Busy bee

Well I still don't have a fulltime job but I have been working like a crazy lady as have been doing heaps of babysitting, Helping Sean in Melbourne with surveys, working at my sisters gallery (of which the picture of the spunky girl in front of art is Chanty my little sis)and doing some freelance design for M&C saatchi and Rotary so maybe this is a good sign that something will happen soon.

Saw a great movie called other peoples lives about postwar east germany so something not as talked about as the war itself and as such more interesting for me especially as it happened in my lifetime. Then saw an average blockbuster in Fantastic 4 silver surfer Jessica looked too much like barbie and the whole story was a bit predictable.

Also I am very lucky as I am getting to stay in a very flash apartment in shed 23 in the Viaduct harbour for a week as it is owned by my sisters wonderful boss Jenny. So its been a bit of luxury waking up with the most amazing views and the buzz of the city on my doorstep.

Thanks Chanty and Jenny. xx

North Shore City in Blackout

Well I was studiously trying to rejig my CV for a management angle when low and behold the power went out. Luckily geek that I am I had a torch ready in both my rooms for just such occurances and helped mum and dad to get the candles and radio going.

Also got some neat shot of the city lights without those from the shore.

NEW ZEALAND HERALD
Tens of thousands of homes were plunged into darkness last night after an explosion at a substation caused a power cut that crippled Auckland's North Shore.

Lights on the Northern Motorway and harbour bridge were cut, as was power to homes and shops in many suburbs, including parts of Greenhithe and Albany.

Cameras monitoring the motorways and traffic lights were also affected, as were North Shore businesses, including cinemas, which lost power halfway through screenings.

Engineers were last night still investigating what caused the Wairau Rd substation blast, which happened at 7.43pm.

Power to about 30,000 homes was mostly restored by 8.20pm.

Bookclub

I am happy to say I have joined a bookclub through my friend Leanne and its great fun lots of girls get together and discuss the mammoth amount of books they have read from the communal collection. I normally read a book or two max per month but these ladies seem to get through up tp 12 - yeaks will have to pick up my pace.

Also they had a theme of something sweet so there was loads of yummy food to eat. I made stained glass cookies and if I do say so myself they were scrummy.

Creative Suite 3

Well can I just say wow wow wow. The updated tools that Adobe have come up with basically make the sky the limit and will once learned to memory make the time it takes to create amazing artwork miniscual. Oh if only I had a spare NZ$4,000 for a computer update and another spare NZ$2,000 for the programs. I take donations :)

Ambulances, Burgers and Shrek

Well I have had a busy wee weekend since I last blogged as Saturday I caught up with Grant - Kevs best friend and my old flatmate which was great to share the experiences of coming back to NZ after such a long break.

Then we had high dramas at night as mum was struck down with crazy pain so we popped her in an ambulance and sent her to A&E to be looked at - luckily after some awful pains it turned out to be a kidney stone and the horror had passed by 6am Sunday.

Then I went out to Burgerfuel for lunch the most amazing burger joint and had one called a bastard (1/3 lb ground beef, melted cheddar, beetroot, mango, avocado, bacon, salad, relish, aioli.) - barely fitted in my mouth and had crazy things in it.

Then it was off to see Shrek the third which had me rolling in my seat with laughter - I absolutely love Puss in Boots he is such a riot.

Oh and for all the you tube fans out there have a look at Battle at Kruger (A battle between a pride of lions, a herd of buffalo, and 2 crocodiles at a watering hole in South Africa's Kruger National Park while on safari) its the most incredible example of the survival in the wild I have ever seen.

Anyway tonight is my sisters-boyfriend Murray's 35th Birthday so must go help celebrate - Happy Birthday Murray

NZSO

So I still don't have a job but am getting loads of interviews so thats a good start. I have also managed to pick up a little work from my sister at the gallery and that with the babysitting and some potential work through Sean in Melbourne means I can afford to go out atleast once a week.

So this weeks treat was to go and see the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra last night. It was a really good performance with 3 pieces (DVORÁK Cello Concerto, NIELSEN Helios Overture , NIELSEN Symphony No 4 The Inextinguishable) and a feature of cello with touring artist GAUTIER CAPUÇON from France. He was just what you would expect from a classical muso long hair that he would maniacally flick with the powerful parts of the music and legs that would rock and tap. The conductor also seemed to be performing more of a modern dance than actually keeping time he was quite funny.

Whats been happening?

Well not much except lots of job searching - on the upside though I have been having alot of interviews and have even made it to round two with one company so keep your fingers crossed that this id the week of action. I am even turning into a bit of a networker and going to events to meet and greet very unlike me but the next one will be good as get to hear about the new creative suite program about to be launched.

I have also been doing lots of fun babysitiing with Mia and she is just starting to formulate words like hello, eye, nose, mouth so very very cute.

As for my cooking made my first ever stew last night and if I do say so myself was very nice and just right for a cold wet night.

What else? well I have been to see the movie history boys which was a bit of a laugh and full of lovely poetic phrases. Speaking of poetry mum is trying to suck me into the world of crosswords but I am afriad all they do is show me how much I don't know. my favourite question this week was what is the name for a whale with a massive horn on its nose? how on earth would I know that?

Anyway here are some pics of the amazing view from my parents house.

Mark Watson, My sis the home owner and curries

What Has been happening well - went out to see Pirates but couldn't get in so watched dreamgirls instead (which I thought was awful unless you are a major musicals fan).

