photo published !!

i got a photo published - albeit online.

schamp have used a shot i took on tamaki drive on nells citizenship celebration night.

just as well i wasnt quite drunk yet.

http://www.schmap.com/auckland/tours_tour1/#p=29675&i=29675_2.jpg

whats the deal with poker

muwahahaha - i am so sad i am laughing at my own puns.
but after spending quite a bit of time waiting around for buses in the last few days, i have found an interesting way to amuse myself. i have become addicted to poker.
before i left home for south america, we played a little at a dinner party at my house. cossie tried to teach us betting and texas holdem.
then when we got to the secret garden at cotopaxi, the guys in our group played a lot. nell got into it too.
in cusco, we met stewart - who after being on his honeymoon for a year was using ladbrokes tournaments as time to get away.
now its me thats hooked ! cossie is teaching me more and more via gmail chat and is going to send me links to videos on youtube.
at least on facebook i am only playing with points. god help me when it becomes real money.

half time score

i cant believe that i am already basically half way through my south america trip.
time seems to fly when you are having fun.
and even on the times when you are not.

i have come to a couple of conclusions (and seeing i am stuck in uyuni, bolivia for an extra day) i thought it was time i wrote them down.

1. it is possible for a week (a day, a month) to be too touristy.
the thing about travelling is that you dont really give yourself a weekend. i try so hard to make each day worth it, and as i find i wish i had more time in each country, i dont really seem to take a rest. thats not good - i have started to take things a little more slowly so that i can appreciate what i am doing each day.

2. travelling 24/7 with a friend IS HARD. dont let anyone tell you any different. dont get me wrong, i love nell to pieces, but spending all day and all night together does get a little strained. i have decided to try and live by the rule - dont sweat the small stuff. sometimes you have to compromise and other times you just have to shut the hell up.

3. what did travellers do before facebook ?
everyone we meet (well just about) - ends a hangout period with the sentence ¨facebook me¨ or ¨i will facebook you¨ and its actually kinda helpful.
you do meet the same people again and again on the gringo trail and getting hints and helps about places to go and not to go is awesome. plus you can read what your travelmates are telling other peeps too.

my volkswagen rocks your effing socks .. b*tch!

i drive a MkIII Volkswagen Golf GTI and she is the apple of my eye.
i have owned her for nearly 2 years now - and i've done a little bit but nothing major to the engine.

i took my friend andy out to meet my friend leigh last night and they stood around looking at the engine and making a list. now some of it i understood and some of it just went right over the top of my head.

the boys are making a list for me - its a little different to the list that i had, so we will see which items are necessary and which ones are nice-to-haves.

my requirements are :
i want some more power and acceleration before 3500-4000rpm.
i want smoother acceleration - better response.
i would really like another 50bhp.
shes done 180,000ks and i would like another 100,000 at least from her.

my list was :
gearbox rebuild - fix 2nd gear synchro
extractors
cold air intake
port and polish the head

whats on the boys list :

gasket set for gearbox
clutch and flywheel
2nd gear synchro ring and hub
reverse gear
bearings
limited slip diff (bolt kit for diff)
cams
adjustable cam gears
front brakes and calipers (i would really like some AP racing brakes)
wheel bearings
front hubs
springs and shocks
rear sway bar
coldair intake
extractors
blueprint manifolds
tinted windows

nell made a comment on my blog about BMW driver training - can she have handlebars?
i think she might need more than that !

MAYHEM in 35 days !

its 35 days til we leave !!!

the time has just flown by. at almost this time exactly in 5 weeks, nell and i will be taking off on another chapter in the adventures of the International Women of Mayhem.

i'm in my office today finalising the last of the accommodation bookings, updating the trip budget and packing up my bookcase. its all too exciting for words but i shall try to convey exactly what i am thinking right now.

london and yorkshire are going to be cool as i get to see my brother and meet the new girl in his life. we also get to take mom under the channel to paris for her birthday.

the united states will be a blast. we'll get to run through central park as well as enjoy a real new york show. then after mercilessly teasing andrew (junior) we'll cut a swathe through vegas and new orleans and onto miami. we're both pretty good at being miami (sun, diving and drinking)

then the adventure starts ! the real challenges will be the language and roughing it a little.

but you know what i decided tonight ?
part of growing up is growing out - growing in experience, sensibility, knowledge of the world and knowledge of self - and exactly what i am capable of is only going to increase.

