tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13749277845377665942024-03-22T17:59:51.969+13:00Surviving HistoryAlliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-16229220691788126212013-03-09T22:24:00.003+13:002013-03-09T22:28:01.641+13:00i am listening to....<br />
I am back, without any explanation for my long absence, and without a suitably poignant or significant topic to blog upon, except that I am listening to some music these days, and I like it...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89dQOPDSHQt-dKsd4wwkL49Nbx4LIN4YH5qVRgqFW29-aXplnDRjupUvKhqCdZZirSh_ta4VVJY4mbbAuGRzLOWLWiCUupeS04mz9XTnZM9atySZ2Lvt9kA9BU-5q8Rlq4uSLFKashAM/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89dQOPDSHQt-dKsd4wwkL49Nbx4LIN4YH5qVRgqFW29-aXplnDRjupUvKhqCdZZirSh_ta4VVJY4mbbAuGRzLOWLWiCUupeS04mz9XTnZM9atySZ2Lvt9kA9BU-5q8Rlq4uSLFKashAM/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_358040143">Some of my current favourites, which are not necessarily similar to each other at all, and which I just happen to really enjoy at the moment.</span><br />
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<span id="goog_358040143">Therefore, some recommendations, following a roughly clockwise direction:</span><br />
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<b><i><span id="goog_358040143">Lawrence Arabia</span></i></b><br />
<span id="goog_358040143"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jUu84-EzyaI" width="560"></iframe> </span><br />
<span id="goog_358040143">I'm actually really into all his stuff at the moment, having just discovered this native of my own city, but this particular choice is a single from his 2012 album. He is one of those singers who manages to combine a sensitivity for a great tune with musical nous and intrepidity. I have never seen some of the stuff that happens in his songs before. He's fantastic.</span><br />
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<i><b><span id="goog_358040143">Sarah Blasko</span></b></i><br />
<span id="goog_358040143"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LD137cd7Cw0" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span id="goog_358040143">This singer supported Mumford & Sons when they came to my town, and I liked her so much I went home and bought her album. She's got a really great, unique voice and writes beautiful songs.</span><br />
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<i><b><span id="goog_358040143">Of Monsters and Men</span></b></i><br />
<span id="goog_358040143"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ghb6eDopW8I" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span id="goog_358040143">I got hooked on this band through their first single, above, but was excited to find that they weren't going to be a one hit wonder - the album is fantastic! Good music to cook to... and that's a high compliment from me.</span><br />
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<i><b><span id="goog_358040143">Susanne Sundf</span>ør</b></i><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j9U3fJ2WRf4" width="560"></iframe><br />
A very recent discovery for me. I love her slightly dark, experimental, expressive sound. I love to hear someone of her skill absolutely singing their heart out - it's very refreshing and also beautiful.<br />
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<i><b>Nina Simone</b></i><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W9_Tzginj7g" width="420"></iframe><br />
An artist who needs no talking up on my part. Can't get enough of her.<br />
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<span id="goog_358040143"><i><b>The Eastern</b></i></span><br />
<span id="goog_358040143"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X8bNzibtcVk" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span id="goog_358040143">Local band, based over the hill from me in Lyttelton, sort of bluegrass/folky sound. Voice of the earthquakes for me. Recommend in particular their song "Hope and Wire", but can't find it on youtube to link to.</span><br />
