Bree, Kathleen and Dusty at Luna Park

Well, I certainly have been giving the diet a miss for the last few days as met Kathleen, Bree and Dusty at Greasy Joes for Breakfast which was massive by any standards but gooood. Then we headed on over to Luna park to enjoy a few rides - I think Dusty who is only just two was less afraid than all us adults.

Soon to be mummy and daddy

Finally got to see my friend Isabels bump and its no where near as big as I was expecting but for such a petite thing it probably feels gianormous - it is however giving Christopher's belly a good bit of competition. They also cooked a beautiful salad with chicken and mint and coriander mmmmmmm!

Sara, Daisy and Jack

Well finally got to meet the latest edition to the Jordan-Direen family little Jack and he is just as adorable as the rest of the family. Also realised that a kid of 3 understands digital cameras better than me - pretty scary.

Staying with Del, Sean, AJ and Milla

Well I was lucky to find a room to stay in during my short stay in Melbourne. It turned out to be lots of fun as Del has my same passion for Chocolate, Aj for movies, Milla for jewels and Sean for macs(te he he).

Del was also my saviour as she managed to get me to the hairdressers, wedding and my flight home all on time.

Anyway thanks for letting me stay it was alot of fun.

Off to Melbourne for a wedding

Well on Saturday 19th January at 3pm my friend Regan married James in one of the most memorable weddings I have ever been to as we had rain, flies, Bon Jovi sound checks and babies crying. None of which I might add fazed Regan in the least or prevented her shining. If anything it only made her seem more beautiful as her positive attitude just added to it. The reception was amazing - beautiful flowers, waist exploding scrumptious food, fabulous and funny speeches and good music. My only complaint would be my aching feet by the end of the night (but you can't look good and be comfortable).

Congrats to the newly weds and I hope you have a fabulous time in Vietnam.

Farewell to a kiwi legend

Sir Edmund Hillary has died aged 88. Sir Edmund shot to international stardom as the first man to scale Mt Everest in 1953. Always nice to remember someone inspiring and who loves their home so much.

Camping in Tairua and New Years

So had including stats and weekends 12 days off in a row so decided I needed to get away. My friend Emma was off to Tairua with some friends so I tagged along.

We were so lucky Angela one of the girls has a section right on the beach which we could all camp on and it even had a toilet and shower - what luxury.

We actually achieved alot considering we also spent considerable time lying i the sun and swimming. We saw The Black Seeds and Ladi 6 at the Coroglen which aside from the crap organisation of the bus was a great night. We also spent some time in the springs of Hot water beach. Checked out the luxury boats in Whitianga. I went on a memory drive to Pauanui. And of course New Years - definitely the drunkest I have been in a very long time but amazingly no hangover.

So thanks to the great group that made my summer so much fun. Angela, Emma, Louise, Lila, Gareth, Brian, Josh, Michelle, Andy, Amber, Jerome and Penny.

Christmas Madness

It wouldn't be Christmas day without atleast three places to be and too much food. So this year was no exception we picked up nana from her rest home and went out to dads cousin Jennifers house for a quick lunch with them. Then dropped nana back and headed way out west.

So this was my sisters first year of hosting family Christmas in the log cabin and luckily her partner is an ex chef as that helped. It was a great day and Chanty even made special home made crackers which had the best gifts I have ever come across two people won on the scratchies within – the only kinda crazy one was the boys one which she had put a fish hook and tackle in but luckily no one lost a finger.

Oh and nice one dad as your first ever baking attempt with the mince tarts was a fabulous success!!!

I even got to play a few of my christmas carols so was very happy.

Worst joke of the day.
What do you get when you cross a parrot with a shark?
Polly want a snapper?

Merry Christmas to all my readers

Hope you all have a fantastic day and bring in the New year with a bang.

pre Christmas craziness

Since last post I have celebrated my sisters Birthday, My friend Michelles Birthday. Seen two great movies, Into the wild and Mr Magoriums wonder imporium. Had the work client christmas do at the fancy Rocco restaurant. Explored 2 more markets round town the French style one which was great and the Victoria Park one which was the worst yet. Also had my Bookclubs Christmas do which was good to stock up on good books pre summer holidays. Congrats to Lauren who is expecting. The building Christmas party and work staff party so all in all a very normal frantic busy end of year.

Also finally watched the whole of season one and two of Outrageous Fortune so am up with all the goss at work about the characters.

I finally got to see my sisters friend Reubens band the Mint Chicks live - they were pretty crazy looked like an 80's pop band sounded like heavy metal and had a crowd of young and hips. I did a bit of moshing but realised was not fit enough to sustain it for what was an incredibly long set. Glad I got to see them before they head over to Portland Oregon to live for a while.

by the way the image of the tree is a pohutukawa, as it flowers in december and is red and green we call it the NZ Christmas tree. I have severalm just outside my window. The skytower also gets into the vibe and changes it lights for the occasion.

Love the silly season

This is such a great time of year as here is always so much to do - and best of all alot of it is free.

Saturday I brought a beautiful new stool for my place so I can seat more than 2 people which was from the trade aid store all the way from india and in my ever so favourite islamic style with lots of detail and pattern and it even has hearts on the top. Then I went to the craft markets and farmers markets. then I bumped into Kate Boswell in a typically embarrassing Tanya fashion on Ponsonby Road.

Saturday Night I got to dance and sing my heart out along with 100,000 other christmas crazies at the Coca cola Christmas in the park which was great and the rain held out right till the end. Amazing fireworks and the huge mrs Claus float was very cool.

Sunday I took our two secondees from India Sarves and Sivarim out to breakfast in the revolving restaurant in the Sky tower and then to Kelly Tarltons underwater world and antarctic experience which was alot of fun.

Finally Sunday night went to see American Dance troupe Complexions at the Aotea Centre who were amazing so emotional and fabulous choreography, lighting and outfits. Hope they come again.

december is here

At work alone this week we have had 2 birthdays, a farewell and a birth. So lots of cake and pizza and beer. Then outside of work have seen two movies. The first being Heartbreak Kid which made crack up so much at all the weirdness. The other was Beowolf in 3d which was really cool love 3d, struggle not to put my hand out to try and touch the things. The animation was so life like at times I could have sworn they were real people. And unfortunately for us girls - Angelina even looks good as a cartoon.

Also went to a gallery opening which was fun as got to go out for dinner afterwards with all the artists and their friends.

Thursday caught up with Sean who was over on business from Melbourne - was nice to hear what has been happening over there.

Friday got to catch up with my parents who had recently returned from a week in Samoa - which I have to say looks amazing - another place I will have to visit.

Today went for a walk in town only to first bump into a maori protest and then a bit further down a pro smacking protest and then a little further down again a parade of Hari Chrisnas with their golden chariot. so a rather colourful walk. Then caught up with my sister and started to do the xmas shopping - ooooohhh so love it.