What to do, what to do

Sunday arvo and I am bored. Had a great day out at Southbank but now I am home and not really wanting to do anything. Don't know what I want to look up online, don't want to read or play games.. I want to be in NYC.. I am planning, planning, planning and I want to be there now... thats all I can think about..

Well that and my trip to Melbourne & Chch in November.... yay I can't wait to go home. I was home at Easter but only for about 4 days. This time I will be home for 10 days and I plan to go up to Nelson & over to the Coast too. Can't wait. I am so over Brisbane right now. It doesn't inspire me anymore. Its just the same old thing every day and I am getting jack of it.

I want to see more of this world! I think after going to the UK last year, I really do realise that there is a big wide world out there waiting for me and I just want to be out there seeing it.

Time for me to stop with the planning and start with the doing!

Its so gonna happen

My niece was talking today about visualisation and I thought it was a great idea. You want something so you get a photo or make a list and visualise it every day. So what did I get?

Yep... a map of New York City. Ok so it might not be the most accurate map, but it gives you the idea, plus its MASSIVE and it sits right behind my pc so I see it every single day and can visualise myself walking up Seventh Avenue!!

I have other stuff that I want to visualise too but I think I will start with this and just go with it for now.

The Plans

Ok, so I'm in planning mode once again... this time it is NYC in my sights. Well its been in my sights for a while but I am hopefully going to make it a reality in November 2012...

Why then you ask? Well a couple of reasons... 1) so I can save!!!! (best intentions!); and 2) coz November 2012 will be my 4oth birthday... yip thats right... I will officially be middle aged next year! Man that is a scary thought.

So what better way to ring in the middle age than to be in NYC. Currently looking at accommodation etc. Did you know how hard it is to find a decent place in NYC... they don't have apartments as such like other places and if you do look at booking at an apartment you could possibly be breaking the law! So I looks like a hotel for me... ok so next thing - do you know who bloody expensive NYC is???? For 8 nights I am looking at at least $2000 for a decent place in Midtown. Bloody oath! I mean, for 10 days in London it was cheap and we had an apartment! Admittedly it was a little out of town but even when I was looking closer to the city it wasn't that expensive.

But hey... NYC Baby!!! So may things to see & do.. I wanted to stay a bit longer but it would have ended up being too expensive... actually what I really wanted to do is have 16 days in London/UK and 10 day in NYC but it would have ended up costing me about $10,000! I don't really care how long I go for as long as I am able to stand at the top of the Empire State Building on my 40th birthday.. I could go for 1 day for all I care... that is my goal tho..

If I can do it so can you

I use to hear people say that, and they would say it to me too. I would dismiss them saying "you have more willpower than me".. I never thought I would be one of those people who actually says "if I can do it so can you"

But seriously - if I can change my lifestyle, eat healthy and loose weight then ANYONE can... This is a person who thought nothing about ordering Dominios pizza, eating the whole thing in one sitting and plus the garlic bread as well... now I really don't know if I could have two pieces.

I got a Casear salad from McDonalds last night - I really felt ill afterwards... I even did some yoga moves from the Wii because I felt bloated and just not right. It really is amazing what you can accomplish and how your body can change in just a few weeks.

7 weeks ago today I started Weight Watchers, and I can actually tell you that my life has turned a corner. I had low self esteem, pretty much hated myself and thought everyone was judging me and talking about me. Now - just 7 weeks later, I am 6kg lighter and I have found a new confidence.
This is me in November in the UK.. I am using this photo as my "Before" photo.. I know I have a long way to go before I reach my goal but that is the destination and with any destination, you have to embark on a journey.. Weight Watchers is that journey - its not just about losing the weight, its about having the tools to maintain that weight loss and thats what I am learning. I have eaten more veges in the last week than I think I ever have in my life but I feel good for it and thats what counts.

I am so glad to be on this journey with two awesome chicks Adele & Mell who motivate me, share awesome tricks with me and we have a bloody good laugh as we go. Its been really awesome having people cheering me on. I think that is the problem a lot - you try to do thes things on your own but really you need that support. I have told most people at work what I am doing and they are encouraging me, withholding mornings tea cupcakes from me and really just being there helping me when I get discouraging and prasing me when I do well.