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<i><b><span id="goog_358040143">Judy Collins</span></b></i><br />
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<span id="goog_358040143">Have just recently been listening to this song over and over and over after hearing it on a TV show. It's the sort of music which I am not quite sure why I like it so much, but lie in bed with the words running through my head. They don't make it like this anymore.</span><br />
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<i><b><span id="goog_358040143">Kimbra</span></b></i><br />
<span id="goog_358040143"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9NRMwYCcJe8" width="560"></iframe><br /></span>
<span id="goog_358040143">I really like this girl and her music. She's really interesting. And there's something very unusual and musically creative about songs like the one above.</span><br />
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<i><b><span id="goog_358040143">Jeff Buckley</span></b></i><br />
<span id="goog_358040143"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BtS0rwQK_pI" width="420"></iframe><br /></span>
<span id="goog_358040143">Only just discovered by me. I am aware the rest of the world has got there already.</span>Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-12312645020497095632012-03-04T22:49:00.002+13:002012-03-04T23:05:39.760+13:00two monthsIt's been a very long time since I blogged - by my standards, anyhow. More than two months! Horrors. In order to reacquaint you with my life, here is what has been happening:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDUpXcPk92eWUbiovlrT8X-zzkM6dbyha4XK_lFW1_pzGVw8enayz5chaQ50DMySL8zc9NQ8k7w6h5-KeBFKrTSpkg-RjVDGqYr2fX9NPhqDg9PwQw0SfVonLQ-IPjVm_KX4GMvPmp68/s1600/20120104_085901.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDUpXcPk92eWUbiovlrT8X-zzkM6dbyha4XK_lFW1_pzGVw8enayz5chaQ50DMySL8zc9NQ8k7w6h5-KeBFKrTSpkg-RjVDGqYr2fX9NPhqDg9PwQw0SfVonLQ-IPjVm_KX4GMvPmp68/s400/20120104_085901.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715977523718065122" border="0" /></a>It has been summer. This is because, if you will remember, I am probably on the other side of the world to you, in the southern hemisphere.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsOH5UOmcdFOhoomgdWkerZCYDPdzbM2GBwDlCP-geyFOA9X8GXoLPS2YWk5BeVK4eA_twxXF7z0wKcHA_LW6dqFd33hmp8aTLT0rZqz-KTsspccDY6Q7v7uJdKHrfNq4IN5mD4u2crI/s1600/DSCF8826.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsOH5UOmcdFOhoomgdWkerZCYDPdzbM2GBwDlCP-geyFOA9X8GXoLPS2YWk5BeVK4eA_twxXF7z0wKcHA_LW6dqFd33hmp8aTLT0rZqz-KTsspccDY6Q7v7uJdKHrfNq4IN5mD4u2crI/s400/DSCF8826.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715977519338530066" border="0" /></a>I spent a gorgeous Christmas in Dunedin, hanging out with my Entire Family, which does not happen very often. The weather was postcard perfect and we spent almost every day at different beaches - and Dunedin beaches in good weather are stunning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDrHknJHFrNP9PdG1Yoc-cqk5xvzj3KLEpX2wnaXhAxyhI8HnBSz22lHZpzaFLQx3xR1a_dzpMYERyPfKka_wb065rku6wUpUZRQqacOEi37moD7DmqXaMUW2PTDUibE3SwXB2x4PiV0/s1600/P1090648.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDrHknJHFrNP9PdG1Yoc-cqk5xvzj3KLEpX2wnaXhAxyhI8HnBSz22lHZpzaFLQx3xR1a_dzpMYERyPfKka_wb065rku6wUpUZRQqacOEi37moD7DmqXaMUW2PTDUibE3SwXB2x4PiV0/s400/P1090648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715977511869918322" border="0" /></a>As you know, I went on an adventure to Mt Cook National Park in my Christmas holiday, pitched a tent, walked some tracks - look! it's me! (below) Also a gorgeous time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIOFy2K0g472UhzooMH-13J2N7LsTla0D88TqaVWhiGcZDocnkuBp7cGywrmWqMZaAhaq5inEVmF9YpYCwO6e812BriGPIBwZ8UWWuN-p0KMy6ujpi8bLBrhOfm_mvV4ab_-d38oLz7w/s1600/P1090659.