Day 13: Love

Awww love. How fitting to be posting about Love after spending last night celebrating and watching the Royal Wedding on TV with good food, good wine and good friends.

There's no doubt that I could wax lyrical about love. But instead I'm going to show you just some of the things that spring to my mind when I think of love.

Day 12: Pet Peeves

Ok, I definetly have some pet peeves. Probably not a good idea to get me started, but here ya go:

1. "Yous" is NOT a word.

I loathe the use of the word. It's not "hey, yous guys", it's "hey, you guys". "Ewes" are female sheep. "Use" is a perfectly acceptable word. "Yous" is not. Don't use it. You sound stupid when you do. If you do attempt to use it around me I will hurt you. You've been warned.

2. Drivers that don't indicate.

Seriously? Come on people! How hard is it to indicate? It's a flip of the lever. And it's the law! The law! The roads would be much safer and I'd get places much easier if you just indicated where you were going for crying out loud!

3. Drivers that block intersections.

You know the ones, the smartarses that drive through an orange light but the traffic on the otherside is back to the intersection and now it's a red light for them, a green light for me and I can't get through. Grrr. And those bloomin drivers that drive into a roundabout but can't get out of it. So annoying! Like above it's the law - you don't drive in to an intersection that you can't get out off!

4. Sponge Bob wears cardboard square pants.

He lives under the sea. But they are cardboard. Under the sea. Do you not see the problem here?! And, they are square. How do they stay square?! Under the sea?! Blimen heck people! It just doesn't make sense!

Ok, that's enough from me. Those are my top pet peeves. I'm sure I have more, but those are the biggest ones. Like I said, don't get me started! 

Day 11: Childhood

I remember odd things from my childhood (which I cut off at 12yrs - because you're a teenager at 13 right?!).  Here's some of the odd things I'm thinking off:

* My first memory is at my Grandpa's wake when I hugged my Gran's leg to stop her crying. I was 3yrs.

* My cousin Ben was born when I was 8yrs.

* One day at Kindy I got upset because I couldn't find "my" sink. They all had peoples names on them, but I didn't know that they were actually the brand names.

* At Kindy I signed my paintings with "H4"

* I shared a room with Lee until I was 16yrs. I used to annoy her by keeping my bedside light on when she was trying to sleep.

* I was teased at primary school for not being Catholic.

* I tried to run away one day, got half way down the street, a dog barked at me and I ran home again.

* We used to go to Waiheke Island for family vacations. It was soooooooo far away.

* Once us kids were so irriating in the back seat of the car that Mum & Dad made us get out at the school (about 2kms away) and walk home.

* We used to have babysitters each school holidays.

* We went to 'Friday Club' every week (or was it fortnightly?). The adults had some sort of cheap-to-produce meal and the kids had fish n' chips. The adults are all still friends today.

* We weren't allowed to watch TV in the morning and until about 5pm.

* I would always walk to school with my friend Camille.

* I loved to dance, but I don't think I was great at it. I went along for years.

* I went to Brownies.

* I almost drowned in the Johnsonville Pool when a 'big kid' flipped the floating mat over and I was stuck underneath.

* I had a great friend Linda that lived up the road until she moved to Australia when we were 8yrs.

* Every time I went to Grans house I watched "The Sound of Music".

* At Gran's house we would bake and pretend we were hosting our own cooking show.

* Gran had a hole in the wall between the kitchen and the dining room which we would pretend to order fish n' chips from. We'd sit patiently in the 'queue' while she made them for us.

* We always had pets, mostly cats and one really stupid dalmation.

* Mum and I went to Melbourne when I was 10yrs old. I loved the butterfly house, the markets and when we went on a picnic in the middle of a huge park and we left the cutlery behind, we used a credit card as a knife.

The more I write, the more I remember. While I think I don't remember much of my childhood, I guess I really do - I just have to actually take the time to sit and think about it.

I once typed out Gran's memoirs of her first 18yrs of life. I thought two things while doing this; 1. I don't think I have done nearly as many things or had nearly as many experiences in my first 18yrs as she did. And 2. I don't think I remember nearly as much as Gran seems too, and she's much older than I am! Her memoirs are a fascinating read. They need a little work, which I hope to do soon with Gran. It has made me think that I should try write my own, because while I haven't lived through a war, I have had a few interesting things happen, so why not? Perhaps one day my own grandchildren will be interested in reading about my childhood. Would yours?

