All in one Cyberverse

Thank you

2011-07-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

I just want to express my huge and sincere thank you to everyone who helped support our fundraising efforts for Lauren.

Over the course of 2 months and thanks to numerous donations, two online auctions, a bake sale and the general goodwill of some amazing people we managed to raise almost $14,500.

This is a truly amazing result which has blown us all away. This money will significantly help Lauren pay for her medical care and help take away the stress of meeting the financial costs of having a disease such as this as well as a newborn baby.

For those who have been asking, Lauren is doing well. While the chemo is harsh and is difficult to handle, she is being very strong and the masses are slowly reducing in size.

Thank you so much for all the support. I can't even begin to show my gratitude.
xox

It's Coming!!

2011-06-15T01:53:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been absolutely crazy.
My idea of running a bake sale has grown little feet and taken off on it's on. And it's grown, not just in the way my ideas usually grow, but grown hugely. I'm so amazed!
The generosity and goodwill that exists within New Zealand truly blows me away!

Lauren has done a number of press interviews over the last few weeks appearing in the Sunday News and on Stuff, and is set to appear in next weeks Women's Weekly!
The bake sale itself got its own story in the community newspapers particularly on the cover of the Central Leader and the Papakura Courier!

I've had a lot of people raise their hands and say they'd be keen to bake, which is so incredible! I am so thankful to all those people! And i've also had a few businesses say they would love to donate some items, particularly Delish Cupcakes, the Gluten Free Grocer and Cthulu catering!

We also had some amazing other businesses step up and help like Eden Coffee who are holding the bake sale, Cornwall Park School who have donated cake boxes for those who need them and Digital Darkroom who allowed us to print a whole bunch of posters at a discounted rate!

We have also had some incredible people give donations for the cause which has helped so much, and no amount of thank you's will truly express how much it means!

So, the Bake Sale! I'm really really excited it! But i'm also very nervous! I hope there is going to be plenty of baking! If you know people who like baking - please please encourage them to donate a cake or biscuits or slices or something! to the cause for us to sell! I expect there will be quite a number of people turning up so we want to make sure there is plenty to sell - and it's all for such a great cause!
All of this is going to significantly help reduce the stress on Lauren and her family.

It's been so incredible to see everyone get involved in the cause and help out - there are truly some incredible people in New Zealand (and internationally!)

We need lots of people to bake and come and buy the baking so keep spreading the word...

For those who plan to contribute baking - you are amazing! If you could flick me a quick email and let me know how much baking you plan to bring in that would be ideal - just so we have a general idea of how much baking to expect.
Of course if you don't get around to sending an email or anything still bring your baking along - I just want a general idea (to make sure there will be plenty there to sell!)

bake.sale.nz@gmail.com

You are more than welcome to bring your baking in on the day (Saturday 18th June to Eden Coffee, 100 Mt Eden Road) preferably between 9.30 and 10.30 but if you would prefer to drop it off on the Friday we have several drop off points

Town area...
4.00-6.30pm at Eden Coffee, 100 Mt Eden Road
6.00 - 9.00pm at 3 Shackleton Road, Mt Eden

For those out South there are two drop off points in Papakura
4pm - 8pm Grove Takeaways, 80 Clevedon Road - the fish and chip shop in the block of shops:
12.00-7.00pm 182 Airfield Road - Opposite Kings Plant Barn, down a long driveway with a palm tree sign on the fence

For those on the North Shore
On Saturday morning we have one lovely individual offering to pick up baking from the North Shore area - let me know if you'd like to go with this (email bake.sale.nz@gmail.com), otherwise you can drop it off on Friday night
6.30 - 8.30pm at 5 Castor Bay Road, Castor Bay

If you can't get to any of these drop off point and can't come in on the day but still want to contribute, please let me know and we'll sort something out :)

It would be really appreciated if you could bring your baking in something you don't mind getting rid of - eg. a cake box, plastic containers, paper plates etc but if this isn't possible let me know and i'll arrange for a cake box for you

I'm not sure what the weather will hold but if it is raining don't be deterred - we will be under cover if that's the case! Still come along and buy some sweet treats!

Email me at the above address if you have any questions.

Again I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart who are getting involved, as a buyer, a baker... or both!

OH! and a lot of people have been asking for a bank account to put donations in for Lauren.
If you wish to make a donation the bank account number is
03 1500 0106631 000

It really means so much to see everyone willing to donate their time (and money!) for this worthy cause :)
xxx

A whole slice of cake

2011-05-25T02:56:00.000-07:00

It's not even been a week since I posted my last blog, but since I did life has been all go.
The response I got to my call for help was absolutely overwhelming!

The most notable response which has completely blown my mind was from Marilynn at Mum's On Top. Within hours of my blog going live, she had jumped into action organising a charity auction with all proceeds going to Lauren! Businesses started putting their hands up left, right and centre to donate products to the auction. Totally overwhelming! The auction will be held on 3rd June in Cyberspace and has some really incredible items including clothing, cake, espresso machine and bunches of flowers. More items are being donated by the day and I can really see it making a huge difference to Lauren.

Be sure to stop by mumsontop.co.nz to check out the items that are up for auction and get involved on June 3rd when the auction is happening!

Lauren's chemo IS covered by the government (there was some confusion over that in my last post) but what is not covered is her $4k injection, the ventilation system she needs ($6k) as well as the other costs such as her $600 monthly car payments which of course she needs to get to and from the hospital, a wig as her hair is beginning to fall out ($400) and other costs associated with her health and looking after Isabella. As I mentioned in my last post, meeting these costs is especially difficult as when she was diagnosed she had to quit her job so therefore missed out on maternity leave pay, her mother and partner have had to significantly reduce their hours at work in order to look after Isabella and Lauren, particularly after her treatments when she becomes very sick. Naturally this is creating quite the financial strain. All this help from people is going to make such an amazing difference.

It's really given me faith in general goodwill again. People doing things for other they don't know simply out of the goodness of their heart. I'm so humbled by this all. See it's so easy to sit behind a computer screen, cyber bully people, ignore what you choose to and hope someone else steps up to the plate... to actually be proactive, to want to do something to help someone else, in this day in age where it seems it's 'each man for themselves', it's such an incredible thing to witness.

That brings me to the next point. The bake sale I mentioned at the end of my last post.
People who know me, know that I love baking. In fact one day i'd love to open a cake cafe! Like a little teashop that sells cakes.... (*dreaming*). Anyway, After my last post I had a huge number of people saying they would be willing to bake for a bake sale! So now we're kicking this thing into action!

The bake sale will be held on Saturday 18th June beginning at 10.30 and will run through until 2pm. It will be held at Eden Coffee, 100 Mt Eden Road and the espresso bar at Eden Coffee will be open selling super decent coffee with $1 from each cup going to Lauren! How awesome is that?!

