Awesome websites you should check out!

Numbero Uno - Postsecret.

This is one of my favourite websites of all time, and you can find it at http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com It's a site where people from all over the world can 'post' their secrets for everyone to see. The deal being, that you send your secret in to them in the form of a postcard, which can be as creative and unique as you like, and it is then posted up on the site. New secrets are posted every Sunday on the site. I found this secret there recently, and thought it was a good example of the creativity that goes into some of these postcards. Anyway, telling your secret to the world (albeit anonymously) is a great way of getting something off your chest and just letting go of it. Perhaps you should give it a try? I can't recommend this website enough, go check it out!

My latest project!

My latest project is going to involve making a book for my Grandad - one that will show pictures of all his family - from the 1920's in Buckie, Scotland, to present. Now, if you haven't checked this site out I suggest you check it out now: www.blurb.com - a site where you can design and make your own 'coffee table' type books from scratch. I've already made one - for my Mum's birthday, and she was so overwhelmed by it, and so is everyone else who has seen it. It's a fantastic idea for a lovely gift for someone who has everything..... I mean, how many people can say that they've had a book published for them? not many! anyway, so my project over the next few days involves scanning lots of family photos, like this one above. I find old photos fascinating. For instance, this one, of my Grandad (front left) and his siblings, was taken in the late 1920's in a fishing village called 'Buckie', in Scotland. It's hard to believe that this photo is over 80 years old, and crazy to think of all the changes that must have taken place during that time......

So yes, a good project to keep me busy while I'm off work recovering from the surgery! oh, and I'm always keen for visitors, just in case you're wondering. As long as you bring Chocolate. Kidding!

I'm back at home now, yay!

Hi everyone,

I just got back home from Wakefield hospital. I'm happy to say that my sinus operation went really well, and that I'm recovering nicely. Poor old Tim is running around after me, isn't he lovely? anyway, here is picture taken in the hospital yesterday, after surgery. As you can see, I'm a wee bit out of it! and yes, I still have to wear that funny bandage on my nose! haha!

Twas the night before surgery

You know, when I was little - about two years old, I used to be able to recite 'The night before Christmas' from beginning to end. Anyway, that got me thinking of an appropriate title for this entry, and in a way, I feel a bit like its the night before Christmas, except that there is more nervousness and less excitement! however, I am looking forward to having my 'functional endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty out the the way. I guess what I'm really looking forward to is feeling better, and being able to breathe through my nose again, at long last. I've never had an operation before, so that part of it is scary - basically the fear of the unknown. And also because I've always found it incredibly difficult to rely on others. I'm a bit of a control freak in that I like to get everything done myself and find it hard to sit back and let other people take over. It was difficult leaving my class today, everyone's telling me not to rush back, but a part of me wants to go back as soon as possible and hates the thought of leaving everyone there in the lurch. I'm gonna miss the kids too, they always seem to brighten up my day (when they're behaving themselves, anyway! lol!). So anyway, once I've had my operation, I'll post a picture up here of my post-op face (for your viewing pleasure, dear reader). Until then.........

a tip down to the old hometown

Hi everyone!

This weekend was spent living it up in Christchurch! we took the garden city of nz by storm during our three day visit....... barely stopping to pause for breath.

On the first day, Tim and I decided it would be fun to go tramping around the hillside, up at the sign of the Kiwi. We were fortunate enough to experience the most amazing weather and scenery, during our 45 minute walk. Also, as a bonus, no ankles were sprained, and no ligaments torn - although Tim did hit his head on a branch while walking through a particularly foresty part, and Fi tripped up down some steps when her shoe got entangled in a flax bush! but luckily for us, we made it back to civilisation ok.

The second day was mainly all about catching up with various people..... and a fantastic picnic in Hagley park! we met up with a few friends and decided we would go out for dinner. What we hadn't counted on, is that not many restaurants had spare tables for ten people at such short notice. So instead of announcing defeat, we wandered to the local fish and chip shop and got some takeaways to eat in Hagley park. Armed with a bag full of cups from 1B Bealey Ave, we soon sat down to a meal reminiscent of teenage hood - fish n chips combined with white wine...... all crowded around a picnic blanket in the dying sunlight. Needless to say, there were a few silly jokes told that night, and some embarrassing stories about 'deflowerings' etc.

The things we wish we'd written on exam papers.....

Ok, so we've all seen these types of things before. But I found these especially funny - I got sent some of these in a forward this morning by my sister, and have to congratulate her on her good taste. She knows my silly sense of humour well......

Ah, its almost the end of the week!

I just thought I'd introduce you to some of my workmates, at Kapi Mana School. Those poor things, having to work with me, day in and day out!

Here is a picture of Raewyn, looking summery as usual. She's been working with me now for over a year, and she's a great person to have around - somehow managing to keep her head in the middle of a crisis!

