Over the last couple of weeks, we have had no luck finding a good 'go to' take away (i.e., the kiwi equivalent of take out) place. For us in Philly, our 'go to' place was Ekta. The saag paneer at Ekta is simply hands down the best in the world...or at least the world as we know it.
Most of the take away places in Christchurch are mediocre at best. Believe it or not, Kentucky Fried Chicken (and yes they do spell it out here) is a big f'ing deal. I imagine kiwis would knight the Colonel if they could.
In direct contrast to the US, frying is not taboo. I would estimate that there are nearly 30 Fish and Chips shops in a 2 mile radius of our house. Most interestingly, it's Fish and Chips and Chinese. How's that for a combo! Turns out that the local custom is to go your local Fish and Chips shop on Friday and order some 'greasies.'
Tonight our long awaited miracle occurred...we found our 'go to' take away.
Let me introduce Red Elephant Thai.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The White Horseman
For the past two weeks, the White Horsemen has been staying at our house.
He's really a very nice person (lots of great stories about ye olden days), but he's overdue his stay.
In other news, The Squidd has gone bipedal.
He's really a very nice person (lots of great stories about ye olden days), but he's overdue his stay.
In other news, The Squidd has gone bipedal.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
It's Official!
The Squidd's first official word (meaning he can say it and know its context) is 'up.'
Followed closely by his second official word...'numnuts.'
Followed closely by his second official word...'numnuts.'
Friday, July 16, 2010
The Things I See
On my ride into work, I see these three signs/billboards everyday. Giggle at your leisure.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Milo versus Vegemite
My dearest Milo,
Over the past couple of weeks, I have tried desperately to enjoy, like, even just tolerate you. The casual sipping. The mixing and stirring. Your heat on my cold hands. However, my malty Milo, we need to break up. I would like to say that it's me not you, but who am I kidding...you taste like a**...it's definitely you.
In other news, we have made a breakthrough in Kraft taste technology. Vegemite is an Australian food product made by the Kraft mega-conglomerate. It's salty, yeasty and tastes like a cross between your average cold/flu and chicken noodle soup (imagine that in your mouth if you can). It's also one of the few Australian products that Kiwis actually endorse. While enjoying one of my other fine Kraft products (Philadelphia Cream Cheese...let's give a what! what! for Philly) on some toast, I decided to marble in a little Vegemite. The results were outstanding! Overall, the experience was a fiesta in my mouth and everyone was getting along. If you decide to try this combination out, remember not to use too much Vegetite or your mouth fiesta might get a little ugly.
Bon appetit!
Over the past couple of weeks, I have tried desperately to enjoy, like, even just tolerate you. The casual sipping. The mixing and stirring. Your heat on my cold hands. However, my malty Milo, we need to break up. I would like to say that it's me not you, but who am I kidding...you taste like a**...it's definitely you.
In other news, we have made a breakthrough in Kraft taste technology. Vegemite is an Australian food product made by the Kraft mega-conglomerate. It's salty, yeasty and tastes like a cross between your average cold/flu and chicken noodle soup (imagine that in your mouth if you can). It's also one of the few Australian products that Kiwis actually endorse. While enjoying one of my other fine Kraft products (Philadelphia Cream Cheese...let's give a what! what! for Philly) on some toast, I decided to marble in a little Vegemite. The results were outstanding! Overall, the experience was a fiesta in my mouth and everyone was getting along. If you decide to try this combination out, remember not to use too much Vegetite or your mouth fiesta might get a little ugly.
Bon appetit!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Jekyll & Hyde
Many people have a tendency to generalize a people or society, especially when it comes to driving.
For example:
New Yorkers are bad drivers.
Mass Holes are bad drivers.
Californians are bad drivers.
Philadelphians are bad drivers.
The list could go on and on about who has the worst drivers. Of course, the drivers in New York are bad for very different reasons than, say, the Californians. New Yorkers are aggressive in their driving style, whereas, Californians are a little more spacey (i.e., you're never quite sure when a Californian might decide to change into another lane).
Again, these are very broad generalizations, which are not truly reflective of the drivers of a particular city, state, or country.
OK. Now that we have settled on that, let's move onto the meat of this post.
Kiwis are lovely people. Very friendly. Very accommodating. Very 'Bob the Builder' yes we can!