The way the bake sale will work is people (anyone, everyone... you?) will contribute baked goods, or anything else you want to donate to be sold... arty crafty things etc and all the money raised from the day will be given to Lauren to help her cover her costs! If you're not a baker, or don't want to bake - come along on the day and make some purchases! We need lots of people to come and buy the baking so make sure you tell all your friends about it.

I know a lot of Lauren's friends live out South, so if you want to bake but can't make it into town to the actual sale we're going to do a run out South on the Friday night and are happy to pick up your baking, we'll also have a few drop off points in the Papakura area.

People wanting to contribute baking will be able to drop off their baked goods to me in Mt Eden in the days leading up to the sale, otherwise you're most welcome to bring your baking along to the sale and we'll put it on display.

If you have any questions about the sale, please don't hesitate to ask and let me know if you're keen to bake for it either via Twitter, Facebook or by emailing me - bake.sale.nz@gmail.com

Please get involved! Every little bit will really help out Lauren, and it means so so much.
You're all amazing!

Sending love xox

A little piece of help...

2011-05-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

I need your help.

You = anyone that is reading this. First i'll tell you a story, then you can decide out of the goodness of your heart if you're prepared/able to help me out here. Please please read to the very end.

I have a very good friend. Her name is Lauren. Last year Jesse and I received a text saying she was pregnant. We were stoked for her! The baby was due in May 2011 and it wasn't long before we found out she was expecting a little girl. As you can imagine this was super exciting news!

We counted down the days until this little girl was due to join us and as February rolled around so did the baby shower! It was great - food, games and lots of girly chat! Lauren was absolutely glowing.

It was less than two weeks later when Lauren's mum called Jesse with some bad news. Lauren was in hospital. She'd had a cough for a while which hadn't been going away, and along with the cough she was having some difficulty breathing. She'd been to the doctor the morning before who quickly got in her to have a scan that same afternoon. The doctor who took this scan booked her in for more tests immediately the following day so Lauren and her mum took the day off work and showed up at the hospital as planned the next morning. They expected to be in and out so had planned to see a movie after their hospital trip. Unfortunately they never got to the movie. After a few hours of tests the doctor came in and broke the news. Lauren had hodgkins lymphona (a type of cancer) and it had spread to three different areas. There was a lump in her neck, around her heart and on top of one of her lungs which had subsequently collapsed.

Lauren spent the night in hospital having numerous tests. We learnt early on that the baby was okay which was a huge relief. However Lauren was getting sicker and needed treatment.... treatment she couldn't have with the baby still inside her.
The problem was, having a C-section would weaken her immune system for her treatment and having the baby naturally would be incredibly difficult due to her problems breathing and her collapsed lung.

For the next few weeks, Lauren was at home, resting and doing what she could to stay as healthy as possible. She celebrated her 22nd birthday with a low key dinner with a few friends. The following weekend, her condition deteriorated and the day to induce the baby was brought forward two weeks so they could start treating Lauren as soon as possible. A week after her birthday, at the beginning of April, Lauren gave birth (naturally, amazingly!) to Isabella, who was healthy and beautiful!

The day after Isabella was born Lauren had her first bone marrow. We went to see her that night and she told us all about the massive needles she'd had stuck into her. Within a week Lauren's chemo treatment had started and is still on going.
She's reacted badly to it from the start having developed infections and putting up with the side effects of being sick all the time, having no immune system and a constantly bruised body. On top of that she has a month old baby to look after.

Her mum and partner had to cut down their work hours to look after Lauren and the financial strain has started to show. Lauren has to be on a ventilator to help her breath and the costs are really starting to add up. She went to WINZ in an attempt to get some government support. They were very little help saying that despite Lauren having a letter from her doctor they thought she was well enough to be out in the workforce (obviously she can't work), and therefore her situation was a personal matter so they would only give her $33. $33 measly dollars wouldn't cover it at all. They asked for a subsidy to help pay for her ventilation system to which they said they would contribute $3.82.

I hate that Lauren is having to go through this. She's been a hard working citizen for years, paying her tax and contributing to society. Now she's getting screwed (so to speak) by the same system.

I get that this is what happens. That they can't support everybody. But you'd expect them to get a little more than $33! She's got a new born baby, no job and has cancer for which she's currently receiving expensive treatment for. Surely she deserves more than $33!

Either way, the treatment is still needed. The costs aren't getting any cheaper.
I've been trying to figure out a way to help. There must be some way to raise some money to ease the pressure just a little.

The best idea i've come up with is a bake sale. I know Delish Cupcakes managed to raise a lot of money for Christchurch in the same manner yet I know that situation was very different.

I need help. If I was to try and organise a bake sale would anyone help? Would anyone contribute baking? Or a space to hold the bake sale?

Has anyone got any other ideas of ways that money could possibly be raised?

I know i'm grasping at straws here, but I really need some help. Lauren means a lot to me, and so does Isabella - my god daughter.

If you have any ideas, or would contribute to a bake sale or has other fundraising ideas... please comment below, or let me know on twitter or facebook... or email... or any other way you can think.... it would mean so much.
There has to be some way......
Please, help me!

My Broken City

2011-05-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

The biggest event that happened in my life in the last year and a half was an event that affected many New Zealanders. My home town of Christchurch was hit with a devastating earthquake. A number of quakes actually. The first hitting 4th September where a good portion of buildings collapsed leaving the city looking like a remarkably different place. Luckily the quake hit at 4am so many people were safely tucked up in bed and Christchurch residents escaped death. Heartbroken at seeing my city in ruins I headed down a few days after the quake and helping clean up the liquidfudge that had risen all around the city, creating quite the mess.

The city was plagued with a number of quakes over the next few months. The biggest I felt was on boxing day 2010, quite a shaker, had me running for the door frame - not something I would actually recommend. To be honest, in an earthquake I don't think there is anywhere safe inside a building. A doorframe isn't going to protect you. A good solid table might.... unless the whole building comes down around you trapping you.

Anyway, another few months went by and then on February 22nd 2011 Christchurch was hit with it's biggest quake since September. A 6.3 magnitude quake on the Port Hills fault line that hit during the lunch hour, causing severe destruction and killing close to 200 people. The worst hit buildings, PGC building and CTV building. I sat watching the TV and keeping my eye on the news almost constantly for the next few weeks. It truly broke me, seeing how little was left of my hometown. My family were fine, luckily. And their house also escaped with very little damage. I was desperate to head home, to check on everyone myself, but my mum banned me from stepping foot in the broken city. She was right. I would have just been a drain on the already strained resources. The central city was badly hit and was closed for months. In fact, we're nearing June and it's still closed.

In grief for those that died, and for the city, which seemed to be on life support, I went to the tattoo parlour and got myself a tattoo. It's the Rose window of the Christchurch Cathedral. The Cathedral was very special to me. I spend a lot of time there throughout school and it's quite a Christchurch symbol. My tattoo was to symbolise, New Zealand, Christchurch and my family, and for me this seemed fitting.