Day 10: Something I'd change

I find this a hard one to answer. There are things that I regret, but I'll save them for the regret post. I could change so many things, but if I did they would change so much more than just that one thing. For example, if I changed the fact that I worked at the Sensitive Claims Unit, because it was just so soul destroying, then I wouldn't have met one of the most important people in my life right now.

I don't so much believe that everything happens for a reason, but more that everything that happens has a connection to something else - as I mentioned above. So, I probably wouldn't change much at all when it comes down to it.

Here's my prime example:
I'm deaf in one ear (and if you didn't know that then welcome to my blog) and have been since I was a 4yrs old (or a baby - depends whether you believe my mother or the ENT specialist). People often say that I must wish I could get my full hearing back if I could. A few years ago the specialist told me that I wasnt' a candidate for surgery to try and fix my hearing. I had to stop him short, as I do anyone that assumes I want to get my full hearing back. I don't. Not at all. I don't know any different. I don't know how go to sleep without sleeping on my good ear for example. The specialist said that my brain simply wouldn't be able to handle the change as all it knows is hearing in one ear.

And my soul wouldn't handle it either. I'm deaf in one ear, I don't know how to be a person with full hearing and why would I want too. When someone asks me why I wouldn't full hearing back and has a look of complete confusion on their face, I ask them if they would like me to take away their hearing. They look at me as if I'm being ridiculous. But do you get what I'm getting at? I know how to be me, a person that hears out of one ear - that's normal to me. Why would I want to change myself to be something different?! If it was actually of a severe disadvantage to me then I would do what I could to make it better, but it's not, so why would I change? Just like you wouldn't want me to take away hearing in one ear, I don't want you to give me hearing in one ear. It would be weird and strange and not at all productive.

So, when I think about changing something, I don't think we can assume that it would be 'better' by doing so, just different. They do say that the grass is greener on the otherside, but I can't help but think that if you do think that changing to the otherside will be better, you will probably just end up on the otherside wishing you could go back to the beginning. It might be greener, but it's not the same. Besides what if you just didn't wait long enough and the grass back there is really as lush and as green as you thought you were going too?

Life is never perfect, we just have to do the best we can with what we have and hope that everything works out in the end. And it probably will if you let it :)

Day 9: Peace

If you asked someone what 'peace' means to them, they'll tell you it's happiness and calm on earth. They aren't wrong on the happiness and calm fronts, but I think it's both cliche and naive to say 'on earth'. Yes of course that would be great, but it's a bit idealistic. It's also not very honest. How many of you say that just because you think that's what you're supposed to say? While I commend those that actually make a practical step towards this ideal 'peaceful' world in a way that makes sense to them (either through military service, volunteering or career) I don't understand those that protest unpeacefully for peace, or those that ask for donations to aid 'peace studies', or those that just jump on the bandwagon beause they think that's what they should do.

I think it's naive to believe that one person's or one groups efforts is going to make a world difference. One country probably has more luck, but how much more really? I guess I sound pessimistic but what I'm really getting at is that if you say you believe in something, then believe in it. If you want 'world peace' then do something about it. Something practical. But don't jump on the badnwagon just because you think you sould or because you think that's what you're supposed to do.

Personally I believe that we should all start with ourselves. With anything, not just peace. If we can honestly say that we are 'peaceful' or know how to find 'peace' within ourselves, then we are better equiped to go out and help others to find it too.

For me, I find peace in all sorts of things. I find peace in going home at the end of the day to a normal night in. I find peace in a good book, a funny movie or while laughing with friends. Peace is in the calmness - the weekend days where I have nothing I have to do, when I can potter around doing whatever I want with no where to go and no where to be. I feel peaceful when I pick up my camera, or sit down with friends, and especially when I get to spend time with children.

Children see life in such a simplistic way. Things are either up or down, black or white, yes or no. Children love to draw, play with legos, read books, bake muffins, make forts, climb trees. All those things that adults find tedious. I too enjoy them and while I've always loved hanging out with children, it's only been in the last few years that I've learnt the art of really embracing my inner child. Have you ever noticed that a child will bend down and watch a snail crawl by? They will pick up a leaf and watch in wonderment as it twists away in the wind. They will play with the wrapping paper long after the toy is forgotten. Children have no sense of time and a great sense of wonderment about everything around them. As adults we forget this and instead we should remember it.

