Auckland #4

The Mercer Quality of Living survey was released last week. The survey is based on political, social, economic, and environmental factors. Auckland was ranked as forth in the world for quality of life. Auckland ranked behind Vienna, Zurich, and Geneva. Even more reason to come visit us!

Not much new around here. Friday and Saturday were rainy and cold. We started the fire place for the first time over the weekend. Auckland houses are not built with heating. If you want heat, you use space heaters or a fire place. I am really missing being able to just flick a switch and instant warmth. I have not mastered getting the fire going for any extended period of time.

Sunday was a beautiful fall day. I planted some tulip bulbs out front. The display signs at the store assure me they will actually come up and bloom in NZ. But I am not so sure.... it seems way to warm for bulbs. We will see what happens come spring. We also continued to finish off painting the kitchen. One more room that I can call done!

For fun, we went out with Sarah and Rod for drinks and dinner on Friday night. Saturday night John and I saw the movie The International. This probably played in the States months ago. I tried to rent Bottle Shock last month (which was out in the States last Aug or Sept). I was told it is not available to rent yet..... as it is being released on big screen in NZ this month! There is the same issue with TV shows. NZ gets all the big US tv shows..... except they are 1 - 2 seasons behind. So, while the quality of living is high, the quality of movie and tv show timeliness if low. That is what you get for living in a market the size of Colorado!