Go Ahead...Make my Day!

OK its my turn to blog. Lets start with the picture on the blog. Yes that is a AK47 terrorist issue semi-automatic weapon! And it was awesome to shoot. 25 rounds in about 7 seconds! Weekend High Priest Activity. We went out to a beautiful farm and had a great time shooting all sorts of guns. We started with your standard 22 then move our way up to all sorts of guns I have never heard of. We finished out with clay pigeons and the AK47. A good time was had by all. Visit the picture link and go to the high priest activity album for more pictures. On that album you will see other pictures also. Miriam and I talking a nice walk on the beach, me in front of the area office, some elementary school kids and some cool trees and stuff. Things are going well down here One of our favorite things is to contact our family and friends back in Utah over the computer. It keeps us connected and we love it. Sorry if you all are tired of talking to us but we need you. I am planning my first trip to the islands. It will be at the end of November. Its a combined trip to Samoa and Tonga. We will be doing some management training, performance training, etc. We are excited about that. Hopefully Miriam can go with. That's the plan. Walking along the beach is great. There are beautiful homes and beautiful views everywhere. We will put captions on the pics for all to enjoy. Miriam my spend a few hours in the Mission Office helping out. She is going to check into that this next week. This next week is what is called Temple Week for our stake. People take off work if they can and everyone drives down to the temple and stays in the housing available for the entire week if they can. Miriam is going to go down with some RS ladies on Wednesday just for the day. Kia Ora and G'day mate!

Labour Day in New Zealand

Before I get into our Labour Day (New Zealand spelling) I will tell you a bit about our Sunday. We went to our new Ward in Takapuna. I was very much like home with wonderful speakers and teachers and the spirit bearing witness that what they said was true. I didn't know anyone else there but a beautiful Moari woman came up to me and wrapped her arms around me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. She told me her name was Victoria. We will be friends. That is quite an ice breaker don't you think. After we came home I had time to try out some of my recipes from home with my forced improvised ingredients. The oatmeal raisin cookies with molasses instead of light corn syrup will not be attempted again. Just getting the oven to work was quite a feat. There were 3 or 4 options to bake on alone. We found the instruction book and it worked pretty good. our dishwasher is really cool. We have two half dishwashers. This works great because you don't have to empty your dishwasher before you clean up your kitchen. We haven't been so lucky with the microwave. We can't find an instruction book and it is just trial and error. I try to avoid it.

This morning when we woke up we had planned to do a tramp out of the book that Laura gave to us. It would have involved a 2 hour drive. Half of which was on a dirt road. We took the easier options to Auckland downtown district. It may not have been easier. We have been dreading the drive into the busy city. We studied the maps and made sure we knew where our streets became one way and started out. It worked out well. Bob did great. He remembered to stay on the left and yeild to the right and use his blinker instead of his windshield wiper all day. We spent 4 hours in the National Maritime Museum on the Harbour (another NZ spelling). Any of you that know Bob will know that this is amazing for him. He really did enjoy it (or was awfully patient with Miriam). We loved the New Zealand History lesson that we gained there the most. Then we walked the busy historical streets. It kind of reminded us of San Fransisco. In one of the pictures that we will post you will notice behind Bob how steep the streets are and the wonderful architecture of the buildings. In all but one shop the owners were chinese (or asian). This is sweet for us because it reminds us of Joey. But I can not get the language. I seriously need a translator when I talk with them. New Zealand English is hard enough but then you through in a chinese accent on top of that and I have the hardest time understanding. Well this is the second time I have posted the same blog. I will learn. The Senior Sister Missionaries called and I get to go out with them tomorrow. That will be fun. Check out the pics of the museum!

Hanging out in Rangitoto

Saturday October 20th 2007 we decide to visit a volcano. This volcano rose out of the ocean 600 years ago. We took a ferry from Devonport to the island. It takes about 2 hours to walk up to the top of the volcano. Now the place is covered with trees, ferns, moss and flowers. There are alot of volcano flows that you hike through (lava rock). Once you get up on top you can see Auckland, and all of the other islands in the area. SCROLL DOWN to New Zealand pictures on the left side of the blog and you can see a bunch of pictures of our little trip. On the way back to the main land we were visiting with some people from Denver and the boat started to pull away and we hadn't gotten off yet! They backed up the ferry for us and lowered the gang plank for us to get off. Crazy tourists! Why do people still honk at me when I drive? submit your answers to this site.

