Location, location, location: right? We live on Mount Eden Road, which, by coincidence or design we’ll never know, runs through Mount Eden (the suburb) and along the western side of Mount Eden (the volcano). The neighborhood is sickeningly picturesque, with a cute shopping village just a few blocks away and not a McDonald's or Starbucks in sight. The university is a twenty minute walk, and the corner we live on is a nexus for several bus routes.
Our place is ‘round the back of the building, so while it may mean a few minutes of confusion for pizza delivery folk, the backyard is ours for the romping. A lovely deck sits just outside the door, and we’re working on populating it with some reasonably priced, reasonably ugly deck furniture. Kate has begun digging up the garden areas for planting in the coming weeks, and we’re looking forward to finding salad ingredients in our yard.
The flat itself consists of a central living area, a small kitchen and bathroom, a gigantic bedroom, and a hallway to nowhere that we’re using as an office space. Furnishings include trappings from the Salvation Army, opportunity shops, and generous Aucklanders who throw away sturdy-yet-hideous tables and perfectly good, wobbly drying racks. 
Also, lest we forget, this house is furnished with love.
Another exciting development since our frenzied arrival in Auckland barely three weeks ago is that Kate has found a job! Granted, it is part time, it is an hour away on the bus, and it is working with 11 year olds who occasionally threaten eachother (and/or their teachers) with chards of ceramics, but it has always been her dream to work with challenging children. The students at Waimokoia School are both challenging and rewarding. There will be a Maori totem pole dedication next week, and the boys performance of the haka should be very powerful. If you are interested in seeing a bit more about the school, check it out by clicking here!
Next time on "Auckland: What's the Deal?" we're going to visit one of our South Pacific neighbors to ask the question: "Tonga: What's the Deal?" Also, why are we dressed up as leprechauns? Stay tuned to find out.
Cheers,Kate & Benji
P.S.- Wedding photos are now available for perusing! Have a look by clicking here!
1 comment:
Blog is better and better. Love the "hallway to nowhere" shot. Finally had the courage to look at the school site, and was encouraged. They were wise in their picture selection: nothing with flying ceramics visible. Keep it up, guys, we love the chance to feel a little closer to you via this vehicle.
Dado/Bill
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