Friday, June 27, 2014
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Good thing...
Observations from our trip:
#1 - My son is a horrible flier. The only other trip he's been on involving air travel was at 10 months. He screamed the entire 4 hour flight between Denver and Ft. Lauderdale both ways. Tried Benadryl - nada. He did the same thing on the flight from Denver to LAX- screaming, kicking the seats in front of us, and just being a general brat. Tried Dramamine this time - nada. Slept most of the way from LAX to Auckland, but did the same crap when he woke up. Good thing we're not flying anywhere for a long, long time!
#2 - Air New Zealand SkyCouch is great if its just for you and a small child. For two adults and a kid, it was totally worthless. Good thing it didn't cost more!
#3 - Don't try to bend the ends of eyeglass frames because they snap off easily. Good thing I had an extra pair with me - even though they're old and everything is fuzzy... (new glasses on order at SpecSavers)
#4 - Make sure the person arranging the taxi from the airport to the hotel* understands how much luggage you're bringing. Our driver showed up on a dinky little sedan Good thing he was able to call for backup.
#5 - Make sure the person making your hotel* reservations gives you the instructions for after hours check in. We had to wait for 30 minutes in the lobby with our bazillion pieces of luggage for the front desk guy to show up. Good thing some other guests were kind enough to let us in from the rain.
*By hotel, I mean a full-serviced apartment building with desk staff from 7-5. Awesome facility, even though no pool.
Some pics of our hotel lobby and exterior, as well as the cool steampunk bull outside...
#1 - My son is a horrible flier. The only other trip he's been on involving air travel was at 10 months. He screamed the entire 4 hour flight between Denver and Ft. Lauderdale both ways. Tried Benadryl - nada. He did the same thing on the flight from Denver to LAX- screaming, kicking the seats in front of us, and just being a general brat. Tried Dramamine this time - nada. Slept most of the way from LAX to Auckland, but did the same crap when he woke up. Good thing we're not flying anywhere for a long, long time!
#2 - Air New Zealand SkyCouch is great if its just for you and a small child. For two adults and a kid, it was totally worthless. Good thing it didn't cost more!
#3 - Don't try to bend the ends of eyeglass frames because they snap off easily. Good thing I had an extra pair with me - even though they're old and everything is fuzzy... (new glasses on order at SpecSavers)
#4 - Make sure the person arranging the taxi from the airport to the hotel* understands how much luggage you're bringing. Our driver showed up on a dinky little sedan Good thing he was able to call for backup.
#5 - Make sure the person making your hotel* reservations gives you the instructions for after hours check in. We had to wait for 30 minutes in the lobby with our bazillion pieces of luggage for the front desk guy to show up. Good thing some other guests were kind enough to let us in from the rain.
*By hotel, I mean a full-serviced apartment building with desk staff from 7-5. Awesome facility, even though no pool.
Some pics of our hotel lobby and exterior, as well as the cool steampunk bull outside...
Saturday, June 21, 2014
TaDah!
We made it! Still too exhausted to provide a detailed account of our antics, but generally speaking the trip went quite well. I'm very proud of my guys for holding it together during their first international flight. Our temp housing is nice (2 connecting suites - a studio and 1 BR). Some pics of the lobby and exterior grounds...
Thursday, June 19, 2014
OMG!!! We're going to New Zealand for REAL!!!!!
Today is D-Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our flight to LAX departs Denver at 5:30, then we leave for Auckland at 9:45 tonight. What a crazy, exciting, stressful, cleansing, and unbelievable experience the last 6 months has brought us since I decided to put my resume in the pool for this job.
This little goofy family has never jumped out of bed so excited about anything! Plus, we had a special visit from Uncle Chris this morning during breakfast, which was great!
So now, just chill out until it's time to leave for the airport...
This little goofy family has never jumped out of bed so excited about anything! Plus, we had a special visit from Uncle Chris this morning during breakfast, which was great!
So now, just chill out until it's time to leave for the airport...
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Almost d-day!
(D-day as in departure day) Chillaxing with my guys in our luxurious hotel suite watching Top Gear. Not much to do over the next 2 days but redistribute the weight of our luggage so we keep all bags under 50 pounds. Joe and Joey have been walking to 16th St Mall after dinner to play one of the oodles of pianos placed throughout the mall. We've also head some amazing music from other people as well.
We arrive on Saturday and start the following Monday with a full day of errands - getting Joey setup at his new pre-school, activating bank accounts, and apply for our IRD numbers (similar to SSN) so we don't get taxed out the wazoo when we start working.
Feels weird and kinda naked to be functionally without our own home or active employment right now. Glad its only temporary, as I stat my new job 7 July and we're hoping to move into a rental house ASAP.
We arrive on Saturday and start the following Monday with a full day of errands - getting Joey setup at his new pre-school, activating bank accounts, and apply for our IRD numbers (similar to SSN) so we don't get taxed out the wazoo when we start working.
Feels weird and kinda naked to be functionally without our own home or active employment right now. Glad its only temporary, as I stat my new job 7 July and we're hoping to move into a rental house ASAP.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Luckiest Girl, Part 2
I absolutely love my dad for saving my dumb ass for the bazillionth time. Details too embarrassing to share...
Friday, June 13, 2014
Luckiest Girl in the World
I have the most amazing friends and colleagues at Terumo BCT. Happy hour tonight was awesome and I know I'll be in touch with many of these wonderful people after my move. They're still my forever family even though I'll be on the other side of the globe. Much love.
Special shout out to Diane for the smoking bunny, who will be in as many NZ photos as possible.
Phase I - Complete
Last day at my job :( and moving to the hotel tomorrow until Thursday when we leave for Auckland :)
My co-workers threw a most excellent farewell for me yesterday! Overwhelmed by the love and the amazing scrap book loaded with pictures and well-wishes. Sad to leave these people, so some of the better come down under to visit!
There was quite a bit of discussion about kiwi birds during the partay, so here's some pics/info from the NZ Dept of Conservation.
BTW - Joe STILL hasn't made a dent in packing his clothes. I've threatened to throw all of them into giant Space Bags and send them in the shipping container if he doesn't get some of them in a suitcase today. Boys.
One of my new colleagues sent me a neat article on kiwi slang last night. Good stuff!
Stay tuned for Phase II developments... (Fans of Austin Powers will know this as the warm liquid goo phase)
My co-workers threw a most excellent farewell for me yesterday! Overwhelmed by the love and the amazing scrap book loaded with pictures and well-wishes. Sad to leave these people, so some of the better come down under to visit!
There was quite a bit of discussion about kiwi birds during the partay, so here's some pics/info from the NZ Dept of Conservation.
BTW - Joe STILL hasn't made a dent in packing his clothes. I've threatened to throw all of them into giant Space Bags and send them in the shipping container if he doesn't get some of them in a suitcase today. Boys.
One of my new colleagues sent me a neat article on kiwi slang last night. Good stuff!
Stay tuned for Phase II developments... (Fans of Austin Powers will know this as the warm liquid goo phase)
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