29 Feb 2008
Fantasies
So lately my blogs have been pretty depressing, what with all the gloom and doom of working in a hospital. My life is not so bad, really!
Throughout my life, I've entertained fantasies of what the next stage of my life will be like.
In junior high, I dreamed of high school. I was bound and determined to be popular for once in my life, so I put my out of shape ass through hell trying out for the volleyball team. I'd never played volley ball in my life. I hate sports. I hate running. I'm totally uncoordinated. I hate catching balls. I broke my finger. I got cut from the team. I became an angry hippie. Not exactly what I'd planned!
In high school, I fantasized about college. I envisioned late nights hanging out with the girls on my hall. I saw myself studying under a tree filled with red and gold leaves. I saw many nights of drinking myself stupid. I dreamed of parties, of enthralling psychology classes, and of food fights in the cafeteria. I saw freedom. In many ways, my predictions were accurate. I made some of the best friends I could ever wish for, I learned heaps (or at least I think I did...I'd be hard pressed to pass a geography/physics/religion test now!), I got myself in a fair amount of trouble whilst drinking myself stupid...it was the true college experience!
Towards the end of college, I dreamed of my career. I wanted to help people, so I took a job with kids with developmental disabilities. I also dreamed of having my own apartment, a step above the holes I lived in during my last year of college. I dreamed of decorating the place. I would watch hours upon hours of Trading Spaces. I asked for homewares for Christmas. I trolled the clearance aisles at Target. I stalked garage sales. When I moved in with Katie, I watched my fantasy come to life. The place was gorgeous! We had so much fun putting everything together, buying bits and peices to make everthing perfect. We still talk fondly of that place. For me, it was more than an apartment, it was my first taste of life as a grown up. Paying my own way.
Then we decided to move to New Zealand. I fantasized about living abroad, meeting gorgeous foreign men, travelling around the country, having a little loft apartment and shopping for groceries at the local market, carrying a baguette under my arm as I strolled down the street..........this didn't work out as I'd fantasized! I got stuck in a shit job, ate 2-minute ramen noodles (no baguette in sight! At least not that I could afford...and where's the quaint little market??? And where's my loft apartment? I live in a sweat box cubicle where I can hear my neighbors use the toilet!)
Then I started work at the hospital. The money improved, as did my quality of life. My urban fantasy started to spring to life. We moved into a fabulous flat with big windows and cool furniture in a funky area of town. I still hadn't found my baguette, but I was within walking distance of great cafe's and shops. In the crisp cool of the morning I would walk to work, and get Thai takeaway for dinner on my way home. This is what I wanted!
When I met Bob, my romantic fantasy came to life. I met a fabulous man who swept me off my feet. I experienced love at first sight. I recommend it to everyone!
Having lived my urban fantasy, I started to entertain my suburban fantasy. Katie and I dreamed of a proper house, a yard, a clothes line, and we found it. We had barbeques. We had a dog. We had a fireplace. We had grass. We heard nothing but crickets and cicadas at night. It was bliss.
With Bob in the picture, I started to fantasize about playing house. I dreamed of waking up on Saturday morning and baking scones, of vacuuming while he mowed the lawn, of making grocery lists and walking hand in hand down the aisles...of being a domestic goddess. This fantasy has come true as well, as we share our little house on this shaded, green street, as he kisses me good bye when he drops me off at work in the morning. I've perfected carrot cake, banana bread, and peach cobbler. And I make a mean pan of enchiladas, thanks! We have dinner parties and I set the table with pretty placemats and matching napkins. And my bathrooms are always clean...at least on Saturdays! And now, with my discovery of a farmer's market that operates on the weekends near my house, I might actually get to stroll home with a baguette under my arm.
If you were lured in by the title "Fantasies" and hoping for porn, I'm sorry to disappoint you. Wait, no I'm not!
Dirty sucker!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Learning How to Use Feet
26 Nov 2007
Learning how to use feet.
I've been inspired by Ash's "people watching" blogs, so I will share a people watching experience of my own.
Sitting up in the main reception area of the hospital during my lunch break one day last week, I saw something charming.
An old man, probably in his 70's judging by his head of white hair, walked along. Clutching the fingers of one hand was a small child, a toddler, who had obviously just discovered how to use his feet. The old man used his other hand to push the child's stroller. The man was bent over in a rather uncomfortable-looking pose as he tried to manage both the child and the stroller. They took a few steps together, then the child would start to lose his balance, and the old man would steady him. For several minutes I watched them. The man had such patience for this little boy, who smiled and pointed and landed on his bum. The old man laughed, helped the boy to stand, and took a few more steps, all the while walking with his back bent forwards. This scenario repeated a few times, then the child stopped and rubbed his eyes with his tiny fist. The old man paused, and the little boy let go of is hand and wobbled to the front of the stroller. The little one tried to climb in by himself, and the old man lifted him up into the seat. All settled in his stroller, the little boy rubbed his eyes one more time, then almost immediately fell asleep. The old man, finally able to stand upright again, put both hands on the handle of the stroller and walked on.
It was beautiful to see this moment...the love of the old man for the child, and the trust of the child in the old man.
Learning how to use feet.
I've been inspired by Ash's "people watching" blogs, so I will share a people watching experience of my own.
Sitting up in the main reception area of the hospital during my lunch break one day last week, I saw something charming.
An old man, probably in his 70's judging by his head of white hair, walked along. Clutching the fingers of one hand was a small child, a toddler, who had obviously just discovered how to use his feet. The old man used his other hand to push the child's stroller. The man was bent over in a rather uncomfortable-looking pose as he tried to manage both the child and the stroller. They took a few steps together, then the child would start to lose his balance, and the old man would steady him. For several minutes I watched them. The man had such patience for this little boy, who smiled and pointed and landed on his bum. The old man laughed, helped the boy to stand, and took a few more steps, all the while walking with his back bent forwards. This scenario repeated a few times, then the child stopped and rubbed his eyes with his tiny fist. The old man paused, and the little boy let go of is hand and wobbled to the front of the stroller. The little one tried to climb in by himself, and the old man lifted him up into the seat. All settled in his stroller, the little boy rubbed his eyes one more time, then almost immediately fell asleep. The old man, finally able to stand upright again, put both hands on the handle of the stroller and walked on.
