OBAMA!

what a relief!!!! i was afraid the kiwis would throw rocks at us if he didn't win!! 

all is well here, of course NZ rocks!!!! i experienced no jet lag...pretty amazing, guess that is just another indication that i am supposed to be a globetrekker!  as soon as i got to my hotel and settled in i went to the botanical gardens....wow! they were taking out the bulbs and putting new annuals in at the entrance....spring again!!! lovey! i spent about 5 hrs in the gardens...soaking it up, even in the rain...then i went to the natural history museum and then to the art museum..all FREEEE! whilst i was collecting my bag at the art museum the attendant asked if i'd heard the good news, and of course i began jumping up and down and such...i then found all the polers at a pub and had some pints and continued to amble the streets of christchurch...i am staying on cathedral square, in the center of town...everything is so close, i've been enjoying walking in the rain....i know i will miss it soon enough! went today and collected and tried on all my gear...wow.  we are getting picked up at 5:30am to go to the hanger and weigh in and do any final adjustments with our luggage, ect and we fly to mc murdo at 9am, it will be a 5hr flight(if the weather permits, if not we will boomerang-turn around and fly back here till we can try again).  we will be there at least one day but they are hoping the weather cooperates so we can get to pole asap...running behind already...and all their snow shovelers are on this deployment!!! there are 5 men and 5 women GA's, pretty cool!  we are all so excited to get started!!!! i have met so many awesome people so far, it is going to be a wonderful summer!!!    sending lots of love! kg*

**it rained all night, couldn't look for southern cross....boo-hoo hopefully tonight!