The Boxing Joey

So a few days ago it has been proven that as always my besties versions of life events are far better then reality. Some stories can only be told verbally... like Mrs C's recent birthing experience - most would squeam at that story... I laughed so hard I cried.

Others are so much fun that they should be shared publically...
When I txt Miss LL to advise I was with Master Z at the hospital I may not have given enough details for the whole picture to be realised (I mean, here I was thinking the word hospital would warrent a concerned phone call but noooo... apparently only shoe emergencys have such high esteme... god I love her!).

"Happy birthday to Master D - sorry fb does not work at hospital... kangaroo vs Master Z - k 1, Z 0 :( he has a broken collar bone but is a hard arse so he is dealing well x lu"
Miss LL's mental picture... Master Z using a very witty "yo Mama" joke at Skippy the boxing Kangaroo (from here on out known as Joey) which naturally lead to a good ole bout of fisticuffs (ok - I may have added that part), eventually Joey lands a solid kick in Master Z's shoulder... I am sure that Miss LL has enough faith in my Master Z to have imagimed him punching Joey in the nose a few times or some other manly display of aggression, after all, my man would only go down swinging!

I would love to blame cartoons for this one - which would be valid... but it is much more of a reflection of the amazing world Miss LL has (rightly) created in her head!
Has anyone else had a serious communication breakdown via txt they would like to share?

Ok... So after finishing this post, whilst looking for a photo and chatting to Master Z, I have been informed that

When I was 18...

I have to admit that of late I have become just a little disillusioned by life.
Thinking back to when I was 18 I had no idea what 10 years would do to me... Here are just a few of these disappointments and surprises...

• I truly believed that hangovers & belly cramps were a myth - for anyone young reading this - THEY ARE NOT! 
• I did not drink coffee - if I did, I bounced off the walls - Now I am lucky if it opens my eyes wide enough to see the walls! 
• I thought I would NEVER grow boobs... Now they are huge and starting to hang lower... and lower... (and lower) 
• I have traded what I smoke after a good 8 years of being a good girl and smoking nothing
• I happily avoided shoe stores because I was disinterested (shocking I know)... Now I hate going near them as it keeps killing my bank balance (I believe this is due to the horrid thick heels of 2002!) 
• I was unsure of who I was and where I was going.... But I truly thought that would change! lol, Though I have a much greater understanding of what I don't want and where I don't want to go.
• I didn't want to be "in love", I didn't want to get married and I did not want to have children. Thanks feelings! You keep getting in my way - stop it, NOW! 
• I figured I would become a member of the 27 club... Nope. Passed that milestone! 

OMG... and music! What happened? Gangham Style & dubstep?! When did I get so horribly far from trendy? lol I have even developed a love affair for Country music - I am blaming Jake Owen! That man is to sexy for words - now I even want to go to America... Mostly so I can be constantly called Ma'am and hear people holla Ye-haw!

Ok, and on that note... I am going to go check out some eye-candy on youtube (in 2002 the media would have dictated who I could check out because magazines were where it was at - thanks 2012 technology, I love you!) 

Love always, 

Miss R x

Break-up's SUCK!

Eight days ago I was meant to get back on a plane to Australia. I couldn't. As we were about to leave for the airport I had my first panic attack in years. I was not ready to leave.

The day before I had two of the most important girls in my life cry on me and ask me not to leave - granted one was seven and this should have been expected but one was her Mum, and Mrs C does NOT cry!

I had a heart to heart with Master Z and postponed my trip back... with an unknown new arrival date. Master Z dealt with this amazingly. I got really ill and spent the last week sleeping and wondering if I was actually dying - that's right, Man Flu struck me down :P

Like the crazy person I am, a brainstorm was compiled to help figure out which country/city I should be living in. Auckland - with all my amazing people, the horrible weather and public transport; The place I had made home for over 12 years (and loved for at least 11 of those). OR Sydney - with it's exciting opportunities, amazing shopping and weather (Yes Master JH - this is an acceptable reason!); and its extreme uncertainty. Eventually it became clear that now was not when I wanted to be living out of a suitcase, trotting from town to town, broke! The last six months had been a challenge and this challenge was not accepted.

In the coming days I realised that it is unfair to drag things out. Master Z never wants to live ANYWHERE other then Australia, I want to go Everywhere! Master Z and I have different values, goals and ideas of life in general.  We have been having problems since almost the beginning of our relationship and Aussie really has not been working out for me, again, practically since I got there. It turns out that Love really is not enough sometimes.

Now I am left wondering why I feel the need to jump into everything both feet first. Why did I let someone else influence huge life changing decisions without really knowing what I wanted first. Why couldn't I fight harder for the things I needed. Why did I run from love as long as I did because I am getting old and may never end up with kids if I keep falling for Mr Wrong (plz note: the men I have dated are amazing - they are just wrong for me long-term. You guys are cool). ...Why did I get to 25 then realise that actually I do want kids?!!! OK - STOPPING THE CRAZY SPIRAL!
Most importantly, what lesson's am I missing that life is trying so hard to teach me??? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Today I am feeling really hollow, drained and sad. I know that Master Z is hurt, and I know it is my fault. I know that in the next few weeks to deal with all this he is going to hate me. I know that everyone that loves him will call me a bitch. I know that at least for today I feel like a bitch.
Luckily though, I know that we both deserve to be exceptionally happy, and we will be, once we accept that this is the right thing to do and move on with our lives.

OMG guys, forgot to mention! I only have THREE PAIRS OF HEELS HERE!!! Sorry this has been such a downer post. In more positive news though, I start work tomorrow! :D I can't wait. Also it is my beautiful neices 7th birthday (the one that cried on me). She is a star and I love her more then words!

Ciao,
Miss R x

Confused Much...

The joy of vino with Miss A is the random conversations that come about and for some reason, a whole bunch of WHY's???

In NZ we have an amazing (code for WTF) statement "Yeah-yeah, Na!" that to this day bugs the hell out of me... how can I agree twice and then disagree... but still actually be agreeing - because I am not actually disagreeing, although it sounds like I am.

On top of this - Humans have GIANT brains - why are we such dumb-asses that cannot learn from our mistakes and grow a freaken pair??    We are not stupid... Why can we not access more then the 9% of our brain we currently use and sort our lives out???

This currently has been our two major confusions of the evening (I am sure there are more to come though) and I would love to hear yours...

Miss R x

Welcome to the world Joey - Now Claw!

                                                  Fun conversations in the car with Master Z
Miss R - How do kangaroo's mate since their tails are super powerful?
Master Z - Like most animals, the guy kangaroo mounts the girl I think
M R - Naa... but if Kanga is not in the mood she can just swat that fool like a fly!
M Z- Seriously this time I am not making up a story to fool you*
M R - Google will tell me if your lying
damn... girl roo's are way smaller then boy ones... and you're right...

