Author Archives: bethoffreshair

Tiki-tour: a trip where instead of going directly from A to B, you make all kinds of detours and side trips, going to places you didn’t intend to go when you set out. Margaret (host mother) and I planned a tiki-tour (which seems funny to plan on going places you don’t plan on) after weContinue reading “tiki-tour.”

I walked to the library and have no idea how I got here. I had received written directions that missed a street, and from what I could figure, it was an important street. The library is a couple miles away, up and up a hill. I ended up walking through a gated school and thoughtContinue reading “not a knee slappin’ good post.”

It’s a strange thing, living with people you’ve chosen from a web profile. I’ve been with this sweet family for 4 days now. I know what they call their remote control, who loses said remote most often, how they hang up their pajamas on the clothesline, and where the cloves of garlic are kept. IContinue reading “mote/dial/controller.”

My host family borrowed a trailer from a friend and today’s task was to transport the pile of compost, tree branches, leaves, etc. that had accumulated in the corner of the yard over three years time. I shoveled spastic worms, sluggy slugs, disgusting maggots, a salamander, a Pepsi Max can, non poisonous spiders (New ZealandContinue reading “shovelin’ slugs.”

My body thinks it is 4:54am, while it is 8:54pm here. That is quite the discrepancy. I find that a walk on the beach and a lovely salmon meal help to keep me awake until a decent hour, to try to get into the swing of things here. I also haven’t had caffeine in aContinue reading “whang dang.*”

Auckland, thus far, has completely taken my breath away. I am staying on a thin peninsula on the north shore that is completely surrounded by fourteen gorgeous beaches. These are beaches that look like Aslan is just hanging out under the rocks, waiting for that little mouse to want his tail back. I will postContinue reading “first thoughts at 28.”

I stood at baggage claim for almost an hour. Waiting. Waiting to see that yellow ribbon I tied to my blue bag. After 45 minutes, I looked around and saw seven expectant faces. We all looked so pitiful, like we were waiting for someone to ask us to dance at prom. Except the bags wereContinue reading “baggage.”

I’ve been traveling for the last 25 hours. I’ve been through several time changes, and my meal cycle is a bit confused. So in Charlotte, I bought some beef jerky when I wasn’t hungry, since I would need a snack before I got to LA at 8:45pm (which would feel like 11:45pm to me). SoContinue reading “nz hates jerky.”

I’m leaving on a jet plane, and I know when I’ll be back again…  in February for my sweet twin brother’s wedding. This has made it easier to say goodbye to friends and family! I’ve gone 5 months without being home before, but I have never gone a whole year.   So, c’est la vie.Continue reading “kiwi cubed.”

What I’m learning right now at Barnes and Noble about kiwi language: Flat white: espresso with milk Cuppa: cup of tea or coffee Sweet as: all good     “‘Ello, mate. May I please have a cuppa flat white? That’d be sweet as.”