Kiwiana #2

There are “heaps” of expressions used here that are not common where I come from. I’ve been trying to remember to write them down as I think of them in order to share them here. These are based on expressions I've found interesting or for which my Canadian version has been the target of ridicule. I’ve decided to insert the Canadian translation so you might understand. ;)

Kiwi: sweet as ------------------- CDN: sweet
Kiwi: cheap as ------------------- CDN: cheap/inexpensive
Kiwi: cheap as chips ------------------- CDN: cheap/inexpensive
Kiwi: heaps ------------------- CDN: lots/loads/a lot
Kiwi: rubbish ------------------- CDN: garbage
Kiwi: I reckon ------------------- CDN: I think
Kiwi: cruisey ------------------- CDN: easy/easy going
Kiwi: gutted ------------------- CDN: disappointed/bummed out
Kiwi: your shout ------------------- CDN: your treat
Kiwi: flat white ------------------- CDN: latte (coffee)
Kiwi: long black ------------------- CDN: Americano (coffee)
Kiwi: how you going? ---------------- CDN: how’s it going/how are you?
Kiwi: flat ------------------- CDN: apartment
Kiwi: flatmate ------------------- CDN: roommate
Kiwi: toilet ------------------- CDN: washroom
Kiwi: tissue ------------------- CDN: Kleenex
Kiwi: straight away ------------------- CDN: right away
Kiwi: EFTPOS ------------------- CDN: debit/Interac
Kiwi: capsicum ----------- CDN: bell pepper (red, green, etc)
Kiwi: courgette ------------------ CDN: zuchinni
Kiwi: kumara --------- CDN: sweet potato (they have 3 varieties here)
Kiwi: ring me ----------------- CDN: call me/phone
Kiwi: post ----------------------- CDN: mail (also used as a verb)
Kiwi: lolly ------------------------- CDN: candy
Kiwi: catch up on all the goss -------- CDN: catch up on all the gossip/news
Kiwi: brilliant! ---------------------------CDN: awesome/great!

I also wanted to point out that the kiwi pronunciation of the letter ‘e’ is very unlike our own. I’ve had numerous funny experiences figuring out what was meant when words like: tent, deck, dead. The ‘e’ is pronounced with more of an ‘i’ sound – like eei. Try saying tent like: teee-int. That’s what the lady at customs asked me when I arrived: if I’d brought a teee-int. Luckily she also showed me what she meant with her hands. You can imagine the laughter when my kiwi friend, Lauren, asked if I thought the way they said dee-ick was funny – she had to explain that she meant, “like a patio”. Lauren introduced me to the show Flight of the Conchords (also their band name) – two kiwi guys living in NYC trying to make a go of it as musicians there. Apparently this show is very popular in North America. Considering how much TV I watch, I didn't know about it. It was really funny! You can imagine my laughter when they captured exactly the pronunciation of the letter 'e' (or 'ea') in this episode that we watched (just a quick clip of it here):



These two guys apparently met while studying at Victoria U – right down the street from where I’m living now. Cool. Check it out.

Growing up and moving out

I should be heading to bed now since I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow... last day to finish all the little things before moving all my stuff into storage Friday. I've never moved an apartment into storage. I've certainly moved enough times in my life. Let's see (me looking up and thinking), this will be move # 9. That's a lot of moving. Mind you, I didn't do all the work for all of those moves, as 6 of them (seven different places that I lived) were while living with my folks as a kid and since we moved due to my dad's work we had movers do just about everything - including the packing. But I digress... like I said, moving into a storage unit - sigh - it's not easy. I've gone to bed almost every night of the past week visualizing the unit and thinking about my stuff and almost praying (but not really since I'm completely non-religious) that it will all fit. I've gotten rid of so much stuff either by throwing it away, putting it at the curb for passers by, giving to charity, and I sold one thing. It's nice to minimize - take it all down to what I really need and some stuff that I really truly want. The rest of it someone else can love (or hoard). I had a box of cassettes of old 80's and 90's cheese that I knew some collector-type would want. I left it out at the curb with a note: "Help Yourself" and sure enough, after a few had been pilfered someone came along and took the whole box of 'em - within 2 hours. At any rate, moving into a storage unit is stressful. Much more stressful than moving to another dwelling. It will all be worth it though.

I'm going to miss this place. The four years I've lived in my apartment have gone by really quickly. I feel like - no, I've actually grown up a lot living here. It's been an important journey. I was a bit of a messed up kid when I moved here. I think I'm leaving as a fairly well-rounded and better grounded adult. I think I know how to still be a kid in the best ways though, and when I forget I have some friends that are always around to remind me. Okay, enough sap for tonight. Big job ahead and a long weekend to round it all out. I need to get back on the bike. It's been so sporadic the past week and a half. At least I had a really great 100K ride last weekend in the heat with the gang. Gotta get this moving thing wrapped up so I can get back to the important stuff... on two wheels.

New Tunes for Now

I added most of the new CP ablum (just came out today) in a new playlist there on the right today so you can listen to it for a while. I LOVE IT!!! Hope you do too! I've seen them live a few times and they always make it worth the time and money. I love brit pop rock. We can thank my folks for bringing me up on the Beatles.

Violet Hill

Happy Friday! I just got back from a great ride! :) It was a gorgeous afternoon and I kicked off for a nice spin on my bike. Also pre-ordered the new Coldplay album. Couldn't resist. I've always been a sucker for them. I've seen them in concert twice. First time I actually got to be in general admission and they limited the number of people on the floor so it wasn't crowded at all and I could make my way right up to the front. Second time, on the floor, but in chairs. Good seats though. I don't spend much money (or time) on concerts these days. Seems cycling eats up most of my budget. I do, however, seem to find the 10 bucks every time I want an album on iTunes. I know what my bro-in-law means when he says he doesn't like how it just charges it to your credit card. You seem to lose track of how much money you are spending on music. Yep. However, the new Coldplay I figured is worth it.

So, if you've been reading long enough you may have noticed that you've been listening to the new song that they released as a free download last week. Yeah, I downloaded it. Pretty good eh?

Anyway - hope to get some good km's in this weekend. Will check in l8r...

Procrastination

Who would have thought that a little procrastination tonight would keep me up this late, fooling around with the music you are probably listening to now, and looking up quotes on gratitude? Hmm. Interesting. Well, I will have to stop putting off the studying I have to do for that Neurology exam tomorrow, that's for sure. Before I head off to sleep though, I'll leave you with the chosen quote from my little search tonight.

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. ~Denis Waitley

KT Sampler

Not from the new album, but worth sharing. Yep, she rocks!