Thursday, January 10, 2008

More Wellington photos















The Pinnacles

















Titahi Bay
















The Marae at Te Papa

Update

Rhett and I have both been missing home quite a bit lately. There's nothing like going away to make you appreciate the things of home! Don't get me wrong, it's a really good experience being down here and the people have been really welcoming, but nothing beats home!

Today we went to see the movie 'I am Legend'. From an objective point of view I thought it was a really well-made film, particularly with the lack of 'over-the-top-ness' and the creation of suspense. And Will Smith was awesome. But really, it was more Rhett's cup of tea than mine!

Other than that I have been reading a lot (just finished 'Assassin's Apprentice', and now onto Douglas Coupland's 'The Gum Thief') and planning school stuff. I am really excited to get back to work and put all my plans into action!

I never really noticed how much of 'routine' person I was until the routine stopped. I have decided to start getting up at the same time each morning.

We went and visited Te Papa on Tuesday and really enjoyed it! My favourite bit was the art gallery section. Got a few photo's but was unsure whether you were or weren't allowed to take them so I laid off a bit. I've always wanted to go to Te Papa so I'm glad I've finally done that!

Anyway, not too much else to report from the last few days. Looking forward to the better weather....

Friday, January 04, 2008

Four days in to 2008

Tonight I am feeling happy, excited, a little tired, and pleased.

Happy because it's been a good, sunny day, and is now a nice relaxing evening.

Excited because Rhett and I booked our flights to go and visit my sister, her partner, and my extremely cute nephews, in a few weeks. I've been hanging out to go there for a long time now, so it's awesome that we finally get to go! Also, it will be Rhett's first real visit to the South Island!

A little tired, only because I am well and truly in holiday mode and am so used to not working that doing just about anything is strenuous. It's a good place to be :)

And pleased, because it's Day Four and I have been keeping my New Year's resolutions. (Did I call them that?)

Not only have I been researching healthy snacks and enjoying them, but Rhett and I went for a mammoth walk the other day in a place called the Pinnacles (East of Wellington). It felt like we were walking in a desert; it was blistering hot, and we were working our way through a dried up river bed. It turned out to be an 11 hour long day (obviously not walking that whole time!), but I felt well-exercised by the end of it, and managed to get a couple of good photo's. And slept well that night!

I have done a plan of when I will plan my school stuff for this year. I had intended to use Rhett's sermon prep time to do all of it, but am getting a bit addicted to daytime TV!

Tomorrow we will be going to the local Farmer's Market, where they sell all types of goodies that you get to try first, looking forward to it!

Titahi Bay Pictures


Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Summer

I love Summer. I was clearly grasping at straws with my last post! (Has it really been that long???)

Well, under the advice of a friend (who I am expecting a comment from!) I finally decided to update my blog. At the moment I am writing this from Tawa, Porirua, where Rhett and I are spending the Summer while he is on Summer Pastorate at Titahi Bay Baptist Church.

I've been here for two and a half weeks now, Rhett has just hit the six week mark. The three and a half week gap when I was still back in Auckland was very hard! It made me realize how lucky I am to have my Rhett, and it was definitely a learning experience for me in trusting in God's provision.

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and we are now starting a new year. Reflecting on teaching in 2007: I loved it! There were many ups and downs. Downs were: reports, assessments, meetings etc. Ups: Having a great group of friends at work, sports day, camp, and the kids in my classes certainly had 'spark'.

The best thing about teaching in the past year, was knowing that this is definitely where I am supposed to be. It is certainly a challenging and tiring job, although there are lots of perks and I am very happy at the school I am at. I feel a sense of purpose there. I know there will be much more in store for me, and much more for me to do, but right now, teaching is awesome.

So, 2008.

I am reluctant to make New Year's resolutions as I never seem to keep them, so let's consider these: 'life changes, that happen to occur at the start of the year'.

1. Get fit. I know, I make this every year, and fail. But this year I am trying to do it a bit more sustainably. And enjoyably.

2. Worry less. I want to be less afraid of things (big and small), less hyper-aware of negative consequences, take more risks, and have more confidence. I think I often worry too much about things and therefore miss out on where I could be led. So I'm sure this will be gradual (and fun!).

3. Serve. I like to help people, but in the past year felt a big bogged down with my own stuff. This year I want to seek out opportunities to serve God and others, wherever that might lead!

There we go, three is enough! I'll let you know how things go!

I also aim to keep this updated with what Rhett and I are up to in our explorations of Wellington during Rhett's Summer Pastorate - the female perspective :)

I'm off to enjoy the evening sun!

Friday, July 13, 2007

Winter

I was walking down the road today, the sun was out, I was listening to old school songs on my MP3, and for a moment there I forgot it was winter.

To be honest, I'm one of those people who gets a bit depressed when the weather is dreary, but this winter I'm trying to make a concerted effort to not let that happen (even though a close friend recently told me that it was a physiological deficiency of Vitamin D that gets us down, which almost gave me an excuse to rationalize it!).

So, join with me in dwelling on the good things in winter: hot chocolates, cosying up under the blankets, getting to stay inside and read, the occasional beautiful cloudless days that are so crisp, not feeling way too hot, actually wanting to exercise because it warms me up, and always having something to look forward to - summer!

MY TOP TEN NOVELS

So here are my top ten novels, so far! This list was hard for two reasons: Firstly, unlike CD's, I don't own the majority of books that I've read and enjoyed! And secondly, it's soooo hard to choose! But seeings as this is my blog, I make the rules. So more than one book by an author IS allowed. Mwahahaha!

So here goes...

MY TOP TEN NOVELS:

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2. The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay
3. Magician - Raymond E. Feist
4. Emma - Jane Austen
5. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
6. JPOD - Douglas Coupland
7. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
8. Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
9. The Whale Rider - Witi Ihimaera.
10. Velvet Elvis - Rob Bell


Close by:
Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt
Hey Nostradamus - Douglas Coupland


The list obviously excludes short stories, poetry, and plays -maybe I'll do more lists!
I'll blatantly rip off Rhett's recent idea and say: reply with your own top ten novels lists!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Update

Well, I got through Term One with very few scratches, the occasional stress melt down and more addicted to caffeine than was previously! And still smiling!

Over the two week break I moved house, relaxed, read Jane Austen's 'Persuasion', and bought and loved Dave Dobbyn's CD 'Available Light'. Also celebrated Rhett's birthday, caught up with friends and family, and even went for a run! (Just the one though....)

All in all this year is shaping up to be a good one!

And lo and behold I checked my poor neglected blog and realized I have a comment! Hence my conscience persuaded me to post. My apologies for the lack of enthralling subject matter, but I figure some of you might like to know what I've been up to lately.

So hopefully more people will comment, and more posts will occur!








Disclaimer....
I hereby do not promise that the comment:post ratio will be highly relational, but I will try my best!


Wednesday, March 21, 2007

What's your theological worldview?

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan.

You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.


Emergent/Postmodern 75%

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 75%

Neo orthodox 64%

Classical Liberal 54%

Roman Catholic 36%

Reformed Evangelical 32%

Fundamentalist 29%

Charismatic/Pentecostal 29%

Modern Liberal 25%

Thursday, March 15, 2007

What's your personality type?

You Are An ENFP
The Inspirer
You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.You are also unconventional, irreverant, and unimpressed by authority and rules.Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're qutie the storyteller!
You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.




Some of this is probably true, other bits are questionable...... A politician? Really?