"Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'?"

Christmas Eve. Wow. How time flies.



Today I thought I'd share with you a 'TFF' topic that I am just crazy about. CC. No, not Canadian Club. Christmas Carols. Christmas Carols fill my soul with joy. They force me to reflect on the reason for Christmas. They force me to realize what's most important in my life - and that is love. Love for my family and friends and all those who are willing to share joy and kindness with others. It may not be the literal reason behind Christmas, but it sure is a glorious reminder. Here are my Top Five Favourite Christmas Carols. Click on the titles to have a listen.



5. Rockin' around the Christmas Tree - The only up-tempo song on my list. Reminds me of my Grandad...and Home Alone. 



4. Silent Night - This ol' faithful was a favourite to sing at School Assembly. I am particularly fond of the Boyz II Men Acapella Version.



3. The first Noel - There is something about this song that makes me feel at peace. It also makes me so thankful.



2. O Holy Night - There is something so grand about this song, but I always get a feeling of uneasiness during the part that gets really intense. I think that is my Christmas guilt. I think of families who are less fortunate and can't celebrate Christmas. I think of people who are alone.



1. Have yourself a Merry little Christmas - Oh Judy, dear Judy. How lovely is this song. It reminds me of the touching emotional scene in every Christmas movie ever made. Her voice and the song are both exceptional.





Have a safe and wonderful Christmas. God Bless.

XXX

"May your days be merry"

Christmas is upon us. I am so happy. In fact I am feeling very merry indeed today. It hasn't all been smooth sailing though. I heard someone say yesterday that if you're not enjoying the season - you're missing the point. I've taken this on board, and am letting the little stresses fade away with a little help from some laughter.



Stress: The decorated Christmas tree fell over. All over rover.

Laughing it off: After a little rescue, it is re-potted and re-decorated. It looks better the second time around. 

Stress: Not having time to vacuum before Erica and Aaliah came over.

Laughing it off: Being glad that I didn't after the Aaliah vs. Cookie massacre.



Stress: Figuring out quantities for having ten people for breakfast on Christmas morning.

Laughing it off: Oh well if I don't cook enough food it's not as if they'll go hungry all day.



Stress: Not having completed my Christmas shopping.

Laughing it off: Tackling it with Erica and her Cherub.

NB: 16 month old cutie survives 4 hours of shopping with not a single tantrum - wakes up from a nap and showers her god-mother with cuddles)



Stress: Having a Hairdresser butcher my fringe.

Laughing it off: Walking in off the street (to a different salon) with no appointment (at this time of year) and having an awesome hairdresser fix it...for free!



Here is a pic of the disaster before I had it fixed last night. I know it's not straightened in the after pic, but really it made not much difference!

I would have taken one of the fringe now it has been fixed, but I'm still in my pyjamas!

I'm off to finish cleaning and bake brownies. Have a merry day!

"Labels or Love"

I am totally lusting over Nude shoes this week. Well always actually. Christmas 2006, Brad bought me a pair of electric blue 1950's inspired peep toes. Nude shoes are so comfortable,  funky and fairly affordable (as far as shoes go), this is a winning combination. I popped on to their site today and it's official - I want the entire spring collection. Here are a few styles I am particularly in love with.

All images from nudefootwear.com.au

"Girls, forget what you've read, it happened like this"

Context

 This week I am finishing writing in essay for my English Literature paper. The paper is called 'Classical Traditions in English literature'. We basically look at different interpretations of Classical Greek myth over time. My essay is a comparative piece on an extract from the Orpheus myth from the Ovid and Sandra Gilbert's 'Bas relief: Bacchante'. The essay is going well. Some of the interpretations make me giggle.



Summary

If you don't know the myth, Orpheus is a musician of sorts, whose lyrical delights calm, soothe and sort of control nature, from rocks to animals. Orpheus marries a young girl named Eurydice (You-rid-e-see). On their wedding day Eurydice is bitten by a snake and dies. Orpheus ventures down to the underworld to try and persuade Hades and Persephone to return Eurydice to the state of and place of living. He succeeds in doing so by singing them a song. Hades and Persephone agree to let Eurydice return to the living world with Orpheus...under one condition, that Orpheus must not look back at Eurydice as they make their way out of the underworld. He does. Most Epic. Fail. Eurydice is then left in the underworld forever more and Orpheus is destined to live his life alone. But wait..there's more. Once Orpheus has returned to the land of the living he is so grief stricken that he apparently refuses to sleep with the local women. They hate this. They kill him. Perhaps for holding out? Perhaps for the ill-fated stare?



Theories

Many feminist theories slam Orpheus for even daring to drag his supposed pompous butt down to the underworld in the first place. Many claim that Eurydice was finally free of existing in Orpheus' shadow.

Of course the fact that he stupidly looked back gets them going too.

Then there are those who humorously suggest that Eurydice wanted to be left down there, and did all that she could (*wink wink) to get Orpheus to look back.



The part that I don't understand

Was Orpheus a pig-headed, macho fool to think he could just storm down there and re-claim his woman? Perhaps.

But what if he hadn't?

What would feminists say now?

Well I can't speak for the feminist movement but I can ask, what if he had just left her down there? What would feminists women around the globe have to say about that?



