Ty & Gramps 

Fiesta Time

Just in time for the holidays, we have unveiled our Fresh Fiesta Kit - another first for Aucklanders. The Vodafone guys can now chow down in their office, families can take the kit to the beach for a nice picnic, and the harried commuter can grab dinner for the family on the way to the ferry. Conor's got some great point-of-sale devices and our flyers are in all of the offices in the CBD. Arriba!

A Kiwi Christmas Tale

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all round the bach
Not a possum was stirring; not one could we catch.
We'd left on the table a meat pie and beer,
In hopes that Santa Claus soon would be here.

We children were snuggled up in our bunk beds,
While dreams of pavlova danced in our heads;
And Mum in her nightie,and Dad in his shorts,
Had just settled down to watch TV sports.

When outside the bach such a hoo-ha arose,
I woke up at once from my wonderful doze.
I ran straight to the sliding door, looking about,
Jumped out on the deck, and let out a shout!

The fairy lights Dad had strung up around the door
Let me see everything down to the shore.
And what did I see, when I took a peep?
But a miniature tractor and eight tiny sheep.

With a little old driver, his dog on his knee.
I knew at once who this joker might be.
He patted his dog, and in a voice not unkind,
Cried ! "Good on ya, boy! Now, GIT IN BEHIND!

"Now Flossy! now Fluffy! now Shaun and Shane!
On Bossy! on Buffy! on Jason and Wayne!
Up that red tree, to the top of the bach!
But mind you don't trample the vegetable patch."

So up on the roof those sheep quickly flew,
With the tractor of toys, Santa and his dog too.
As my sister awoke and I turned around,
In through the window he came with a bound.

He wore a black singlet and little white shorts,
And stuck on his feet were gumboots of course;
A sackful of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a postie just opening his pack.

His eyes-bright as paua shell - oh, how they twinkled!
Like an old tuatara, his skin was all wrinkled!
He had a wide face and a round, fat tummy,
That looked like he'd eaten lots that was yummy.

He spoke not a word, but got down on one knee,
And placed a cricket set under the tree,
A present for Sis, one for Dad, one for Mum,
Then he turned and he winked and held up his thumb.

He jumped on his tractor, to his dog gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, as fast as a missile.
I called out "Thanks," as he flew past the gate.
He called back: "Kia ora to all, and good on ya, mate."

This was read at the American Women's Club Christmas Luncheon today in Devonport. Unfortunately, the author is unknown.

Thanksgiving

The holiday season is now well and truly into full swing with summer upon us and Christmas lights adorning all of the houses in our neighborhood. We had a wonderful, traditional American-style Thanksgiving complete with turkey and all the trimmings. (See new Thanksgiving photo album). I made my first pumpkin pie from scratch (out of necessity). Kiwis eat lots of pumpkin and they are in all of the stores, but there is no canned pumpkin to be found! I may stick with the fresh pumpkin method - it's so good.

Rachel leaves us today after her 3 month soujourn in NZ. It's been a great learning experience, she's met kids just like herself from all over the world. We were talking last night about how important it is to travel, see how others live, and to recognize that really all of us, everywhere, no matter what country, religion, ethnicity, or depth of our pockets, are just the "sameunderneath." Kiwis have what they call the "Big OE" or overseas experience. Many kids take their OE during their "Gap Year" following high school graduation. That's probably why 96% of Kiwis have passports. I won't be surprised to see many of her new friends find their way to little ole Sisters, Oregon for a taste of the great American West!

While we celebrated Rachel's farewell with dinner up the road in Ponsonby, Tyler was holding down the fort at the restaurant with yet another record-breaking night. Hour after hour they came, they ate, they downed shots of Cuervo Gold, and they spent big time. Yes!

Bill Clinton is coming to Auckland in February and will be speaking and staying on Prince's Wharf at the Hilton. I sent an invite to him to join us for a burrito and a chat with our ex-pat American family, and got an immediate response from his scheduling secretary. While nothing is confirmed, it sounded like there is just a chance we just might be able to host Mr. President on the deck at Mexicali Fresh. You all know what an unabashed Clinton supporter I have always been. This would rock my world!