Chocolate Britches

New Wheels

2009-02-04T20:18:00.002+13:00

Today I bought a bike. I already had a bike, but it didn't fit me very well - so A has that bike now and I got a new one. It was on sale and they only had one left - and it was purple. Woohoo. This is what it looks like, except not the same colour.

I also got a women's seat as well - which is gel padded and wider and quite comfy. I ride it home from the bike shop and was quite knackered, even only having to go up the smallish slopes that are the roads up to my house. I am planning to ride it to work and also go on some of the cycle tracks around Nelson - which I did a couple of times when I moved to Nelson, but haven't done for a year or so. Hmm.

We had a lovely holiday at Okiwi Bay. A couple of snapper were caught. Yum.

I am looking forward to this long weekend - although already I have to do a bit of pooey schoolwork for a trip to Blenheim on Monday. But hopefully if I have a dedicated hard bottom day tomorrow, it won't be much.

And of course, I hope to get out on the new bicycle - and test drive Flynn-pup next to it.

Travelling

2009-01-27T17:30:00.007+13:00

I have no idea where the last few days have gone - it has all been a blur of heat and tennis and work. I am already getting irritated with some people's attitudes at work - some people just can't see the big picture and have zero vision. Sigh. But I have resolved not to bust a gut this year as the lack of response makes it hardly worthwhile.

Luckily for me, I am already getting a wee holiday break. On Thursday A, his son and I are going to stay in Okiwi Bay in the Marlborough Sounds. It is a friend's birthday and her and her hubby and kids have rented out a house to stay in. So we are going too - only for one night, but we will have the afternoon on Thurs and most of the day on Friday to enjoy the water, etc. My friends parents are coming for a couple of nights and they have a boat, so we are taking some rods and hoping to catch some snapper (yum) and scallops (not so yum for me, but yum for others).

Then it is a long weekend because it is Nelson Anniversary day on Monday. A is working Sat, Sun and Mon, so I will just potter around myself.

And I am also working on an Australian holiday for A's birthday in July. At this stage, after taking in a few suggestions, we are going to fly to Brisbane, train up to the Sunshine Coast (where I've never been), spend 4 nights there in Mooloolaba probably and go to Australia Zoo, the Oceanarium and possibly Fraser Island.

Then we will train down to the Gold Coast (where I have been several times) and stay for 2 nights in a cheap double room backpackers in Main Beach. Then we'll go to Seaworld one day and Pacific Fair and shopping the next.

Then on the 3rd night, I think I will try and book us a treat night at Jupiters (although I'll have to be quick as it is already flippin' expensive), so we can maybe go to a show and spend a bit of money on the pokies, etc.

The last day/night, we will train back up to Brisbane (stopping at IKEA on the way) and have our last night in a reasonably nice hotel.

Rightio, just a quick update type entry. Of to make dinner.

Secret Swimming Surprise

2009-01-22T18:35:00.003+13:00

I managed to walk to work today - even though I had a shitty, night before the first day back at work sleep, and was quite zombie like when I got up this morning. I managed to leave at 740am and get to work by 815am though - which I thought was a reasonable effort.

I also managed to bring decent food to eat for breakfast, lunch and snacks. I cannot face breakfast when I get up first thing - wish I could. And, most amazingly of all, I drank a 1.5litre bottle of water - which was really heavy to carry to work (as I was using an Olga Berg tote bag, not a backpack). Granted it was flavoured with diet raspberry raro type of stuff as I am still hopeless at weaning myself on to flavourless water. But it was water nonetheless.

I didn't have an especially productive day at work, but I don't care (I will probably care in a few days if I don't pull my finger out though).

After work A, who had the day off, came and collected me as we were going to take Flynn for a walk up the Maitai. Very thoughtfully, he had brought togs, towels and even a cold can of diet coke (thinking I may have been deprived at work). So we went to the secret swimming hole - this time the sun was on it and it was quite warm. Flynnie had a great time paddling around after his ball. Then we came home and A had already prepared dinner (pork schnitzel, coleslaw, peas and potatoes grown in our garden). It was delicious.

Now I am just relaxing and watching the tennis - although Survivor is on soon.

No photos of today's events, so here is one of Flynn with what remains of a toy on his mouth.

Beautification

2009-01-21T20:16:00.005+13:00

Well, sort of. Today I went to the hairdressers. This is a very nerve-wracking experience for me as I am paranoid they won't listen to what I want and I'll come out with a Blackadder bowl cut! I am ridiculously protective of my hair. So, when I got a call this morning to say that the hairdresser I'd booked had called in sick (I have been to her once before and no disaster occurred), slight panic set in.