It was beautiful to see this moment...the love of the old man for the child, and the trust of the child in the old man.
Pretty Damn Good
04 Nov 2007
Pretty Damn Good
It's been a pretty good weekend.
Pretty damn good, in fact.
Friday night after work, I met up with Katie and some friends for drinks. Although we live in different areas of town, we all work in the city. It makes it easier for us to catch up, especially since Katie and I don't have cars. I had a fabulous time laughing and gossiping with the girls. What a brilliant way to end a long week of work!
On Saturday morning, I woke up and was delighted to hear Matt declare that he would clean the bathroom. This has been my job for the past three weeks, and I was more than happy to see it go to someone else. I take joy in the little things.
Then, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Katie and Sarah T. for brunch. It was meant to rain, but the weather was gorgeous! A perfect spring day for sitting outside and enjoying a coffee with some girlfriends. After brunch, we wandered through a nearby mall, then went to a pet store. Afterwards, Sarah T. gave me a ride home. I've only just recently met Sarah T. and was very pleased when she accepted my invitation to come in for a cup of tea. I had a lovely chat with a new friend!
Meanwhile, Bob and Matt found themselves at a car dealership, and Matt bought a new car! What I had thought would be a quiet evening of movies and takeaways on the couch turned into a road trip with Bob, Matt and Steph (another new friend) out to the far reaches of Auckland for pizza at a charming cafe on the waterfront.
This morning, while Bob and Matt were off sorting out stuff for the new car, I got to enjoy the Home and Away Omnibus, as well as Friday's episode of Shortland Street (which I missed on account of post-work drinkies) in peace. (For you Stateside folks, those are my favorite Southern Hemisphere shows. On Sunday mornings, they play the entire week's worth of episodes in a row and call it "Omnibus"). Then I got a text from Sarah B. (Bob's sister) saying she was coming over. We spent the afternoon looking through magazines, then she had dinner with us. I love having people over for dinner!
And...on top of all this, I also got the house vacuumed, sorted out my student loan, talked to my parents, and went grocery shopping!
You may wonder why I'm telling you all the details of my weekend. There are two reasons:
1. I feel like a multitasking, social butterfly domestic goddess. Woot!
2. I've been feeling a bit anti-social lately. It's been worrying me. Sometimes I feel like the only people in my NZ world are Katie, Bob and Matt. Don't get me wrong...these people are wonderful, treasured friends. But my life feels very routine, very bland...nothing new happens, I go to work, I come home, I cook dinner, I clean the kitchen, I watch Shortland Street, I putz on the computer, I shower, I go to bed, repeat repeat repeat repeat. So I've slowly noticed myself crawling into a cave of sorts...wanting more, but not having the energy to look for it.
By some blessing, all these people came out of the woodwork this weekend. And it made me feel good.
Pretty damn good.
Pretty Damn Good
It's been a pretty good weekend.
Pretty damn good, in fact.
Friday night after work, I met up with Katie and some friends for drinks. Although we live in different areas of town, we all work in the city. It makes it easier for us to catch up, especially since Katie and I don't have cars. I had a fabulous time laughing and gossiping with the girls. What a brilliant way to end a long week of work!
On Saturday morning, I woke up and was delighted to hear Matt declare that he would clean the bathroom. This has been my job for the past three weeks, and I was more than happy to see it go to someone else. I take joy in the little things.
Then, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Katie and Sarah T. for brunch. It was meant to rain, but the weather was gorgeous! A perfect spring day for sitting outside and enjoying a coffee with some girlfriends. After brunch, we wandered through a nearby mall, then went to a pet store. Afterwards, Sarah T. gave me a ride home. I've only just recently met Sarah T. and was very pleased when she accepted my invitation to come in for a cup of tea. I had a lovely chat with a new friend!
Meanwhile, Bob and Matt found themselves at a car dealership, and Matt bought a new car! What I had thought would be a quiet evening of movies and takeaways on the couch turned into a road trip with Bob, Matt and Steph (another new friend) out to the far reaches of Auckland for pizza at a charming cafe on the waterfront.
This morning, while Bob and Matt were off sorting out stuff for the new car, I got to enjoy the Home and Away Omnibus, as well as Friday's episode of Shortland Street (which I missed on account of post-work drinkies) in peace. (For you Stateside folks, those are my favorite Southern Hemisphere shows. On Sunday mornings, they play the entire week's worth of episodes in a row and call it "Omnibus"). Then I got a text from Sarah B. (Bob's sister) saying she was coming over. We spent the afternoon looking through magazines, then she had dinner with us. I love having people over for dinner!
And...on top of all this, I also got the house vacuumed, sorted out my student loan, talked to my parents, and went grocery shopping!
You may wonder why I'm telling you all the details of my weekend. There are two reasons:
1. I feel like a multitasking, social butterfly domestic goddess. Woot!
2. I've been feeling a bit anti-social lately. It's been worrying me. Sometimes I feel like the only people in my NZ world are Katie, Bob and Matt. Don't get me wrong...these people are wonderful, treasured friends. But my life feels very routine, very bland...nothing new happens, I go to work, I come home, I cook dinner, I clean the kitchen, I watch Shortland Street, I putz on the computer, I shower, I go to bed, repeat repeat repeat repeat. So I've slowly noticed myself crawling into a cave of sorts...wanting more, but not having the energy to look for it.
By some blessing, all these people came out of the woodwork this weekend. And it made me feel good.
Pretty damn good.
My Poor Boobs
09 Oct 2007
My poor boobs.
My boobs have had a bad night.
