"How could I forget? Mama said 'Think before speaking' "

Top Five Friday is back! Whether you like it or not.



Today's topic is....



The worst things you could say to me at work.





Before I get started I do need to point out a few things. I Love my job. I Love helping customers. It is my main priority at work & one of the main reasons I have stayed in this line of work for so long. These little quirky moments happen to all people, in all lines of work. As this is a blog about my life, I deem it appropriate to share these moments of mine with you.







5. "Oh it doesn't scan - must be free then?"



Fancy yourself to be a bit of a comedian do you? If I had a dollar for every single time I have heard this I would be seriously rich. Sometimes I am just so tempted to say "Yeah OK you can have it for free" just to see what reaction I would get. If you say this - please stop. It isn't anywhere near as funny as it sounds in your own head.







4. "I opened this, (destroyed the packaging), then realised it's the wrong one. I want a refund"



If you bought a Car, dinged it, then decided you didn't like it, could you return that for a refund? Probs not.









3. "I need an ink cartridge"

          "OK, which one?/OK, what printer do you have?"

    "Oh I don't know! It's just a Canon....I think."



A) I do love to help customers - it's what I'm paid for after all.

B) I do love a challenge

C) There are about thirty different consumables for each brand.

D) I am neither a clairvoyant nor a miracle worker. Please come prepared.









2. "Oh you're out of stock, well will [Insert Competitors name] have them in stock?"



When this situation arises, which granted, isn't often, I feel really bad for the customer. They have come to my place of work, and we have been unable to provide them with what they need. I can of course suggest other retailers that possibly carry the product. But it makes me feel strange when I get asked this question above. Sometimes I'm not even sure if similar retailers carry a certain product let alone if they have it in stock. Once when I was asked this, I stood with a blank look, blinking frequently. Whilst I was blinking all I could think was "I. Don't. Know. I work here. Obviously."









1. "I would like to return this...but I don't have a receipt...but you know I bought it here because it's in one of your plastic bags."



Since when, in the history of modern retail has anybody been able to return anything without proof of purchase? Pretty much never. Why? Two words: Refund Fraud. Obviously I don't think that every person who does not have a receipt is actually trying to commit refund fraud. If we can trace it we are more than happy to do that, when provided with a date & time. We know that it can be frustrating - but it is hardly a surprise. The policy is in place at pretty much every single retail store in New Zealand.

In reference to the second part: The last time I checked plastic bag technology had not evolved in to a by-species of a product. Plastic shopping bags aren't like Ikran, those Bird-like creatures in Avatar, that can only have one 'passenger'. It's not as if the plastic shopping bag chooses to carry a particular product, pledging its loyalty for all eternity to that product and that product only. In case you weren't aware they actually are re-usable.

P.S  Are you one of a small minority who actually clicks on the 'full-stop' link to listen to the song lyrics, which the title is taken from? If you answered yes, then you will notice that, yes indeed I am still very much in my 'concert-coma' - and loving every second.

"Disappointment has a name, it's heartbreak warfare"

Today I was in a service station. I was at the beverage fridges, when this man, dressed like a gangster-rapper stood next to me. We both scanned the fridge doors for our beverage of choice. I found my poison of choice and motioned to the 'Rapper' that I would pass in front of him to get to the fridge door I needed. It was then that his eye caught mine. And he got angry. He yelled...



"F*%@! Why aren't there any F*%@-in' 'Up&Go's?!"



I started laughing. Out loud.



If someone gets that angry over the lack of meal replacement shakes at a service station, you know that they're pretty O.G.  What kind of world do we live in?

It's a thug life.

"I am invincible, You are invincible, We are invincible"

Well I certainly feel invincible.



The John Mayer concert was nothing short of Amazing.



I can hardly find the words to explain how fantastic it was. In fact the whole evening was perfect. Which hardly ever happens to me. Serenity & I got ready, made it through the rain to the bus stop. We got on the bus, then in a taxi and arrived at the TSB arena five minutes before our dinner reservation, which was right next door. As we cautiously made our way from the taxi on to the wet paved surface, in heels, we were granted an amazing treat. We could hear John Mayer performing his sound check. We stood at the walls of the venue, listening, jumping up and down with glee and laughing out how ridiculously excited we were. We then ran through the rain, to One Red Dog and gladly grabbed our table and ordered drinks and our meal. We ordered the anti-pasto, which as always was fantastic. Just look at it...