So I set upon the Yellow pages and decided to give a little salon I've often passed a go, as it wasn't too far from my house. It looked a lot better on the inside that the outside (which was boring). Very nicely done up with lovely decor and couches and a deck out the back. The woman who did my hair had only recently moved up from Dunedin, so we had a bit of a chat about that. She did a really good job I thought. I got about 10cm cut off and lots of layers cut in - to lighten my hair up and enable me (on lazy days) to actually brush it without having to deal with 15000 knots and rat's nests.

I also got a colour - which has blended in really nicely - although it looks a bit stripey in the picture.

I was very pleased that it worked out well and that I don't have to go back to work tomorrow with ginger hair or similar.

I also had to take poor wee Flynn to the vet today. He has these little scabs on his face and the hair has come out around them. There is also a red rash on his legs. He was licking and itching his face off - he was clearly uncomfortable. This is the only time I've ever had to take him to the vet outside of his annual vaccinations in the 4 years I've had him. He is such a tough little chap and very hardy. But he was suffering, so off to the vet we went. She suggested that it was an allergy and not ringworm, which I was worrying about. She suggested it may be a flea allergy (although I have seen none on him and have fleaed him regularly) or from something called Wandering Willie. Which could be a possibility as we went for a big walk up the Centre of NZ and Walters Bluff the other day - and Flynn was running around like a mad dog all over the ridge paddocks trying to get to the sheep noises he could hear. So the vet gave him an anti-inflammatory injection to help relieve the itching and she thinks he'll be fine. Phew.

I am planning on walking to work tomorrow. Then Andy, as he has the day off, will come and collect me at about 330pm (don't want to work too hard on my first day back - and I rarely take an actual lunch break so don't see why I need to stay any longer as I'll have done my contracted daily 7.25 hours) and we'll take Flynn for a walk and swim up the Maitai - who knows, if it's really hot (as it became this afternoon), we might swim too.

Till next time.

Garden Taming

2009-01-18T10:54:00.012+13:00

Well I've spent the last couple of days sorting out the weed situation in the garden. It had been going nuts and needed dealing to. Managed to finish up the worst of it yesterday and get some weedmat laid next to the vege beds. The plan is to put some sand or peashell (or similar) down and then put a brick or river rock surround down around the outside. I will probably have to steal the sand from the beach. Hmmm.

The tomatos are finally starting to ripen. I had completely forgotten what sort I'd planted and was pleasantly surprised to see this lovely one. Yum.

Yesterday A and I went to the rodeo. There was some very exciting bits. Sometimes though I feel sorry for the horses. I'm not sure it's a nice life. Although they seem very strong and healthy looking once they've managed to buck the cowboy off.

I think I've been reasonably productive lately and deserve to relax for the 3 days next week before work on Thursday (yuk) - I imagine I'll be watching a fair bit of the Australian Open. It might help me improve my Wii technique.

Am starving - off to make some vegemite on toast.

Resurrection

2009-01-15T17:08:00.005+13:00

Everyone is writing lovely things and taking lovely pictures and it's so inspiring, I'm going to have a go too.

Today's activities have been good and bad. Good - because I attacked a lot of the garden in some manic frenzy and there are weeds strewn all over the place. I will clean them up tomorrow, along with putting weedmat down between the 3 vege beds (I don't know what is wrong with my zucchini plant this year!).

The bad occurence today was that the little white cat from over the road decided to explore where it shouldn't have. Poor Flynn got a bit agitated and protective and the cat jumped on the gate ready to pounce onto the roof - a bad and even more Flynn agitating move, I forsaw. So I grabbed it from the top of the gate and it proceeded to dig it's claws in and puncture and rip various bits of my skin. Not very pleasant. These 2 really hurt. But the little white cat was set on the path to it's rightful home without further incident.

I have done a couple of crafty things during the holiday break, but nothing amazing. Here is a wee example.

I will take some photos of the garden tomorrow, but here is a photo of one of the lovely products of it.

Nature's Fury

2008-07-30T19:56:00.005+12:00

I have never seen, nor been in, anything like the storm that is currently lashing down on us.

I no longer have a gate to close in my back yard, my glasshouse blew over to the neighbours (which they kindly tied down to keep it from going further) and the other neighbours alumimium 3x3m shed was uplifted and a third of it dumped onto one of my fences. I should have taken a photo, but we were too preoccupied with securing everything and pushing the shed back over so that it didn't get uplifted again and end up through a window or similar.

One of the houses over the road appears to have narrowly missed a tree through their roof, as a huge one has fallen over and is lying in their back yard. There are several trees in the hilly area across from us that have been uprooted and lying down. Not to mention many broken branches that have cracked sharply from trunks and fallen to the ground.

