AHA! I have discovered the meaning of life!

Just kidding. That was to get your attention. Now, I have an important announcement to make. Actually, I don't. I am just kidding again. Oh what a trickster I am! Does anyone else turn into a supreme gift-buying person when they are away from home? I have already bought Stella (she's my bestie fo life, write that down) her birthday gift for 2nd December, as well as my parents Christmas gift, plus I have chosen my brother/sister in laws Christmas present, and planned each of their birthday presents (mid-Nov and late-Dec), plus the other few Xmas gifts I must buy. Not to mention the stack of Christmas cards I have already delegated out to 24 of my closest friends and family (Limited number in the pack you see), and I have already asked my parents if it is okay to send them over in one package for them to redistribute in New Zealand. Organised? Definitely. Neurotic? Most likely.

Big Changes... Spontaneously.

I keep coming back to this site to see if the owner has posted any news lately. I always experience a few seconds of disappointment before I realise it's my site and I already knew there was no new posts. Idiot.

So, the news is: I'm moving back to Rotorua. In 3 days. THREE DAYS! MOVING! Pretty much, the jobs have dried up here in Wellington, and I would rather be struggling for income in a place where I get to board for free/in exchange for doing the ironing (ie: my parents house). I am so so so gutted to be leaving Wellington though, I have really come to love it here and I don't feel ready to leave at all! A sure sign I will be back someday. Gaz, Jute, Nikki and Han have all been amazing flatmates, I just slotted right in without the awkwardness you get when you live with people for the first time.

I will really miss Gaz saying "f*** it's hot!" every 5 minutes in Summer, and "f*** it's freezing!" all throughout Winter; watching 10 bazillion episodes of House/Grey's Antomy in a row with Nikki; tucking Jute in after a night on the town; hearing someone tell Hannah she knows how to get a drink herself; seeing the 3 different bottles of milk in the fridge (green, blue, organic); Gaz getting into a grump and telling everyone off for no apparent reason; coming home and seeing Jute working on her car; having Chris hog around; hearing the wind at night so hard out I get scared we're in a tornado; convincing Nikki it's a good idea to use her ingredients to make macaroni cheese for dinner if I cook it; Han saying my macaroni cheese is yummy; Gaz putting his gangsta rap on in the lounge really loud, for every one to "enjoy"; my Dad ringing us almost everyday and asking if Juliet is home, when I've told him she works evenings everytime he's called for the last 2 weeks; the girls saying "I'll just get the person you want to talk to" and handing me the phone when a telemarketer or research person calls; the washing machine beeping continuously through the night; the pile of dishes that stack up ridiculously quickly; and yeah, there's more too. It's safe to say, I will miss the people, places, and things in Wellington.

Sob Sob.

i wish

I wish I had a lamborghini Galado....(sp?)

Or a ferrari enzo. Or maybe a just lots of money. My gosh unemployment gives you big dreams!

So the wedding is over - I officially have a sister-in-law, which makes Nikki my sister-in-law's sister. But I like to say I just got 6 new sisters and 2 new brothers, regardless of their law-ness and step-ness and almost-step-ness. Telling stories about your siblings when there is only one is boring. The ceremony was beautiful - I held it together and refrained from becoming the blubbering mess I usually am when I am happy, so that's good! Photo's will be on Nikki's page and we're all tagged on Chris's facebook, but my camera stayed in my bag at all times. Silly puppet. The reception was great also, I played some piano and Annabelle sang (we did Alicia Keys, No One) and Jute and Gaz seemed to really like it so that was good. This is the most boring account of a wedding ever. My creative writing skills SUCK. I think I am tired. It was an amazing day anyway.

BLAH.

I neeeeeeeeeed a job.

who are these people?

Who are these randoms signing my guest book? "arhiderrr"? Ah... Hi Dere? Yes? No?