M Z - Did you know that when a baby kangaroo is born the size of a mouse and has to climb up into the pouch to incubate?
M R - OMG, poor Kanga (did I mention that whenever I think of a Mummy Roo I have Winnie the Poo flashbacks of Kanga telling Roo to take a jacket! To this day I find it difficult to leave the house without a coat - thanks Mum ... and Kanga reinfocing her...) so a creapy mouse sized creature scratches its way up Kanga's belly! And the poor baby has to claw its way to safety!!
M Z - They are not hoping around while it makes its way... they stay still... I don't think it's as traumatic as you are imaging...
M R - So what is the gestation period of Roo love to creapy Joey birth?
M Z - I dunno... but it would be really fun to know all this stuff... Did ya know platerpus's lay egg's like birds?
M R - Creepy!!! Birds are gross!!! When I get reception again I am so doing some Roo-search... get it ;)
Master Z didn't make any noise but I heard him roll his eyes at me...
Now I want to see a platerpus in real life too damn it... I may have to go to the Zoo! With a childrens class :o kids get taught the coolist things and don't appreciate it... I wish I could be a kid again... hold up - no wine! She'll be right mate... I will pay grown up prices and pay my own bills!

***Results of Roo-search***
Kangaroos have a gestation period of about a month. They then suckle at teets inside the pouch for over a year and still call the pouch home for 18 months. Kangaroos can also provide more then one type of milk for newborn and older Joeys. Also kangaroos are almost constantly pregnant but can halt the pregnancy until joeys are old enough to fend for themselves, this is known as diapause.

* As always I may have taken slightly embelished here and there what Master Z's response was

Hands on Wall

Last week Master Z got his P’s (similar to NZ’s restricted license) meaning we now have the ability to get off “The Farm” to go places and do things on our own schedule and further a-field then the main street of Mudgee!

On Wednesday this led us to a river that Master Z and his family camped at for over 30 years every Christmas and an aboriginal site named “Hands on Wall”- where Master Z had been as a child but this was his first return since.

After a picnic beside the extremely idyllic river we both had a strong urge to jump into the beautiful clear water but being the middle of winter one of us decided it was a very bad idea... surprisingly this was me!    On the other hand, Master Z decided to strip down to his birthday suit and jump on in... for three seconds... then with a “wow, it’s really cold” he turned around and did it again... for another three seconds. He then promptly (and hilariously) put his clothes on as fast as humanly possible!

Another 15minutes down the road and I successfully managed to trek 1200 meters, through the bush - in heels - to see said hands 

It was a beautiful trek, with a few hairy ankle wobbles on rocks that didn’t agree with my choice of footwear but who cares, when boys (Master Z’s brother) challenge you with statements like “It is a bit of a hike, maybe doing it in heels is not such a great idea” I as a female felt that I must stand up and contradict such opinions with lady logic (or as my mother may call it - blind stubbornness).

Today the plan is to go to “The Drip” (Australians are so original with the naming of places at times)... I think though that the weather has other ideas... the grey clouds that are looming are slightly ominous, so I may have further photo’s/stories for you tomorrow, or I may unfortunately not.

Love always,

Miss R x

The Princess and the Pea

Last night to dinner I wore my extemely sexy liar shoes, they claim they have a leather upper but after a week or so, such a shoe tends to stretch slightly and mold to your feet.

These have not and therefore after three hours uncomfortable turns into  a "slightly" burning sensation... *totally worth it!

Around two hours into the night - after bragging about my accidental flashness with my awesome sparkly (prada) glasses, bows on my (versace) sunglasses and textured (prada) phone, I stood up and felt a stone in my shoe.

For those of you that wear heels - that burn - you know taking them off is a death wish so I spent a good six minutes while moving between awesome comic book pub to sexy chandelair bar weighing up my options.

I "of course" decided to play with fire and remove said stone!

First attempt was a slight failure. Waiting at the lights I pulled off my shoe and the green man flashed... back on goes my shoe and my new nemises the stone is still firmly lodged in my foot.

Then the boys stop to purve at a table of used books of all things - did I mention I love the city? - and I get to remove my shoe and off of the bottom of my foot I pull a dimante!

WTF? How does one find herseld in possesion of a stray dimante in her shoe that happens to look like it has been sharpened to a freaken point?!? (Presumably by bored elves... christmas is still quite far away after all).

Miss TH thought this was funnier then the "oh water" conversation and dubbed it The Princess and the Pea moment!

Have I mentioned how much I love my friends? :)

Miss R x

Cats, tuna & water...

On our way to dinner Miss TH and I encountered a fluffy white cat and here is the conversation that followed...

TH - Look, here's my friend

R - That's a cat not your friend... he doesn't ask how your day was or buy you coffee, in fact if you were standing in front of a bowl of tuna he would ignore you hard!

TH - lol "I don't know you B*tch"

R - "I no speaka the engleeh... Parlez vous francais? "
But then you would be all - well actually (only in french cause she can totally rock that sh*t) and he would be all "oh rats" only cats like rats cause they eat rats, it would be "oh lions" but no, they are cousins, that doesn't work either...

TH - lol so what do cats not like?

R - Great question... What - apart from you standing in the way of his food - does he dislike?

TH - Water! Cats don't like water!

R - Yeah "Oh water"  gotta be it

So now that that mini mystery has been solved we are off to dinner.

...oh water - just doesn't have the same ring to it as oh rats though does it...

Please note, TH totally started that crazy rant/mystery - I had nothing to do with it!

I love my friends :)

Master Z & my sexy new shoes...

So I am on my way to Sydney for my interview (that stated a passion for wine as a criteria... heck yeah baby!) and as I am on my way to the city I am wearing fabulous new shoes ($9 from Vinnies!). Here is the conversation that lead us to the bus.

MZ - Why are you so slow, I have your (girly*) bag?

MR - My feet cannot go any faster!

MZ - What? That is because you're walking funny... is this because of your new shoes?

MR - I am tottering - rushing in heels is no easy feat - and no the burning of my feet has nothing to do with my fabulous shoes!

MZ - *sigh (I am defeated*) they really do look good.

* Miss R may have taken slight creative liberties in these two - or so - sentances...

So yay... Sydney I love you - see you soon! Also thanks Jenny Lawson for entertaining me on the way :) here book "Lets pretend this never happened..." is all I expected and more!

#26 (Part A)

Today I stumbled across the extraordinary Purple Swamphen (aka. Australian *cough-fake Pukeko) along the riverside as Master Z was trying to take me for a romantic stroll... apparently it is not polite to ignore your partner to photograph "dumb birds" when a man is making an effort to be romantic... woops.