For me, I find peace and an inner sense of calm when I remember these thoughts. I challenge you to stop and really look at a rose next time you see one. Look at it, smell it, touch it. And if you can really do this and not worry about the fact that you just took 2 minutes to actually see a rose, you'll start to feel that calm I was talking about. Of course, a rose might not work for you, but do you get the idea? Forget what you believe you should be doing, and do what you want too. If you do, you'll find your inner calm, your inner peace will follow shortly behind. Perhaps then you'll be in a more powerful position to spread peace to others.

Day 8: A letter

Dear 9 year old me,

We just turned 30 years old and it's not nearly as old as you think it is. But I'd like you to know a few things to help you get here.

You're going to meet some kids at Intermediate that will be great friends. So great that you are still friends with them 20 years later. Be the best friend to them that you can be, because they are the ones that will laugh with you, support you and will always be there for you no matter what. They will play with you at lunch, be in your classes at school, party with you and go for lunch and coffee (yes we drink coffee now) whenever you need too.

School is hard. But, you should study lots and you'll get through. Don't coast along thinking that you can just get by with a pass, you need to do better than that. Do as much as you can and get involved. You are only at school once and won't get those opportunities again. Taken advantage of everything you can.

You're going to face one of the toughest and sadest times of your life much sooner than you should have too. I'm not going to tell you the details, but I just want you to know that you will be ok and you will get through it. You won't forget and that's ok, but you will get through it. In saying that, don't think that you have to do it alone, get the help you're offered and be a better person for it.

Your parents know more than you think they do. Always remember that.

Mum will say no for years, just let her. You'll get a tattoo after uni. We now have more than one and Mum loves them.

Before you apply for University take the time to really think about what you want to do. You'll probably just go and do what you think you want to do, but you should know that it's ok to take the time off first. If you do go, remember that you can graduate anytime, but you won't be able to have a 'do over'.

You don't need to wait for every single duck to be in line before you make a move. Sometimes you need to leap without knowing what's on the other side.

The family will not always be the same as it is now. Unfortunetly sometimes life isn't as fair or as simple as it seems at your age. That's ok. You all still love each other, you all still talk almost every day. You're still family. Remember that when it seems like it's all crumbling around you. 

You're going to work in some places that you never thought you would. Run with it, because you meet some of your best friends at these places. But, don't let that stop you from leaving as soon as you're ready to move on. Remember what I said above? That you don't need know what's on the other side before leaping, that comes in handy in your work life. Embrace it, it will be the best thing you can do.

You won't get married young and you won't have children as soon as you want too. You think to much and you worry to much. You will get there eventually, just not on the timeline you have planned. Throw that away and just go with the flow. You'll be much happier if you do.

You are going to have so much fun and so many crazy times - take advantage of the craziness and ride the fun as much as possible. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Always take up as many opportunities to have fun! Life can be tough, embrace the fun moments and they will far outweigh all the buggery ones.

All of this advise should make sense when you get there, but if you ignore it totally that's fine too, we're good just the way we are. Do you want to know some secrets about us at 30? We live with our best friend (who's a boy), we have two lovely pussycats, we have a nephew on the way, we have been to England and stayed at the cottage. The rest you get to figure out along the way.

With love and luck, 30 year old you.

Baby Bump Photo Shoot

We've been wanting to do a baby bump photo shoot for weeks, but it's proven difficult to coordinate me, Lee, Morgan and the Sun. It wasn't sunny yesterday but during the non raining moments we ducked outside and took a few photos anyway.

Day 7: I wish . . .

I started writing out a list of things I wish for, But, I don't really wish all that much and the list had silly things on it. Wishing doesn't seem to help to achieve much and it doesn't really get much done. But, there are times that call for a little wishing - like blowing out birthday candles, seeing the first star in the night sky and blowing away a fallen eyelash - and in those cases I always wish for the same thing. every. single. time.

I wish I would find the man of my dreams who would love me for me, make me happy, give me children and be my best friend and lover for the rest of my life.

Any fairy godmothers, magicians, or lucky leprechauns out there that would like to use their talents to support my wish, I'd be most greatful. Or anyone else that would like to offer their own good wishes to give mine more power will always be welcomed.

Happy Birthday Dad

HaPpY bIRtHdaY tO yOu

hAPpY BiRthDAy To YoU

HApPy BIrTHdAy dEaR dAD

hAPpY bIRThdaY tO yOU

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Another week and five more great prompts:

1. Reflections

The light reflected off the earing I was trying to photograph and created a line of beautiful light.

2. Guess what this is. . .

. . . it's the sequened strap of one of my tops.

3. What's inside?

That's my nephew in there! We hope. We hope it's not a baby hippo.

