Heres some photos of my flatmates. There are 7 of them at the moment, 4 permanent and 3 rescue dogs. Yes things do get a bit noisy at times, we had a full on dog fight to break up this morning. 2 of the boys cat stand each other and have to be seperated at all times. A door got left open this morning and it was all on. My flatmate and I grab a tail each and yank them apart which usually works but it took 2 bowls of water dumped over them to seperate them today. The fur was flying. My flatmate collects abandoned Samoyeds from death row in the pound and is a foster home for them. The 3 we have now had been abandoned at various times, one locked in a garage for 4 days with no food or water while the owners did a runner back to Asia. Some people are just so cruel.

Blake, the boss. He just loves crashing out on my bed. Also the inspiration behind Blakes Bikkits

Molly, who was left in the garage. She'd been shaved as well so isnt as fluffy as she should be but her coat is growing now and she is starting to look like a proper Samoyed.

Noah.

The things you see on the roads in this town are entertaining. It takes me 40 mins to drive to work, 25 mins to drive to uni and anything from 40 – 60 mins to drive between work and uni so it gives me a lot of time to observe those around me. To the motorcyclist with the rego 56KEG, next time you hop on your bike PLEASE pull your pants up so we don’t have to see your muffin top and your notsotinywhities and plumbers crack. Not a pretty image.

A group of homies or whatever the current term is (heres me showing my complete lack of local lingo) had me in stitches the other night. They were cruising up the motorway in this huuuge American 50’s style convertible, all lowered and hotted up. There were about 6 of them in big boofy jackets; caps etc with rap music blaring then as I pulled up beside them at the lights the driver had a Chihuahua on his lap! They saw me laughing at them and just smiled and waved. Bless.

Everyday I see a variety of nose pickers, hair groomers, shavers, even a guy cleaning his teeth, finger tappers, seat dancers and the whole big class of dickheads who got their license out of a weetbix packet. I feel sorry for cyclists like D-Man who regularly dance with death on their way to work. Auckland drivers are just so aggressive, if there is anything resembling a gap in the traffic you can guarantee someone will nip into it because swapping lanes just might get them home 3 seconds quicker.

I feel guilty about being a single occupant car but there’s no public transport from where I live and I would have to change buses and take twice as long between uni and work. Once my student ID arrives I’ll definitely be checking out the new northern busway as it will mean I use less petrol which is astronomically expensive now and looks set to rise even further. On my days off I don’t use my car unless I really really want to go somewhere and then its usually only to take the dogs to the beach.

Don’t get me started on the amount of unrestrained kids in cars either, its just shocking. When I first moved up here I was walking to the mall and in that 15 minute stretch I saw 6 cars with kids unrestrained. In all cases the driver had a seat belt on but what about the kids?

I heard a really good question today standing in the uni book store contemplating the cost of text books. “would you like a petroleum based bag for that?” The girl in question was about to say yes then realized we were all looking at her and quickly stuffed her purchases into the bag she already had and took off. Perhaps every shop should be saying that.

Right I should be studying not aimlessly trolling the net. Procrastination is so easy!

yes I am a lazy monkey but the evils of facebook have taken over my life lately. Now I'm a bit sick of it so my new years resolution (made on Feb 29, better late than never ) is to write at least once a week.

So an update on my life. I have moved to Auckland, I live in a flat with 2 other girls and 5 dogs. Its all going swimmingly well at this stage. I have the hugest bedroom ever and all the joy of having dogs around with none of the expense of keeping them. I took one of them to Muriwai Beach yesterday for a walk and boy it felt good. There is so much more reason to go walking when you have an energetic dog in tow.

I am going back to Uni this year, as well as working so will be a bit of a stressball in a few weeks I am thinking. I went along to orientation today only to discover I wasnt enrolled in what I thought I was enrolled in but after standing in a very long line for a very long time that seems to be sorted out.

