although it is usually 75 degrees and sunny here, christmas is fast approaching, and the other day i got home from work to find the flat decorated with a mini christmas tree, garlands of purple tinsel, sparkly ornaments, and a santa tray filled with cookies. it was awesome.  oh, and we were listening to christmas carols.  it's jarring to realize it's just a few weeks away, but luckily we have big plans and lovely company.  we watched elf the other night and drank hot cocoa, and a guy that goes to dartmouth that ate at tatty's restaurant spent two nights on our couch.  i'll have to take some pictures of the flat and post them soon.  it really is awesome- spacious, furnished, ten minutes walk from "downtown."  this weekend we're doing a four day tramp, and next week we might go skydiving.  not something i had originally planned on doing, but, i hadn't originally planned on going to new zealand, if you think about it, and what a great decision that turned out to be ;)  

today mel and tatty and i hiked up queenstown hill and marveled at the incredible view we get from our backyard.  you can see the southern alps, which still have some snow on the peaks.  in other news, we're planning on taking a trip to the coast, taking surfing lessons, and playing with penguins and dolphins.

make some snow angels for us.

xoxoxoxx