4. Playtime

 I was going to get John to jump up and act the fool so I could get some silhouettes, but the geese were having none of his tomfoolery!

5. Lawn & Garden

 These two were standing up there trying to coordinate their timing to jump off. We were in the rose garden at Aotea Lagoon for an Easter Friday afternoon walk.

Day 6: Websites I regularly visit

My favourites bar is full of different websites that I have found over time and that I like to have bookmarked for later use. Some of them however I visit on a regular basis. Here's a breakdown:

http://www.google.co.nz/

No brainer really - I use gmail. I use google search and google images.

http://www.facebook.com/

Yep I'm one of those sheeps that signed up just because everyone else did. These days I just FB stalk friends and family. I don't play any of the silly games (anymore), I don't upload photos and I don't really participate to much in the chatter. But for some reason I just can't NOT check FB everyday.

http://www.blogger.com/

It's how I blog. Like, right now. . .

http://www.postcrossing.com/

This website is a postcard project website. You sign up and send postcards to random people around the world, then your name goes out to random people to send you postcards. I've been a member for about 5 months and have sent and recieved about 45 postcards so far. I love postcards, so it's a great way to get some from all over the world.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/

The online equivalent to the Dominion Post. It's full of news stories and is updated to the minute.

http://www.nationstates.net/

An online game where you have your own 'nation'. Each day you are given issues to take a position on and your nation changes according to the new legislation. It's interesting to see how the decisions you make, effect your growing nation. A bit of harmless fun.

www.africam.com/wildlife

Three live video feeds from three watering holes on safari sites in Africa. You can watch amazing life feeds of african wildlife. If you sign up to the Facebook page, you get the updates telling you when there are animals at the watering holes so you can go watch.

www.grabaseat.co.nz

I'm always on the lookout for cheap flights to Auckland and Sydney.

www.asb.co.nz

It's where I keep my lack of money.

www.sidereel.com/_television
I use this website to watch all my favourite TV shows. It's American, so it's current with the American season. The site lists all shows and has multiple links to various sites to steam the episodes.

 

www.ashleysisk.com

A blog by an amateur photographer that's making a name for herself in the blogging world. She hosts the weekly 'Scavenger Hunt Sunday' challenge that I like to participate in. She has great tips for new photographers like me.

www.mortalmuses.blospot.com  
A blog written by 9 talented photographers that muse on a photography topic each week. They ask for submissions and then pic a photo to feature when they muse on that topic. They also have two pages to feature photos from other photographers - Life in Black & White, and Everyday Beauty.

And here are a few more that I don't visit regularly, but that I do like to visit every now and then. You should check them out too:

www.oddee.com

Lists of odd things. Yep, it's as weird as it sounds, but interesting nonetheless.

www.tv.com

All the latest gossip, updates etc about all American TV shows.

http://www.1-day.co.nz/

Three deals from 12pm to 12pm the following day.

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

Walmart is the Warehouse of America and this website show photos taken of the crazy people that frequent the store.

www.improveverywhere.com 

An improv group that stage large pranks and theatrics for the unsuspecting public and film them for the pleasure of people everywhere.

www.zennioptical.com

Where I get my glasses from. Get your prescription from your optometrist and you too can get a pair of glasses for about $20. It's an American website but the glasses ship from China. Sounds dodgy, but it's ligit. I have 6 pairs and thinking of getting some more shortly.

http://www.geocaching.com/

This site gives GPS coordinates and simple directions to the locations of 'cache's hidden all over the world. There are hundreds in Wellington alone. I'm yet to get a handheld GPS, but I once I do, I'll be off exploring.

http://www.geonet.org.nz/

A great website to check out for all the latest earthquake data.

http://www.imdb.com/

The Internet Movie Database. A great resource for my 'Alphabetical Movie Project' reviews.

Day 5: Inspiration

When I pick up my camera it's usually because I've been inspired by an idea for a great photo. I can see the final photo in my minds eye. More often than not that idea is just the starting point. I don't often manage to achieve exactly what I was thinking of, but something close, or much much better.

Sometimes I'm inspired just to take my camera along with me and see what I find. Once I take that first shot, I can't put the camera down again.

New experiences and colour inspire me to take hundreds of shots. Yes, hundreds! I love capturing those moments that are so full of life, love and laughter. Moments that are unbelievable and moments that are precious for just being moments.

I love to capture those unplanned moments, the unposed ones. I think they are so much more 'real' than posed ones. These moments inspire me to photograph more and to do and learn more and more.