Over Easter Weekend I finally made it back home. This was the weekend, two months on, when they opened much more of the central city. Jesse and I took a walk through the city, accompanied by my parents who despite living there hadn't been able to see any of the central city since the quake. We walked for hours and saw some heart breaking sites. The broken cathedral, the provincial chambers where my older sister got married, the leaning buildings, the big Pricewaterhouse building where my brother-in-law was (on the 17th floor) when the quake hit), cashel mall, the Catholic Cathedral, the Arts Centre where i'd had breakfast just two months before on Christmas day... and dinner exactly two months before the quake).... and of course my high school, a good portion of which is gone. Completely. It was very very hard.

I guess the way forward is to try and be positive. The rest of the world has moved on, but residents in Christchurch are still struggling. They're still using portaloo's, still staying with friends and family. They're still scared. They're still on edge. And they're still woken by aftershocks. My heart is still in Christchurch, and my thoughts spend a good part of the day down there. I have grieved a lot. Maybe more than some people in the city itself. But I guess it really is time to move forward and think about how the city can rebuild.

Personally I think Christchurch should use this opportunity to be a creative city that draws the creatives in. The knowledge economy is where the future is. If there was a job or the industry in Christchurch I would have moved home straight after I finished uni, but that just wasn't a possibility. if Christchurch can rebuild and brand itself as a creative city... the possibilities could be huge. There was an idea of a rooftop garden city. I think the two would tie in really well together and could make a significant impact on the economy. It would be cutting edge. I'd be back there in a heartbeat.

The problem with Christchurch at the moment is that so many jobs have been lost. There is nothing to do because the city is off limits. There isn't enough buildings or space.
It needs to be rebranded. A lot of heritage has been lost, which is horrible and sad.... but I think it's a good opportunity to make something out of Christchurch which wasn't possible before.

I hope the government and council take this opportunity to bring Christchurch back off life support and give it a new lease on life. It deserves it. It's residents deserve it.

While i'm on the topic... Christchurch is still in need. Many people who lost their homes also lost their clothes, blankets...everything. It's getting colder... If anyone has spare clothes and blankets that they don't need... please donate. Those blankets you don't use anymore could go a long way in helping others... think about it :)

In the meantime, here are some pictures of my broken city...

Peace xx

I'm back

2011-05-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

So I've completely failed at posting blogs for over a year and a half. Mega fail. In fact it's been two years almost exactly since I set up this blog and then I just dropped off the radar.
I blame Jesse. My super-attractive, crazily mental other half.

Yep, the loveless Sam found love. And it changed my life completely ... in a good way of course.
So I moved in with this boy, and we got all domestic and bought a cat. Two years ago I declared war with a kitten because I was crazy allergic. Well I changed my mind about being allergic. I literally forced my body to 'get over it'. Interesting huh!
So we got a cat, called him Zebby and that's been our little family for the last year and a half (well actually Zebby joined our clan about a year ago).

In other news, my amazingly talented little sister was accepted into a dance school in Melbourne, so at the beginning of this year, freshly turned 18 she packed her bags and moved across the ditch. Her dedicated boyfriend (who I have accidentally already started calling my brother-in-law) moved over shortly after to join her. She seems to be having the time of her life, living out her dreams, dancing and teaching singing. Jealous much?! I am!

I graduated from the Bachelor of Communication Studies (joint top of my major, cough cough, rad) and went on to do a year of Honours as well as lecturing first and second year coms students. Not bad! Was quite the experience!

I finished up with uni and it only took a few months until I landed my dream entry-level job as a studio manager at a multi-disciplinary design unit. It's super rad, working with some awesome guys and getting some amazing experience.
The other half, a super star at video editing, hasn't been so lucky in getting that full time video job but still got the fingers crossed!
So my days are filled with being part of the real world, been quite a year of transitions.

The other big event in my life in the last year and a half was the Christchurch earthquake. That affected me so much that it deserves it's own post.....

Other than that, not much else is new! I'm older, hopefully wiser...and I still have a lot of dreams for the future.

My current dreams include wanting to move to the Middle East (no doubt i'll be post dedicating with that one) and opening a cake shop.... probably after the travel and once I've got kids.

We'll see how it goes....

Peace xox

My life, my love!

2009-08-30T02:46:00.000-07:00

I'm lucky. I don't think i say it enough, or even appreciate it enough. But i'm lucky because of the people I have in my life. I don't think many people read this, and i don't know if the people i'm about to talk about will read this, but I think in life, how we feel about people and how they affect us isn't said enough. Life is too short. I like the people i care about to know i care about them.

There are some people in my life who are there for me no matter what. This isn't a recent thing either. They're not just there when i get stressed about uni, or upset over a boy, they've been there for as long as I can remember. They were there as i started intermediate, as i started high school, as i went through my first heart break and as i made my big mistakes. They're there no matter what. And they don't make me apologise for who i am. They accept me, no matter what i look like, act like or feel like.

They are easy to be around, and without them i would truly be lost. Over the years there has been drama, heartache, tears, tantrums but overall there has been a lot of fun. They are my 'family' and they are my friends. They are the people i know will always be there without fail. No matter how we all change we all know we'll have each other. I just want to thank those people for being part of my life. Without them i don't know where i would be and without them I wouldn't be who i am. They have shaped me. So i just want them to know how much i appreciate them being in my life. They are true friends.

For you.

2009-08-30T02:34:00.001-07:00

It's sad how someone can get knocked down, their spirit broken and all hope lost from one single rejection. It is no reason to give up your dreams.
If you want something reach out and grab it. Follow it and follow your heart. Don't let others stand in the way. Overcome the barriers that may be stopping you. You don't have any excuse. I have no time is not an excuse, if you want something to happen you make time. The busiest people make time and have the fullest lives. I am not good enough is also no excuse. Don't ever think you're not good enough. Don't let anyone tell you you're not good enough.

You are good enough. Please don't give up on your dreams. Live. Live life the way you want to and don't let the rejection and barriers break your spirit. I believe in you. Please believe in yourself.

Disney-fied

2009-08-30T02:07:00.000-07:00

Okay so i get a LOT of crap for being a fan of the 'disney princesses' If you don't know who the disney princesses are, then clearly you're just not cool enough to belong to the disney club (those members of the disney club know who they are).

For those who don't know these 'disney princesses' i'm going to tell you. Miley would probably be the queen. Followed by Demi and Selena. I'm also going to include Taylor Swift in here, not because she has anything to do with Disney but i kind of associate her with them.

