USA! USA! USA!

Thanks to Facebook most of you know that I was in the US for two weeks, getting my annual Target fix, plus enjoying other "must dos" like rare hamburgers, Greek food, Oprah magazines, having a decent cocktail, and indulging in lots of my mom's cooking.

There were a few downers. I left 2 bracelets at the LAX security checkpoint and didn't notice they were missing until I was in Charlotte. It took my mom and I about 34 threatening phone calls and 5 days to get them back. We were on the phone at least 15 minutes every day, leaving voicemails, getting transferred to different departments, hearing a different story every time. There's a number to call for Lost and Found, but it's voicemail and they never ever ever ever ever call you back. I called so much I was like, "Hey, yeah, it's me again."

The whole ordeal culminated in my mom going right to the head of HR to demand to speak to the head of security. This was on day 5. I received a humble callback from some chick named Patricia. What's interesting is that I'd already left Patricia 3 messages, each time growing more and more frantic ("PLEASE call me back!!"). Danielle said that I sounded like Liz Lemon. I guess when Patricia's boss got involved, she rang me back immediately and was all, "How can I help you?" Horrible. But the bracelets are back and I've learned a very valuable lesson: take off all of your jewelry before flying.

The rest of the trip was pretty fabulous. A lot of relaxing, a lot of visiting, a lot of eating. While I was sipping Veuve on my parents' lovely patio, poor Iain was back home dealing with a fender bender and a flea infestation. Poor guy. This year we've got some fun New Zealand travel lined up for the both of us.

Here are two cool pictures of my fam - the rest are all on Facebook.

OH: I learned another valuable travel lesson. When you can, purchase the day passes to the airport lounges. For $40US, I booked a day pass to the USAIrways Club lounges. I had 24 hour access in any airport, so I was good to go for Buffalo, Charlotte, and finally LA. It was a godsend. Free wifi, comfy chairs, a clean bathroom, it's QUIET, and you get a free glass of wine and/or free water, coffee, tea, etc.

iPhone

While everyone in the US fights over whether they want a white one or the black to go with their brand new iPad, over here we're expected to be satiated with crap teaser emails like this.

WNED: Canadian Earthquake Felt Across WNY (2010-06-23)

Well this is just weird. So much for that claim about Buffalo "only" getting the snow! Did anyone feel this?

Canadian Earthquake Felt Across WNY (2010-06-23)

Declan Michael Occhino!

I don't have any pictures but I wanted to congratulate Och + Kerry on their latest, born June 9th. Simone now has a brother and Pippa has another excuse to bark 24/7. Way to go guys!

Sal's Pizza

About a month ago we discovered Sal's Authentic New York Pizza here in Auckland. Considering THIS is what we've had to tolerate (please see below), finally getting the real deal has been worth the wait. Of course, we had it once. Then a week later had it again. Then Iain's parents were in town so we had it AGAIN. Then a coworker mentioned it so now I want it again.....

Two Years!

Two years ago today we landed in New Zealand. We celebrated today with a trip to Immigration to renew my visa before heading off to work. Thrilling!

New Zealand is #5!

According to International Living Magazine, New Zealand is the fifth most desirable place for Americans to move.

New Zealand's immigration department sums up the attractions perfectly. "In many ways it's not what we have that's important to our quality of life—it's what we don't have. We don't have high crime rates, our police don't carry guns and instances of corruption are virtually unheard of. We don't have abject poverty or hunger and we don't have the pollution, congestion, health issues and cramped city living that we see elsewhere."

Malta can suck it!

Los Angeles SWAT Team fire truck... in Auckland?!

Whenever I see a US flag over here it always catches my eye, so this blew my mind. I'm sure it's for some exhibit or show, but it's still weird.

Dumb Americans

We have two American friends, Mike & Ellen, who invited us to a weekly quiz night held at a bar in town. Our team, titled Dumb Americans (sorry, Iain!) kicked ASS and came in third amongst 12+ teams! We walked away with a bottle of wine and a $20 gift certificate. We're now totally hooked and want to go back every week.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Commentary

I know they're constantly in the tabloids and we're all sick of them, but I'm really beginning to dislike them. I thought it was ridiculous when they claimed that they wouldn't get married until gay marriage became legal. I agree with their cause - everyone should be able to get married - but then stick with it! How lame of Brad to then turn around and say that the REAL reason they aren't married is because he's terrified of going through the same emotional hell as his divorce from Jennifer Aniston. That's lame on like 50 levels. If you don't want to get married, fine - but just say so already!

I also thought the shots of Angelina in 'W' weren't so great. So there! (ok, she looked really pretty in the breastfeeding shots, and the picture of her and Maddox is cool, but that's it)

HAMBURGERS!!!