Anyway, just thought I would update you on what's going on for me at the moment. So I've been in Wellington for 2 months now, and I am still unemployed. I have applied for every job under the sun that I think I could possibly not hate, using a variety of websites, newspapers, word-of-mouth and door-knocking methods. This recession SUCKS. There are zero jobs out there that my engineering degree is going to help me with, and apparently "a year and a bit" of Admin/Receptionist experience just doesn't cut it for an interview these days. And if you don't have your bar license or bar experience, how could you ever learn to work behind a bar?

...

So yesterday I jumped in my brothers '67 Cortina and we drove up to Rotorua with his fiancee, Juliet. The car was a little less than practical, with the following comments coming out of Gareth's mouth throughout the 7 hour drive...

( some of these may be slightly variated on what he actually said... )

- We can't have the front windows down over about 40 kmph because there's nothing holding the other windows in, and the pressure will cause them to fall out.

- That twangy noise is just the brake pedal.

- There's no seat belts in the back, but the fire extinguisher is just by your feet Claire.

- I don't actually know how fast we are going, because the speedo is really wrong. And it's in miles per hour so you have to convert it after that anyway.

- How many revs are we doing? I don't know, the rev meter doesn't work.

- What's that noise?

- Can you keep an eye on this oil gauge here? It can't go below 25. Although it does move a lot so only tell me if it stays there.

- We should probably get gas. I have no idea how much we have, the gauge doesn't work.

- I hope it doesn't start raining because this car leaks a whoooole lot.

- Turn the music down for a second, I need to listen to the weird noise the motor is making.

- I'm just going to pull over and advance the motor (some mechanic speak).

- You should probably learn how to use that fire extinguisher Claire.

- I need to turn the music up really loud because there's only speakers in the back and we can't hear it over the car noises. (this is how I got to enjoy extreme gangsta being blasted into my ears)

- Why is the motor ticking?

Then when it got dark...

- You can't really see much without the lights on full.

- Can you pass me my cellphone? I need to use it to periodically check the oil, fuel and speed because there are no dash lights.

- Did you guys hear that? Did you feel it or just hear it?

- Oh yeah, Claire, that seat is really bouncy. (I responded something about being on a trampoline)

Then when Juliet started driving...

- Jute, you can't use full lock to U-turn. Don't go anywhere near full lock.

- Every now and then, pull the steering wheel towards yourself, especially before you try to turn a corner. You don't have to hold it there, just pull it once.

When we finally made it to Rotorua, I got blinded by an exceptionally bright blue alarm light. Seriously, it illuminates me when I am standing halfway down the driveway.

And that's their wedding car! Hopefully it will be a bit more user friendly by then. All said, I did enjoy the ride up and it is an extremely cool car. I am sensing a bit of overuse of the word extreme at this point. Extreme.

So! I am now in Rotorua, where I will spend my days organising for the wedding and painting my parents rental house, and then the wedding is on Saturday, then I will (somehow) head back to Wellington where I THINK I have a job at The Realm Bar and Restaurant??? Not Sure. I hope so, I did a trial shift the other day and quite enjoyed it. That would be fabulous.

And Yes, I still have mached up toes from Wellington's pavements.

I am here.

I have arrived in the windy capital of the country. And I have been welcomed with a cold, complete with runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and general all around dying. Fantastic.

I am living with some fabu people though - Gareth, Juliet, Nikki, and Hannah. If you don't know who they are by now, I think you should read my blog a little more often. That's what I think.

Now, if anyone would like to find me a job around these parts, let me know. I do love jobs. I am trying to get a part time job as a bar person so I can get a bar managers license and then when I move to the UK I can get a job no sweat. Nooooo sweat.

So! Luke is going to turn up at my house tomorrow night, I am quite very excited actually. I haven't seen him in quite a few months, since when he left to live in Australia. It's going to be awesome! And then, when he leaves on Tuesday evening, that's when the job hunting begins. Oh Boy.

xx

Career-ize

Hey guys! I am just in Rotorua for the weekend so thought it was about time for an update for all my friendy friends.