So there I was, happily eating my bowl of pasta with yummy, chunky tomato sauce. I was plopped in front of the TV. Not once, but TWICE, some noodles fell off my fork and directly down my cleavage. Hmmph.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
Later, while enjoying a nice hot cup of tea, my mug inexplicably heaved itself from my hands. My boobs were baptized in hot tea. The scorching liquid soaked quickly into my bra. Bob wondered why I was madly trying to take off my top whilst standing on the back porch. I now have what feels like sunburn on the underside of my breasts.
They say bad things happen in three's.
Perhaps I should do a breast self-exam while applying the aloe vera lotion.
My poor boobs.
My boobs have had a bad night.
So there I was, happily eating my bowl of pasta with yummy, chunky tomato sauce. I was plopped in front of the TV. Not once, but TWICE, some noodles fell off my fork and directly down my cleavage. Hmmph.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
Later, while enjoying a nice hot cup of tea, my mug inexplicably heaved itself from my hands. My boobs were baptized in hot tea. The scorching liquid soaked quickly into my bra. Bob wondered why I was madly trying to take off my top whilst standing on the back porch. I now have what feels like sunburn on the underside of my breasts.
They say bad things happen in three's.
Perhaps I should do a breast self-exam while applying the aloe vera lotion.
Ode to Perko
30 Jun 2007
Ode to Perko
Dear Perko,
You were born on December 25, 1993. You are the best Christmas present I've ever received.
In March, 1994, you came to live with the Shippey family. We picked you up from the airport after your flight from Guide Dogs For The Blind headquarters in California. Mom knew your name before Chris and I did. We knew it started with a "P" and couldn't figure out what Mom was on about when she said it rhymed with a name you might call someone if you didn't like them. "Pitch?" "Pimbo?" Chris and I were pretty convinced that Mom was a total nerd when we learned your name was Perko (which rhymes with "Jerko.")
Being that you were the fourth in eight Guide Dogs we would raise over the years, I don't remember much about your puppyhood distinctly. You were the only black lab we raised, and I remember how adorable you were. I don't remember if you ever destroyed any of my shoes, or if you chewed on the furniture. I'm happy that I can't remember the bad things, because I'd prefer to keep you perfect in my memory. I remember you had a small cyst in your ear that had to be removed. I remember enjoying the fact that you were black because, as the disaffected, adolescent angst-fuelled hippie that I was, your hair didn't show as clearly on my black clothes as the yellow lab hair did. I also remember that you always had to eat your dog biscuits in the same spot: the bottom of the stairs. We would give the biscuit to you any where in the house, but you always had to run through the kitchen, around the corner into the living room, and then you would settle at the bottom of the stairs to enjoy your treat. Without fail, you did this every time.
I was sad the day we gave you back to Guide Dogs. As with all the puppies we raised, I wished that I could keep every one. When you spend a year with a dog, you form a bond.
When you got to California, you developed ear infections and were thus disqualified from becoming a Guide. You became "Career Changed" and were offered back to us as a pet.
This is when I really got to know you, Perko Buddy. My Perko Buddy.
When you got back to our house in Denver, we gave you a biscuit. Guess what you did! You remembered. You remembered us!
You were patient as we raised three more puppies. You made friends with the cats, Phoebe and Eldon. You would lay in the sun by the patio door, and the cats would curl up beside you.
You knew you weren't allowed on the furniture, but WE knew that you snuck up when we weren't home. The tossled pillows and blankets were a dead giveaway, as was your "guilty dog look." If anyone was laying on the couch and there was even an inch of blanket touching the floor, you would attempt to curl up on it. I don't think you ever knew that you were an 80 pound black lab. Perhaps you thought you were a cat?
You taught yourself how to knock on the door when you wanted to come inside. You wouldn't bark or whine or scratch...you simply picked up your paw and went "clunk" on the door, then sat there and looked at us with your big black eyes. If we didn't respond promptly, you would knock again.
You were handy to have in the house due to your hugeness. Little did any stranger know, you'd sooner lick them to death than hurt them. You were so sweet and gentle. You were my Buddy. My Perko Buddy.
In 2002, Mom and Dad took you to the vet for your annual "well puppy check." The vet said you looked great! You were at a healthy weight, your coat was shiny and thick, your teeth were in good shape. You looked good for a 9 year old dog! Then he felt the lump in your groin.
A biopsy proved cancer. My Perko Buddy had cancer. The vet said that we could spend $3000 to remove the tumor and treat the cancer, but that there was a 70% chance that it would recur. Or, we could feed you healthy food, give you medicine for pain management, and get you a puppy. They said you would live another 6 months or so.
We opted for the latter. As a family, we decided to let you live your last 6 months without wild medical treatment. 9 years old is pretty ancient for such a big dog! We adopted Dora, another black lab. What a difference she made in your life! You were like a young pup again! We made a decision as a family that we would put you to sleep when you stopped being "Perko." We knew we would know.
You made it four and a half years past what the vet predicted you would live. Your tumors grew to the size of golf balls, then tennis balls, then grapefruits...and you were still kickin' it! You could still fetch, you still loved to go for walks, you still snuck up on the furniture, and you still went bonkers over biscuits. You still knocked on the door.
In the last few months, however, you started to lose your "Perkoness." You would lose control of your functions in the house. You forgot what to do with biscuits, and your legs were no longer strong enough to get up the stairs, let alone jump on the bed.
Today, Mom and Dad took you to the vet for the last time. In a quiet room, they said goodbye to our Perko as you drifted off to the Great Biscuit Bin in the Sky. The Eternal Dog Park. The Giant Comfy Couch.
Perko, you were the best dog. I'll never forget your big, fat head resting on my knee, your "demon dog" run where you would hunch your hindquarters down and run like mad around the house playing Hide and Seek. I'll never forget you sneaking out the back gate, only to walk around to the front and knock on the door. I'll never forget you, Perko. My sweet Perko Buddy. For over half my life, you were there.
I love you, Perko. I always will.
To remember you, we are getting a small plaque to put at the bottom of the back door. It will say:
"Here Knocked Perko Shippey."
Ode to Perko
Dear Perko,
You were born on December 25, 1993. You are the best Christmas present I've ever received.
