New Zealand New Home

(New Zealand Construction Business)

Word: Keen- 1. having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm. 2 sharp or penetrating- cold, clear, quick to understand, highly developed. 3 informal & dated- excellent. 4 very low price; competitive.

Book: Big Weather Poems of Wellington

“Elaborate forms of urban life, Wellington: swirling trees

aeroplanes pass between, a freshly mown lawn

arriving from

three blocks away”

-Gregory O’Brien

Sounds of droll hums and squeaky cogs have filled Professor Morrison’s (Phil) and Liz's (his lovely wife) home for the past 4 days. Each day Bit O’ This -Bit O’ That, a kiwi construction business, remove and compact clay from Phil n’ Liz’s’ hillside. The retractable additions and a sturdy tractor are no match for these Wellington hills- creative ingenuity, such as a man sitting atop the scooper for balance, as well as a few beams for the tractor to tromp up, are essential for getting o’ bit done.

The first day in Wellington included 80-degree weather, all white cricketers in the sun, a delicious crepe, and a few Samoan Rugby matches. The second day consisted of 3 ugly flats, hours on the Internet, vicious southerly winds and a walk about town. Currently there is a ferocious flat mate search. The influx of international students skyrockets in Feb, creating a hostile housing hunt. One flat I visited was being viewed by 30 people in one afternoon. Ridiculous. After walking 2 days of what felt like the entire city, which is very walk-able, my heart was set on Aro Valley. Feeling a bit hopeless on the third day, my professor gave me a golden paper with a class he wanted me to look into. On that paper glowed an add for a place in Aro Valley. I gave the advertiser a ring, and poof- one conversation over a cup of earl gray tea later a north facing Aro Valley room was in the works. Amazing what can still be done without the Internet. The owner of the house is a photographer who is often out of town. Julia has an amazing collection of local woodworks and art. By local I am referring to Aro Street, the heart of Aro Valley. With a move in date secured with some cash I am off to Auckland to visit family friends. Orientation begins February 17^th. Cheers to a new life!