On the way home from work there were trees lying halfway across the road in a couple of places and lots of debris was flying everywhere. Outside is a nasty place to be. We have been instructed to conserve water usage by 70-80% for the next 2-3 days due to how long it will take to fix a burst water main. The power has gone out 3 times in 4 hours.

I am hoping that there is going to be little additional damage to what has already happened and nobody gets badly hurt.

School's Out!

2008-07-04T17:25:00.002+12:00

Even though I am working next week, there is a weight off my shoulders that the students are on holiday for two weeks! Even though I like (most of) the students, they are such a drain on your energy......most of the time I don't realise it, but at the moment I am looking forward to a break from them.

Today I had my performance appraisal. I am lucky to have a very supportive boss who is keen for me to find things that interest me, work on course development and do further study.

He even mentioned me going to international conferences if I could find any that were relevant and could be argued to be "needs" based. He said there was one in Turkey in September - haha. Not that my organisation throws money around at that sort of thing, but still, worth keeping an eye out I reckon.

So I am going to spend a week of the holidays relaxing, reading, posting things on TM to sell and sorting out some things around the house. I am having serious memory issues at the moment, as well as chronic "filing" of things I will need at some stage........and then can never find.

Not very exciting, but nice to have a break :-)

Back from (feeling like) the dead

2008-06-30T17:44:00.002+12:00

What a miserable week last week - which made for a miserable me.

I had a bad cold that developed over the previous weekend and I had to go to work as there was no relief available. To make me feel even worse my lip developed a huge coldsore, the entire top right length and swelled to lovely proportions for a few days. Not to mention the state of the outside, but especially inside, of my nose. Not nice. My lip is getting much better now and is nearly healed. The inside of my nose is still a bit of a disaster zone, due to a slightly runny snozzle.

Work was not that fantabulous last week either (it seems to be going around), but it wasn't anything too horrible (apart from ongoing accusations by a student - sigh).

I'm very disappointed about not winning Lotto at the weekend as I was expecting to. Very unfair. That puts a spanner in the works for my retirement plans. On well, there's always next week.

Not much else is happening at the moment. Some of my pansies are coming through, which is terribly exciting.

Poor Flynniepup had a tummy upset that involved some projectile pooing - which the poor thing tried to finish in the bathroom - bless him. There were several times on Friday and Saturday night that he needing letting out (9 times in total over both nights), but he slept through the night last night. Yay.

I have to work for a few days next week, but I'm hoping to do a few productive things over the rest of the holidays.

Travel

2008-06-18T17:36:00.008+12:00

I have nothing interesting to write about my day. I'm glad it's over and I'm looking forward to a decent sleep tonight. Medium starts again, but I think I will have to tape it as I don't know that I'll be able to keep my eyes open.

I have decided to do 3 favourite travel destinations and 3 wish-list travel destinations.

The best trip I've ever had is my 8 week overland trip in Africa. Technically it was through several countries, but it was one trip in its entirety. We travelled on a truck, slept in tents and cooked on a wood fire. I had a huge sense of freedom during the trip and felt as relaxed as I've ever been I think. The people and landscapes were also amazing. I'd love to go back one day. I've included pictures of one of the places I visited in each country. Not my own pictures as I didn't own a digital camera then.

Kenya - Ngorongoro Crater

Tanzania - Zanzibar Island

Malawi - Kandi Beach (on Lake Malawi, but a sandy beach)

Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls

Botswana - Okavango Delta

Namibia - Fish River Canyon

South Africa - the Twelve Apostles

Another place I've been is Egypt. The architecture and the history was completely overwhelming. It was really difficult to imagine how everything was organised and built with such precision. Unfortunately Egypt also had some very leery people, but it was still an amazing place to visit.

Abu Simbel

The third place is hard to choose. I used to love going down to the Sounds as a kid. We stayed in a bay called Paradise Bay and all the baches were named after the 3 dwarves. We always stayed in Doc and Dopey with another group of family friends as it was the biggest bach. I loved it because it was a fantastic outdoors holiday destination and I always had a great time there.

Places I'd love to go:

Vietnam and Cambodia - for the scenery - a coastline trip from Hanoi up to Halong Bay, down to Ho Chi Minh City and then up into Cambodia to visit Siam Reap and Angkor Wat.

Peru - to do the Inca Trail.

Rarotonga - for total relaxation, snorkeling, clear blue water and their fantastic dancing (which I just like watching, not doing!).

There are lots of other places too - but they're the main ones for now.

Books

2008-06-17T18:53:00.006+12:00

Well, another super hard decision as I love books - reading is one of my most favourite things to do - although lately I don't seem to be able to find the time. I should, it's important to me.

