August 25, 2008:
Life in New Zealand can be summed-up in one word: adaptation. For a girl from America the differences can be very evident when trying to set-up house or cooking a meal. The sheer expense of buying necessities for the house has boggled my mind as well. Luckily, when we went to the store to get the essentials for a proper kitchen and home, we struck a one-day sale where everything was on sale. We’re talking 30-50% off of everything that we got. I got a knife set for 50 bucks when it was priced at $100! No wonder everyone is an advocate of moving in together before you get married, you ecru stuff over time so the cost of setting-up is a little bit off-set and saves you some valuable money. I did have fun going around the shop and buying things though. The best investment by far has been the rice cooker and 9-cube shelves for the kitchen. Designing on a budget has never looked so good. I could care less if it is particle board, it looks good in my kitchen. For a curry fan, my husband, or a Chinese fan, me, the rice cooker has been awesome and you definitely don’t need a lot when you’re just cooking for two. So I’m going to have to find another use for about 4 cups of extra rice this week. I’m thinking of rice pudding...mmm.
Cooking has been an adventure and I’m putting all my college survival skills to the test. My meals have been simple and I think it’ll be awhile until I start making soufflés or crème brulee, hehe. First night of my culinary prowess was mac ‘n’cheese and franks with broccoli and cauliflower. Second night was grilled ham and cheese with tomato soup, yes I ate tomato soup (don’t let it get out). Apparently though, all of this is fancy cooking to my new husband. Life sure is different when you’re at the bottom of the world.
3 comments:
Girl you know we miss you here already. Anyway I remember when Nate and I first started out and yeah we had the same adaptations to deal with but I can't think of how hard it is to add moving so far from home. Anyway, miss you girl and you know
I will alway love you!
-Michele
aww. being domestic already :) you'll have to look up someof those decorating for small spaces kind of shows, and get their cool tips. or those sites that have like one chunk of beef, and it makes 3 meals (not leftovers).
Kudos on getting the killer sales on the kitchen stuff! I officially give you an honorary Jew medal :0) The only thing that would have made it better was if you had a coupon! LOL You're getting like me heehee....anyways, seems like Gordon likes your growing cooking expertise! Let me know if you need cooking tips, I know how to make things taste gourmet without spending a buttload :0)...And yeah, I bet there's a big adjustment period you're both going through right now- I hope you've found some social outlets. Things will get better day by day. I remember when I moved away that I did so much comparing and contrasting Oklahoma to New Mexico (and mostly in a negative way). But as time goes on, it will feel a little more like home the more you put your personal touches on it. Keep your chin up, my babushka! (oh and one last note- I'm reading chick-lit, well my brand of chick lit anyhow...check out the book Twilight by Stephanie Meyer- 500 pages and i finished it in 7 days, it's very addictive!).
Love you bunches,
Patty
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