Wal-Mart

I went to Wal-Mart the other night with $5 in my pocket. I didn't intend to buy anything, but I was hungry, so everything looked good. I left the story with three yogurts, macaroni and cheese, milk and a mini apple pie.

I really want to hate Wal-Mart but it's hard not to shop there. Especially when it's so conveniently located right down the street, and the nearest big grocery store is halfway across town.

I've heard a new documentary, called the High Price of Low Cost about Wal-Mart is out, and I kind of want to see it. But I'm afraid if I see it, my convictions will become stronger and I'll feel like even more of a hypocrite next time I run to Wal-Mart for milk and yogurt.

I wonder if they have Wal-Marts in New Zealand? Life without Wal-Mart is hard to imagine, but it might be fun...

For additional Wal-Mart fun, check out Jib Jab's take on Big Box Mart

Volcano

Four dormant volcanoes are in or near Auckland, my future city of residence. I'm glad to know that. Apparently the country has a few not-so-dormant volcanoes, too, and a high density of active volcanoes.

On St. Patrick's Day, a crater on Raoul Island erupted, and a man researching there is feared dead. You can check out this story http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,188626,00.html

The country, like California, is on the edge of two tectonic plates, which makes for some excitement in the region. I think I remember learning in elementary school that New Zealand in part of the Ring of Fire.

Volcanoes seem kind of cool to me, which is strange since they're so dangerous, but I have to admit, I'm glad New Zealand has some active ones.

yuck

My roommates found a cockroach in our house the other night. He was a slow-moving guy, probably because he was so huge.

It amazes me how a perfectly calm and sensible group of girls can turn into a squealing and yelling crowd at the sight of a bug. I stood in the doorway of my bedroom and watched as one roommate ran down the hall with a shoe, stood in defensive stance and squashed the bug. We all squealed then exclaimed how gross the bug was and argued about how to pick it up.

I don't think I'll ever get over the grossness of some bugs.

explanation

In case anyone happens to find my blog and wonder about it ...

I decided I should have a blog while I'm in New Zealand because it seems to be the cool thing to do now rather than sending mass emails. When I move, I'll tell people who care about me, or who are just curious, about my blog, and that way I don't have to worry about leaving anyone out on my email list.

But when I bought my plane ticket, I got really excited and decided to begin writing. So even though I'm still in Abilene, I have a New Zealand blog. And now I'm trying to practice doing a good job of updating it often. Maybe if I get into the habit now, I'll stay on top of things from the southern hemisphere.

enjoying the sun

Well, I got back safely from my spring break trip to California. We had a glorious time doing nothing but lounging by the pool, sleeping in the most comfortable beds ever, and eating amazing breakfasts.

Trips like the one I took last week seriously make me dread "growing up." Once I have a real job, am I ever going to have a whole week off to spend time with my best friends relaxing? I have a feeling it will be a while before that ever happens again.

I'm sure growing up has its benefits, but I'm having trouble seeing them right now.

Cheez-its

Cheez-its have been around since 1921 - who would have thought?

I must admit that the addictive cracker is a good bedtime snack, except that you have to brush your teeth again after eating them.

I hope they have Cheez-its in New Zealand.

If you never try, you'll never know

I guess it's a bit of a cliche now to title my post with a song lyric, but this one is so true. I bought my plane ticket to New Zealand on Tuesday, which means I am for sure, definitely going to move across the globe to a country I've never been to before.

I'm kind of terrified. But I am also so excited I can hardly stand it.

I can't wait to begin learning a new city, searching for a church, meeting my neighbors and claiming a favorite bookstore. I look forward to having friends with fun accents — right now I can't really even imagine having a new group of friends, but I suppose (and hope) that I will.

Which brings me to the terrified part. Seriously, I think I must have lost my mind. I could so easily stay in Abilene, live in my cozy house, pay ridiculously cheap rent and have fun with my friends who will still be here.

I've been wondering lately why I am going to New Zealand, and I really don't know why. Most likely, I think it's because I don't know what else to do, and New Zealand seems pretty cool. I have no idea what will happen in my year there, but if I never try, I'll never know. Right?

That's why I'm going.

Just a little bit of paperwork left

I'm moving to New Zealand in July. July 17 to be exact.