Songs In Blue

We arrived at our lakeside hotel Friday evening and were immediately impressed!  The room was HUGE and had so many perks we wondered how they got away with charging us so little!  The best part?  This massive spa bath:

We made a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up the necessities (wine, chocolate, strawberries, grapes, crackers, brie…) then spent the rest of our night chillin’ in the spa bath.  We took a few photos of the sunset too.

It was pretty awesome.

On Saturday, we walked into town and had a go at the mini golf.  Matt won, by a lot, but it was good fun!

Why yes, that is me wearing shorts and jandals!  The weather was so nice and warm all weekend – I even got a bit of a sunburn.  Hello, Summer!  (at least in Taupo, not so much in Wellington.)

After lunch, we walked to Huka Falls and took some photos.  I still can’t get over the colour of the water here – it’s so blue and pure looking.

Didn’t end up doing much with the rest of the day – ate some ice cream, went out to dinner, and watched a movie in our room.  It was nice to be able to take our time to do things and have a relaxing weekend.

Sunday was awesome.  We went to the hot pools and soaked in the hot water for a few hours with a couple waterslide breaks!  Look how pretty:

To top it all off, we had massages.  I’m addicted now – pretty sure I can justify getting one once a month from now on.  Why did I not have one before???

The only kinda bad thing that happened on our weekend was Sunday night’s dinner.  We went to a new Indian place and they were still getting used to running a restaurant.  We ordered our food and waited.  And waited.  And noticed EVERY table was waiting for some part of their meal.  After over an hour, I went up to ask when the food was coming as we hadn’t even been served entrees yet.  Apparently, they thought we had already had our entrees – at least the food came pretty quickly after I asked!  At the end of it all, we finished eating at 10pm.  Luckily, we were able to laugh at the whole thing.  We felt pretty bad for the staff cause they were just run off their feet.  One couple wasn’t so understanding though – they ate their entrees then did a runner!  It was pretty funny watching them run down the street.

I could definitely get used to weekends away!  Our next trip isn’t for a couple of weeks but I want to go NOW!

The Taupo post is coming – I’m still editing photos and recovering from an all around bad day yesterday.  Luckily, I waited until we returned the rental car to have a complete meltdown.  I’m a clumsy/awkward person on a good day, but yesterday was pretty epic…even for me. 

It all started after we got home, unpacked from the trip and went to the grocery store for our weekly shop.  Even though I had eaten a couple hours before, my stomach went into FEED ME NOW mode and I felt like passing out.  It took everything I had to get through the shop and back home.  As a sidenote, HUNGRY and GRUMPY go hand in hand with me – I can’t have one without the other.  So I’m not sure why Matt thought it would be a good idea to DRAW ON MY BACK with PERMANENT MARKER while I was making myself a protein shake.

W.T.F.

He apologized and wiped it off with a tissue because the permanent marker? Not so permanent!  (Thank God)

At this point, I don’t know if it was the milk I used in my protein shake, having dairy on an empty stomach, the Indian food from the night before or a combination of all three but I start to feel a bit….off.  After a few trips to the bathroom, my self diagnosis is that I have a mild case of what is affectionately known around our house as THE BUM WHEEZE.  Awesome…

Luckily, it passes somewhat quickly (bad choice of words) and I get on with doing laundry and cooking dinner.  But now, I’m starting to feel really lethargic (probably thanks to the early morning, driving for 6 hours, and all of the above).  All the little things start to add up – I forget to put on the dryer, the sunburn on my chest turns into heat rash, my scalp is also burnt, and I notice the big ass pimple that’s developed on my nose.  I’m tired, whiny, my tummy hurts, and all I want is something to GO RIGHT. 

I decided a nice cold glass of Coke Zero would be a step in the right direction.  So I took out the 1.5L bottle that we had put in the freezer (we bought it off the shelf) and noticed about half of it was frozen.  No big deal, I thought.  Next thing I know, there’s a loud BANG and Coke Zero EXPLODES in my face, leaving myself and my kitchen completely soaked.  I disintegrate into a hysterical, laughing/sobbing, sticky mess and Matt quickly comes to my rescue. 