I'm inspired by other talented photographers. From amatuers to professionals. I've found lots of photography blogs over the last year. Many host weekly photography challenges. Entering them is inspiring and very empowering. It challenges me to think beyond my comfort zone and try new things. Other entrants visit and leave very encouraging comments, which is not only ego boosting, but inspiring for next week and the next challenge. Here are some blogs I regularly read and find very inspirational:

http://www.ashleysisk.com/

http://mortalmuses.blogspot.com/

http://www.ksummersby.blogspot.com/

http://www.bloggingfrombolivia.com/

Photography has surpassed my passion for painting which I haven't done for some time now. But, the paints and canvas are still here and I still look at them every now and then. I don't doubt that one day the inspiration to paint again will hit me, but for now, I'm definetly an inspired Photographer.

The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code is based on the popular Dan Brown novel. But, while I own and enjoy the dvd, I've never read the book. Which admittedly is rather unusal for me. I tend to believe that the books are always better than the movies, but I enjoyed this movie, and had heard bad things about the book, so I decided not to ruin a movie I liked by reading the book.

Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre to offer advice on a brutal murder and the symbols left behind. There he meets Sophie Neveu and together they follow the clues to unravel an ancient secret that could change religious history.

Tom Hanks stars as Robert Langdon and the beautiful Audrey Tautou stars as Sophie Neveu. If you think this sounds slightly familiar you're not wrong, we saw Robert Langdon earlier in the project in Angels and Demons, the prequel to The Da Vinci Code.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Tom Hanks is super talented. He's one of those actors that is just so believeable in everything he does. Somehow I just always buy any character he plays. He has made Robert Langdon an everyday bloke with a fascinating talent for symbols. He's not pretentious or irritating at all.

Meanwhile he has the sweet Audrey Tautou has great chemistry with Tom and play her character with strength and innocense at the same time. And before I forget, I have to tell you that my one of my top 5 men on my To Do list also stars - Paul Bettany. Unfortunetly he plays Silas, the albino monk that self harms and is completely psycho which doesn't do much for his 'hotness' factor, but he's in it and that gives him brownie points. Also making appearances are Sir Ian McKellan and Jean Reno, both stong actors.

I enjoyed the mystrey of The Da Vinci Code. While I'm not a religious person by any means, I find the history of religion interesting. Of course I know that it wasn't exactly factual, but the possibilities of what could have been is interesting enough in itself. The movie explores what the Holy Grail is or could be and puts forward a good argument for it's conclusion. The theatricals just add to the mystrey of it all.

Over all, definetly a movie worth watching if you aren't deeply religious and you're ok with taking a detour of the accuracy of history path. And you haven't read the book. Those are a lot of if's, but I enjoyed it, so you might too. Don't forget - it has Tom Hanks, so it can't be all bad.

Day 4: My favourite author

I have several authors that I stalk at the bookstore:

Colin Thompson

http://www.colinthompson.com/

My favourite childrens book author is Colin Thompson. His stories are good, but the real talent is in the artwork. The pictures alone are their own stunning artworks. Each page is filled with hidden images. Check out a few of my faves:

His books are very popular and kids love them. I was given a full set of them for my 21st, and I've collected the latest ones ever since. The covers are eyecatching too, what kid wouldn't want to read these?

Nicholas Evans

http://www.nicholasevans.com/

Nicholas Evans is the author of 'The Horse Whisperer' and this is what he's most famous for. Trust me, the book is much better than the movie. Personally my fave of his is 'The Smoke Jumper'. His stories are always set in the wilderness and tell tales of personal endurance against nature. They are very powerful and soulful. He has a new one out, his first in a while, and I'm headed to the bookstore this weekend. . .

Audrey Niffenegger

http://www.audreyniffenegger.com/

Audrey Niffenegger has written all sorts of work - poetry, songs, short stories and just two novels. "The Time Travellers Wife" is one of my all time favourite books. It's a fabulous story that I needed to read several times to fully understand it. That doesn't sound like a good thing, but it was such a good story that it was totally worth it. "Her Fearful Symmetry" was good to, not as complicated as the previous book, but still great.

Anthony Capella

http://www.anthonycapella.com/

Food and Love are the motifs of Anthony Capellas books. He tells amazing love stories with a background of food. "The Various Flavors of Coffee" is about a man that falls in love with an African woman while working for his fiances father, categorising and growing coffee beans. "The Wedding Officer" is set in Italy during the war and is about a young officer that falls in love with a local girl that works her family farm and orchard. "The Empress of Ice Cream" is about a young man that perfects the art of ice cream while working for the King of England and falls in love with his mistress. His stories are unique and well worth the read.



