Our Christmas

Temple lights on Christmas Eve

Shawn opening his gifts from my parents

Christmas dinner with chicken and rolls, um

Zucchine Bread for the neighbors with homemade card

Shawn doing the dishes.

We hope you all had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! It was hard being away from all of our loved ones, but it was nice to be warm and with Shawn. It was a good day. Bring on 2012!

LONG AWAITED!

I feel that I have left so many of you in the dust and that it may appear that I have forgotten you. Oh contrary, I think of all of you almost daily but are unable to communicate via internet. You see, internet is REALLY expensive. I mean 2 GB is $50 and that is not counting the device needed to get the internet in the first place. It is out of control! Due to this internet has been about emails for nursing and work. Really not much else. I am sorry. I feel horrible. You may find yourself asking well then how are you writing this.... INSTITUTE! Yep, it pays to be a member of the church. Free internet! WHOOP WHOOP!
This is going to be more like an email or letter than a post. I need to get you all caught up and since there are about a million and half emails from all of you asking this same questions I will answer them all on here. Hope that is okay. I know it is not as personable but we all have to make sacrifices. Sorry!
Letter starting:
I just opened up my email and guess what.... I GOT MY WORK VISA! That means that I can start work really soon. I am so excited. I have loved staying home and being about to workout, clean, read, cook and do laundry. However, I am excited to be able to work and bring in a bit of income. I have been talking with a company for Home Health Care. It is not the preferred job but it will get me into healthcare until my nursing license goes through. Also, (sit down for this) I am going to be teaching ballet. I have not taught in 7 years and have not danced in even longer but I contacted a company and they need a dance teacher. My dad says that he is glad that all those thousands of dollars have not gone to waste. I am excited because I love ballet and I know that I will be able to help those girls become better dancers.
Nextly, Shawn and I moved. Since I have married him I have moved to my parents house, moved to New Zealand, moved to our first apartment and now moved into our second rental. I wish that you could all see it. I promise that I will post pictures. We love our place and it feels really good there. With that said it is tiny. Length wise you can walk from one end to the next in 20 foot steps and width 4 steps. Also, Monica, it is on wheels so your dream of living in a trailer is my reality. Let me point out the good though, it has a gas stove and water heater which is perfect and the kitchen is really nice. Our landlord is so nice and helps us with everything. He is even going to repair our car in a couple of weeks so we don't have to pay so much. It is out in the country by the railroad tracks. The train runs about once an hour. You may wonder how I know that... well Shawn has been documenting all the trains that go by. We really do love our place.
Moving on. Married life. This morning in bed I thought to myself can't we just stay in this forever. Having the feelings and thoughts that I have. It just feels perfect. It is not always like that... but this morning it was. I love Shawn.
Shawn is so busy with school. I am constantly amazed by his brains. He can do anything! All of his colleagues are in love with him and always asking for his help. He just knows how to do it all. He found out this week that he is in charge of the Christmas party and then also we are invited to a BBQ that only some got invited to. He turned in his research purposal this week. It will go through many reviews and changes but it is nice to have the major part of just getting it together finished.
When he is not at school we are playing games. Skipbo, Racko and Phase 10 (if you have any other 2 people games let me know). I hate to admit it but I taught him all of these games and now he wins me almost every time. We have fun though and it is nice to spend time together.
I have been working out like a mad woman. At least an hour a day but lately it has been two hours. I go and do my own thing for an hour and then attend a class for an hour. I hurt on a daily basis but it is a good hurt.
I am loving being over here. It is an adventure but is starting to feel more and more like home. We are still debating what to do for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will let you know the details when we figure them out. Turkeys are hard to come by but we think that we have someone to kill us a wild turkey. Should be interesting.
We love you all and are so thankful for all of in our lives. Please keep the emails coming and know that even though often not responded to they are the highlight of my days. Please come and visit if given the chance we will find room for you in our lovely home.
Until next time... which will hopefully be soon and will involve pictures of our home and latest adventures.

Camping

Shawn and I have been camping. It is a camp that is different from what you might expect, but fun none-the-less. We get to see things in new and different ways and be creative in our approach to life. You see, we have been camping in our own apartment. We have had no forks, spoons, knives and no fridge. This last week we have seen the monkey inside of us. Trust me it provided great entertainment each night as we tried to eat dinner. Peanut butter and jelly spread with fingers, tomatoes eaten like apples, kiwi's peeled with fingers. Thankfully, two nights ago I buckled and bought utensils, life has been a bit easier since then. Oh the memories. I know that many years down the road we will look at these times with fondness. Now though, they are just pure humor. We have still not bought a fridge. I am afraid we will wait another three weeks, when we will be moving. You read that right. We are moving yet again to a smaller place with less rent.