AUTOBOTS .. roll out

last night nell, marcia, jontie, cossie, maresa, dan and i went to the mega screen at queen street to watch the Transformers movie.

i said it last night and i'll say it again - TRANSFORMERS ROCKS !

1. its funny
2. the storyline aint too bad
3. the acting aint too bad
4. the animation blew my mind
5. the whole theatre was laughing
6. i was cheering
7. optimus prime says "autobots - roll out"
8. ok - the animation kicked ass
9. i'm going again

transformers on wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers_%28film%29

BMW - look out!

i've signed up to complete the level 1 BMW driver training course.
its at the pukekohe race course on the 9th of july. the driver trainer is a friend of a friend so i'm hoping i might get an extra lap or two - and that i wont get my ass kicked if i write off one of their cars. woo hoo !!

This programme is modelled directly on BMW’s International Driver Training schools, and offers participants an active and dynamic drive experience that provides driving pleasure, education and fun in a controlled and safe environment. It includes both theory and practical sessions, and a certificate of accomplishment is issued at the successful completion of the course.

The Advanced I course prepares you for typical situations and hazards in urban traffic. Teaching the basic requirements for optimum control of the vehicle, realistic self – assessment and practical experience on traffic and hazard situations at 50 to 60 km/h. A combination of driving manoeuvres are practised in the slalom against the clock and you will explore the optimum line around bends as you are guided by a pace car around the track.

BMW Driver Training uses a fleet of five Z4’s and five 130i M Sport cars.

The venue is the recently upgraded racetrack at Pukekohe south of Auckland. Your host for the day will be senior driving instructor Mike Eady, one of New Zealand's most experienced professional driver trainers.

knowing your sagittarius

SAGITTARIUS:
November 22nd - December 21st

If you are in love with a Sagittarius woman, give her freedom and honesty. This is one honey who will resist any and all efforts to be pinned down too definitively and you would do best to understand this from the start. She needs plenty of rope.
well ...yes and no.
this sagittarius girl likes her freedom but she doesnt mind a bit of committment - just when shes ready. and as for the pinning down and the rope - yes please!

Don't expect a quick commitment here either; this lover is fairly independent and enjoys her own company. You will never be bored with a Sagittarius partner though. This individual is interested in almost everything and delights in sharing knowledge with you and everyone else.
yup that part is definitely all me.

"Flirt" could be a middle name here. Jealousy is a no-no as the exchange of conversation is nearly as important as air and food to this person.
flirt should be my first name.
i'd flirt with a power pole if it would respond and flirt back.
i like naughty conversation as well as day to day chats about anything.
i dont dig jealousy at all. its very unattractive.

Friendly as a new puppy, she meanders about collecting and dispensing data with all comers. Physical fitness is also important here. Often possessing natural athletic abilities, she can be found hiking, biking, running, or skiing, and will want you to keep right up alongside. You will have many joint memories of wilderness treks, roaring campfires, and starlit nights. Adventuresomeness is quite near the top of the qualities you must have to be of any interest to this enterprising individual. The meek need not apply.
adventurous - yes.
naturally athletic - i dont think so.
until i starting diving there wasnt really anything athletic that i was especially good at. i like yoga and kickboxing though.
the outdoors - yup. a bit of camping, watersports, i like to get outside my comfort zone except when it comes to heights. **shudder**

Your main challenges here may be learning to live with the occasional disorganization of this busy soul and the directness which could be construed as lack of tact.
i wish i was as organised as i would like to be - or as i think i am !
i like to think i am blunt too - rather than tactless. basically i say what i think. say what i mean and mean what i say. if you get offended then thats your problem.

You must understand that this person abhors dishonesty and is quite incapable of participating in it.
if theres one thing that my friends know about me - dont lie to me.
tell me the honest hurting truth but dont cover anything up or even worse, try and lie by ommission.

Too many concurrent projects can scatter her energy but your encouragement may be all that's needed to keep the number reasonable.

You have found a dynamic friend. Enjoy the wit and repartee, explore new worlds and lost civilizations together and talk until the wee hours of the morning.