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIOFy2K0g472UhzooMH-13J2N7LsTla0D88TqaVWhiGcZDocnkuBp7cGywrmWqMZaAhaq5inEVmF9YpYCwO6e812BriGPIBwZ8UWWuN-p0KMy6ujpi8bLBrhOfm_mvV4ab_-d38oLz7w/s400/P1090659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715977512174245810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnNsK_b-vPTo8a6exFCnXClE-G6U6QSJ_DjVro3gnhyphenhyphenK1A8x8qnOwPsKSJX5YrO5iYsUJEVsOc9NInbfOL3E7FTxK6vl-PCgXewLh34MGo3ZofXv4RzEJelxApZHZGpFwWfno-4K7fkw/s1600/P1090868.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnNsK_b-vPTo8a6exFCnXClE-G6U6QSJ_DjVro3gnhyphenhyphenK1A8x8qnOwPsKSJX5YrO5iYsUJEVsOc9NInbfOL3E7FTxK6vl-PCgXewLh34MGo3ZofXv4RzEJelxApZHZGpFwWfno-4K7fkw/s400/P1090868.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715977123002986450" border="0" /></a>I went back to work after that, but took advantage of the weekends to get out of town - my appetite well and truly whet. One Saturday was spent at Hanmer Springs, a small alpine village with famous hot springs, Christchurch's playground, with my sister and her husband and three kids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs6P5RftPzN0yqqg-BQUA60Yki0rYEAjSiGNNlst0K4CEabH0ux2wM3vd36E0BYHZunuHGaEpJEm4OktXTeE07pN0_s3U66zr58t6BhUy0y-y0sN_ILGDcGvdlOIyIzuAYAUsWCUSUA4/s1600/P1100020.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs6P5RftPzN0yqqg-BQUA60Yki0rYEAjSiGNNlst0K4CEabH0ux2wM3vd36E0BYHZunuHGaEpJEm4OktXTeE07pN0_s3U66zr58t6BhUy0y-y0sN_ILGDcGvdlOIyIzuAYAUsWCUSUA4/s400/P1100020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715977116813646002" border="0" /></a>Then I spent a weekend in Kaikoura by the sea with a friend - look, mountains! And SEALS! Look (below), isn't he lovely? It was truly hideous weather most of the time (belied by these photos) and so we didn't do much of the classic Kaikoura jaunts such as whale watching or swimming with dolphins but I did treat myself to an hour long relaxation massage and some shopping time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYAqHRsdL2Zrq8cpuV2lDEEldwNw3JzIaHFnEI0jh9jhLw-oxQ_VAl5zCS3D9FMW6vxX85n29Pj-3r8sd2spKIcZpGc4Y_2wycxx5FhbkH7pOvSCu0TRZXoVNbC1d-xtUP0Sg8anwAR0/s1600/404288_10151187057920333_726325332_22639665_1761767278_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYAqHRsdL2Zrq8cpuV2lDEEldwNw3JzIaHFnEI0jh9jhLw-oxQ_VAl5zCS3D9FMW6vxX85n29Pj-3r8sd2spKIcZpGc4Y_2wycxx5FhbkH7pOvSCu0TRZXoVNbC1d-xtUP0Sg8anwAR0/s400/404288_10151187057920333_726325332_22639665_1761767278_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715977114912725250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9S9c8pBzfaaNQW-vlOT2SETb48EPQsOnZHFv2_nlORqaGKUE4CIerN7MJd4EKPcKq8fikJTIgGQ4O5JipoZ39Nkc2irjW4-PUUeCBI7q6YPqPJyIqTJOHVoPEcY8Nn8WWb8qPAVXs_kE/s1600/DSCF9038.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9S9c8pBzfaaNQW-vlOT2SETb48EPQsOnZHFv2_nlORqaGKUE4CIerN7MJd4EKPcKq8fikJTIgGQ4O5JipoZ39Nkc2irjW4-PUUeCBI7q6YPqPJyIqTJOHVoPEcY8Nn8WWb8qPAVXs_kE/s400/DSCF9038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715977111004840194" border="0" /></a>The anniversary of the 22 February earthquake has been and gone - and traffic cones like this one all around the city (and there's quite a few of them currently) were filled with flowers in commemoration. The year has gone so quickly, and so much has happened in my life. It was a difficult week, to be honest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjOYwkfc2fQK4HUljoF1ocvIUn4KN5ZnHQ4jJz3HihGwKDxJub6riWyUOP_SfLphBkgXgOF8Lu2Pr5AaqBsiELrXU2L8xl0_o8kpP12S7la3aQKlyY7srGxtGyaXGe-ifPFxAcPzK108/s1600/DSCF8928.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjOYwkfc2fQK4HUljoF1ocvIUn4KN5ZnHQ4jJz3HihGwKDxJub6riWyUOP_SfLphBkgXgOF8Lu2Pr5AaqBsiELrXU2L8xl0_o8kpP12S7la3aQKlyY7srGxtGyaXGe-ifPFxAcPzK108/s400/DSCF8928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715977105913964930" border="0" /></a>The red zone cordon is still in place in town, but I went in for work one day. Here is the poor old Cathedral. It was announced a couple of days ago that it cannot feasibly be rebuilt and will have to be pulled down stone by stone. I completely agree with the decision but it still felt tragic.