Like I said, this is a journey and I haven't even reached the first stop over yet. I have a long way to go but I really hope that I learn a lot in the process - not just about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but also about myself. I have never been "skinny" so I really don't know what it holds for me once I get there - its a completely different path that I have found myself on and it scares me but excites me too...

My City - Blog4 NZ

I am a Christchurch girl born & bred. I often say that I am a Cantabrian first and a Kiwi second - not that I am not proud to be a Kiwi, because I totally am, after all I do have the Silver Fern and Southern Cross tattooed on my back. But I am as One-Eyed as they come.

22nd February 2011 will be a day is forever imprinted on the hearts and minds of a lot of Kiwis, especially Cantabs, who have been living through quakes for 5 or so months. I wasn't there on the day - I live in Brisbane for the moment but I did experience the September 4th quake - along with pretty much all of my family who were all in Chch to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday on that day.

It was certainly a shock to the system to wake to a such a jolt out of the blue. Seeing the devastation in the news you wondered if it could get any worse. Then one month ago today it did.

I watched in horror from the safety of my office in Brisbane as the city that I loved and felt was a part of me crumbled. After checking on the safety of my family and friends, my thoughts turned to those who had lost family. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like in Chch that day and I hope that I never have to experience it either.

The day was defined for me with the images of the Christ Church Cathedral - that iconic building that has stood at the centre of Chch for more than a century. I remember a time when the Cathedral was the heart and soul of the city, when it was the tallest building for miles around. I think over the years we have lost that part of ourselves as the urban spread began and malls like Northlands, & Riccarton were built.

I know that I should be thinking about those who have perished and those they have left behind, but (and I know it sounds silly to say) my thoughts are of the buildings. The ones that I have grown up seeing, the ones that I have worked in and the ones that define the character of the City of Christchurch. I know that rebuilding has to happen and I hope that whoever is charged with the task will do the city justice. It was and is a beautiful city and I can't imagine it any other way than the way it was. I know we have to move forward and this could be our opportunity to really make something of ourselves.

What do I say to people who want to visit Christchurch - Just Do It! Christchurch is my favourite city in the world. Not only is it a gateway to the stunning South Island but it is an amazing city on its own and one that has a lot to offer. The Botanical Gardens, the Port Hills with its amazing views, wineries without an hour of the city,and of course the people - you would not find a more resilient people than the Kiwis. Plus they need our money :)

Where in the world do I want to go?

Ok, so I have been stuck at home for the past two days sick and now I am completely bored out of by brain - not that I really need to be bored to post this but I was just googling and thought I would write a post about where I want to go in the world

I crossed off a MASSIVE part of the list when I finally went to London last year - man I still love that place! I want to go back so much.. even after 4 months. So where's the next destination? Well I am hoping to go to Vegas later this year, but with everything happening at the moment, I am not sure I will be able to after all. Plus I need to save for NYC next year - for my big 4.0!!!

So anyhoo, where I want to go - well it might be easier to write a list (these are in no particular order):

• To see the Northern Lights - whether that is in Alaska, Iceland or Norway doesn't really matter as long as I see them
• Bavaria - mainly to see the Neuschwanstein Castle
• Antarctica - come on?? Who wouldn't want to go there
• Egypt - The Mummy... need I say more!
• Ireland - It just looks stunning, plus Irish accents ;)
  
• Canterbury, UK - actually I would like to see pretty much ALL of the UK, and of course I need to go to Canterbury - after all I have been to Christchurch in the UK :)
  
• Kronborg Castle, Zeeland Denmark - apparently this is where the inspiration for Hamlet came from - Hamlet being my favourite Shakespeare play
  
• Maine/New England in the Fall.. just want to see it, Autumn is my favourite season and the pictures of that area are just stunning
  
• Kenya - I would love to do a safari
• Capetown - it just looks beautiful
• Copenhagen - actually any of the Scandinavian countries would be great
• Scotland - well I guess this falls in the 'UK' section
• Petra - ever since I was little I have want to see the buildings in the rock
• Perth - everyone who has been says how great it is, really want to get over there
• NYC - hopefully cross this off the list next year
• York, UK - yep another UK one, this one is special tho. My dad use to put me on his knee and bounce me up and down whilst singing The Grand Old Duke of York when I was little. Ever since I have wanted to go to York

That is just some of the places I want to go. I would love to do a road trip in America -down Route 66.. I would also love to see the historic cities of Savannah & Charleston (I think this comes from being a huge Gone With The Wind fan). I would love to see the wide open spaces of Montana - I am not sure where it comes from but when I would little I always dreamed of having a ranch in Montana... - like I said, I have NO idea where that came from. I would also like to see San Francisco, San Diego and of course visit ALL my friends in the States.

