Notes from the first week

Sunday:

Jet lag. Waking up early. Coffee. Groceries at Pak’n Save. Why are vegetables and fruit so expensive in a country where everything grows?Facial treatment and eyebrow-fixing. My first-ever experience!Trying to stay awake until 8 pm. And I made it. Well done.

Monday:

Walking to Victoria University. Traffic is just as rowdy and intense as I remember it. Still looking in the wrong direction before crossing the street. Seems I've forgotten that they drive on the other side of the road. Enrollment appointment. Lots of information that I didn’t write down because I convinced myself I would remember it all. But if I don’t, I have three weeks until my official start. PhD students always start on the first day of the month. For me, it’s March 1st.Took Mikey to the dentist to have all four wisdom teeth removed. Brave girl.

Tuesday:

Checking out Mikey’s cozy, sweet, and pink shop Preloved Charlies down town Wellington at Victoria Street—like a cupcake. Busy with both customers and workers rebuilding and installing a new entrance.

Wednesday:

Student ID card application.

Bank account application.

Student health membership application.

Postgraduate Students' Association membership application.

Thursday:

Went for a run around the point on the waterfront. Today, I learned to check the direction of the wind before running. All the other runners probably did—they were all running the opposite direction, and I wished I had too.

Friday:

Beach, white sand, and sun. Yes, I remembered to put sunscreen on, which I never do back in Sweden. Stopped by some op-shops on the way, looking for kitchen chairs. Didn’t find any, but luckily, when our neighbor came over for a glass of wine that evening, he brought his own.

Saturday:

Running again, this time at Mount Victoria. The steep hills paid off with a fantastic view from the top. Mikey’s boyfriend drove down from Hawke’s Bay. It was so nice to meet him! And since our neighbor left his chair behind, all three of us could sit around the table.

Sunday:

Sunday is the day of the week to visit open homes. This Swe-Kiwi family is growing fast (soon three adults, two cats, and a dog), and our compact townhouse is going to be too small. And wouldn’t it be nice to hear the sounds of the birds in the kiwi bush instead of the sounds of the city? I think so.