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-83705416024057970352011-12-31T13:46:00.008+13:002012-01-01T00:00:58.056+13:00the year in review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevglYWctpzb1z8k_ruQei475_wIHAsNuMomWSUc72S4PAK2aIXgAdCkgyT2d_nusOKLFUeeWRjm6QaGYbb8qzEF_iN65M6qEifdgFSrvLOu2WubK7sJ_w1OYz3AsCm7ShnxHJ2UO-mUY/s1600/P1090493.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevglYWctpzb1z8k_ruQei475_wIHAsNuMomWSUc72S4PAK2aIXgAdCkgyT2d_nusOKLFUeeWRjm6QaGYbb8qzEF_iN65M6qEifdgFSrvLOu2WubK7sJ_w1OYz3AsCm7ShnxHJ2UO-mUY/s400/P1090493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692237269232504770" border="0" /></a>I really don't feel like writing a "Yay 2011!" blog post because it just wasn't that kind of year. I am fervently wishing for a better 2012 and happy to see this year slide into history in about 28 minutes, NZ time.<br /><br />The year for me was dominated by the earthquakes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkmKS5wuIXgZwWYdZ8JxCVk_uOhyphenhyphenmfn69Jv5k8_KTl3z3urYkSzf59ilgjkQuBJljzfThNEuiuiwHlQK_nyH6LFG8HwbUzC0UOzxpPYhyS4phPPYEIoQD-mCHnsm5VNUyhX9XCb__2iM/s1600/P1070964.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkmKS5wuIXgZwWYdZ8JxCVk_uOhyphenhyphenmfn69Jv5k8_KTl3z3urYkSzf59ilgjkQuBJljzfThNEuiuiwHlQK_nyH6LFG8HwbUzC0UOzxpPYhyS4phPPYEIoQD-mCHnsm5VNUyhX9XCb__2iM/s400/P1070964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692237201711971874" border="0" /></a><br />February 22 was a horrible, dark day, one of the worst days of my life, and it threw everything into its shadow for a while. I couldn't even imagine feeling happy or carefree again for quite some time. I've always been a let's-fix-things-quickly kind of person, and it's been a hard adjustment to start thinking in terms of the years it will take before things come right in Christchurch. And then there's the fact that, whenever it feels like things are starting to be happier and more positive, another large-ish earthquake comes and knocks us over again and we're all Over It with a capital O and I.<br /><br />So this year has been pretty sucky, to use the technical term.<br /><br />And yet ....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUTy9R2jKIq-ENo7f5eYEb_v0si6B7_leEw65U_pkr9ztwaGouQbb3XfdL-kw-VRus2l52KSqBgetOT3oNILY9GIM83WltOBMzJCtjcRJyvkBT_IgwG4PsFFeINzP0mCEZGaxajfBY0c/s1600/P1080348.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUTy9R2jKIq-ENo7f5eYEb_v0si6B7_leEw65U_pkr9ztwaGouQbb3XfdL-kw-VRus2l52KSqBgetOT3oNILY9GIM83WltOBMzJCtjcRJyvkBT_IgwG4PsFFeINzP0mCEZGaxajfBY0c/s400/P1080348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692237127263765218" border="0" /></a><br />1. I (finally) finished my thesis. Now that I've had a chance to sit back, breathe, consider it - I'm proud of what I produced. I was so dazed and confused by it all by the end of my part in the process - it shows in my face, in the photo above - that I'm amazed, looking back, that the thesis made sense at all.<br /><br />I don't know if I mentioned this before but the process still continues. You may remember I wasn't particularly over the moon with my results... and it turned out in the end, after I inquired further into the rationale behind the grade, that I may have grounds to appeal it. The university's academic committee will be considering the issue in January, but it may mean another marker is appointed and my grade will be reconsidered. So I feel happier about the situation.