That was the worst of it, but the day continued to mock me with dinner being a giant FAIL in the flavour department. 

At least there were strawberries and chocolate sauce, a hot shower, and a comfy bed to end the day on a good note.

We’re going to Taupo this weekend!  There will be walks, and hot pools, and massages, and you’ve heard all this before…Can you tell I’m excited?  And also, a little nervous?  This weekend will be the first time I’ve driven IN A YEAR!  I have no need to where I live and, more importantly, no car to drive even if I wanted.  I know as soon as I get behind the wheel I’ll be fine – just need to remember to drive on the right (left) side of the road.

We actually have quite a few trips planned for summer. So many that we should really come up with a name for the collective group – I’ll leave that to someone else as I’m not very creative in the name department…

Anyway, 3 weeks after our Taupo trip we’re going to Toast Martinborough.  It’s a one day wine festival that we’re turning into a weekend with a few people from Matt’s work.  We booked our house way back in April and it was one of the last places available.  It looks awesome, and I can’t wait to go!  I bought a dress to wear on the actual day – it’s up on Flickr and I’d really love your opinion so leave a comment!  I don’t mind brutal honesty so be sure to say EXACTLY what you think.  I still have a few weeks to buy a new dress if need be…

The trip after that is a big one!  We leave Dec.27 (Happy Birthday Mom!) and will be road trippin’ for 2 weeks in the South Island.  We’ll be in Golden Bay for the longest amount of time – hanging out on the beach, doing some walking tracks, kayaking, and I want to go horseback riding along the beach.  Matt’s not too keen on the last one (fair enough) but I’ll go by myself if I have to cause it looks like so much fun!

After that, we’ll go to Westport for a couple nights, Franz Josef (Glacier and Hot springs) for one, Wanaka for 2 more, then spend a few days visiting Matt’s Dad in Timaru.  We’ll finish the trip with a night in Christchurch (apparently Chinese food and the Casino are on the menu) and fly home the next morning!

But wait, there’s more!  Three days after all that we’re flying up to Auckland for a few days and going to Big Day Out – a one day music festival being headlined by Muse!  We’re staying at the SkyCity hotel which has a heated rooftop pool (that you won’t get me out of) and the Casino (that you won’t get Matt out of) downstairs!

There’s also a few ideas for camping trips and visiting Matt’s older brother and nephews sometime in February, but nothing’s been booked yet.

I’m excited (and little bit tired) just from writing all that out but we want to make the most of this summer, especially since there will be little to no travel next year.  Matt starts accounting school in April so he’ll have his head buried in books for the majority of 7 months and I want to use that time to save as much money as I can.

We’ll have to plan a big trip when he’s finished to celebrate!

I stole this meme from Sharon, who made it look a lot easier than it is!  Enjoy!

A – Advocate For: ‘Advocate’ is a pretty strong word.  I have my opinions and things I believe in but it’s not like I’m out there actively promoting them.  I’m also able to see both sides of an argument which makes sitting on the fence quite easy for me (as evidenced by this answer).

B – Best Feature: I give the same answer to this question every time I see it – my boobs.  I’m sure that makes my parents proud (Hi Mom and Dad) but it’s true.  Matt has said he really likes my smile which is good cause it cost my parents a lot of money! Before braces, my teeth looked as if they had declared war on each other.

C – Could do without: Mondays.

D – Dreams & Desires: They change on a daily basis.  Right now, I want to get our own place, live overseas (Canada/Europe) for a few years, get ahead financially, eventually get married and have a few kids (that’s been on the list since I was 10).

E – Essential items: My camera.

F – Favourite pastime: I don’t really have much time to pass.  When I get some time, I usually go on the internet or watch some tv.  I’m not a big reader unless I find a really good book (suggestions?).  And I have a cross-stitch that’s calling my name but can’t really be bothered to start it.

G – Good at: Putting others before myself – sometimes to a fault.  I could probably learn to be a bit more selfish, just so I don’t feel like I’m always giving and not getting anything back.  But you reap what you sow, I guess!  On a completely different note, I also think I’m a pretty good cook!