So far, Dunedin is the only place we've found in New Zealand that makes a decent hamburger. Our flight was at 1pm, so we went to the restaurant at 11am and begged the cook to make these for us before the lunch menu was 'officially' available. (if you look closely, you can see the slice of beet. Beets are HUGE over here)

BREAKING NEWS: American products cost less in America!

For the last THREE DAYS the talk in class has been about how expensive the new iPhones are. This has not replaced the daily "Mac versus PC" debates, but it's tempered them somewhat. It's the most inane conversation:

Geek: "The new iPhone is $250 a month after the $399 cost!"
Me: "You'd be an idiot to buy one."
Geek: "I should just go to the States and buy one and bring it back. My friend in Chicago has one!"
Me: "Yeah, but wouldn't you still have the $250 monthly fee?"
Geek: (pause) "Yeah, but it's still cheaper!" (loses interest in me as another student enters the class) "Hey -- did you know that the new iPhone is $250 a month?"

Another convo I had with a classmate:
"I could go to class 7 days a week - I just love it!"

In other class news, Child Genius celebrated his 17th birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

I LOVE the internet.

New Zealand is Lacking

Here is a list of things that NZ does not have, based on my limited time here and what Iain tells me (so forgive any inaccuracies):

1. Murphy's Oil Soap
2. egg nog
3. Taco Bell
4. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Dream Curls Curl Perfecting Spray
5. Amoré Sundried Tomato paste
6. Swiffer

Iain is most devastated by #5. I am almost in tears over #3. Even though I only ate Taco Bell like once a year, it was just nice to know that I could. And they have KFC and Pizza Hut, which is the same company, so what's the deal?

What the Heck America?

"What the Heck, America" is an actual show, hosted by a coked-up American guy who rambles on about politics, saying things like "I don't know what the deal is with Puerto Rico" and "They don't get to vote in Washington DC". I think he meant that DC doesn't get a primary, but who knows. Then he cut to really bad videos taken from YouTube - we weren't sure what the point of that was, but we turned it off after 15 horrendous minutes.

Free Mumia? .. or not...?

I took down my Mumia post because I didn't want this to be a political blog (Obama 08!) and I forgot that when I posted the other night. I've always found the case fascinating, but so is Rock of Love and Survivor: Fans vs Faves. This blog is about New Zealand, cats, paint, booze, reality TV, and food! (but feel free to personally email me - it's a really interesting case.)

The End of the USA Roadtrip!

Well, we fly out tomorrow evening around 7:45pm Pacific time. We spent yesterday trying to relax while still dealing with the horrific pet transport people. I don't doubt that Blue and Tama will arrive safely and happily in Auckland, but the guy we've been dealing with (who I think is the owner) is an idiot. Our vet gave us some kitty Valium that I've been eyeing for myself.

We went for a nice long walk today along Manhattan Beach and had lunch outside. We've spent the rest of the day doing laundry, throwing stuff out, and packing. It's nice to finally be able to streamline, but a few items will be tough to leave behind, namely this awesome Tupperware lettuce bin that I've had for about 10 years which RULES. Iain assures me that they have Tupperware in New Zealand but I said, "But do they have THIS???" I tried to pack it, which was a joke. I finally admitted defeat. I hope someone from the Residence Inn housekeeping staff gets as much use out of it that I have.

When Iain moved from England to New Zealand as a kid, he had a small wooden elephant with him on the plane. It was one of the only toys he was able to bring. In keeping with this, we're taking Tama's favorite toy with us, so he has something to play with (besides Blue) when he gets to Auckland.

We may be offline tomorrow, unless LAX has WiFi (which I'm sure it does). Either way, we'll write when we land in Auckland and begin the second part of our roadtrip, sans kitties!

Hotel in San Diego

The cats are now totally unfazed by all of the moving around. Blue starts eating as soon as we shut the gate, and Tama just curls up and goes to sleep.

California

We endured a long, six hour drive from Phoenix to San Diego - who knew there was so much sand? (see pictures) It's a good thing we're at the end of the trip because I am officially sick of loading and unloading the car every day!

The day wasn't so hotsy. The motel we were supposed to check into said that their "pet friendly" policy only extends to dogs, so we had to find another hotel. When we got there, they couldn't find our reservation, but were able to check us in anyway.

Then we had two hours of hell with our moronic pet transport people, who don't return our phone calls (or they do, but it's a vague email that you don't receive until later because you're in the car all day) and screw up dates -- just what you want when you're moving to another country in 2 days.

But, the evening was a blast: we saw Liz and Justin Ebert (and Jack!) and had a really great time.

Thank you, Jamie!!

We celebrated our last night in Scottsdale with a drink and appetizer at The Capital Grill, courtesy of our good friend Jamie who gave us a gift certificate (see picture). We each had a drink and a bite to eat, then we drove home at sunset.

We stopped along the way at Whole Foods, where we got a bottle of wine, some vegetables, fruit and a few chicken breasts for $102. Yea organic!!