Sunday, May 31, 2009

29.05.09

My car is all better, you will be pleased to know.

To celebrate I picked up Sarah and went back to my house to watch Lars and the Real Girl. It was such a lovely film. I didn't think I would ever say that about a film starring an Angelina Jolie-esque sex doll.


We were in a bit of a spontaneous mood so we decided we would like to go to Cassette. When we got there and saw there was someone standing at the door with a list of names we decided to go to Cornerbar instead. It was cosy and nice in Cornerbar.

We soon got bored and moved on to Momotea. I love Peach natas with pearls.

I received a text or two from Han-Gyul Cho and Nicole who were at Denny's so we rocked on in there and chilled.

It really was cool just to be out and about and going with the flow.

28.05.09

This morning I did the rounds with Dad before he dropped me at work because my car is still sick.

It was really cool just to spend about an hour of quality time with him as we did some errands (picked up radiator hoses and dropped off a welder).

I like how we don't always have to talk. It's cool just chillin' with Chris Tomlin blaring and singing along. He doesn't even comment on how bad my almost-harmonies are.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

27.05.09

This evening the sky was so red. It was absolutely stunning. At the time when I saw the red sky I happened to be walking by a pond with ducks in it. The pond was reflecting the sky and the ducks just enhanced the picture.
It really was splendid.
I should start taking photos of things to accompany my posts.
You should have seen it.
Enough said.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

26.05.09

Tonight at lifegroup we talked about patience or longsuffering and how God is so awesome to be so patient with humankind.
Just think about the Israelites in the desert. They kept mucking up even after God had revealed himself and his goodness to them many times over. Even personally, I just don't know why he even bothers half the time.
I would have given up on me long ago.
He never has though and to me that's amazing. It's one of the most hopeful things I can think of.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

25.05.09

I love trees.
No really in the "save the trees" kinda way.
They are just so beautiful.
Especially right now at the in-betweeen Autumn and Winter stage.
There's something about the spindley branches that I love.

At work I look out my window and there's such a cute wee tree there.
It has shed most of it's leaves but there are still some hanging on for dear life.

If you think about it, the life of a leaf would be hard. You probably don't even last from spring to August and if you are fortunate enough to osmosisize and photosynthesize enough during the year all your hard work isn't even appreciated by the tree and it just throws you off after it's had enough.

It really must be tough.

24.05.09

Tonight at church we did a response to the Red Bucket Series which we have been doing.
It's been a really good series getting convicted by Ps Andrew about confession and not living in the world and all that so it was cool to spend some time and reflect and make a decision about how we want to live.

It was so great just to see so many people go to the stations and do business with God and also the people who responded to prayer and the ones who just sat and reflected in their seats. I love when we have nights like this where you see people getting on their knees before God. It's awesome.

Monday, May 25, 2009

23.05.09

All of today I was in a weird mood. Just strange. Not emotionally. But like chemically. I think.
It was just strange. I think it has to do with the weather.

Moving along...

I had a great day with Liz today. We watched Seven Pounds which was great. It sure was weird though.
Everything was weird today.
But yes. Seven Pounds.
It's so good to see good acting again. Refreshing.
Will Smith is amazing.
The film was also very convicting. Like wow. he was willing to give parts of himself to other people. That's selflessness. Sure, he had been a big meanie before that but still. He redeemed himself well.

I am rambling.

I'll stop.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

22.05.09

It was soooo chilly walking back down to Britomart from uni today.

I bought a hazelnut hot chocolate and from the moment of the first sip it seemed to warm me up from the inside out.

Mmmmm. I love hot chocolates on cold winter days.

The only problem is when they finish.

21.05.09

I spent a chunk of time today working on a video presentation I am making for the Global day of Prayer for Children at Risk.
I was watching videos and looking at pictures about abortion, abuse, poverty, trafficking, war and disease, and yuck stuff like that.
It was just so eye opening.
Not that I didn't know it was all happening but I just rediscovered how fallen this world is.
I really feel like I should be doing more about reducing all this crap in the world.
I mean, how the HECK could you bash up a baby so bad that they die. That's awful.
I think that this realisation is remarkable just because of how important it is to realise that these things happen and they need to stop.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

20.05.09

I got Adium today. It is a programme for Macs which allow for all the different IM windows to be in one. How cool.

This means that I chatted to all my old MSN contacts for the first time in so long.
I never realised how much I missed them.

I had a great old yarn to Han about life and Taylor Swift. It was great.

Friends are cool. I'm so glad for the interwebs and the ability to have them at your fingertips whenever.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

19.05.09

I went to the lecture I never go to today. I just dread it. It's like I've put a mental block in place which doesn't allow me to think anything positive about it.
But it was fun today. What made it fun was sitting next to Ellen and then walking to Britomart with her and laughing our heads off at our own silly jokes.
Laughing is grand.
Thanks Ellen.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaucer (personal joke)

18.05.09

My car has broken down which means I have to walk everywhere and catch the bus.
It's not so bad.
It means I get some much needed exercise.
Walking also means I can listen to my iPod and think.
Thinking is great. I tend to over-analyse everything. It's just how I am though.
But yeah. there's nothing like thinking to yourself walking along the footpath with your hands in your pockets and the wind in your face.