H – Have never tried: Drugs. And never will.

I – If I Had a Million Dollars: I’d buy a decent house, go on vacation, put the rest in a term deposit, live off the interest and keep working. I’m not even kidding.  I’d much rather make it last for as long as possible instead of blowing it all.

J – Junkie For: Sour candy.  Specifically, sour keys.  If you send me some, I’ll love you forever.

K – Kindred Spirit: Danielle.  We always seem to go through the same things at the same time even if it’s been months since we last talked.  We’ve been best friends for 10 years now with no end in sight – she’s my soulmate.

L – Little Known Fact: I love having my tummy rubbed – it helps me fall asleep!

M – Memorable Moment: There are so many! Just read my archives from the last few years – it’s full of crazy things I’ve done!

N – Never Again Will I: Eat a cherry tomato.  I’ve been scarred for life.

O – Occasional Indulgence: A haircut/dye would be what I consider an indulgence.  I’m getting a massage at a spa for the first time when we’re in Taupo next week…pretty excited about that!

P – Profession: Support Administrator of a few Superannuation schemes

Q – Quote: “You’re beautiful and I am weakened by the force of your eyes” – my favourite lyric EVER! Show you love – Jars of Clay.

R – Reason to Smile: There’s quite a few but I’ll pick just one.  I have a few trips coming up over the next few months that I’m real excited for!

S – Sorry About: Nothing at the moment…

T – Things That Are Worrying You Right Now: Things that I shouldn’t be worried about.

U – Uninterested In: Going back to school.  There isn’t one thing I want to do for the rest of my life so Uni would be a waste of money for me!

V – Very Scared Of: Scary movies (and yes, Harry Potter counts – it terrifies me), heights, and the Scream mask my flatmates like to hang on the back of the bathroom door to freak me out.

W – Worst Habits: Nail biting

X – X Marks My Ideal Vacation Spot: Just give me hot weather, a beach, and an open bar and I’ll be set.

Y – Yummiest Desert: these little Mississippi pie cups that are at our grocery store.  I can barely describe their goodness – the tastiest thing ever to be in my mouth.

Z – Zodiac Sign: Don’t know, don’t really care.

A couple months ago, I wrote about how money is the root of all evil.  I still feel the same way, but the stress of it all has kinda eased off.  Last week I made my last debt payment!  Granted, I got a loan from the Bank of Matt to cover what I didn’t have but that will be paid back soon enough too.  At the very least, I no longer have to worry about losing money on the exchange rate!  Now, to get ahead…
 
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I’ve lost 10 lbs now.  Well, I lost 10 lbs 4 weeks ago and haven’t been able to lose any more since!  The last couple weeks have been a bit of a food fest with my birthday presents and dinners (the last of which was Saturday).  I just can’t say no to the cake but I’m ok with that.  However, I’m not ok with another week of no change so I’ll be working my ass off to make sure that doesn’t happen.  Gotta love my competitive nature even if it is just with myself…
I should mention that Matt’s done real well since we started this whole working out/eating healthy thing.  He’s lost 10kgs (22 pounds) and is looking mighty fine!
 
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Matt and I decided we wanted to go away for the long weekend coming up then planned and booked everything, all in one night!  We are machines.  So we’ll take a half day next Friday and drive up to Taupo for the weekend!  We’re thinking about walking up to Huka Falls and taking some sweet photos with my tripod then spending the next day getting massages (never had a proper one) and hanging out in the hot springs.  I’m so! freakin! excited!

This is part three of my question answering saga.  The answers might be taking me awhile but I’m getting through the questions – only a couple more to go after these. 

Thanks Alexbettylou and Courtney for the questions by the way (although I suspect Courtney’s wasn’t intended to be taken too seriously).

If Dayna wanted to go back home and refused to live anywhere else, would you be happy to go too? 

I haven’t thought about this too much yet since it’s not really an option at the moment.  I’m definitely working in New Zealand for another two years at least but I guess once I finish all my final exams and get some fancy letters after my name I can start to think of living somewhere else as an option. 

