February - Twenty seven

 

February 27. The earthquake has been a very rubbish experience, even by proxy. I haven't much felt like taking pictures.  I organised an impromptu get together of old high school buddies, spurred on by my friend Cameron in the blue having been in Christchurch on that fateful day, and our other friend Mike being home from China for a visit. This year marks 20 years since we finished high school and parted ways forever, it is a wonderful experience being able to come back together again and enjoy each others company. Some of us have been friends now for 27 years, its remarkable to be able to say that.

February - Twenty four

 

February 24. Attempting to get out of the house and away from the horror on the telly, Seb decided we would go to Mission Bay, we sat on the beach and Cole and I beachcombed, doing our bit for the moana by picking up bits of rubbish. We stopped on Okahu Wharf, the boys leaned against the wind, it was nice to do something normal.

February - Twenty three

 

February 23. We wake to this on the front page, and life seemingly stops. I spend most of the day watching the television waiting for updates. I was supposed to go to uni orientation but I find I can't leave the house. Everything is abit of a daze. My mum came over with food, we watched the news, the whole thing does your head.

February - Twenty two

February 22. From 17 minutes past 1 in the afternoon, the Christchurch earthquake had my full attention. I called Kirsty, unaware of the depth of what had happened, to see if she was alright. Her voice told me everything I didn't want to hear, and then this on the television, an unrelenting, live feed of raw footage. It is an incredibly emotional thing to witness, I feel sad inside in a way I never imagined. 

February - Twenty

 

February 20. We went to my nanas to help set up her new laptop with a wireless modem, and thus she joins the world of fast(er) internet. She cooked a beautiful dinner for us while I went outside and took photos. This is the house I lived in as a small child, its always been a constant, and it always feels like home.

February - Nineteen

 

February 19. We are at Amys, I don't what they are talking about but it looks like no good. 

February - Sixteen

 

February 16. Gaby invited me to join her dance company 'Atamira' for the day as she embarks on work around the process of weaving and Maori art. Shes wearing a piu-piu made by the lady in the centre photo. We spent some time learning the art of removing muka from harakeke, I went along to watch the methods and try to add to my own knowledge. It was fantastic to watch each dancer try the piu piu on and bring it to life with their movement.

February - Fifteen

 

February 15. We had takeways in the car, and drove up One Tree Hill. We took a leisurely stroll to the summit, its a view I never tire of looking at, I never stop feeling glad I live here, it never stops being beautiful.

February - Thirteen

 

February13. The men went and played golf, while the mothers stayed at home with the children. Nureyev enjoyed his new batman costume while Holiday hung out with me and her mummy and we figured out stuff with flax.

February - Twelve

February 12. Sebs nephew Max had a skate party for his 9th birthday, we went to the new purpose built skate park in Botany downs, a seething mass of teenage daring, perspiration and silent admiration of the 'able' skate masters. Fun to watch, but I don't think I'll be joining them anytime.

February - Eleven

February 11. Last night Sebastian suffered a suspected Hyphema after taking a shower, his cornea had blood in it so we went to the A & E but it was closed when we got there. On the drive home the bleeding mysteriously disappeared! Nevertheless we went back to the doctor this morning. I know, its weird, I took pictures in the doctors rooms, but Seb and Dr Phil (a different one to the texan) were in another room, and well I was left to my own devices, I saw a blog opportunity... I then went to see Dr Neil and had a chiropractic adjustment. It was a day for doctors.

February - Ten

 

February 10. We went looking for Max's birthday present, Seb got some icecreams at Maccas, I asked for a coke, the grumpy serving girl gave him a frozen one. It was incrediby anticlimactic. When you get your heart set on a thing and you don't get it, it sucks.

February - Nine

 

February 9. I was sitting in my car in the carpark at the supermarket, with my new Diary I just bought for the academic year , shoes on the chair I wore to lunch with Letitia and Derrick, my friends from uni, trying to figure out what food I could afford to buy. Oh a students life!

February - Eight

 

February 8. Driving home from meeting my mother in Manukau I saw a billowing mass of black smoke coming from near where we live. By the time I got there it was just this sort of insipid little spire, and there was loads of fire trucks. This probably really ruined someones day, I hope they were insured.