With this individual, you can have fun!
http://www.astrology.com.au/12signs/sagittarius.asp

boarding in 5 mins

the departures board has been telling me that my flight will be boarding in 5 minutes for nearly 40 minutes now.
today is going to be a very long day.
up at 2:30 for a flight to melbourne. application workshops all day today - finishing around 6pm melbourne time (thats 8pm NZST).
same again for thursday and friday and then last flight home friday.

big sleep saturday!
thought i might go and dance my feet off at the our house party on saturday night.

possibly a new tattoo on sunday?
any able to translate some english into maori for me?

growing up in new zealand

this little mail has been doing the rounds.
but for any one who grew up in new zealand it should bring back awesome memories of your childhood.

I'm talking about hide and seek/spotlight in the park.
The corner dairy, hopscotch, four square, go carts, cricket in front of the garbage bin and inviting everyone on your street to join in, skipping (double dutch), gutterball, handstands, elastics, bullrush, catch and kiss, footy on the best lawn in the street, slip'n'slides, the trampoline with water on it (or a sprinkler under it), hula hoops, jumping in puddles with gumboots on, mud pies and building dams in the gutter.
The smell of the sun and fresh cut grass.

'Big bubbles no troubles' with Hubba Bubba bubble gum.
A topsy. Mr Whippy cones on a warm summer night after you've chased him round the block.
20 cents worth of mixed lollies lasted a week and pretending to smoke "smokes" (the lollies) was really cool!..
A dollars' worth of chips from the corner take-away fed two people (AND the sauce was free!!).

Being upset when you botched putting on the temporary tattoo from the bubblegum packet, but still wearing it proudly.

Watching Saturday morning cartoons: 'The Smurfs', 'AstroBoy', 'He-man', 'Captain Caveman', 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', 'Jem' (truly outrageous!!), 'Super d', and 'Heeeey heeeeey heeeeeeey it's faaaaaaat Albert'.
Or staying up late and sneaking a look at the "AO" on the second telly, being amazed when you watched TV right up until the 'Goodnight Kiwi!'

When After School with Jason Gunn & Thingie had a cult following and What Now was on Saturday mornings!
When around the corner seemed a long way, and going into town seemed like going somewhere.
Where running away meant you did laps of the block because you weren't allowed to cross the road??
A million mozzie bites, wasp and bee stings (stee bings!).

Sticky fingers, goodies & baddies, cops and robbers, cowboys and indians, riding bikes til the streetlights came on and catching tadpoles in horse troughs.

Going down to the school swimming pool when you didn't have a key and your friends letting you in, drawing all over the road and driveway with chalk.
Climbing trees and building huts out of every sheet your mum had in the cupboard (and never putting them back folded). Walking to school in bare feet, no matter what the weather.

When writing 'I love....? on your pencil case, really did mean it was true love.
"he loves me? he loves me not?" and daisy chains on the front lawn.
Stealing other people's flowers from their gardens and then selling them back to them...

Running till you were out of breath.
Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.
Pitching the tent in the back/front yard (and never being able to find all the pegs).
Jumping on the bed. Singing into your hair brush in front of the mirror, making mix tapes...

Sleep overs and ghosts stories with the next door neighbours.
Pillowfights, spinning round, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for the giggles.
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.
Weetbix cards pegged on the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle. Collecting WWF and garbage pail kids cards.
Eating raw jelly and raro, making homemade lemonade and sucking on a Rad, a traffic light popsicle, or a Paddle Pop... blurple, yollange and prink!

You knew everyone in your street - and so did your parents!
It wasn't odd to have two or three "best friends" and you would ask them by sending a note asking them to be your best friend.

You didn't sleep a wink on Christmas eve and tried (and failed) to wait up for the tooth fairy.
When nobody owned a pure-bred dog.
When 50c was decent pocket money. When you'd reach into a muddy gutter for 10c.

When nearly everyone's mum was there when the kids got home from school.
It was magic when dad would "remove" his thumb.

When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at the local Chinese restaurant (or Cobb'n'Co.) with your family.

When any parent could discipline any kid, or feed her or use him to carry groceries and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.

When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited a misbehaving student at home.

Basically, we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc.
Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! Some of us are still afraid of them!!!

Remember when decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo" or dib dib's-scissors, paper, rock.
"Race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in Monopoly.

Terrorism was when the older kids were at the end of your street with pea-shooters waiting to ambush you, or the neighbourhood rottie chased you up a tree!