Work is going well, I transferred up to Auckland Domestic airport ok only to find a day at work there is flat out insane compared to a day in Welly. They do things a bit defferently as I discover when I make a cock up such as not openeing the airbridge doors and leaving the passengers stuck on the airbridge wondering how the hell they were going to get out. Ooops. Still its a great job and I love it.

Short entry I know but that will have to do for now. My camera is dying a slow and painful death so no recent piccies to post either.

I’ve been doing the Aunty thing a bit lately. I had my nephew to entertain a couple of weeks ago. Its been fun really, I’ve missed 2 years of their lives while I was away and a lot has changed since then. Hes nearly 13 now and interested in different stuff than before I left. He mowed the lawns for me as it stopped raining long enough for them to dry out and was quite happy to do so as he was earning money. We went off into town and he promptly spent it all at Time Zone playing games. We also did Te Papa, they have a mystery solving exhibition on at the moment that is quite good, and just right for his age group.

We went to see Blades of Glory, good for a laugh but not much else. If you can stomach a half naked Will Ferrell then this is the movie for you. Rubbish story line, stupid moves, predictable end but good light hearted entertainment.

My youngest niece came down for the day last Sunday so we spent the day doing little girlie stuff. She very cunningly wore the oldest, holiest pair of shoes she could find knowing full well her grandmother would get suckered into buying new shoes for her. 2 pairs later she went home very happy. I had the middle niece for the day a few weeks before that and we did the tour of parliament which was quite interesting. I remember going there in 3rd form all those years ago and all I remember seeing was the chequered floor you see on TV and the chamber.

3 weeks ago I went up to Rotorua for the weekend to catch up with my mates. It was the Young Farmer competition so there was plenty to do. On the Friday night it was the 75th reunion and not too many my age were there but I got talking to some of the old guys who were in Young Farmers back in the 60’s and stuff and they had some pretty good stories. One guy was telling me how some bright spark had the idea of setting off the fire alarm in a small hotel after the annual ball one year just to see who appeared out of whose room. Some things never change. The idea was bandied about at around 4am on the Sunday morning but luckily it was decided the Novotel probably wouldn’t appreciate it too much and the person in question couldn’t afford the fire brigade call out fee anyway.

Saturday evening was the final show and ball. My friend and I stitched ourselves into our dresses – has anyone tried those stick on bra things? Useless. My dress was so low at the back that was the only option available to me and they didn’t really do the job quite honestly. After 12 hours in the dress gravity was starting to win but luckily everyone was drunk enough not to notice.

I even manage a very polite and civil conversation with the ex-husband. I’d not seen him since I’d left and a lot happened in the meantime, water under the bridge type stuff, but even in my slightly drunken state (someone bought me a whole bottle of red wine instead of just a glass, bad mistake) I didn’t say anything too outrageous which was very controlled of me. The ball was pretty good, the blandest food ever was on offer but really good wine. Next morning was so not pretty, I went for brunch with a friend and lets just say struggled to eat anything. Considering I had a 7 hour drive home, it was one very long day.

I’ve succumbed to the facebook craze. I resisted myspace and bebo but after numerous invites I figured I might as well check it out and am now addicted dammit. I cant stop playing the traveler IQ game.

Still faffing about sorting out my photos, but heres a couple from New York
As all tourists do we went to Strawberyy Fields in Central Park. What a stunning piece of scenery that is. I want to see it in the snow next time. Someone was filming there and the dopey cow presenting kept fluffing her lines and wouldnt get out of the way so I could get a face on photo of it so thats why its slightly cockarsed.

View from the Top of the Rock. We decided on going up the Rockerfeller Centre rather than the Empire State as I wanted to get the Empire State in my photos. Yes it was a bad hair day.

The was the largest piece of cake I have ever tackled in my life. Its makes the sponge mountain I scoffed in Turkey look like a mere cupcake in comparison. We went past a very yummy looking bakery and decided to try a cup cake. Once we got inside the delights of the big cakes beckoned and we succumbed with squeals of delight. Little did we know that one piece would feed a family of 4 in NZ. Look at the spoon on the side, its a full sized spoon, not a teaspoon.