I don't think they really need too much introduction. Miley has of course taken over the world, and for it she has met SO much scrutiny. Her every move is criticised and it's almost as if she can't get a coffee without it being breaking news. Why do I love her so much? To be honest i find her facinating. I'm not a massive fan of her earlier songs but what she's been doing lately (breakout album and after) i'm really enjoying. I find her facinating simply because she has a hugely popular tv show (Hannah Montana, which i really do enjoy because it is mindless comedy), numerous albums and successful tours, has voiced movies, starred in the Hannah Montana movie, has just finished filming 'The Last Song' and has plenty more lined up. She is a multi-millionaire... and she is still only 16. She is potentially one of the most successful young star ever and has more than half of the teen and tween audience under her spell. A lot of people say she can't sing. I beg to differ. She is one of very few people who can sing live and still sound similar to what she sounds like on her records. I love lady gaga - but she sounds SO different live.

It took me a while to warm to Demi. I have to say she's not a hugely brilliant actress. I enjoyed camp rock but really don't like her tv show (Sonny with a chance). I do however REALLY enjoy her music. She's got a very mature sound, particularly her latest album and her music is very un-Disney. Youtube 'Here we go again' and 'Don't forget' to see what i mean. She isn't as hugely popular as Miley, but she is climbing the ranks. I don't think she'll ever come to be such a phenomemon in the way Miley has, but i think that is a good thing. Miley is going to find (and already is) it hard to break out of the Disney mold, but as Demi had (in a way) established a bit of a career after camp rock she doesn't seem to be as tied under the Disney banner.

Selena i don't think has quite the singing talent of Demi and Miley but i do think she can act. She is rocking in Wizards of Waverly place, Cinderella story and Princess Protecion program... although i do see her being cast in the same roles over and over. She has potential, but i think she needs to grow into it a little more. I like her though, and i will still watch the things she's in.

Taylor Swift as i mentioned is not a Disney girl. She is friends with miley, demi and selena but she's a southern country singer and has really brought country music back on the scene, or thats what i think anyway. Her songs are very similar to each other, same sort of sound, but i enjoy them. They're good to chill out to and they're very real.

Although all four of these girls get criticised simply because of their age and their association with Disney (minus Taylor) i think people should back off a bit and let them be. And for those who dislike them on principle, they should give them a chance. Listen to their latest stuff - not everyone will like them, but don't judge before you've given it a chance. For realz.

Like in the movies

2009-08-30T01:43:00.000-07:00

I know i wrote a post on boys/love/the game so recently, but it has been on my brain a bit lately. It's not like in the movies is it. I mean we've always known that. The movies, even occasionally tv shows portray love and relationships to be a bit like a fairytale. Well thats my view. Girl meets boy, they fall in love, there is some sort of barrier they must face.... boy does everything possible to win the girls affections and they end up happily ever after. Okay sure there are exceptions. I really must stop watch romantic comedies because the expectations they set are too high, very few guys can match up to that.

I was told the other day that i should become a lesbian nun. By a tutor at uni. Although the thought of me becoming a lesbian nun is an intriguing one, i can't see it happening any time soon. In the movies its 'not just a pretty face' that the men fall for. In reality, men see the 'pretty face' and thats all it is. "you're a pretty face but you mean nothing to me." Maybe if they looked past the 'pretty face' they would get to know the person underneath, see the brains, the humour, the intellect, the fun, the craziness. See the person! But i find many guys just won't take the time to get to know the person behind the face.

I've been trying to put these thoughts into a song... but i can't find the right words. it's so frustrating! I've found music to be more real. In fact there are so many songs that put words to what i'm thinking and feeling that i've given up on movies and tv for the time being and switched to spending huge amounts of my time listening to music. They say what is real and what i feel. sometimes that can be more of a comfort than the happy fluffy halmark movies.

I guess i have unrealistic expectations. I mean really, a few of my favourite movies (are also musicals) Moulin Rouge, Rent, Across the Universe and Les Mis. In all four of these, well for a start the guy sings, but secondly he goes to great lengths to overcome all obstacles to be with the girl "It's about love, overcoming all obstacles" (if you know which movie thats from, you are kind of awesome.) Damn these movies and there everlasting love, you don't get swept on your feet in real life.

Capture it on film

2009-08-30T01:25:00.000-07:00

I have various reactions when i pull my camera out. Some people groan and get super annoyed when i start taking photos, others try and jump in every shot i take. And i do take a lot. Anyone can see that by just looking at my facebook page which for me is largely just a place to upload and share my photos. It's also good if my computer unexpectedly dies because all my photos are saved on trusty facebook. Anyway, a lot of the people who claim to be annoyed when i pull my camera out are still often the ones to be nagging me to put up my photos or bring my camera along at the next event.

But why am i so persistent in capturing the moment? Because people are important to me. Memories are important. I like to remember the times, who was there, what we did. I like there to be some sort of record of it. I like to be able to look back and think of the fun times and i like to be able to show off my friends to other people.
I especially like photos of me with the people who mean something to me (my friends). They are the people who have had an impact on my life, who have shaped a part of who i am.

I started taking a lot of photos in seventh form. It was a good time to start taking photos because now i can look back, even if it was only a few years ago and look at the people who make up a small part of me. Even if i don't see all of them or talk to them as often as i would like, they knew me in a different part of my life, and i like having a record of them to be able to look at.

I know my facebook may be cluttered (actually SWAMPED) in photos, but really, whatever. I take photos, i share them and i think thats important. I can't say exactly why it's important... but i think it is.

The 'Game'

2009-08-28T03:12:00.000-07:00

I LOVED being a little kid. Okay i may have wanted nothing more but to grow up when i was little but honestly, life was SO easy. For one, there were no bills to pay, mum did my washing, cooked my dinner and made my lunches... life was just life and it was there to be lived. I remember finding a 10c coin on the field one lunchtime when i was about 9. I was old enough to walk home from school then and made a slight detour to the dairy to buy two strawberry and cream lollies. I was sooo nervous the whole time mum would drive past after picking my sister up and see that i didn't come straight home. To be fair it was probably quite a dangerous thing to do if i'm being all PC, but whatever. Life was good!

There wasn't the complexities that life has now. I guess this is the transition from actually being a kid to be an adult. I suppose. I know for a fact i'm not the person I was the day I bawled my eyes out all the way to Auckland as i left my life in Christchurch behind. Then again, i had turned 18 only two weeks before and had spent probably 3 weeks away from my family in my 18 years - it was scary! And i knew perhaps one other person in Auckland besides from my Uncle and his family. I can't really complain about life though, in fact i've got it pretty good. I can still visit home and all my friends down here, have my dinner cooked and my washing done for me, and then have an entirely different independent life in Auckland with a group of amazing friends up there, so if i'm being totally honest life is still as sweet, if not sweeter than it was when i was little.

I look back to when i was 8/9/10 and think about the problems i had then (Courtney didn't speak to me for a WHOLE night because we had a fight.) Then i look at the problems i have now.... to be honest they're still on the same lines. They're still people oriented ALTHO most people know i get ridiculously stressed about uni and can potentially turn into a monster when due date is close so i didn't have those pressures when i was 9. But overall they're still very based around people.

