Brandy Keener

This is a picture 3 days after my wasp sting (Still red, itchy and sore)

Besides last week, I can’t remember the last time I was stung by a bee or a wasp?

Last Tuesday, Kai and I were driving to the West End for a beach playdate. As I got out of the car, I put my jandels (flip flops) on and felt a sting right between my big and second toe. I looked down and swatted the wasp out of there but it was too late. Funny because Kai and I seem to be the only ones in New Zealand who ALWAYS wear shoes. One of our little friends who is 10 will go to school all day barefoot. People will be barefoot on the beach, at the park and in the grocery store here. Not me, I wear my shoes almost always and I still got stung. Funny how that works.

My foot itched so much and was sore for a little over a week. I had a massage the day after I got stung and forgot to mention it to the massage therapist. So, half way through the massage she started massaging my foot (it wasn’t swollen yet but itched like crazy) I loved it! It felt like she was itching it from the inside. Looking back, I think she spread the venom all around my foot because after the massage my foot swelled up and wouldn’t fit in my shoe. I’m just saying..

Sporting my black hair color just a couple of months earlier

When I decided to color my hair from black to blonde I was eager to get it done. It didn’t matter that I had 5 years of permanent black hair color on my hair or that I only had 3 weeks to do it. Luckily, I have an amazing hair stylist who is like a magician.

After four sessions of 3+ hours in less than 3 weeks, I was officially blonde. The best part was the company of my favorite hair stylist in Portland OR who is full of fun! Funny part is that I knew I was heading to New Zealand for awhile and figured I’d just have some serious roots. Sure, I’m having fun with them but am starting to sniff around for hair stylists and salons here in New Zealand because I wouldn’t mind losing my roots. If you have a stylist you love, you feel my pain because looking for a new stylist can be very daunting.

Of course the big risk is coloring my hair again and having it fall out. I was definitely warned and am a little iffy about seeing someone here in New Zealand. I suppose I could start fresh with a cute, short cut if I color it again and it falls out. I’m just saying..

My perfect Americano in New Zealand

Where’s the Starbucks? Not here, not in Ohope or Whakatane New Zealand. Instead, it’s a Long Black or a Flat White. I added the link of my video from 3 years ago talking about the Long Black or Flat White, some things never change. Except maybe my hair color.

A flat white is similar to a latte and a long black is similar to an americano. However, every coffee shop is drastically different when making their long blacks. Typically, a long black is just that; LONG and BLACK. So, forget ordering a 1/2 caf americano because most espresso machines only pour double shots in New Zealand and if you order 1/2 decaf you’ll be paying for 4 shots. Yikes. Better just to roll with it and go for that double shot! I have found a few coffee shops that are nice are happy to make my “special americano.” Two shots of espresso, hot water, 2 raw sugars and a little soy milk on the side. My favorite coffee shops also have coffee cards (not punch cards like I mistakenly called them and was corrected) where you buy 8 drinks and get one free. Sweet As! (means awesome or cool in New Zealand)

Posing, pre-run with my special americano

Tips When Ordering Coffee In New Zealand

1. Ask for what you want but be ready to take what they make

2. Be prepared for strange looks and salty faces when ordering your tall americano with 2 raw sugars and a little soy milk

3. They like to put the sugar in and stir it for you so order it all at once

4. Ask for a coffee card if you think you’ll be back

5. Ask for “takeaway” when ordering if you want your coffee to go

6. No tips! Just accept it and don’t force our “US crazy tipping culture” upon kiwis. It makes them uncomfortable.

Sure, I can buy diapers and food when we get to where we’re going but it’s not the same…

We are in Ohope, New Zealand and I’ve still got a lot to learn about packing for our trips. I am the CEO of packing in our family and try and mix it up everytime. I did okay for Kai but left out some crucial things for me. This time, I really packed light and regret it a little. Sure, I can buy most of what I need here in New Zealand but it’s a little different and not always available.

