I’m on a three hour long car ride home from a tennis tournament in our huge van and we’re trying to get home without driving on the wrong side of the road, again.
School starts tomorrow and we are not the slightest bit organized.
Squirrels in the US are like sheep here but times 1,000. And we’re only two weeks in to our year adventure.
But besides that everything is going great!
The weather is starting to warm up, I’ve figured out where I’m playing tennis in the neighborhood, Mom and Chloe found a place for horseback riding, Dad loves his new hospital, and Julien is just along for the ride.
So far the thing that that has been the most amusing has been just trying to understand what the expressions they say here mean. For example, when my mom was trying to buy a bike, the sellers told her to come by “later in the arvo”. Now, she had no idea what the heck “arvo” meant, so the lady told her that it was a way of saying “afternoon”. Not sure how they got arvo from afternoon, but oh well. Another example is that they call a freezer a “chilly bin”, so at every gas station store, they have this sign over all of the freezers.
Really, all of the signs here are pretty funny.
Last week we went to go see some natural hot springs and they were super fun, but I really liked how proper their bathroom signs were; instead of just saying “ If the toilet is clogged, go to the front desk”, they put up a sign saying “ If the toilet requires some attention, please inform the front desk”.
I’ve put some more funny signs down below.
But even if we sometimes have a hard time understanding what people are saying, we still find it pretty nice here in New Zealand.
Lucas
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Hey Lucas! Man, this was funny. What the heck is The Dunny?? This is how Duncan must have felt at the beginning in the US (and he had to interpret Papi’s Franglais, too). It’s a lot of change for sure. But your Mom and Dad know what they’re doing. Everything will fall into place soon, just keep exploring. You’ll be mastering grass courts and funny kiwi expressions in no time. We love you!!
Hey Sophie! everything seems to be falling into place here. My new school is great. I miss you guys so much and thanks for reading!
Hi Duda. This blog was GREAT I’m thinking Mater Dei should have a Pullitzer for their foreign correspondence 😃 Glad to hear you are enjoying all the adventures so far. I am sure there are going to be many more fun ones ahead…including your first day of school tomorrow (I think it’s still the 22nd as I write this)…I THINK ……I’m still having trouble with the time difference Keep up the stories and the fun attitude. Miss you xoxoxoxo Gram
Hey Gramma! I’m actually already set up to write a monthly entry into our school newspaper, the Blue Blazer. I’m having lots of fun and I miss you so much! Thanks for reading!
Yours signs are fun to see, country side seems very beautiful, are they trouts in those creeks? For sure I can see a large sheep population in the fields.
Hey Papi! It’s true that the views here are excellent and there’s a whole lot of sheep! The trout aren’t out yet but when they are, I’ll catch ’em all! I miss you and thanks for reading!
Well done in your tournament Lucas you have achieved way more than me at your young age as I have never played on grass
Keep it up see you at Wimbledon
Hey Gail! The grass courts here are pretty cool and I feel like the ball bounces a little faster which can help me with control. Hope everything is great in Florida and thank you for reading the blog!
Hi Lucas!
We love reading your updates! Good job in your first tourn !
Your pictures are great .. Butt free zone is my fav!
I traveled in NZ after college and I remember it being so green and beautiful. With , yes, tons of sheep!
Embrace this next year sweetie … you will look back on your adventure there so fondly!
Nevertheless we miss you.. but are so excited for you..
Keep us updated. Hope your first day of school was good:)
XoXo
Thank you so much for the support from you guys! I’m having so much fun here and I will enjoy the times that I have here
Yellr Comstock. So I read ur blog… it’s good, it is pretty interesting, I’ll read the next one 🧐🤓😜. LOOKS SUPER FUN, U R SO LUCKY! 🤗
Love your sense of humor, Lucas. Good luck on the tennis courts and enjoy every day of this adventure. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say about your first week of Kiwi school.
Thank you!
Hi! School is great and the kids there are awesome! And tennis is super fun on grass!Thanks so much for reading!
Hey mon Lucas,
LOVE to read your blog and would love to hear about the school system in your neck of the woods! Is it fun? hard? are they friendly?
I came across a road sign, here that I thought you might appreciate. Since, I cannot (or don’t know) how to copy on your blog, I’ll tell you what it says:
“NOTICE
Due to industrial action, this toilet will be closed tomorrow.
SO, DO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TODAY”
And… one more (for the road) “Right lane MUST right left” : REALLY ???
Love you to the moon and back.
Mamie
Hey Mami! I am having such an awesome time here in New Zealand! School is really fun and all of the kids are super friendly and welcoming. I love those road signs that you found! They’re hilarious! Love you and miss you and Papi!
Lucas,
I’ve got one assignment for you. I’ve heard the Kiwis like their horse racing. Any chance you can look into this for me? It sounds like all is going well. Keep writing. I love your posts.
Mr.W