February - Six

 

February 6. Waitangi day, day of the signing of our founding document, day I didn't do anything because it was really hot. Kobi's friend Jack came over, we took the kids to the park to skate, they are getting pretty good at it.

February - Five

 

February 5. The boys called me into the garden to see a new 'mystery' cat, a cat never seen before. I followed him down to the fenceline and took his picture, hes a beautiful giant boy, with markings that suspiciously look like the same ones as Jeffurry and Juno. The boys named the likely Daddycat 'Fresno' and then Lulu came and chased him off.

February - Three

 

February 3. Working for the man + 80% humidity + no time off for holidays = this version of Seb.

February - Two

February 1. In October Lulu gave birth to 3 kittens in the shed, we adopted all of them. Jeffurry is the only boy, and its true that I love them all but he is my favourite one. I knew it the minute I saw his little one day old self. I named him Jeffurry because... hes a Jeffurry. Coincidentally, 2 kittens from this batch share names with overseas friends, Ariel and Jeff, count yourselves special!

February - One

 

February 1. Its about 8.15 am, the kids are at the door, ready to go, Im not sure they are pleased about it, in fact, I know they are not. But they are good kids, and they got themselves ready with little fuss, they were already dressed and eating breakfast when I woke up. 2011, Kobi is Year 8, last year of intermediate, Cole is in Year 5.

January - Thirty One

 

January 31. Last day of the holidays, I elected to drive out to Huia and spend the afternoon with Gabby and Estevez, Nureyev, Holiday, Chewy and Palace and the chickens. We haven't seen them since Holidays first birthday, so I took some of those apples which we cooked and ate with rhubarb yoghurt. Men cut trees, children skateboarded,  I wish we did this more often.

January - Twenty Nine

 

January 29. Went to my mums, she was making some birthday cards with new stamps shes just got, mad scrapbook fever lady. She also has 4 apple trees, laden with new seasons braeburn, so we collected the windfall apples off the lawn, they were starchy and sour but they made beautiful apple sauce.

January - Twenty Eight

 

January 28. Friday night at Amy's, I've taken some food and drinks, and we're hanging out, the kids are playing, the cats playing, the grown ups are happy, its good times. I massaged Gabriel into oblivion, its amazing how compliant a toddler becomes when you rub their feet.

January - Twenty Seven

 

January 27. Its the last days of holidays, Seb wanted to go to the beach for a swim, so I suggested visiting Mike, Kat and the kids. We went down to Milford beach and had fish and chips, the kids swam and then everyone played abit of beach cricket. I don't think I've seen so many dogs in one place in my life. Perfect end to the summer hols, next week its back to reality.

January - Twenty Six

January 26. Kirsty came for an impromptu visit, which I love. cheese, crackers and a cocktaily thing with Rose', cranberry and soda water. Just what you need for a nice summers evening.

January - Twenty Four

 

January 24 - the weather has been weird, loads of rain, not like usual, so when the chance to catch up on the washing presents itself, you really don't ignore it.

January - Twenty Three

January 23. Sunday night, feeling tired, one week to go till the boys are back at school. Maccas and a movie, I can't recall what, but thats possibly because I was paying more attention to those cats playing mischief in the hallway.

January - Twenty Two

January 22. Its post-BDO, its cold, its raining, its January. Im wearing my new shirt I got for Xmas, and Im eating beans on toast because its nice to eat hearty food on rainy days. I also went to Kirstys, she was in slippers, I like to visit with her and Adam when they're in Auckland and her Dad moved to Onehunga so its even better. I like Kirstys parents rug, its ace.

January - Twenty One

January 21. Big Day Out 2011 - not there to see anyone particularly remarkable, Im getting old and my music knowledge is slipping. Seb, Mat and myself, with guest appearances by Adam, Emma D and Saskia were what consisted of my company, and its the first day we've been to when it rained like buggery. Thank god I was smart and took ponchos. Pick of the Day - Kora. booked 2 days before the gig, well worth it.