The thing about Christmas....

.....is that you tend to catch up with friends who aren't in the country at this time of the year....

and that you realise that after talking to them that you do miss them - surprisingly so...

Case and point.

Thursday was our annual chrissy get together of Davenports, Penfolds and Listers for a chrissy drink , dinner and secret santa. And can't forget Ms Barclay... Good night to be had by all.

anyway I digress...

Anyway during these get togethers we make the annual toll call to those loved ones overseas - Kerryn (UK) and the Kershaws (Melbourne).

Even though these phonecalls are extremely brief and is content is no doubt repeated by the poor overseas soul 7 times while passed around the increasingly tiddly participants of so annual chrissy drink, I come away from these phonecalls with several conflicting emotions... (which may or may not be slightly enhanced by possible alcohol consumption)

a) really happy to yet again catch up (albiet briefly) with friends..

b) a pang of sadness that I do actually really miss having these people in my day to day life.

I mean you know you miss them, and that they are living their life, and you are living theirs and they are still your friends, but when you hear their voice you realise you want to have more than the odd phonecall, or email, or blog read. That you realise that you want to be part of their usual day to day activites.

The pang of sadness comes when you realise that actually you can't - that you are living your life in one country, and they are living their life in another and it aint likely to change any time soon.

ahh the trials of growing older.

and this only after talking to two of my overseas friends! Enough of that alcohol!

So for all those overseas mates who are reading this - love to you all for Christmas in 2007!!!

Peace out.

Christmas is getting closer...

I love Christmas.

I just do.

I love putting silly christmas decorations up.

I love putting lights all over my house.

I love wearing silly christmas hats (santa hats, elves hats... you name it).

I love putting up my tree.

I love attempting to dress the dog with reindeers antlers and/or christmas hat. She'll learn - the cat did.

I love buying presents. But even better is I love giving presents.

I love the way people get excited when they get a present. Even if its a bottle of wine that you give to your pensioned neighbours. It gives me warm fuzzies when they are so grateful that you thought of them. Even if the bottle of wine had been sitting in our liquor cabinet for a couple of years. And that it was a horrible chardonnay that I don't like.

I love making homemade chocolate to wrap up in cellophane to give to my workmates.

I love wearing silly flashing xmas lights on my clothes.

I love just spending hours and hours finding that perfect present for someone.

I love being with my family around xmas.

I love Christmas.

I love that it is only 1.5 days until I'm on a two week holiday.

oh and I love my gorgeous dog - have I said that yet? She is gorgeous.

Message to Ange......

I can't believe you cut your hair....

I am NOT SPEAKING to you.

I am going to vent instead on this blog.

vent - vent - vent - vent

I do like your hair long!!!! And you are getting married soon so no more cuts until AFTER the wedding!!!!!

I DONT CARE if Brisbane is 40deg for the next 5 months! and I know it will reach that over xmas cause I have experienced xmas over there twice now. Hot hot hot.

Sigh.

If only the new haircut looked bad and then I could vent some more... ;)

I just hope your bridesmaids read this blog and attempt to stop you cutting your hair!!!

Procrastination......

is the name of the game...

it's a game I really rather good at - as I'm quite often told by a certain Smith sister ;)

but that's beside the point - I have been expounding the virtues of having a blog, and selfishily enjoying reading all my friends, yet its been nearly a month since I've updated mine - doh. I guess procrastination doesn't even begin to describe it!!

So what have I been up to in the last 4 weeks....

Well I guess the most important thing was our First Year Wedding Anniversary... cue the awwwwwww....

Married one year - gosh - didn't that go fast - I can't believe that a year ago I was gorgeous, toned and taned! Oh and getting married of course. Time just flies eh... hope for us yet right! I mean if we can last the first year without even noticing that it has been a year we must be off to a good start!!!

But he did very well for our anniversary (paper themed) - which was on the Sunday.