"He just left her down there?!"



"He didn't even try?!"



"He has talents that control nature, and he doesn't even think to march down there and play Hades a song? The cheek of it!"



I conclude

In over 2000 years, women still do not always know what they want.

"Now this is a story"

Some more comic gold from the Hawkins video vault. My cousin Leah is the one doing the storytelling. I'm the one who chimes in with "I've got one". I love how my Mum and Aunty Deb are brutally honest. It makes me laugh even harder when Leah is told she has to tell stories that make sense and she says "No..."

This cracks me up!

"Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else’s."

I woke up this morning tired. I dragged my butt out of bed, threw on some gym clothes, and dragged myself (and my iPod) out to the beach, and in to the sunshine. I tried to let my iPod drown out my own thoughts, It didn't work.

I thought about the ending of 2010. It's been an interesting year. Lots of good, and unfortunately lots of sad too.



A little over a year ago I wrote this post. It's been over a year since my Mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. An entire year has passed. It has gone quite quickly but at times it felt painfully slow. Today she is Breast Cancer free. And it feels amazing. I feel for families that aren't as lucky as us. I always will.



I am glad that this year is nearly over. There is SO MUCH to look forward to in the next 18 months. And although I am looking forward to waving good riddance to 2010 and breast cancer, I cannot deny that I am a changed woman.

The effects of my Mum having Breast Cancer will be everlasting - and it's not all bad.



A few things cancer has taught me:

• Never let an opportunity pass, to tell someone you love them. 


• Inner strength can be found in everyone, sometimes it just needs a wake up call. 


• Brad and I can handle a crisis. We are a good team, and great support for each other in hard times. 


• Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, to get where you want to be. You can do it. 


• And lastly...*"Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum".

 

*I am still working on this one.  I may be some time.

"Get Happy"

I am in love with Glee. Still. I guess it really just makes me happy.It fills my soul up with warm, sunny feelings. I re-play the songs on youtube any time I like, to re-claim those feelings.



I loved the Get Happy/Happy Days re-enactment with Rachel and Kurt that aired last week.

I loved the friendship between to two characters. Although the song choice was a very 'Rachel and Kurt' decision, I feel that during this performance we see a little more Lea Michele than Rachel Berry, which I like. A lot.

I also love how they played homage to Barbara and Judy through their costuming. Beautiful.

Some clever fan did a mash-up of the two.

Here is the Glee version of the song. If you live in New Zealand, you can watch the last few minutes of the full episode here...Go on, get happy.

"Wrap it up"

I talked a couple of posts ago, about Christmas Shopping. To make this task easier, and surprisingly cheaper, I have started shopping online. Yes, there are no ridiculous fellow-shoppers. There are no screaming children (unless they're your own?). There are no checkout lines or incompetent staff. It is just you, your computer and maybe a cup of tea. All positives aside, I did had a few concerns about online shopping.



Firstly I questioned the legitimacy of some websites. I wondered if something went wrong, would I be able to recover my money.

Then there is pricing. For some gifts I found online, I phoned a few of the retail stores in my area which stock the exact same product to check whether the apparent discount was worth the risk involved. After doing this, some prices seemed too good to be true. Most of the websites offered the gifts at 50% - 75% less than what local retailers were offering. I work in retail. I understand that this is insane.

I also had a few doubts about shipping. All sites that I used offered free shipping. I hoped that the ETA's offered on the websites would hold up their end of the bargain.



Well a week after I ordered some gifts online I have 3.5 out of 6 of them here. So far, each item has arrived well within the estimated time of arrival. The products are exactly as the should be. I am ecstatic. One of the gifts is not due to arrive until next Tuesday, but last night there was a collection card in my mail box telling me that it was being held at the local post office, ready for me to collect (thus the .5).

One website even sent them gift wrapped with ribbons and all. How much more of my time could they possibly save?! (unfortunately due to my pet peeve of having all co-ordinating gift and matching gift tags I did have to unwrap then re-wrap them. This was super fun, regardless of the fact that they aren't for me.)



Here are a few sites that I recommend you check out this Christmas.



http://www.strawberrynet.com/  I have used this site for years and I trust it completley. They sell genuine designer cosmetics, fragrances and hair products at ridiculously cheap prices. The products always arrive within mere days from Hong Kong or Sydney. This site also offers returning customer discounts, as well as free gifts for first time users. Also, unless you buy only fragrance the shipping is free. If you do buy just fragrance, the shipping is still as cheap as chips.



http://www.cdwow.co.nz/ This is the first time I have used this site. Again fantastic shipping time. Fantastic discount deals. I purchased two items from this site, both at 50% less than other online sites such as Marbecks and Real Groovy. Brad checked out the game prices, which he thought were unbelievably cheap. Man in your life that is in love with a video game console? Here is your opportunity to get them a present that they will love for a great price.



http://www.vistaprint.co.nz/ This site is again fantastic. Beautiful personalised stationery items at ridiculously good prices. Often they will email deals, where the products are free and all you pay is the super cheap shipping. Last Christmas I made personalised calendars, with a different photo each month, and with personalised calendar events like family Birthdays. Brad and I gifted these calendars to our Grandmothers. They LOVED them, and one Nana is still raving about it, and showing it off to her friends eleven months later. Surprisingly the rest of our family were quite jealous of this gift (Note to self: personalised calendars are not just a Nana gift).