If Dayna said she wanted to go back home in a few years from now then I would definitely be happy to go along for at least a few years.  I like Canada.  It’s a cool place and I would love to spend some more time there.  And it’d be great to get to know Dayna’s family a bit better.   

My only tiny little issue with Canada is the cold weather.  The fact that I hate cold weather and it was the middle of winter the only time I’ve been there probably doesn’t help.  But I’d be willing to risk some mild hypothermia if it meant Dayna could be near her family.

As for living there for good – I don’t know for sure (sorry, kind of sitting on the fence with that answer).  I love living in New Zealand and I couldn’t really imagine spending the rest of my life somewhere else.  Dayna seems to quite like it here too but if she turned around one day and decided she wanted to leave for good then I don’t really know what I would do yet.  I think I will just cross that bridge if I get to it.

Anyway, the plan at the moment is to be ridiculously rich so we can afford to fly back and forth between countries whenever we like – that should solve most of the problem.

Matt. Why do you have to live in New Zealand? I would much rather you live in Canada so I could see my big sis more.

Well…aside from the fact that I was born here, I’m stuck here at the moment anyway with the whole getting qualified thing as mentioned above.  So it’s not really my fault. 

There is also the fact that New Zealand is AWESOME anyway.  Really you should just come here and visit Dayna.  We can watch whales, swim with dolphins, climb volcanoes, go Bungy jumping, do a Haka, get a Moko, play rugby, ride sheep…whatever touristy things you want to do – you’ll love it.  Maybe finish school first though so your mum (or is it “mom”?) won’t get mad with me.

There’s also the issue of the weather in Canada though.  I’m pretty sure I’m allergic to cold weather.  So if you could get started on making winters warmer over there then that’d be great.  Maybe buy a big gas-guzzling car and don’t walk anywhere.  Tell all your friends to do the same.  Global warming should sort out the rest. 

Actually, if Al Gore is right then global warming will probably put New Zealand under water soon enough and we’ll have to move.  And Canada will have nice warm winters by that stage too… 

What is it about Dayna that you miss most anyway?  Is it her attempts at dancing like Beyonce?  If it is then we could maybe arrange for a little video of it to be put up on YouTube. 

I guess it could also be her crazy-excited laugh that you miss.  The really excited-can’t breathe-actually kind of scary-laugh.  If so, I could send you a tape of that too.  Or you could just find a slightly breathless Banshee and get her to scream at you.  Or try cutting some metal with an electric saw. 

(Just joking – Dayna, your laugh is like a beautiful symphony to me)

Anyway Courtney, I’m sorry you don’t get to see much of your sister at the moment.  Rumour has it that Dayna may be making an appearance in Canada next year anyway.  Hopefully that will be enough for now.  At least until we see how the whole global warming plan pans out.

I think it’s safe to say that this year was one of the best birthdays I’ve had.

On Saturday, we went to Strawberry Fare for fancy dessert.  I had the Lemon Chocolate Cheesecake and it was so rich I couldn’t finish it.

Then on Tuesday(my actual birthday), we went to the Green Man Pub for their quiz night.  I didn’t take any photos cause I was too busy competing, but our team ended up winning a $105 bar tab!  We went back yesterday to use it for dinner, and also got this yummy drink for free.

After the quiz, we had cake that Catherine made me and opened presents.

Matt bought me a sweet tripod for my camera, and here he is playing with it.  I’m pretty sure he’s just as excited as I am! I can’t wait to go out on a clear night and take some sweet photos…

Jono and Cath got me a dvd box set of Shark shows.  If you know me, you know how obsessed I am with Sharks so this present was pretty much  perfect.  I’m not going to lie, I was really excited about it…

The birthday high has started to wear off tho.  I am officially an adult.  I’ve spent the last few days doing a lot of thinking about where I’m at in certain areas of my life.  I’m content with most of it, but in the areas of work and finances something needs to change. Soon.  I’ll figure that out eventually, so for now I’ll concentrate on the things I love…and watch some sweet Shark shows while I’m at it.