Top TEN in TEN

Having now spent 10 full days here in New Zealand, I thought I’d write an entry that attempts to provide a top 10 list, with the order being somewhat random…

10. my little motel room… a mostly quiet space (so lots of good sleeps!) where I enjoy watching movies and cooking up scrumptious meals with my rather measly selection of groceries

9. meeting and dining with the Math Education group from Massey University the first weekend I arrived

8. working with Margaret… but not having to run off to all of the meetings she does!

7. the warm air, filled with many new bird sounds… not to mention the sounds of quacking ducks who pace back and forth outside my motel room door, hoping food scraps will magically appear

6. all of the outdoor activities I’ve experienced… walking through the trails of Victoria Esplanade, running along the Manawatu River, and swimming in the outdoor 50m pool at the Lido aquatic centre (this was my first time swimming in a 50m pool and as I looked down the lane, I was reminded of the distant prairie horizon… thought I’d never reach the wall!)

5. bicycle touring and wine tasting in the Hawke’s Bay area (this is a distinct category from #6 above because of the alcoholic enhancement)

4. flat white, with trim (that’s one of several ways to drink the delicious coffee here, when not sipping wine)

3. the scenic drives around the Palmerston North area, including several times through the spectacular Manawatu Gorge

2. enjoyable times in Margaret’s company

1. learning how to write, and submit, a paper in 4 weeks!

Here's to the next ten days...