Chlorine, Kids and a little bit of Music

As yet another week draws to a close, I have become increasingly aware of my surroundings and the life I am now leading. There is much to do folks, and finally, there is plenty of time to spare.

I come home each day from work, from the gym, from the forest, from the hills, and I see someone (who shall remain nameless) seated in front of the television, mindlessly wasting away, while the world is happening all around him. As I watched this individual, I realized just how much I detest that blasted machine. I also realized, after nearly getting sucked into its clutches, just the type of life I am currently leading. Let's examine: After settling into my jobs and training schedules, I found myself coming home to make dinner, wash up, clean my room and do chores and errands necessary to live a happy, clean life. Then I found myself seated next to our John Doe, in front of the television, flicking away at channels, searching mainly for movies, but allowing myself to become "zombified". After two days of this I sat and realized two things--I was wasting my wonderful time in this amazing country, seated in front of the Idiot Box. The second thing I realized came as a pleasant surprise. For the first time in my life, I actually had so much free time on my hands, that sitting in front of the TV was not some relaxing thing to do at the end of a beastly long day of classes and swim practices; rather it had become something to fill the hours of spare time I had. Because I would nearly always resort to popping in a movie, flicking on LOST or 24 to take an hours break from studying or work or anything else, it kind of became that "when you have a free moment" thing to do. Now that I have the energy and the mass amounts of time, I've sworn off television (except for exceptional movies) and I'm now basking in the glow of my wonderous freedom. No longer are my hours from 6-8am or 4-6pm to be completely blocked out on my calendar for five months of the year. I've no more classes to attend, tests to study for, papers to write. My one committment is work (which I love) and the rest of my life is for me only! Like I told a friend recently, "I would rather be on my sixth hour of biking, ready to pass out from exhaustion, with limp legs and a sore body than spend even one unecessary moment in front of that television. To watch someone waste away as I've watched Mr. No-name for the past three weeks, well, that is just not for me. Parents, throw those TV's away, we are creating a generation of imbeciles.

That being said, onto the week.

Chlorine:
I have been swimming on a regular basis, accomplishing a strong 3200 meter set on my final day of 'training' this past week. It feels amazing to get in the water and just swim. I love being an unknown here. No one knows about my past because I have made sure of it. I have been in close contact with the head coach of my pool and he said it would be great for me to come in and swim with the JASI swim team from 6-8am. No expectations, I can swim for me, and if I feel the itch to compete, "go for it". If not, then who cares? It is amazing to see this sport in a new light and it feel beautiful to ease myself along in the water. I could never give it up, no matter how up and down my past has been.

Kids:
Work was pretty hard at the childcare center this week. I played Operation, Sorry!, Candyland, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Boardgame, and Pick up sticks. On Monday I sang Karaoke, on Tuesday I learned how to play cricket, on Wednesday I taught the boys Baseball, on Thursday I hoola-hooped and watched Shrek 2 and we had a paid holiday on Friday. Rough week. Did I mention I played Candyland? For serious though, I have the best job ever at that place. We play all afternoon, the supervisors get to have afternoon tea with the children, they are some of the nicest kids ever, and the other girls I work with are fab. Oh and my bosses are amazing. That's pretty sweet too.

A little bit of Music:
I attended the symphony this past Wednesday and found it simply breathtaking. Choosing to ignore the naysayers who suggested it would be horribly boring, I went and for a lovely student price of 11 dollars witnessed the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in all their glory. I think having played the Clarinet for a number of years aided in my appreciation, but it all goes back to the "time" thing. Before, I would have been too tired to attend such a performance and I would have chosen instead to stay home and “veg”. I figured that even if the symphony was wretchedly boring, it would have been fathoms better than sitting in front of the TV. I made a fantastic decision. It is amazing what thoughts and memories the act of sitting, listening to beautiful music, watching the grace of the orchestra can invoke. So many things that I probably would never have remembered or even thought of came rushing back to me. It was a brilliant moment and I have decided to attend as many live performances of theatre, music, comedy, or any other medium I possibly can.

All that being said, there is one last note I must make before heading off. I have finally acquired a road bike…in theory of course. I will not actually possess it until November 24th. After much deliberation I have decided to buy one here. Although it is not my darling Milo, it will definitely suffice. The brand is KHS…the specks are rather—impecable—if I do say so myself. It will be the first bike I have ever owned with carbon forks. I am nothing short of excited. And happily, thanks to my three wonderful jobs and New Zealand’s unbelievable assurance that one can live MUCH more than comfortably off Min. Wage, I will soon be proudly riding the roads of Canterbury.

Oh, I lied, there is still one more thing. I will be showing llamas in the A&P show tomorrow for some friends. It will be an all day thing and I am very excited. More to come on that.

And now that I’ve found a cheap broadband internet café within two second’s walking distance to my house, pictures should be up VERY VERY soon.

-NMK