Jemima J by Jane Green - I love Jane Green books anyway, but this one I especially like because it is about a woman who is really overweight, sees what she might look like with her face digitally attached to an athlete's body - and becomes so inspired that she gets really into exercise (perhaps a little too much) and loses lots and lots of weight. I have re-read it heaps of times and it always makes me feel like it's something I could do - for a few hours anyway......my self-discipline and lack of willpower with food is my downfall. Sigh.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - I have just re-read it as it is coming out as a movie with Mark Wahlberg next year and is being directed by Peter Jackson. It is incredibly well written and easy to read. It is not a very nice story and a horrible thing happens, but I love how it's written. I also like that the story is not perfect and it's emotional and sad and real.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt - this is a favourite from many years ago and I have been meaning to get around to re-reading it as well. It took me a while to get into, but it was worth it. It's about some college students in Vermont and they get up to some interesting mind-altering type of things related to Greek History. I like the historic reality of it and the decadence in some parts.

Today was a better day than yesterday, although now the #$*)#$) student has made several accusations which are being investigated. How annoying. They don't have any substance, but it is still a pain as it means filling out lots of paperwork and reporting, which is a bl88dy nuisance, especially when time is scarce.

After work, it was such lovely weather that I took Flynn for a walk up the Maitai - it is deceptive how quickly it gets dark, which I don't particularly like when walking along out of the way areas. Then I went up to see my grandmother who had a knee operation yesterday. She was good. I spent about 40mins there. I will pop in tomorrow as well.

Looking forward to the Amazing Race tonight. And Outrageous Fortune - yay. I love it.

Jewellery

2008-06-16T18:31:00.005+12:00

An average day - nothing much to say. Monday's over. Great!

It was a really hard decision to choose which pieces of jewellery to photograph, but after careful thought, it's these three.

I got this ring in Las Vegas. It's from the Tiffany store at The Bellagio. It's the most expensive piece of jewellery I've ever bought - it was $250US - which back then was about $400NZ, now it would only be $316. Hmm. It's sterling silver and gold and I like it because it's gated and is a bit different. Also that it's from Tiffany and I got the cool little box etc.

This is a pendant by NZ designer Tania Tupu. It is a styalised franipani pattern on a velvety ribbon. I like pasifika things and I had a ring by her, so I got the pendant to match (I also have the earrings - oops). I really like her jewellery - and it is even cooler because she used to play basketball for NZ and now she designs jewellery (so there is hope for me to do something different and crafty for a living one day). Her and her husband own a shop called Coastal Merchant - it has lots of lovely NZ designed things, including clothing. They had one in Raglan (where I got the ring) and now there is one open in Nelson! Apparently they are only going to open shops in towns they would like to live in themselves.

Another ring (I have too many!). This is also from America. I bought it in Sausalito, just north of San Francisco. I really wanted to buy a genuine Navajo made piece of jewellery and this one caught my eye as it's such an unusual shade of green. The stone is called gaspeite. I have never seen anyone else with a piece of jewellery made out of this stone.

Crappy out of focus photos sorry....didn't realise until I loaded them onto the computer. Not much else to say :-)

Yellowrageous

2008-06-15T12:20:00.009+12:00

I had a wondeful birthday party last night. Lots of decorations and poppers and a lovely cake with a singing candle. We probably overdid it on the food and the booze, but it was an excellent night (and NZ kicked England's bottom). Now I will have to buy an X-Box and Scene It!!

I loved my presents. I got a cyclamen from Ruby Two Shoes brother. It will be added to the other cyclamens we have in hanging baskets.

Ruby Two Shoes parents and grandmother also gave me a present - a lovely jewellery roll. It is such an excellent present because normally I just throw all my jewellery into my toilet bag and can never find it easily. And now I'll be able to!

I got 2 movie passes which is fantastic as there are lots of movies I want to go to at the moment. I got some lovely candles (an example of the cool wrapping paper is in front of them) which smell delicious and some very cool cups with gorgeous etchings on them. The best present of all though is Ruby Two Shoes is going to paint me one of her amazing paintings. I have decided on a Tui one as I love the flax and lilies and koru swirls.

I have no idea what I was thinking when I chose yellow - I have practically no yellow things and I don't especially love yellow. Oops.

This is essential to stop the bugs killing my roses - or so MLB says as he is more knowledgable on roses than me.

My mandarin tree, on which technically the fruit is orange, but the tree looks yellow.

Home grown yellow pear tomatos. They were profilic and I will grow some more this year too.

Flynn's registration tag, which I hope will be a more collar matching colour. Blue would be nice.

One of the bar stools in my kitchen. The whole kitchen and hall used to be yellow, but I painted over it in a more neutral, non eye-popping colour.

And finally, one of my NZ themed pictures. Another glicee. I like the toi toi most.