So there you have it. Three great sites, that can make your Christmas shopping a breeze. Less stress on you, the kids and your bank account. I am so glad I gave it a try.

"Death, be not proud"

A few days in to my Nan's (almost) week long funeral,  my cousins Leah and Courtney,  and I left the Marae for some time out. That day is the earliest memory that I can recall, where a specific behaviour trait that I have took place.

On that day we walked the couple of kilometres back to what was Nan & Papa's house. As soon as we arrived I convinced my cousins that they needed to eat something. And so I cooked. Well, I prepared... Ham and cheese toasted sandwiches. Now, when I am stressed,or something bad happens,or people are in a terrible situation, it is my natural instinct to feed people. I'm not sure if it is the distraction of preparing food that acts as a form of therapy for me, or whether it is ingrained in my psyche from Nan herself to use the feed and nurture coping mechanism.



 I heard the news that the Pike Mining Disaster had taken twenty nine lives on the radio. I turned the news on as soon as we got home. I cried and cried as I watched Peter Whitall bravely announce the news that I had prayed we would not ever have to hear.

I want to hold and comfort each of those family members who have lost an integral part of their lives. I want them to know how much we are all thinking of them, but at the same time I realise that this gesture would probably make no difference to them at all at such a devastating time.



After watching the news, I took a few moments. I went to the kitchen, and cooked dinner.

How I wish I could be in Greymouth tonight, cooking and feeding, or doing just any little thing to make this terrible day a little easier on those who need it most.



Those who have lost their lives, and their families and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Hope for rescue may have been extinguished, but I pray for recovery, return, closure and comfort in the coming days.

"All I want for Christmas"

This past week our house has been a flurry with the excitement of Christmas. We have planned out our loose plan for the day, I have typed up a gift spreadsheet and in the coming week my attention will be on decorations.



Christmas present shopping can be difficult. First, you have to factor in the competition. That's right the thousands of other people searching for perfect gifts for their loved ones.Some of the most annoying members of the opposition are (not limited to, but) as follows:

• Those who sluggishly meander around a store, failing to navigate the intended flow of the store. Get out of the way! This is business, not a casual stroll.

• Those with screaming children. Sorry Mommy Bloggers, your kids are cute, but not cute enough to make up for thirty minutes of straight hollering. 

• People who have bumped in to friends and stand in the aisle, or doorway chit chatting like there is no tomorrow. 

• Snobby shoppers. Probably my least favourite. Usually aged over forty, commonly a woman, who claims territory over a shop, a product or shop assistant because they assume they are spending more than you.

So well done to all of you have done some Christmas Shopping and have left the store or mall successfully*



Last Christmas (and the time before, I think?), my family all had trouble buying gifts for me. So, I wrote a huge list. A list full of a mix of wishful thinking and realistic opportunities. Brad started with the list, made his selections, crossed them off and passed it on. The list went round all of my family, including his. The beauty of it was that I got beautiful gifts that I loved, but had no idea on the day which gifts I was getting. Brad and his Father, being men of logic, decided it was my best idea yet. This year I have created no such list. It turns out that after a few years of gift list prompting everyone has plenty of ideas on what to get me. Win-win.

 Taking a cue from Angela, here are a few things I would not mind. Some realistic, some not.

O.P.I Nail polish, Allyson Gofton's 'Bake', Sam Edelman 'Niland' heels, Hermes Birkin Bag, Stella McCartney 'Stella' perfume, Food Processor, Fly My Pretties concert tickets, Tiffany & Co. 'Legacy' Ring, Giada De Laurentis cook book, Sony Handycam.



*Without assaulting the competition.

"The wealth of globed peonies"

I love Peonies. Love.

They make me feel better when I am feeling down. Their beauty cheers me up.
It could be that they only bloom for a short period of time. 

It could be their bright, yet at the same time, soft colour.

Or it might be that they remind me of every person I've ever loved, and every one that loved me in return.

"We looked! Then we saw him Step in on the mat! We looked! And we saw him!..."

One day I was sitting on the lounge floor doing some scrapbooking. I heard a tinkle (not that tinkle). I turned around and there, in my house was Max.  

Meet Max. Max is a cat. He is not our cat. He lives down the road from us, but he likes to hang at our place. On my first meeting with Max I called the number on his collar, and his owner informed me that he likes to go on adventures.

He comes in through the front door, or open windows and rubs around all the furniture. We give him a little ear scratch and he makes himself comfortable. Sometimes he just cruises round all the rooms, checking everything out. This is not so much an adventure for Max as it is a ritual.

We don't mind having him visit, he is so sweet and so strange.

"Food in a Minute"

Today's TFF will be the last "regular" one. I think it's best if I leave my Top-Fiving for when I have a really good list, instead of trying so hard to think of something to bring to the table.



Today's TFF is inspired by food finds that I am in love with this minute.



