Did I tell you?

I wrestled a sheep the other day. I know, I know. Such a New Zealand cliche! But I really did. Not so much wrestle as restrain. I also herded cows. Placid cows, mind you, who knew the routine, but I could tell they were really put out by us. I am now going to risk getting kicked out of Animal Management school and commit anthropomorphic sin by imagining the cows were thinking this:

"Good grief, Bessie, here comes a fresh batch of Unitec students to "herd" us into the imaginary adjacent pasture. I think this year we should bust through the electrified fence since it's always turned off for the dumb ass students' protection."

Bessie lifts her head and says to Shaniqua, "Girl, you're whack if you think I'm doing that again. Don't you remember that damn heifer Fontana got her ass whooped by Daisy Mae when she tried running over the students last year?"

"Bitch, who you calling heifer?"

And so on.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you this to illustrate further how different my life is now than it was 8 weeks ago. In my new life, I know how to wrangle a sheep, sort of. I know that I don't like sheep, and I know that not all cows are called Bessie and Daisy. Some cows have cool names like Shaniqua and Fontana. You go, girls!

On another note:

Tonight the lights go out in Auckland and all over the world. Supposedly, the Sky City Tower will be the first to go. I cannot believe that all I have to do is walk half a block to witness it first hand. I also cannot believe that this time last year I was at a party in Christchurch deciding that I was definitely going to move to New Zealand. The lights went out that night, too.

Good night!!