The worst thing you could catch from the opposite gender was boy/girl germs, and the worst thing in your day was having to sit next to one.

Where bluelight disco's were the equivalent to a Rave, and asking a boy out meant writing a 'polite' note getting them to tick 'yes' or 'no'.
When there was always that one 'HOT' guy/girl.

Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot.
Your biggest danger at school was accidentally walking through the middle of a heated game of "brandies".

Birthday beats meant you didn't want to go to school on your birthday!

Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better.
Taking drugs meant scoffing orange-flavoured chewable vitamin C's, or swallowing half a Panadol.
Ice cream was considered a basic food group. Going to the beach and catching a wave was a dream come true.
Boogie boarding in the white wash made you the next Kelly Slater.
Abilities were discovered because of a "double- dare".

Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.

how i handle stress

1. stuff tiny mashmallows up my nose and try and sneeze them out.
i hate marshmallows so its seems significant punishment for their existence.

2. use my mastercard to pay my visa bill.
last time i did this i paid my visa off - so this is no longer an option - bugger (this was one of my favourites).

3. pop some popcorn without the lid on.

4. when someone tells me to "have a nice day" - i tell them i have other plans.

5. i make lists - of things i have already done.

6. i dance naked in front of my cat.

7. i start little rumors to see how much they change by the time they get back to me.

dumtie dumtie do

i said i wouldnt.

but i did.

i signed up with dive! tutukaka to complete my PADI divemaster certification next year.

i think part of it is the avoidance of work after we return - for as long as possible!
post cossie and maresas wedding in matakana, me and ryan (my pack and assorted other bags that i will be living out of) plus all my dive gear and my cameras etc will migrate north to tutukaka to live in an as yet undisclosed location for the next 4-6 weeks.
dive! tutukaka like to run an pretty intensive program apparently but the best bestest besterer news of all is that both anna and andrew will be working up there as instructors. anna took me for my advanced, wreck and deep dive specialties and andrew took my rescue and digital photography.

so .. 4 weeks diving. out at the knights - boat fees included - in the middle of summer. wicked!

So, what is it?

The PADI Divemaster course is the first step to being a dive professional. It expands your knowledge past that of any previous course enabling you to gain valuable experience and work in the world of diving. As a professional member of PADI you will be able to gain access to some great benefits, including their on-line job network, professional publications such as The Undersea Journal and special rates on materials purchased directly from PADI.

What does the course involve?

The course runs over an intensive 4-week period and the schedule will depend on you and your instructor needs, local logistics and course requirements. The course consists of three modules:

• Knowledge Development

Through independent study, videos and Instructor lectures, you will cover 12 topics in the knowledge development module and then complete 8 Divemaster exams (75% pass rate or makeup).

• Water Skills & Stamina

The Water Skills and Stamina module will develop and evaluate your overall watermanship skills. Not only will you complete several timed swimming exercises but also brush up on your rescue skills.

• Practical Application

This allows you to learn and practice divemaster skills by applying what you've learnt from the Knowledge Development and Water Skills & Stamina modules. You will complete exercises such as mapping, underwater problem solving and managing a dive accident scenario.

When all the required training exercises have been completed you will then have a chance to develop and practice divemaster skills with actual students and divers (under Instructor supervision). During your internship with us you will have training in how to assist an Instructor during training activities and you will be able to assume appropriate responsibilities that benefit the welfare of other divers.

surely there are more important things to worry about

everyone knows the burger king bikini girls are stupid.
the ads are dumb and they have nothing to do with eating greasy grilled burgers loaded with carbohydrates and fat.
no you will not look like a burger king bikini girl if you eat this food.
neither will you be fabulous and have a lot of friends.

but to complain that your kids shouldnt have to watch them?
some weiner lodged a complaint with the broadcasting standards authority as their child saw it during home and away. someone should call child services on their ass for letting their kids watch home and away for starters.

get your kids asses off the couch and down to the tennis court. or football field. whatever.

new zealanders have differing views on the subject but there seems to be more people up and arms against the ads. the new zealand herald ran a submit your views link - interesting. i wonder if these moms are the same ones that let their 7 year olds walk around looking like britney spears but wont turn off the tv.

the ads probably would have lasted longer here - and had a better response by males and females - if they were slightly more humourous like the tui ads.
america gets the burger king king. we're a lot more funny than that. so come on ad men (yes we know youre all men) give us something tongue in cheek. pardon the pun.

