Akaroa

Richard and I went tramping in Pirongia in the weekend. We climbed up Ruapane, the highest point at about 700 meters. I found it more difficult to climb up some rock. It was good exercise.
We got up really early on Monday to wait in the carpark to be picked up for our flight down to Christchurch. It was the first time I take a flight from Hamilton Airport so I took a short tour there, upstairs at the lounge and downstair in the bookshop. It's not big, but very functional. I bought a Marie Claire magazine for the trip.
The weather wasn't very impressive. In fact, when we got to Christchurch, it was raining. We left Christchurch Airport in a red bus. AgResearch Lincoln is not as big as AgResearch Ruakura, but it's got great equipment. They have scanning electronic microscope and transmission electronic microscope to look at very small things, HPLC and Mass Spec to look at proteins, and also run 2D protein gels. Another part of Lincoln is the manufacturing side, they make fabric, wash wool, make yarn, and make carpet. They also do accelerated testing on carpets from the factory to test how they fare after being rubbed continuously or getting burned.
Allan gave a speech about what we do, and the section leaders talked about their team, then it was the research associates' term to speak about the nitty gritty of what we all do. It was interesting to hear about the other people's work, and we can always do some collaboration in the future.
Dinner was very delicious in Bully Hayes. I had beef, although I should have ordered fish. Bread was extremely tasty. We didn't do so well in the Quiz, but certainly had lots of fun.
We started the second day with some brainstorming about 2020 Science, then Kelly and I went shopping for a little. I got two beautiful stones and some fudge for Richard. Kelly got some wool booty for her sister-in-laws, wool scarf and hat for winter, and stones for Mark.
The jet boat adventure was awesome. We went to the caves and looked at penguins and birds living in the caves. We also looked at Robinson's Cliff, where the bandit Robinson rode his horse up and jumped at the end. We went to the marine farms, and saw the Elephant rock. We spinned in the boat very fast and got wet. It was so much fun! I am glad that I did the jet boat adventure.
The bus didn't come on time so we took a walk to a restruant to have lunch. I had fishn'chips.
We learned about what the other group do and had lots of fun on this retreat. It's a success.

South Island here I come

I am going to Akaroa next Monday with most of the Growth and Development group for a retreat. I have been given the responsibility of presenting a ten minutes presentation, otherwise I am pretty free to do anything I want. The first day is the more official day when we will listen to presentations and have tours in the laboratory, and the second day is more relaxed. I think I will go on the jet adventure on the second day, and if I have some free time, I can go shopping. I am hoping that it's not that hard to remember my presentation. Looking forward to see the other people in our group and apparently Frank is going to work with Stefan in the protein group in Christchurch to carry out some experiments. Chris will stay for a bit longer to learn techniques for surgery with a lady doctor from Waikato Hospital.
Maiqing is turning 22 tomorrow, but mum told me this morning that I don't have to give her a birthday present. She went on to say that MQ is not going to have a big party. Ruth and Jeanie will meet her and have lunch with her together. It sounds like an intimate gathering. Happy Birthday, Maiqing! I can always say happy birthday to her on Facebook. Good old Facebook.
Maybe Richard and I will go tramping this weekend. I am looking forward to leave Hamilton behind. It's been a while since we take a trip away from the city, even going to Auckland will be a treat.

Weekend is upon me

Our retreat in April is being finalised. I will leave Hamilton very early in the morning, taking the 6:50a.m. flight to Christchurch on 7 April, and come back on the next day. I have prepared the presentation and sent it to Frank, with the results that I have obtained recently. I am looking forward to go to South Island and meet the other team members in Growth and Development. I also look forward to enjoy the second day when we can choose an interesting activity to do, such as jet adventure, sea kayaking, bicycle ride, and horseback riding. I hope the weather will hold out and we can enjoy our trip.
Kelly asked me to plant some produce and flowers at the assigned area at work. We are going to start a garden like the people in other campus. It will take time and effort, and it will be great to talk to the tomato or speak to the flowers. We will have to get some cheap garden tools from garage sale and in the recycle centre or use our own tools.
Rachel is having her leaving party tomorrow. She's going to stay in England after taking a trip in Asia. Richard and I may go to the party and I will have to come back to start my experiment on Sunday.

Hayden Christensen: the hunk

I had a dream about Hayden Christensen. In the dream, I live on a huge farm somewhere and it looked very wild. We met in the field and he gave me a huge piece of greenstone, it's a key to get access to the farm. However, the jade broke into two pieces and I felt really sad. We kept meeting each other and I told him I already have a man, then I keep seeing him. It was a strange dream, but I felt quite happy seeing my idol in the dream. He's very yummy.
Tarra is leaving today and we had a lunch to say goodbye to her. She is going back to Canada soon, and we sent her a nice photo collage and an etching of Pirongia done by Sue Roots. The lunch party was set in Thai Village and it was a bit cramp for everyone on the table. I had green curry, it was nice but I was still a bit hungry after the meal. Kelly had chicken cashews and it smells very nice. Steve had Pad Thai, it's a noodle with bean sprouts, looks nice, too. Tarra is going on a short trip before returning to her home town, and I wish her all the very best for her future. Hopefully, we can meet each other again. She's taught me how to knit properly.
Just discovered that my friend mimi had left a Chinese message on my Chinese blog. I have also gotten into contact with Alice again. She has another blog. I don't really want to lose these two precious friends and internet is the best place to catch up with old friends.
I don't know what I am going to do for Easter holiday. Hopefully, I can stay home and hang out with Richard and not do anything.

There's light at the end of the tunnel

I updated my CV and wrote a coverlettter to a job in LIC here in Hamilton. There are some opportunities in this town, but it will be better if I can apply for more positions. That means that I may have to go to Auckland, but I can't really control that. I have to find some referee today and for obvious reason I can't put anyone in this company down. This is a big disadvantage to me because I have only worked here and I haven't worked anywhere else. I don't really know how I am going to pull this off.
Richard was trying to learn Chinese and found an exam that test your ability in Chinese. The test paper is entirely in Chinese so he can't understand it yet, and it is in simplified Chinese. I am not sure whether Taiwan has a test like this or not, but I can't think why we don't.
It's Outrageous Friday today and I have put on my leather skirt for the pub crawl. I am hoping for a good night out, nice and relaxing.