Successfully navigating the U.S. Post Office

You know, not matter how hard I try to be prepared for this place--I can never leave without spending at least 30 to 45 minutes there. Honestly, the Post Office in America is this death trap of craziness. However, it's the way I get parcels or things sent back to the South Pacific.

As a part of the parcel today, I sent Dickies that cost less than $20 USD at Walmart in America. Back home in New Zealand, you're looking at $120 NZD in a label clothing store for the same item. Huh?! I need to start a black market for this stuff. What do you think?

I guess I shouldn't be complaining about the wait time really. Todays box of goodies included my nephews presents for Christmas 2010--whoops! Ha ha.

Sore pinky finger

That's right. This might be the only time you hear something less positive on the blog and maybe you just want me to man up! Ok, I will...after I tell you why I have a sore finger.

If you've ever played dodgeball (all one word? Spell check is telling me it's meant to be separated), you'll know that sometimes it gets a bit hardcore. Last night I was playing and tried to catch a ball with my pinky finger...the ball won. My right-hand pinky finger went the opposite direction--aka away from the other fingers towards the right.

Ouch.

I didn't even say a bad word.

That is all.

San Antonio Texas Temple

So, the San Antonio Temple is the closest temple to Austin right now. And today was my first visit to the Temple here. I wanted to take a moment on the blog to say, it is really beautiful!

The outside of the temple looks like the design of the other smaller temples in the church--however, on the inside it is amazing. I have never been inside a small temple that looks as good as the San Antonio temple. Stained glass windows, murals on the walls. Just amazing. You should visit.

New Zealand Cheddar and Tomato Sauce

If you didn't see my FB status update the other day, I found NZ cheese at Whole Food Markets (the Austin HQ is freaking awesome, by the way). Anyway, a few weeks back I also got a package from my Mum that included some NZ Tomato Sauce (or "Ketchup" for my American friends).

This morning, these two ingredients came together in my omelet. Yum, I love eggs.

Note: This is not my actual omelet. But the picture is cool.

"Shut de do"

Tonight, at our little institute choir in Austin, we continued to learn the song "Shut de do" (aka "Shut the door"). I really like this song. It's a Jamaican/Caribbean spiritual song that is really cool, actually.

I can't say much for the quality of the recording here--but this will give you an example of the song:

Life goals.

During our LDS institute class this evening ('Institute' is like Sunday School during the week and is typically aimed at young adults aged between 18-30 years old), the teacher discussed writing out goals and having a plan for your life.

He talked about some people who have had successes documenting and performing their life goals. I think that is sort of inspiring. Some of the goals he discussed were very lofty. Example: "Present a paper in Cairo, Egypt." However, many of these goals, when written seriously, had been achieved by their respective goal setters. Good on them.

Hearing about this made me think that I need to do better. I wrote a five year plan about three years ago and it might need an update. Goals are great things. I'll stop blogging and start recording said goals.

New Desk, New Office.

I just wanted you to know that I finished my desk at work. That's right, it's completed. And, if you're ever in Austin, you can surely come visit me and my office! Ha ha.

The desk I put together looks just like this:

But, it's the "Mocha Cherry" color. So, I guess it doesn't really look like this then (But it does).

The Chant of the Islands

Two notable things happened today:

I signed up for the Warrior Dash in East Texas on March 19th. Me and my mission bud, Ryan, are going in the 5pm wave. I think it'll be hilarious and you're probably going to be jealous. Here's why:



I'm pretty sure the spots are going to be (or already are) full. But, if they aren't, you should sign up and come along! Click here to be redirected to the website.

Also...

I spoke to my Mum about her experience in the Cook Islands so far. Due to the cost of calls (and internet), we could only speak really fast for an hour. Ha ha. And, as you would expect from anyone who decided to move to a tropical island, she's loving it! The food, the people, and being able to walk two minutes to go swimming in a tropical lagoon on a beach. Really Mum? Ha ha.

I'm totally planning on heading down there sometime in the next few months. Viva la Rarotonga!

Austin goodness.

Austin is a great city. If you came here, you'd probably enjoy it as much as I do.

Today I walked around downtown with my new friend, Heather. I have to give her credit for agreeing to take this photo of me in the middle of the street with the Texas State Capitol Building in the background.

I think it's a pretty cool shot (minus my face). Also, remember how it's winter in Austin right now? Do I look like I'm enjoying winter? Because I am.

This is my kind of winter weather. God Bless Austin.