On the recommendation of my trusty hairdresser a few months ago I ended up buying 'He's just not that into you'. I have got to say this is a horrible book... but i think its kind of accurate. I just want to know why! I mean a lot of people have said you gota play the game,but why? who invented this game and why is it there? Are we living in the past thinking guys must make the first move? Well yes apparently. According to this book all my arguements which i try and come up with are completely shot down. I wana know if anyone reading this post has read this book and if this is totally true? If so that is super lame. Does everyone actually play this game?
eg. He says he'll call you and he doesn't - okay maybe he's busy, got a lot on etc this is how they shoot down that arguement "they say they didn't even have even a moment in their busy day to pick up the phone. Bullshit. With the advent of cell phones and speed dial it is almost impossible not to call you. sometimes i even call people from my pocket without even meaning to" - so this then means - he says he'll call (text, facebook, visit, skype, bebo, msn, email, write a freaking letter) and doesn't = he's just not that into you? for real? Am i just being naieve here or are girls actually dimwitted? If a senario like this does happen, does this mean that the guy is really not interested? Or are there exceptions, because as far as i know there are exceptions for every rule? There are a LOT of 'excuses' girls will apparently use for guys in here. "the he's out of town a lot' excuse, the 'he's afriad of getting hurt again' the maybe we're just different, 'the but i like him this way' oooh they go on and on, i mean really, there is a whole book about it. I'm still wondering how accurate it is? My hairdresser says it is her bible. Do i need to make it my bible as well, read a passage every night, sleep with it under my pillow and become a shell of a person so i follow these 'words of wisdom'? Does this mean if you get a 'he's just not that into you' then you give up just like that? Move on? Switch off what you feel?

I duno, something just doesn't feel quite right. I don't use 'self-help' books for other aspects of my life, why would i use it here. I like to follow my heart, listen to my gut instincts and know that if its meant to be, its meant to be...even if sometimes you have to fight for it. If u are willing to fight for it...its worth fighting for - as long as the other person wants to be fought for i guess! I'm a feeling person though. I live through feeling - according to one of those personality test things anyway!

I want some thoughts on 'the game'. What do you think? Is it better to follow the rules? Or to write new ones?

If we were a movie...

From the mouth of gimpy

2009-07-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

Crutches. Before last week i'd never had them. So i've been hobbling around on these death poles for about a week now, and although i haven't yet managed to fall off them i'm sure the day is close. Whats worse is the pain in my ankle doesn't seem to be getting any better.

I saw some friends last night, somehow what had happened to me got lost in translation. Not kidding, they thought i had be HIT by a scooter! WHO honestly in their right mind could get hit by a scooter? I'm not sure how they thought i could be so gumby but apparently i must come off as more of a walking disaster than i am!

When i was at primary school, or even early days of high school i'd see people on crutches and i'd sorta think it might be fun. Was this me possibly putting a curse on myself? I'm not enjoying these damn crutches to say the least, even worse i can't do any exercise which is making me lose my mind ever so slightly!

Getting up the steps into the big top... tent at cirque du soliel the other day was a mission. what made it worse was that i was carrying - or trying to carry - my handbag, the bag with the purchases i made in the gift shop, and a box of popcorn. it wasnt easy! Then of course my seat just happened to be in the middle of the row.... meaning with all this crap and still relying on my crutches i had to squeeze past half a row of people - they must have sat down SUPER early. It was a mission i tell you and actually rather humiliating i might add. They're just so big, and not easy to just put away somewhere. sooo frustrating!

I wish i had some funny crutches related stories to share.... but i'm just not funny on them. in fact most of the time i look a bit like jasper from twilight - when Jessica says 'he's the one who looks like he's always in pain...' yeah i look like i'm always in pain, or struggling to manouvere these damn crutches. or something.

Did i mention i've been dubbed both 'gimpy' and hop a long. although i've been called hop a long every time i've had to limp for some various injury since i was 18 months old when i broke my teeny tiny leg when going down a slide - no joke. Perhaps i am a walking disaster

You know what.... i think i might go back to bed. At least I can't injure myself there!

Harry Potter and Cirque du Soliel

2009-07-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

So when i returned from Raro i was desperate to see the new Harry Potter movie so invited myself along with a friend of mine to see it. LOVED it. I'm sad at what they missed out, that there wasn't a huge emphasis on the horocrux's etc. but overall i thought it was a great movie and they portrayed the whole book in as best way as possible.

I duno if i really like it simply because i love harry potter tho. A lot of people really disliked it. What do you think?

I also saw Cirque du Soliel last night. Has got to have been one of the most visually amazing things i've ever seen. The things these people can do are just spectacular! I couldn't believe it! i'm still in awe.... and then i spent HEAPS of money in the gift shop. yessss.

Next up is French and Saunders! woooh!

rarotonga + gluten free

2009-07-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

First off, i have to say Rarotonga is amazing!
I was really worried about being able to find gluten free products there to go with my gluten free diet, so i took a loaf of bread over, but apart from that pretty much any restaurant we went were able to adapt things to gluten free or knew what was and wasn't gluten free. AND the supermarket in the main town had a shelf of organ gf products. Good!

Aside from that, which may help anyone going to raro on a gf diet and not knowing how they'll survive, Raro is honestly a beautiful place. In my sisters words 'Rarotonga is sooooo hot i am sitting on this computer dying of heat haha but its all good because i can just go and swim in the crystal clear water! It is so beautiful i have never seen anything like it the sand is white and the water is warm and clear with palm trees and little islands everywhere.' And its true. The sand is so golden its almost white, the sea is so blue and you can see straight to the bottom, right down to the sea slugs... ew! ha! It's amazing to swim in though, so nice and warm, refreshing in the hot weather!

There were however MASSIVE crabs just outisde out beach house door. MASSIVE. facinating to watch! apparently they're coconut crabs. they climb the coconut trees and with their nippers cut down the coconut. crazy huh!

There is one 'eye-sore' in raro... the Hilton Resort. Well what was suppose to be the hilton resort. Check it out. The developers went out of money - some say the government of the time was dipping into the funds, but who knows what really happened. whats obvious though is that the site is now a ghost town. Almost finished buildings, some with card swipes and airconditioning inside, and all the buildings are now rusting and falling apart while the grounds around it are overgrown

On our second day there we went into town to get our cook islands drivers licenses. Mum and Dad already have their old scooter/motorbike licence from NZ so were able to get a cook islands one immediately. I, however, had to have a practical test on the scooter. so we walked in the intense heat down to a scooter hire place and i had my test. I'd never driven a scooter before and it was quite scary. Then the guy told me to try driving down the road. Sure ok that fine, i did. Then i went to turn around, but it was SO hard to steer (we were later told that hire place was horrificly old bikes that are very hard to control), anyway, i tried to turn the bike around and went straight over the handle bars. I was FINE! only a scratch on my hand, was super worried about the bike tho! it was leaking oil, someone helped me, it was all good, i went back to the hire place and kept my mouth shut. and passed my test. I should have known then aha! So i got my cook islands drivers licence.. seee.....