I have had such a great weekend - thank you to everyone involved :-)

Black is Beautiful

2008-06-14T16:27:00.006+12:00

It's my birthday and I have had a lovely day so far. We had a sleep in and then I got my presents from MLB. Here are some photos.

I am sitting with my feet in the bubbly water at the moment. Very relaxing.

Then we went out to Richmond to buy groceries from Pak n Save as MLB had some vouchers from there. It was a super speedy mission as we were due to meet some friends of my for brunch at the beach cafe at 1030am. I had a delicious brunch stack (which I always have, but it's so yummy). My friends gave me this, which smells good enough to eat.

Another friend of my also sent me down this book, with a lovely bookmark and card (to go with my own vroom vroom scooter).

On the way home MLB and I stopped at The Warehouse and got 24 pansies for $14 and two more roses. A blue moon which is a strange blue/lilac colour and some other full petaled light pink one that I can't remember the name of.

After grocery unpacking we went for a long walk up the Maitai with Flynn. The cows are still then and one kicked it's leg out at Flynn this time. Grrr.

When we got home MLB planted all the flowers and I got the food prepared for my wee party tonight. Now I'm doing this.

I have discovered that most of the black things I have are clothes - which is a bit boring.

This is a cool skirt I got in Wellington, but I hardly wear. I like the Maori pattern on it.

This photo frame was a present from a friend one birthday. It is of my parents when they first met - they look soooooooo young.

My polar watch was given to me by my friend Chaise last year for my 35th birthday. I always wear it.

I made this butterfly skirt.

I got these boots in Dublin from Jigsaw. They only had them in a size 40 and I was gutted as I really wanted them - but they were a big fitting and were perfect.

Lush Pied de Pepper. Delicious (thank you Meg!)

Another skirt with bits of paua attached - very creative.

A frangipani painting.

I love this ring and it only cost $5 from The Warehouse.

Purplicious

2008-06-13T18:03:00.006+12:00

Apart from the obnoxious guy being a pr**k and me having to send him out of the class, I had a really good day. All my students turned up today, which is unheard of for a Friday. They worked hard and got through a lot.

Then my Wed/Thurs/Fri tutorial assistant and I went for coffee and slice at a cafe called Cocoon. It is her birthday on Sunday, so we had a wee celebration.

I left work about 330pm and went for a massage - my friend had very thoughtfully got me a 45minute voucher. It was a lovely place and my back feels a lot looser.....it was like a brick and the massage wasn't especially relaxing, but it still felt good.

I really like purple - it is probably my favourite colour for certain things. I have lots of purple clothes, but I am not going to inflict them on here, but I will inflict lots of other pictures. Sorry.

The first thing is the Japonica in my garden. It was tiny when I planted it and it has taken hold and spread all over the place.

Anti-Flamme. Excellent.

Flynn's purple collar. It is a bit girly as it has hibiscus on it, but I love hibiscus and he doesn't seem to mind. At the moment I take his colour off at night when he sleeps - because he sneaks into the bed in the cold hours and the collar feels freezing.

A very large amethyst ring from my extensive and possibly excessive jewellery collection.

My puma trainers. They are very practical as well as stylish.

An aubergine from my garden. They only grow to a small size, but taste good.

My absolutely fantastic Waitangi boots from Minx. I should have got the petrol blue ones when they came out (considering I lived in Otaki where the outlet store is). Silly, but I love this colour.

An amethyst crystal. I like how it shimmers.

And another one of my Trade Me purchases - not such a bargain this time, but it was in pristine condition when I got it.

I am so glad it is Friday night. I am looking forward to lots of stress free, work free relaxing this weekend. It is my birthday tomorrow, so such things are expected. Looking forward to tomorrow night especially. Yum!!!

The Blues

2008-06-12T17:17:00.008+12:00

Not much too report today, except that we had a lovely creative writing session this morning (only slighty spoilt by my obnoxious student saying, what the f*** and other generally negative comments).

But, I arrived home to another TM bargain. I have to put a photo on, even though it doesn't fit into the colour challenge. It is a really cool jewellery box that I won for $10. The lid lifts up and the bottom door opens. I think it should house a fair bit of my jewellery!

Another TM bargain for only $7.50 were these cool Swimming With Sharks shoes. I have a purple pair and had to have these when I saw them.

My trusty jewellery cleaning cloth that I bought in Galway over 4 years ago and it still works brilliantly.

A gorgeous lapis lazuli ring that the cleaning cloth helps to keep in tip top shape.

A weird blue corner of the garden - I should clean up the paint pot and do something pretty with the blue glass pot. Slack of me.