(I feel obliged to point out that there are six different types of cheese here. Also that there are little dishes of pesto and relish being hidden by the flat bread. That is all.)

After dinner we sat at the bar & met up with some old school friends Asha & Andy, who were also attending the concert. When it was time, we left the restaurant for the TSB arena.

There were no lines, we walked straight in, and found our amazing seats, three rows from the front, just a little right from the centre. We were stoked with our seats!

We arrived just in time to see the last few songs from the opening act, Lisa Crawley. She reminded me of a mix between Regina Spektor & Gin Wigmore - and she was fantastic!



John Mayer opened his show with 'No Such Thing' - which as a track on his album - wasn't one of my favourites. But this high energy song was perfect to open the show with and is now back in my play list rotation. Every song was perfect. He was surprisingly humble & charming on stage. I can't decide on a favourite song of the evening - they were all fantastic.

But I can say I am...



 ...so happy that he played 'Slow Dancing in a Burning Room'



...delighted & infatuated by the performance of 'Stop this Train'. The song deserves a post of it's own.



...excited & grateful to hear Live, a cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams'



...loving, more & more, each time I hear it after hearing 'Friends, Lovers or Nothing' played Live.



...taken by the way that he adjusted the lyrics im-prov styles, through many songs. Such as, from "I am invincible, I am invincible, I am invincible" to the title of this very post.



...hypnotised by the little ditty JM played acoustically as an interactive, 'poking-fun-at-self' interlude to 'Daughters'



AND...



...so thankful & feel so blessed that I was able to take my camera, so that I can re-live the night over & over, when ever I so choose.

I have heard of people talk about the afterglow you feel after seeing John Mayer Live. I didn't believe it until now. I hope my 'concert-coma' lasts just a little longer.

"Oh half of my heart's got a grip on the situation"

Tonight is the night. I get to tick something off of my 'Bucket List'. John Mayer. Live in Wellington. My friend Serenity & I - 3 rows from the front baby. I am so excited. Actually I am beyond excited. We are having dinner at 'One Red Dog' first then will head over to the TSB arena. I am freaking out! Another great thing about John Mayer? He allows video recordings and cameras at all of his concerts unlike many many performers. So in a few days, once I come down from the glow I will post them on here for you all to see. Awesome!



Gosh I hope he plays this song. If he does, I might just cry.

'Good girls go bad'

So as I was going through some more  home video footage, I came across this little gem. I'm in the red, my cousin Leah is in white.



I was such an only-child, naughty little drama queen!

At least I remembered my 'thank-you', right?

I am a reflective person. Many people I know are not. These people look to the future with great anticipation and a 'take life as it comes' attitude. I have never been like this. I look to the future with anticipation - yes, but I'm not one to sit back and see where life takes me. Maybe because I am scared that if I don't plan to do anything I will end up doing nothing with my life.







So this morning I reflected over my last post, with my cupcake mug full of coffee in hand. What would I say to my sixteen-year-old self? Would I say anything, if saying something meant changing anything and or everything? All the awkward years and hard times led me here, to today. Why would I want to change that?





Dear Nicole,



Your parents split up eight years ago now. Because of this you never had the family life that you wanted. It isn't going to change so you may as well make peace with it now. Get over it already! One day in the not so distant future you will find great friendship, support & honest Love in someone you already know. Maybe your dreams and ideals about Family will one day be realised here.

A lot of your Friends will not stick around - don't worry about it. A lot are not worth it anyway. The ones that do, will be with you for at least the next six years and probably a lifetime. Cherish them. Love them. And when you fight - forgive them. It is all worth it.



Love - Your older self.

I am a reflective person. Many people I know are not. These people look to the future with great anticipation and a 'take life as it comes' attitude. I have never been like this. I look to the future with anticipation - yes, but i'm not one to sit back and see where life takes me. Maybe because I am scaed that if I don't plan to do anything i will end up doing nothing with my life. 