For those of you who have seen the mischevious Pukeko in action, the Purple Swamphen is the same hight (around 1/2 meter) and in my opinion is black not purple, they are also less cheeky then their New Zealand cousins. They are however almost as adorable and gave me some homesickness pangs!

Late start but the list has begun... now to find the illusive Koala (outside a zoo) and spend a day at the spa ;p who is coming with?

Luv always,

Miss R x

The Great Australian Adventure Vol.2.2

So I figured I have not given a decent update in a while so here goes...

I am not sure if this is just my friends and myself or everyone, but we all seem to want to share our lives when it is amazing but need to share most when life is not and this is when we hide. I think it is time to break this habit – though right now I am feeling awesome even though things in my life are not... so here is hoping that I can remember this sentiment in the near future *crosses fingers.

As you all know Master Z has broken his collarbone, his surgery went well and even the doctor has agreed that he is healing up nicely.
We are currently residing just out of Mudgee (a few hours from Sydney), I live in wine country :) today I even found a wine bar to my liking (to be honest, Master Z has been saying that this is my place for a while but alas it likes to be closed when I am available for vino *sigh). Sajo's is without a doubt where I will be spending some serious time - it is even where I am writing this :P.

So here I am, in the COUNTRY! As you can see from the photo's, Master Z's Grandparents farm is magical! But it does not change the fact that a city girl is trying to survive in the country.
We are not staying in the main house - so we have an outhouse (stop laughing... it is not as bad as it sounds...) and the other night – after torrential rain - I fell in the mud, not joking.

I laughed so hard I almost cried, but this is due to the fact that it was a laugh or cry moment and I have serious issues with crying, it makes me feel weak and pathetic.

Master Z and I are seriously in each other’s grills (though this does not change the fact that we are crazy in love – though I do slightly want to yell at him a lil every now and again... I think this is because we are both missing our independence) and I am going insane in the membrane without a job (or friends). Operation employment (ANYWHERE) starts for real on Monday so look out Mudgee, here I come!

Today I also spoke to Miss H (congrats on the engagement you sexy biach... I cannot wait to be at your wedding! oxox) and Miss T.H, also via Viber chat I had a mad yarn with Miss LL so as you can imagine, I am feeling indestructible – though maybe that is the wine :P.

Master Z’s family has been more then wonderful and I wish there was a way I could thank them/show my gratitude for their awesomeness but at this time, I cannot figure out how so we will see what happens in the future.

So all in all, life is much peachier then it was 48hrs ago and I am happy :D. Chat with you all soon.

Love forever,

Miss R xoxo

(Written on the 14/07/2012 but internet issues mean I have not had a chance to post till today - sorry x)

Bluebirds the Word

When things are not exactly going to plan there is nothing quite like an accidental discovery of a long time loved junkfood... Rashuns (photo - of empty packet - to follow tomorrow) were todays discovery in the international isle of Coles Dubbo, paired with a punnet of strawberry yoghurt and I was again a grinning 6 year old!
Master Z took his life in his hands and first took some of my Rashuns, dunked them in my yoghurt and advised that it was "not that great".
As you can imagine he was quickly informed to stay away from my crisps and to keep his (wrong) opinion to himself!
So what is everyone elses guilty pleasures? :)
Miss R x

Message of the Week!

"Ok u made me cry! I miss u! Thank u 4 the card it was lovely."

It is something often forgotton that it is the littlest things that make someones day...

Let me know what small things you do to show the love :) ...plz note, if it is cool enough, I may steal it lol

My Mask

This post has been in my drafts for a while and until today I have not had the balls to post it - btw not feeling bad today so that maybe why I can press publish... For years I have got up even though I wanted to stay in bed, smiled when I wanted to scream and laughed when I wanted to cry.

I often hate my life and the fact that I am still in it. It is so much easier to put on the mask and "fake it till I make it" then it is to contemplate how deeply it would effect my loved ones if I gave into the darkness.

A very wise (and extraordinary) woman once wrote "depression lies" and today this is the comment that is getting me through. Although I have never been diagnosed - nor will I ever be, I know that the gloom I am standing in is a lie.
Life is beautiful - I may have just lent out my rose tinted glasses and forgotten who too.

Today, like many other days, I will smile, I will laugh and I will miss my friends like crazy because for years it has been you (with the help of a bottle or two of wine) that got me through and for that I thank each and every one of you. You are the family I choose!

Miss R x

The Great Australian Adventure 2.2

One of the many amazing views on "The Farm"

Sorry it's late my lovelies!

Yay for long weekends even when you are jobless and have no idea what they are for lol.
For the last two weeks Master Z has been living in Mudgee while I have been in the Blue Mountains. As you can imagine this is not ideal and we have been missing each other terribly!
This weekend I have been imersed in country living, bore water and all! (See photo as proof) though on my way to Master Z's family farm a crazy Roo tried for murder/suicide!! Lucky Master Z's Dad was onto it abd saw it coming... They are amazing up close but I almost lept out of my skin with fright!

Now normally I have serious issues being in the country but this weekend has been fun... (excluding the surprisingly efed up Kangaroos) Master Z has kept the wine stocks up (cleaver boy), I have assisted in building a base to protect from nerf bullets and enjoyed catching up with Mrs C and her beautiful children at the Henry Lawson Festival in Gulgong (I never stop being amused by Australian place names).

As has been the case since I got here, Master Z is wonderful. I am going insane without employment - though I will be working the 25th-27th of this month to be helping Liverpool TAFE with their admissions YAY!!! And I HATE being homeless!!!
On top of this I miss my most wonderful friends and family terribly! (Please come visit me soon?) This has been highlighted by Master Z's Grandma doting on me like I am one of the family! Never have I felt more love from a woman that has known me for such a short time as when I met my own Mother (luM x).

So I hope you all know how much you mean to me and that I love you all dearly!!!
Finally, as the weekend started with a efen crazy Roo, so it ends too... This morning I woke up to find out that Master Z had "stacked" his motorcycle - that is crashed for those that speak english lol.
Kangaroo 1 - Man & Machine 0
:/ Master Z is in the hospital with a broken collar bone - hopefully this will be operated on Wednesday morning! Cross fingers!

While Z is laid up in hospital, I am in a not so cheap motel we cant really afford, feeling the gaping emptiness on the other side of the bed.  I wish I could figure out what the universe wanted me to learn out of all this because I am exausted by all these difficult curve balls!
Best be getting some sleep...

From Australia with love,
Miss R!

What has everyone else been up too over their long weekend??? Share so I know at least someone is reading! :P

Home is where the heart is...

Photo from My Little Drummer Boys Blog

It is Sunday and for the first time all month my post is happening on time :)

It has been pointed out to me by Master Z that I have been in OZ for almost four months and surprisingly life is still holding my gonads to ransom for an undisclosed price!