I got my final semester marks back - they're okay, but not great. B, B+, B+, and an A. That gives me my BSc though, so I am happy! I am working in Hamilton at Convex Plastics, which is an amazing innovative company that manufactures blown films for plastic bags, packaging, and banners. I am a Lab Tech there, but am involved in a really really exciting project on biodegradable stuff - my specialty :D It is awesome to be asked for my opinion and knowledge on various things, and people are so encouraging of my creativity. I can't wait to get back from the U.K. and get into a job with a company like Convex - forward thinking and innovative. The big boss has even said he is happy for me to use Convex time to work on my own personal engineering invention I want to look into! I am really happy there, and really excited about my career.

In January sometime I will be heading down to Wellington to live with my brother Gareth, his fiancee Juliet, her sister Nikki (of Tales of the Red Headed Devil Child fame), and the Devil Child herself. I am very very excited!! Apparently I get to live in the dining room as the new house they found is only a three bedroom. No worries though, now that I have finished study there will be a noticeable absence of the massive green desk and the huge bookshelf of texts, so my belongings will be able to fit into the small room. Just trying to find a job down there now, so if anyone knows any companies that might want a girl with a degree in materials and process engineering and environmental technology, give me a yell. I am hoping to get something in the environmental side of things, like water treatment or landfill design, just because it is an industry I won't be doing my Masters so it will be good to get a taste of it. Mmmmmm, wastewater.

I have attended several Rotary meetings as part of the Ambassadorial Scholarship I have. My sponsor club in Rotorua (Rotorua Sunrise) is really exciting, I got to do a little introductory speech to them and that was cool. I also went to the Hamilton East club, and the Te Puke club. Everyone has been so so welcoming - I spoke at the Te Puke club and I almost cried when I was thanking them for the scholarship - I am so overwhelmed and happy that I have been given this amazing opportunity, I can't describe how grateful I am towards the Rotary Foundation. All the money I will be getting is from Rotary members, normal people, funding ME! to travel and study! I really hope I make Rotary proud.

So this weekend, I had a garage sale at my house in Hamilton. Jenna came round with a carload of her stuff, and we spent from 6:15am to after lunch sunbathing outside the garage and selling things. Then we sorted out the stuff left over - big ticket items we are going to put on trademe, and all clothes and shoes that didn't sell we boxed and are going to take to Habitat for Humanity. So check out my trademe listings, they will be up in a few days. Then I drove to Rotoma for Johny's birthday. He would have been 23 today. His death is still so raw, I am dealing with it a small bit at a time. I miss him a lot - just knowing I will never get to see his goofy smile again is really hard. Some other day I will tell you things I remember about him, but not right now.

Now - it is time for me to go grocery shopping with my dad. We are going to buy lunch supplies for the week. I get to work at Scion tomorrow, for Convex. I worked at Scion last summer, so will be cool to be back in the lab with all the guys there.

Til next time!!

xx

Where Have I Been?

Good Evening!

I am currently abstaining from assignments and watching Batman Begins instead. It is rather entertaining, although watching Katie Holmes play a character I define as Maggie Gyllenhal is not so great. And I have a lot of work to do. Meh, it's only 9pm... Many ad breaks to go.

Today marks the last day of my University holidays, sadly. There are now only 6 weeks of school until I get down to some serious study for exams. I am SO over Uni, it is just a matter of holding on until I graduate. I think I can manage a few C's this semester :D

So I've had a week in Wellington with my brother, Jute, Nikki, Tobin, and Hannah. It was really awesome - we didn't do much, just hung out, did some study, went out for lunch... For once, I really do feel like I have had a break, although I am very stressed about the weeks ahead. I always say that! This semester has been the hardest of my whole 3 years at University though, and it always gets harder in the second half. Apologies for the whinging!

I got a hair cut. It has taken me a good 4 years to find a hair dresser that will do what I ask, and cut my fringe right. And she's in Wellington. Great. She is also Juliet's hairdresser so if any of you know my future sister-in-law, you'll know she often rocks a funky fringe, courtesy of Rosie at Zoar - Go there! This also means that I must return to Wellington to get another trim before I leave for Melbourne - oh, what a shame.