So this morning I mulled over my last post, with my cupcake mug full of coffee in hand. What would I say to my sixteen-year-old self? Would I say anything, if saying something meant changing anything and or everythinhg?



It was then that I re-discovered an issue that I often have had to deal with in my own head. Is there such thing as Fate?



I for one am one the fence. I can hear you sighing from here. Look, I am not convinced enough either way to put my hand up and fight for one side  - that's just the way it is.



Let me tell you a story...



One morning I woke early for University, I got dressed, put on my Pounamu (which I hardly ever wear) & headed for the train station. I had class that morning followed by a Doctors Appointment. My appointment was running 20 minutes late. Durng my appointment I was instructed to head down to Courtney Place to get my blood taken for testing.

I walked down to town to do this, Istopped on my way to buy a chocolate bar. I got stuck at every 'red man' from Willis to Courtney. I arrived in the lobbey of the blood testing clinic - i just missed the lift to go up to the clinic. I had my blood taken. I went downstairs and stood at the bus stop - i had just missed my bus. I walked over the road to the Reading Cinemas complex to buy some lunch. i stood in line at McDonalds. An elderly lady infront of me turned to look for her husband. She caught my eye. We smiled at each other. She said that she like my Pounamu, and asked me where I had gotten it from. i told her tht it was passed down through my Nana's family, and was hand-crafted over a century ago. She was amazed. She asked me where my Nana was from and I tod her Wairoa. She lives in Wairoa she told me.

I am a reflective person. Many people I know are not. These people look to the future with great anticipation and a 'take life as it comes' attitude. I have never been like this. I look to the future with anticipation - yes, but i'm not one to sit back and see where life takes me.



In my first year at University I took an introductary Philosophy paper titled 'The Big Questions'. The paper dealt with problems such as



Are we ever free and responsible?

Does life have any meaning or purpose?

Can death be bad for the one who dies?

Are humans nothing but complex physical systems?

Are you the same person that you were 10 years ago?

Is time-travel possible?



I thought that taking this paper would perhaps clarify some of my confusion. Wrong. I should have known by the last question that the paper wasn't for me. Shame on my complex physical system. If time travel wasn't enough, the lecture's put the final nail in the coffin. Not the lectureres, but the other students. The second I realised that "So...you mean like in the Matrix/Star Trek?", had become a commonly asked question, I had a revelation. I would probably never know the answer to any of these questions, let alone the ones I had personally.



  Maybe i'm just scared that if I sit around waiting nothing will happen. I believe in luck and oppurtunities, but do I believe in destiny? Do we make our own destiny? Is destiny just a buzz-word to validate having confidence in our own life decisions?  Hmmmmm.

"If I could write a letter to me And send it back in time to myself at (16)"

I stumbled upon this blog today. I was instantly taken by this blog, as I have flicked through the book, by the same name. The book is called, 'Dear Me: A letter to my Sixteen-Year-Old Self.' What a delicious idea! The book is a collection of these very letters, written by (mostly) British personalities.





Here are a few of my favourites:





Burt Bacharach





"Dear Me,



At 16 I am so glad that I listened to my Mother, and kept taking piano lessons



Burt"







Patsy Kensit





"Dear Sixteen Year Old Patsy,



You adore music more than anything in the world, you have a great passion for rock'n'roll...but that doesn't mean you have to marry the lead singer of every band you ever had a poster of, on your bedroom wall.



Love Your older you!"







And my favourite...





Emma Thompson



"Dear Em (16)



I realise that you are young and in love and that nothing much that anyone old says seems relevant, but seeing as it's me - just us, you.. That is, US I think it's worth a go.

Two Top Tips from 50 to 16:



1) Don't EVER EVER EVER EVER bother to go on a diet. I know you're obsessed and have that awful thing of standing in the 6th form canteen trying to choose between a yoghurt & a breathe of fresh air (whilst wanting chips & a cheese salad). Don't sweat it. Eat regularly, try & avoid rubbish and never diet. You'll end up the same size anyway, so drop it girl & drop it NOW. Believe me - nobody cares. Diets are the best way of confusing your metabolism for the rest of your life. Just be you & get on with it, I cannot tell you how much energy you'll save & how much happier you'll be.