Firstly on the Friday I got my Friday present of a Golden Retriever Calendar (awwww) and a dozen roses delivered. Not just ordinary roses mind you. A dozen specially ordered roses that were the same brand that I had for my wedding (awwwww). The exact brand. I know they were specially ordered cause I had to hunt them down specially for my wedding.... Yep that brought on some tears ;)

Didn't he do well.

Saturday I received my Saturday present of DIY Photo Block mounts - he knows I love that sort of thing.

Sunday (day of anniversary) I got my Sunday present of a figurine made of nuts and bolts of a couple sitting on a bench having a cuddle (Ange its the same one we got you for your engagement!) hehe - so romantic!

Then we went out for breakfast in Island Bay, travelled around the bays, had iced coffee on Oriental Bay, walked the dog along the river and to top it all off he took me to Lighthouse cinema and watched John Travolta sing and dance as a woman (Hairspray). Now I know he truly loves me if he took me to that.

All in all a perfect weekend to celebrate what has been a perfect year of marriage..... awwwww

But enough of the romantic crap.

November and December have been a month of being busy busy busy.

~ Dog Training
~ Netball Meetings (yes they never end)
~ Indoor Soccer (matt)
~ Walking the dog
~ Playing with the cat
~ Playing with the husband (hehe)
~ Social Life (yep most nights)
~ Hens night
~ Start of the silly season drinks, dinners etc etc...
~ and of course working....

As of today we are booked every day for something until new years day....

Oh - also brought a new tent (upgraded to 2 bedroom tent with room for me to stand up in) - man I was sick of that little tent.... very excited about that one ;)

and the cat brought a frog into the house the other day...

so that should keep a few people occupied for a couple of days ;) will add to my new resolutions list to attempt to update my blog more frequently.

Love to all - especially Fi who is mourning the passing of her father. We are thinking of you both.

EIRSA no more.....

Gosh I lead a boring life at the moment.... I've logged on several times over the last few weeks and just sat there thinking - I have nothing to say...

How boring is that....

Things are looking to spice up in the next few days at work though - we have a new boss CIO (Chief Information Officer) starting on Thursday, and our team has been dissolved and are no longer EIRSA. My old boss (Paula) for those in the know - has been removed from our team and taken Elizabeth with her to a floor below us with the other Senior Management Team Members. So we are now back to being called DAS (Data Application Support) for CIO Group... until the new CIO (a young Asian bird) decides on a new name for us.

That's boring too.

Oh and we've been merged with Communications and the IT groups. Fun fun fun.

hmm - what else...

Was in the good old HB a couple of weeks ago for my Grandmothers 80th and Family renunion and had a blast catching up with everyone... And we also caught up with Sage's brother and cousin - three golden retrievers running on the beach -you can't get much cuter than that... So I'll leave you with that image until I can think of something not so boring!

Currently off line....

This website is currently off line

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the author being slack and not updating this blog in a timely fashion.

This website should be up and running in the next few days.

Kind Regards
BarWench Managment Team

Finished!!!

Tis done my lord...

Projects, exams, study....

On to a beer or three plus some curry.... mmm....maybe a run or so tomorrow ;)

yeahhhh....

Life welcome back ;)

Study, schmudy...

I'm over studying..... bring back my life (24hrs and counting)...

That is all.

Black Mourning.....

Well what a shite week & weekend....

Monday & Tuesday the weather was atrocious and work just sucked.....
depressing....

Wednesday our 42" Plasma suddenly died so stuck using our bedroom 21" - lots of squinting required....
more depressing....

Thursday brightened up a little when I called in a favour from an old flatmate who fast tracked out Plasma warranty fix and gave us a loan 32" LCD - at least we didn't have to squint as much.... Weather still atrocious with torrential rain, wind and stormy conditions.....
slightly not so depressing.....

Friday was ok - managed to do some study at work (hope work isn't reading this) but then spent the night at home doing crappy study.....
ok depressing again....