A living light candle which smells absolutely delicious.....in the warmer months when the sun shines through the window of my lounge, it hits the candle and makes the room smell wonderful. I don't use candles often enough and I think I could more often - for the yummy smells and cosy atmosphere - as well as to save electricity.

This is a painting that is not a painting. It is printed onto canvas using a process called glicee. You can't really tell it isn't a painting until you are up close. I love it because it is of New Zealand things.

And a picture of MLB's son - all in blue :-)

The weekend tomorrow - yay!!!

Ravishing Red

2008-06-11T17:29:00.013+12:00

I rode my scooter work today. Since I bought it last year, I have hardly used it at all - which is really stupid, as it would have been great over the summer. Except nearly everywhere I went over the summer included Flynn, so technically it wouldn't have been very practical.

I am becoming quite horrified with the state of the economy and the prices of things - so I decided it's about time I did something to use less petrol for a start. Since MLB has been living with me, when have been through the entire contents of the freezer. When I lived alone, I had lots of things in the freezer, but I always ended up buying fresh meat and such. A silly waste of money. Now food is getting increasingly expensive I have been more careful.

The first of my red things is this cool little shrub in my garden. I have no idea what it is, but I love the colour of it.

This is something I bought for MLB - I got it so that he didn't waste money buying crap tasting coffee from the petrol station in the morning. He finds this very useful, so it was a good present.

My mother got me this for Christmas - it is a paperweight I think, but I don't really have any idea. It's a pig and is quite cute (although I have found no practical use for it).

When I was working a few years ago at my super bad school, a lovely friend of mine got me this as recognition of the hard work she thought I (and teachers generally) did (do). It was very thoughtful of her, she is totally that sort of person.

My new favourite item is my red boots that I got from Overland. I was very restrained and put them on layby (and I wasn't flush at the time). They were worth the wait. I love them.

This colour challenge is a great idea - I love reading about everyone's things :-)

Groovy Green

2008-06-10T17:50:00.014+12:00

Today was a good day. My students worked really hard and 6 of them passed maths assessments. I need to get cracking on developing my extension maths course on geometry and algebra, otherwise those students who are moving fast won't have any meaningful work to carry on with next semester. Apparently last year they were just allowed to go home, but I see that as a total waste of an opportunity to do extended learning towards future study. I have to wait to get my course proposal through the Academic Board before I can officially assess the units I plan to develop - but if they don't approve it, I am just going to teach them anyway. At least they get a heads up and a chance to build their skills.

And, bonus, my immediate boss told me that my overall boss has finally pulled his finger out and put through my salary adjustment for approval. I started on the wrong payscale and nearly 2 months ago I spoke to my overall boss about it (my immediate boss doesn't have the authority to do salaries) and after several emails enquiring as to the status, something has happened. The approval part isn't all that flash though - as far as I'm concerned approval isn't required because I should have been on this salary scale the entire time, but red-tape obviously demands due process. Fingers crossed (not that it's that much money - but I might be able to afford an extra block of cheese - haha).

On to green things. I have discovered that there isn't a huge amount of green that I have in my life, bar the garden. So this post isn't going to be very pretty.

The first is my green coloured trainers. They are very comfy and made by Adidas.

This is the plastic greenhouse that I erected over the summer. As yet I have nothing it in, but hopefully this coming summer, I will get around to using it.....maybe for growing some tomato seedlings or similar.

My new emerald ring. I got it for only $25 on Trade Me last week. Apparently it is worth $249US, with an "authentic" price tag to match. Whether or not it really is authentic and worth that much money, I'm not sure......but the trader has lots of lovely things of a similar nature and has one thing a week that she sells at $1 reserve.

I am quite confused about this tree. I don't really know whether it is a lime or a lemon tree. How ignorant is that. I am pretty sure it's a lemon, but the fruit doesn't go fully yellow in the summer and has a significant greenish tinge to it.

Just after I bought myself a small quilting mat from Spotlight, I realised that this mat which had been sitting outside the backdoor since I moved in, was a quilting mat. Duh. It is quite a large one and costs a fair bit new. It is quite dirty on the back and I've had to dry the dirt off so I can clean it up properly. I'm not sure if it will be in adequate work order or whether it is too warped to be of use. Watch this space.

The one thing I wanted to get when I went to Mexico a few years ago was a traditional Mexican rug. Very touristy I know, but I love the colourfulness of it (I would LOVE to go to Guatemala and pick up some of their products). It is more like a throw than a rug though and I don't really have anywhere that I can use it regularly. Hmmm, something to think on again.

Great TV tonight. Yay!

Hmm, now that I've published this post, I can see that none of the pictures can be clicked on to open them in bigger window. I don't know why this happens when I choose the centre option when I upload the image. Very strange.