In March, 1994, you came to live with the Shippey family. We picked you up from the airport after your flight from Guide Dogs For The Blind headquarters in California. Mom knew your name before Chris and I did. We knew it started with a "P" and couldn't figure out what Mom was on about when she said it rhymed with a name you might call someone if you didn't like them. "Pitch?" "Pimbo?" Chris and I were pretty convinced that Mom was a total nerd when we learned your name was Perko (which rhymes with "Jerko.")
Being that you were the fourth in eight Guide Dogs we would raise over the years, I don't remember much about your puppyhood distinctly. You were the only black lab we raised, and I remember how adorable you were. I don't remember if you ever destroyed any of my shoes, or if you chewed on the furniture. I'm happy that I can't remember the bad things, because I'd prefer to keep you perfect in my memory. I remember you had a small cyst in your ear that had to be removed. I remember enjoying the fact that you were black because, as the disaffected, adolescent angst-fuelled hippie that I was, your hair didn't show as clearly on my black clothes as the yellow lab hair did. I also remember that you always had to eat your dog biscuits in the same spot: the bottom of the stairs. We would give the biscuit to you any where in the house, but you always had to run through the kitchen, around the corner into the living room, and then you would settle at the bottom of the stairs to enjoy your treat. Without fail, you did this every time.
I was sad the day we gave you back to Guide Dogs. As with all the puppies we raised, I wished that I could keep every one. When you spend a year with a dog, you form a bond.
When you got to California, you developed ear infections and were thus disqualified from becoming a Guide. You became "Career Changed" and were offered back to us as a pet.
This is when I really got to know you, Perko Buddy. My Perko Buddy.
When you got back to our house in Denver, we gave you a biscuit. Guess what you did! You remembered. You remembered us!
You were patient as we raised three more puppies. You made friends with the cats, Phoebe and Eldon. You would lay in the sun by the patio door, and the cats would curl up beside you.
You knew you weren't allowed on the furniture, but WE knew that you snuck up when we weren't home. The tossled pillows and blankets were a dead giveaway, as was your "guilty dog look." If anyone was laying on the couch and there was even an inch of blanket touching the floor, you would attempt to curl up on it. I don't think you ever knew that you were an 80 pound black lab. Perhaps you thought you were a cat?
You taught yourself how to knock on the door when you wanted to come inside. You wouldn't bark or whine or scratch...you simply picked up your paw and went "clunk" on the door, then sat there and looked at us with your big black eyes. If we didn't respond promptly, you would knock again.
You were handy to have in the house due to your hugeness. Little did any stranger know, you'd sooner lick them to death than hurt them. You were so sweet and gentle. You were my Buddy. My Perko Buddy.
In 2002, Mom and Dad took you to the vet for your annual "well puppy check." The vet said you looked great! You were at a healthy weight, your coat was shiny and thick, your teeth were in good shape. You looked good for a 9 year old dog! Then he felt the lump in your groin.
A biopsy proved cancer. My Perko Buddy had cancer. The vet said that we could spend $3000 to remove the tumor and treat the cancer, but that there was a 70% chance that it would recur. Or, we could feed you healthy food, give you medicine for pain management, and get you a puppy. They said you would live another 6 months or so.
We opted for the latter. As a family, we decided to let you live your last 6 months without wild medical treatment. 9 years old is pretty ancient for such a big dog! We adopted Dora, another black lab. What a difference she made in your life! You were like a young pup again! We made a decision as a family that we would put you to sleep when you stopped being "Perko." We knew we would know.
You made it four and a half years past what the vet predicted you would live. Your tumors grew to the size of golf balls, then tennis balls, then grapefruits...and you were still kickin' it! You could still fetch, you still loved to go for walks, you still snuck up on the furniture, and you still went bonkers over biscuits. You still knocked on the door.
In the last few months, however, you started to lose your "Perkoness." You would lose control of your functions in the house. You forgot what to do with biscuits, and your legs were no longer strong enough to get up the stairs, let alone jump on the bed.
Today, Mom and Dad took you to the vet for the last time. In a quiet room, they said goodbye to our Perko as you drifted off to the Great Biscuit Bin in the Sky. The Eternal Dog Park. The Giant Comfy Couch.
Perko, you were the best dog. I'll never forget your big, fat head resting on my knee, your "demon dog" run where you would hunch your hindquarters down and run like mad around the house playing Hide and Seek. I'll never forget you sneaking out the back gate, only to walk around to the front and knock on the door. I'll never forget you, Perko. My sweet Perko Buddy. For over half my life, you were there.
I love you, Perko. I always will.
To remember you, we are getting a small plaque to put at the bottom of the back door. It will say:
"Here Knocked Perko Shippey."
2 More Years!
23 Jun 2007
2 more years!
Yup, that's right...my new visa has been approved for TWO MORE YEARS!!!!!
I got home from work today and found a note on my door from the Courrier Post saying that they had a package for me. I about peed my pants. I only turned in my application last week...surely it hasn't been approved already! My stomach dropped as I thought, "Holy shit. It's been returned as incomplete, or worse...It's been declined."
I
got online to check my status, and sure as shit...it's approved and valid until June 2009.
I did a little happy dance. I'll be doing the happy dance for a long time now!
2 more years!
Yup, that's right...my new visa has been approved for TWO MORE YEARS!!!!!
I got home from work today and found a note on my door from the Courrier Post saying that they had a package for me. I about peed my pants. I only turned in my application last week...surely it hasn't been approved already! My stomach dropped as I thought, "Holy shit. It's been returned as incomplete, or worse...It's been declined."
I
got online to check my status, and sure as shit...it's approved and valid until June 2009.
I did a little happy dance. I'll be doing the happy dance for a long time now!
Miss-sent to Bermuda
12 Jun 2007
Miss-sent to Bermuda
Well, that's what the stamp on envelope containing my FBI records said. "Miss-sent to Bermuda." I've been waiting on this incredibly important peice of mail from the FBI that had been MISS-SENT to FUCKING BERMUDA!!!!