5. Look out for pre-made Croissant, Fruit Danish and Pain Au Chocolat, in your frozen foods section. These bake-at-home babies are going to make my Christmas morning breakfast scrumptious and easy. I couldn't find a website, but in my supermarket they hangout near the apple pies and are about $5 a pack. Awesome!



4. Monteiths Crushed Pear Cider is refreshing and sweet. This may be an issue for me (and my bank account) this summer.



3. Abe's Wholemeal Bagels. Holla! I love these. SO delicious. Even if you're not having cream cheese or some fancy filling, peanut butter, honey or jam are delicious on one of these tasty toasties.



2. Sundried Tomato flavoured Feta by Bouton D'or. This. is. amazing. I could eat this by itself, that's how good it is. I have it with herb roasted cubes of pumpkin in a salad. I recently had it with pumpkin and sliced, toasted almonds at an event, which was also amazing!

1. Thai Green Curry à la Greggs. This recipe is delicious, simple and easy. Seriously easy, and seriously delish. Some times I stir through some boiled cubed Kumara right at the end, to make it go a bit further if need be.

"I cut the cord from my Mother"

 

• Playing pin-pong with StudyLink. I am enrolled, I am not enrolled. They are paying my fees, oh no they're not. I am getting a student allowance, but only until tomorrow. You don't need to re-apply we'll do it for you, no you need to re-apply. FAIL.

• Not many people know that the name of my region, Kāpiti, is actually an abbreviation. The name, in its entirety is actually 'Te Waewae Kāpiti o Tara rāua ko
  Rangitāne'. As my high school Māori teacher explained to me, this name describes the stomping grounds or tribal boundaries of Ngāi Tara and Rangitāne. So when this Warriner person, gets all up in arms about a single macron, over the 'a' in Kāpiti, it really ticks my tock. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse, he throws comments around like this one:

"At the end of the day, this is New Zealand  it's not Maoriland. I
didn't come to Maoriland, I came to New Zealand. I speak the New Zealand
language, I'm a citizen of New Zealand."  - Mr Warriner

If you are a person that has racist tendencies problems accepting other cultures, then here is some advice: Do not move to a country which has a history built on multiculturalism, and then try and change it to suit you. This is New Zealand, Aotearoa, not little Britain. If you don't like Māori culture, that is your choice. But you have no right to try and change elements of a culture, especially one that you have no affiliation to. Perhaps if a macron is too much to deal with you could just move home to your Mother?

People like this make me so angry and so, so sad.  

• Outrageous Fortune ended. It was a crap ending.  In fact it was a crap last season. I am severely disappointed and Outraged indeed. Season 3 was THE best. Caution clip contains swearing & general Westie sex, drugs and rock'n'roll.

 

• Seeing footage of the Uni students protest in England. Really guys, was that necessary? I mean protest for your cause, but don't get violent. It's not the fault of the poor Police officers, but you injured them anyway. Good one *scoff*.

"The Love kick starts again"

On Monday, after my last exam (yuss!) I had lunch with an old co-worker. It was awesome to sit and chat and eat and drink.

Whilst I was sitting/chatting/eating/drinking with that friend, another friend, Erica, called me. I answered with the obvious "Hello". That was met with "I'm a bad friend! How did it go? I'm so sorry I forgot".

I love that my friends care enough to txt me or email me to wish me good luck for such things. And it's hilarious when they forget and answer the phone with "I'm a bad friend", when they are quite clearly the opposite.

I arranged to meet Erica once she'd finished work, so I could get a ride half way home and catch up with her and my G.D.



I met with Erica, and we headed to the Crèche to collect the cherub. She saw her Mum and beamed, and toddled towards her for cuddles. As usual she smiled when she saw me and reached out for a cuddle. When Erica handed her to me, she started to cry. This had never happened before. I was sad.

Erica went to get her lunch box and bag, and I held her. She cried and cried and ran to the baby gate as fast as she could. She held on to the bars of the gate, as if she were imprisoned - and as if I were the warden. Erica mentioned that maybe I had become unfamiliar to her, as it had been two weeks since I saw her last. This made me sad again. Oh - and guilt ridden.

We got in to the car, buckled her in, and set out on our way home. She screamed and cried for the entire twenty minute drive home. I had never seen her cry so much. Erica said it had happened a few other times when she was teething. I was sure it was because of me.

We arrived at Erica's and pulled in to the driveway. Erica un-buckled her from her seat. Aaliah snuggled in to her Mama, and the crying stopped. I guess sometimes, all a girl wants is her Mum.

We went inside, and it was almost as if someone had waived a magic wand, Aaliah was back to her normal happy self. She toddled straight over to me and climbed up and gave me a big hug and a kiss. Relief. She still loves me after all. They don't know it yet, but I am going to see them this weekend. Even if just for half an hour. I am not taking any risks at missing out on this...

"Nailed it!"

All this talk of make-up and what-not got me to thinking. I shared a while back my favourite mascara. Today I'm talking about my fave brand of nail polish. O.P.I.

Brad's sister Laura gave me one for my 20th Birthday, and ever since I've been hooked. Well as hooked as one can be on my budget. They are pricey. But I do maintain that you pay for quality. More often than not I have to re-do my nail polish because my nails have grown a gap between the polish and the cuticle. It hardly ever chips away before this happens. I love how this nail polish is so easily applied, and has such bold coverage. With seasonal and international inspired colour collections, these beauties are hard to fault.

