It seems a strange phenomena that I often find myself struggling to understand the New Zealanders even though we speak the same language. Sometimes asking a Kiwi to repeat something leaves you even more confused than you were before they repeated it. I find the best way to communicate is to periodically ask them to spell whatever the heck they just said. The only problem with that is if you are talking to a Kiwi who can't spell.

Communicating becomes much easier after you learn the differences in what things are called. For example if a kiwi says, Grab your jandals and your togs and I'll meet you at the beach, they mean, Grab your sandals and your swimming suit and I'll meet you at the beach.

Sometimes they throw out phrases like "sweet as mate" (no I did not spell that middle word wrong). Sweet As means : I confirm that whatever you are proposing is good. They don't have friends here they have mates.

If you choose to wave at someone on the street they might say something like, "how you goin?" That does not mean what form of transportation are you using to get from here to wherever you are going, it just means how are you.

If someone asks you if want some chips don't expect them to hand you a bag of your favorite sour cream and cheddar chips. Instead, they'll hand you french fries.

If you had a lot of shoes in your closet don't tell a kiwi " I have lots of shoes in my closet" say, " I have heaps of shoes in my closet."

Candy is called Lollies, and 'good on you' is a way to congratulate on a job well done.

I'm starting to catch on, slowly and will probably have it down by the time I get home. I love the Kiwi language. :)

ARe you Read for a TIM TAM SLAM?

Last week we had Tim Tam Slam Tuesday. Tim Tam's are really good chocolate cookies filled with chocolate or caramel or raspberry or anything really. THey're native to New Zealand. This is how you have a TIm Tam Slam Party:

First, you ride your bikes to your friends house and park them in the back.

Next, you whip out the Tim Tams

Get the Milo. Milo is an energy drink that all Kiwi kids love. It's basically chocolate milk. You heat up the water and put a couple spoonful's of Milo in the cup and stir it up.

Next you add cold milk so the milo is the perfect temperature and creaminess.

You then proceed to bite off two diagonal ends of your favorite Tim Tam.

Dip the Tim Tam in your Milo and suck through it, using it as a straw. Once the Tim Tam becomes slightly melted, eat it and ENJOY.

Most people think this is the best way to enjoy a Tim Tam. I think it makes for a great party at Helen's, but I prefer my Tim Tam's hard and crunchy, not soggy.