Jodi Picoult

http://www.jodipicoult.com/

But hands down, my favourite author is Jodi Picoult. Her books are fast becoming legendary. She tells amazing stories about current topics. She takes a controversial topics (such as high school shootings, gay couples raising children, organ donation by prisoners) or unexplored topics (such as children with brittle bone disease, teenagers with aspergers accused of murder, medical emancipation by minors) and writes stories exploring them. Jodi is very good at twist endings. You can read her books thinking you know exactly what's going to happen only be hit by a big twist at the end. Granted this doesn't happen every time, but more often than not it does. Regardless, her stories are always tear jerking, heartfelt and real thinkers.

Jodi releases a new book each March and I wait with baited breath for it all year. Jodi tours each year and a couple of times she's been to New Zealand. I've been to her talks twice now and I'm lucky enough to have a signed copy of my fave book "Second Glance". 



Day 3: The place I want to travel to

There are so many places that I want to travel to. I love to travel. LOVE TO TRAVEL! I keep making all sorts of plans to go to all sorts of places. There are so many things to do and places to go, that I have no idea how or when I'll ever be able to see them all.

That must be why I collect travel books - not just hundreds of travel guides, but atlas' and travel writing and books about cities, countries, festivals, traditions, anything and everything about other countries, culture and travel! I would love to find a job that required me to travel around the world as a tourist. Perhaps I should reinvent myself as a travel photographer. . .

I'd love to go back to the Middle East and explore more of Oman, see more of UAE and go to Bahrain and Qatar. I'd love to go to Egypt and Jordan and soak up the history. I went to the Middle East in June 2009. I spent a week in UAE, travelling around the country, but mostly in Dubai. Then I spent three weeks in Oman. I stayed in Muscat and travelled to surrounding cities and areas to see as much as I could. I also went to Kuwait City for a weekend as well. I was lucky enough to have a fabulous man that played tour guide and he really made sure I saw as much as possible in my time there. Because of that experience I fell in love with the place and I'm dying to go back again one day soon.

I've always dreamed about going to tropical islands like Tahiti, New Caledonia and Hawaii. I've been to Vanuatu and that was amazing - definetly worth going to for the relaxation factor.

Of course Europe is also on the list of most visit places. I've been to England and had a short trip to Spain, which I loved. I would really like to do a big tour of Europe. I especially want to see much more of Spain, Italy, Vienna, Portugal and Greece. I definetly want to see the other European nations, but for some reason these countries hold particular interest.

I'm also a fan of South America. I've always wanted to go to Brazil and experience the colour and festivities. Chile, Peru and Argentina would be amazing cultural experiences too. I'd want to hop over to the Caribbiean Islands while there and if luck was on my side I'd love to visit Cuba too. Not the safest country in the world to visit granted, but the culture I find interesting.

This leads me to the USA. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to go to the USA and to be honest if I had to pick just one place that I traveled to it would be the USA. I'm not ashamed to say that my fascination for the USA has stemed from TV and movies, and it's just grown from books and stories heard over the years. I once planned out a whole trip. It was a 60 day camping trip (yes you read right, I said camping) that went across the top states and back down the bottom states. Now days I dream of one day having the time (and the money) to go and spend three months (because that's how long a holiday visa is for a NZer) travelling around the USA.

I want to go to San Francisco for the art and hippie vibe, New York for the hustle and bustle, New Orleans for the soul, Miami for the sun, Los Angeles for Disneyland, Las Vegas for the extravagance, Boston for the history and all those different states and towns in between. It amazes me that a country has such different types of people and places from one state to the next.

While I dream of all these holidays and places to go I read travel books and look at photos and listen to stories, just to experience whatever I can. And while I think about saving for these big trips and adventures, I take mini, right-now kinda trips to Australia to visit family. It's enough of a break away to be a break away and somewhere different, but not to much of a change.

This all being said I do also dream of one day doing a road trip of the South Island. I've been as far as Christchurch and that's it. One day I'll jump in my car and head over the Cook Strait and down the island until I get to the bottom and then I'll drive back up the other side. I do think it's a little sad that I've lived here my whole life and there is still so much of my own country that I've yet to see.

I forsee a lot more travel in my life. Now, if I could only get the lotto numbers correct. . . .

