Hobbiton Road Trip

Well, it has been awhile since I have been able to post what's been going on. Not quite sure where the weeks have gone as I just asked JC, "When did we go on our road trip to see the movie scene of the Hobbit?" Anyways, at least I am writing about it now. We left rainy Auckland on a Saturday afternoon to head to Matamata. We arrived to a warm welcome from Kathleen and John who were the B&B owners. Their kindness, hospitality, and conversation was beautiful. We arrived just at sunset and enjoyed talking with the owners. As the rain was pouring outside, JC and I decided we should go into town for dinner. We loved the local pub in town that had amazing food and great live music. We kept saying we will leave after "this last song" but we kept staying and enjoyed the night. I had wanted to surprise JC with the trip to Hobbit "town" on Saturday but saw that the weather forecast looked pretty rainy. JC didn't get his full surprise as he found out we were going Sunday morning if the weather was nice. Well...we woke up to a beautiful morning and wanted to be the first tour group on the set. We barely made it on the tour but as I said "we made it." Not being a Lord of the Rings fan I wasn't sure what to expect especially paying a lot of money to see the Hobbit set. Well, let me say that I enjoyed it just as much as JC (who is the Lord of Rings book reader/movie lover.) The NZ scenery in general is amazing but this place took it to another level. It was great to be the first ones on tour as many tours came after us with bigger groups. I could go on and on about the tour but I think the pictures will tell the Sunday morning experience. Our main reason for the trip was to go on a night kayak tour to see the glow worm caves. Due to the unpredictable NZ weather the forecast was calling for horrible rain Sunday evening. Our kayak tour was canceled but we were ok with heading home early before the "torrential rains" came. On our way home we stopped in at a store called, Martha's Backyard. An American friend had told me about this "American" store. JC and I had a fun time looking through a flea market setting with crazy expensive Cosco items. Needless to say we picked up a few favorites that you can't find here; such as, PEEPS, mac n cheese, brownie mix, hot chocolate packets, Crunch bars, and Jiffy cornbread mix! When we arrived home it was a surprise to see no rain but a nice sunset! As the night progressed we were wondering if the rain would even come. It finally came but we think the kayak tour could have been accomplished. We don't like to take risks on those tours when they are calling for bad weather. So moving on to the last few weeks. I have been sending out my resume on average to 3-4 schools per week. I am still not giving up but pushing forward. JC has been swamped with studies and now has many projects before his FINALS. Can't believe in a month he will be half way through the program. Time sure flies by when you are having fun. Next week we will celebrate our 3 MONTHS here in Auckland! I have been staying busy with applications, daily yoga at the local studio, and triathlon training. The tri season is over but I am preparing for a BIG tri before I leave NZ. Last Friday night, JC and I join a new group of American friends for an Italian night at the wharf. It was nice to hang out with people our age. As far as meeting people it has been a slow process. That is the beauty of moving. On Mother's Day we decided to get out and enjoy the sun while it was out and headed on an hour walk to Mission Bay. We have learned that you have to get out when it's sunny or else you might not see the sun for days with dreary rainy weather. Our midpoint stop was our favorite Yogurt ice cream place where we enjoyed our treat by the beach. I usually run this route a few times a week. It is beautiful to run along the beach bays. My treat is to run faster than the time before in order to stop for an ice cream. Needless to say the people at the shop know me as the girl who runs for her ice cream. I am greeted with a glass of water when I arrive. haha! I was invited to visit a school this week on the North Shore. I loved the school, principal, and kids. I applied for a job but not getting my hopes up. If it is meant to be than it shall be. Tomorrow JC and I are heading over to the North Shore to check out his professors mother in law's car. It is a Mazda 1989... things that make you go hummm. Not that we are looking for a car but when opportunities pop up you have to follow through. Overall, our time is flying by and we are enjoying every minute of it. We miss our family and friends more and more each day. So... get your trips booked to come visit! 

Finally another post...

Auckland is filled with rainbows

Time has been flying by with fun filled adventures here in New Zealand. JC and I had planned a trip to New Plymouth since JC was on school holidays, but this quickly changed when his professors loaded him with work and projects. We think they were mad to not have a break and therefore wanted JC to work work work instead of play. Anyways, Thursday was "memorial day" for New Zealand and our friends Marianne and Bryan invited us to join them for a day at Pahi Beach. We enjoyed the day walking around and joining in on a memorial ceremony on the beach. On the way home we stopped by other beaches and found an incredible waterfall. Bryan's family came to our home to finally see where we lived and to have dinner. It felt great to have his family in our home as they feel like family to us. Saturday we went to Matakana which is an hours drive from Auckland. The market was lovely with a down home kinda feel. We grabbed a slice of pizza from the wood oven pit located next to the river stream. JC also bought me some beautiful flowers which I am still enjoying. After the market we decided to make the most of our trip with of coarse... wine touring. Our second stop was to Heron's Flight. We were met outside by the Italian pizza maker and his wife from the market. The vineyard was owned by an American and Kiwi lady. We got to taste some of the best red wine which was made with their Italian variety of grapes. I don't really like red wine but this vineyard changed my perspective! We were invited to hang out as the Italians made pizza on an outside oven at the wine maker's home. We had an amazing time hanging out and talking with the owners and Italians. The oven was a work in process as it took awhile to heat, but the end result was a great pizza lunch with incredible red wine! We met others who came by the vineyard and it was a fun filled afternoon that we surely had not planned on. Sunday JC stayed in to finish up projects and I decided to go on a little road trip. I have heard so many great things about Howick which is 30 minutes away from Auckland. So... I went to check out the area. I enjoyed my road trip and loved the town. Sunday night I put JC up for a putt putt challenge. We played a round of putt putt and yes... the winner was JC! We finished our date night with eating at one of our favorite restaurants in Mission Bay called, Mama Mia. After dinner we walked Mission Bay to find the "BEST" frozen yogurt place ever! As you never know what you might find in the city, we walked along the coast to find an ice skating rink! We decided to pass on the opportunity as I could see JC getting a nice chiropractic adjustment. This week has been back to normal as JC is in school. I have been enjoying going to yoga everyday and working out. Schools have been on holidays so my search will begin again next week. It has been nice to have a break from the almost impossible job journey. But as Aerosmith sings, "Life's a journey, not a destination."

Piha Beach

JC's favorite field trip! He got to visit a helicopter company that he met in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! He hasn't quit smiling since he returned!