<br /><br />2. It took me some months to find a job after uni. It was difficult to see if everything was going to work out, but I'm glad I hung in there. I got to do some short-term work that was very interesting and very different, for me, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learning-ROILA-Alison-Stedman/dp/1466494972/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325328186&sr=8-1">I even got to be published</a> for my work on a book about a robot language as a result!! It was hard work making ends meet with no long-term solutions in sight, but it was truly an exercise in learning to trust God, trying my hand at new and random things, and learning to live simply and frugally.<br /><br />3. I got my first "proper" job and am now a member of the public service, working in the recovery effort for Christchurch and its surrounds. I absolutely love my job and this has been the true highlight of 2011. I am so grateful for a job that allows me to use the skills I've been trained in, challenges me, and allows me to help in the recovery from the earthquakes - this is something I'm passionate about. I can't believe I've been so lucky.<br />With the career came the car, which I can finally afford to keep, and independence!<br /><br />4. 2011 gave me a new niece who is now six months old, incredibly cute, and a blessing to our family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDFFc1mHwWVuAjvAxRZpW3-efSS3Bv6-hqD97iVF7qvSiBw417pvTKT-vG_lfqW-dnNrTNZIt0yVw0tIIDEnLMDdAueTvtZ7fU_uEjqwoylV20ynSR1Ll4YzNajUEOEjO1EpZ6-wcFj0/s1600/P1080944.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDFFc1mHwWVuAjvAxRZpW3-efSS3Bv6-hqD97iVF7qvSiBw417pvTKT-vG_lfqW-dnNrTNZIt0yVw0tIIDEnLMDdAueTvtZ7fU_uEjqwoylV20ynSR1Ll4YzNajUEOEjO1EpZ6-wcFj0/s400/P1080944.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692237032256045218" border="0" /></a><br />5. 2011 also gave me new flatmates who became some of my best and closest friends, and consolidated my strong friendships with the flatmates I had lived with previously. Something about going through the earthquakes together brought us closer than ever before, and I am so grateful for the lifelong friendships I believe we have formed. It's so great living with people with whom you can laugh, cry, support, be supported, philosophize, play the clown, understand. Again, I've been very lucky.<br />Here we are, above, at my flatmate A.'s wedding, earlier this month, which was another highlight of 2011. R. and I have seen the whole story of A.'s romance with J. unfold, and it was so special to be at the wedding and celebrate with them, if also slightly bittersweet because it is the end of three jampacked years of flatting with A. who is a wonderful, crazy friend!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEgTMsXqckIvUAhbWfQ6TSWotgZdpwVL8Q_2pFDU8YjTtea1ScdKQLdfAhXB4r-HO32Z-NTlPY-t1BX6eyF2-F6vN-AInWnvL_R22MndG6FKIYhJBMjzH9eBJNlbeXzOYor7I9Ynbkh0/s1600/P1090767.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEgTMsXqckIvUAhbWfQ6TSWotgZdpwVL8Q_2pFDU8YjTtea1ScdKQLdfAhXB4r-HO32Z-NTlPY-t1BX6eyF2-F6vN-AInWnvL_R22MndG6FKIYhJBMjzH9eBJNlbeXzOYor7I9Ynbkh0/s400/P1090767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692093653787413394" border="0" /></a><br />6. The final highlight of the year for me was escaping to Dunedin with the family for Christmas and to Mt Cook, above, for a few days afterwards. More on this later. Suffice it to say it was a healing and happy time!<br /><br />And as I finish this blog post it is two minutes past midnight. Happy new year! Please, 2012, be good to us.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-34532933281972359092011-12-28T19:34:00.003+13:002011-12-28T19:46:07.991+13:00suddenly I am an outdoors personI write from a camping ground in Mt Cook National Park where, for the first time in my life, I have successfully put up a tent all by myself and am planning to spend two whole nights in a row sleeping outdoors, by myself.<br /><br />The weather is surprisingly warm and I am looking forward to a few days of walking, kayaking, exploring, adventuring, relaxing...<br /><br />I came from a jampacked family Christmas in Dunedin - four days, three of which were spent at the beach, all of which almost seemed clichéd in their perfection, spent with my entire family which now numbers 25 including my parent, my siblings and their spouses, my nieces and nephews, and me.