I have to admit that this week is one I am very glad to see the back of! We spent the vast majority of it at RNSH, then on Friday I randomly got called in for work – four hours of sorting mail, not an ideal way to spend time but hell, money is money and I owned that shiz! Fully efficient and personable I was.

After spending a couple of nights with my Aunty and getting to speak with my Mummy and my Poppa, we are now on the way to Mudgee, which will be home base for the next month or so and I am going to be working Tuesday to Thursday of next week in Liverpool so Mudgee will be a flying visit, mostly to drop stuff off.

Whilst chatting with Mummy Bear I realised that I have been between homes for almost six months and I got to admit, it is wearing pretty thin. I never really thought of myself as a homebody (which I know all my friends are probably rolling around the floor laughing at me for missing this self realisation for so long) but it is true that you never really know how much you value something until it’s gone and if home is where the heart is then how do you best look after it when you have no home?

Mmmn Home... I miss cooking in my kitchen, with a glass of wine in hand, waiting for one of the crew to come over, I miss being the hostess with the most-est... (food & wine is the key to being a great hostess if anyone is wondering), I miss making a mess – then cleaning it up, I miss having my own bed – with what some may call too many pillows, I miss my herb garden (that was always within six inches of a terrible death because I am a terrible gardener lol) and I miss blasting music the moment I step in the door.

Enough whining (lol – how many times in this post can I add “wine” let’s find out), although I do still miss all the amazing people I left in New Zealand, I am constantly amazed by their ability to share the love from across the ocean - I also love and value Miss T.H for her super-support this week (and her electric blanket – I am now converted – our new place will have one!) and I am still madly in love with Master Z, without his awesomness I would have packed my bags months ago and right about now I think we would be chilling at Library Bar with wine in hand talking about how to change the world – someone’s love-life – or goodness knows what else lol. *sigh, I also miss Library Bar – their wine list is amazing and I love chilling in their comfy seats waiting for Miss H,  who was almost always late to our LB “meetings” on one such occasion I randomly picked up a management text book and used a quote from it in an assignment lol <3 multi-tasking at its best I would say.

So what are everyone else’s favourite things about home?

Without a doubt mine is the love and laughter shared during a Sunday Vino session.

Love always,

Miss R x  

Wine count: 7 – not as many as expected lol

  

Mona Lisa Smile

Leonardo Di Vinci's "Mona Lisa"

This morning Miss T.H's bf watched me get dressed or so it felt thanks to my half asleep brain, JR Tolkin and the world of Harry Potter!

Some pictures just feel like they are looking at you no matter where in the room you stand... think the Mona Lisa, it’s not that she smiles, it is that her eyes bore into your soul and you feel as though she is smirking at the very fibre of your being as she knows all that has been before you and all that is coming!

So it is with a feeling of trepidation that I walk into the hospital for day 5 of waiting.  As you may know last week Master Z “staked” his motorbike in a Man & Machine vs. Roo escapade.

Update time, after four days of waiting in Dubbo Base Hospital (two of which Master Z had to fast!) we were informed that Master Z needs to be transferred to Sydney to see a specialist.    We are now at Royal North Shore Hospital, day two, still no sign of surgery and today he is allowed to eat, hopefully surgery tomorrow – Sydney means that instead of creepy motel rooms I am bunking with the epic Miss T.H, so after three months I finally get some one on one girlie girl time, which of course makes me feel guilty as I get to hang with my girl whilst master Z tries to sleep in a room full of strangers (thank goodness for Endone)!

I think we are both going a lil crazy with the boredom... since the first time the nurse came in to get Master Z “prepped for Theatre” and handed him a “Gown” I have not stopped picturing my extremely manly man wearing a glam dress and mad bling steping into a Limo on 7 inch heels, on the way to watch a musical at the Theatre!  which lead to images of monkeys in tuxedo's serving peanuts and cigars... Crazy coping mechanism much! ...Maybe straight Crazy lol.

Does anyone have any hospital stories to entertain me? (true or crazy boredom fuelled fiction)

30 Things to do before I am 30!

      Hi Guys, 

      I am very sorry this is late, Master Z and I ended up staying in the city with his Aunty last night so I got to go to a very cute wine bar last night and have a stroll (and serious jewellery purve) today :) but as promised via Facebook, here is my 30 things to do before I am 30, I will keep you updated as I fulfil these goals!

     01.             Picnic on top of Ularu

     02.             Do a wine trail around Mudgee

     03.             Get my licence

     04.             Learn to ride a motorcycle

     05.             Learn a new craft – Decoupage or origami maybe

     06.             Travel to Europe

     07.             Learn to ice skate

     08.             Spend a day with at least one of the girls at a day spa

     09.             Constantly have  fresh flowers in my house

    10.             Buy a car/vespa

    11.             Skydive

    12.             Go to an opera at the Sydney Opera House

    13.             Learn to Tango – Master Z :P

    14.             Ride in a hot air balloon

    15.             Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef

    16.             Fire a pistol

    17.             Buy an antique

    18.             Finish my Degree

    19.             Have a body hot enough to be comfortable posing naked

    20.             Pose naked

    21.             Loan $1000 to Kiva entrepreneurs

    22.             Have 500 comments on my blog

    23.             Practice Pilates, Yoga, meditation at least once a week

    24.             Attend TEDtalks live

    25.             Collect Dr Suess books (Hardcover originals preferably)

    26.             Photograph a “Purple Swamphen” (aka. Australian Pukeko) and a Koala

    27.             Purchase a “Ticket through Time” and view 5-8 of the ten Sydney museums covered

    28.             Take a boat cruise in Sydney Harbour 

    29.             Formulate a clear career direction and have an action plan to get there

    30.             Continue to be the awesome chickie I am and spend more time having faith in myself

      So, what do we think? Let me know what is on your list and what you think I missed... I reserve the right to be cheeky and change it if you give me better suggestions :P

      Love, 

      Miss R x

Sleep Talking Man

(Zappa Blamma)

I have recently discovered a blog that all in need of a laugh should share: Sleep Talking Man comes out with some of the most funny things in his sleep you may end up wetting yourself or falling off the chair/sofa. Warning, this will make your ribs hurt!

Exhibit A:

(sing-song) "My leg bone is connected to my foot bone, my foot bone is connected to your face bone, your face bone's connected to the pavement stone. Now heed my words: Fuck off!"

Exhibit B:

"Mother's Day. Father's Day. Disgruntled-I-Don't-Give-A-Fuck-Just-Give-Me-A-Day-Off-Work-for-FUCK'S-SAKE Day! Breakfast in bed, please."

Exhibit C:

"No, I'm not a god. I'm a king. No one knows who God is. But a king, a king gets to wear a mother-fucking crown! And a big-ass cape. Yeah."

