Just a Big Catch Up

Another example of Kiwi humor: they commemorated the 4th of July by showing “Independence Day” on tv. I, of course, also got to take the Contracts exam - part of the local equivalent of a bar exam. Haven’t taken an exam in 14 years, so I’m a bit out practice. I think it went ok (although it was harder than I expected), but I won’t know for sure until the results are posted in September.

While I was busy studying for the exam, I finally got confirmation that I’ve been hired to teach part-time at University of Auckland. I’m meeting with the department head tomorrow to get more details.

I also seem to have picked up another part-time teaching gig. UUNZ Institute of Business wants Ali to teach some finance and accounting classes; they asked him if he could also teach commercial law; he deferred and sent them to me. Turns out they want me to teach Employment Relations law, and the fact I have no experience was not a problem. (The school caters to international (mostly Asian) students, who get credit for a two-year program in 18 months. My guess is the courses are pretty streamlined.) Class doesn’t begin until November, so I’ve got four months to prepare.

Our trip is old news by now, but the rest of it went like this: We got off the ship in time for Memorial Day, which I celebrated in patriotic fashion. In other words, I went shopping and experienced the gargantuan wonders of Costco and Ikea.

Undeterred by our Mexican experience, Ali and I went surfing a few more times with Bob, who, it turns out, is a first-class instructor. He took us to SanO (dudespeak for San Onofre State Beach, just south of Dana Point) and it was so much fun. I completely get it – can’t wait for summer. Even if I never stand up.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to go surfing quite as much as planned, because Bob and Julie live in Bluebird Canyon. (Where the landslide occurred.) Fortunately, they live a good half-mile up from where the real damage happened and their house was fine (although they were evacuated for two nights). Even more fortunately, they rent.

The earthquake was so minor, it's hardly worth mentioning. I also cashed in some miles and visited dear friends in Seattle for a few days. While I was there, Ali drove up to San Francisco for a quick visit with Wharton pals Ashish and Anjali. We stayed with Ali’s sister and her family (including Nimcha, the Bug-Eyed Pug) but, of course, we also spent time with Maman, and with Armaz & Angelique – Ali’s nephew and his wife, a couple of genius research scientists who live “nearby” in San Diego (and are coming to visit us here next week!). All in all, it was a great trip.

But, like any trip, it was also good to come home at the end.

Cheers,
Sandie