<br /><br />More on this later. I plan to fill you in on all the details of my summer holiday, along with copious photos.<br /><br />The day I left Christchurch (December 23) there were more earthquakes - a 5.8 followed by a 5.3 and a 6.0. I was in a little old secondhand book shop when the first one hit, kneeling at the bottom of a tall bookcase. The whole store wobbled around me and I could feel the earth rocking and all around me books were falling down and narrowly missing me. It wasn't pleasant, and was probably the least safe I have ever felt during any of the earthquakes. I was supposed to be leaving the next day but I ended up going home, packing my things in about half an hour, and driving to Dunedin.<br /><br />I think I'm a little shell-shocked by it because for the last few days I have constantly, inexplicably, felt like bursting into tears at odd moments, even though I've been having a great time. It's not rational at all and I don't understand it so I'm putting it down to shock, and to frustration that just as everything seemed to be improving the quakes have hit us again.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-64919680959771246372011-12-08T23:07:00.003+13:002011-12-08T23:18:32.161+13:00lightning and rain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcrp75BYhFguzWQFg_6xmemlOoa3RMZdozsLvZ_BcuiufvJJg3wpQSDWyAKsIQH-vSdPm_Ey2Dp_jZog4IFPwR5PIe7j_7AgOjmA6n7VvTH43iGJnAajczB1x2ookXZr2w_oj563bZik/s1600/armidale.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcrp75BYhFguzWQFg_6xmemlOoa3RMZdozsLvZ_BcuiufvJJg3wpQSDWyAKsIQH-vSdPm_Ey2Dp_jZog4IFPwR5PIe7j_7AgOjmA6n7VvTH43iGJnAajczB1x2ookXZr2w_oj563bZik/s400/armidale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683699300005073570" border="0" /></a><br />I was on a trip with my music group when I was 13. It was one of those surreally cinematic moments, and the first time I'd ever seen a REAL lightning storm like fireworks across the sky. It was also probably quite dangerous, but who cares? I'm here to tell the tale.<br /><br />I am glad I did this because it's the sort of thing I would totally put on my "Things To Do Before I Die" list if I had not in fact already done it. It's going on my "Things To Do Again" list now.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-71023368257016035072011-12-05T21:19:00.002+13:002011-12-05T21:32:56.027+13:00farewell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MfPy0JOwIwg_cCNs0F6QihM5DODbBkr207IO8FO5TfuTwGxs93K8VaI00nwbEju5hhVD-oThXWRRVdfkwyrzA7VwYpD6X3RGV4peZlu6wGdTYUF2KBrLf9f40c9Wl6SWD1ptg-9iomM/s1600/P1030918_2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MfPy0JOwIwg_cCNs0F6QihM5DODbBkr207IO8FO5TfuTwGxs93K8VaI00nwbEju5hhVD-oThXWRRVdfkwyrzA7VwYpD6X3RGV4peZlu6wGdTYUF2KBrLf9f40c9Wl6SWD1ptg-9iomM/s400/P1030918_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682557109897154098" border="0" /></a><br />Our December issue of <a href="http://halfwaydownthestairs.net"><span style="font-style: italic;">Halfway Down the Stairs</span></a> is now out!<br /><br />As usual, I get all giggly and proud of it and keep sneaking online to look at it.<br /><br />If you like writing or reading or both, you should also sneak online and look at it. And if you like writing in particular, you should submit your work to us - we love to receive submissions. Check out <a href="http://www.halfwaydownthestairs.net/index.php?action=submissions">our submissions page</a> for information.