Here is my slow growing collection...

One other thing I love about O.P.I is the often quirky names.

From left to right: Bubble bath, Eiffel for this colour, Miami Beet, You're a Pisa work, Purple with a purpose, Domestic goddess, Techno girl, Nicole Alert!, Monsooner or later, Personal Shopper. 

Face/Off

After reading this post over at Striking Keys, I got to thinking about how high-maintenance I really am.

I wouldn't really call myself high-maintenance. Probably as I know of a lot of women who are more high maintenance than me. Reading Angela's list made me re-think my standing on the scale. I thought long and hard about it. I checked over her list a few times. I decided that the things on my own list, that define me as high-maintenance are not consistent in my life. I do not always get my hair cut. I cannot always be bothered straightening my hair. I hardly ever get manicures and pedicures. So in my own little world, these things don't count. And I'll tell you why...because if you were to turn up at my house for a surprise visit, you have equal chance of finding me in trackies and a t-shirt, sans-make-up with my frizzy hair in a bun, as you do of finding me all dolled up, straight hair and full make-up. Honest.



Although...one of the things that I have become a tad high-maintenance about is make-up. Ok, I've always had the mascara and nail polish dependence going on, but it has now grown to an all new level. I hardly leave the house without wearing foundation, unless it's to go to the gym or netball. This is shocking and weird for me.

I have even started to impose upon myself "No Make-up Monday's" as a counter balance. Today as I sat down to slap some face on, I decided it would be fun to only do one side of my face to compare. I took some pictures.

"Winner winner, Chicken dinner!"

Thank-you so much for all of your entries in my 'Think Pink' competition.



I popped all of the names in to a random name selector this morning.



The winner of the Mr Vintage T-shirt is....



Mariah from The Things That I Love. Congratulations!

The winner of the piece of Geek-Chic is Belinda from Be. By Belinda

and finally, the winners of the scrapbooking package are Mark & Cam....Uhhhh maybe we can substitute your prize for something else eh guys?

Thanks so much to all of you who entered. You are fantastic people. Thank-you also to anyone who did donate or purchase pink, but didn't enter. You are just as awesome!

"Absence make her heart grow fonder"

Warning, emotional rant and guaranteed profanity to follow. 

Sometimes life blind-sides you with things you could never imagine happening. The last year has offered me up a few of those situations. Mum being diagnosed didn't blind-side me. I felt it coming. I didn't want to believe it, but when she told me she had found a lump and was having tests I knew it was going to be cancer. I think she did too. That was tough, but workable. We didn't have any choice but to fight it. And we fought it, and Mum vanquished the bastard. It was hard, no doubt. 

These days it's not huge scary things like cancer that get me worked up. It's the little things. Little things, that were once big, amazing, heart warming things. Friendships.

It makes me sad to think that I once was so close with a lot of people I still call friends, but barely know anymore. How did I go from sharing every waking moment with these people, every laugh and every cry, to going weeks, months and years without talking to them?

I know you've heard it before. Hell, we've probably all used them before. Every one is just so busy with work and study. Eventually we all have to grow up and lead our own lives. These to me, are just excuses.

At what point in the latter years of our teens, did our closest friendships stop being everything to us? Because if you ask me, the older we get, the more we are going to need the friends we made as teenagers. We have history together. We made history together. We've seen each other through some of the worst times of our lives. And we have created the best memories of our youth that we will hold dear forever. At a time in life that is awkward, everyone is struggling to define identity, these sorts of friends loved each other for who each person truly were.

There are some friends that will leave or lives, but still keep in touch. Some friendships are short stories and some Epic Novels. Everyone has at least one of those friends in their life, that they know will always be there. You can just feel it. Not unlike romantic love, when you know, you just know. 

With this thought in mind, these friendships are almost like a marriage of souls, but with unspoken vows. These friends, promise to have and to hold each other, for better or for worse, for
richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish;
from this day forward, for as long as you both shall live? care. "Say what?"

Well just like romantic love, friendships only last for as long as the two parties want them too. Stop trying and stop caring and pretty soon things will fall apart. Sadly, not unlike romantic love, it hurts like a bitch. 

Please think twice before you decide to not reply to that email, or to return a call. It only takes a few minutes to keep in touch. With all this technology we really have no excuses. It's really not worth compromising the love and support you have in your friends, the family you have chosen yourself.     

 

We were once close, weren't we?

Or does my memory fail to flow?

I've become a faded dolly, 

Just a girl you used to know

Once like puzzle pieces

All different, but fit together

Love, trust and honesty

It seems, too good to last forever

You've happily found a new chest

Filled to the brim with brand new bits,

shiny, sparkly, plastic and cool

performing new and exciting tricks

Now what are we left with?

A wagon with three wheels

Wondering where you fell off

And if you realise how it feels

Absence, they say,

it makes the heart grow fonder

Measured in miles or minds?

I am really starting to wonder.

