How it’s been.

So, it’s been a while. That’s how it’s been. It has also been a busy while.

My nephew turned one, my brother and his partner moved into their first home, we all went to Rarotonga for their wedding and in four days I turn twenty two.

Here’s a photo from the wedding:

Love my family!

Rarotonga was amazing! We spent the time relaxing and seeing the Island. We arrived on Thursday. On Friday we took a bus ride into their main village to go shopping. Friday night my brother in law, one of the couples on the trip and I went on a night life tour of the Island. The wedding was on Saturday, we all spent the day relaxing, and swimming – most relaxed wedding I've ever attended. Sunday came and we went and hired scooters. These were so much fun, we drove round the island then us four who went on the night life tour went off on our own.

Then Monday came. Us four woke up early to go for one last ride around the island and I ended up getting injured. As much as the island is round, there is only one real corner. I lost my balance and could feel myself falling. I knew I had the option between coming off completely or putting my feet down to try and save myself. My feet went down, I regained my balance, I looked down at my feet and had to stop. I had ripped a good 1mm deep, 1 inch long and wide strip of skin off my left big toe, and small amount off my right big toe and a patch off my heel on my left leg.

From the time this happened we had half an hour before we needed to be on the bus for the boat cruise we were going on for the day. So, luckily, the car we had hired had not been returned, so another person came in the car to get me and take my scooter back and the car took me back to the resort where my mama was waiting. She cleaned me up and we made it to the bus.

The boat cruise was beautiful, I was gutted I couldn’t go snorkelling though – I didn’t want to risk getting caught on the coral with the luck I had had that morning. We ate lunch on an island off Raro, and got taught some things by the locals running the cruise – how to climb a coconut tree, how to get the juice and cream out of the coconut, and how to tie sarongs. It was a wicked day.

We came home on the Tuesday, arriving back in NZ Wednesday 10pm. Thursday morning Mum and I went to the doctor. They re-dressed my wounds, having to shave some of the skin off one – but they were looking good. Went back Friday and they were still looking good. When I went back Saturday morning I had to get IV antibiotics because I had cellulitis. It’s much better now, but I’m off work till Wednesday and have to keep my legs elevated – so boring.

Well that’s me for now.

New Abode

These last two weeks have been oddly busy. We moved two Tuesdays ago and I don’t think I have even unpacked half of my things. It is a permanent item on my to do list: “Unpack boxes = find places for things”. However, that doesn’t mean I have found the inspiration to do it.

Our new abode is nice. It is a lot smaller than our old place; it is the perfect size for two people. In our old place it was so big that it felt really, really empty and lonely when no one was home. I have not felt that once in our new house, it’s nice!

My new room is relatively the same size as my old room. The problems is that it is a different shape and laid out differently. Deciding how to arrange my furniture for the best fit, it is a hard decision. And, it doesn’t help that it has been quite pleasant having a rather empty room. But I’m missing all my books and decorations.

I got sick on Thursday, it wasn’t pretty. Now, I am much better. Although I had two days off work, I was so tired and in pain that I couldn’t do to much so not even then did I find the time to sort my room out.

Maybe I’ll go and work on my room now. Or, maybe I’ll look at some more rubbish on the internet.

My Bedroom

I have been meaning to share pictures of my bedroom for about a year or so, but I have always forgotten to take pictures. Only now that the landlords are selling our house, and we have to move, I have decided I had better share before there is no bedroom left, the way it is.

I love knick-knacky items and my room is filled with them. I made the coat hanging rack thing (black with white knobs) that is on the wall opposite the door, and I made the Dream and Love canvases.

I plan on decorating my new room slightly differently, but we shall see…

And….

I have finished Year One of my Bachelors!!!!

I am waiting on the mark for my final paper, but other than that I’m done for the next two-three months! It feels so great having one year down and only two to go.

It’s time to Pour-Tea, and celebrate!!!

An awesome visit!

On the last Thursday of April I had my friend Cami from Idaho come and visit me. She stayed for two weeks and we had so much fun!

On the day she arrived we drove straight up north and stayed in Paihia for two nights. On the way up to Paihia we stopped in Mangawhai, at one of the beaches. Cami was out of the car and frolicking in the water before I was even out of the car. While we stayed in Paihia we visited Kerikeri, Waitangi, Russell, and the falls in the area. Paihia was awesome, we stayed at a backpackers for the two nights and met so many interesting people.

