Christmas Festivities

BT's professional golf swing

CCU Christmas Brunch in Riccarton

Cardiology Christmas Dinner at Alchemy Art Museum

Christmas activities in the Southern Hemisphere are a little different...we have been attending BBQs (if you call them a cookout no one knows what you are talking about), playing golf, getting out our summer clothes, etc. However, we have put up a Christmas tree, stockings, and lights in the apartment to get in the spirit. This past weekend we had Blaine's company Christmas party on Friday night at the Carlton restaurant. It was a lot of fun...it was the end of Blaine's third week at work so we were definitely the new kids on the block. Blaine is by far the youngest person that works in an office of around 60 people but not the only American! There is one other bloke ("guy" in NZ english) from Michigan. The food was good and they had a band. Saturday night we had my cardiology dinner...it was good for Blaine to meet more of the nurses and doctors and techs that I work with on a daily basis. Graeme is the only guy nurse I work with and he and Blaine have met before and get along well. I had the best salmon I have ever eaten and we played a quiz bowl. One of the questions was "what is the official language of the USA?". The answer was "there is no official language". I don't believe that but I haven't researched it yet. Hope everyone is having fun shopping, decorating and partying to prepare for the holidays. Don't forget the "reason for the season" in everything you do!