Saturday was back into work studying when outside was a GLORIOUS spring day with no wind and heaps of sunshine... Any normal person would've skiived off stoopid study and gone and enjoyed the day..... One's husband was out playing cricket on this glorious day but forgot his knee brace so an hours drive later (as I had to go home from work then come back in and drop it off) I got a small taste of fresh air when running on to the pitch to give him the brace.... but soon back to work to do project....
more depressing.....

then I ended up studying at home until midnight doing project work.....
very depressing......

Then France knocked us out of the world cup this morning.... I hope the boys have a good sports pyschologist...
that's more than depressing....

back at work now doing my project while husband is sulking at home. Oh and the weather has turned crap again....

I don't think I'll get out of bed tomorrow.....

Who'd want kids......

Well its been just over a week since we've had Sage in our lives....

and WHAT a LONG TIRING week its been....

4 feeds a day, getting up at 5am to let her out to toilet, attempting to put her to bed at 11pm, trying to ignore the pitiful whinging at night, watching her every minute to make sure she doesn't toilet in the wrong area, coming home early to feed her at 5pm, teaching her commands......

But love her to bits! Been to one puppy training class already and she has the come and sit commands down, back to second class tomorrow night and off for 9 week vaccinations tomorrow as well..

Kath was down over the weekend and stayed - poor thing! I don't think she was ready for the 5am whinging! or the puppy babysitting! on the bright side we did manage to go shopping on Saturday!

Tell ya what - its not endearing me to have a screaming kid anytime soon ;)

Sage the puppy...

Hey all,

Well after 4 days of having a puppy named Hunter around the house, last night we changed it to Sage.

Call it female perogative to change her mind? But to be honest the name just wasn't working and you have to have one that works! It wasn't feeling comfortable so after some discussion we went with second choice Sage.

The inner psychologist would say that it was because I wanted a male dog and could only get a female dog, and didn't want a 'girly girly' name since we all know I aint that! And that the husband wasn't that fussed on the name but was going to let me have Hunter.... I tried - I do love that name, but not for our girl this time.

Name: Sage
Origin of name: Latin
Meaning: Wise one, Prophet or from the healing herb
Breed: Golden Retriever (purebreed)

(this is the wisest looking photo of her I could find..!)

Hopefully she doesn't get a complex about this! Imagine a dual personality dog - yikes! I've been told by two dog 'beahviouralists' that changing the name this soon is fine, she's been called puppy for 8 weeks by the breeder and all they really hear is 'blah blah blah' at this stage until training starts!

Puppy love....

I'd like to introduce our new baby girl puppy, Sage Lister.

Otherwise know as Sage!

We picked her up from Otaki breeder late Saturday afternoon and arrived home around 6.30pm - had a bit of play and named her Hunter. Matt really wanted Sage, and I really wanted to call her Hunter so my darling husband kindly let me name her. (HOWEVER it is now Wednesday and the name Hunter is just not working. Doesn't feel right - so we have changed it to Sage.)

Introduced her to Oscar the cat, which went well - no dead or missing dog or cat so can't complain - it can only get better right!


And then introduced her to the crate - oh dear..... We got about 2 hours sleep with all the racket she made :( hehe...... I'm looking forward to getting through this phase as soon as possible! But she's cute....! And we got through the evening with only 2 little accidents - whew - unfortunately we didn't get through the night without some accidents the poor thing - she's too young to hold on too hold on all night - a few more weeks hopefully.




shes soooo cute...

Sick, sicker, sickest....

I'm sick of being sick...

Last Wednesday my husband came home sick, and had Thursday and Friday off work.

Friday I came home from work sick.

Saturday we had to cancel Dinner and Rugby cause we were sick.

Sunday we had to cancel brunch cause we were sick.

Monday we decided to go to the Doctor cause we should've been getting better by now (Matt 5 days, me 3 days).

Both with Viral infections, me with Sinus infection about to move to chest infection to boot.

Fun.

