20.7.11
Socking Tales
After buying myself a pair of over-the-knee socks from Glassons whilst I was shopping with my future family back in NZ, I managed to wander my eyes through the right pages that's making me go crazy right now. Fashionsing has never let me down and so, I'll be sharing with you the photoshoot for a Constance Jablonski collection which was featured in Harper's magazine November 2009. Say classical, elegant and sophisticated?
The socks!!! I cannot refuse this!
All images via Fashionising
9.7.11
New Zealand Day 3
Waking up to the cold is inevitable here at the moment as it approached me in the bed, making me feel uncomfortable as I don't like to be. Today seemed to be boring but it really wasn't. Ink and I woke up and had breakfast with everyone and quickly got dressed for our "adventurous" walk to the town. Kusi got dress to go for a jog around the oval and Mateo just stayed in bed for a couple of hours, playing a game which seems never ending. It's good to know that Kusi wants to keep exercising because it'll help her keep positive about her body and I'm really glad she's thinking of doing gymnastics again to help with her fitness and also as a sport alongside of school, just like Ink and Mateo.
Walking to town was a fairly long way but once you got there, walking felt like a sinch. Visited an opp shop and first and then a shoes shop. A couple more little shops along the way and a familiar store, Toyworld. I went to the grocery store to buy a toothbrush, shavers and a treat for everyone. Then Ink and I walked back to Toyworld to have a look at the kites that they had there and I just so happened to come across a game that I've always wanted. Boggle. It's a word game thats better than Scrabble pretty much. Much more challenging and you'll never get bored of the same words as it often changes after 3 minutes. This whole afternoon was dedicated to some homework, finishing off the puzzle of boats that we are still YET to finish, and playing Boggle. I'm glad that even Mateo's enjoying this game. We have been occupying ourselves which is good so we don't all get bored of doing nothing.
Before I forget, Ink and I walked into a sport shop in town and we saw so much that's illegal to have/purchase in Australia unless you have a lisence or you'll end up with an unfriendly letter, noting a fine under your name. I saw AND touched air rifles, saw BB guns, had a look at sling-shots, checked out a gun silencer. All in the name of sport. Hunting, I suppose they call it. Rabbits and squirrels. We walked into an actual fishing and hunting shop thereafter and found more rifles. These one were more classy. Really cheap, and there was no license needed to purchase one. They were about $300 to $1000 per gun and the bullets were sold up at the front counter! I wouldn't mind learning how to hunt. I cn be just like Sam and Dean! Just kidding. There are no such things as zombies, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters or just FBI who are after me for anything I've done.
In an hour or so, we're all meeting up with each other to snuggle on mine and Kusi's bed to watch Supernatural. This time, Julie's more than welcome to join us seeing as she's here with us... finally. It seems as though once we have parents around, it's the same family quarrels that are brought with us, instead of being left at home. Family is funny that way I guess.
I also forgot to tell you that WE SURVIVED AN EARTHHQUAKE! Wooh! It was slight and minor. Cha Cha says that one was just a normal one that always occurs here and isn't fatal. Actually, I didn't feel it and I'm very cross with myself because the moment I decide to put my feet in the air to stretch is when the ground slightly shook! So I felt nothing. Ink didn't realize it was an earthquake either. He thought he was the one who shook the table. It was a pretty awesome moment. We were amidst completeing the Golden Gate Bridge puzzle at the time.
Tomorrow, we're all going to church and having a nice lunch out (which is very odd considering we have been fed, constantly at home). Can't wait.
8.7.11
New Zealand Day 2
It's been a pretty relaxing day. It was one of those days where you usually stay at home, doing "nothing really". As soon as we all had breakfast, Ink, Kusi and I were taken to a knitting club to have a look at some of the things that these talented old ladies had made during the year to send out to Russia for the needy kids in that country. It was a warm and cozy house and all the women were very welcoming. On display there were hat, scarves, mittens,jerseys,cot blankets and baby singlets that were all hand knitted by these lovely ladies. Ink's grandma keeps telling us "it's only very little that we can do" and this is where I find myself disagreeing. People donate wool to them so that they may consume their time during the year by knitting all these small things so that children can be warm and feel like they are needed, loved and that they are special. So, this is isn't "something small", they are giving their heart and love to these children in amounts that are countless and we ought to reallly congratulate these ladies (and the men who didn't show up today) for helping change the lives of others. I'm also quite baffled that the old men can also knit. Inks grandpa knitted their Aunty her knitted ball gown when she graduated from college. He also knit his wife a colourful vest that's very worn out. She says she cannot bare to throw it out.
Since we completely sucked at the 1000 piece puzzle of the golden gate bridge that we attempted to finish yesterday, we gave up and packed it away. Ink took out another 750 piece puzzle, assuming that we would all finish this one since it's "easier" I suppose. Haven't finished that one either.
Most of the day was dedicated to lots of resting and watching. Yes, watching the great adventures of Sam and Dean Winchester. We've almost finished Season 2 and hopefully Season 3 will be lined up for the night!
Julie's flight has been delayed so Ink's grandad will be up till 2 or 3am since Julie will be arriving at about 1:30am which is a real pain.
Well, I'm off. It was just a quick short entry anyways. I must join the rest of the clan to watch some more Supernatural. Food today was, as usual, delicious and very fulfilling. And I believe it's the food that's making all us kids gassy. Tomorrow is an early morning wake-up call to walk to town with Ink. Hopefully digesting or losing some calories along the way.