The Cup and Curious George

Can you believe it's been a YEAR since John and I started The Alphabetical Movie Project?! A YEAR!! While I'm only up to reviewing "The Cup", we're actually half way through the D's in viewing. Before you say "You're only up to the D's"?! Keep in mind that we owned 28 C's and have between 5 and 15 of every letter in the alphabet. We also don't watch a movie every night, or every week for that matter. Often going several weeks before finding the time to sit down together. But then we do watch a few in a row, so I guess it evens out in the wash. After a quick count I can tell you that we've watched 77 of 282 movies so far. Not a bad effort - that's 1.5 movies a week or 6.4 movies a month. Now to catch up on the reviews. . . 

The Cup is one of Johns' DVD's that I had never really given much thought too. But I was very pleasantly surprised by its innocence and the beauty of it. Granted, it's not my typical type of movie. It has subtitles which I don't have much time for and it's about monks and soccor. But trust me, it's worth watching!

At a Tibetian monastery exiled in India new refugees have arrived. They are befriended by a couple of students and are quickly embroiled in the new friends obsession with the Football World Cup. The youngest student does everything he can to get permision for a TV to be brought in to the monastery on the night of the final.

The Cup is subtitled, but it was so sweet and funny that I didn't mind. (I'm not a subtitle fan if you hadn't already noticed.) Geko is such a dedicated wee guy to football, and like his friends on screen, I couldn't help but get so caught up in the world cup final excitement. You can see how passionate he is about it, even though he knows he shouldn't be. He is so genuine that you just know he's not trying to disrespect the faith  or those that guide him, but just be part of all the football excitement. I was rooting for him to win his request with the lamas to get a TV to watch the final and I was positvely rooting for them to get ready in time to watch it!

I could tell you who stars in it, but trust me when I say that you wouldn't recognise anyone. The wee boy was fantastic in his role, a real acting talent, with a very good cast of supporting actors.

I'd recommend this one for the feel good factor. There's no great moral to the story or terrifying propoganda, which is exactly why you should watch it. It's great for all the family.

Curious George is mine. Of course it is - I love childrens movies. It was originally a children's book that was made into a TV show in the 1980s and then this beautifully adapted movie in 2006. And I have read that they are making another Curious George movie to be released in 2013.

To save the museum he works at, Ted heads to the jungle in search of a large shrine for an exhibit. He encounters a cheeky monkey that loves his yellow hat. The monkey follows Ted back to New York where they quickly become good friends. George manages to create all sorts of trouble, just by being his adorable, inquisetive self while Ted tries to stop him and not get in too much trouble himself.

Drew Barrymore, Will Farrell and Dick van Dyke star as the voices of Ted, Mr Bloomsberry and Maggie. They are all such fabulous and strong actors that they can bring such talent to voiceovers.

The artistic quality of the cartoon has come along way since Curious George was a TV show in the 80's. The colour is fantastic - very bright and colourful which I love. It's also very detailed considering it's all drawn, plus the special effects that can be achieved these days is amazing.

But the thing that makes this movie memorable for me is the music. All the songs are written and performed by Jack Johnson. All the music is soulful and sweet and very fitting with the movie. It really added an extra element to the movie that hightens the movie to another level.

This movie is great for families to watch. It's not so much for an adult audience. Lots of children's movies these days have adult jokes and references for all those Mum's and Dad's that take the children to see the movie, however Curious George is not really one that has done this. However, if you're a kid at heart you'll still enjoy this one. Just take it for what it is - a very sweet and innocent movie aimed at making kids smile. And what could be better than that? :)

And that ladies and gentlemen is the end of the C's. 28 C's done and dusted. Wahoo. C is still our highest number movies. Next up is 15 D's. So far we've watched 10 of them. So over the Easter break look out for reviews for: The Da Vinci Code, Dark City, The Dark Crystal, The Day After Tomorrow, Death At A Funeral, DeJaVU, Deep Impact, Definetly, Maybe, Despicable Me, The Devil Wears Prada and Dog Soldiers.

Day 2: My most embarrasing moment

hmmmm, my most embarrasing moment. You know I don't think I ever really get so embarassed about something that I hold on to it and continue to be embarrased by it. Don't get my wrong I definetly have embarrassing moments (like the time I heard my workmate Linda answer the phone, then I answered the next call saying I was Linda. I would have rolled with it, but the caller knew Linda so I had to explain I wasn't actually her after all). But, I don't have many moments that I look back on an still feel embarrased about, mostly I look back and laugh.

Picking an embarrasing moment to share came down to two moments. The first one I'm going to tell you about and the second was what prompted the creation of my own hangover rule - "If you don't remember it happening, it didn't happen."