So what have I been up to since I came back? Mum gave me a ticket to the All Blacks France game for my birthday so that was a good night out, good seats and it turned out a relative was sitting right in front of us but it took us a good 15 minutes to notice! I went to see Oceans 13 the other night as another birthday pressie so that was all good. It’s much better than Oceans 12 so worth a trip out to see that one.

I’ve been hanging out at the neighbours a fair bit, he is Jordanian so makes the best tea on the planet and we sit and chat about all sort of topics. I took his kids to see Shrek 3 last weekend which was ok, nothing stunning but still a bit of a laugh. The jokes seemed to be more aimed at the adult audience this time round and puss only pulled the cute face for about a second and a half.

Mum and I have been busy sorting her house out, sometimes you just need someone else to come along and say oh my god you still have that! Throw it out now! The local charity shop has been doing well out of us, 2 boot leads have gone down there so far this month with loads more to go. We’ve put loads of stuff up on Trade Me, its surprising just what junk people will buy and bid plenty for.

I am still sulking at being home. When people ask me whats it like being back its very hard to drag up anything that resembles enthusiasm. If I was in the UK I'd be heading of to Iceland for a girlie trip this week. Sigh. I hope you had fun without me!

I have a ball to go to in 2 weeks, it should be a fun weekend in the stinky city. I bought a dress in Bloomingdales (more about that later) and went out to one of my several storage sites this weekend to ferret around in my stuff for my dancing shoes. I found various treasures Iév not seen for 2 years and a whole load of clothes that dont fit anymore. Still all my winter stuff is now seeing the light of day as its bloody cold here! The huge big 5C today. Last night was a really wild stormy night, the house was shaking the wind was so strong.

I'm wading my way thru all my photos when the mood takes, (which is not very often) and this one arrived in my inbox a few weeks ago. Its one of my favourite ever, Nicole took it at Petra in Jordan, but it was a team shot. It was taken on a 60 second exposure and it was a team effort keeping people away from walking in front of the camera. To get into the Treasury you walk thru a 1.5 km siq, a natural chasm in the rock. The whole route was lit entriely by candlelight, with this at the end. Well worth a visit!

I've been sitting in front of mums pooter all afternoon loading some of her stuff stuff up onto Trade me. She doesnt have broadband. Want. to. smash. pooter. Its so fekkin slow!

I've chatted on the phone with a few people, my brother relentlessly took the piss of my accent. Apparently I sound very English. When I went to the supermarket yesterday and the checkout chick spoke to me I just lokoed at her blankly and said sorry? I'm not used to people talking so fast and the Kiwi accent is just so annoying! It will only take me a week or so and I will be speaking proper like again. Chatted to Michelle for a bit and M when you say yes you sound sooooo like a kiwi!

Piccies time. I have loads of Hawaiian sunset pics which I will subject you to. The first is actually sunset over New Jersey taken from the top of the Rockefeller Centre.

Taken on Maui at Kehei.

Maui again this time at Lahaina

On Oahu at Waikiki looking towards the airport

Waikiki again, same view different day

I’ve just been to the supermarket to get some dinner and saw all sorts of wonderful things I didn’t know I missed until I saw them. Prices have gone up since I’ve been away, veges are bloody expensive! I have been busily doing washing and all that boring stuff while listening to ZM to see what music I’ve been missing out on. Some good stuff out there but then they are also thrashing stuff that has been thrashed to death in the UK already. What is so exciting about Mika??

I’ve also been doing the job hunting thing, there are some exciting prospects out there in the travel industry which fingers crossed I get an interview for. I really don’t want to go back to being a carer again but if nothing happens in the next week I might have to take on a care job as I am so poor! I came home with literally a few cents in my pocket and that’s all.