Here is my new travel checklist when traveling with a toddler:

1. Bob Stroller (wouldn’t leave home without it)

         Squeezing in a run after breakfast, love the BOB! (Kai clutching his snack trap filled with cheerios)

2. Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag (19 months later and I still love it!)

So handy because I haven’t seen ANY diaper changing areas in public yet.

3. A week’s supply of diapers and wet wipes

Enough to tide you over until you get settled.

4. 5 ish favorite sippy cups and snack trap cups (None of my mom friend’s have seen these gems)

5. All Medicines

I brought all of Kai’s medicines but left ours at home. Normally that’s fine but it’s the beginning of summer here so I wish I had an antihistamine  or two for me.

6. Your Favorite Baby Lotions and Potions

Some of my favorites for sensitive skin are: California baby sunscreen, California Baby Leave in Conditioner, Aveeno Body Wash, Bordeaux’s natuaral buttpaste for diaper rash.

7. Ipad

Kai has his own and it’s quite handy for learning games. I downloaded a sleep sound machine app, which is louder and better than his Gracco that I fried by plugging it in the New Zealand adapter.

8. Sport Brella

We haven’t used it yet but I’m still happy I have it.

9. Full Body SPF 50 Swimsuits

They have them here in New Zealand but like most things are super expensive and I haven’t seen his size yet.

10. Zip Lock Baggies and Lysol wipes

Zip lock baggies are expensive in New Zealand but I haven’t found anything close to my beloved lysol wipes.

As I was grocery shopping today, I was a little on edge walking through the meat department. It isn’t as graphic as the hanging meat in Singapore’s Chinatown but it’s still interesting. Sausage is super popular here as it’s the token meat at barbecues. I’ve grown quite fond of the sausage but can’t say I’ll be trying any of these parts found at the grocery store.

                The friendly butchers, proudly showing me the pig’s head

                 New Zealand’s tripe is cow’s bleached stomach lining

They said it’s really popular with the old folks. I bet, food (if you can call it that) for only 2 bucks in New Zealand is rare. Not for me though. The butchers even thought it was icky.

                 Yep, good ole mabelline mascara is $23.99

Elizabeth Arden lipstick is $50 and OPI nail polish is $24.99. Yikes, glad I brought my own makeup from America.

I’m just saying…

Okay, english is the spoken language in New Zealand but like everything else, it is slightly different. Don’t get me wrong, it is exhilerating being in a new country and basking in their summer but there is a lot to do. Buying a car, buying car insurance (or at least trying to get a quote) mapping directions everywhere you go, grocery shopping and daily errands are exhausting. After a full 5 hours of “errands” I’m pooped. Funny, because people keep asking me if I’m on “holiday” (which means vacation here). Doesn’t feel like it. Of course, there are fun parts to everyday, much like life in America. After 1 month of setting up house here in New Zealand, it feels more like real life back on steroids. Everything is a bit different here and takes a bit more effort to get done. The first 2 weeks I called it jet lag, now I’m calling it culture shock. Hopefully, in January it’ll feel more like holiday.

I’m just saying…

I’ve been driving in New Zealand for a month now and am finally getting used to it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still very alert while driving on the left hand of the street but seem to have the hang of it. The real turning point for me was when I quit walking to the left side of the car to get in. Augh! I did that for nearly 3 weeks and almost everytime. Funny, how trained we can become.

Here’s my latest ride in New Zealand

Yes, english is the spoken language here in New Zealand but it’s very different. Aside from the fun sounding accent of a kiwi, the words are so different. If there is another word for something the kiwi’s have found it.

Here are a few of my favorite kiwi words so far.

1.  Sweet As (means awesome)

2. Jandels (flip flops)

3. Long Black Coffee (americano)

4. Eftpos (debit card)

5. Sparky (electrician)

6. Capsicum (bell pepper)

7.  Togs (swimsuit)

Some days it feels like a secret language rather than good ole english. Mix in the kiwi accent with a little slang and it feels like a jigsaw puzzle.

I’m just saying…