Now i should probably mention it isnt the law in rarotonga to wear a helmet, so no one does. dangerous! We drove back to Muri beach where we were staying (best place in raro!) I was so nervous the whole way back, but it was only a straight line so was all good! The next morning we were going to explore the island a bit on the scooters. Sooo we set off, Jess on the back of dads

we went up to visit a gorgeous waterfall, looked at the Hilton, various beaches etc and then eventually stopped at a cafe for lunch. When we were leaving this cafe, in their gravel driveway i got into a little trouble.... i turned the bike on, but pulled the throttle way too much, duno how, i think i was trying to pick up the bike and move it into position because i cant stear it properly... its too tricky ha. so anyway i pulled the throttle far too much and me and the bike shot forward, skidded on the gravel, fell off, the bike came down on top of me and we both skidded a few meters. OUCH. So anyway, i'm covered in dirt, cuts and grazes everywhere, my ankle hurts a LOT. Eventually one of the cafe workers takes me to their cottage and cleans up the dirt and then an ambulance turns up with its siren on. What a palaver! ah! so i get taken up to the hospital where they look at my cuts, tell me to swim in the sea (salt water and all that) and put antibiotic cream on. Apparently my ankle was fine.

Then the cops turned up to interview me, oh drama. They ended up driving us half a way around the island back to our place, thanks cops! and i went swimming in the sea while screaming at the stinging pain. I spent the rest of my trip limping everywhere! We went on a mini sub (i got so sea sick so had to stay above deck, damn i missed the turtle!) but because i had to stand a lot - balancing apparently helps sea sickness, my ankle got worse and worse. By the time we left Raro (after more sun, swimming, shopping, eating) my ankle was very sore. Oo we did go to an Island Night at the Staircase Restaurant which was FANTASTIC!

I arrived back to Auckland and spent the day hobbling around a mall, getting groceries, uni books etc and of course my ankle swelled and walking/driving was too tricky. After a trip to the white cross, i'm now on crutches with ligament damage. Hurrah.

i'l be going back to Raro ASAP. but i'll be staying off the scooters next time!!

Stars in their eyes

2009-07-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

So it has been a while since i've written. Life has been busy. Or not busy enough to make time to post on here.
For one week in July i was in a show in the chch Kidsfest called 'Freddies Three Fat Fairies.' Great fun, really. Kidsfest every year is awesome, not just the actual performing but the back staage shenanigans. Since i started uni i haven't been able to perform in kidsfest simply because i haven't been in chch for the rehearsals, however this year i was able to be 'Freddie's mother'.

I was actually incredibly nervous. Really. I hadnt performed since i was 17 so it was almost like i'd forgotten what to do! I picked it up. The show looked great! It was the second time we performed Freddies, the first was in 2006. I have to say though, everything about the 'back by popular demand' show in 2009 was much better.

After every performance we'd sign the autographs of the little kids who came to watch, and during these signings, what you could see in these kids was amazing! Not all of them of course, but a great number of them you'd look in their eyes and you'd almost be able to see that they truly believed what they'd just seen, or that what they'd just seen was truly real. It was really quite amazing, seeing the utter joy in their eyes and knowing how what we just did totally made their day... or something.

I remember going to shows like that when i was a kid, everything was so real, these giant teddy bears, angels flying, tigers out of their cage... whatever it was all make believe but i dont think i fully appreciated that it was all make believe.
I think sometimes it would be nice to just be able to have the innocence of being young again, to believe what you see, to have that amount of hope and to be so easily entertained. Theres something about the life of a child that we forget as we grow up. And its a shame. i'd like it back.
please.

Updates

2009-06-11T02:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since i last posted. There's been no reason for it, whatsoever, i just haven't!
I finished up with uni for the semester. I finished before everyone else, which meant I had a whole 5 days in Auckland with no one to hang with as EVERYONE was busy doing uni work and study! so super lame! Anyway, i'm back home in Christchurch now. It's not as cold as I thought it'd be, but apparently today was a good day.

I flew back via Jetstar on their first day of domestic service in New Zealand. The flight was delayed 2 hours, not a good start jetstar. The flight itself was kinda ave, absolutely no room between the seats, actually, you're squeezed in like a sardine. If the person in front of you puts their seat back good luck in getting any space at all!

I made a big decision before I left Auckland. I'm graduating at the end of the year and had planned on going straight to Australia to do masters. It was basically set in stone, that was my plan, but now thats changed. I was convinced it would be way more beneficial to stay in Auckland an extra year and do honours, which will then take 6 months of my masters which i will do in Australia the year after. Sooo full circle but thats okay. An honours year will be good!

Today i literally had the fright of my life. I was walking my dog, with my mum, and then suddenly something happened with his lead and he was off. He's 8 years old, but still very fast at running and he has absolutely no road sense. We live off two very busy roads which have a number of large trucks etc etc. So you can imagine when he ran onto the road, darting in between cars, chasing big trucks and buses down the road, with no care of the cars.... while i was there hoping he'd come back to me. He almost did...then a bus went past and he was gone. Lucky the people driving around slowed and were very careful not to hit him but you can imagine, i was a mess. I seriously thought that was the end of him. Now some people don't care too much about their dogs, or see their dogs as merely a pet, but mine is totally a member of the family. Luckily he ran to a builder eventually who caught him til we got there. I'm so glad thats over and he's alive and well, but far out! Not a good feeling! I was shaking so much I had to go home and bake a giant chocolate cake!

The next few weeks are going to be filled with drama! It's going to be amazingly awesome, productions every weekend for the next four weeks and then a great week of Kidsfest. If you're in Christchurch, come watch 'Freddie's Three Fat Fairies'. Check out the details here...http://www.kidsfest.co.nz/Events/EventDetail.aspx?EventId=216

Speaking of drama, i went to Cats in Auckland the other day. I've seen this show before but this production was outstanding! Tina Cross was great as Grizabella, so great I bought her cd (altho i'm a sucker for merchandise!) and Shane Cortese seriously surprised me with his INCREDIBLE voice. I was actually in awe, so bravo to him, so multi talented!! If you're in Auckland during the cats season - i think it ends the end of June, then go and see it. I really enjoyed it.... except for one costume annoyance. One cat - an orange and black stripy cat had a huge black zip down the back which was so obvious and frustrating! Everything else was great though! Especially the dancing! like, wow!

No wisdomous words today, just an update. Just simply going to be enjoying the break, veggie gardening, drama, rarotonga, family and friends.

Peace
xoxo

Words to live by

2009-05-28T02:25:00.000-07:00

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their
conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams
don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the
only way to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN! .. When someone asks you a question you don't want to
answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for
others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps
to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

These are a few of my favourite things...