Mum and Dad met me at the airport last night at the very anti social hour of midnight and promptly laughed at how many bags I’d been lugging about with me. I was at the maximum weight limit for every bag as it would have only cost me more to freight from the UK. Am I missing the UK? Not the country itself, definitely not Woking, but missing my mates. I now have to consider the time when I pick up the phone to text or call which is quite depressing.

At least the weather has been kind to me. Sunny and windy which is better than rain and wind. The weather in Hawaii was perfect everyday so I feel like I have at least had a slice of summer. Only another 5 or so months to wait till it comes around again. Photos coming soon, the lounge has disappeared under a mountain of clothes which need tending to before I start playing with pics.

Yes you did read right, I am ready to go home. This will sound strange but I am a little sick of sitting on the beach doing nothing but reading and people watching. I have read a book a day for the last week and am even getting tired of that. Time to get a job.

Next post will be from Little 'ol NZ and it will contain photos. In the meantime Miles has posted photos that are similar to mine so go check them out.

I met Miles there, he's a bit of an ugly looking guy (he is a chihuahua after all not a proper dog) but his two travelling mates are lovely. His description of the hostel is pretty accurate. Today we went out to Pearl Habour for a look. Its really worth going there, and quite a solemn experience.

For a change I dont mind being older, I am hanging out with a couple of 19 year olds here and they wanted to rent a car for the day. Being so young it was going to cost them a bomb so I offered to drive and they pay so they can get it really cheap. So tomorrow we get a little Ford focus to zoom all over the Island in. Good deal me thinks!

The weather is fabulous, I'm getting plenty of sun but am not too hot. 4 more sleeps and its on the big bird home. :-(

Had a great day out today swimming, snorkelling, lying on the beach and drinking cheap Hawaiian Punch. Lahaina on the Island of Maui is much different from the rest of the Island, its where all the tourist resorts are. Where the hostel is located is a bit of a crap area, we dont go out at night without one of the guys with us. If they didnt do such great day tours here, it would be really crap. Tomorrow we are going to see more turtles! Too exciting. Photos will follow when I get home in 2 weeks

Yesterday we did a bit of a tour of the Island, went walking, swimming and lots of photo taking. Bloo is was the day to red beach and as I rounded the corner I went I've seen this before! The guide looked at me as if I was mad.

Anyway just a quickie to see I am still alive, enjoying Maui, tan is coming along nicely. Off out snorkelling now and the most exciting part is the hire shop has perscription masks! Woohoo no more swimming along holding my nose like I had to do in Egypt.

I've only been here 2 days but have wicked tan lines already. One of my room mates swears I am 5 shades darker this evening compared to yesterday morning. All I've done here so far is wander around, sit on the beach in the sun and read, fly my kite for a bit, watched a lacrosse game, walked and not a whole lot else. The hostel I am staying in on Maui does free tours of the Island every day so I'll be getting out there and seeing some more of these beautiful Islands.

Brain has gone to sleep, I think its still running on NY time so I'l think about what to write as I sit at the airport for 2 hours waiting for a 35 minute flight.

The trip over was uneventful until I got to immigration and got grilled over pretty much every stamp in my passport. And I have a few now. The guy wanted to know exactly how long I was in Egypt what did I do etc etc etc. That all done I met my friends who had come in on another flight and we made our way to the upper west side where we are staying. That night we just had to hit Macys, Times Square, 5th Ave. I resisted that day but yesterday succumbed to a fossil watch I'd had my eye on in England. Over there they wanted 80 GBP, here it was 80 USD. Quite the difference at the exchange rate is nearly 1:2.

