One week in

(Beth reporting) Hard to believe we arrived in Christchurch only a week ago. It seems like yesterday and years ago all at the same time. I think the "years ago" aspect comes from the aspect of familiarity I feel. Flying over, tea with milk was as normal as coffee and cream. Crunchie bars are in the check out line. On the radio, I heard "question period" during parliamentary sessions. Ah, the Commonwealth, how I have missed thee!

That aside, I have been so touched by the friendliness of people. This afternoon I had to keep Jon waiting in the car because the woman in the small shop where I was buying fresh fish was telling me about her friend from NZ who moved to Saskatoon then Ottawa then she married a guy from Washington, DC and is now living there but she left her 18 yr old son in NZ and how could you leave a son that young and move to the US. The salmon was amazing. Tomorrow, the linguistics folks are having a BBQ to welcome us.

Big week ahead. We are moving in to our new house (rented) on Thursday. So far we've been staying in a house provided by the university. The good part is that it is free. On the other hand, I think the owners moved out in the 60's and no redecorating has been done since. Still, it's across the street from the university which has made getting to work very easy. Our new place is a bit outside of the center of town so I'll be taking the bus (good place to do class prep and email!). Fortuitously, it's not far from the ice hockey rink. How did that happen???

It's been very interesting constructing a new infrastructure. Ah, the things we take for granted! This week we got a bank account, credit card, house, and bought: a car, fridge, washer, dryer, coffee maker, toaster over, iron, tivo, kettle, tv, among other things. Fortunately, the university is reimbursing me for some of this. It's been a busy week.

Well that's it for now. Cheers and g'day to you all!
Love,
Beth