Giving thanks the American way

 I've just got back from the Victoria International Quiz night which my team of French, Americans, a kiwi and I won (a vast improvement on last trimester), meaning we now each have $15 movie vouchers to spend.
The nights are drawing in down here in New Zealand and the temperature got down to 4C here in Wellington last night; I'm beginning to wish I'd brought a few more jumpers with me.

 The benefit of the shorter days is the spectacular sun rises I've been experiencing on my morning runs; I don't have to get up until 7am to be able to watch the first light spill across the harbour. My runs became quite disjointed as I was constantly stopping to take more pictures on my ipod (hence the bad quality of the photos this week).
Another event put on by Victoria this week was a pizza and milkshake night on Friday in the university bar/cafe. Hundreds of internationals turned up for the free food; it was so nice to catch up with many people I hadn't seen in ages whilst munching on piping hot pizza.

This Sunday was exactly 6 months away from Thanks Giving in the US; given that I live surrounded by Americans this date had to be celebrated, so I experienced my very first thanks giving meal. Next door cooked the 'turkey' (chickens), sweet potatoes, mash, honey-mustard green beans and salad and our house made the stuffing and I made the pumpkin bread (pictured below) and apple crumbles. In keeping with the American traditions we each had to say something we were thankful for, the none americans were made to where 'Pilgrim hats' and the football was on the TV. It was a fantastic night with delectable, American sized portions of food. 

I'm now heading into exam period so will have to spend less time cooking and drinking coffee and actually do some study. The scary thing is, once these exams are over I only have 3 days left in Wellington then it's Australia, Singapore and home! How time flies.