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[winterswan]

Ummmm... Looks like I am pretty terrible at updating this thing. That being said, things continue apace. I have been busy, but who is not busy during the holidays? Christmas was different for me this year because my parents did not come home from Florida for Christmas. It made me a little sad and it felt like I must finally be an adult since this

Comments

[kumir_k9]

Sounds like an absolutely delightful holiday season and birthday weekend. I especially like the silly fishin' tradition; sounds like fun.

What were you in New Zealand for 6 months for?

[winterswan]

When I worked at Save The Bay, I did not have a lot of hours during the winter months since I was primarily a field position. A previous boss (who had left Save The Bay when her husband got a teaching position in Wellington) invited me to come to New Zealand for their summer and work as her husband's research assistant. It was one of the best decisions I ever made and since I was mostly a volunteer (he paid for my airfare over there), I had the opportunity to do a lot of travel around the islands while I was there. So, I did research on juvenile paua (abalone) with him and on shark oil as a bird deterrent during commercial fishing with his wife who worked for the Department of Conservation.

[ryxander]

Happy belated birthday! I was so sad to miss your party (though I had a lovely time at my conflicting engagement. Need time machine now!).

I love the "fishing" tradition! That sounds really fun!

I hope Mark gets better soon!

[winterswan]

Yeah, I was bummed you could not make it, but totally understood! The world is just too full of parties.

I think "fishing" originated as a Thanksgiving tradition, but this generation has Thanksgiving as an in-law holiday, so it got pushed to Christmas. :-)

[greymalkin42]

Sounds like an exhausting but wonderful time. Love the fishing tradition too! One of my childhood friends did a fishing game for her birthday in her backyard- her dad hid on the other side of the back fence and we all took turns fishing for party prizes. I think I was maybe 8 years old and I *still* remember how fun it was.

And Yayyyyyy New Zealand! You were such a great tour guide and hostess (of course!). My mom still mentions our trip occasionally. I can't have hot chocolate without thinking of Carlos and having hot chocolate and coffee on a sandbar in Abel Tasman. I still want to go back for the Wearable Art Festival someday.

[winterswan]

That was so very wonderful that you and your Mom were able to come visit when I was in New Zealand! I definitely want to go back at some point to show the country to Mark. I think he'd love it to pieces. If we ever go, I will definitely let you know! :-)