2) When he says he doesn't love you, believe him. He doesn't.



That's it. All the other mistakes you make are worth their weight in gold.



I love you - Em (50)"







If you were to write a letter to your 16-year-old self, what would it say? I for one am going to think about it...

                                                                                                                                                                

So two days ago I wrote this post. I'm now ready to add my letter....



Dear Nicole,



This year, you will find yourself. You will buy funky fashions from second-hand shops. Some people will laugh at your style. Don't worry - you are just ahead of the times, as in a few years everyone will be wearing massive sunglasses, huge earrings and chunky plastic jewellery. Also badges will become 'cool' as will long, long curly hair. Look who is laughing now! You will fall in love with painting - keep at it. You have a few friends that are angels. Hold tight to them, and let the others go their own way. The handful that you keep hold of will provide you with enough Love, support & laughter to see you through the next six years - and probably a lifetime. You will find Love. My goodness it is worth the wait. The next couple of years will be a roller coaster - hold on tight and enjoy the ride.



From the slightly older you.

XXX

Me, age sixteen on Christmas Day.

"The candy sweetness scent of you"

Seeings as I was talking about beauty products earlier, here are some of my favourite more expensive products. I love perfume. Love it. I told you I loved them. Time to prove it. At the moment I have seventeen variations. Would have been eighteen but my Stella was stolen from my purse at a 21st. Who does that? Anyway, this is my current perfume collection...

Love.

"Thursday I don't care about you, It's Friday I'm in Love"

Today I am starting a new 'phase'



Top Five Friday's!



Each week I will post my top fives, in any category that I so choose.



Todays category is...... (drumroll please)



'Middle-of-the-road' Beauty Products



This is my fave price bracket. Decent quality product - not too expensive. Yes - I believe in having a splurge on a decent foundation, or skin care products. Yes - I believe that a good product doesn't have to cost the earth to be in fact good. This is a list of products that sit in between, my go-to's if you will.





5. Blistex, Lip Conditioner. $7.50 - I love the numbing, tingly sensation this lip balm gives you when your lips are really dry. It's SPF15 and is not only a protector but a conditioner too. I use it as a base under lip gloss also.

4. Nivea Visage, Young Skin Mattefying Gel Cream. $7.99 -  This product is so refreshing and light, which is a big draw card with me. I am not a fan of heavy face products or the greasy feeling that comes with them. I strongly recommend  this product if you feel the same way.

3. Revlon, Super Lustrous Lip Gloss. $22 in stores, $17 online - I have been using these glosses since I was 16 - and I still love them. They come in a huge range of colours and a range of gloss intesities. They last forever, and have a good range of natural looking shades. My favourite shades are 'Cherries in Glow' & 'Shine City' (pictured).

2. Natio, Mineral Pressed Powder Bronzer Sunswept. $22 - This bronzer is one of the most versatile bronzers i've ever used. It is subtle enough to look natural, but also builds easily for a more glammed up look. I used this almost everyday and it lasted me 8 months.  Plus it comes in a solid compact with a big mirror inside the lid - great for on the go application.

1. L'Oreal Paris, Double Extension mascara in Carbon Black. $25 or Twin Pack for $40. This is the best Mascara i've ever used, hands down. I don't do Waterproof (but I might have to invest soon) but this Mascara is pretty weather & tear proof anyway. I love the striking intense black and the volume & length that it gives my lashes. You should throw your Mascara out after about 6 months, but the one I have now I've had for a year - and it's only just running out. $25 for a year of great lashes? So worth it.

Until next Friday...

"D to the E, to the L - I - C - I - O - U - S"

Yesterday I had a huge craving for Trifle. I only eat Trifle one way - the way my Nan used to make. Now alot of people don't like Trifle, mainly because it is too sweet, full of watery tinned fruit or because of the alcohol in it. I am pleased to tell you that this Trifle has not one of these elements. Zero Fruit. Zero Booze.



