Did you feel it??

So I have this cough. It started up over the weekend and finally got so annoying that I saw the doctor yesterday and she gave me meds for it. Still, I couldn’t sleep tonight. Every time I’d relax I’d start coughing again. GAH! So I ended up pulling an all-nighter. Hopefully that won’t cause me problems at work today.

Anyway, I’m sitting here at 5:30am or so chatting with friends in all parts of the globe when my desk began to sway gently from side to side like I was sitting at it in a passenger car on an Amtrak train. At about the same moment I heard a movement behind me, and when I looked at the other wall my great grandmother’s picture was hanging cock-eyed. No trains going by, no trucks passing, not so much as an airplane going overhead.

Turns out it was a bonafide earthquake!

Midwest Quake Felt In Grand Rapids

5.4 Earthquake Rocks Illinois; Felt 350 Miles Away

Funny how I so expected to experience my first one in New Zealand (one of the hottest earthquake zones in the world) last year and nothing happened the whole two weeks, then I come back here and BOOM! Earthquake in Grand Rapids.

Who’d a thunk it? 🙂

Solitude (365 Day Challenge – Day 3)

Solitude

Originally uploaded by Mac Girl

Day 3 of the 365 (+1) Day Challenge. This was taken on a dirt road in Barry County yesterday. I was out driving, enjoying the sun, oblivious to the fact that gas prices were going up 20¢ when I came across a road sign announcing a nature preserve at the next right turn.

I took it.

I’m so glad I did!

The Pierce Cedar Creek Biological Field Station is a beautiful facility. Not only do they have a number of nature trails to prowl, the building itself is a great place to hold a meeting or attend one of their classes and brunches. I’m not kidding. I immediately wished that I had a business meeting to book, just for an excuse to go back and lounge by the open fireplace!

Unfortunately I wasn’t dressed to hike in sub-freezing temps, not even in the sun. I could have easily rented a pair of snow shoes from them ($5 a day) and gotten lost in the Michigan outback with my camera. I’m definitely going back… and soon!*

Take an unexpected turn today. You’ll be glad you did.

(* The field station is open 9a-5p Monday through Friday and closed on most major holidays.)

My So-Called Life

Day Break

Originally uploaded by Mac Girl

It’s been an adventure this year, it truly has. I’ve flown around the world, visited another country, started this here blog with my favourite kiwi, traveled to the great city of Philadelphia for the (AND had my first cheesesteak at Geno’s), taken my first foray into professional photography, seen 28 movies since April 20th (yes, I’ve finally racked up the points but I’m still waiting for my invite)… and lost my job.

Like I said, an adventure.

The job thing though… I know it should bother me – and it did for a few days – but now I truly think it was a blessing in disguise. Anyway, I’m taking it as such, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This entry was cross-posted to Waddayagot.org.

August 2007 Calendar Page

August 2007 Calendar Page
Originally uploaded by Mac Girl.

Original Photo: “Summer In The World Headquarters Of The Verb”

Ok technically this was taken in February, but then technically February is still Summer in Wellington, NZ. See how that works? 🙂

More givin’ it back to the people. Seriously though, I make this stuff for my own use, why hoard it? Why indeed! Click, download, print, enjoy!

Happy August!

~Katie

Twisty Bits II

Twisty Bits II
Originally uploaded by Mac Girl.

Sometimes it’s hard to get a decent shot of an object because of placement, or size, or in this case, both. That’s when you have to think outside the box, or in this case, outside the frame.

This sculpture is such an object. (The title of the piece escapes me – Wellingtonians can perhaps help me out here?) It’s surrounded by buildings and traffic and power lines and the like. It’s comfortable enough in it’s setting – it fits – but the compositional noise surrounding it had to be eliminated.

The trick was to isolate a part or parts of the sculpture to reveal it’s beauty without the trappings of the city. A simple enough trick if you’re willing to get a few strange looks from those around you. In this case I think it was well worth it.

Classic Kiwi Lunch

Classic Kiwi Lunch
Originally uploaded by Mac Girl.

Mmmmmm… meat pies! They’re everywhere in Wellington. There are literally whole shops devoted to their creation and sale. From your basic steak and onion to something fancy like this pork and kumara they are all good. Meat pies are the reason that I did all of that walking and still weigh what I did when we left. Well, meat pies, Jaffas, and ice cream, that is…

The World Headquarters Of The Verb

The World Headquarters Of The Verb
Originally uploaded by Mac Girl.

So we’re back from our wonderful and all-to-short trip to Wellington, New Zealand. I think we’re mostly recovered from jet lag, and have caught up with things at work and at home.

I tried to keep a trip blog while we were gone, but failed miserably. I’m not used to taking long, relaxing vacations and didn’t realize that I’d be about as interested in blogging as I am about, say, Kumquat growth in equatorial regions. Which is to say, not at all.

But I’ve still got a lot to tell you, and more photos to show, so keep an eye on our Pakeha In Paradise blog over the next few weeks while I wrap things up, tell stories, and share some cross-cultural goodies.

Cheers!
~Katie