Exhibit D:

"Fucking unicorns. 'Oh, I've got a horn!' So fucking obnoxious. You're just a horse with a party hat, dickhead."

I am going to leave it there so as not to ruin all the hilarity to be had reading this slightly obscene blog.

Miss R x

The Great Australian Adventure Vol.2.1

Master Z left at 4pm on Thursday, he is starting to get a cold and promised that due to this he would make sure he got proper accommodation and not sleep under a bridge like a nomad this time. (Bless his crazy heart – honestly, could two people be any more different?)

Half an hour later Miss D picked me up to go to the train station, stopping off quickly for a vino and some dinner (dear spell check, Vino is a real word and that is how it is spelt, sort your life out!). If you are ever in Maroochydore I can strongly recommend that you eat at Sultans Cafe – Turkish food to die for!

After dinner and a decent goss Miss D was driving and I was trying to avoid the hyperventilation that threatens whenever I embark on something big! It happened when I moved to Auckland, when I got together with Mr B, when I split up with Mr B, also when I applied to be President of SIFE AUT, when I agreed to be President of SIFE AUT,  and then when I decided to move to Oz to be with Master Z ... In fact the only major chapter that has not started with my hyperventilation/heart palpitations was falling for and deciding to spend my life with Master Z... Odd.

Back to the adventure – Miss D and I had a very heartfelt moment at the bus station (as of course I need to catch both a bus and a train to get to Brisbane tonight... Joy!)  and it made me realise just how much difference it makes knowing that someone who truly has your back is in the same vicinity (even if they only duck into your life a few hours a week... maybe not duck, Miss D is a whirlwind :D part of why she is so lovable!)

After almost three hours of travelling (with three suitcases and a handbag) and several moments of random kindness from strangers <3 I am finally in Brissy ready to rest my head.  First point of call though – luggage storage!

Here is a true moment of Miss R travels for you – the baggage lockers only take coins and everything is closed, that is ok as there is a change machine located by the lift (which is the other end of the station), “We apologize for any inconvenience but this machine is out of order, please use the machine by the lifts on level 3” what, I thought the other sign said I was on level 3... *sigh,* try the lifts, *phew* currently on the ground floor – what was that sign about?, a few crazy moments later and I am in the lift – no hero strangers to help me this time, to level 3 I go and finally get change, Yay!

After another ten minutes of the baggage machine yelling instructions at me – serious ya’ll this thing was echoing through the station it was so loud and I have finally got my luggage stored, in the lockers half way up because Brisbane hates me!

I then roll out of the station feeling a whole lot lighter but cannot see a single backpackers and I can only see one street number, queue random lovely stranger (wearing a super cute dress I might add) directions are given and after about ten minutes of walking I am starting to stress that I have been given the wrong directions and ask two ladies in front of me, they advise that I am going the right way as they were staying at Chill, I then push my glasses up my nose and what is in front of me? A MASSIVE florescent sign for Chill Backpackers (I should have taken a photo – it was ridiculous and I wanted the ground to swallow me !)

To bed I go and I swear the air con was trying to take off... this was the worst night’s sleep since the night before flying to Oz! Which may in part, be due to the fact that this is the first time since getting here that Master Z and I have spent a night apart. It sucked.

So my alarm goes off before I feel like I have even reached R.E.M and I make my way to the train station. The plan is simple – retrieve then check in luggage, get coffee and breaky, climb aboard – no worries mun.

Getting the luggage is surprisingly challenge free, finding the right platform is even crazy easy, lift located and luggage gets on in without too many hassles (except me almost being jammed in the door), I even get out with the help of a lovely man that reminded me “we are all in this crazy journey called life together” <3, then I stroll leisurely to check in and after only five minutes in line and giving directions to a few people (crazy I know but I knew the answers!!!) I am informed that my luggage is overweight and I will have to either remove almost five kgs over the two bags or take it aboard myself! WT...?

I am so exhausted – without the aid of our beloved coffee - that I am almost crying... luckily then the wonderful Master Z calls – and advises that he has been riding all night :/  all woe is me feelings dissipate and are replaced with worry, he is now only 30kms from his sisters so will ride to hers for a shower and sleep and he is soaking wet L. Bloody stubborn men!

I am currently on the train. I have lugged my cases on, all by myself and have settled in for the journey. Breakfast and swill that I have been informed is coffee has been consumed (since when did coffee come in a tea bag?) I am constantly scanning the gum trees for a wild Koala sighting, so far I have been unsuccessful but don’t worry, I do not intend to give up.

However, I have had the excitement of seeing Kanga, Roo and Roo-two bounding across the landscape which was awesome to say the least – though having no-one to share it with kinda sucked – meahhh, I saw Kangaroos! Wild ones! Gutted I was not fast enough with my camera though.

At 9pm tonight I am going to arrive in ye ode Sydney Town where I will meet my Master Z, his Aunty P and the wonderful Miss T.H – Eleven and a half hours and counting... My bum is numb just thinking about it!

Anyone got any good Koala spotting tips or stories while I wait for them to show their furry butts to me? :P

The Great Australian Adventure Vol.2.0

Well as you all know the Sunshine Coast has not been living up to expectations and low and behold the other day, the impulsive and constantly surprising Master Z has decided that the coast is not where he wants to be and so after a much debate we have decided to move to Sydney... on Thursday.

Currently we have no plan (ahh, freak out) and I for the third time in six months am trying to downsize (sniffle).

Also, my heart is breaking because I have no money to shop at Eboney De Winter before I go, which sucks a big fat one!

On the bright side  I will hopefully be gainfully employed by the end of the month and  I am going to have hugs and wine with Miss T.H and my wonderful Aunty and Uncle who are going to ensure Master Z and I are not homeless when we first arrive :D yay – not homeless!

Life has not all been sunshine and roses since I arrived in the land of Oz but hopefully my ruby slippers are waiting for me in Sydney,  and that I don’t accidentally end up in Kansas.

“ But it wasn't a dream. It was a place. And you and you and you...and you were there. But you couldn't have been could you? No, Aunt Em, this was a real truly live place and I remember some of it wasn't very nice, but most of it was beautiful--but just the same all I kept saying to everybody was "I want to go home" – Dorothy

So I had better get moving... I have to finish packing *sigh! 

Dear Ovaries

On behalf of woman kind... Let me start by stating that I appreciate that you have important job to do, like ants and pigeons.

However if you could refrain from hurting so much that I seriously start to consider stabbing you with a serrated knife I would be eternally grateful.

Working on being slightly less messy would also be great but the pain is where I strongly recommend you start.