2009-05-28T00:17:00.001-07:00

Everyone has their routines, habits and likes/dislikes.
These are some of mine. If you haven't yet experienced them... i suggest you do so!!

- Reading. I don't always have the time to sit down and read a decent book but i try and make time to at least read a few each year. It's worth it to escape to a different time, land or someone elses world.
My favourite author is by far Jodi Picoult
My favourite books include Goodnight Mister Tom, One Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich... i was forced to read this book for school, but it's actually a very powerful book, even if it's a struggle to get through. Some Torey Hayden books are very good too and very insightful! The secret life of bees is good! The tomorrow series! I have a lot of favourites, its hard just to choose a few I do infact like Harry Potter and Twilight, but please don't hold that over me!!

- Movie Watching. One of the best things to do to chill out is simply watch a movie. I have so many favourite movies like Rent, The Boat that Rocked, I am Sam, Moulin Rouge, Across the Universe, Les Choristes, Remember the Titans, Wall-E, Mamma Mia... I just don't like action and am not a huge fan of scary ones!

- My favourite TV shows. My TV bibles you could say. Outrageous Fortune is amazing, good kiwi humour, Grey's, Gossip Girl, Ghost Whisperer, Private Practice.... but for some light humour i do watch Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place... so shoot me, i'm a kid at heart!

- Music - such a good way to chill out, to help time pass. I love Queen and the Beatles! Midnight Youth are fab as well, i could do a huge plug for those guys, really i could. Radio Ron - my friends band but they're very very good, check them out on myspace. They get their inspiration from the Chillis with a bit of a kiwi twist. I also really like Taylor Swift. And i'm a Miley fan... haha!

Musicals - I'm also a huge fan of musicals. My two favs are Rent and Les Miserables. But i like a huge range of them that I couldn't list them all here, but i love listening to their soundtracks. Atm i'm listening to a lot of Across the Universe, Miss Saigon, JC Superstar, Les Mis, Rent and Chicago.

Mindfood - A truly great magazine for real people. It tackles real issuse we face in society and worldwide. It gives true to life perspectives on things. Its not a cheap magazine, but just one of these is better than four Women's Days, New Idea, NW etc. Try it.

FOOD - I love it.
Baked banana with nutella - When i was in a weird funk a few months ago, I needed some comfort food, and this is what i came up with. Slice a banana down the middle, fill it with nutella, wrap it in tinfoil and bake in the oven. Its some serious oral pleasures ha!

Trinity of Silver Cafe (Auckland)/ Kokako Cafe (Auckland) - YUM! Both do free range/gluten free/organic. Yum is all you need to know

QQ Rice/ Ruan Thai/ Circus Circus/ The Library cafe (Auckland) - yummy!

She Cafe and Restaurant (CHCH)/ Strawberry Fare (CHCH) - Both do amazing desserts and food. just super yum!

Pepperoni/Hintons/Orange Cafe/ Thai Pho/ Manee Thai - yum yum yum - all in CHCH

The gym - it's a really good place to unwind. Do some cardio, weights, kick boxing.... for just a while it takes your mind off the outside world. Ideal.

Travelling - can't forget this one. There are so many places in the world to see. and i wana see them all!

My family and friends of course. Without them i wouldnt be here today, and I wouldn't be who I am today.

peace out
xoxo

Me vs T.D.C

2009-05-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

A few months before I was born a little black and white kitten turned up on my parents doorstep, cute wee thing! They decided to keep it (not something they would usually do! and named it Mighty Mouse (yes...really). Now Mighty was my first pet, and she grew up with me. She was so cute, especially how she'd squeeze into every gap she could to get closer to the fire or curl up on your lap to keep warm.

When I was eleven she got really sick. She had cancer, among other things, and her whole bodie gradually began shutting down. (We probably didn't help things in the fact that we got an excited puppy six months before she died). Anyway, Mighty stopped eating, became really skinny and couldn't walk straight. We ended up putting her down. As i'd grown up with her i found it really hard, however you move on.

A few years later my older sister (Anita) and her husband got a kitten called Tabby. Adorable wee thing. My little sister (Jessy) LOVES kittens and was delighted to hve the chance to look after this wee kitten while my big sister went on holiday. Problems began within the first few hours. Apart from the fact my dog was super jealous about this kitten in the house, and wanted to eat it...or something, Jess started sneezing and getting itchy puffy eyes. Despite having spent the first eight years of her life with a cat, she'd developed an allergy to cats. unfortunate.

A few months later I was at a friends house, playing with her cat and started itching my eyes and sneezing like crazy. Oh crap. I now was allergic to cats also. The symptoms worsed over the next few years. So now both Jessy and I have developed allergies to cats, despite spending our childhoods with one as a pet. Maybe Mighty has cursed us from the grave or something!

Anyway there is a point to this spiel. Today i was at work, writing press releases and newsletters when my employees new kitten Trixie, who still isn't allowed outside because of the vaccinations started meowing at my feet. She's such a cute, friendly and cuddly kitten. That was my mistake. Falling for that. So i gave her a pat and went back to my work. Next thing i know i'm feeling sharp pains in my leg. Trixie has jumped onto my leg and has wrapped all of her claws around my leg, piercing my skin. OUCH! So i try and pick her up to either put her on the ground or leave her on my lap so at least she'll stop hurting me, and the damn cat bites me! So now i have puncture wounds all over my leg and hand. Next thing i know these puncture wounds are red, seriously itchy and swelling like there is no tomorrow. So now i'm sitting here, a few hours later, red swollen eyes, runny nose, and itchy, swollen red legs.
Vegence will be mine you damn kitten.
I'll see you next Thursday, and this time... it's war!

My Girl

2009-05-27T03:41:00.000-07:00

I just watched 'My Girl' for the first time in years. I knew what was going to happen. The only scene I could remember was the one with Veda yelling how he needs his glasses. It still made me cry like there is no tomorrow. It reiterates my point from my last post. Tell the people you love that you love them, because everything could change in a split second.

One thing i also noticed from this movie (and from a lot made in the early 90s) is how simple life was back then! It makes me jealous, and kind of scared at how much life and society has changed in the last twenty years. People were so trusting back then, they'd leave their keys in their cars, kids could run around the neighbourhood by themselves....and that was in America! In NZ it was even more chilled out! Compare that with what we have today - a paranoid, crime ridden society. It's sad that we can't trust people anymore.

I recently got told that i should trust nobody, and to not have any faith in anyone... to assume all people were nasty. I don't think I could quite go that far. I like to have a little faith in people, try to see the good in them. I do belive in giving people chances, and maybe even second chances, but i do think we have to be a lot more careful with who we trust and tell our secrets to.