Have to cancel attendance at my netball teams dinner on Wednesday cause I'm sick. Won't be a work tomorrow either cause I'm still miserably sick.

Will more than likely have to cancel attendance at the Wellington Regional prizegiving on Thursday cause I'm sick.

I hate being sick.

The weekend that was.... (part two)

Well I have promised to write more about my weekend that was, although after all the hype it really wasn't that exciting..

Friday

After nearly 8 months of full on netball we had our final game and then awards night on Saturday. God I'm glad that's over! By all accounts everyone had a great night so can't complain! Friday I spent all day creating, printing and laminating certificates for all winners - and yes it took all day! I think I managed maybe 5 minutes of work that day... then dropped Matt off to our 80's mid winter dinner at Kev's while I shot off to Sam's to help wrap the gifts and finalise stuff for netball.... Got back to the midwinter xmas dinner to enjoy the most divine cooked ham I have had ever.... Oh and of course the dessert! mmmmmm Also managed some 80's Music game before shooting home around 11pm to get started on some washing/packing/etc...

Her Outfit: Neon Pick 3/4 tights with Platforms, White miniskirt, neon green longsleeve top under sleevless bomber jacker. Straight blonde hair completed with neon purple eyeshadow.

His Outfit: Black Linen Jacket with rolled up sleeves, white shirt, with Jeans and white shoes, Spiked hair with Paris Hilton Sunnies. Completed with fishnet fingerless gloves.

Sorry no photo's available gosh darn it ;)

Then shot back around 2am to pick up hubby managing to get back to bed about 3ish.

Saturday

Gorgeous Day - sunshine and no wind for first day of spring. GLORIOUS.

Up early to get to the courts at 9am to watch our second Premier 1 team playoff for 5/6th top ranked Wgtn team. Lost. Not a good start to the day.

On to other games to watch everyones game and then collect all uniforms and gear bags, while also collecting in outstanding money for tickets to the function. Fun day as the club had some good wins with three teams winning their grades!

Got sunburnt cause one forgot what sunshine was like. Nice panda eyes Tarnz.

Rush home after dropping off gear to storage for shower and then beautify before heading back into town for checking setup of venue (trusted to minions - scary) and run through of awards. People start arriving then right into awards.

I like to think we have added a step up in professionalism to the club this year, I know this was a general comment from most people this year so really happy with that. God knows Sam and I have worked our BUTS of to get it there. We at least wanted to add some pride to getting awards this year - I had two girls in tears while receiving them so I'm taking that as pride! Have to say well done to Miss Molly as she received the Most Improved Mid Courter of the Year for East - no favourtism at all Manda - you were a standout in that Centre Position this year. East 7 could've stayed in that grade if you hadn't of done your ankle - you were the pivotal player for that team - oh well!!!! Shite happens....

Anyway awards went well and then it sounded like the party went just as well! Shame I had to hit the road to get to Napier pretty much immediately after the awards. On the bright side we managed to get on the way around 10.30pm so could've been worse.

Sunday

Sunday sleep in - yay! Then off to Matt's Nana's 80th... Family gathering #1. After first catch up and gathering at the house off to lunch at the Napier Golf Club. Walk in and find my work colleague who's based in Napier - can't I get away from work!!!! Thankfully I get on well with him so all good - after all you were invited to the wedding Mac....!

Several hours later we had Family Gathering #2 at my grandparents for Fathers Day. Matt's had dissipated by then so dinner with my whanau. Just quite one with good wine and a couple of drambuies that put us into bed around 8pm!!!

Monday

We took monday off just to recover from a killer few months and shot home around lunch - but ended up spending around 5hours on the road to get home! Crazy slow drivers.... So pretty much a waste of a day....

Tuesday - back to work...

Wednesday - counting down to Friday...

Thursday & Friday - waiting for Saturday to go play with puppies in Otaki. Then one week until we can pick up my puppy! yayayayayaya....

Over and out.
~T

The weekend that was...

Big weekend just been...