So I went to the supermarket, grabbed all the ingredients for five dollars. Five dollars!

I came home, whipped it all up and chucked it in the fridge. At about 8pm last night, I had a serving. Craving - satisfied.





Look at those layers!

If you want to know how I make it leave a comment and I will email you the recipe.



I've had a few email requests and facebook requests for this so here is the recipe.



You will need:





1 x packet of Gregg's raspberry jelly crystals

1 x packet of Pams vanilla dream instant pudding mix

1 x double layer plain sponge from supermarket (I use the rounds because they are cheaper)

125ml Cream

600ml Standard Milk - Do not use lite milk, in order to rid yourself of guilt. It's totally not worth it.

A few tablespoons of Jam. Blackberry or Raspberry work best





Mix up your Jelly with boiling water according to the packet instructions, set aside to cool.



Cut the baked tops off the sponge (dark brown bits) in a really thin layer with a sharp serated knife. Cut the baked edges off, try and cut off as little as possible.

Spread the sponge roughly with a thin layer of jam and chop roughly in to rectangle pieces about 5cm x 3cm big. Whatever - it doesn't really matter as long as they are chopped. Pop your sponge into a medium sized salad bowl.



Pour your slightly cooled Jelly over the sponge fingers, let all the sponge absorb the jelly. You can stab the sponge with a knife a few times so it really gets in there.





Make up the vanilla pudding accoding to the packet instructions then pour over the top of the jellied sponge. Again you can stab away so that it sinnnnnks in a little bit.



Cover with glad wrap and stick it in the fridge for a few hours. Once the vanilla pudding is set whip some cream and spread it over the top. Then eat. Nom nom nom.

"Open your heart"

Every August since I was Fifteen years old I have donated $50 to the Cancer Society. To some that may seem like a decent donation, and to others - not so much. At fifteen, being on minimum wage & only working one weekend day & a few hours after school, fifty dollars was almost my entire weeks earnings. But every August I would hand it over. Why? I thought of Cancer as being one of the biggest killers of the time - which it is. Also I had lost my Nan to breast cancer, along with many other courageous people in my life and in the lives of those that I knew well.



Last Thursday I got to see those donations hard at work. Before Mum had her first dose of Chemotherapy we went and visited the Wellington Cancer Society in Newtown. What an amazing place. I hope that you never need to go there, but if you do, I know you'll be in good great hands.





What your donations pay for:





Staff. A lot of people volunteer at the Cancer Society, but the main co-coordinators are paid. They are fantastic people with boundless knowledge & support capabilities.





Books. At the Cancer Society there is a library full of resources on all types of Cancer, and associated issues. Books of inspiration & hope, research & real life stories.







Parking. Free parking for Chemo patients. We were at the Hospital for five hours on Thursday. Can you imagine what that would have cost us had we parked at the Hospital?







Drivers. The Cancer Society provides some patients with drivers, to take them to & from treatments. Your donations help pay for Gas.







Sustenance. Tea, Coffee, Milo & baking. There is a lounge set up in the Cancer Society for drivers, family & patients. If you are waiting for treatment, or waiting for someone to finish treatment, you are welcome to read or watch t.v & make yourself a cuppa.







Wigs. Wigs can cost up to $2000 each! Our kind Government will give you a subsidy of $400 to go towards a wig, but as you can imagine not everyone who is diagnosed with Cancer can afford a wig. Your donations provide wigs for patients to use whilst they have treatment or visit the hospital for appointments.





Counselling, Hydrotherapy & Massage. The Cancer Society offers a free counselling service for Patients & family members/support people. Hugely important. Hydrotherapy & Massage can help alleviate the physical (and emotional?) stresses that come hand in hand with the C word, and the Cancer Society hugely subsidise these services for patients and support people.





Research. Even in the last ten years alone research and medication have come a long, long way my friends. We may not ever find a cure, but we have already proved that research can provide us with a better way of doing things.







Fundraising. have you ever heard the saying you have to spend money to make money? Relay for Life & Daffodil Day are two major fundraising events that the Cancer Society puts its name to.









Education. The Cancer Society provides free resources & education to pretty much anyone who asks for them. Workshops & support group networks are also available.  