Up Roar

So I hear that I have created some talk of unto which I had not idea I was creating. I am a bit naive and didn't see this one coming.  To one and all I say 1) I promise I was not lusting after a stranger while at the temple 2) I miss my roommate Shannon more than imagined 3) My email was an attempt to get her to come over and join me in this new land 4) I love Shawny Boy. I promise that I would not have given up my American life if I were not smitten.  If you spent an evening with us you would see how content and happy we are with each other. I need no other, I want no other.

Happy Tid Bits

1) We have a soft, comfy, fluffy bed.
2) Passed the english test! It was hard.
3) Turned in nursing registration application.
4) No sweater necessary today.
5) Our cargo arrived on the boat.
6) We have a washing machine.
7) We have a vacuum.
8) We bought a sleek dressing table.
9) Possibly I will be working in a short time as a CNA and ballet teacher.
10) Moving into our apartment today.

Thus, we will not have the internet for a time. Don't know when the next postage will come. I promise that it will involve photo's of our new oh so bare apartment. Speaking of which, I have spent the last two days scrubbing. BLEACH anyone?

The Day of My Birth!

Yesterday, October 5th, was my birthday in New Zealand. Today, October 5th, is my birthday in America. One of the great things about living here is I get to celebrate x2. Are you jealous?
It was a great day. Shawn made me breakfast. The breakfast consisted of: eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and LEMON CAKE!

After breakfast we enjoyed ourselves some dark chocolate.

He took the day off of school and we headed to the east coast to a place called Tauranga.

We walked along the beach into town ate lunch and had gelato. We watched the surfers and kite surfers. I learned a lot about waves and surfing. Shawny boy is a great teacher of the ocean things.

We then stopped by some waterfalls. There was supposed to be a hike but we couldn't find it so we turned around. However, this little gem of a find was beautiful. We will be back.

 When we arrived home there were flowers on our door step from my parents.

I also opened a card from my Grandma and Grandpa Spanos. They are so sweet. We ended the day with skyping with my mom and Case and tacos with homemade salsa. Does it get much better than that? I say not.

Tramps and Rides

Last Friday, September 30, after school Shawn and I jumped on the tramp and went on a bike ride. I have not jumped on a tramp since the good ole days of Heber. It was pure bliss. I couldn't stop laughing. I really thought that I may pee my pants. Shawn found it to be entertaining as well, but I believe he was more entrained by me than the whole jumping up and down. We got off the tramp and got the bikes out of the garage. The people we are house sitting for also have a love for bikes. We pumped up the tires and headed on our way. We passed a lady on the street and she said to us "you two are happy aren't ya?" Our faces must have been showing our joy. What a wonderful evening it was. 

P.S. There is more room on the tramp and also more bikes. You are welcome to join next time. I promise it will be a good time.

FOUND!

(A recent email to one of my best friends) "I FOUND HIM! (and as much as i dislike all caps this email is going to be all capped) HE WAS AT THE TEMPLE TODAY. HE WAS DASHING. HE WALKED IN AND I WAS ALL "OH LA LA" I HAD TO FOCUS ON NOT STARING AT HIM... THEN I REMEMBERED I AM A MARRIED WOMAN AND MY HEART SUNK FOR A MOMENT! THEN I THOUGHT... OH NO LITTLE ONE NO NEED TO BE SAD HE CAN BE (insert your name). I AM NOT EXAGERATING WHEN I SAY HE WAS BEAUTIFUL. I MEAN WOWZERS. HE IS SINGLE THIS I DO KNOW AND HE IS AT THE TEMPLE... WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED... OH, YOU TO BE OVER HERE! HE HAD DARK SKIN AND DARK EYES HE WAS SUPER TALL BUT NOT TOO TALL. HE WAS JUST THE RIGHT THICKNESS, PERFECTION. HE WAS HOT, ADORABLE, FINE AND AMAZING ALL WRAPPED INTO ONE. I TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD FLY OVER HERE ASAP TO GET TO KNOW THIS ONE. HONESTLY, THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I CAN SEE IS... I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT HIM. I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE LIVES, I DON'T KNOW HIS NAME, I DON'T KNOW HIS AGE... BUT ALL THOSE ARE JUST LITTLE DETAILS... NOTHING THAT REALLY MATTERS. I KID YOU NOT HE IS GREAT. YOU TWO WOULD HAVE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, AND I KNOW HE WOULD FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU.  THE BEST PART IS AFTER THE SESSION WHEN I WAS LEAVING YOU HAVE TO WALK THROUGH THE CHAPEL AND THERE HE WAS AGAIN GOING TO ANOTHER SESSION. MERCY! DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS... I SAY NOT!" And I can find you one too... just let me know! They are every where. I am working on getting to know their details though. You know... name, current relationship status, age and how much cash they bring in a year. I will continue working on that. But by  the time you get over here... I will have one all lined up.