Will elaborate more soon but just had to put up this pic of my niece Katie... Look at that ginga - I'll take the dog!

We're Expecting!!!

but not in the way you think....!!

(sorry mum to give you a heart attack, sorry Kay to disappoint!)

Had to do it ;) Sick of the pressure!

~~~~~~~

We're expecting a gorgeous baby girl the weekend of September 15th, similar to Huntress pictured below... (but ours will be cuter). We have just been approved as parents from the breeder and are very very excited (especially spending an hour playing with 12 puppies at the breeders!)

Pedigree *Mistymoor Huntress *

As I sad we pick her up in about 3 weeks and I can't wait! I've missed having a dog around the house...! Oscar is in for a surprise....! Kath when you come and stay you'll get to play with a puppy hehe....

Here is a picture of her mum and dad so you can see what she may look like...

Dad - Pedigree *Arctique Te Horo Running Bear*

Mum ~ Pedigree *Mistymoor The Sweetest Thing*

How exciting! We've been looking at dogs for about a year, and after deciding that we weren't going to get our finances together in time for our holiday in May, we decided the time was right for an addition in the family! We'll I've been chomping at the bit for a dog for the last year!

So all going well we will have our beautiful girl middle of September. Brilliant.

Funny Story....

I'll start this blog of with a funny story...

Was in Levin on Sunday for my Father in law's 60th Birthday, but that's not the funny story. The funny story goes like this..

About a year ago my Mother-in-Law wanted to give either myself or her own daughter some perfume that she had brought but didn't like on herself. Being the good daughter in law I had a good smell but decided I didn't like it. I was told it was very expensive and she had bought it after having someone walk past her with this most amazing smell.... (starting to sound familiar?)... who she proceeded to find out what this person was wearing. After buying it for herself my MIL found she was very disappointed that it wasn't the same when she was wearing it. So as you know she decided to see if I wanted it, which as you know I didn't.

Fast forward a year and envisage my MIL reading this blog where I'm raving on and on and on about this fantastic new fragrance I found while chasing a women down the block for it. What was this fantastic new fragrance her daughter-in-law had found she wondered.... Yep you guessed it. The very fragrance she had tried to give to me a year ago - Michael Kors. Doh.

Mother-in-law 1
Daughter-in-law 0

In my defence it does smell slightly different from the one I have now - although I have no idea why it should. Maybe my mind is making it smell that way so I don't look like a complete idiot! ;)

On the bright side I came back from Levin with a bottle of very expensive perfume that I love...!!

~~~~~~~~~

Netball is nearing the end of the season with only two more weekends of games, and the end of year club function on Sat 1st Sept. Its been a great year but darn has it been a busy one. I am really looking forward to having a full weekend free and enjoy some free time in my new house. Especially looking forward to having a summer in the garden! Although unfortunately its not quite the end of netball for the year as we have all the behind the scene stuff to get started on.... Sigh... At least it won't be as full on.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Nothing much else worthwile - just gearing up for an immensly busy couple of weeks culminating in a monster weekend 1/2nd Sept.

This weekend starts with a:

* mid winter 80's themed Xmas dinner on the Friday
* last game of netball on the Sat day
* with the EOY function that night
* then travel to Napier immediately after the EOY function for a
* 80th Birthday lunch on the Sunday...

then the travel back to work on the Monday.... sigh

Hey might as well finish with a Bang right... ;)

Calling all travellers....

Right well I think I have this bl**dy holiday sorted... I think... just need to win lotto to finance it but hey gotta start somewhere right.

Anyway to bring you up to speed - I have had over the last few years a very small voice in my head saying "...wouldn't it be great to see in real life what you spent 3 years studying at varsity...." unfortunately this small voice has been getting louder and louder and more nagging and annoying as each year goes by. Now its starting to nag "... you have two houses Tarn, get over before those maternal instincts kick in..."