cant help myself

as you may have read in previous posts - i fancy myself as an amateur photographer and have been spending a lot of time working on the composition of my images.

i selected to complete the PADI underwater photography speciality as i was extremely lucky to be able to complete it with andrew simpson. andrew (affectionately known as great white) is one of my instructors from dive hq in greenlane and hes rather a good photographer too.
i have a casio z-1000 which is great for learning on and now i have the marine housing for it, a lot of my dives are photographic dives.

but i still want more.

i spent a few hours yesterday doing research and having a look at a basic SLR camera. the one i have decided that i quite like is the nikon D80.

this is oxygen. it will help you. may i give it to you?

i'm a PADI rescue diver!!
today, i passed my certification with the final open water dive.

this morning nell picked me up about 7:15 and we went down to dive hq in greenlane.
andrew is our instructor and we are off to matheson's bay, about an hour north of auckland.

we completed the school and pool sessions over the past 2 weeks.we learn the theory in class with videos and knowledge reviews (and loads of discussion and stories) and then we complete exercises and demonstrations in the pool.

i'd already completed dive one back in march but i couldnt finish the course then due to travelling for work but it was fun to repeat mask removals and swapping regulators and that kind of thing.
basically the rescue diver course is about self rescue, diver stress, rescue techniques in and out of the water, missing diver searches, surfacing unconscious divers and all the reporting and management that comes in an emergency.
i totally recommend this course as well as emergency first response and secondary care!

trying to find a happy medium

is it this way with everyone?
there seems to be a hundred and one sayings - but right now "it never rains til it pours" seems appropriate.

for a lot of last year, i felt like i was in go slow mode. there was a bit to do - kickboxing, yoga, work and friends. but i didnt feel like my life was full - like i really had a good full life.
it didnt really bug me too much. i was still happy. i just seemed to have a bit more free time than some of my friends. now i understand that most of that was my making too.

after i went to fiji in october, things really changed a lot.
i started travelling to melbourne for work and i got into diving. around christmas time, i was spending most of my weekends out of town and then after new year, i had a bit of a disagreement with my trainer and we broke up.
i thought that this would mean that i had a bit more time to myself - not as many sessions at the gym each week, that sort of thing. but as it turns out, i was wrong.

this year i cant seem to find a minute to myself!
i guess i wanted it to be this way - i wanted to be busy and not sitting around the house wondering what to do next. and now i have that - i'm thinking of another saying "the grass is always greener on the other side"

when i worked for vodafone, there was quite a lot of corporate speak about trying to educate people about a work-life balance. at that time, i thought it was bollocks and was corporate code for working us too hard and then trying to make sure we took responsibility for the repercussions in our own lives. now i am not so sure that it was all bollocks.

i definitely think that i need to take responsibility for my calendar. and for saying no to some of the trips that work might want me to do. and to my friends who invite me out. after all - its ok to say no sometimes.

the crux of it is - i did get a cold after fiji. and possibly tonsilitis.
and its my own fault for not taking better care of myself.

thoughts of the day

1. Save the whales. Collect the whole set.

2. A day without sunshine is like......night.

3. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

4. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

5. He who laughs last thinks slowest.

6. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

7. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

8. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

9. How many of you believe in psycho kinesics?...Raise my hand.

10. OK...so what's the speed of dark?

11. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

12. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

13. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

14. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

15. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.

16. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

17. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.

18. Just remember --- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

19. Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

20. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today might burn your ass tomorrow.

the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page -- st. augustine

i've just come back from holiday and i already need to take another.
i got home from fiji on sunday (monday was also a public holiday thanks to easter) and today is my first day of work.

its not only going back to work that gets me down.
its the difference in weather between new zealand and fiji. and its only the end of summer/beginning of autumn.

fiji was 32-34 with 29 degree water.

its 14 degrees in auckland at the moment!

oh well ... i saw a turtle or two. and a shark.


octopus resort, yasawa islands - march 2007

but i wouldnt be surprised if i catch a cold!

an orange a day keeps the dentist away

nell and i went diving again this weekend on the pacific hideaway.

awesome crew (we love you denise and mark and can we please have lamb shanks for dinner next month!?) and wonderful diving.

the dive club challenge this month is a photograph of a diver eating underwater.
so we went one better with a video.