Sexy Pink

2008-06-09T18:05:00.017+12:00

I have only put sexy pink because today in class I had the students do group role-plays on sexual harassment. I put them into groups of 3 or 4 and they had to chose a type of harassment, the context it occurred, steps to address it in a safe way and what the legislation says. They had to write small scripts and act it out to the rest of the class while they were video-taped. I was so impressed with how well they did - I went to my office for half an hour or so and by crikey, when I got back the class was buzzing!!!! It was fantastic. If I'd known how keen they were to do this sort of thing, I'd have got the camera out sooner. So in a couple of weeks, I might do film making for a couple of our recreation activities. Not sure it will be in the same league as Paddock of the Damned et al, but I'm sure they will come up with something interesting (by the way, in the movies Mr Ruby Two Shoes copied for me, there wasn't the one with the American cast - what was that one?).

Anyway, on to the colour challenge! Not so much sexy pink as pretty pink.

The first is my lovely daphne that is budding - although the picture isn't great. I initially had this planted in a different place in the garden, but it wasn't doing well. So MLB shifted it and now it's thriving.

The second picture is my trusty hottie that has been with me from before I decided I needed an electric blanket - it must have been when I still lived in Auckland. MLB uses it in the spare room when he has to get to work ridiculously early and is being considerate about not waking me in the morning

This is the first of my jewellery pictures. I am a teeny tiny bit addicted to jewellery (gemstones mainly, as opposed to glittery stones). I have lots. I like to colour co-ordinate my jewellery with my clothing. Hmm. I bought this pendant made out of rhodonite off eBay (US) a few years ago. All gemstones are supposed to have healing properties. It is supposed to sooth the nervous system and promote relaxation. It has been known as a "rescue stone".

These are some flowers I bought myself - some sort of chrysanthemum. They are dying. MLB has suggested drying them - but I am not especially fussed on dried flowers. Although these would turn out quite nicely I think.

Trusty Q-Tol. I can't remember why I bought this - but it has come in handy for bites and such.

I got this ring in Galway, Ireland. Even though it is super sparkly, I liked the flower shape. I don't wear it enough (could be due to an excessive amount of rings that only fit on my ring fingers).

Lush soap - yummy and good enough to eat. It is a sad thing that Lush does not exist in Nelson - if only you could buy a franchise. Sigh

This flower is attached to an elastic band and I had visions of wearing it in my hair, but I've nt done that yet. It is quite big and makes a fairly full-on statement I think. Maybe I am just being shy.

Rose quartz. It promotes love, balance and healing. I went through a phase where I was really interested in the healing properties of crystals and gemstones. I am less into it now. In fact, I think Nelson is lacking in such a store. There was a fabulous one in Dublin. And there's a great one in Wellington as well. Hmm, perhaps an online store possibility (I am always searching......)

My shades of pink winter coat. I haven't worn it much. I think I have been put off a bit by my boss (a boy) saying nice pyjamas. He was only joking, but still..........

A gorgeous ruby pendant. I love it. It is made of natural rubies which are faceted and it really sparkles, but not in a over the top bling bling way. I don't wear it enough either.

I have a few pink clothes as well, but I haven't dug them out of the wardrobe. I think this is enough things :-)

A New Addiction

2008-06-08T18:15:00.008+12:00

Hmm, not sure abouting admitting to this or not - but I have developed a new addiction. The Keeping up with the Kardashians weekend marathon. I really like it and think it's really funny. I can't get over how amazonian Khloe is and how teeny tiny Kim and Kourtney are.

I have spent a fair bit of Saturday and Sunday watching it.

I did manage to go for a couple of longish walks with Flynn - there have been some very cold mornings lately and the grass has been icy and crunchy underfoot. It was like being in two different seasons actually. In the shade, it was freezing cold and white and in the sun it was warm and green.

I also went to the Sex in the City movie. I enjoyed it. Some of the fashion was totally over the top and I am obviously not sophisticated enough to recognise style when I see it. Everyone was teetering around on super high heels - I could never move to New York as I can barely stay upright wearing bare feet half the time!

I visited my grandmother as well - yesterday and today. She is in hospital waiting for knee replacement surgery.

MLB and I bought a couple of roses this afternoon as well and planted them in a bit of garden he cleared and tidied last week. One of my daphnes is about to flower as well, which will be lovely and smelly.

I don't understand why, when I post pictures in the centre, they don't open up once I've published the blog. Very strange.

Hopefully I will do something of interest this week - haha.

The Perils of Cow Herding

2008-06-05T08:47:00.005+12:00

Mr Chocolate Britches and I went for a lovely walk up the Maitai last night. The Maitai is a river valley very close to the centre of Nelson. There are great swimming holes and if you go all the way up to the end, there is an amazing dam and lots of walks into the mountains. The walk we usually do is along the side of the river, under some bridges, through some fields and alongside a golf course. You can go for as long as or as little as you'd like.

