I now have to admit that I'm wondering what the hell I'm doing in this country, why I gave up a great and affordable rental property in Melbourne and why I choose to give up the really good jobs that I had to come and teach in a rural school where I spend 80% of my lessons dealing with 'classroom management' related issues. Unfortunately the charm I once associated with NZ has been replaced by the tedium of working everyday in these conditions.
So I miss Preston, the house, the market, the McDonalds and Nandos in walking distance, the 24hr Safeway, the large collection of decent takeaway, Northland and the Northcote Plaza, cinemas, a decent bacon and egg sandwich (and the other important food groups, potato chips and donuts of which both the NZ versions are very sub par) . Oh and I really miss the Pancake Parlour - no more will be getting me some f'ing pancakes. Yes, besides the food, I also miss my friends, work colleagues, musicians etc... But I really do miss those pancakes.
Oh and miss decent burgers - for some reason 'salad' in a burger here equals coleslaw. Not into it.
I will also admit to missing my pet rabbits: Aragorn, Ripley and Daughter of Gavin.
Anyways, I'm hoping if I actually get some outdoors/tramping trips off the ground soon it might temper these feelings somewhat... I was hoping to do a whitewater kayaking course in the first term holidays, but I don't think I 'll have the money unfortunately. Anyway, worse case scenario only 10 months to go and I'll be back home. Though it seems somewhat of a waste of effort to move for only year.
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is this weekend - the town swells from 5000ish to over 20000. Lots of 'wild' food on offer. Bring me two of every animal as they say... could be good. Though I have been roped into conducting the local brass band - not sure how that happened. Will report after the weekend.
Sorry to hear you're missing home, Timmy. It's easy to start taking things like Nando's and pancakes for granted. I must say, your experiences in NZ (and Tobes' in Scotland) have reinforced my belief that leaving the house is just plain bad. Personally, I've spent the time you guys have been overseas working a rather fine assgroove into my sofa. It's a good 6" deep now and I plan to keep working on it for the foreseeable future.
ReplyDeleteThe Wildfoods festival sounds like something to look forward to, although the whole conducting thing may interfere with your food consumption. If I were you, I'd construct some sort of bacon-wrapped baton. Also, I'd have my sheet music printed on bacon. And you should regale the crowd with a rendition of Schubert's little-known Schweinfleischsymphonie (Bacon Symphony)?