Ah well...at least it's here now! I can send my visa application off now...and then I can spend another month or so playing the oh-so-fun waiting game again.
Wooohoooo Limbo!!!!!
Miss-sent to Bermuda
Well, that's what the stamp on envelope containing my FBI records said. "Miss-sent to Bermuda." I've been waiting on this incredibly important peice of mail from the FBI that had been MISS-SENT to FUCKING BERMUDA!!!!
Ah well...at least it's here now! I can send my visa application off now...and then I can spend another month or so playing the oh-so-fun waiting game again.
Wooohoooo Limbo!!!!!
Happy Birthday to Me!
09 Jun 2007
Happy Birthday to Me!
So today's my birthday. I'm celebrating my newfound 27-ness.
Bob woke me up this morning and insisted that I open his gifts. He gave me:
-
The new Tori Amos CD!
-Season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD!!
-A big, fluffy pink bath robe!!!
I wanted to open all my gifts tonight when Katie and PK got home from work, but Bob insisted that I open his gifts this morning because he knew I'd taken the day off work and wanted me to have something fun to do during the day. I can think of nothing better than absorbing the new Tori CD and watching Buffy all day in my warm, fluffy pink robe. He's a keeper!
I tend to get nostalgic around my birthday. I think about what's happened in the past year, big moments, achievements, setbacks, troubles...a year is still a long time, although the years feel shorter and shorter with every birthday that passes.
In my 26th year of life, I:
-Got hired on permanently in the Children's Heart Clinic. Yay!!!
-Battled through NZ immigration for another visa.
-Became housemates with a Sharpei named Ziggy.
-Went home to Denver for the first time in 18 months and got to spend time with my family.
-Discovered that Guinness gives me UTI's. Blech.
-Had one contraceptive malfunction that led to great stress (and great relief!)
-Got to see Colleen, Nicole, Matt A., Laura, and Andrew for the first time in ages!
-Found so many long-lost friends on Myspace. I love looking at my friends list and knowing that most of the people on there are people I actually know and love!
-Had to tell my family that I wasn't coming home from NZ any time soon.
-Realized that my parents are not immortal when my mom got really ill.
-Decided to move in with Bob and Matt R. (which will happen around August).
-Had countless laughs with Katie, but less "Days of Random" since moving into suburban nothingness.
-Experienced great happiness when my friend Gentiana moved back to NZ! (She's from Colorado, but we met here. Then she moved back to Colorado and I was very sad).
-Realized, after some toil and tribulation, that Bob and I are really good together. Double Yay!
-And now I'm battling through NZ immigration for yet ANOTHER work visa.
I'm sure there's plenty more that's happened in the past year of my life, but the new Tori CD is sucking me in at the moment and demanding my attention. Ah, bliss!
Happy Birthday to Me!
So today's my birthday. I'm celebrating my newfound 27-ness.
Bob woke me up this morning and insisted that I open his gifts. He gave me:
-
The new Tori Amos CD!
-Season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD!!
-A big, fluffy pink bath robe!!!
I wanted to open all my gifts tonight when Katie and PK got home from work, but Bob insisted that I open his gifts this morning because he knew I'd taken the day off work and wanted me to have something fun to do during the day. I can think of nothing better than absorbing the new Tori CD and watching Buffy all day in my warm, fluffy pink robe. He's a keeper!
I tend to get nostalgic around my birthday. I think about what's happened in the past year, big moments, achievements, setbacks, troubles...a year is still a long time, although the years feel shorter and shorter with every birthday that passes.
In my 26th year of life, I:
-Got hired on permanently in the Children's Heart Clinic. Yay!!!
-Battled through NZ immigration for another visa.
-Became housemates with a Sharpei named Ziggy.
-Went home to Denver for the first time in 18 months and got to spend time with my family.
-Discovered that Guinness gives me UTI's. Blech.
-Had one contraceptive malfunction that led to great stress (and great relief!)
-Got to see Colleen, Nicole, Matt A., Laura, and Andrew for the first time in ages!
-Found so many long-lost friends on Myspace. I love looking at my friends list and knowing that most of the people on there are people I actually know and love!
-Had to tell my family that I wasn't coming home from NZ any time soon.
-Realized that my parents are not immortal when my mom got really ill.
-Decided to move in with Bob and Matt R. (which will happen around August).
-Had countless laughs with Katie, but less "Days of Random" since moving into suburban nothingness.
-Experienced great happiness when my friend Gentiana moved back to NZ! (She's from Colorado, but we met here. Then she moved back to Colorado and I was very sad).
-Realized, after some toil and tribulation, that Bob and I are really good together. Double Yay!
-And now I'm battling through NZ immigration for yet ANOTHER work visa.
I'm sure there's plenty more that's happened in the past year of my life, but the new Tori CD is sucking me in at the moment and demanding my attention. Ah, bliss!
Where to Start?
10 Apr 2007
Where to start?
So it's been a while since I blogged...here are some highlights from the past few months.I had a wonderful time in the States at the end of January. It was so good to see my family again. Mom is doing much better, but still not 100%. I was nervous to see her...I had this terrible image of the Crypt Keeper in my head, thinking that she would be skin and bones with no hair, and that perhaps she'd stopped wearing her dentures...I was scared that when I saw her, she would see that I was scared. But no! She was skinnier than I remembered, and her eyes were a bit sunken...but she looked good! She looked better than she did when I left Denver. She had a lot more energy than she's had in years (she even kept up with me on a marathon 2 hour shopping spree at Super Target!). She wasn't nearly as moody as she had been for...well, forever. It was really good to see her, and it took a lot of weight off my mind. It was great to see Dad and Chris, too. The three of us did the obligatory trip to Cheapo Discs. Perko, our 13 year old black lab with mad cancer, is still kickin' it, but barely. He's a miracle dog! My grandparents look old...but hell, they are! My grandpa walks with a cane now, but not any old cane...he found a big old pine branch in his yard, carved it and stained it, and stuck a peice of rubber on the end. He's the envy of all the other grandpas with that thing! It was FABULOUS to go shopping again...everything in NZ is so fucking expensive (about US$25 for bloody Maybelline mascara!) so I stocked up!