"Fool of a took"

Dear lovely comment sending readers,



So...it's official. I am an idiot. A few months back when I linked my email address to blogger, I hooked it up so that all emails that went to my blogging gmail, would be re-directed to my personal gmail. Turns out, they got lost along the way. I never bothered to log in to my blogging gmail account, as when I had sent things from other personal email addresses they had always shown up. Today I got curious and thought I better check (with the competition going and all). What did I find? 47 unread emails. Idiot.



So to all of you out there who I have so rudely "ignored" for the past goodness-knows-how-long, I am so sorry! I am without a doubt a techno-noob.  I will go back and reply to any questions or queries. If you sent me a lovely comment I am so very thankful. I am one of those people in life that seems to thrive on validation. So thank-you. Thank-you for the comments. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart, for continuing to read, despite my apparent snobbery.



Much Love and Happiness,



Nicole

"My Sunshine"

I wrote this post a little while ago now, but never got around to adding the photograph of Aaliah taking her first steps.



Here it is. Introducing Aaliah...

First Steps

Think Pink!

Well, well , well. Today when I logged in to blogger to start typing this post, this competition post, what did I see? PROOF. Mariah, you did good! That is an awesome post!



For those of you who were not quite so eager/waiting for game instructions, here is the deal...



I have the following prizes to give away



1x Mr Vintage 'New Zealand's Best', women's T-shirt (size M)

1x Lego block 1GB USB pen drive

1x 'Lucky Dip' parcel of scrapbooking bits and bobs.



All you have to do to enter in the draw is send me a photo of yourself, with your pink ribbon/badge or pink product. Just like Mariah did...

You have until October 31st (Sunday night), 7pm to get your photos to inmyshoes.nicole@gmail.com.

So if you don't have one yet there is still time to go out and buy a pink product!




The winners will be drawn Monday morning, through the use of an online random selector. 

You must be in New Zealand to enter this competition.



Spread the word!

"Computer says No"

Oh my goodness. On Friday, I made myself a cup of hot blackcurrant drink, and I sat down at the computer desk. I turned on the computer, it started up. I clicked on Mozilla and the screen turns off.



Repeat process at least ten times.

I gave up then, in fear of getting so mad that I might do some serious damage. Plus I had to be out the door at 8.30 and had already wasted valuable fringe wrangling time playing 'you click that - I turn off' with my P.C.



Well as it turns out the computer is fine. Brad used it yesterday and hey presto it's all normal again.



Which brings me back to where I left off...



Are you in New Zealand?

Do you have a pink ribbon/badge/wrist band?

or

Do you have a product in your house that supports a breast cancer charity?



Can you prove it?



I want to reward your kindness and generosity! If you can prove it, catch my post tomorrow for details of how you can win a Mr Vintage t-shirt, a piece of geek-chic paraphernalia or a little package of scrap booking treats.

"Forget you"

I am back to typing in (and thinking in) full sentences. I didn't forget you! Here are a few things that I wanted to post before and whilst being ill.





1. We had our flat warming, the night before I got really sick. The theme was 'Mad Scientists Laboratory'. We
had an awesome time, and loved that our friends made the effort to dress
up. We filled jars and beakers with coloured water and actual sheep parts. In one of these pictures you can see a sheep tongue.

2. I finally got my hands on a copy of Brooke Fraser's Flags. So far only a few of the songs have really grown on me. I'm still in love with There's something in the water. Have any of you heard any of the other tracks? What did you think?

 

3. Over the weekend I went to the hair salon. I was so looking forward to it, especially as when I had tonsillitis I could hardly move my neck to wash my hair properly. I love the hair salon. Love. I went there feeling invincible as it felt so good to be out of the house. Maybe that's why I got bangs? A Gaga-esque fringe in fact. Am still adjusting to it. What do you think?

4. Bex and Andy had their engagement party. Even though I was still sick, I had an awesome time. Except I had really bad sweat/chills. Which explains my fringe in this family photo. Note the new dress? Not a good photo of the dress but I am planning on wearing it out again this Saturday night.

5. My Mum's cousin Helen is out from the U.K. It's so awesome to meet her. I found it so strange how comfortable I feel around her, even though we've only spent ten minutes in the same room. This Saturday night we are going out for Dinner at Sweet Mother's Kitchen. I am very excited about it.



6. I was gutted when I finally tracked down a song online that I'd heard on the radio. I thought the lyrics were "If I get you". Turns out the clean version actually says "Forget you" and the not-so-clean version uses another F-word. It's now stuck in my head. Song Fail.



7. My gorgeous friend Dyani, gifted me a framed portrait of yours truly. She took inspiration from my profile photo. So lucky!

8. Oh, by the way...my Mum beat Breast Cancer's butt! After less than a year, some tough surgeries and treatment she has been told that her Breast Cancer is gone. What amazing news. Words can not describe how happy I am. Congratulations Marja!

Also, did you donate and receive a pink ribbon last week? Or have you
recently purchased a product that supports a Breast Cancer charity? If
so, look out for a post in the next few days that can see that
generosity of yours win you some goodies!

"Cause baby you're a firework"

Whilst I'm recovering, most of my posts will be photo studies and collections.

I Love my sister. She is beautiful, generous, talented and hilarious. She has been through many tough times in her nineteen years, yet she's never been afraid to be herself. Proud to call her my Sister. X

'On the Shore'

Nature is a beautiful, calming force in my life.