So here's my most embarrasing moment story:

It was 1997 (I think) during the school holidays. I had my sister Lee (only 11 years old) with me as I went into the city with my friends. We were going to the movies, but stopped off to get some McDonalds for lunch first. We went over to sit in Civic Square to eat. It must have been raining or cold because we sat in the entranceway to the town hall. I hadn't told anyone but for weeks I had been suffering from some major migraines, dizzy spells and vomiting.

While eating lunch I started to get very dizzy, but tried to shake it off. Unfortunetly I couldn't shake off the vomitting that followed. I still vividly remember standing on the steps and vomitting over and over again. Ele was holding my hair back while everyone else had fled the area. Lee was screaming and crying from worry while the others tried to work out what to do. I can see the faces of passerbys that were watching too. (Why did no one come over and see if we needed help?!)

Lee, Tracy and whoever else was there went to police station that is around the corner from Civic Square. Ele stayed with me while I continued to vomit everywhere. I'm not sure how long it took, but next thing I remember is sitting on the ground with my head in my hands and the police officer crouched in front of me asking me if I had been drinking. He questioned all my friends what I'd had to drink. I was so dizzy I couldn't speak, but I remember everyone insisting I hadn't been drinking anything at all (and I hadn't!)

Mr Policeman stands me up with the help of my friends and they walk me back to the police station. I remember walking along with Tracy holding me up on one side and the police officer on the other. When we got to the police station Dad was there. I'm not sure if they gave me water, made Dad sign anything or what the story was, but I do remember getting in to Dad's car, saying to him that he got there very fast and he replied saying "When the police ring and say they are bringing your 16 year old daughter in, you get there fast."

I remember being sooooo embarrased at the time. Embarrased that I was so sick I threw up in public, that I couldn't talk to the police officer I was so sick, that he thought I was drunk, that strangers were staring and assuming I was just another drunk teenager and that I was carried to a police station. These days I'm not so embarrased by it because if it was not for this incident I may not have sought medical treatment for what I now know is a major allergy to cocoa and oranges. After this incident I completely cut them out of my diet and haven't had a major episode since that fateful afternoon.

Granted I've had a few more moments that I still feel embarrased about, but this is by far the most publicly and spectacularly embarrasing moment of my life.

Day 1: 10 things you never knew about me

Coming up with 10 things YOU never knew about ME is a lot harder that it sounds. Firstly, I'm not entirely sure who's reading this, so for those that don't know me at all, it's fairly easy. Meanwhile, those that have known me forever (Hi Mum) it's a little trickier.

I'm also not very good and staying quiet, so if I have an opinion about something, I'll share it. I don't keep much to myself at all. I've done my best to come up with things that I think NO ONE knows about me, so I'll be interested to see how many of you actually do! Here we go:

10 Things you never knew about me:

1. I'm a Royalist - I love all the wedding hoopla at the moment, I love the history of the monachary. I visited Buckingham Palace and Sandringham Castle when I was in England. I love it all.

2. I'd like to be on stage, in a play or musical, but I'm too nervous to audition.

3. No matter how many times I try it, I just don't like corn.

4. When I was a teenager I coloured my hair blonde. It lasted about a week before I went back to brunette.

5. I applied to the student exchange programme. I wanted to go to the States, but didn't get past the first round of testing/interviews. I can't remember why I didn't get through.

6. I taught myself to touch type by typing out my favourite book.

7. It really annoys me that you simply can not buy mint icecream without chocolate chips.

8. I had to bribe an official to be allowed across the UAE/Oman boarder.

9. I'm terrible at looking after plants.

10. Dishwashing liquid makes my arms itch, but I'd still rather wash than dry.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I loved the prompts this week and next weeks looking good too. Enjoy!

1. Time

Important childhood moments are marked with beautiful charms on my charm bracelet. It's such a wonderful representation of my life over time.

2. Poem

I got this random can of coffee from the local Asian Supermarket. The poem on the front reads

"I'll love you dear, I'll love you till China and Africa meet

And the river jumps over the mountain

And the salmon sings in the street.

I'll love you till the ocean is folded and hung up to dry

And the seven stars go up squawking

Like geese about in the sky."

3. Outside

4. Zoom! or From the Car

You can spot these pelicans from the car and you only need to zoom in on them to capture a fantastic photo of them sitting up there.

5. Isolation

For some reason I love to photograph this earing, but I don't like to wear it. Go figure.