To date, I have lost 10 kilos, got my second grade 'A' for my sociology assignment - easing the pressure of the upcoming exam and continued to remain focused on being positive with our stay in NZ.  In our aim to have one evening of 'us time' Steve and I indulged on Friday night at Martin Bosley's restaurant, fine dining in NZ - hard to believe it exists!  Absolutely divine.  This weekend saw us all visit the pacific island festival in the city and then do the teddy bears picnic in the city.  I forced the whole family to walk everywhere and although I had moans of tired legs (mostly from Steve!) it was great for the whole family to be active and to do things a bit differently.  The laundry floor still presents a minor problem.  But I'm less concerned about that now.  Any professional we've had has reinforced the work of the landlord's builder/plumber as being 'shoddy.'  Nothing feels better than being continually proved right!  I'm beyond caring, I'm actually really fed up at the moment.  Despite my best efforts to keep busy and keep focused, I do find myself pulled into this despair that we are still in NZ.  The other day I went to the mall, I drove along the motorway, the same old cars.  Beaten up old 80s cars that clearly aren't roadworthy, exhausts making more noise than the trains (I'm told its 'cool' - its like a right of passage for young men in NZ, they must drive crappy cars and they must make the exhaust noisy and the gear changes make whipping noises before they become...er...well, join the line for the benefits payout I suppose).  In the mall, some bloke parked next to me and drove his car right into the metal fence, BANG!  He simply reversed, didn't even check the damage - couldn't care less.  And that really epitomises the culture here.  All people care about is what's for dinner and whats to drink.  I can't get used to this society where women aren't recognised either.  For example, a man will never leave a door open for you, he'll never ask if you need help.  I am always shocked when a man lets me walk first, or holds open an elevator door for me while I struggle with the pushchair - its such a rarity.  Steve gets extremely angry when he rides the train to work not one person offers their seat to elderly or pregnant women.  Yes, I know this happens everywhere, but its harder to swallow when there's not many benefits to make it worth baring.  One of the books I just finished reading was about a Dr that works over in Africa, I won't drivel on with the details, but it makes me yearn to see somewhere else.  To be part of a world where there is rich history and an interesting culture.  I am so thirsty for a holiday.  I just can't understand people that claim NZ is their home.  Its so isolating.  I keep reminding myself that there's a big wide world out there - not that I'd know from the news of course.  Big story was about some guys being attacked by bats.  Even the wildlife is sick of the people!  Oh, my other bugbear - people here are so uneducated.  I'm SICK TO DEATH of reading professional letters that don't make any sense.  People write here like they talk.  Its so infuriating.  Following a complaint I sent to Avis, I received a letter back which was barely legible.  In my fury, I sent it back, I scribbled all over it like a maniac English teacher.  Yes, I know my blog contains mistakes, but I don't palm it off on letterhead.  Yes, NZ has some pretty scenes, yippty dee, but its hardly enough.   As dramatic as it sounds, my soul is empty here.  This is a souless country.  The end.