As you view the pictures you will see our wonderful accomodations on the plane. We each had our own little bed, movie screen, etc. You will also see a tour of our apartment. Its a three bedroom 2 bath place on the third floor. Our balcony looks over a nice swimming pool. The flowers came from a nice lady that had a birthday in our apartment and we are enjoying them while she is out of town.

Work is going well. Friday I called all the islands and spent some time getting to know the managers at the service centers. They are looking forward to us coming to the islands and working with them. Well, enjoy the pictures have a great week. We have enjoyed talking to you. We look forward to church on Sunday. cya :0)...cheers..Bob

My Computer Is Possessed

When I turned my computer on this morning I had a window come up telling me of a problem with it.  I emailed Dan and asked him what I should do.  I put a load of whites in the washer.  That did take a bit because I had to learn about these different machines down here.  I came back to the computer and it was like a ghost was all over it doing all kinds of things. It seemed almost like magic watching his masterful curser fix things. The problem was minor for him so he did all kinds of things that were nice to have done.  He gave me a new internet home page.  I have all the kids blogs come up there automatically now if I haven't read a post. I have current times of all our family all over come up, and a host of other things that I really like. He also showed me how I can put my contact groups together.  Over 7 thousand miles away and we were sitting at my computer together.  It was wonderful. Today, Bob will post. Gday.

We are now connected.

We were finally able to get our internet up and going so we aren't running off to the library or Bob's work.  His work is only 10 min away and the library is only another 5 min from that.  But it is nice to have the computer in my lap.  I have had fun.  I talked with Scott this morning, Daniel this afternoon and Teisha after that.  WE had our web cams on.  I gave Scott and Teisha a tour of our wee home.  (They use wee a lot hear, it is cute) All of you join so we can see and hear from you.  Look up msn messenger.  When you get on line then click on it.  If we are on then if you are about your house it will ding you that someone is one line.  Or we can see up a time to meet you online.  7 am here is noon in Utah.  Or we could meet you at noon or after our time.  Bob sometimes comes home for lunch.  Well we are getting used to things.  Shopping is challenging.  Trying to find our how much things are is good for my brain.  Putting them in a recipe is also a challenge.  Eating closer to the farm is the best idea of all. (Zonya) But trying to cook low fat is almost impossible here.  They sell cream in 3 Leter container like milk. (less than a gallon) It is all fun and challenging.  You'll all love me when I come back much larger???

 

Okay, for the fun of the day.  I went on a great walk.  I was gone a couple of hours. I went east to the beach. I stopped off at a elementary school and dropped off an envelope from Pauline to communicate with her class.  Then found the beach.  This area is north of where Bob and I have gone before.  It was full of large lava bolders.  It was really cool. The homes on the beach were really something else. There was a pretty good trail.  I walked north about 40 min. I passed a lot of people.  All but one was oriental.  Very friendly people.  I found a place to cut up the the town and walked south to the city center.  I found a Pita Pit (Joey's favoirte place).  It just opened & is the first one in NZ. They told me that they are starting to open them in Taiwan now too.  That will make Joey happy. Found a few more postcards and a I shop.  That is a information station.  They gave me a few more maps.  I wish one of you were here to Walk to Devenport with me.  I will have to take Bob's phone number and have him pick me up that day.  I made my way to the library where I had all the right paperwork to get a library card now.  I already have books I am reading so I got 5 info videos to listen to while I work on my stitcheries. (I do plan to get started).  I will be learning about Samoa (might go there in Nov), The Mystery of the Minke, The beatles, etc. It will be fun.  Then on to home from there.  I noticed a lady with a missionary badge on.  I ran up and talked with her.  She is a Family History Missionary.  She told me where I need to go to learn to do it.  I walked with her to her office.  (The area office where Bob works).  So I came home and found it on the computer.  I forgot my FOB so I couldn't get into the apt. although I had the apt. key.  I remember my neighbor Ann and she let me in.  It is great to know your neighbors.  Although they have always helped me out more than I have them.  Ann took me shopping yesterday so I could learn where to get my vegetables, fruit and meat. The meat was really high.  I think we will become vegetarians. 