<br /><br />Some of my personal favourites this time around:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.halfwaydownthestairs.net/index.php?action=view&id=335">Salt Stain</a>, by Zoe F. Gilbert<br /><br /><a href="http://www.halfwaydownthestairs.net/index.php?action=view&id=334">Hades Landing</a>, by Rebecca Burns<br /><br /><a href="http://www.halfwaydownthestairs.net/index.php?action=view&id=345">Dominion</a>, by Cristina Vega<br /><br /><a href="http://www.halfwaydownthestairs.net/index.php?action=view&id=332">Her Story</a>, by Marjorie S. Thomsen<br /><br />and <a href="http://www.halfwaydownthestairs.net/index.php?action=view&id=336">1941</a>, by Kyle Hemmings<br /><br />But really we wouldn't publish anything if it didn't come with a "Recommended" stamped across it. I hope you enjoy "Farewell" too!Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-72798234468912520742011-12-04T07:32:00.001+13:002011-12-04T07:33:24.200+13:00western australia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KLgJYNDQ2VrCOCDh3HSTZMFoDjHXRIPIu84oH_1y7l0yOWNT3V-mMCPiq_j2cRMFkbmT5Yvcv2nJ_XJmZaA3aOHuMzf8vml1FYFUkkGgb-2fTmJT69SUGT_WvEMBZKOk3oChqyvIIZ8/s1600/pinnacles.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KLgJYNDQ2VrCOCDh3HSTZMFoDjHXRIPIu84oH_1y7l0yOWNT3V-mMCPiq_j2cRMFkbmT5Yvcv2nJ_XJmZaA3aOHuMzf8vml1FYFUkkGgb-2fTmJT69SUGT_WvEMBZKOk3oChqyvIIZ8/s400/pinnacles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681971838571407218" border="0" /></a><br />Honestly, is there nowhere I can escape the constant horde of men pursuing me? ;)Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-74545073272488582092011-11-30T19:13:00.003+13:002011-11-30T19:18:41.400+13:00st stephens<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEDJe1VbrBfu_eGG6bS7uI5usVw9hsdS6h3KXKQs75RyrbjQAR88m1xv6fUmg6xqYNQHQUUDZA90lnxrQ2u8nj1SC6YV71lZ2OiiBS8TD4FbhsHrS0pIDmzWIXRmj53WFZubUCFHntJE/s1600/vienna3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEDJe1VbrBfu_eGG6bS7uI5usVw9hsdS6h3KXKQs75RyrbjQAR88m1xv6fUmg6xqYNQHQUUDZA90lnxrQ2u8nj1SC6YV71lZ2OiiBS8TD4FbhsHrS0pIDmzWIXRmj53WFZubUCFHntJE/s400/vienna3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680668203070551522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">[<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?q=%22st+stephens%22+vienna&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=670&tbm=isch&tbnid=5TMSOc9fwmr7PM:&imgrefurl=http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/slideshow-photo/st-stephen-s-church-vienna-by-travelpod-member-dancejill-vienna-austria.html%3Fsid%3D12293322%26fid%3Dtp-7&docid=TNxGXxJ0bCt13M&imgurl=http://images.travelpod.com/tw_slides/ta00/bb9/4ca/st-stephens-church-vienna-vienna.jpg&w=550&h=413&ei=LwPSTtmuCuWjiAe0xJC9Dg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1051&vpy=256&dur=2477&hovh=140&hovw=186&tx=146&ty=66&sig=106974650851578950695&page=11&tbnh=137&tbnw=183&start=195&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:195">original photo</a>]<br /></span></div><br />My friend and I were taking an elevator down from the roof of the cathedral, crammed into this tiny little room with about ten other people. The elderly man in charge of the lift was holding his transistor radio close and as he turned it on started nodding his head to the beat: "I will survive... oooooooh, as long as I know how to love I know I'll be allright..."<br /><br />My friend and I looked at each other and almost collapsed with laughter.<br /><br />It was one of those moments I'll always remember and will never quite be able to explain how funny it was, because the juxtaposition in that grim, sweeping cathedral was just so stark. You had to be there.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-9868517553239433522011-11-28T22:31:00.002+13:002011-11-28T22:34:43.888+13:00singapore<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-s4MgHbfuQYURaU4z5T3eIqLhDgL0KmXDFJ49IMAbB5sUOaym9rnrbKZnNrHucw4PTqPENSZ98YCFRWwqQVWfIlnLPP2jOdSVrVFlpxlYq1GoyPH4sO9KW0gFAnzV2StuuT_dh5cujw/s1600/singapore.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-s4MgHbfuQYURaU4z5T3eIqLhDgL0KmXDFJ49IMAbB5sUOaym9rnrbKZnNrHucw4PTqPENSZ98YCFRWwqQVWfIlnLPP2jOdSVrVFlpxlYq1GoyPH4sO9KW0gFAnzV2StuuT_dh5cujw/s400/singapore.