Really, though, it was just wonderful to see so many familiar faces...Colleen, Nicole, Andrew, Laura, Matt...I really do miss you guys!When I got back to Auckland, life went back to normal. My good friend Gentiana (who I met here in NZ a few weeks after I got here, but happens to be from Colorado) moved back to Auckland! I was (and still am!) so happy to have her around again!!!!! Bob and I went a bit topsy turvy for a while, but we got through and now things are better than ever. He and I headed to Wellington over Easter weekend and had a fabulous time...I didn't want to leave! Who knows, after I get residency sorted out, maybe I'll move down there!Speaking of residency...I'm on the road to another visa now. Last time around, the main issues were the medical exam and a major time crunch, considering I had to pull everything together (including my job! See previous blogs for info on that) in less than 3 months. This time, it's getting my background check from the FBI, which involves me getting my fingerprints taken here and mailing them back to the States. So many freakin' hoops to jump through! It seems easier just to overstay...I know I wouldn't be the only one! I'd just be the one who gets caught and deported.So that's about it for me these days...Just normal life. I wish I had some great adventure stories to tell, but no...unless finding a surprising amount of dog hair in a hidden crevice in my couch is exciting, then I have nothing, really.
Where to start?
So it's been a while since I blogged...here are some highlights from the past few months.I had a wonderful time in the States at the end of January. It was so good to see my family again. Mom is doing much better, but still not 100%. I was nervous to see her...I had this terrible image of the Crypt Keeper in my head, thinking that she would be skin and bones with no hair, and that perhaps she'd stopped wearing her dentures...I was scared that when I saw her, she would see that I was scared. But no! She was skinnier than I remembered, and her eyes were a bit sunken...but she looked good! She looked better than she did when I left Denver. She had a lot more energy than she's had in years (she even kept up with me on a marathon 2 hour shopping spree at Super Target!). She wasn't nearly as moody as she had been for...well, forever. It was really good to see her, and it took a lot of weight off my mind. It was great to see Dad and Chris, too. The three of us did the obligatory trip to Cheapo Discs. Perko, our 13 year old black lab with mad cancer, is still kickin' it, but barely. He's a miracle dog! My grandparents look old...but hell, they are! My grandpa walks with a cane now, but not any old cane...he found a big old pine branch in his yard, carved it and stained it, and stuck a peice of rubber on the end. He's the envy of all the other grandpas with that thing! It was FABULOUS to go shopping again...everything in NZ is so fucking expensive (about US$25 for bloody Maybelline mascara!) so I stocked up!
Really, though, it was just wonderful to see so many familiar faces...Colleen, Nicole, Andrew, Laura, Matt...I really do miss you guys!When I got back to Auckland, life went back to normal. My good friend Gentiana (who I met here in NZ a few weeks after I got here, but happens to be from Colorado) moved back to Auckland! I was (and still am!) so happy to have her around again!!!!! Bob and I went a bit topsy turvy for a while, but we got through and now things are better than ever. He and I headed to Wellington over Easter weekend and had a fabulous time...I didn't want to leave! Who knows, after I get residency sorted out, maybe I'll move down there!Speaking of residency...I'm on the road to another visa now. Last time around, the main issues were the medical exam and a major time crunch, considering I had to pull everything together (including my job! See previous blogs for info on that) in less than 3 months. This time, it's getting my background check from the FBI, which involves me getting my fingerprints taken here and mailing them back to the States. So many freakin' hoops to jump through! It seems easier just to overstay...I know I wouldn't be the only one! I'd just be the one who gets caught and deported.So that's about it for me these days...Just normal life. I wish I had some great adventure stories to tell, but no...unless finding a surprising amount of dog hair in a hidden crevice in my couch is exciting, then I have nothing, really.
Home
24 Jan 2007
Home
My flight to Denver leaves in 4 hours. I hate waiting! I just want to get there, but I have 20 hours of travel ahead of me.
I can't wait to see my family again. I know that lots of things have changed. My brother graduated from college. My mom has been really sick. She was hospitalized for about 2 weeks back in October for brain poisoning secondary to her liver failure. She lost her job. It's a little scary to think that so much will be different when I get home. Still, it will be so good to see my house again! To sit on the old familiar couches, snuggle up with the dogs and cats...to see snow for the first time in almost 2 years! I can't wait to have good home cooked meals, to drive a car again, to go prowling through the used CD shops with Dad and Chris, and to get a pedicure with my mom.
And I can't wait to go to Super Target!!!! God I miss that place!
I'm really excited about seeing some old friends again. Ash, Colleen, Nicole, Matt, Osty and Andy...I can't wait to see you! It's gonna be crazy!
But first, I get to dick around my house in NZ, waiting to go to the airport.
Oof.
Home
My flight to Denver leaves in 4 hours. I hate waiting! I just want to get there, but I have 20 hours of travel ahead of me.
I can't wait to see my family again. I know that lots of things have changed. My brother graduated from college. My mom has been really sick. She was hospitalized for about 2 weeks back in October for brain poisoning secondary to her liver failure. She lost her job. It's a little scary to think that so much will be different when I get home. Still, it will be so good to see my house again! To sit on the old familiar couches, snuggle up with the dogs and cats...to see snow for the first time in almost 2 years! I can't wait to have good home cooked meals, to drive a car again, to go prowling through the used CD shops with Dad and Chris, and to get a pedicure with my mom.
And I can't wait to go to Super Target!!!! God I miss that place!
I'm really excited about seeing some old friends again. Ash, Colleen, Nicole, Matt, Osty and Andy...I can't wait to see you! It's gonna be crazy!
But first, I get to dick around my house in NZ, waiting to go to the airport.
Oof.
