Idea I'm stealing from someone I admire

My friend and former boss Becky writes an amazing blog that is so inspirational that I had to take a piece of it for myself. thanks Becky!!
Every Wednesday Becky makes a list of things she is thankful for and I'm going to try to do this but it will probably be more on what day I remember to do it.

So here we go

1. I'm thankful for the opportunity to live in another country
2. I'm thankful for skype so I can stay connected with my family
3. I'm thankful for kind friends I have met abroad
4. I'm thankful for emails and phone calls from friends back home -- they make me laugh out loud all the time!
5. I'm thankful I have a job where i meet people from all over the world everyday

-- I know these will get a little deeper and more creative as I go along.
Cheers,
Kate

AmeriCan!

I've become famous, people know me who i don't know.. I'm now know as the AmeriCan -- sometimes the hot AmeriCan. 
Weird ....
I know it will where off eventually but its kinda fun, and y'all know i do love to be the center of attention.

Anyway-
I am taking my leave of hamner springs and living with the local celebrity and working for a new fine dining restaurant.  I'm heading back to Blenheim with a job offer out of the blue from Villa Maria to work in their cellar door (tasting room) straight through to vintage (harvest and wine making).  Did i not mention I am doing vintage for them in March. sorry.
Any way got a call out of the blue to come and work for them and how can I ignore a sign from the universe like that. To come and work for an amazing international company and do something I'm great at.  So no more restaurant and not so much free time to work on my epic tan.  Who knew blonde's could tan so well.  j/k

Its my first x-mas away from my family.  Granted mine is a bit crazy but they are mine and obligated to feed me.  I am going to miss them.  I'm going to be a third wheel on several other peoples x-mas.  You know i don't like to invite myself to things but .... you do what you have to do.  I think there are a lot of bbqs and bar hoping. 

I do miss everyone at home and wish them very happy holidays.  I wish i was there to fill every ones stockings with something silly and give everyone glitter paintings of cats for presents.  Ahh i sound like Kesha

Extremely Late

Sorry friends - epic fail on updating this regualarly.  It's been a little crazy and the last flat I was in only had dial up and 4 people.  Anyway I will try to do better in the future. Here is what has been going on.  Worked as a vineyard worker for the last 5 weeks.  Got a great tan, learned a lot but never want to work outside for 10 hour shifts again.  But the wardrobe was pretty easy and you wear the same closes for 5 days.  Lots of shoot thinning, wirelifting and riding in the back of a pick up truck.  The vineyard I was working for offered me a job for harvest.  I have accepted a position to be a cellar hand for Villa Maria in March, I'm very excited about it.  Blenheim was really fun, and I was very lucky to meet Alexa and Daniel who so kindly invited Stuart and I into their home and life.  I also enjoyed being the hot American. 
Stuart has gone off to travel with his brother and is completely m.i.a. at this point, not surprisingly.  I bought a car with Stu's mechanical savvy help, its a little Nissan, it's red of course.  So I have now learned how to drive on the other side of the road.
I have left Blenheim with many new friends, some fun adventures and a place to come back to in February.
I'm now down in Hamner Springs, which is a town of about 400 locals.  Helping a really fun gal, Maria, open a restaurant.  It's total chaos but I think it should be fun.  That's the quick update for now.  Internet is really expensive here.  I'll fill y'all in more later. 

Wind burnt

Stuart and I just finished our first couple of days as vineyard workers.  Wow... I have a whole new perspective and more appreciation for people migrant workers.  My whole body is sore.  We spent 3 days cutting bamboo poles, digging them into the group and then clipping them to the wires.  The days start out before the sun comes up when its about 45 degrees outside.  You guys know i am not a cold weather person, you should see how many layers I put on before we leave the hostel. 
I did have to purchase some long underwear and now wear it everyday, so much for fashionista status. 

Working in the vineyard leaves you a lot of time to be alone with your thoughts.  I may need to start reading philosophy on my way to work, just so I can get out of my own head for a while.

The hostel we are staying at is kinda of like living at a frat house, but co-ed and no homework.  They are doing construction outside my bedroom window and there is no Internet. 

We find out on Monday how long our jobs will last.   Then I'll make a plan about what to do next.

I miss everyone at home tons!  I miss girl happy hour and I even miss my cubical (a little). 

Its sometimes great to spend all day outside.  But i do have to remember to wear more sunscreen and lots of chapstick.

I know this is a jumpy post, I may have over caffeinated myself a bit today.  I really want to learn how to make cheese.

Stu and I went wine tasting yesterday, it was great to go and try some of the wines the area is famous for.  It reignited my purpose for being here a little bit.  I'm going to keep trying to get a cellar hand or cellar door position.  I really do want to learn more about wine. 

  cheers and much love sent your way!
Kate

prop planes and chocolate pudding

Got out of Auckland, it seems most other travelers share my opinions about the big city.  Feels good to be in a town and to be with a friend.  Played a wicked game of New Zealand monopoly.  The hostel serves free chocolate pudding at 8 pm every night.  Everyone gets in a que in the kitchen.  It makes you feel whole. 

Its interesting the instant friendships made at this hostel.  I met several people I would have liked to get to know better.  It's a little twinge to meet such fun amazing people and then say good bye.  Stuart and I are making plans for our next destination. 

cheers,
Kate

sheep and ocean

Leaving Auckland!

Hi Friends-  sorry for the long wait, had to get my head clear.  I am leaving Auckland today to head down to Nelson and meet up with Stuart.  After suffering from a bout of homesickness and culture shock I decided Auckland is not the place I want to be right now and with a friend was the right place. 

I did get a job and quit a job already, I've only been here 6 days or 7?  The job was at an Irish pub in downtown Auckland.  I can now pour Guinness quite well.  I feel like I've had to relearn English, after listening to the Irish order beer and figure out what the kiwi's are saying so fast. 

Meet a lovely Irish men who thinks my cowboy boots are really exciting. 

Went on an incredibly hike, south of Auckland.  Very muddy but stunning views.  I'll post pictures soon. 

The sun's shining bright today!  Yahoo

I meet a great American from Chicago named Jose.  He showed me where the grocery was and where to buy a blow dryer that won't blow up.  I think I'm the only American saying at the hostel now. 

Well I'm going to go drink some caffeine and work on talking in complete sentences. 

cheers