That $50 does not seem like a lot of money now does it?



When August rolls around please open your Heart...and your Wallet.

P.S You don't have to wait until August.



More on Chemo later.

"(You) shoulda left (your) phone at home 'cause this is a disaster! "

It's quite funny, that after a bill has been legislated, making something that used to be second nature illegal, our perception of normalcy is altered. It's quite weird how quickly most of us adjust to it. For instance it was only in late 2004 that the New Zealand Government changed legislation so that it would be illegal to smoke in licensed premises such as bars, restaurants, cafes, sports clubs & casinos. It was only six years ago, yet now it seems totally crazy that we allowed it for so long.







So New Zealand citizens, I have a question for you...





How long exactly until you all stop using your cellphones whilst driving?





Just wanting to know when I can breathe a little easier at an intersection or along Centennial 'death-road' Highway? If I were Super-Nanny, you'd be in the naughty corner and let me tell you "It is totally unacceptable behaviour!" I had to give in to my habit three times last week because of your stupidity.





Brad, my sister Kelsey & I have a bad habit. Well technically it isn't bad. In fact it is good. When we are out & about on the open road, and we see dangerous driving - we call it in. That's right people, we are traffic nark's. And proud of it. We ring *555, Police Communications so often that they have our details at the ready. We should pretty much be on the payroll for all the work we do. We call it 'star-triple-narking'. And just so you know, we are now targeting cellphone users.





We often see a lot of dangerous driving on the Himitangi Straights. If you aren't from around here, the word 'straight' should clue you in on why people drive like idiots on this road. Not that it is a valid excuse.



The first time we 'star-triple-narked' we were on said road, when a Man driving an Isuzu jeep though it'd be fun to zig-zag all over the road, speed, pass on double yellow lines & pull out to pass with about 50 metres clearance. What an Egg. 'Star-triple-nark'? Engage.



Fifteen minutes later as we were pulling in to Levin, we saw two Police car's on the side of the road, one officer was dealing with another dangerous driver. The other officer looked at his clipboard, check his watch, got in his car & pulled the Isuzu over. As we drove past, we smiled and waved at the driver while the officer wrote out his ticket. Muahahahaha - was the fine really worth getting just five cars in front?





Over Easter, as we headed to and from Halcombe, we were on the Himitangi straights four times. We 'star-triple-narked' each and every time. On arrival at Halcombe, we told our other family members about our dirty little secret. Of course they didn't agree with their standard of driving, but they questioned us as to why would go out of our way to try and get someone in to trouble. Our answer? When people drive like idiots, they not only put themselves in harms way - they put our lives at risk.







So to the dangerous drivers of this nation, and to cell-phone "multi-takers" world-wide this is some advice that I have for you...







...If you are feeling reckless, go and do something that puts just your life on the line. Perhaps you could sky-dive, bungy jump, feed the sharks or swim outside the flags for example? Do whatever you like, it is your life & your body after all - but don't you dare gamble with my safety & the lives of the people I love.







I'll be watching, and waiting with my dialling finger at the ready. Don't say you weren't warned.

"Flowers of your December"

Sometime in January I posted about my family Christmas'09. As I looked over the post today, still gutted by those decoration mis-haps, I realised something. That Pohutukawa Champagne holder is pretty darn cool. At least my friend Mariah thought so.







Here is how I made it....





'Champagne/Sparkling Grape Juice Decorative Cooler'

1. Pick your Flowers of choice. You could also use fruit (lemon & limes would be cool!), shells..or anything really! I've seen it done in NZ House & Garden, with Pink & White roses, and it looked amaaaazing.

2. Select a plastic bowl or bucket. This will give you the shape of your cooler, so make sure you don't choose a bowl that is too big - or too small to accomodate your bubbles.

3. Get a large based glass carafe jug or even better...a 2.25L Coke bottle with some rice or sand inside. Place it inside the bowl. It's important to remember that the base of your anchor needs to be slightly bigger than your bottle of bubbles.

4. Arrange your blooms around the coke bottle or jug, and fill the bowl with water so that it just covers your blooms, but doesn't quite fill your bowl.  