Dinero, Money, Wad, or Cash Notes

No matter what way you look at money, it is still money. Here is a list to make you feel even better about your life. Remember the current exchange rate is 1 NZ dollar to 0.78 US dollar... but still.
12 eggs = 5.99
an order of fries = 6.99
a liter of petrol = 2.49 (remember liter not gallon)
shipping a phone across seas = 58.00
bottle of olive oil = 29.00
box of 10 tampons = 5.00 (on sale)
box of 6 granola bars = 5.99
a package of bacon = 10.99
Are you getting the picture? Lets be honest, there are a lot of nice things over here. Number 1 being my husband is here and really "all you need is love", right?

English and American

Back in Wasatch High my friends and I wanted to write a dictionary. I know, it is an odd aspiration! However, that aspiration has come again. Only this time I will use the dictionary to point out the differences between English the spoken language and American. You see... there are differences that I have been learning. 

The most recent discovery is the word "Fanny". I said it in reference to a fanny pack. You know, the ones you used to wear in 80's and 90's. The things that you wear around your hips and it is hot! Well you see, Shawn and I went out to a pub the other night to watch the American Rugby team get slaughtered by Australia. While we were there we won a fanny pack. You may think that story, in and of itself is funny, I mean who gives out fanny packs for a gift? But hold on. So we are all oowing and aawing. Then I say to the male waiter, "Put it on and cover your fanny." Shawn gets this embarrassed look and his face and his friend just looks at me in questioning way. I turn to them and say, "did I say something wrong?" Kumar, Shawn's friend, then informs me that fanny in english and american don't mean the same thing. Fanny in american is in reference to the behind or derrière while in english it is in reference to an area that a male shouldn't have. I went bright red. I #1 had said that word out loud and #2 told that man that he was essentially not a man and that he had a female area. 

We all had a good laugh and then I hit Shawn and told him he should have seen that one coming and educated me on such a word. He just laughed harder. I believe that we were all crying because of the funniness. 

So the first entry in my soon to be dictionary....

Fanny (noun) 

    English: In reference to the female down below area. Look she has a fanny!

    American: In reference to the bum in both males and females. Look she has a fanny!

Viewing Enjoyment!

Yes, may be putting off writing a talk for a ward that I have never attended. However, I just hung out the towels to dry and it is a BEAUTIFUL day. In the last week I would say the high has been -30F. You probably don't believe me. To you I say... get your bum over here. You will see. Today is quite the different day. I am loving it. Still cold but not as cold.

 Citrus is on right now! LEMONS! I am in heaven. Lemon bars anyone?

 Grapefruit

This is the car. Name? Taking suggestions. FYI she is a girl.

These two are the front of our house right now. Lush, green and exotic. 

Lessons

Before leaving the Mother land, America, my friends told me it was necessary to start a blog. After a week here, I agree. Ya'll don't know what you are missing out on, nor do you know what goodness you have back home. I am here to educate you a bit on living around the world. Please note though, that I too am learning. I ask Shawn at least 60 questions a day. Last night, when I picked him up at school I started talking. I talked constantly for 2 hours. As I notice my throat starting to hurt, I turned to him and said, "do you feel like you have a wife that is always talking?" I am just learning in a new world. So... here are a few tid bits

1) DRIVING- New rule in our car. Cassie doesn't drive if Shawn is in the car. All he does is correct me... and rightfully so... cause they drive so differently around these parts. Who thought that roundabouts, small roads, fast speed limits, left side of the road and foreigners was a good idea? Well, ladies and gents I am here to tell you it is a bad idea. We are just pleased that I have not crashed yet. Please continue to pray for my safety.

2) MONEY- I went to the Post Office all by myself (I do a lot by myself. Shawn is always at school). I went to buy something with cash. Got it all out like I knew what I was doing and then the tragedy. I had no idea. I just looked at the boy and held out my hands full of money, asking him to take what he needed. Did he rob me... maybe... I would have no idea. They, the Kiwi's, just laugh at me. I think they think I am cute and innocent, that is what I am hoping anyways. 

I will leave you with that for the moment. I will post a video of where we are staying next time. I will also try and be better about taking pictures. Did I mention that it is beautiful over here? Well, it is!