Grown Up
16 Dec 2006
Grown Up
When do you grow up? I've been thinking about this lately. What makes a grown up? I was sitting on my couch last night eating my massive bowl of Tim Tam cereal (crushed up chocolate cookies with milk poured over the top, my favorite "I'm sooooo stoned" snack) and thinking to myself, "When will I grow up?"
When do you officially start to feel like a real, live, responsible adult? I see the whole range of "adults" at work...Doctors, concerned parents...not so concerned parents who I had to chase down to get them to bring their kids to the doctor...nurses, janitors, baristas, receptionists, the guy who picks cigarette butts out of the bushes outside...I work in the hospital. I see it all.
I go to work 5 days a week. I pay my bills. I take the pill. I clean my toilet and kiss my boyfriend and have beers with friends. Am I a grown up?
Does being a grown up mean getting married, having 2.5 kids, a house and a yellow lab? Does it mean pursuing your career, travelling around the planet, saving heaps of money?
Do you have to have all of the above?
Or any?
Grown Up
When do you grow up? I've been thinking about this lately. What makes a grown up? I was sitting on my couch last night eating my massive bowl of Tim Tam cereal (crushed up chocolate cookies with milk poured over the top, my favorite "I'm sooooo stoned" snack) and thinking to myself, "When will I grow up?"
When do you officially start to feel like a real, live, responsible adult? I see the whole range of "adults" at work...Doctors, concerned parents...not so concerned parents who I had to chase down to get them to bring their kids to the doctor...nurses, janitors, baristas, receptionists, the guy who picks cigarette butts out of the bushes outside...I work in the hospital. I see it all.
I go to work 5 days a week. I pay my bills. I take the pill. I clean my toilet and kiss my boyfriend and have beers with friends. Am I a grown up?
Does being a grown up mean getting married, having 2.5 kids, a house and a yellow lab? Does it mean pursuing your career, travelling around the planet, saving heaps of money?
Do you have to have all of the above?
Or any?
Is This Really Happening?
04 Jul 2006
Is this really happening?
Kia Ora!
I
figured that would be an appropriate greeting, seeing that I recieved my new work permit from immigration today. I've been approved to stay here for another year...Watch Out!
It's really strange...earlier today, while I was sitting at my desk waiting for the Courier Post man to deliver my passport, I got to thinking...6 weeks ago, I fully intended on going back to Denver on July 29. I was trying to scrape money together to take a big trip around the country before flying away. I was trying to come to grips with leaving. Hence the start of my Myspace profile.
Oh how things have changed! In only 6 weeks, I've completely U-turned my life. I still can't believe this has happened. Thank you Bob, thank you Starship, thank you NZ Immigration...Thanks to all the friends who have put up with my frenzied forgetfulness and thanks to God for leading me in this direction!
And a bit of coincidence...Today is the Fourth of July. US Independence Day. Is it a bit odd that my visa, which is essentially my "Independence from the US," arrived today? Hmmm....
Is this really happening?
Kia Ora!
I
figured that would be an appropriate greeting, seeing that I recieved my new work permit from immigration today. I've been approved to stay here for another year...Watch Out!
It's really strange...earlier today, while I was sitting at my desk waiting for the Courier Post man to deliver my passport, I got to thinking...6 weeks ago, I fully intended on going back to Denver on July 29. I was trying to scrape money together to take a big trip around the country before flying away. I was trying to come to grips with leaving. Hence the start of my Myspace profile.
Oh how things have changed! In only 6 weeks, I've completely U-turned my life. I still can't believe this has happened. Thank you Bob, thank you Starship, thank you NZ Immigration...Thanks to all the friends who have put up with my frenzied forgetfulness and thanks to God for leading me in this direction!
And a bit of coincidence...Today is the Fourth of July. US Independence Day. Is it a bit odd that my visa, which is essentially my "Independence from the US," arrived today? Hmmm....
It's Out of My Hands.......
18 Jun 2006
It's out of my hands...
So much has happened! I've been offered a permanent position at the hospital, I'm about to send off my new visa application...
Who knew that within one short month, my entire life path would change? I can't believe this...What are the chances? A month ago, when I started this little myspace thing, I just wanted to vent my feelings about leaving New Zealand at the end of July. It's absolutely crazy! A few days after I met Bob, I found out that the hospital was looking to hire a permanent person for my position (as I am a temp), and I thought, why not apply? And they hired me! It was a little odd to apply and interview for a job I was already doing. Now I can apply for a work permit through having a permanent job offer. All the pieces are falling into place. It seems like God is leading me in this direction...
Not all is peachy and roses though...my mom's pretty upset. Dad seems cool with it (or as cool as he can be, seeing that his daughter has decided to stay on the other side of the planet), and I don't know what my brother thinks of it all.
Katie's thrilled that I'm sticking around, and of course Bob is happy=) And I'm happy too.
Everything just feels right. This might be difficult, but I feel that if I don't give this opportunity a go, I'll be making a big mistake.
I've always wanted three things: To have a career I love, to travel, and to fall in love. I knew that I could control the first two, but the third would likely blindside me when I least expected it. And I was right!
It's out of my hands...
So much has happened! I've been offered a permanent position at the hospital, I'm about to send off my new visa application...
Who knew that within one short month, my entire life path would change? I can't believe this...What are the chances? A month ago, when I started this little myspace thing, I just wanted to vent my feelings about leaving New Zealand at the end of July. It's absolutely crazy! A few days after I met Bob, I found out that the hospital was looking to hire a permanent person for my position (as I am a temp), and I thought, why not apply? And they hired me! It was a little odd to apply and interview for a job I was already doing. Now I can apply for a work permit through having a permanent job offer. All the pieces are falling into place. It seems like God is leading me in this direction...
Not all is peachy and roses though...my mom's pretty upset. Dad seems cool with it (or as cool as he can be, seeing that his daughter has decided to stay on the other side of the planet), and I don't know what my brother thinks of it all.
Katie's thrilled that I'm sticking around, and of course Bob is happy=) And I'm happy too.
