZ things with. Monday was warm and sunny so we made a beeline for the stunningly beautiful Ocean Beach. When I was falling asleep that night, it was so hard to believe she was actually here. If you'd told me in high school that four years later, I would end up meeting Katy on the other side of the world, my mind would have been totally blown. Life has a funny way of surprising us! (I love to think about what my high school self would have thought of how my life has turned out so far. I think High School Emily would be so surprised and amused.)
Tuesday we went on a beautiful hike to Shine Falls, where I went last weekend. I redeemed my camera, which was a relief. The hike was still lovely. I was gratified that my favorite part of the hike was also Katy's favorite part. In the evening we made Bunny Cake (carrot cake in the shape of a bow-tie-wearing rabbit). Yummm it was so good, and we've been eating it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner since then.
Wednesday Katy came to school with me. I was a bit nervous about the prospect of an audience, especially because my GST supervisor was also observing my first lesson of the day. However, everything went just splendidly, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Katy left after school, but I stayed to wait for band practice. Can I just say again that I love mallet percussion? I also gave a student a mini piano lesson, which was funny, and had a wonderful time chatting with Flemming - he was kind enough to give me a ride home (theoretically, the ride was supposed to save me time, but we ended up sitting in the car talking for quite a bit longer than it would have taken me to walk, ah well!).
Thursday Katy stayed home to work (she's working on a project which requires her to design ventilation for a hospital!) and to sit in the sun. I went to school, of course, and had another really awesome day. When I got home, we hurriedly packed and departed for Wellington. It was a long drive through twisty mountain roads, but the scenery was pretty, and the company was excellent, of course. We couldn't listen to music except for the radio, so to pass the time, Katy actually asked me to sing all of the songs from a musical and tell me the whole story!!!!!!! It was the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me!!!! I picked Phantom of the Opera. I could only remember like a third of it, but still, it was very thrilling. For me, at any rate. (Katy says she found it thrilling as well. I'm grateful for her patronage.)
We arrived in the city after dark and it took a while to track down our hostel. It used to be a posh hotel - supposedly the Beatles stayed there once! We were excited to ride in the elevators and speculate that the Beatles may have stood in the same exact spots as us!! Oooh!
Oh dear, there's more to tell, of course, but it's Katy's turn. The ferry ride, the drive to Nelson, and Nelson will all have to wait until I get back. Can you handle the suspense??!?
Tuesday we went on a beautiful hike to Shine Falls, where I went last weekend. I redeemed my camera, which was a relief. The hike was still lovely. I was gratified that my favorite part of the hike was also Katy's favorite part. In the evening we made Bunny Cake (carrot cake in the shape of a bow-tie-wearing rabbit). Yummm it was so good, and we've been eating it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner since then.
Wednesday Katy came to school with me. I was a bit nervous about the prospect of an audience, especially because my GST supervisor was also observing my first lesson of the day. However, everything went just splendidly, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Katy left after school, but I stayed to wait for band practice. Can I just say again that I love mallet percussion? I also gave a student a mini piano lesson, which was funny, and had a wonderful time chatting with Flemming - he was kind enough to give me a ride home (theoretically, the ride was supposed to save me time, but we ended up sitting in the car talking for quite a bit longer than it would have taken me to walk, ah well!).
Thursday Katy stayed home to work (she's working on a project which requires her to design ventilation for a hospital!) and to sit in the sun. I went to school, of course, and had another really awesome day. When I got home, we hurriedly packed and departed for Wellington. It was a long drive through twisty mountain roads, but the scenery was pretty, and the company was excellent, of course. We couldn't listen to music except for the radio, so to pass the time, Katy actually asked me to sing all of the songs from a musical and tell me the whole story!!!!!!! It was the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me!!!! I picked Phantom of the Opera. I could only remember like a third of it, but still, it was very thrilling. For me, at any rate. (Katy says she found it thrilling as well. I'm grateful for her patronage.)
We arrived in the city after dark and it took a while to track down our hostel. It used to be a posh hotel - supposedly the Beatles stayed there once! We were excited to ride in the elevators and speculate that the Beatles may have stood in the same exact spots as us!! Oooh!
Oh dear, there's more to tell, of course, but it's Katy's turn. The ferry ride, the drive to Nelson, and Nelson will all have to wait until I get back. Can you handle the suspense??!?