For the next two nights we stayed at my friends poppa’s house in Kaitaia. On the way to Kaitaia we stopped in Monganui for fish and chips, and took them up the road to Coopers beach to eat them. Then we drove the rest of the way to Kaitaia. The next day, Sunday, we went on the long drive up to Cape Reianga, the top of the north island.

The next week and a bit that she was here in NZ was just spent doing things around Auckland and catching up. I miss her now she’s home but I hope I can visit the land of the potatoes soon!

The beach in Mangawhai at 9am

The Stone Store in Kerikeri

We went on a walk at Cape Reianga, the walk down was a breeze, the walk back up was insanely steep!

Me and the Cape Reianga Light House!

Mildly Obsessed

I finished reading Catching Fire last night. I’d like to say I'm mildly obsessed, but it’s possibly full blown obsession – I think the story is fantastic. It surprises you at every turn.

I’m on a week long holiday from work starting tomorrow. I have some fun adventures planned.

Have a good week!

The Hunger Games

I finished reading it on Tuesday. How many ways can you say amazing? It doesn’t matter because no matter how many ways there are, The Hunger Games is all of them, and then some.

Being a bit of a Twi-hard and a Harry Potter Geek (both of which I like equally), I didn’t think I could like anything more than the two. That was until I started reading The Hunger Games! I was hooked from the beginning of the book. I started the second book straight after, but I have had to put that on the back burner as I am meant to be working on an essay and teaching plan at this moment. It is very possible that I managed to read the first book so fast due to the fact that I was doing less school reading and more personal reading.

Not only have I read the book, I have also seen the movie. Some of the changes annoyed me, but they all fit and kept in the very important information. I was crying at one point.

Back to that essay I go.

Happy Easter! May you remember that it’s not actually just about chocolate!

Done something?

So, I have barely blogged. It hasn’t been a priority, but I really want to start doing it more regularly because you write about the small moments that are easily forgotten – the awesome moments.

So here is a summary of what I have done in the past few weeks that relate to my goals for 2012:

Do something scary:

I created myself a wonderful six-day-a-week morning exercise routine. Three small exercises every morning that include an ab, leg and sometimes arm workout. It’s a bit scary committing myself to six-days-a-week of a small (10-15 minute) routine. Scary because I enjoy it to much, me thinks!

Do something new:

Recently, I have been going for walks in the morning (occasionally). This isn’t technically new, as I used to walk with my mum in the mornings when I was younger. But, it is not something I have ever done in my adult life. It feels wonderful doing exercise in the morning – it gives me a burst of energy that lasts a decent amount of the day!

Do something fun:

I made playdough on Friday. For the first time since I started working as an early childhood teacher, I made playdough. I can’t believe it has taken me so long. But, I made some fantastic feeling playdough. Instead on colouring it, I put dye powder in the middle on small amounts and folded the playdough over so as the children kneaded the playdough it changed colour. I love exploration!

Do something sensible:

I got head butted by a kid yesterday. It really hurt. He feel on top of me, our heads smacking together. Sensibly, I helped him before I helped myself. He was fine after a few minutes of ice, and showed no signs on concussion. I wasn’t fine, even after 30 minutes of ice. I felt sick and tired for the rest of the day, but I was glad he was not hurt.

Do something regularly:

I have been reading so much the last few weeks. It could help that I am reading a book that I find really interesting – but what is going to help more is that I have bought the Hunger Games series and can not wait to hear it. From everything I have read online, so many people recommend reading the series.

Do something less:

I have spent less time having down time lately. On Sunday, after my shower, instead of lazing about watching tv, checking facebook, re-checking facebook, changing channel, checking facebook – I shut my bedroom and sat on my bed and read my book for a good hour and a half. It was luxury – ie. I shall repeat this fabulous activity on a regular basis

Joseph Kony

 

Make him famous, this year!

Watch.

I believe every child has the right to be safe, should be allowed the ability to be kind and be shown the way to be neat – three weird factors, but together I believe they can lead to a more peaceful future. How can we have a peaceful future when children are being forced to kill? They are not being taught love or kindness, they are being shown hate. A brighter, happier, peaceful future tomorrow, requires action today. Joseph Kony needs to be stopped.

A long time coming.