While we're on that topic, the friendship between Veda and Thomas J in My Girl was one to be envied. Sure it's a childhood friendship, and I did have one or two close friendships like that when I was little, but I want to know what happens after that? Where does all the love and trust in a friendship go? I like to put a lot of effort into friendships but increasingly i've seen a lot of 'not caring' or 'being lazy' and 'making no effort' in friendships. It's sad. Maybe we can blame that on technology. The invention of this wonderful thing we call the internet and cell phones. Perhaps we have become lazy as a society in general because of the ease to send one simple text or one facebook comment and believe that you've now caught up with that friend. I think it's important to make an effort in the friendships that mean a lot to you. Sending a 'hows your week been' text and then not even bothering to reply to the reply isnt actually maintaining friendships.

It's the friendship Veda and Thomas J had that i think is a rarity once we've left school, and even the friendships at school are often only strong because you're forced to see each other 5 days a week. Anyone that still has a friendship like Veda and Thomas J is lucky. The type of friendship you know what the other is thinking without it having to be said aloud. The type that you can just sit in silence and its not awkward at all. The type where everyday you climb trees, swim and bike around the neighbourhood (okay perhaps not so much anymore, but you get the drift)! Those friendships, they're like gold. Once you've found them don't let them go. Look after them, work at them and understand its importance.

This is the poem Veda wrote for Thomas J after he'd died

Weeping willow with your tears running down,
Why do you always weep and frown, Is it
because he left you one day, Is it because he
could not stay, On your branches he would
swing, Do you long for the happiness that they
would bring, He found shelter in your shade,
He thought his laughter would never fade,
Weeping willow stop your tears, There is
something to calm your fears, You think death
as if you forever part, But I know he'll
always be in your heart.

Peace out
xoxox

Growing up!

2009-05-24T02:18:00.000-07:00

Last night, my little sister, who i still remember as a chubby, annoying little brat...and who i now should clarify is none of those things (in fact she's one of the coolest kids out), had her school ball.
This does make me feel a little bit old, as it really doesn't feel like that long ago when i had my school ball, when i was 16, she was only 12.... so i feel old.

Anywho, i can't get too much of the goss out of her but it sounds like they had an absolutely amazing night, my sister looked absolutely gorgeous in a long dress (different from the current norm of short cocktail dresses). I've never seen her done up like this before, and i've gota say i was really blown away. It's a shame i couldn't fly home to see it in person. maybe next year!

It makes me realise though, life goes by so fast, that moments such as these need to be enjoyed for all they're worth. Life is crazy. It's busy. people come in and out of your life at the speed of a moon cycle.

Get to know the people you care about. Make sure they know you care about them. Often the people you really care about are those who you don't see that often, don't talk to that often, or have two minute conversations with in passing on the street. The people that mean the most are often those you don't have to put as much effort into. Which is sad, they're the ones who deserve the most attention. They're the ones who stick around through thick and thin.

As Grey's Anatomy fans have been told "Did you say it? 'I love you. I don't ever want to live without you. You changed my life.' Did you say it? Make a plan. Set a goal. Work toward it, but every now and then, look around; Drink it in 'coz this is it. It might all be gone tomorrow."

You're only young once, enjoy it....but not enough that you may not be able to enjoy it anymore. Live, love and dance in the rain.

Here's some pics of my sister doing just that! doesn't she look stunning!

Rock and Roll

2009-05-24T02:11:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I went to the Lido cinema (new favourite cinema) to see The Boat that Rocked for the second time.

I have to say, the first time i saw this film i went straight home and bought the soundtrack. The second time i saw the film was even better. As soon as the dvd comes out it will be mine! I'd seen it previously with my mum and my sister, but i knew my dad would love it so when he visited me i made sure we would have time to see the movie.

It's set in the 60's when British radio stations only play a few hours of rock and roll each week. However, one particular ship out in the North Sea broadcasts rock and roll 24/7 as a pirate radio. The film is about the shenanigans of the pirates on this boat and the government who are trying to shut them down.
It's a hilarious film from start to finish with some dramatic moments, a great story line and some incredibly talented actors! I have to say, the best eye candy was Tom Wisdom who was playing the man of few words dj, Midnight Mark. yum!

What's interesting is around this period of time was when pirate radio seemed to be taking over, not just in the UK but everywhere. That is when New Zealand had their very own Radio Hauraki, which was almost as dramatic as the movie!

Seriously, if you haven't seen it, its not one i would recommend missing, i really enjoyed it...both times! and it's got me into rock and roll! Can't get enough!

It kind of makes me think though, you listen to the music we have now, and i have to admit i'm a Miley Cyrus fan....so i don't know what that says about my music - though i do love the Killers and Midnight Youth also. But the majority of modern day music is....i don't know how you describe it... sissy? maybe not the right word. It's all about love, and boys or girls, and problem relationships. A lot of it has lost it's soul. The Rock and Roll revolution which swept the world was truly something. It was uplifting. Music that gave a message. And really, a few years ago, Green Day and the Killers did that for me, but true 1960s rock and roll just has a slightly different feeling. Our music, it's not new. Its reused, commericalised sounds. I guess thats the different. Maybe in another fourty years someone may say this about our music. But the way i see it, the great bands, the great musicians and the great songs came out of the 60s-80s era. Perhaps we just need something new?!

Rock on
xoxo

Weekend observations

2009-05-24T02:02:00.000-07:00

This past weekend has been verrrry busy! One thing i've discovered is the awarness of gluten intolerance! It's amazing, and i'm totally impressed

My weekend started with the gluten free food convention. I've been gluten intolerant for five years now, and when i was first advised to go gluten free, this sort of thing would not have even existed! This was seriously like all my christmas's come at once! I discovered lots of new places and products, like a company who do gluten free pies and quiches (cuisann), my favourite cake/muffin mix love cake, the best gluten free bakery ever (marx bakery) as well as the mainstream company Maggi have finally brought out a range of gluten free soups/gravy etc. Then there was a museli which i've previously tried in Australia and LOVED but has never been in NZ before. They're planning on introducing it which made my day! It's nice to see there is so much more gluten awareness around now.

I also discovered two gluten free restaurants over the weekend, the first is Bosco Verde in Epsom, Auckland. They only do one gluten free meal, but it was a maccaroni and sooo tasty! The other was in Onehunga, Auckland called 'the library'. They're generally just open for breakfast and lunch but during the winter they do 'Sunday Roast' on sunday nights which was lovely! Totally worth a look. And then of course there are my two favourite organic/gluten free/dairy free/free range cafes, Trinity of Silver in Mt Albert and Kokako in Parnell. Amazing!

Hello cyberverse

2009-05-22T00:14:00.000-07:00

Initially i wasn't planning on using this blog, it was simply something i was required to set up for uni. However, i've always thought it might be kind of cool to have a blog AND it's another great way to procrastinate.

I'm not sure of the direction the blog is going to head in. I don't expect it to be topic specific, just general ramblings. We'll see how it goes anyway.....

Feel free to follow and we'll see what happens!

Sam
xoxo