Fighting this has been the "... you expect me to live like a student again with 30 people in a 4 bedroom house - forget it kid - not likely...." Oh and the whole "...sure Tarn buy two houses and spend 40grand on a wedding.... "

Oops.

So feeling like its been at least 6 months since I managed to spend money we haven't really got it feels like a good time to start looking to spend more. As I haven't done the traditional O.E this is where all of you my darling good well travelled friends come in!

If you feel like something to take your mind of the daily grind - take a look at what I have sorted out and let me know if :

a) I have missed any fantastic, not in the brochure book, off the beaten track type places....

b) looks like I'm going to get ripped off by using a brochure book tour...

c) recommend any tour companies...

d) there is a place to definately avoid!

e) general comments on my itinery

Bearing in mind that we are travelling on NZ dollars and we only have 6 weeks to do it in so have preferred the not so flexible tours to guarantee best use of time there... I did contemplate the hop on hop off independent travel but don't really want to be constantly thinking I have to ensure I get enough time here, or be stuck in middle of Turkey waiting for next bus! Oh the joys of not basing ourselves in the UK... no time, more money and more stress! Oh - and the only way to get my husband to join me was to bribe him with themeparks in LA!

~~~~~~~~~~~

NZ – LA (fly)
3 nights in LA
~ Universal Studios ~
~ Disneyland ~

LA – San Diego (fly)
1 night in San Diego
~ San Diego Zoo ~
~ Sea World ~
(back to LA)

LA – London or Frankfurt – Santorini (fly)
2 nights in S

Santorini – Mykonos (ferry)
2 nights in M

Mykonos – Athens (ferry)
1 night in A

Athens
~ Land tour with Adventure World (http://www.adventureworld.co.nz) ~
~ 3 nights / 4 days ~
~ Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Athens ~

Athens – Istanbul (fly)
~ Land tour (Flying Carpet) with Fez Travel (http://www.feztravel.com/Flying_Carpet.php) ~
~ 14 nights / 15 days ~
~ Istanbul, Galliopoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Saklikent Gorge, Fethye, Myra, Cappadocia, Aknara ~

Instanbul – Venice (fly)

all travel in Italy via Rail Pass
2 nights in V

Venice – Florence (rail)
2 nights in F

Florence – Rome (rail)
4 nights in R

Rome – Sorento (rail)
2 nights in S
~ Day tours to Pompeii, Mt Vesuvius ~

Sorento – Naples – London (rail, fly)
4 nights maybe-ish in L

London – Singapore
2 nights in S

Singapore – NZ

Home

All comments welcome!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~

PS - $20G later - glad I'm married.

Magpies 8 - Wgtn 6....

I hate to say it but .......

PEOPLE - I DON'T CARE THAT HAWKES BAY RUINED YOUR VIRTUAL PICS

Interesting to note that this weeks time around the water cooler has been, and sounds like will be for a while yet, defending my home town and arguing that surely the boys have proved that the win over Southland wasn’t a fluke by claiming the scalp of an All Black-laden Wellington. The Magpies showed they’ve come a long way from the rude shock they got against Canterbury last year in the ANZC opener (amazing what a year of professionalism can do for the boys).


Something to be said about the ‘The Rolling Maul’ and the ‘Pick and Go’ to break defensive lines eh boys. Remember those tactics Div 1. These boys don't have (well didn't ) the super freaks who could stand wide and blast through tackles with instant speed and acceleration, so they had to rely on some good old rugby skills that have been honed in during Div 2 rugby.

Hawke’s Bay won fair and square (although nestled with controversy following the Tialata/Newland incident).

No need to label the Magpies cheats because they stuffed up your virtual picks.

Go the Bay!

NB: Let us enjoy it while it lasts esp with Newland getting his 10 week ban

M.I.A....

Hi y'all...

yep been missing up north for the last week on our one week mid year break... won't mention the concert that was cancelled one hour before it was due to start, nor will I mention the never-ending rain we experienced every day... or the general scum that are Aucklanders for that matter...

anyway we are still alive, cell died on the monday so went a whole week without a phone... was like a trip back into the dark ages.

will write more later when I have more than a minute of life left on my laptop or a husband waiting for me in a warm bed...

