Serendipitous Meeting

While we were in the States, we flew to Alabama to visit J's family, and then back to the Manhattan Airport. When we arrived, we waited in the entryway for Dad to pick us up, and a lady asked if there were cabs that waited at the airport to take people into town. We weren't sure that there would be, and she seemed disappointed, so I offered her a ride ("generously" offering Dad's car and time, but I knew he wouldn't mind, as he doesn't stuff like this all the time, and had actually given someone else a ride just a few days before after he'd dropped us off at the airport). The lady's name was Kat, and we found out that she'd never been to Manhattan before, and she was actually going to a new restaurant, which she had helped to get started, and was in town for the launch.

The restaurant is called Cowboy Chicken, and I'm convinced that it will do very well in Manhattan. We had a lovely chat as we waited for Dad, and then in the car on the way into town. She asked us to come back for the grand opening the next day, and wanted to give us a free lunch to thank us for the ride.

This was my lunch, every bit of which was delicious. I got their signature wood fire rotisserie chicken, a baked sweet potato, and corn fritters, all of which were amazing. I'm actually a bit hungry as I'm writing this, and really wishing I could just head over to Cowboy Chicken again. The memory of the corn fritters especially is making my mouth water.

Kat took time out of her very busy day to come and sit with us, and we continued to be amazed by how much it felt like we were old friends catching up, rather than new acquaintances. So fantastic to meet people with whom you have an instant affinity.

We all had a wonderful time together. It was truly a beautiful moment, and I'm so glad random chance (and a generous father) brought us together.

P.S. If you live in Manhattan, I highly recommend trying Cowboy Chicken. It's out by Target and Panera, and well priced as well as delicious.

Kiwi Christmas Songs

J and I are having a very relaxing, peaceful Christmas, just the two of us. We've been so busy for ages, getting ready for the trip to the States, and then the whirlwind trip itself, and then getting organized and back into work afterwards. So it is nice to have some time to just relax together.

To wish you all a Merry Christmas, I thought I'd share a couple Kiwi Christmas songs I really enjoy.

The first is Pohutukawa Tree, which I just learned this year. We actually learned and sang it with the children at our End of Year Celebration, which was wonderful. To watch a video of it being sung, click here. I find the lady singing it a bit strange, but she does the actions well.

I know I post every year about Pohutukawa trees, but that is because I can't get over how awesome they are!

I took this picture of one that I walk by on the way into town from work. 

And here's a bit closer, so you can see how much they look like fireworks. They even have the tiny touches of gold at the ends. They're just so bright and happy, and I love them.

I didn't take this picture, but I thought you should see a picture of a whole tree. Their colours range from this deep red to almost orange.

I also thought you'd enjoy A Kiwi Jingle Bells. This is another one that we sing often with our children, using the book in the video, which you can watch here. It's lots of fun - you'll notice many Kiwi trademarks and traditions. I think it might be more fun for me than it is for the children, because all of this is just ordinary for them, whereas I'm delighted to recognize each unique bit of Kiwi culture. I feel I should mention, on the food page, that when it says "cheerios in bread" it means those little pink sausages next to the kid with dark brown hair. I still find this hard to remember when people talk about cheerios, but I'm getting there.

If you're wondering about any other lovely Kiwi words or traditions, feel free to comment and I'll explain further.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Fun with Family from India

One special thing about this visit to the States was the we got to spend time with our newest family members - Patty's in-laws from India. It was amazing to get to know them all, after hearing so much about them from Patty. They were as lovely as she described them as being, and it's just a pity to have to go back to the other side of the world when we were just getting to know each other.

Sowmya, Patty's sister-in-law (and so ours as well, I think), very kindly offered to do some henna for my cousin Maria, Patty, and me. It was actually her first time to do it herself, as her mother, Latha, usually does it. She was amazing at it from moment one!

For those of you who don't know, henna is a dye made from henna trees. It is applied by squeezing out thin lines of paste, which is left on the skin for up to 12 hours to dry and soak in, and then washed off. The result is rich brown-red stains in amazing patterns. Sowmya explained to us that in her region of India, they mostly do henna on special occasions or celebrations, and usually on the palm of the hand.

Maria and I both had a turn doing some on her hand/wrist, before the expert took over.

This was mine after washing off the paste. Sowmya and Latha explained that it gets so much darker on the palm because your pores are more open there, and also because when you sweat, it helps darken the dye.

This was Maria's. She did the back of her hand because she had to drive us to Grandma's house right after we were finished. Also, can I point out the that small flower right in the middle of her hand, as well as the side-view flower near the base of her thumb were my contribution? I was really proud until I saw Sowmya's bold, sweeping designs and realized I'd been rather missing the point. But still, they're pretty!

This was Patty's. You can see the hand-wrist change in hers as well.

One other very generous thing they did (among many) was to let me wear a sari for an evening party we had. They wrapped and tucked and pinned it around me with amazing skill, and I don't think I've ever felt so fancy in my entire life! 

They also brought this sari as a present for my mom, their new mother-in-law. It is totally stunning as well and Mom really enjoyed wearing it.

Whanāu/Family Photos

After a lovely 3 1/2 weeks away, we are back in Wellington, tired and happy to be home. I'm finding it a bit challenging getting back into the swing of things at work, but it's only day three, and I'll get there. J is coming back to lots of new things to deal with, but is doing well.

For perhaps the first time ever, I remembered to take pictures of family while we were together. I was inspired/motivated by my Whānau (Family) Leaf at work, which needs updating. Each child and teacher has a leaf that goes on the huge tree that I painted, with pictures of their family on it, to celebrate and affirm our connections to our families. Mine, sadly, has outdated pictures of each of my family members separately, because on the rare occasions that we are together in person, I never think to take pictures. My lovely children sometimes have a hard time making a clear connection between the disparate pictures on my Whānau Leaf and an actual family, both because we're each alone and because many of us don't look very much alike at all. Anyway, the point is, this time I took pictures, and my new-and-improved Whānau Leaf is going to be amazing! 

Here's me and Dad at his birthday dinner.

Here, in all it's glory, is documentation of the first time in many, many years that all my siblings and siblings-in-law have been together in the same place.

For those of you who don't know, my mom is next to me and J, with my sister Patty in front of her. My brother Abe is in the middle back, next to my brother John, and his partner Alyssa is in front of him.

This is J and his dad. Notice the family resemblance.

Me and Patty.

Me and John and Alyssa.

(Side note: Alyssa made that awesome mirror-flower creation behind us. How cool!)

J, his mom, and is brother Dan.

Me and Abe.

Me and Mom.

Most of us were together for Thanksgiving, and everyone was a good sport about me insisting on pictures. It was so amazing to get to spend time with my family, and I think that I have learned to appreciate it more over the years I've been on the other side of the world. I'm already looking forward to next time! Luckily, Dad and his partner are coming to visit in just a few weeks, so I don't have to wait long!