Mum and Dad came over today for Fathers Day and we went to Candyland. It was really disappointing - firstly, we'd missed the 2 shows they have on Sundays, the last being at 1pm. So all we got to see was the shop, which was about quarter full of products they don't even make themselves - Mayceys and RJ's and others. All of their chocolate was compound, yukky fatty stuff. Lastly, the entire building, inside and out, needed a thorough clean and perhaps a repaint. There are some awesome decorations there, but they are old and tired. It kind of made me want to buy the whole joint and do it up. I wish I was rich like Bruce Wayne.

Well, I think that is about all I can squirm up for now. I wish to stay up late and write a few assignments tonight but I am exhausted. Perhaps I will crash after Batman? Yes. I think so. Goodnight guys, perhaps next time I will be a more interesting blogger :D

Back in the Tron

Good Evening each and every one of my avid readers !!

(i am not actually sure how many of you there are, I know of 2 maybe 3...?)

Today, I arrived back in Hamilton after a 3 day weekend in Rotorua, where my parents reside. I am not sure if I normally use this font but it is my weapon of choice for the night. I have survived the last week of term 3!! This now puts me half way through semester B, and at the beginning of 2 weeks holidays. I have SOOO much to do though, but I am just chilling for tonight. Tomorrow I will sort some stuff out (such as buying a toothbrush) and do two assignments, and then on Wednesday I can get ready to go down to Wellington where I will be for a week. That's right, no blogging for a week. Which is not going to be surprising. But I thought I would try for effect there.

So, my friend Ashley D. Easter graciously picked me up from the bus stop this afternoon, which was awesome because it was raining out and I had a heavy bag. I left my toothbrush in Rotorua which is extremely annoying because it means I have to go into town tomorrow and town means spending money. Hmmm... Anyway, gracing Rotorua with my presence also meant attending several parties and a couple of night clubs. Slash Lava's - can you call that a night club? I had a good weekend, and got to spend time with my extended family and some old friends so that was O for Oarsome. Gazzy and Jute brought my 22nd birthday present up from Wellington with them (vase), so when I got home this afternoon I went out into my garden to see what beauty I could bestow upon it... Didn't come up with much, but I still think it looks pretty :

This was the best place in my room to put it. As you can see, it's too crowded already, by I mashed it in there because I love flowers and I love the vase and I want them in my room. Yes. Good. The clock behind is the present G&J got me for my 18th birthday - they have good taste, I just don't have enough room!! One day I will be rich and build a whole house around the gifts they have given me. And I won't fill vases with rosemary and bits of tree.

So pretty much, that was the first photo I've blogged. *pats self on back*

Anyway, that's about it for today. Tu-rah!! xxooxx

the curse of being female

They found Deon on Thursday morning last week. Then I cried, it's real now. RIP DEON xx.

I have 2 tests this week worth 10% each, a report to write, and big assignment to work on, and two other assignments to get started. But I am in cruise mode. Hence the blogging at 11:45pm. I totally am not motivated at all for these University assessments. Although I should be, I need top marks to study in the UK. BUT I suppose the tests are only worth 10% each, and I'm a bright cookie, I should be able to pass just from going to lectures. So I'm only going to be missing out on 5% in each subject. I can handle that.

Now that that is sorted, let's discuss my social life. Chelsea turned 22 on Saturday, and I crocheted her a neck warmer in cream and dark olive. The two buttons I sewed on cost $7 A BUTTON! they were cool, but only from Spotlight so I am still shocked at the price. The neckwarmer turned out pretty cool though, I hope she wears it. Nikki - it was made of 50% wool so you should be proud of me :-) ... I also baked Chels a carrot cake to which I added a couple of tamarillo's as well. I love tamarillo's. Loving the baked goods idea for people's presents, so handy and economical. It's my dad's birthday this Friday, but his gift is already hanging out in Wellington at my brother's house - boys, you are lucky if you have sisters, I am always hooking Gaz up with presents for the 'rents! Although he did choose this one whilst I was down there, so big ups to him. Must be growing up. Jenny (Juliet and Nikki's mum) is having her 50th this weekend as well, on the same night as Debbie's 21st. So I will be late to yours Deb! And I don't think baked goods is going to cut it for you... I will have to see what other thrifty things I can come up with... help, Nikki?