Raining on a clear day

Home is a short 10 minute walk from the office. When I started for home it was cloudy and windy. I thought no big deal, I can make it home before the rain comes. Well, 5 minutes into the walk it started to pour. No problem! I had an umbrella. Umbrellas only work if the rain is falling in a vertical pattern. This rain came more in a horizontal way. By time I got home the only thing dry on me was my head. I was drenched to the bone. I could feel water running down my legs. Miriam had to iron my suit(can you do that?) and dry out the tie and shoes. I think I need something other than my small umbrella. Either a full body rain suit or an umbrella that encompasses my entire body.That was our Monday. Tuesday was a much better day. More rain expected on Wednesday.

Tasman Sea by Raglan New Zealand

Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan NZ

Driving in New Zealand

Ok ! This is how you have to learn to drive in New Zealand. First you walk around for a day or so. Always looking to your right when you come to crosswalks and corners. In Utah you always look to your left first. Then when you are ready to go out, go out on the freeway (motorway). That way you dont have to worry about intersections and roundabouts until the motorway runs out, which it does. But by then you are feeling pretty good about driving on the left side of the road and having the steering wheel on the right side of the car.
We live in Auckland and the temple is in Hamilton which is about 2 hours south of our apartment. Well with mom as the navigator we took off. What a beautiful drive everything is green and there are a lot of sheep, horses and cattle once you get out of the city. Once you hit Hamilton you take a winding road to a community called Temple View. The Church College is located there, and the Temple. We stopped in at the Church College and just walked around a bit. They will be closing it over the next few years. Its really old and would need a big upgrade to keep it going. The community was built by the saints many years ago so most of the homes in the area are older. The temple gave us the name of a nice lady that rents out rooms in her house for temple goers. Her name is Celia and she is Maouri. We went to the temple and had a great time, ate at Burger King and went to our little apartment. Guess who we saw at the temple? The Duckworths (principle of Northridge High) He and his wife are on a mission down here.
Ok we got up and took off toward the West Coast. Our first stop was a place called Bridal Veil Falls (not Provo's). They were very cool, about 150 feet tall (I wanted to jump). All in a very lush forrest area(PALM AND FERNS NOT SAGE AND PINE). Then we went to Ragland, which is a coastal town on the Tasman Sea. The sand is Black! We watched people surf and we walked on the beach and in the town. Then we drove home today (saturday). The saints will watch conference on Sunday this week. The car we are driving has an alarm go off if I go over 110 km/hr. It has become music to my ears!.. The Ocean is very cool and the waves were just big enough for some rookies to try and surf.. The little town there has a lot of little shops around it. Our apartment is very nice but ther is no central heating in it. They have units you plug in and turn on. They are those portable radiator looking things that get hot. Thats it. Everything else is quite modern. Still working on the internet stuff. The phones that they gave us has a different end that the wall socket so I have to go shopping on monday to find an adapter. We love you all very much. Kia Ora! and Gday mates! .... love Bob

We made it!

Hi kids and friends,  We made it here to New Zealand.  No Dan we didn't sit by any flea infested person.  Actually we were in Business class and our seats folded all the way down, it was very nice.  They fed us a nice New Zealand dinner and breakfast.  Like 7 courses each.  I didn't like the lamb this time.  I need Dianne Smits to make it for me.  We arrived at 7:30 on the 10th.  Customs went very smooth.  They just needed to check mom's hiking shoes and be sure I was not contaminating their beautiful country with our contaminated soil.  WE were okay.  Bob's boss Leon picked us up at the airport and drove us to Takapuna to our apt.  It is so nice.  She has it stocked with about everything we will need. (except a straightening iron for mom's very curly hair).  We went to buy a converter or stepup unit.  They are well over $100.  I don't know if i need one that badly.  WE just have a few more min on this library computer.  I feel like a missionary writing home.  Couldn't find Joey's email this week.  Just getting utilities set up and walking a lot.  We are getting more nervous about driving on the left as we are walking and almost walking into traffic.  It will take a lot to get used to it.  We hope to be able to drive a couple hours south to the temple but don't know if we dare yet on Sat.  Yesterday as we walked to the ocean we had a wonderful view of about 7-8 para surfers doing their thing.  It was very cool.  It is so beautiful hear.  More tropical than we expected.  Raining off and on the whole time.  Having fun setting up our apt.  Sunday is conference for the Stake here so we will go and catch 2 sessions with them.  It will be wonderful a second time.  (May have been a bit distracted the first go round).  WE love you all so much.  This may be the best way to comminicate till we get our own computer.  Please let our mom's know.  Love to you all.  Bob and Miriam

Elder Langford has his Own Blog

Recent Pics are on Joeys new Blog, so save this link for his weekly updates: Elder Langfords Blog