Talk about an international adventure!

Yesterday we had the chance to visit with three girls from Southern California who are on a five-month world tour. From left is Cassandra, Alena and Katie (hope I got all those right). Alena's folks are Tom and Lori in Hawaii, and good friends of Jake's parents. I met Tom and Lori last year when we were in Hawaii for our wedding, and they are pretty awesome. I knew their kids would be the same.

Although I'd never met Alena before, we were happy to have her and her girlfriends over for a walk through Wellington. Highlights of the tour included a slide at a playground...

...Watching some local guys jumping into the harbor (I don't think he was going to jump until four girls walked up) ...

...and of course shopping in the central business district. Too bad it was Sunday afternoon and stores we starting to close. 

We had dinner with a couple of Alena's Wellington relatives at a restaurant on Cuba Street called Istanbul -- delicious. 

Two weeks ago, the girls started their big adventure in Fiji before coming to NZ. They're going to spend some time now on the south island before flying off to Bali, Europe, Africa, South America and Central America before their trip is through. Amazing! Good luck girls, and thank you so much for stopping by to see us!

Earth Hour in New Zealand

We had some friends over to our house for dinner last night, and it was a blast. I quickly realized we needed to buy a few more plates and wine glasses... and to borrow a couple of chairs from our neighbors, but it was well worth it. Everyone is sooo nice: Greg and Hannah from NZ, Mike and Kate from the UK, and Archie, Maggie and baby Cameron from Virginia.

After dinner someone mentioned Earth Hour, the worldwide campaign to shut off your lights as a symbolic gesture to highlight concerns over climate change. I'd read about it in the paper, but hadn't planned to act on it since we were having people over. Before long, we had some candles fired up and our lights out, and we were on the deck looking at the other lights in the city. Not sure if we could tell many other lights were out, but I felt good knowing our friends care enough about the earth to sip their wine in the dark. 

The end of an era

They said it couldn't be done. But the rumors are true ... I have a job! But not to worry. It's only a four-week contract, and I'll still have time to ramble on about the silly details of our lives in the evenings and on weekends. 

Many of you (or at least Cousin Jimmy) have voiced your concern for how we'll maintain the exceptional level of quality that this blog has come to achieve. Others of you (Corey) have asked how my liver will adapt to total daytime sobriety. Even I am wondering what it's like to change out of my pajamas before noon every day. Not to worry dear readers ... we'll all be on this groundbreaking trip together. Work begins Monday, March 30. More details coming soon.

Our first anniversary

Happy Anniversary to us! 
What a year it's been. Hard to believe a year ago we were getting hitched on the Big Island of Hawaii.

We celebrated last night with a dinner at home, topped off with a special NZ dessert, called a pavlova. It's made of fluffy stuff, whipped cream and fresh fruit. Actually, my new "Auntie" June from next door showed me how to make it, and although she did all the work, I still passed it off as my own. :) Don't tell! Jake gave me these beautiful flowers, and I found an American-style coffee machine to give him.

The pavlova looks like a big strange blob, but it's a delicious blob of fluffy goodness.

Jake's 32nd birthday

Jake spent the evening lawn bowling (think bocce ball) with the KPMG crew. He was happy to get a package from his folks, a call from his brother Jeromy, some new hiking boots from me and a long list of friendly birthday wishes from friends and family. If you haven't read these yet, you should. As promised, I gave him a big slap on the ass that morning from Jeromy and Corey. Auntie June also "helped" me make him a chocolate birthday cake. I'd call that a pretty nice birthday.

Here's his birthday card from me. 

Dinner with our neighbors

While he was out lawn bowling, I was invited over to dinner at Auntie June's next door. 

That's Auntie June in blue. Next to her is their neighbor Don, June's husband Phil, and their son Stuart.

Happy Birthday Jake!

Bring on the funny stories about Jake

Here's your chance to throw a punch from overseas. In honor of the old man's birthday, I'd like to invite readers to contribute a funny story, fond memory or friendly insult to the comment section of this blog. Allow me to get the ball rolling...

Jake, why must I do your taxes even though you have two degrees in accounting? I'm not sure if you remember tutoring me through six hours of accounting courses, but it was a painful experience for both of us. I deal with it because I love you and you're my hero. (But I don't know you if we get a call from the IRS...)

-Jamie

Who's next? Leave your comments below.

Oh Mexican food... how we've missed you!

It's time to give thanks to our amazing Aunt Denise and her kick-ass salsa recipe. You have no idea how much we've been dying for some Mexican food lately. The salsa here in NZ doesn't really qualify as Mexican salsa, and no other recipe would do, since this is the annual Swearingen Fourth of July salsa.

It was a bit of a challenge finding all the ingredients. You know, simple things like Rotel? After a bit of searching, I found some "Mexican style tomatoes diced with cumin, jalepenos and paprika." I guess that will be close enough. And check out these green onions -- they're enormous.

I also had to learn that peppers are called capsicums, and that cilantro is called coriander (I think). It took about a month to figure out where to find some tortilla chips that aren't flavored like Doritos. 

But it was all worth it when we chowed down to a glorious Mexican feast tonight. Hasta manana, amigos.

Castlepoint: the most amazing place on earth

We headed up the east coast of the north island for some hiking, camping and exploring this weekend and found this picture-perfect spot called Castlepoint.

The weather was perfect again, and we hiked to the top of that rock in the distance. What a view!

It was also a chance to get to travel with our friend/sherpa/photographer Brett, who was kind enough to share these pics when I forgot my camera. He's also an excellent blogger -- you can check out his more-detailed account of our weekend at his blog, "Adventure to Middle Earth."