Eat, Pray, Run

Hopefully you get the reference to Eat, Pray, Love.  I'm not much of a fan of it, but I thought it was catchy and a good way of talking about my recent adventures and findings.

Eat

Hooray!

For those who are reading my blog in the US, you can understand why I was excited to find a Wendy's located in Auckland, which actually right across the street from where I work.  They don't exist in Australia, and so, I hadn't eaten a Frosty in ages.  I walked in and saw that they only had two sizes-small and large.  The small looked like a double shot glass, so I figured I would go for large.  I had rather mixed feelings when I was handed a large and it was about 6 times as big as a small.  Clearly they have brought the American spirit with them.

Just a few days ago I was visited by a good friend, former co-worker at Warrane Underpaid Workers' Union, and slave-driver, Shimon Endo.  We went for a coffee at a hipster place across the street from where I live.  We both took a sip from our coffees, look at each other, and immediately put them back down, not touching them again for fear that the milk had been either 'psychedelic' or just plain expired.  Afterwards, we journeyed to his former boarding school, Sacred Heart College.  It was a rather interesting trip and I had no idea where we were going for the part.  I suppose Shimon did, but maybe that's assuming a bit too much for Shimon...


Pray

Two weeks ago I went on retreat for the weekend.  That was my adventure for the weekend, so I don't have much to update about that weekend.  It was good to reflect and think for a bit, but I was kind of tired by the end.  Yoga for the soul we'll call it.

In other spiritual news, there has been great excitement since the election of Pope Francis.  He seems to be a very humble man, as evidenced by the meme.  Please keep him in your prayers as he has a rather tough job.

Obviously I'm up front with the Kenyans.

Run

Last weekend I competed in Auckland's 'Round the Bays', an 8.4 km race that starts in the city and continues along the bays around the city.  I finished it in 48 minutes, which isn't too bad considering Alex and I started training for it just two weeks before the day of the race.

There was a really big turn out, as you can see from the photo.  The run was mostly flat, and really scenic.  The bay around Auckland is really clean and a stark contrast from any water source in the Philthadelphia area.

A look at Mission Bay.  

Kiwi Kindness

Since kindness seems to be the national virtue, I have decided to add a section for random acts of kindness.

1. When I went for my job interview, a woman got in the lift with me. She must have known that the recruitment agency was on the 6th floor and I guess that she could tell why I was there.  So, when she got off at the 4th floor, she said, "Good luck with your interview!".

2.  The train conductor said that he hoped we enjoyed our trip from Britomart to Grafton.  Usually I have to dodge spitballs on a Septa train back home.

Here are some random photos that I haven't had a chance to post.  I hope you enjoy them.  Ciao! Ciao!

From my trip around Hobson Bay.

For those who don't have Bieber-fever.

A look from Mission Bay.