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.