With thanks, Miss R x

Magic Beans

“You should never hesitate to trade your cow for a handful of magic beans.” Tom Robbins

There are times in life you need to be reminded to believe in magic – or maybe in yourself - I feel like this has been one of those times.

As many of you know I moved to Australia for love two and a half months ago and for the past six to eight weeks I have been looking (ineffectively) for my dream job – part of the problem is I don’t know what that is yet – this turned into any admin role that would take me, which turned into any role at all that would take me.

I am not proud to admit that I am now broke and have been living off of my wonderful and heroic Master Z for almost a month and until today I have been miserable! Never in my adult life have I lived off a man. Even when I was studying I was still working part time to help my then relationship financially stay afloat.

But today I found hope and decided to pack up and shift out my cow in exchange for magic beans. If no one is going to give me a job, bugger it, I can create my own! (maybe), or at the very least fine tune my ambition, I am going to save the world by coupling business and the community, I am a force to be recognised fools so get outta my way!

Now I hear my Aunties jaws dropping, and see many of you rolling your eyes but I am a practical dreamer ya’ll – I realise that magic beans need a pot, soil and sun (unless you rock with the “Puss in Boots” story – then I need a map) :P

But seriously dudes and spunky dudettes I am working on one hell of a life ambition right now –now I just need to focus my passion - target area of the community - main problem/s to change Then the fun begins - every serious goal needs a plan – and lists! I love lists! :D Gosh I am a geek...

So this practical dreamer is going to get some shut eye so I can wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed in the a.m. Please feel free to leave your warnings in the comment section, I will take them as expressions of love - or if you want to send me some encouragement or ideas – would triple love to hear them too!

Plz note, internet has been down since Tuesday when this was written... Update and a giggle post) to follow soon :D

Sorry to the 5 of you still reading x

I am feeling a bit more then a bit glum today - which sucks cause the weather is AMAZING! On the bright side though in response to my feeling sorry for myself FB post of "Blue" I got the comment "Dabadee dubaDi ..." which did bring a smile to my face! (For the non 90's kiddies out there - or anyone that wants to reminisce here is the link) I love you all and hope to chat with you soon x

My Fish Bowl

(I realise this is Marlon but I could not find a pic of
 Nemo scared without Dory!)

This weekend is officially my third month in Australia and another Sunday has arrived, another Sunday without a meeting of the grand “Vino Avengers” *sigh, and this one is especially difficult as yesterday was the wonderful Miss H’s birthday and generally we Avengers make a bit of a deal about the day of our members birth and celebrating the amazingness of who they have become!

I miss you guys “To infinity and beyond!” Buzz Lightyear

This is also a very long time without help from my friends to keep me balanced! V.A meetings are a great time to be reminded that you are not crazy, your evil feelings and/or thoughts are just that and it is guaranteed you will end up with a few compliments which sets you in good stead for the coming week!

This week over a slice of tasty cake (for Miss H’s birthday) and a glass of vino we would be talking about the trials and tribulations of life as we currently know it.

A few days ago I was feeling a bit like Nemo in the scene where he is caught and put in the dentist’s fish tank - before he makes friends with the other fish and starts concocting ways and means of escape! As a city girl I have been feeling a bit trapped living in a coastal town without her most amazing friends – with no job or income – no K Road for her to wonder for cheering up (because you always see something colourful and crazy on K Rd!) luckily for me Master Z talked me into venting at him – which I had been avoiding as I did not want him to feel that I was regretting moving here to be with him.

 

This has led to a few RErealisations – some due to the amazing Master Z, some of my own accord and some thanks to the amazingness of the internet, the main RErealisation is that Depression Lies! (shout out to the Bloggess for being brave enough to tell the world about her battle with depression).

Due to this RErealisation I have done something that I have been meaning to do for ages (this one goes out to Miss TH and Opera.com) I made a list of things that help to make me feel better when I am falling down the rabbit hole and called it “Turn that frown upside down” I added this below (or click the TTFUD link) so that you can see it and hopefully make your own list.  Miss TH also recommends that you share this list with someone you trust and will hopefully recognise when you are not feeling that great so that they can also help you to avoid falling, as often we do not realise how bad we feel until it is really hard to change these evil feelings.

So now you all have access to my list and can help me in the future also I would love to see you guys commenting on what works for you so I can get more ideas and anyone else feeling bad can also try to feel better! 

TURN THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN!

Snuggle with Master Z

Hang out with friends

Nap in the sun

 Make a to-do list and start ticking things off!

Play dress-ups – just for fun

Lounge dance!

Change my scene / go somewhere else

Go out for coffee

Knit

Read inspirational quotes/stories

Figure out how to operate at least one feature of your cell phone or laptop that you're not using and isn't all that necessary to your actual life but is rather cool

Add to my blog

Buy Flowers!

Come up with one can't-miss-meal—and serve it to friends

Buy and atlas - learn where all your awesome friends come from/are living/are visiting

Watch a DVD

Learn something new

Write at bedtime

Thanks Miss TH and Opera.com for helping me with this list :D
Also thanks in advance for posting love and ideas that work for you x

The Great Australian Adventure Vol.1.3

After arriving in the Sunny Coast Master Z and I decide to settle in Maroochydore as it seems to be the biggest coast town – though it is not actually by the beach but on the river!  We find a “whatif” deal for the “Maroochy River Caravan Park” for 2 nights *gulp - and we are off!

This part of the mission goes as the rest have been – I end up in a taxi with our stuff (this three day period may be the only time in our lives that Master Z’s things equate to more than mine!)  taxi driver is nice enough – oh positive for OZ – taxi drivers ALWAYS help you with your stuff! <3

I then go in to the reception to check-in and where is my passport? Frick! I have Master Z’s but mine is not in my travel wallet – did I accidentally give the wrong passport to Master Z? Luckily the lady was very understanding and let me check in without it as long as I showed her once Master Z got there.

Master Z arrives and I ask him for his/my passport and I am informed that I have them both... I then know what it must feel like to swallow lead as my stomach is in my knees! So after a very frantic – slightly blurry search I find my passport in my handbag *phew - disaster averted!

We then spend the next day searching for a place to live and encounter the biggest biach ever – needless to say – we did not move in... this left us in a very stressful situation and Miss D helped by driving us around a few places only to be told that we would be looking at $700 a week to be looking at short term rentals L so we go back to the caravan park a bit disheartened (ok – so I was VERY disheartened) I spoke to the ladies in the office and asked if they had any ideas and what do you know – for $320 we could move to a slightly smaller cabin as long as we paid 2 weeks in advance (no refunds for early departures)! Yay! We are no longer homeless!

So here starts 5 long weeks of job searching, house hunting and entering the waiting place! (Dr Suess – you’re a legend for naming the place !)