Monday, May 18, 2009

17.05.09

I have a new addiction.
It is called Bejeweled.
I just cannot stop playing. I was up until very late last night/this morning because of it.
When I shut my eyes I see shining jewels just waiting for me to put them in rows of three.
There's something very satisfying about lining them up and seeing them blow up.
At the moment I'm the top of my friends leaderboard.
If you want to challenge me IT'S ON!
Facebook me.

16.05.09

Today was a lazy day.
I procrastinated all day.
I feel really guilty. Not a nice feeling.
Anyhow.
This evening we had guests for dinner. The little kids were so cute. I entertained them. Really I just stuck Hairspray on and let them create me a moshi monster.
At the end of Hairspray we got up and danced in the credits. It was great fun just to let go and dance like no one was watching. They loved it.
Dancing can be such a release.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

15.05.09

Today I had my Hong Kong Cinema lecture. It is freezing in the room. You walk in and it hits you like a heat wave except icy cold. To make matters worse, it's a two hour lecture.
Every Friday I try to dress accordingly and suffer the agony of sweating all the way up the hill in the sun to uni just so I'm not so cold in the lecture. I always underestimate the coldness of the room though.
Today was no different.
Walking in I was quite pleased with myself as I had my trusty woolen scarf to wrap around me if the need came up. And sure enough it did about 5 - 10 minutes in. I placed it very strategically to begin with so my back and neck were covered. As time went on however, I was trying to get as much as possible inside this little scarf. I had my arms in and my lecturer had to say something mighty important to draw my hand out to take a quick note. I had it up around my nose after a bit and then my ears because they were getting cold.
I realized in that moment how much like my mother I am. No matter how foolish she will look, she does whatever she can to keep warm. Scarves, coats, jumpers, socks. They all come in to play in the wintertime. I would have looked like a right idiot trying to fit my whole body under the little scarf. I truly am my mother's daughter.
It made me smile to realize that.

Friday, May 15, 2009

14.05.09

Today I got my full license! Hooray. It made me very happy indeed. The guy who took me was a bit dodge though. He kept patting my thigh to reassure me and he said it wasn't just my "pretty face" that passed me. Gross.

Anyhow...

I like clouds. I saw these clouds today that were amazing. They were actually like cotton wool balls. I just wanted to jump in them.
Imagine if you could though.
How much fun would that be.
Well, you'd also have to imagine that they were made up of something more solid.
But if you can stretch your imagination that far the possibility is just amazing.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

13.05.09

I know that if I don't write this today it will just be harder tomorrow.

Getting mail is way cool.

It's even better when it's unexpected.

I received an issue of K! Magazine (for children's pastors and leaders) in the post and I read it all in one go.

Loved it.

I was so excited to get it though. I don't know how many I paid for in my subscription so I'm always surprised when they pop up.

It felt so luxurious to be wrapped up in a blanket and reading a very awesome magazine about what I'm passionate about.

PLUS the issue was perfect for me at this time. Like so written for me to read to sort out some stuff that's going down and stuff that isn't that should be.
I love how God answers prayers and how he arranges little coincidences just to make us smile or to make us think.

12.05.09

I cooked dinner tonight. It wasn't an amazing dish or anything. Just pasta bake.
My family loved it though. In fact there wasn't enough of it because they just wanted more.
It's so nice to be appreciated like that.
I'm no super chef or even a good cook so it was lovely that they liked what I made.
I forgot the breadcrumbs though. It would have been ten times better if I had remembered them.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

11.05.09

It's been pretty miserable weather but today as I was coming over the harbour bridge on my way home Rangitoto looked so beautiful.
It was as if the grey clouds parted to form a little clearing just above the island.
It really was beautiful.
I can't describe it very well but it was kind of all ugly and grey everywhere but on Rangitoto. I should have taken a photo.

Monday, May 11, 2009

10.05.09

It was Mother's Day today and a group of girls from church took their mothers out for dinner at a restaurant called Gina's in town. It's the coolest place. It has such a great vibe. The waiters are Italian and oh so much fun. When it's someone's birthday they make the loudest noise, banging the pots and pans and singing in Italian.
Ahh it's great.
But yeah it was great just to spend time with our mums and them all chatting and having fun. It's so cool when you set out to make someone happy and and you achieve it. The greatest feeling.
Here's a couple of photos:


Ana was Debbie's makeshift daughter for the night seeing as she has two boys




Mum is modelling the amazing Limoncello dessert. So scrummy.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

09.05.09

I went to sleep (technically it counts as today) with the rain pattering outside. It's just such a glorious sound.
I love it. It's so peaceful and you feel so cosy and protected from the outside world.
Also, I had just had an awesome conversation with Jono (feel proud) about angels who had sex with humans and created giants. SCANDAL!
So it was like I was thinking heaps before I went to sleep and then as I pondered such like things the rain was doing it's thing. It was glorious.

