Birthday Girl

Well today I turn 29 and I feel weird saying this but because I have just left my life of 5 years and returned home I feel a little like I have gone back in time and actually feel more like a teenager again. anyway its been a busy day as cleaned, demoulded, sanded, sealed, plastered, resanded, dusted and painted the walls in what will be my bedroom. let me say it has been very hard work but hopefully worth it. I am being taken out for pizza by my parents which will be nice and I have been given lots of lovely jewellery pieces as presents so a bit spoilt. Hope you are all having a great day too.

Home Safely

Well I am back in Auckland now and happy to say that there is water here in abundance and everything is extremely green so I can have showers over 4 mins without guilt so am happy about that. Its nice to back in my old home and all the familiarity that comes with it.

Oh and mums 60th on Saturday night was a great success and a fun and fast way to catch up with everyone and let them know I was back in town for good.

will post some pics soon.

locked, shocked and 12 smoking muffins

Well I managed to lock myself out of the house just as I had put some muffins in the oven to cook and although I tried to be like macgyver and find a way to climb up to the balcony and get in via the back door - all my attempts failed which meant waiting till Kev could get home and my muffins were turned to charcoal. Today I recooked the muffins to try and replace the smokey smell in the house with one of home cooking. All in all a bit of a funny experience.

Happy Easter

Had a great Good Friday today catching up with Michelle at Mecca Bah in Docklands. Lots of yummy middle eastern foods. Also as I have never been round Docklands before it was interesting to see all the interesting buildings and somewhat crazy sculpture. Hope you all have a safe and fun holiday.

Cybertart

I am a bit of a fan of two great funky bag designers that do the market scene in Melbourne. They have great shapes and colours that fit and sit well as well as wonderful images that I am addicted to and keep finding more I love. I have several so far with names like Dottsy, Bunny Stitches, Penny, Jelly Bubbles, Melting Hearts and King Koala. If you would like one yourself check out their website.

www.cybertart.com.au

A week full of blondes

I am not sure why but at the moment my life seems to be filled with platinum blondes. I have my lovely friend Ellen and now Kev has bleached his crop. I also have Kathleen and her bub Dusty. Finally there is Saras little chickadee that is also a blue eyed blonde. We had fun today walking around IKEA and playing with all the toys.

Art Lectures and Sand Sculptures

This weekend I went to my second art lecture with Helen Brack. It was very interesting and provided me with another excuse to have a look at NGV International and the crazy white lego sculptures being created by kids and adults next to the water window.

I also finally made it to Rye to see the annual sand sculptures and was glad I did as they were amazing all based on myths and legends. Dusty and Kathleen my two platnum babes managed to attract a few wolf whistles and smiles for their collective cuteness.

Turning 60 and 29 in New Zealand

Well I am sad to say that the love of my life and I have decided to call it quits. Whilst this is the end of a great era I am excited about what life holds for me next.

I have made the decision to finally leave wonderful Melbourne and go back home to New Zealand. It will be a great start to my return with mums 60th on the 14th and my 29th on the 16th so lots to keep my mind busy.

Anyway it will be really sad to leave my home of 5 years and all the fabulous friends I have made during my stay. But on the upside its a great reason to come back frequently. And I am happy to act as tourist guide to anyone keen to visit the greener state of Australia :)

What I've been up to in march

Well in short:
1. Job Hunting
2. Watching lots of crap TV and some good dvds
3. Sewing a patchwork quilt
4. working on losing weight on weight watchers (5 kilos so far!)
5. Reading Viking Trilogy and Peter Jackson Biography

Its hard to do much when you are broke but I have been trying to keep busy. 2 weekends ago I went to the St Kilda and Southbank markets with Ellen and then met up with Kathleen and John to see the Sneakers film Just for Kicks and exhibition at the NGV international. 1 weekend ago I went for a picnic in Queens Park for Ellens Birthday and had fun making her pretty pastel cupcakes for a gift. then last weekend I went to an art lecture about viewing artworks it was a bit of fun as it focusses on how to view an artwork as object minus its historical placement, artists intention, or any focus on the representation within it. Certainly gives a new perspective. I also finished my quilt for Kev as after sewing all the patches by hand I was able to borrow Ellens sewing machine to finish all the long rows of stitching. I am proud to say it looks pretty good for no instructions and very basic equipment.