Go Hawkes Bay.

Where has the week gone...

Gosh - doesn't time fly when you are having fun.... hmm - that must've been the weekend that went too darn fast...

But I do have to share my latest girly moment....

I am SO EXCITED to find a new fragrance....!

yep - so maybe I chased a chick halfway down a street to find out what that gorgeous smell was, and yep she did look at me strangly - BUT - I found out what it was and promptly checked it out... I have to share... I absolutely love it!!!! yum yum yum....

Now normally I'm a Jean Paul Gautier type of gal - been so for numerous years now since I finally let go of my slight obsession with obsession (ha I'm so funny - no pun intendend) from Calvin Klien.... well maybe with a few brief flings with his other family of fragrances of course... but I have to praise this new fragrance - it is SO ME - I love it!!!

So - what is it?

From designer Michael Kors, a chic, luxurious, sexy fragrance for women.

Creamy florals explode into exotic spices, tamed by Moroccan incense. A fragrant creation with a wealth of personality that will capture the heart of every woman.

Notes: Dewy Freesia, Tamarind, Chinese Osmanthus, Incense, Fresh Tuberose, White Wings Peony, Blue Orris, Arum Lilies, Cashmere Woods, Musk, Vetiver Haiti.

Style: Sophisticated and sensual, warm and wearable.

Need I say more.

No comment....

Bring back Temepara..............that's all I have to say

Winter Sunshine....

Woke up this morning to the most GLORIOUS day Wgtn has had in about a month.... Not a cloud in the sky, not a breathe of wind.... I guess the old addage that you can't beat Wellington on a good day stands strong yet again...

Hang on - I'm in Upper Hutt....! Oh that's right - Upper Hutt has really been turning out the weather since we claimed it home in early April. I just don't know how we managed to stay so long in that bl**dy windy suburb called Maungaraki for so bl**dy long... was driving me C.R.A.Z.Y......

I mean this morning I'm sitting out on my deck bathed in GORGEOUS sunshine enjoying the view of the cows over the fence (quaint aint it!).... If I was in Maungaraki - the cows would have flown away by now!!!

Funny. I crack myself up...

Anyway off for a bike ride again - after all - we are only 5 mins away from a GORGEOUS river.... and we do need to do this day justice!

Pre-weekend rant..

Well its the end of another week and weekend is nigh, social club drinks in 5 mins so far be it from me to be late to those (of course this means leaving work early so can't complain!)...

I'm actually quite excited about this upcoming weekend! On Wednesday I finally manged to persuade Matt (read whinge, moan, guilt trip....and then finally told) into finally getting broadband for home. Now there were a couple of good reasons for doing so (one of course trying to keep up with technology) but of course the main one was due to my post Grad being extramurral and improving the speed and ability to do my labs at home! Its been a real drag having to stay at work for all hours at night.... and then catching the late trains home.... hehe but was great fun talking to my mate in London via facebook while in bed late last night!!! aah the beauty of wireless broadband and laptops....

Anyway - free alchohol on tap - final calls coming so love to all and talk soon!!!....

To KiwiSave or to not KiwiSave...... That is the question...

Do you feel that this has been the topic of choice around the watercooler for the last few weeks? I must admit I am COMPLETELY SICK of this topic - it has been done to death.... especially around here where most of us 'non uniformed' troops are all under SSRSS and the sneaky HR B@st@rds have our super under a "total package" renumeration... So of course talking about ANY super scheme is opening up a completly new can of worms...

VENT VENT VENT VENT...

Anyway we had a slight change of topic today with all the storm damage way up the wops where a puff of wind is considered a national disaster. Yep - now everyone is talking about the weather.

Unfortunately this time there actually is a Natural Disaster going on up in Northland / Whangarei where we've had to go down and man the NCMC (National Crisis Management Center)! We're in charge of taking the raw data and making pretty maps so people can understand what's actually going on...