Here is Tracy, who has also been working with me for over a year now. She's also an excellent person to have around - and we always have a good laugh together about some of the crazy stuff that happens in our class each day! For instance, today, one of the students from the class next to us went mad as he wasn't allowed any more grated cheese on his pasta at lunch time. So we heard him screaming and storming down the corridor, and into the kitchen which is next to our classroom. Apparently, he was searching the whole kitchen for grated cheese - pulling cupboard doors open and giving the fridge a good going over - not to mention scaring the cook half to death! (she told me later she found herself backed into the corner in a kind of boxing pose!). Anyway, they eventually managed to drag him out of there, thank goodness! yeah, just one of the day to day things that happens in my job! I'm so lucky I've got awesome staff who work with me, who can also laugh about it with me, at the end of the day. It helps keep you sane, believe me!

My final day of freedom.....

Actually, its not that bad. Tomorrow I go back to work, after having had six weeks of blissful freedom! its going to be strange having to race around in the mornings, getting up to the sharp call of the alarm clock at 6:30am! ah, but I'm sure I'll survive (somehow!)

Its early here. I just dropped Alyse off at the train station, as she's off to Kapiti Island today. It was lovely having her to stay, and hearing her stories about her travels around the world. She left us with her contact details in case we ever come over her way. I hope so, as it would be nice to catch up again, and she lives in Hawaii!

Today will no doubt be spent tying up loose ends and just kicking back and relaxing! Actually, I feel really lazy today already, as Tim is currently sweating it out at the gym, and I'm sitting here typing in my blog :D well, it is my last day of freedom, afterall. Like Alyse said, I should assert my right to do nothing at all!

Surgery.......

In a couple of weeks time, I will be going in to get some surgery done on my nose.

For the last ten years or so, I've had severe Sinus problems (ie, with breathing through my nose, and having it feel as though its blocked up all the time, etc). I went to see the doctor a while back and we decided to try to get me seen by a specialist through the public health system. Basically, that never happened, as my condition was not deemed 'life threatening'. So I went back and decided to get it done privately (as it could not be covered by health insurance, due to it being a pre-existing condition).

Anyway, finally saw a specialist today, who told me that all of my sinuses were 'diseased' and had to be removed through endoscopic surgery. I also have to get a Septoplasty done at the same time, as my Septum is crooked, and is pretty much blocking off my left nostril! (see above picture).

I'm still in a bit of shock from hearing all this, I knew it was bad, but I didn't realise just how bad. The cost is another bone of contention..... around 10k all up, which I'm still finding hard to accept.

Luckily for me, Tim has been great throughout all of this, so understanding and good to me. I feel so lucky to have his support and love.

The Sevens..... People watching!

Just a small selection of some of the wacky costumes seen around Wellington during the Sevens Tournament this weekend. Nice to see that Borat was in attendance!

Sunday arvo

We woke up to another beautiful day in Wellywood..... and laughed at the thought of all those seven's fans out there, who had woke up to bright sunlight.... and a pounding headache! we spent last night out people watching, with Olmec, Melissa, and our student, Alyse. We saw all kinds of crazy outfits, including Monks, a group of guys just wearing speedos (which you have to wonder, how far away do you have to be from the beach, before it becomes underwear!! haha!), and funnily enough, someone disguised as a giant, erm, male appendage! We then became stuck in traffic on Courtenay place on the way home, although we made sure we put the music up really loud and our seats really far back so we'd fit in with all the boy racers! and watched the madness that surrounded us.

This afternoon was far more relaxed, as Tim and I headed up to the wind turbine and ate lunch while looking out over the harbour. Later, we walked towards the radar dome, but found it too hot and so only made it about 1/4 the way there (well, in our defence, it is a Sunday, and technically a 'day of rest'). Above is a picture of Tim taken during our walk.

My morning

Hello there! well, I went for a crazy bike ride around Wellington this morning. It was one of those absolutely perfect days where the sun was shining, and the sky was cloudless, and birds were singing in the trees, and all was right with the world. Now yes, before you ask, I have been remembering to take my happy pills! but it was hard not to be happy and feel great on such a fantastic morning. Like they always say 'you can't beat Wellington on a good day.' I cycled downtown, like a madman, trying to dodge the boy racers, and ended up in Oriental Parade, and rode along the bay, watching the people chilling out and just getting on with their morning. Here is a picture of Oriental Bay:
As you can see, it is a very beautiful part of Wellington. I rode my bike further on, around the bays, until I came to Evans Bay. I really like this bay as its full of old boat-sheds - some of which look as though they are inhabited - and how cool would it be to live virtually on top of the sea?!!
I really liked the look of those boatsheds, so I investigated further, and came to one that I am from now on going to consider my dream house! I have these dreams of living on top of the ocean, and the sound of the waves lulling me to sleep at night, and getting woken up to the cry of the seagulls in the dawn. Ok, so my romantic image does not include the howling southerlies we get, throughout the whole of winter, but dreams are free! Here is my dream house! :

Janna and Holly

I just spoke to Janna on the phone, and told her about my blog..... and after trying to give her the internet address for it over the phone (and failing miserably! - I just find it so hard to explain things over the damn phone!), I sent her the address in a text. Anyway, Janna is my oldest friend and I've known her all my life, pretty much. We've had fun, crazy times together, had some laughs along the way. Now she has a baby girl, called Holly, and is expecting a boy sometime in March. She is a fantastic person, and I wish her all the best.