Everything just feels right. This might be difficult, but I feel that if I don't give this opportunity a go, I'll be making a big mistake.
I've always wanted three things: To have a career I love, to travel, and to fall in love. I knew that I could control the first two, but the third would likely blindside me when I least expected it. And I was right!
It Can All Change in a Day.....
21 May 2006
It can all change in a day...
Yesterday morning, I woke up ready to do what I usually do with my Saturdays: Kick it all day with my flatmate, who happens to be my best friend. We usually just putz around Auckland, get coffee, do some shopping, and enjoy each other's company after a long week of work. It's very nice. We call it our "Day of Random."
But not yesterday! Her partner (my other flatmate) wanted to take her out of the CBD. He just bought a new car and wanted to test it out on a long drive. I was cool with this because I was recovering from a cold and was quite keen to have some "me" time.
We went out for coffee, then parted ways...I came back up to my flat and was checking my email, when lo and behold...I have a message in my myspace inbox from this dude. So he and I start emailing back and forth, and he suggests going for coffee. Since I have jack crap to do, I agree.......
OH MY GOD!!!! I am completely blown away! About an hour after we finish our coffees, we're still in the throws of great conversation. This is amazing! He asks if I want to go to dinner, we take a long walk down K'rd, through Ponsonby, talking laughing talking, he takes me to a very nice little Italian restaurant, talking laughing talking...He has to go to a show on K'rd so we are about to part ways, but no, it doesn't end there...Kissing laughing planning talking...Butterflies in my stomach so strong that I think I'm going to float away, trying to convince myself that I'm not dreaming...Did he really just say he wants to take me away up north tomorrow? Is this happening? Am I drunk? Am I high? Where did this come from? I was supposed to have a normal Saturday! This is insanity!!!
And the texts! All night, these beautiful messages from him. Just when the butterflies would settle down, my phone would go off again. I absolutely can't believe this is happening!
How can this happen when I'm supposed to leave NZ in 2 months? How is this fair?
I couldn't sleep last night. My body wouldn't settle. And I woke up at 6am.
Straight awake.
And I'm staring at the clock, waiting for 10am to come so I can see him again...
It can all change in a day...
Yesterday morning, I woke up ready to do what I usually do with my Saturdays: Kick it all day with my flatmate, who happens to be my best friend. We usually just putz around Auckland, get coffee, do some shopping, and enjoy each other's company after a long week of work. It's very nice. We call it our "Day of Random."
But not yesterday! Her partner (my other flatmate) wanted to take her out of the CBD. He just bought a new car and wanted to test it out on a long drive. I was cool with this because I was recovering from a cold and was quite keen to have some "me" time.
We went out for coffee, then parted ways...I came back up to my flat and was checking my email, when lo and behold...I have a message in my myspace inbox from this dude. So he and I start emailing back and forth, and he suggests going for coffee. Since I have jack crap to do, I agree.......
OH MY GOD!!!! I am completely blown away! About an hour after we finish our coffees, we're still in the throws of great conversation. This is amazing! He asks if I want to go to dinner, we take a long walk down K'rd, through Ponsonby, talking laughing talking, he takes me to a very nice little Italian restaurant, talking laughing talking...He has to go to a show on K'rd so we are about to part ways, but no, it doesn't end there...Kissing laughing planning talking...Butterflies in my stomach so strong that I think I'm going to float away, trying to convince myself that I'm not dreaming...Did he really just say he wants to take me away up north tomorrow? Is this happening? Am I drunk? Am I high? Where did this come from? I was supposed to have a normal Saturday! This is insanity!!!
And the texts! All night, these beautiful messages from him. Just when the butterflies would settle down, my phone would go off again. I absolutely can't believe this is happening!
How can this happen when I'm supposed to leave NZ in 2 months? How is this fair?
I couldn't sleep last night. My body wouldn't settle. And I woke up at 6am.
Straight awake.
And I'm staring at the clock, waiting for 10am to come so I can see him again...
Stream of Consciousness
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Stream of Consciousness
My favorite way to write is to just let my mind wander. I totally prefer typing to handwriting because I can type much faster than I write (although I think my handwriting is quite pretty)...My fingers keep up with my brain better. As it goes, right now I'm typing quite slow because I'm thinking about what I'm doing too much.
Enough of that.
So I caught a cold this week. Funny how that sort of thing can happen when you work in a hospital. Everyone at work was really sweet though...they kept bringing me throat drops and tea. I'm blessed to work with really nice people.
And at home...my flatmates threatened to keep me on the balcony until I get better. They offered to bring a little grill to me so I can warm myself with the fire, and to pass me food through the window. How kind!
Being sick isn't all bad though...sometimes it's good to just sit and relax, slow down a little and take inventory of everything going on around me. I don't take the time to slow down very often because I feel like my time in NZ is ticking away, and I don't want to waste a moment. I wonder if this feeling of time being precious will transfer with me back to Colorado, or if I will get all despondent. Do I have to be doing something exciting, like living abroad, to be excited about life?
What do you think?
Stream of Consciousness
My favorite way to write is to just let my mind wander. I totally prefer typing to handwriting because I can type much faster than I write (although I think my handwriting is quite pretty)...My fingers keep up with my brain better. As it goes, right now I'm typing quite slow because I'm thinking about what I'm doing too much.
Enough of that.
So I caught a cold this week. Funny how that sort of thing can happen when you work in a hospital. Everyone at work was really sweet though...they kept bringing me throat drops and tea. I'm blessed to work with really nice people.
And at home...my flatmates threatened to keep me on the balcony until I get better. They offered to bring a little grill to me so I can warm myself with the fire, and to pass me food through the window. How kind!
Being sick isn't all bad though...sometimes it's good to just sit and relax, slow down a little and take inventory of everything going on around me. I don't take the time to slow down very often because I feel like my time in NZ is ticking away, and I don't want to waste a moment. I wonder if this feeling of time being precious will transfer with me back to Colorado, or if I will get all despondent. Do I have to be doing something exciting, like living abroad, to be excited about life?
What do you think?
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