I have heartburn. I get it pretty much every night if I stay up late. I should have some Quickeze handy but I am in denial that I even get heartburn. My heart can't get burned, it's made of Stainless Steel.

So this weekend just been I got to borrow my mum's car, the berocca tablet. It is a burnt orange Kea Rio, SPORTS EDITION! WOOOOHOOOO! After a few minutes I got used to the clutch and it was actually quite nice to drive. Did good at sober driving the troops into Rotorua town and back on Saturday night. The Pig was pretty good, and Chelsea and her friends had a weird game going where two teams tried to score as many points as possible in doing these little challenges. Most of the tasks involved members of the opposite sex, so I didn't really get too involved as I'm far too conservative! This poor guy was left extremely confused after one of the girls kissed him and then promptly turned her back on him. After 10 minutes of watching him stand there trying to get her attention, I had to apologise and explain to him it was a game and that he should forget about the girl. At which point he tried it on with me, so I ran away pretty quick. He was obviously a loser just out to score, but I still felt sorry for the guy. Unfortunately we got to Lava's after 1:30am so weren't allowed in. It is lame how Rotorua clubs shut at 3am, when I make the effort to go out to town I like the clubs to stay open til 5am! Anyway, will maybe be out again next Saturday after Debbatron's 21st, will be good to see Lava's again. I don't spend much time in Rotorua these days, and the only clubs I get to see are Wellington and Auckland. and Hamilton when Stell drags me out. I guess that's actually quite a lot. Hmmm.

Last night I got to talk to my other best friend, Luke, who lives just out of the Gold Coast in Australia. I haven't really really spoken to him in a few weeks, so it was awesome to talk about what's been going on in our lives etc. I didn't have much to suss out with him, getting the scholarship has made things relatively stress free! One thing I did realise though, is how picky I am with the boys I am attracted to. Obviously I am very picky with who I get into a serious relationship with, but even the boys that I want to go on dates with are few and far between. If the guy doesn't cut it, I am just a social retard with him. I mean, more of a social retard than I normally am. Actually, maybe there's no difference in my lack of social skills, but I definitely feel really uncomfortable when my gut is telling me that he's not awesome. Some of you that have met me may be a bit confused at me calling myself a social retard. You haven't seen me around boys I like - believe it or not, I am very shy! And I am blatently honest, and like to lay my cards on the table straight up front, which often leads to me blurting out inappropriate information 2 seconds after meeting a guy. I really should try to create some mystery one of these days.

Yesterday Jenna picked me up from the busstop and we went perfume smelling. She wants a new perfume to have as well as her signature one, Miracle by Lancome. I am also planning on picking up a second signature one when I head to Melbourne, so I did some choosing of my own. Jenna was not so successful, but I came away loving Cinema. Miss Dior Cherie is nice too. When I was in Melbourne last year my cousin Anna and I went to a perfume store, and after telling him I liked vanilla and this and that, a really helpful guy brought over some perfumes for me to try. His first two that he thought I would like were Vera Wang - Princess (my current signature perfume) and Cinema. So I guess he's pretty freaken awesome at his job, because more than a year later, they are still my top 2 frangrances ever. So I will stock up on those duty free :D. Also gotta grab some feijoa 42 below vodka when I go through, can't beat it!

I think that's about it for me, I've written quite a substantial blog this evening/morning!

Y'all want some news?

Kia Ora!

I am back! I am 22! I am still tired! My birthday was awesome - went out clubbing in wellington and wore this totally rocking top that my mum made, SO 80's! it is terrific. Then I spent the rest of the weekend and Monday in Wellington with Gareth, Juliet, Nikki, Tobin, Hannah, Chris, Stella, and ME! I got to see the wind turbine - so freaken awesome. I am heading down again on 28th August so will get to hang some more.