5. Place in the freezer overnight.

6. Once frozen, remove from freezer and rest for 20-30mins. Wipe the outside of the bowl with a hot dishcloth. You should be able to bend the plastic away from the ice from here. 

7. To remove your anchor, carefully bend the coke bottle plastic away from the ice. If you used a glass jug, carefully pour some warm water in to the jug, and carefully wriggle to release.

8. Carefully turn out on to a platter, or even a shallow dish to use as a centre piece. At this point you can return it to the freezer to keep it nice and frosty.

                   

'...there’s a woman with her hands trembling - haere mai '

When I look back on my childhood in Martinborough, I think of my family. My Dad's parents, Nan & Papa lived there too. Their house was full of love & warmth. But when I look back, aside from Love, warmth & safety, there was one other constant presence. Hau Ariki Marae. For as long as I can remember, and probably much longer, My Nan & Papa spent their time devoted to making Papa's dream of constructing a Marae in Martinborough, come true. He dreamt it, they worked very very very hard, over many years, and saw Papa's vision turn in to a reality. It took many years, blood, sweat, tears, straight determination & commitment to make this happen. On October 25th 1997 the Wharenui, 'Te Whare Wananga O Tupai' at Hau Ariki Marae was officially opened by Rt Hon Sir Michael Hardie Boys, the Governor General.







Unfortunately my Papa, didn't get to bask in his success for long, as on July 11th 1999, he passed away.





I am so thankful & proud that he was able to see it finished. When I visit Hau Ariki, I feel really close to Nan & Papa. We are so lucky that we have such a beautiful Wharenui at Hau Ariki. Good things do take time.

My cousins & I in 'Te Whare Wananga o Tupai' over Easter Weekend

"Marry me Juliet, you'll never have to be alone. I love you, and that's all I really know."

Brad & I were lucky enough to get to share in the miracle of love over Easter. My girl Michelle & her lovely Man, Cameron, were married on Saturday, in front of their family, friends & God. It was beautiful. I shed a few wee tears on the way to the venue, but when I saw the Bride, and subsequently the Groom's face, I held back sobs. I'm a sook - I know! They say a picture is worth a thousand words....

Michelle & Cam, Thankyou for letting  us be witness to your Love Story.

"Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do"

Over the Easter Weekend, we were in Halcombe to celebrate my cousin Courtney's 21st Birthday Party. What a weekend - what a Woman.





The whole weekend was pure magic. Most of our entire immediate family were there for days and days, in preparation, support & celebration.



What a weekend it was, reflecting on 21 beautiful years, was nostalgic for all of us. The party was great, the birthday girl looked gorgeous (as usual) in a beautiful purple dress, black satin shoes & Swarovski jewels. She borrowed my bling-bling, which was so special to have her wear, and we gave her some earrings as her gift. It was awesome having my "baby' Cousin Jhansi ask If she could wear it at her 21st Party. It was cool being able to say Yes!



I loved my Man & the boy's running the bar. I loved the dancing. At one point I looked up, and the only people on the d-floor were the five Hawkins grand-daughters. I loved the country aaaas dance moves, & the impromtu caterpillar & robot moves. I loved the dance circle, to Dave Dobbyn's 'loyal', which saw a shamed, awkward feeling Birthday girl, hovering in the centre with only the faces of loved ones, serenading her, at the top of their lungs, to look at. I will remember that night always and forever.



My cousins and I have a special bond. We were all born roughly a year apart, and spent a lot of time together growing up. every Christmas, Easter, Birthday, New Years - we were together. We fought, we played & we grew - all together.







I can't remember a lot before my sister Kelsey was born, she is the benchmark of my heart. But what I can remember, is because of my Cousins. Particularly Leah, my oldest cousin, & Courtney. We had each other. We were like sisters. They taught me how to be a sister. For that I will be forever grateful. They got to experience what it would be like to have a sister, as for many many years Leah had only a Brother Thomas, and Courtney only ever had her bro Cam. I love them. I miss the times where we spent fighting over who got which bike, doll or swing. I miss wearing our matching polka-dot party dresses, that Nan bought us. But most of all I am so grateful for these beautiful people I have in my life.