Last night we were wandering along when Flynn got very excited - it was late afternoon and my eyesight isn't the best at that time, so I couldn't see what he was rushing after. Turns out it was cows. I've always seen cows as pretty docile, but nevertheless, after a bad experience with some superfast seals (who knew they were sprinters on land) I got Flynn's lead out to shoo the cows away should they decided to stampede me and trample me underfoot.

Turns out I needn't have worried as Flynn had them all under control and herded (his herding was running after them at a safe distance) them all the way to the big field about 3 minutes away. Once in the field he continued to run after them, but soon lost interest. I decided to turn back, but ran into Ruby Two Shoes and Stellar, so we went back to look at the cows again. Neither dog was very interested........that is until we came close to the end of the big field and for some reason Flynn decided he was going to take on the only cow with horns.

The cow and Flynn had their heads down and were kind of shuffling towards each other. Of course, all I could see was the flashing white horns and had visions of an impailed Flynn. So poor Ruby Two Shoes had to listen to me screech like a panicked fishwife in an attempt to get Flynn to back away from the cow.

It was touch and go.

Inconsequential

2008-06-03T20:37:00.011+12:00

I've had one of those days that leave you fairly drained. It is a short week so I've had to squash an extra day of learning into what's left of the week. Except I am going to Blenheim on Friday, so it's actually 4.5 half days of learning into 3. So today was hard - for me and the students. Very little respite from lots of full-on information.

So I feel tired - and for some reason I always have a rubbish sleep the night before the working week starts. I think it is some subconscious resistance to sleep, in order to prolong the weekend for as long as I can. Who knows, but it has been a long day.

I think I would like to write a bit about my travels on here. I have travelled to places all over the world. I enjoy it and I miss it. I first went overseas on a family holiday to Australia when I was 15. Then between 21-24 I went to Samoa 4 times, Hawaii, Canada and Australia 3 times. It wasn't until I was 25 and went on my OE that I got really into travelling. I lived in the UK for 2.5 years and Ireland for 2 years - between 1997 and 2004, I went to lots of different countries. I will have to tell you about some of my travel experiences - I am investigating a scanner, so that I can post some photos of them on here. I'll post a couple of pictures from the internet on places I've been to start with.

Anyway, that's enough for now - as I said, inconsequential. For the moment.

The First

2008-06-02T19:00:00.005+12:00

Well, I have finally decided that I should write something on this blog - as I have very little worth reporting, it won't be particularly interesting reading - but I will attempt to contribute a little bit to the blogworld, as I really enjoy reading about all the people out there with interesting and enviable lives!

I have actually been inspired by my sister-in-law's sister (is there a name for such a familial link?), who is a very creative, crafty and cookingy (pretend word) person. And my sister-in-law, who has just started a blog too and is very artistically creative too. Mrs PB and Ruby Two Shoes both love animals as well and had a really idyllic childhood on a farm near Motueka. Their parents still live there and it is a real treat to visit as it's a beautiful, peaceful place. It's great to be a part of their family - well done for marrying into such a wonderful one, Mr Ruby Two Shoes.

This weekend was a long one - Queen's Birthday. Sigh, God Save The Queen. Hmm, not really, as I am not at all royalist, but I'm not going to begrudge an extra day on the weekend. I tried to be a little productive. I had some time to myself on Saturday as my lovely boyfriend (MLB) works all day (although he has just resigned and will only have to work half days every second Sat now - yay). So I went to the massive book fair at Founders and bought about 8 books. Then I watched a couple of DVD's - Michael Clayton (OK) and No Country for Old Men (excellent). On Sunday I went to Spotlight (a fabric, manchester, bit of everything for the home store) and finally got around to buying some fabric to make my first quilt. It is entirely possible that I will start the quilt, but not actually finish it - much like I started knitting a scarf, but haven't actually finished it. Then MLB and I went to Mitre 10 to look at plants and things and we took my gorgeous dog Flynn (Chocolate Britches is named for him, although his fluffy britches are more ginger in colour) for a walk on the beach. When we got home I made some curtains for the kitchen windows - they are red like the kitchen cupboards. The kitchen and lounge are much cosier now.

Today I did lots of cleaning while MLB was out this morning. When he came home, he had a lovely present for me - a rimu framed picture of Flynn - the same one as the main blog picture. It's lovely. Later we took Flynn for a walk up the Maitai for an hour or so and MLB took some photos, including the profile picture of Flynn at full run. I have added a couple of photos - I like how green the grass is and how blue the sky is.

Watching and waiting.

OK, well not very interesting, but at least I've made a start.