Yesterday we went over to Yankee stadium to see if we could pick up last minute tickets to no avail so we just watched some of the game in a bar. I had the biggest sandwich I have ever seen in my whole life for lunch. Luckily I was going halvsies with a mate because this thing came out H.U.G.E. It was held together with a skewer and was taller than my hand. I followed that up with the most enormous slice of cheesecake ever, now for me to not finish a dessert it has to be big and thing this thing was monstrous but oh so delicious. We've walked right past the Empire State Building and only noticed it when we walked right by the sign. It looks just like any other building at street level, its only till you go a block over that you can see it properly. Seen the Chrysler building, Central Park and Bloomingdales. Fabulous shop but too busy for my liking.

They can take dogs into shops here. In Bloomingdales there was this guy that was, get this, pushing a poodle around in a doggy pram. No shit it was this custom made pram for a dog! Really! My mate took a photo and I will post it when I get a copy. So very very strange!

I'm off to meet GW today to drink beer and chat like silly people and tell her what D-Man is really like.

Jo Jo, you are a true mate. I'll miss you loads. I'll be up for text conversations when you are on nights. If I was religious I would thank the lord we were all on the P bus. See you Maachu Pichu 2010 at the latest and Jordan as soon as humanly possible.

Michelle, Donna, G, Spence and all the other P busers, you guys rock. I will never forget the trip to turkey and all the friends I made in those short few days.

Mercy and Kim, what an xperience living with you guys!

Laura, a ture scot in the pub

Lola, I enjoyed our trip to Stratford, hope to catch up with you back home

Lousie, Thanks for everything, I love your apartment. I'll miss our girlie chats

Michael and family. I have enjoyed working with you, all the best for the future. I got paid to see Wales and Germany, woohoo.

Peter and Nancy I'm so pleased I met you both. Between the two of you you have so much love in your hearts. Pete I'm sure the camels are still on offer. Long live the softie six

Marcus, Janine, Kelly, Hayley, Mike, Nicole and all the other habibis, I had a great time in Egypt and Jordan you guys made it fun.

Ulrika I would have loved to have spent more time with you, but 2 trips to Sweden and having you stay in Woking was better than nothing. I hope you get to vist NZ again. See you in Mexico in 2 years

Andy H for looking after me at Old Boys

JenX & Mike, likewise

Sarah for dirt cheap accomodation

Astor for the job and funding all my travels,

Everyone at Hillside for making work so much more interesting.

Stan. Had I not met you on the internet I probably would have not even come over in the first place. You opened my eyes to a whole new world and I am grateful. Thank you for putting me up for a year. I wouldnt have been able to do some much travelling in that first year without you. Thanks

Mum. for your unconditional love and support. I am so pleased you were able to come over and see the world that I have been living in. I know you want me to come home but I really dont want to!

If I have forgotten anyone I am sorry! I'll be sitting at Heathrow tomorrow morning, sobbing.

As we were settleing the patients back in again some of the old ducks were in a bit of a tizz, 'oooh did you see him lovey, he was cute.'

'Ah you didnt have your glases on love, he was a bit old.'

'oooh not too old for me dear, I'll take what I can get at this age' Still, it made the night a whole lot shorter than usual which is all good. One week of work left then I am officially unemployed for a month or so.

Had a bit of a leaving do last saturday. I didnt want a big party so invited a few of the girlies to The Ritz for tea. We had a lovely afternoon, stuffed ourselves silly with all manner of rich a tasty food and I was so full I even left cakes on my plate. In a past life I would have scoffed the lot and asked for more but I'm just not as hungry these days.

After that we waddled back to Jo's to wait for Pete then it was off to Green park for a bit of sun and relaxation before hitting Chinatown to eat, again. The Friendly Inn is our favourite haunt, the manager was in fine form with her floor show and as usual the food was plentiful and cheap. Onto Soho after that for drinkies then the battle of the Night bus back. Good night out and best of all I didnt get really drunk despite several of my friends attempting to rectify that. See I had to work sunday and you just cant do my job on a hangover. Well actually it was so I didnt disolve into tears and make an arse of myself. I did weep a bit saying bye to Pete on the tube the next morning but as it was a public place I only had a little cry which I am very proud of.