Saturday had an amazing big breakfast at a local cafe to catch up with my friend Emma and then had lots of laughs on the last night of the comedy fest watching welsh man Mark Watson and his seven deadly sins with Hayley, Elisa and Sarah.

Sunday the big thing was my sister, dad and her boyfriend all went thirds in a house in the waitakeres for a steal so thats exciting. Also had a beautiful paneer and tikka curry dinner with Leanne.

Monday went to the doctor whilst its cheap on the community services card and was told I have perfect blood pressure and bubbles in my ear. Then went for a whirlwind drive to Tauranga with my dad - nice to get out and see a bit of the countryside.

Tuesday babysat Mia and am soon to be off to talk jobs at Saatchi and Saatchi - who would have thought.

Auckland Museum with Del, Milla and AJ

Well I had a job interview this morning which I think went OK - should find out tomorrow. The best part of the day though was spent with Del and her two kids wandering around Auckland museum. We had great fun exploring all the bugs and animal displays. Creating architectural pieces from blocks and watching the Maori cultural show. Oh and trying to decide who was the goodies and baddies in the war exhibition was a challenge.

The new wing to the building is pretty impressive it reminds me alot of the British museum.

Goodbye Bebe

This is for Nao and her family to Send you all my good thoughts in this sad time. I am really sorry for your loss. I am glad I was able to meet your wonderful dog Bebe and I know he will be missed. Look after yourselves. Here is my favourite photo.

Tanya

Nana Turns 102

Well had a busy Monday catching up with Tracy who I had studied design with and then at 3pm it was time to party as Nana turned the grand age of 102 exactly 10 years older than her mum lasted - a bit scary for us grandkids as dad should be 112 and that means we should be 122 yikes!!!

I finally have a job interview on Thursday so fingers crossed we click.

A big Happy Birthday to Dympna and John also.

Party Night

Well I have finally watched season one of Lost and have to admit it is a pretty gripping thriller. I just hope the next 2 seasons are as good.

Last night I went to see a little bit of Australian Humor in the form of Carl Barron and he was awesome. Made me laugh so much my cheeks hurt. I also bumped into Grant my friend and flatmate from Melbourne so it was an allround aussie night. Thankyou to Hayley my super generous friend for organising the whole night.

Also as I was out laughing mum and dad were at a Rotary dinner to celebrate 50 years of Rotary in Birkenhead which I was amazed at as I didnt think this area was even that old.

Aunty Tanya to the rescue!

Well yesterday I was called upon to babysit a very cute 14 month old for the day while her mum went out to do makeup for a Next magazine photoshoot. It was a lot of fun playing with Mia and made me forget about the drag of looking for a job. Only the nappy changing thing was a bit yukky. Anyway off to find out whos who in my nanas photos today so that should be fun travelling down our family history.

New Haircut

So I have finally unpacked all my aussie boxes so feel like I am at home now but yesterday I moved all my NZ boxes out of storage and I had forgotten how many I had so it will be fun going through those. Also today I finally had a haircut after 10 months and boy it was needed chopped atleast 15cm off the bottom and feel a lot lighter.

Happy Mothers day

What have I been up to well, Have signed up with three agencies - Aquent, 3rdeye and Portfolio. Painted the entrancway and hallway. baked some scones, made some yummy carrot and ginger soup and so on. Also watched a really good miniseries called angels in america about homosexuals. It was very arty and full of wonderful dialogue. I also finished a book called Perfume which was so different and a little distubing but now can't wait to see how they adapted it to a movie.

Louise and Daniel also had a house warming (or cooling as it was a very cold night) which was fun was able to catch up with a few familiar faces and meet a whole lot of unfamilar ones.

Finally Big hugs and kisses to my mum for being so great. Its fab to be home again. Happy Mothers day to all mums out there - thats you Debs, Sara, Kathleen and so on...

Auction across the road

Well nosy little me went to an auction on a property directly across the road from ours and couldn't believe that on a cross leased piece of land with no view and one bathroom and a kitchen straight out of the 50s went for over 550,000. Its crazy what it costs in high demand places.

Also went down to see the takapuna markets and happy to say they are way better than when I left lots of yummy international food great plants and interesting nic nacs.

Lastly went to see all my neighbours arts and crafts and I would say it was lucky I don't have any money or I may have been tempted to buy a few pieces.

Spiderman 3

just a short blog to say what an amazing film. great cast, story and special effects.

Looking for work

Well its back to the job hunting grind again. I have signed up with three agencies - Portfolio, Aquent and 3rd eye and been to two meet and greets with big names in the industry and one interview as well as calling on any possible contact in the industry that I can think of so hopefully within the next month I should be employed as as much as I love having some time to do all the other things in ones life its also nice to have money coming in and a feeling of independance. Anyway please send all your good vibes my way as the more I earn the more luxury tours I can take you all on when you come to visit.

Craft craziness

Ok so I have only been back 3 weeks and already I have been to a Craftwerks get together and seen emerging crafts from young hip designers as well as seeing a touring fabric art exhibition from USA and lastly a patchwork exhibition from local stitchers. So am feeling a little inspired although the quilts I love are way too hard for my level of skill at the moment but something to aim to. I am also heading to the Takapuna markets today and also a local artits show down my street so by Monday will be on art and craft overload.

Chantys Kittens

My sister found two tinny winny kittens that had been abandoned and has looked after them whilst finding them a home only she hasn't been able to find one so they are now getting big and very cute. She calls one needy because she needs loads of attention. I don't know if I get clucky with babies but I definately do with kittens.