However, there is another side of Kiwis that we have witnessed over the past couple of weeks that only occurs the second they sit in their cars and start up the engine.
This is the Dr. Jekyll transforming into Mr. Hyde phenomena that we have witnessed (and been scared Squiddless about) time and time again. Even the popular guide books explicitly warn their readers about Kiwi drivers.
New Yorkers, Californians, Philadelphians, Mass Holes...you are not even in the same league as our Kiwi hosts. For scale, you are in the T-ball league with your Big League Chew and knee pads...that one of you parents made you wear so you wouldn't scrape your knees as you pranced into home plate...but I digress.
Besides all the accidents, cutting people off, screaming inside of cars, etc., that we have witnessed on a daily basis, the one that shocks us most is that pedestrians are targets. Even if you have a pedestrian green light, you are taking your life into your own hands crossing the street.
At one of my safety meetings composed of hearty geologists who work in Antarctica, Pakistan, the Saharas, active volcanoes, etc. (really dangerous places doing dangerous things!), the most dangerous activity they said they had done in the last 2 years was commuting into work that morning. Every single one...and they were NOT joking.
So be warned, a Kiwi might be a friendly little bird most of the time, but given the right conditions it will kick you in the knee cap...as we learned at the Kiwi bird exhibit and aquarium.
For example:
New Yorkers are bad drivers.
Mass Holes are bad drivers.
Californians are bad drivers.
Philadelphians are bad drivers.
The list could go on and on about who has the worst drivers. Of course, the drivers in New York are bad for very different reasons than, say, the Californians. New Yorkers are aggressive in their driving style, whereas, Californians are a little more spacey (i.e., you're never quite sure when a Californian might decide to change into another lane).
Again, these are very broad generalizations, which are not truly reflective of the drivers of a particular city, state, or country.
OK. Now that we have settled on that, let's move onto the meat of this post.
Kiwis are lovely people. Very friendly. Very accommodating. Very 'Bob the Builder' yes we can!
However, there is another side of Kiwis that we have witnessed over the past couple of weeks that only occurs the second they sit in their cars and start up the engine.
This is the Dr. Jekyll transforming into Mr. Hyde phenomena that we have witnessed (and been scared Squiddless about) time and time again. Even the popular guide books explicitly warn their readers about Kiwi drivers.
New Yorkers, Californians, Philadelphians, Mass Holes...you are not even in the same league as our Kiwi hosts. For scale, you are in the T-ball league with your Big League Chew and knee pads...that one of you parents made you wear so you wouldn't scrape your knees as you pranced into home plate...but I digress.
Besides all the accidents, cutting people off, screaming inside of cars, etc., that we have witnessed on a daily basis, the one that shocks us most is that pedestrians are targets. Even if you have a pedestrian green light, you are taking your life into your own hands crossing the street.
At one of my safety meetings composed of hearty geologists who work in Antarctica, Pakistan, the Saharas, active volcanoes, etc. (really dangerous places doing dangerous things!), the most dangerous activity they said they had done in the last 2 years was commuting into work that morning. Every single one...and they were NOT joking.
So be warned, a Kiwi might be a friendly little bird most of the time, but given the right conditions it will kick you in the knee cap...as we learned at the Kiwi bird exhibit and aquarium.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Over the weekend, the Squidd stayed home to play with the grandparents so Rocky and I could do a little local exploring. We ended up doing some light hiking ("tramping") about 10 minutes from the house. Whatever NZ may be lacking in other areas, it certainly makes up for it in pure physical beauty.
Rocky and I didn't camp at all in Pennsylvania, mostly because the summers are utterly disgusting with the overwhelming heat and humidity, so we are very much looking forward to camping often out here.
Rocky and I didn't camp at all in Pennsylvania, mostly because the summers are utterly disgusting with the overwhelming heat and humidity, so we are very much looking forward to camping often out here.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
New Zealand Headline News...yes, it involves sheep
After Jeech and Chong came back from a trip around the South Island, they were excited to tell us about Shrek the Monster Sheep.
Apparently, Shrek avoided capture for six years by hunkering down in an alpine cave. Needless to say, Shrek was a little fluffy when they eventually found him.
Apparently, Shrek avoided capture for six years by hunkering down in an alpine cave. Needless to say, Shrek was a little fluffy when they eventually found him.
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