Also, I just got home from seeing Mercury Crowe and other bands live. Live music is always so much fun. Especially good live music. And this was good. Just such cheery tunes.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

08.05.09

Sometimes it's good to see the world from a different perspective.

This is beautiful:

feeling small from Charlie McCarthy on Vimeo.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

07.05.09

Today I got through so much of my to-do list.
It was actually so long.
Like 50 things to start off and adding as I went.
But I only have a few left now and it feels oh so good.
Don't you just love those days.
It was also a mix of efficiency and play because everyone was in the office today and we were just laughing. Plus I spent loads of time in the mall with Ana being mallrats with a purpose.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

06.05.09

My friend Sarah popped in to my place tonight just to return my magazine and pick up some teacups.
I really appreciate our friendship. We've been friends since the first day of intermediate school.
We can talk about anything. Anything. And it's always just so easy to slip in and out of deep conversation. It's just cool.
I really should let her know how appreciated she is.
Like we were discussing her near-death experience in one sentence and her ruining her dress in another. Crazy stuff.

05.05.09

WARNING: This post may contain references to the female menstruation cycle.

Human biology is really a fascinating thing.
I found out today that myself and two of my close friends are all going through "that time of the month" at the moment.
It's so strange how females who live together or spend a lot of time together all get their period at the same approximate time. It blows my mind. Like why the heck would that happen?
It's cool though. I think. Apart from if you were the only guy living with five sisters who were all really cranky at the same time. That would suck.

Aren't you glad I got through the post without mentioning "gushing waterfalls of blood" or suchlike?

Monday, May 4, 2009

04.05.09

Autumn is here!
It's marked by all the falling leaves and the crisp, cool air (which, may I add, is far too crisp and cool for my liking this year).
Anyhow. I was walking down the last stairs out of Albert Park and a huge gust of wind sent all of these leaves flying in a frenzy around me. It was awesome to be still when there was all this chaos going on around me.
I almost felt if I was intruding and that I should become like a leaf and get taken up by the wind and just float on the air. How awesome would that be.
I also love the sound leaves make as they scuttle along the ground.
I couldn't hear my music for all the scuttling.

03.05.09

I dyed my hair tonight.
Or rather Amy did. With encouragement from Teresa and Ana.
It's browney red depending on what light it's in.
I think it's too dark and too red.
But it's fun to be different and I can't wait to dye it again.
It's interesting how much identity is placed in how we look.
I seem so different.
To others it's probably not that weird but because I've seen myself everyday for the last 19 years I've come to expect that my hair will be blonder when I look in a mirror.
It really is strange.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

02.05.09

I watched Kidulthood tonight. I can't make up my mind what I thought of it.
I think I misinterpreted half the film because they were such chavs and I couldn't understand a word hardly. It's like another language.

It's crazy some of the stuff that goes on though.
I felt so sheltered as I was watching.
I'm kinda glad for the sheltering though. It's like a security blanket.

Flip New Zealander's have it lucky. Well, I kinda can only speak for the shore. So much of what the film portrayed I have never seen in a high school here. Ever.
It's crazy. Fifteen year olds killing each other and beating each other up, getting pregnant, doing cocaine, getting involved in the gangs, carrying guns.
I know it was just a film but I am so grateful I haven't been exposed to all that.

It's kinda heavy for a Saturday night.

Heavy = swell in chav-speak.

01.05.09

The first of May.
NZ Music month.

Not that it really impacts me very much.

Families are a really special gift. I know that not everyone's is perfect but I am so blessed with mine.
If you think about it, you spend a whole lot of your life with your family, you move out and have a slice of freedom for a bit and then you start a family of your own. Well, that's how it happens mostly I think.
So you are constantly surrounded by family. It's really strange because I don't think I could handle living with anyone else whom I know at the moment. But my family I seem to manage every day. They are constantly there, blaring Sweet Home Alabama 24/7 or asking me to do things or waking me up early in the morning because they are crashing around in the garage. I put up with it though. Because they are family. I don't know what I'd do without them. Life would be so different. I would be so different.

I'll stop there before this gets ridiculous and puke-worthy.

But yeah.
I love 'em eh.

Friday, May 1, 2009

30.04.09

Once again I have let things slip. And it's really hard now, on Saturday night, to remember back to Thursday.

I went over to my friend's place where she and her boyfriend, another good friend of mine, were babysitting her younger siblings.
It was kinda cool to just hang because I was kinda afraid that with them going out it might be a tad awkward and third-wheel-ish. It wasn't though which was really nice.
It would have sucked if it was uncomfortable to chill as a group of three.
But it wasn't so you can all breathe a sigh of relief.
I know you were anxious.