Tore knee in Jan. Government covers the cost, but the catch is you have to wait until the public health system gets around to doing the work. So I was put onto the waiting list for an operation. In March I checked and found that I was up to level 2 from level 5. When one gets to level 1 a date is set. Unfortunately, because of a never ending supply of sport-related knee injuries that require immediate attention it seemed that I would never make it up to level 1. There was a national election in Nov and with it came promises that money will be made available to help reduce the waiting lists. But I didn't want to wait - I wanted to be ready for this summer. So I went "private" and let my insurance pay for it. It's a real sham. Public, wait forever. Same doctor, private hospital and I was scheduled for the day alter I asked for the operation. I shouldn't have waited ten months and had it done straight away. But I wasn't working at the time and thought I could wait and get some of my tax money spent on me. Instead, I ended up in a modem hospital with personal attention for the short five hours that I was in. Before the operation I must have been asked seven times which knee it was. That stopped once the doctor drew a big black arrow on my leg pointing to it. All I know is that I awoke with a humongous bandage around my knee and I had to wonder if my pants would go back on. The charge nurse sent me home with strict instructions to stay prone and keep my leg in the air. Guess what, next day she called to check if everything was all right and to remind me to stay off my feet - probably also checking to see if I went back to work. By the third day I was stir crazy and wandered off into town. Back to school after 5 days. Doctor had said that I'd be back to normal after 4-6 weeks. It took about 12.

The spectacular highlight of 1993 was my father's visit in Dec. It was his first time out of US since WWIl. It was a time of awe and wonderment for him. So many new things to take in. Kind of hard to adjust to the fact that one gets onto a plane in dark cold Minnesota and gets off a few hours later into bright warm sunshine on the other side of the world. And like our others MN visitors, he noticed how GREEN it is here. So many different shades of green. Every yard is landscaped with trees, bushes and flowers everywhere. Gave him a day to get his bearings and then we took him surfing with the Whites. Next day it was windsurfing with the Aldersons. But as every tourist must do, we took him to see the sights in the thermal area at Rotorua. First day it was to see Waitomo cave and the glow worms. He was certain that they must be man-made lights. Then onto something a little more conventional: a Maori village showing the way they lived about 100 years ago. Checked into a motel in Rotorua and into the heated pool for a swim and then back to the room for a soak in the spa pool. I should say that David, Renee and I were out of school, but Gail had to work so she wasn't with us. Next day we went to Waiotapu Thermal area and watched Lady Knox Geyser explode, spent a couple hours walking the trail alongside multi-coloured craters filled with boiling water and bubbling mud. In the evening we went to Hyatt Kingsgate Maori feast and concert. 90% of audience were Japanese. We were at a table with "others": an American, a few Australians and a couple from Italy. It was there that the waitress asked Dad if he wanted "blue" or "green" Steinlager beer (meaning the color of the label). When she left, he said: "l've never had blue beer before". The concert was lively and good value. Our last day in Rotorua we went out to Buried Village. A volcano exploded in 1886 and covered the place up to six feet in ash. Dad had trouble believing that something five miles away could do such a thing. Also had trouble believing that there had been a two story hotel in the middle of nowhere 100 years ago. In fact, I think he was somewhat disappointed that NZ was so much like the States. I think he was expecting something more primitive. Short stop at main lake to see black swans (about 200) and he was captivated with them, taking many photos. Finally we went to Rainbow Farm show which was fabulous. Very entertaining and funny. Renee was in a feed the lambs contest. And David sat on a bull. These were just the highlights of a great trip.

That was the first week. The next three weeks were filled with many activities near or around Auckland. Had to show him the wharfs as he figured that since so much is imported it would be busy. It wasn't. Putt Putt, Totara Park, One Tree Hill, Cossey dam, Hunua Falls. War Museum which had a display on the American Invasion of WWII. There had been 80,000 troops here at anyone time. He was intrigued and read every word and looked at every picture and item. He joined our Trivial Pursuit evening, Botanical Gardens with Aldies, drove 50 miles to look at a tree (a big kauri). Went to Waharau Educational Camp with Whites and spent two nights there. First day it was hiking and barbecue. Next day it was off to Miranda Hot Pools for a soak and the third day over to Thames where we took in a historical museum that we found very interesting.

Christmas with Dad. Aldersons over in afternoon on the 24th and Sanders came over in the evening. On Christmas Day we went strictly NZ and went to the beach - it was windy and I was the only one to swim. On Boxing Day, 26th, Whites came over and Dad played Santa Claus for us alter we played a little cricket in the park next door.

Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Dad was fascinated by the stingrays. And for our last outing we went to Awhitu Park which has a beautiful golden sand beach. Dad trying to getting brown before heading back to Minnesota. on the 30th.

Meanwhile, on 11th Dec. an expelled girl burnt down the building which held my office and two computer rooms. I had to go in to salvage and make an inventory for the insurance people. So instead of having an easy year with less hours I shall be working my butt off. A fellow who worked for me at the mill offered me a programming job, which I was able to hand over to David, so he has been busy since Christmas and will be in the near future.