 This is also where we made our first friends - “the neighbours” Miss B and Master A – two of the sweetest hearts and the most Aussie of Aussies you can imagine J Miss B is exactly like the aussie Shelia I imagine – chain smoker, loud, proud, has a story about EVERYTHING and would take in every stray in the neighbourhood if given half a chance! Master A is as aussie bloke as you can imagine too – loves a brew (or 4), drives a truck, would attempt to move mountains for Miss B and his catch phrase is “could be worse – could be Tuesday”.

These two dragged us along to Karaoke one night, under the guise of going to the “Waterfront” (I know Auck crew – too funny! Turns out everyone has a waterfront bar! – to those that do not now Auckland also has a waterfront bar and it is TERRIBLE – 18yr olds shaking their things to mainstream music, getting more drunk then they can handle and puking/passing out) you will be happy to know that this is not what I walked into – this was like drinking in the burbs – or at the casino... the ages ranged from 18 – 90 and was a one stop shop – pokies, brassiere and sports bar – needless to say, far from my scene lol.  Though I must admit I did enjoy myself – and not just because I got to have Kopperburg Pear Cider (which is the best cider ever invented and I discovered years before in Ireland but cannot purchase in NZ)! I have also in part due to this night – though only loosely – ended up being titled Miss B’s Bridal Co-ordinator – heck yeah! This wedding is going to rule fool!

   

This is also around the time I discovered the aforementioned Eboney De Winter (aka the most ahhmahazing shop EVER – in the history of the universe – at least as far as I am concerned!) and here is where I made friends with my second friend (although this friendship is still largely in the making) Master L loves shoes – maybe even as much as I do, gave me a great coffee tip off and is one of the owners of Eboney De Winter – so as you can imagine is super styling! He could almost be a Kiwi :P  

The Great Aussie Adventure Vol. 1.2

Dallas Frasca

Miss D and Master  Z started almost the moment I arrived, trying to convince me to move to the Sunshine Coast (as Miss D had been offered her dream job up there) there may have been a hello and a pash first but it was not soon after... I let them sweat it for a few days :P - I knew I was not keen for the suburbs anyway! 

Friday night was fun – once I was fed – Hangry Miss R came out to play for a while, then I learnt about the VERY interesting Queensland liquor laws, you are unable to smoke inside, good work Queensland!  You are also not allowed to eat in these smoking areas – although drinking is perfectly fine while smoking. They are called “DOSA” (designated outdoor smoking area). We also saw an amazing band – Dallas Frasca. But after a big week and finally seeing Master Z, all I wanted was to go to bed so at about 12:30 (which btw in NZ time was 3:30 anyway!!!) Master Z and I went back to Miss D’s – where we slept in the coolest freaken hutt of all time! (ok, so it was a cubby house made of sheets – but still!  I have never wished I took a photo of something more in my life!).

Master Z and I then spent the weekend with Miss D in the Sunshine Coast – where I was again ganged up on in operation “DMTB” (don’t move to Brisbane), eventually I told them that I was cool with moving to the Sunny Coast.

This weekend was awesome until we were on our way back to Brissy and got stuck in the craziest traffic jam. Miss D’s patience is worse than mine so as you can imagine this was a serious cause of stress. We ended up getting the train instead – after almost 2 hours in the car going basically no-where.

By the time Master Z and I got to Brisbane it was almost 10:30 and we were both tired and maybe a lil testy (although this may have just been me ...) so we ended up staying somewhere I have for many years avoided... at a backpackers! –Shared showers creep me out! This turned out to not be nearly as bad as I envisioned (though this could have been due to us having our own room!)  

Master Z then worked on Monday and I had to go to Inala (yes, the place starting with I) to get my eftpos card, this was a freaken mission that made me wonder what the frick I was doing in this country of inbreeds!  I then went to purchase a sim card and found that my card did not work! I then went back to the bank and they basically told me I was a dumb ass and that my checking account was actually connected to the savings button (sorry – who is a dumb ass!) we then checked this to find, wow, I am not a dumb ass! It is actually not working!

So I waste another 20 odd minutes with some annoying moo who keeps telling me that the card should work – ah, I know it should freaken work, she then goes to speak with her superior and finds that oh, neither her, nor her useless workmate had unlocked the card once they had verified my identity! Are you kidding me! I wasted half an hour because you are STUPID!!!   I then ask to have my internet banking set up,

“Sure, what is your Australian cell phone number?” Stupid woman (SW) asks

“I have not been able to access my Australian funds so I still do not have one” I respond “Oh, we can’t set that up yet then” SW advises

“Where is the nearest place I can get a sim card then” I ask – through gritted teeth

“Just next door” SW answers, as if this is the most stupid question someone could ask!

Next door I go - taking deep breaths and trying to count down from 10!   Then I am advised that I have to go next door to pay! Are you freaking kidding? Off next door I totter to pay and then when trying to set up my new pre-pay number, the automated voice on the other end of the line advises that I must have an Australian address?!!! At this point steam is pouring from my ears! All I wanted was my banking set up and the ability to communicate! *sigh.

So I decided to get the fuck out of Inala because I am scared that stupidity rubs off – naturally I wanted to get away from these imbeciles asap!

Back to Brisbane I go – did I mention it was raining? At this stage the only sunny day we had encountered was Saturday, when we spent the day in the car – and even then there was a madness rainstorm as we were driving! Lol. So I finally get back to Base (the backpackers), dripping wet, almost crying with homesickness! After a bit of a fluff around to get my phone and internet banking sorted I was still feeling a bit down so decided to do something nice for the Australian society and as there was a blood bank beside the backpackers, this was where I decided to do my good deed.

Kitten D Amour <3

I walked in, smiled at the lady behind the counter and stated that I would like to give blood, after 10minutes and a lot of nose looking down on, I was informed that I had not ingested enough water. What the, I cannot even do a good deed!

So in retaliation to being informed that I was dehydrated I decided to have a glass of wine and read some of my Richard Branson book – Screw Business as Usual – OMG, converted to the Virgin Mentality!!!

Sorry, I digress. Not even Branson can cheer me up so I decide to have a nap – after all Nana naps are the most amazing invention.

After my Nana nap Master Z and I just had dinner and relaxed in bed... now if this was actual Sunday Vino’s and I didn’t know my Mother was going to read this – I would say more than I ended up getting some vitamin Z ;D needless to say – I ended up in a much better mood!

Oh – also before the good deed debacle I discovered an amazing store! Kitten D’Amour – I love you and I cannot wait to spend money in your store! 

The Waiting Place

When in the waiting place it is very hard to avoid being in a slump and as Dr Suess advises “un-slumping yourself is not easily done”.