and because i have recently become addicted to you tube, please find said video embedded above.

you tube .. what a waste of ....

my time! oh my goodness - where did those 3 hours go?
this is my favourite video on youtube right now - a spoof trailer for "must love jaws".
they played it at the v 24 movie marathon in october last year. i'm so glad i finally found it!

the flashpackers

i started another blog. http://theflashpackers.blogspot.com.

i have a thing for lists. and being organised. although some times you wouldnt know it.

i was getting a little nervous that i wasnt really prepared.

all rigged up and no where to go

my marine housing arrived at my hotel in melbourne last night - for my new casio ex1000.

i ordered it from digitaldiver.com.au and it was delivered basically the next day.

i'm so excited! as soon as i get home to new zealand next wednesday (aside from having a little sleep), i'm off to get a new wet suit and check out a regulator and an alternate air source and then we are going back to the poor knights for a liveaboard trip.

nell and i are going to make a bucket load of cash selling our awesome photos. as she is the divemaster trainee, she is going to be the spotter. i cant wait!

know who you are, know where you're from, know where you're going

'kE-(")wE - : a native or resident of New Zealand -- used as a nickname

my mom is going to kick my ass when she sees what i have done to myself. but i dont care. i'm kinda used to it. she squealed and fake vomited when she saw i had got my nose pierced. she fake fainted when she noticed i had got my tongue pierced. shes going to have to come up with something pretty impressive this time around. oh yes.
i got my first tattoo. and i say first as it is my intention to have another one done. but thats going to happen a little later - when i shrink some more and when i work out where i am going to put it.
this one was actually kind of easy. i found this logo (yes its a logo but i dont care) on the web and just knew it was right for me. and then i found a place on my body where i can hide it if i want to or show it off if i want to.
and its about me, and my country and who i am and who i want to me.
so like my kiwi girl tshirt says - know who you are, know where youre from and know where youre going.

a beer festival with no beer?

slim dusty - 1957 - the pub with no beer
It's lonesome away from your kindred and all
By the campfire at night where the wild dingos call
But there's nothin' so lonesome, so dull or so drear
Than to stand in the bar of a pub with no beer

the new zealand beer festival was on in auckland yesterday and i thought it was really well organised. until about 5:30pm when they started to run out of beer!

perving at polo players on ponies

my birthday - 2007 - is going to be spent in argentina.
to me that means watching polo, riding ponies, eating steak and drinking a huge bottle of mendoza red!

nell and i are off on our world tour this year.
setting off at the end of july (after cossies 30th), we will be spending a couple of days in singapore and then flying to london for a week or so.
we will go on up to yorkshire to visit martin and sam from the super saturday fiji crew. and hopefully somewhere like the lake district. i have only been in london and it was a quick trip. there may even be a chance to attend a beach rugby tournament in venice.
after we leave europe, its off to america. 5 days in new york, an excursion to boston, then down to vegas and miami. diving in miami looks amazing so we should get the chance to do that.
from miami, we go into central america. this one needs a little more planning but we should have a couple of weeks there.
south america was our original intention - but as you can see, the itinerary has grown somewhat!
colombia, bolivia, ecuador, peru, chile and argentina. and it doesnt look like we will get more than a few weeks in each country.
christmas will be spent in south africa. a fortnight or so in namibia is also on the cards! and we will be able to celebrate nells dads 70th birthday with him.

wow! and we'll be home at the beginning of february 2008.

two very good reasons to miss tv ....

as long as you have a DVD player. why wait 7 days for the next episode when you can get at least 12 episodes to watch all at once ..... ?

why would i live anywhere else

welcome to new zealand - at christmas.
the pohutukawa are in full bloom, the sky is clear and the breeze is warm.

we are having more subtropical (yes -rain) weather around december and january, and there has been a fair amount of bitching about the weather around home lately. still, it wouldnt be christmas if there was not the opportunity to have a christmas breakfast bbq, to don our shorts and tshirts and have a little game of backyard cricket. with days like this - why would i want to live anywhere else in the world?
i know, i know, any kiwi reading this will have some comment to make about our weather. probably something to do with the fact that december was the wettest and coldest on record. so what!!! the weather is the one thing that we cant do anything about - so why sit around complaining about it? do something else. i think that the seasons are changing - summer is arriving a little later but the good news - is it stays around a little longer too.