Where do you draw inspiration from for inner peace?

Some of the simple pleasures in my life.



Drinking from these mugs..

Baking this as a thank-you gift

Walking along the beach looking at this

I'm back! Feels good to be back too. I missed you all. So I missed yet another Top Five Friday. Terrible I know. So here is a little Top Five of another kind.



Here are Five reason making me smile this week.



5. Labour Weekend is near.

4. One exam to go!

3. Bex & Andy's engagement party

2. 'Ello Luv!



1. Take that!

"When the cat's away"

Halp! I haz tonsillitiz.



When I is sick, I think, speak and type like Lolcats. This iz no good for anyone.



Will be bak to blog soonz.





X

"I am not my hair"

I'm staying in the spirit of Breast Cancer awareness month today. To show that cancer does not discriminate, I'm counting down five celebrities who have had breast cancer. 

5. Melissa Etheridge. In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatment. In 2005 at the Grammy's Melissa performed a tribute to Janis Joplin with Joss Stone. She appeared on stage proud, with a bald head which sparked India Arie to write the bridge in to her song "I am not my Hair". Melissa continues to be cancer free after treatment.

4. Olivia Newton-John. Oh Sandy. In 1992, the week after her father passed
away Newton-John was diagnosed. After treatment she has remained cancer
free to this day, and is still a tireless advocate for Breast Health.

3. Sheryl Crow. In 2006 Sheryl was diagnosed, and treated with both minimal surgery followed by radiation treatment.  Sheryl said in an interview on the Ellen show, that the song 'detours' is very much about her battle with cancer. Today she is cancer free and continues to raise awareness and funds for various Breast Cancer Charities.

2. Christina Applegate. In 2008 Christina was diagnosed with breast cancer in one of her Breasts. She  also was found to have a BRCA1 mutation, which led her to have a double mastectomy as treatment at just 37 years old. Today Christina is cancer free and is currently pregnant with her first child.

1. Linda McCartney. Many people remember Linda, as being the wife of one of the worlds most famous musicians. She was also a Mother, a cook book author, a vegetarian, a professional photographer and an activist. Sadly, after three years of treatment Linda lost her battle in 1998. Following her passing, her husband called upon his community of fellow musicians when holding the "Concert for Linda" to raise funds and awareness for drug treatments that were not tested on animals. Shortly after this,Paul McCartney donated two million dollars to the hospital where Linda sought treatment, which was more than double of it's annual allocation for Breast Cancer. The money was donated on the strict condition that it be used for the breast Cancer wing, and that it was to go towards treatments that were 100% not tested on animals. Linda may have lost her battle here on earth, but her legacy lives on.

Today as I stand collecting for the NZBCF I will think three things. Firstly for all the people who have lost loved ones to this terrible disease, I will think of my beautiful Nan and all that she endured. Secondly I will think of the brave women who fight for their lives every day whilst being treated, I will think of my Mum and the inner strength she found to fight. Thirdly I will think of the future. I can only hope that by the time I have children, that Breast Cancer is a disease that doesn't come with such deadly statistics. You can help make a difference. Make a donation, every dollar, every cent counts.

"You can go with this, Or you can go with that"

It seems there is an upside and a downside to everything. Here are a few things that make me happy and at the same time unhappy.



Happy: A beautiful sunshine filled morning       

Unhappy: Leaving my beach-side house to go to Uni.



Happy: Getting an 'A' on an assignment.          

Unhappy: Being marked 1% away from an 'A+'.



Happy: Working up a mega sweat at the gym  

Unhappy: Not being able to walk well the following day



Happy: Learning about the Treaty of Waitangi.

Unhappy: Learning about the Treaty of Waitangi.



Happy: To be a volunteer collector this Friday for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Unhappy: That there is such a need for it.



Happy: Looking forward to the Summer Trimester.

Unhappy: Realising your faculty haven't processed your enrolment.



Happy: That our driveway is being paved

Unhappy: At being woken up, when sick, by the contractors at 7am

Happy again: Having a little time up my sleeve to write this post.

"From here you can almost see the sea"

Mid-afternoon in my backyard.

"Honey got some boobies like wow, oh wow"

It is officially October, making it officially Breast Cancer Awareness month.Obviously, it's a cause very close to my heart. Six women a day are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in New Zealand alone. The only country who has more than that is America. To help promote Breast Cancer awareness, I am going to change things up a bit this month. I will be doing at least one competition give away and a few other bits and boobs bobs, to get you all in the spirit.



If that and my title heading doesn't give it away, today I am counting down the Top Five ways you can make a difference to the Breast Cancer statistics in New Zealand.



5. Buy Pink! Regardless of whether you like the colour or not, buying products that support the NZBCF makes a world of difference. Every cent counts towards supplying resources, further research and to the support of the foundation, so they can raise even more funds. There are fantastic products out there in all shapes and forms, from the cheap and cheerful Bic Lady Razors all the way up to a Ralph Lauren T-shirt. If you have to buy something like razors, or deodorant, you may as well do your bit, and buy pink! Look out for great products in stores, or shop online here. 