Unfortunately a friend of mine from high school, Deon Cowdrey, drowned on Saturday night 2nd August. Really gutted about that, and my heart really goes out to my friends that knew him better. He was definately a good guy. It hasn't really sunked in yet, perhaps because they haven't found the body yet. RIP Deon.

Uhh... now. Great news - Yesterday I got a huge scholarship to study overseas in 2010! It is awesome, I was concerned that I wasn't ready to study next year because I am feeling burnt out, but this way is perfect - I will take next year off to work in Melbourne, and then do one years study in the UK - perhaps Wales or Ireland, or England, or even European France!! SO EXCITING!!

So that's my news, good and bad. I am still sick at the moment, stupid cold has had me off uni for most of the week. I'm all blocked up and have a very sore head/eyes etc. BUT now I can focus on the rest of the semester without worrying about next year OR the year after - I WINNED!!

xx

Looooong Day - Perfect Glass of Wine Waiting at the Other End.

I have had a great last few days - got back from Ohope, did some assignments, then a friend from Auckland came and hung out on Friday and Saturday (Blake). We did shopping mainly - opshopping and dress shopping (although the latter was express seeing as Blake is a boy). We also ate burger fuel and fed the ducks by the waikato river. Then Saturday evening i called in to see my brother who was up at a party, and then headed over to kaharoa (by rotorua) to my cousin Matt's 21st - was real good to see him and his parents and sister Jacqui. Totally keen to catch up with them again. After speeches and the yardy (2 minutes, good work Matt!!), I left, getting back to Hamilton at 1am. I called in on brother Gaz, and ended up staying until about 4:30am - met some really cool guys that are in my brothers car club (www.oldschool.co.nz). Then we went to the supermarket to buy breakfast supplies, then home to bed - up at 9am to cook for stupid boys ;) slept Sunday arvo, and then got up this morning to start work again.

So today, i was all ready for the day to be a great one - i had my positive thinking cap on. I was late to work, but on the way there the song "time is on my side" by the Rolling Stones (i think) came on, and it just made me relax. I got to work at 9:59 - i started at 10. an hour or so later, i was exhausted. falling asleep whilst trying to explain the fibre and matrix interface to students. So i spent the rest of the day trying my hardest to stay awake, stay positive, when all i really wanted to do was sleep. I think i pulled it off though - I really feel like the day was pushing to be crap, and I was pushing back just as hard for it to be good. I won! totally enjoying my glass of wine at home now though - i should do this more often :D

EPIC WEEKEND

Hey! Hey HEY HEY!

I have had the most amazing weekend. On Friday night I went to see step up 2 (cheesey i know) with my friendy Jenna. On Saturday I volunteered at the Balloons Over Waikato event - i stopped traffic to help people cross the road he he - where the work I did raised money for Camp Quality, an organisation that helps children living with Cancer. Whilst I was doing this, I got a call from my one and only sibling, my brother Gareth. He asked me how I was, what I was up to, and then casually slipped in "Me and Jute are getting married!" !!!!!!! I am SO buzzing about it, my big brother proposed to his long-time girlfriend Juliet. She is amazing, I went to High School with her and she has grown into this person I have a lot of admiration for. Wedding will be next year some time, so I will have to fly back from Melbourne. YAY!!

Saturday night, I went to town with my friends Stella and Alice. That was an AWESOME night.

Many bars, many people. My dress was rather short. My arms are longer than it in fact. But it was very very fun and I felt great in it - I got quite a lot of male attention which was a real confidence booster even though it's really not the kind of attention I want. But I think it is really cool to have a night like that every now and again; I had been getting quite down on myself because even though I'm not the type to bring guys home, everytime I go out all my friends get hit on and I don't. I've been told that I look more like a Ms. Right than a Miss Right Now, and that guys out are looking for the latter. I'm glad I don't appear avaliable to every Tom, Dick, and Harry, but sometimes I wish boys would at least look twice! So I had a fabulous night on Saturday night in my little green dress, and I like to think I managed to maintain my dignity!

Thanks Alice for looking after me on Sunday and Thanks Stella for not fitting the little green dress - I do!!

xxooxx