''Have you updated your blog recently?'' is like hearing ''that washing isn't going to get to the line by itself'' when I was at home. Even when I'm on the other side of the world, my mum will always find something to chase me up on.

I've been working for 6 weeks now, yes you read right, 6 weeks. I can't say I'm won over by this return to working life but until I win the New Zealand lotto and more than $40 on scratchcards, needs must. By the way, if I do happen to win the big one, this trip will be extended with an ''open'' return ticket and I will be on my way to open my own children's orphanage in Sri Lanka followed by a trip to the Maldives, a pit stop in Thailand after not making it there this year, then all round Europe and then over to Canada to go from the East to the West....a girl can dream!!

We found out last week that the fixed term contracts we were on are going to be coming to an end earlier than expected, but they have decided to keep me on in another role for a while longer. The other girls who I've been working with, will find out over the next few days when they will be finishing and I think it will be pretty sad when the last day with all of them rolls around. I'm going to miss having them around, we've had a right laugh.

One thing I can recommend, is not living on the 16th floor when 100mph hurricane winds decide to arrive in your town, I won't go into details but not an experience I would want to repeat in a hurry! These winds brought down the roof of a national stadium, tore trees down onto houses and caused some pretty major road accidents. Just what this country needed after an Earthquake a few weeks ago!

We have Labour Day weekend here in October, which is a bit like bank holiday weekend back home, and I'm off to Napier on the east coast for the weekend, which is widely known for its wine and vineyards. I will only be tasting small amounts of wine, but you have to try all of them don't you?!?

I've been away for nearly 7 months now and can't believe that in 12 weeks, I will be in Fiji and seeing my parents again. I'd like someone to tell me where this year has gone to be quite honest, but what a year it's been.

That's all for now from Down Under and over a bit.

The Adopted Kiwi x