4. Be generous. Next Friday collectors will be out on your streets and at your shopping malls. These people are volunteering their time, whether it be a beautiful sunny day or pouring with rain. Again every cent counts, if you can spare the change, please do. If you can't get out or don't see a collector, click here to find out other ways to donate or donate online.



3. Know your boobies! Being breast aware is one of the top three priorities on the NZBCF list of 'what you need to know'. Being breast aware, along with having a chat with your family doctor, are very important elements in early detection.




2. Regular Mammograms. This is priority one according to the NZBCF. Women aged 40 -49 need to have a mammogram every year and every two years from age 50 and onwards. Free mammograms are available to women aged between 45 - 69. Also if you have a history of breast cancer in your family, please talk to your family doctor about Free Diagnostic mammograms.




1. Spread the word! This is important! Of course your own breast health is more important to you, but how hard is it to ask your Aunt, Sister, Mother or Friend if they have had a mammogram or if they've been doing their monthly self breast checks?

If you have teenage daughters, explain to them the importance of being breast aware. The more awareness we raise, perhaps the closer we can get to lowering that six women a day statistic.

Noho
Assignment MAOR216 Nicole
TITIHUIA Hawkins 300121964

1.
Name and describe three key concepts used in pre-European Maori law
in Aotearoa?




Utu
– In essence meaning both the reciprocation of kind and bad
deeds.




Tapu – Meaning
a state of sacredness. Some people or places are always Tapu, such
as a Burial ground and the deceased. By being around these elements,
an individual can be in a state of Tapu also and must respect the boundaries of this custom. It is important to revert back to a state
of Noa after being in a Tapu environment. This can be achieved
through the cleansing properties of water and also through food. It
is very important to Maori that elements of both Tapu and Noa remain separate entities.









Rahui – Is a
sense of Tapu placed upon an area or resource, that restricts the
access. This could be for conservation, but in a modern day sense is
most commonly used if the area is Tapu, because of a death in that
particular area.

2.
What were the main reasons for Declaration of Independence?

To declare New Zealand as
an independent nation. This made it possible to create a

flag and trade and make
laws.

3.
What were the protections offered in Clause 2 or Clause 3 of the
Treaty?

This ensured protection
of the Queen against outside intruders. It stated that Maori would
have full chieftainship over their resources. However, there was a
pre-emption clause of the Treaty that disabled Maori from selling
their land to anyone, without first offering it to the Crown.

4.
What was George Clarke Snr’s Official job in Aotearoa shortly
after the signing of the Treaty? Give an example of the sort of
problem he was commissioned to resolve?




George Clarke Snr, was
appointed the protector of Aborigines. His main purpose was to act
as an advocate for Maori. This appointment saw his take Maori
grievances to the New Zealand government.

5.
Why was Taiwhiao so disappointed about his visit to Queen Victoria
in 1884?

Because after travelling
such a long way, the Queen refused to meet with Taiwhaiao. Her
representatives instructed him to take up any grievances with the New
Zealand Government.

6.
What are the main impacts of urbanisation on Maori?

One of the largest
impacts on Maori would have to be the loss of land through
urbanisation. However, the non-tangible objects that were lost,
perhaps have had a more generational effect on Maori. For instance
the loss of language, culture, tikanga and whanau closeness are
still pressing issues which effect Maori on a day to day basis.

7. Maori protest is
often seen as having its beginnings in the 1960’s whereas more
realistically it started within a very short period after the
signing of the Treaty. Describe some of the events which lead to
early protest action.

• 
  8
  July 1844, Hone Heke and his men cut down the British Flagpole at
  Kororareka
  
  
  


• 
  Parihaka,
  led a passive resistance lead by Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu
  Kakahi. This resistance against the confiscation of their lands, was
  carried out through removing surveying pegs from their own land. By
  5 November 1881, tension had risen and the settlement was invaded by
  a 1500 men strong, armed Constabulary. Many Maori were murdered and
  women were raped. The survivors of the invasion, including their
  leaders, were imprisoned in Dunedin, and forced to work forming
  roads.
  
  


• 
  1845
  Waikato War.
  
  


• 
  Kingitanga
  movement.
  
  

8.
What are two of the main differences of view between the way Maori
and Pakeha see the Treaty today.




Terminology and
translation tends to be one of the greatest differences of view
between Maori and Pakeha. With translation aside, the fact that the
clauses of the Treaty which are clear, aren't upheld, is a huge
breech of contract. Many Pakeha, and Maori alike





argue as to whether the
Treaty of Waitangi is relevant in today's multicultural society.

9.
Provide examples of the types of words and phrases used by the
Waitangi Tribunal to help persuade the Government to see the Maori
perspective in a Treaty claim.

“Holocaust”
and “Assimilation”

10.
Describe the key points leading up to the Foreshore and Seabed
legislation in 2004.




Access rights, seem to
be the main bone of contention within Pakeha society.





Aquaculture in
Malborough was also a key point leading up to the Foreshore and
Seabed legislation.




However
the fundamental point was when the New Zealand Court of
Appeal ruled that Ngati Apa, were entitled to seek customary title
over the foreshore and seabed through the Maori Land Court. Labour
government then stated if it was unclear as to whom had customary
title, then they would legislate to make it clear.