7.7.11
New Zealand Day 1
I'm safe, I'm sound and I'm slightly cold. Although, I'm sharing a bed with Kusi which has an electric bed that pretty much warms me up. The warmth it gives us is very much as satisfying as their grandparent's cooking. One thing I've learned about the two elders is that I'm pretty well fed over here. So am I at home, but I think that if I don't end up excersing here, gaining weight is an easy result due to the eager consumption of their food.
The flight last night seemed too long since I wasn't sitting with Ink during flight. My heart began racing during our take off and landing. I've never actually felt so nervous about flying on a plane in my life. The lack of liquids that I failed to drink beforehand lead to a headache that almost felt neverending. I was flushed and sick before the plane even started moving and what was worse was that the heat of every person on board just kept contributing to the awful temperature that I was feeling thjat moment. Landing was also very odd but it was normal. I always get those butterflies in my stomache when the plane drop a couple of meters in height. We spent a good half hour looking for Ink's grandad's car seeing as he's getting slightly forgetful due to his age. But we managed to find it in time before the frost took over my fingers and toes completely. The drive home was amazing. The skies were so clear. Clearer than the skies at my Auntie's old farm where there were no lights around. The stars slowly danced in the moonlight, glittering and winking away. The prettiest sky I've ever seen.
We got to the house and mind you, it's such an adorable house. They have a trailer in the front and a small veggie garden in the back. Such a perfect house for an old couple. I walked through the hallways and I couldn't help but giggle as I walked passed some baby photos of Kusi, Ink and Mateo. Even Julie looking mighty fine. There are so many photos of grandchildren, very intruiging stories as I walk by since their grandmother gives her time to tell me about them. Ink, John and I sat at the kitchen table, trying to figure out a puzzle that Kusi had started a couple of hours beforehand. I was bemused at the time as my neck took a break from the puzzle on the table. 2am it read. It was only 10 in Australia and that's why I wasn't feeling tired. I was exhausted from carrying bags, but not tired.
Today, we tried to finish off a puzzle together. And when it all became too much, we went to the park. I've never actually played in a park with "friends" in a long time. I feel like I've missed the fun and joy that comes from just acting and being a kid. These days, I don't get much energy since I'm either at home, "homeworking", blogging, playing/singing to music or sewing. Kusi and Mateo are two unique characters. In fact, Ink, Kusi and Mateo have completely different personalities and not one of them is the same. Pretty awesome.
When we got back from the park, it was time to eat again. After eating, Kusi and I helped put things away and then we all continued with the silly puzzle of the Golden Gate Bridge. By now the puzzle seemed very much like homework so I gave up. We went out and came back afterwards. Then Kusi turned the electric blanket on and somehow, all four of us managed to fit into this bed playing a hidden objects game that I bought a while ago. It was a great game, the puzzles were more interesting than the Golden Gate Bridge which we are still yet to finish. Once we finished playing, it was time to eat... again. Sausages alongside some L&P which is apparently THE famous drink here in NZ. Their Cha Cha cooks such delicious meals but she has poor eyesight and as a result, she cooked a slug in with her cabbages. Yep, someone could have eaten that slug. It was funny, but off putting.
Packed everything away and then, dessert. Boysenberry ice-cream with cream and more L&P and then some more of this silly puzzle. But since I had already given up on it I went to watch Supernatural with Ink and Mateo, and then Kusi joined not too long afterwards since she was busy with homework.
Tomorrow we visit a knitting collection where there will be old ladies knitting things for children in need. Also, I think we're going to have a good look around the town tomorrow. I hope my parents read this.
PS. inserting images isn't working.
6.7.11
Over "The Ditch"
...That's where I'll be heading in approximately 7 and a half hours. Oh right, over the ditch. I mean from Melbourne to Christchurch, New Zealand. I am very much so excited for this 2 week holiday! But it goes without consequences as I will be missing out on one of my really good friend's birthday party whilst I'm over in the land of cold and frost. It'll be a good two short or long weeks of holidaying with Ink's family. I finally get to meet the rest of his family in NZ which will be such a pleasure. Apparently I'm only allowed to pack 10kg into my "luggage" and right now, I'm finding that so difficult. I have too many clothes to pick, all of which are dresses. I have other shoes to pack, incase we come across a good occasion to wear them. I also have to pack make-up and apparently i wont be needing to bring toiletries as I can buy all those resources in NZ instead.
Mother was meant to work today but I begged her not to go because she wouldn't be home in time to say goodbye to me. So she's filling out forms and helping me pack. Wooh! Couldn't be anymore blessed. I also just recently found out that one of my rats is very ill and I'm hoping that after my two weeks, I'll find her to still be alive and very much healthy. I'm such a sucker for missing people and pets. So as much as my parents and fat animals are annoying, I'll be missing them heaps. I think this is a result to the fact that I'm an only child. I don't really know.
I don't exactly know the plans that we have as of yet once we land there. But I've been told it'll be something like this; snow, rain, gumboots, snowboarding, paint-balling and well, you pretty much get the picture of how the weather will be treating us when we arrive. The boy is in the city right now with his Mexican friend whom I won't mention their name. Having some goodbye time since he'll be leaving at the end of the week to return to his home country. Pretty sad actually, considering he's the few of his friends that I (believe it or not) like. I'm definitely bringing my Fuji camera with me but i have no idea where my third cartridge pack is because I'm pretty sure I have 3 packs of instant film left. I'm also quite forgetful about the small things when leaving the house so i have a bad feeling that I'll be forgetting something really important like I don't know... my PASSPORT!
Anyways, I'm off to do more cleaning and packing.