Although both Master Z and I have been searching for employment it is not as forthcoming as we would have liked... Our savings have dwindled and I am starting to feel a bit like I am in Groundhog Day. To make matters worse homesickness keeps rearing its ugly head, now don’t get me wrong, it is not that I want to be back in NZ (ok – sometimes I do, mainly for the hugs and a good ole pep talk) it is just that I really miss the amazingness of my friends – their abilities to make me smile when I want to cry, the in jokes, magical bottles of vino appearing in my fridge, Marmite, “hello sexy lady”, the city... OMG the CITY!

Australia does however provide a very regular dose of vitamin Z, the most amazing shops (that I cannot shop at yet as I am poor and have no job *sigh), a MUCH warmer climate and Master Z really does make me feel special and amazing (even though he still tries to tell me that he will never get married... we’ll see :P) – moving for love is not the worst idea I ever had :D.

I am just really annoyed at myself (which is freaken difficult cause having it out with yourself makes you look/feel crazy!)  My moods are changing more than Auckland weather, one moment I am lovely the next I am extremely irritable, the worst part is that weird feeling of nothing – no mood whatsoever – and this seems to be my most frequent mood; I know what needs to be done, but cannot find the motivation to do so; lastly I just feel a bit lost – I am not quite sure who I am at the moment and after so much work on becoming the awesomeness of Miss R over the last year I am finding this really hard to deal with.

It is crazy – like at a vino session – I am suddenly getting the clarity of what is actually going on but unlike a vino session I do not have Miss TH to give her OT (occupational therapy) take on how this is normal, nor do I have Master J to make a joke of it – in a brotherly way that makes you laugh at yourself, I also don’t have you all telling me that it will get better and un-slumping myself will happen faster than expected as I have you all to help me.
I do however have Master Z and I am sure that once he reads this he will have a masterful plan of attack that is random and crazy – nothing like what my ‘sensible’ friends would concoct but somehow awesome and fitting *fingers crossed – either that or I will get an awesome hug – yay!

Also I must admit, this experience has made us closer than I ever thought possible and this at least I am really enjoying. He can read me like a book – half the time he can read me better then I know my own feelings (45% scary – 55% freaken cool!).

I can honestly state – hand on heart – I have never been this close to a man and it is not even scary (... much... often...). I know I said it at the beginning of this crazy adventure but it really is like he is my missing puzzle piece. (OMG, I am getting so cheesy I may need to get you all some crackers :P - may as well grab the wine while I am up...)

The Great Aussie Adventure Vol.1

So exactly a week has passed since my first blog post and I have had 68 views – I am way more popular than I thought :P

Happy Easter all! You know I miss you all dearly and wish I could have hugs and tell you all how fabulous you look but as it is not possible right now – just know that I am only friends with fabulous ok x

As I cannot figure out how on earth to start out this story I have decided to envisage the most EPIC Sunday Vino Session EVER!!!

Setting:              Ivory Lounge

We are seated in front of the fire place on the very comfortable squishy couches with 3 bottles of wine in front of us (after all – there are loads of us... Look – loads!)

Miss T H – one of those is red the rest are Pinot Gris so that we do not have the Sav vs. Chard discussion   :P

Moose has just wondered back to the bar after a good 15 or so mins of chit chat and we finally get down to the nitty gritty! (for those of you who do not know moose – he is the bar manager and fancies himself as a ladies man).

After another bottle of vino (or two :P) we have got through the general how is everyone – it has been to long – I love you guys – let’s not leave it so long next time – etc.

So as you all can imagine the Friday I left was an emotional and crazy one!   After having a slight freak out whilst getting ready the smart and intelligent Miss C handed me a much needed shot of Agavero for breakfast!
Then after a few hours of “what if I am not pretty enough, or have forgotten something extremely important“ as a few of you know, I was accompanied to the airport by Master  J and Noo’s (also her beautiful babies; which made me feel amazing and loved.  

Then amazingly, when arriving at the airport, I was surprised with the lovely Miss H coming to see me off (and got a beautiful heartfelt farewell over the phone from my *cough –Miss H’s –Master C). After spending $140 to get my extra (overweight) bag on the plane the six of us had a tasty lunch that took an obscenely long time to come out, we had a laugh and everyone did a great job of keeping my mind off of the HUGENESS of what I was about to do.

Miss H and Master J had to go off to work and I had my first ”don’t cry – don’t cry” moment of the day!   This was followed by a pep talk from Noo’s of epic proportions – If you have not had the pleasure of a Noo’s pep talk, take my word for it – this woman could talk a small army into believing that they are ten foot tall, bullet proof and breathe freaken fire!   After a good 10 minutes of hugs – a couple of high fives from the kids and a few more “I am so proud of you’s/I cannot wait to visit” from my Noo’s and I was walking through the gate.

Now anyone that has walked through that gate not knowing when they will next be living in their home county knows, this is the moment when you don’t know the difference between up or down as you are so excited about what could be coming and so full of grief for what you are leaving behind – those amazing friends and family, also brimming over with the love of those that you are leaving behind.

After passing through customs I met Miss C and we had a bit of fun speed shopping,  then I had a chat with Master J and Miss LL on the phone before getting on the plane and sitting with the cutest most Kiwi of couples from Wanga’s of all places! They were all class!   Trust me - barely out of the country and already feeling homesick due to the awesomess of the characters I have met!  So I get off the plane and am waiting to collect my baggage and who is there? My ex - the one that got away- of course, I mean who else would be there, basically in front of me, just waiting to make me wonder if I was doing the right thing!
So here I am, turned away from him, thinking invisible thoughts but not able to keep my attention on the conveyabelt that is for some reason not circling my bags!   Suddenly, poof – there goes the man, and here are my bags... was this real? 

Frick... reality... Master Z is on the other side of that screen... still have 12 ppl in front of me in the line... I want to get out of here... I am feeling claustro... no go slower... what if I am not as pretty as he remembered – what if I am not fun after all?   Aghhh!!!   -Cue customs guy “your arrivals card does not have an address, where in Brisbane are you going?” Brain: “Fuck... I am homeless and jobless... in another country!” Mouth: “I am not sure, I am staying with a friend, in place that starts with an I” *flash winning smile – customs guy rolls his eyes, chuckles and tells me to go straight through. My feet start walking and my brain starts its attack AGAIN: *Augghhhh... the wall... no, ask a few more questions, I am not ready... am I ? Shoot, am I ? O.M...

First I see Miss D  with a sign “Rachel Kiwi” on the back of an envelope! <3 Beside her is the reason for all this happening and my mind (FINALLY) shuts the hell up... the next minute it takes to walk around the dumb barrier is the longest of my life!   I am speechless and struck dumb and want to say 1000 things but nothing can encompass the “It is amazing to FINALLY see you... I missed you so much... You make me feel so freaken wonderful” 

Then - you guessed it - we pashed :P