Courtney knew that I had planned on speaking at her 21st. But she warned me on the etiquette of time length & emotion control. Two areas that I am not the best with. So I sat the speech out. Also I found it so hard to find the right words. I found it really hard to explain the bond I have with her to anyone other than one of my cousins. Emotionally stumped? Me?! No!







If I had spoken this is what I would have said..







"Courtney, I am so proud. So proud of who you are, who you were & the beautiful, strong woman you have become. I am proud of all that you have achieved, and all that you are bound too. I am proud to have shared my life with you, and to forever be bound to you through blood, memories & love. You are so beautiful, inside and out. Although we are only 14 months apart in age, I will always think of you like a little sister. Although we have grown, some times it feels as if we are little girls again, playing dress ups, practicing our wedding march, making up dances & basking in the simplicity of our childhood. As years flick by, sadly the memories of our Nan & Papa, who have passed, slowly start to fade. But when we are together, I see their spirit in you, feel their presence & know that they will never be lost, as long as we have each other. I know that they are looking down on you tonight. I can see Papa beaming with Pride for his "girl", and Nan was always so proud of your beauty & grace combined with your amazing strength and 'I-can-do-anything' attitude. And girl, you can do anything!

Thank you so much for being my memory source, my friend & my soul sister for as long as I can remember, and for as long as I live. Happy Birthday & Congratulation's on turning 21."

Courtney

Love you XXX

"Hate it or love it the under dog's on top"

I am currently posting to you via satellite from Halcombe. You probably don't know where that is - even if you do live in NZ. For those of you that do, it is roughly 15 minutes from Feilding. We are having a fantastic Easter Weekend, with a Wedding, a 21st and an Easter egg hunt on the agenda. Will post more on these delights from home. Just thought I’d share a little car game scenario that took place yesterday day, driving from said Wedding in Upper Hutt, to Feilding for the 21st Birthday party.







Nicole: "Honey, let's play '20 questions'"







Brad: "Hmmmm, Nah"







Nicole: "You're just scared you'll lose"







Brad: "Ugh...Is it tangible?"







Nicole: "Yes"







Brad: "Is it a clothing item?"







Nicole: "No"







Brad: "Is it a consumable?"







Nicole: "Yes"







Brad: "Is it an ink cartridge?"







Nicole: "No"







Brad: "It's not tampons is it?"







Nicole: "You're gross. No"







Brad: "Is it make-up?"







Nicole: "No"







Brad: "Is it a food?"







Nicole: "Yes"







Brad: "Is it a cake?"







Nicole: "No"







Brad: "Is it Baking?"







Nicole: "No"







Brad: "Do you have to prepare it?"







Nicole: "Hmmmmm...No"







Brad: "But do you prepare it?"







Nicole: "Yes"







Brad: "Is it processed?"







Nicole: "No"







Brad: "Is it a luxury item?"







Nicole: "No"







Brad: "Is it chocolate?"







Nicole: "Yes"







Brad: "Really?"







Nicole: "Hahahhaaha No!"







Brad: "You're stink. Have we had it recently?"







Nicole: "Yes"







Brad: "Does it take long to prepare?"







Nicole: "No"







Brad: "Oh, hmmmm does it grow?"







Nicole: "Yes"







Brad: "Is it a fish?"







Nicole: "No"







Brad: "Is it cookies?"







Nicole: "No. Cookies don't grow"







Brad: "Is it a cheesecake?"







Nicole: "No! And by the way you've already asked if it was baked goods?!











Nicole: "Your 20 questions are up buddy! You lose!"







Brad: "What was it then?"







Nicole: "Hehehe a carrot"







Brad: "Dumb. Ask me. Go go go. I'm going to redeem myself."











Nicole: "Is it a food?"







Brad: "No"







Nicole: "Is it a car part?"







Brad: "No"







Nicole: "Is it a tool?"







Brad: "No"







Nicole: "Is it a piece of clothing?"







Brad: "Yes"







Nicole: "Hat?"











*Awkward silence*











Brad: "Yep. I don't want to play anymore this game sucks."