Machinima

This Saturday I went to a full day festival program of Machinima animations. I knew a little about them through my internet twiddling and of course from Kev but now I am a fan. In lamens terms they are animations created in a games environment. This means that now even the boy next door can attempt to tell you a story or send you a message about their own life or a more general one. They are often very funny. So please have a look for yourself www.machinima.com

for mum - Quilters show

Today went to the quilters show and exhibition which was as always a very bustling room filled with over 600 woman all trying to see the amazing quilts on show and find the best quaters and patterns.

I was very impressed by some of the artists so took a few pics so you could all admire them too. yeah to all us ladies trying to keep a predominantly female craft/art alive.

For dad - Southern Cross Station

Well with my Interior designer dad in mind I took a few pics of the spectacular new train station on spencer street in melbourne. Its definately a favourite of mine. Hope you like it to dad.

Global Warming

Well this year has really made me realise that if we all don't pitch in and make major changes in 50 years we won't be living. Even today I have just survived through a week of high 30s low 40s c degree heat and its not easy.

I watched Al Gores documentary the inconvieniant truth recently and it has really helped me to understand the science behind the problem which has always seemed a little intangible to me. So now I know that if most of the changes have been escalating in the last 20 years its going to be hell in another 20.

So I have vowed to:
take as short a shower as possible(and believe me this isn't easy)
always wash in cold wash
turn off and unplug appliances not in use
cool off without using water or electricity as much as possible
use energy efficient lightbulbs
use public transport
walk more
eat more local produce
recycle as much as possible
look for non toxic cleaners
I already don't have air con a car or a dishwasher so thats a help.


If anyone has any other tips please let me know
totaltanya@hotmail.com

as I will give it my best shot

Happy Valentine's

Well I was spoilt tonight with champagne and chocolate and hope all my friends out their were as well. Its a nice day to say warm fuzzies so mine go out to everyone.

Patchwork Project

Well as I am having difficulty landing a job I am trying to not waste my time. So I have started a patchwork quilt of nine sampler squares that is in colours that coordinate with my boyfriends couch. As I am teaching myself it should be interesting to see how it comes out in the end but so far it seems to be going OK.

I have also been reading a fair bit and just finished the first book in a trilogy called Viking - Odins Son which is a very interesting intro to Norse and Irish history.

New Hair colour

Well I am happy to report that I have a new darker and slightly redder hair colour which has made me feel like a new woman. Its amazing what a little spruce up will do. I also have a job interview next week so if you can all send out good vibes for me on the 8th that would be fab.

Neverfail Water

Well Australia day and the new BBQ was a success with lots of yummy food. A friend of Kevins (Shane) from NZ came to stay for a night so it was fun to here what has been happening at home and compare my travels with his.

We have also invested in a water machine and its great — yummy no taste water always on demand and crispy cold. It makes drinking water a real pleasure.

Goals 2007

This makes it official so I have to complete these by January 2008

1. To improve my cooking through reading, practise, classes and TV shows
2. Read atleast a book every two months
3. To get back into Culture by visiting galleries, museums, festivals, movies etc...
4. To keep up my photography
5. To get creative

of and the usual - get rich, lose weight, get fit etc...

hope you all do well with your resolutions too.

Entering Intrepids Photo Comp

Wish me luck as I have entered 14 photos into a competition run by Intrepid Travel. Would love to see atleast one of my favourite pics chosen.

New BBQ New Phone

Well I have two new gadgets to have fun with in January. The first was a pressie from mum a brand new phone from Motorola so that we can keep in touch over the Tasman. supposed to be able to send and receive pics but having some issues so if anyone out there knows the tricks please let me know as would love to figure it out.

My other gadget is a new two burner BBQ which we brought pre Australia day so we could take sam Kekovich's advice and eat lamb (of course kiwis have been eating lamb for years) I have found two things I absolutely love grilled which is courgettes and corn on the cob booth become sooooooo juicy and flavoursome.

I have also invested in 4 out of 7 of Jamie Olivers cookbooks and am working my way through them. All recipes so far have worked out and have been amazing.