Having not posted anything about my life in a long time, this post is a long time coming.

Since I finished my first book of 2012, I have finished a second. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris. I read more in bed, going to bed a bit earlier every night. It was a big help that the book was quite a page turner.

I have finished my second and final practicum for my first year of study. I did this at a centre where I did not agree with many of the ways they (the teachers) behaved themselves, and acted. However, it is now over, and I have passed my practicum for year one!!

Tyler is now crawling. One day he was moving slightly, the next he was off like a rocket. He could stand before he could crawl. This kid cracks me up so much!

What I am looking forward to:

• This coming Saturday a group of us girls are having a full on girls day. We are starting it with a lunch, followed by getting ready to go see one of the dad’s from work play in Gin Wigmore’s band at the Villa Maria part of the More FM vineyard tour, followed by a night on the town to celebrate our friend, and my flatmate, Jaime’s birthday.

Have a wonderful end to February, start to March.

First book of 2012

This morning I finished Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich. This is the first book I have read in 2012, and it is the first book in quite a few months now that I have finished within a week. Less time was spent lazing about watching tv, and more time was spent lazing about reading a book. I did something less and something more regularly.

Hearts

I have never told anybody about my wish that my dad could have had a different heart so that he wouldn’t have gotten hypertensive heart disease.

So I am very happy to share the news that the dad of a very good friend has had an extremely needed heart transplant over the weekend and is looking good.

He is still in an induced coma but everything else is looking good.

Like so many other families this family was after a miracle that came at the perfect time.

He has a new heart that when working effectively will keep him alive for years to come.

In six days time my dad would have been 59. For his sixtieth birthday I would like to plan a gathering for his family and friends so we can remember and appreciate my dad.

Twenty-Twelve is?

The first year in a few that I have no idea where I would like to be at the end of it.

I have sat here for the past few hours writing the last few paragraphs of essay one of two which is due on Monday, while I have sat here I have stared out the window for probably near an hour. Its really beautiful out there at the moment, middle of summer but pouring rain, I’m even in my winter pyjama's. This wonderful and much loved weather is apparently sticking around until mid to late February. Fantastic.

While I have been sitting here I have been thinking about my goals, and what I want to do this year (which is very hard when you have no idea where you want to go). This year I had originally thought of doing the same old goals, that don’t really give me any push or imagination, they are more of a generalization of my top criticism of myself.

Instead of those goals of years gone by, this year my goals wills be:

1. Do something scary – get out of your comfort zone and try something you don’t think you have the confidence to do.
2. Do something new – you don’t always have to do the same things, try something new.
3. Do something fun – basically live a happy and fun life, don’t allow things to become unnecessarily un-fun or annoying.
4. Do something sensible – this is where the adult comes in and has to work harder to be wiser with money and school work.
5. Do something regularly – I can throw my read more books into this category.
6. Do something less – break a habit that’s not necessary or good for you.

I have not made myself a set list of goals, I have made myself a list of aspirations and guidelines to try and make 2012 an awesome and fulfilling year.

How’s about them goals?

When I set my goals for 2011, at the start of last year, I never expected to wake up on January 1st 2012 as a training early childhood teacher, working in an early childhood centre, teaching children.

Read 20 books & TIME Magazines: Training as a teacher I am reading so much, but it is mainly through excerpts from books and education journals, and I don’t count those as reading a book, hence the reason I have not reached my reading goal for the year. I could also put it down to getting a bit lazy in the middle of the year. So I am a bit un-happy with my nine books and six time magazines, but it’s better than nothing.

Be more proactive and organized: I defiantly became more proactive and organized last year. Planning out my days or weeks became a great thing to do. It helped me to remember to do everything.

Exercise and health: With out a doubt I did more exercise in 2011 than I have for a few years. I ran nearly 1000km’s in 100 days and I have been regularly exercising every morning. In 2011 I lost seven kg’s.

Money: I’ve been good with my money this year. I haven’t saved, but I have paid my bills off frequently.

Finish Nanny Course: Completed 12/07/2011, and very happy to have been done. It was very interesting to learn about a form of child care. I did intend to get on a plane once it was finished and go nanny in Europe. Funny how things change.

There were awesome parts and bad parts in 2011, but I loved the year in general.

Happy New Year! Welcome to twenty-twelve.

2012 Goals, coming when Cheryl has finished her readings on child development.