Fun for a while until you realise it means an all nighter hidden under the beehive with bad coffee....

Anyway off to discuss more ways the government can get more money out of us peasants...

Peace out.

Another week down....

Gosh it was a titanic struggle to get through this working week - it must be winter,,,

So Friday afternoon and that means the weekend is nigh, although I must admit I am not looking forward to playing netball tomorrow on what promises to be a freezing Saturday... oh well I guess I should run more.

anyway this made for some mid week giggles as it succinctly explains how I feel about work at the moment.... enjoy and have a great weekend.

Another new illness to watch out for

A woman calls her boss one morning and tells him thatshe is staying home because she is not feeling well.
"What's the matter?" he asks.

"I have a case of anal glaucoma," she says in a weak voice.

"What the hell is anal glaucoma?"
.
.
....... wait for it ........
.
.
"I can't see my ass coming into work today."

Bargain of the week.....

Holy Bagel - morning indulgence........

$5 bagel with cream cheese and coffee of your choice!

yum

I can feel the extra kilos already.....................

Birthdays, Bad Weather and Bubs...

Well back at work again Monday morning and already wishing the week was at an end... I feel its going to be a long one...

Birthdays

Friday was Lou's Sangria and Tapa's party, a promising start to the weekend! Since I've practically been a hermit the last 6 months with an overload of work, study and everything else, it was great to be able to catch up with people in the real world! Good food, good drink, good people - what more can one want! Also provided a great chance to have a nosey at the Davenports new bathroom - what a geek - the sign on the door provided much amusement. "please be careful with toilet, not bolted to the floor" - or something to that affect! Funny.

Highs: catching up with people I haven't seen in forever and all the associated goss - good and bad. Discussing Gina's professional career - an ever changing source of amusement ;)

Lows: sitting there not being able to join in the conversation as it revolved around overseas travels...(sigh) Rarotonga only good for at least 5 mins.

Bad Weather

Saturday dawning as one of the crappiest days I've seen all year. Torrential rain ALL DAY. I'm surprised our house didn't get washed away. Thankfully my netball girls had been defaulted too so wasn't required to stand in the rain watching netball all day. So as it was my last day off for practically the remainder of the year I savoured every moment of it. Lit the fire and watched cooking shows and E! channel all day (well until the sport started at 5pm)...

Highs: Luxuirous indulgence in front of fire and tv...

Lows: Feeling guilty about wasting my satruday...

Bubs

Travelled up to Fielding to visit a friend from high school and her 3 week old baby boy. Jacob Micheal Burr. Gorgeous wee thing! Has such a cute personality already - he's gonna be a smart cookie too - already holding his head up and looking at things.... But don't worry Mum I aint feeling clucky yet!

~T

Robots in disguise.....

Yep - dragged my poor long suffering husband to the opening of the new Transformers Movie last night..... I had been looking forward to this for months since I heard that it was coming out - and you know what - it actually surprised me by being quite good! They didn't manage to butcher it too much with bad american acting - although I wish they would put Jon Voight out to retire...

I guess you can't really go wrong with a smoking hot chick, cool cars that tansform and a bit of slapstick humour - check out that decepticon mustang... anyway - I did enjoy it and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to revisit their youth or enjoy a bit of entertainment....

PS Optimus even sounds like Optimus! Hugo Weaving as Megatron - wouldn't've picked that one..

PPS - Sitting waiting for Lou's Sangria and Tapa's Birthday party tonight..........

And so it begins....

Yes, well....

What can I say - I have my own blog - now we just wait and see if I actually keep this up... I must admit that I do enjoy reading my mates blogs - however the fact that they are all overseas and doing weird, wonderful and exciting stuff makes it all the more enjoyable! Why anyone would want to read mine goodness knows...

anyway - here goes..