I would love to go up to Canada and do a train trip across the state. Visit Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Prince Edward Island.

And I haven't even got to Europe yet!!! Germany, Italy, Croatia, Beligum, Czech Repulic just to name a few.

They say the world is our oyster.. well I wish it was cheaper & quicker to get around.. I need some of the floo power from Harry Potter!

At least dreams are free :)

Happy Freakin New Year

I am thinking of proposing to the Govt to change the New Year to March...

I said to everyone who wished me a Happy New Year on Jan 4th when we went back to work, "I don't say happy new year till March because bad things always happen in January & February".. Well to say bad things have happened is a little big of an understatement...

First there were the horribly floods in QLD including Brisbane, then came Cyclone Yasi... and to be honest I didn't really understand how people could be so upset - I mean sure, I was sad to see some of Brisbane CBD under water, but at the end of the day I was "we can rebuild"..

Then came February 22 2011.. a day that will be one of the worse days ever... Chch, my beloved hometown was devastated by a massive 6.3 earthquake. Yes this comes 5 months after a 7.1 quake hit Canterbury on my mums birthday, but this one was closer to Chch and shallower meaning a lot more damaged and sadly this time loss of lives - mostly because the quake happened at around lunch time on a week day.

I watched in shock from the safety of my office in Brisbane as the news unfolded and just how damaging the quake was. Luckily my mum was ok and my family & friends all appear to be ok, but then I saw images of the iconic Chch buildings such as the Cathedral, The Press building, the Bascilica & the Baptist Church. Not only that but buildings that I knew - the CTV building being one of the most damaged and one that my friend use to work in and knew people who still did.. a lot of those people have been lost.

I know that its stupid but the first thing I thought when I heard the news is "I need to be there now".. people were (& still are) said there was nothing I could do... Don't you think I know that!?! I am under no illusion that I wouldn't be any use but for me its a case of if I am not there I don't believe it... even tho all the images prove me wrong. I also know that if I am there I am in more control of my emotions. Adele reckons its coz I am a control freak.. haha I think in part it is the reason. Having been in the Sept quake and not there for this one, I know that I would rather be there.

Everyone is different.. I think most people would want to get out of the city rather than go towards the city.. I guess it is a control thing for me...

I am absolutely guttered that this has happened to my town. I love Christchurch so much & would go back there in a heartbeat. In the words of Scribe: "I'm from Christchurch, my home in this earth". Chch will always be my hometown and I am so proud to be a One-Eyed Cantabrian.. born & bred!! It has such a special place in my heart and to see the city go through this is so heartbreaking.. to watch the images & see the photos I can't even begin to imagine the terror that everyone was feeling... I just hope they know that they are not alone.

After it happened so many of my work colleagues & friends contacted me to see if my family was ok... You really appreciate your friends & family in times like this.

I know that Chch will pick itself up again but it will take a lot of healing and time. Chch people are resiliant if nothing else. They are strong and prepared to do what it takes to make the Chch as gorgeous as it once was... yes it is sad that we have lost some beautiful old buildings that have been there since the city was settled in the 2nd half of the 19th century. These buildings have been through a lot, including several large earthquakes... it is so sad to see the rubble.

You do have to wonder if they will come back from this... I like to believe that we can but it as I said, it will take a long time and the city of Christchurch will never look the same again.. but it will always be my home.

The Christchurch Cathedral, the earthquake has caused the steeple & most of the tower to be destroyed..
this is the symbol of Chch that many overseas people see, seeing the damage has caused alot of heartbreak,
especially since after the Sept quake it was still standing and a lot of people said if it was destroyed,
it would cause untold devastation throughout the city.

The Baptist church which was damaged in the Sept quake has been completely decimated

The historic Timeball Station on Lyttelton Harbour has been severly damaged
with part of the back coming away from the building

The Catholic Bascilica has been badly damaged with pretty much the whole
of the right hand side now rubble in the car park