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679977301174790994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">[<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?q=singapore+free+wallpaper&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=670&tbm=isch&tbnid=wfxbcgomt-8mRM:&imgrefurl=http://free-beautiful-desktop-wallpapers.blogspot.com/2011/06/royalty-free-singapore-city-pictures.html&docid=AoJMdz7juwXKEM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow5wCWa6AnH93ZAFrCoh50x-uQ6COpM0IgZ1aVJXnE0zPBujL0mS3Nz1VmNTzVdvBhga1peTJdx8XOvTgHyAfFT6Ee_b_1yQ2GCCvY353wgC0ZHKzaAs_wg_xX370H-kMMkURXwuWRX8/s1600/2128_Singapore_City%2525252C_Singapore.jpg&w=1024&h=768&ei=IADSTpLUEKSaiAfvhITXDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=581&vpy=156&dur=343&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=122&ty=91&sig=106974650851578950695&page=1&tbnh=148&tbnw=197&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0">original photo</a>]<br /></span></div><br />It's illegal there - gave me a little thrill!<br /><br />I'm such a rebel.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-30646027694282945802011-11-27T17:21:00.002+13:002011-11-27T17:23:14.243+13:00poolburn<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcUuPZC6ptGgP3pi6TYLR7vouqIuySJPd7cmvhCCaxe3xJctRALrlOjB_sBtIfjrZie34rV7yaydQV-snRHt8IpklJ3kHRgS7UrsCkdCLa3aP16ET61iLLnavogeN2lYkqlRiVlHNoGI/s1600/poolburn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcUuPZC6ptGgP3pi6TYLR7vouqIuySJPd7cmvhCCaxe3xJctRALrlOjB_sBtIfjrZie34rV7yaydQV-snRHt8IpklJ3kHRgS7UrsCkdCLa3aP16ET61iLLnavogeN2lYkqlRiVlHNoGI/s400/poolburn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679526120394064242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">[<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?q=%22poolburn+dam%22&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=670&tbm=isch&tbnid=d1PYCOLElefZeM:&imgrefurl=http://gallery.photoreview.com.au/image/show/e634e775-6231-4d9c-be44-1ca62a707384&docid=hU9c34WCW4kGmM&imgurl=http://gallery.photoreview.com.au/uploads/size_l/add933a6-7cbc-4785-acf7-2fc68dc0197b/morning%252520light,%252520Poolburn%252520Dam,%252520Central%252520Otago_l.jpg&w=800&h=533&ei=BrrRTpnDJMGwiQeXzvTiDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=966&vpy=243&dur=981&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=160&ty=107&sig=106974650851578950695&page=1&tbnh=146&tbnw=196&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0">original photo</a>]</span><br /></div><br />It was really unexpected.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-8449356911347842522011-11-25T22:49:00.003+13:002011-11-25T23:14:04.464+13:00the soundtrack of my yearMy year started out with this song. This was a real feeling of congratulation that Christchurch had made it through a massive earthquake in 2010 and, though some buildings had fallen, the city remained intact. No one died. There was a tremendous sense of togetherness. I remember sitting in a pub at the Arts Centre with a cold Pimms and ginger ale on a summer evening looking around me and feeling so lucky to live here. I also remember playing this song to myself and thinking, I'm almost feeling this good, all I need to do now is finish my Masters and I can really feel it:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Edwsf-8F3sI" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />Then there was the earthquake on 22 February, and I remember wondering if I'd <span style="font-style: italic;">ever</span> have a hope of listening to that song feeling good again, let alone not feeling sick.<br /><br />For some time afterwards, I listened to this song over and over, and I'm not exactly sure why, but it captured how I felt without actually being at all about earthquakes:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IawlaS65ZPQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="243" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />A few weeks after the earthquake, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami happened, and in Christchurch there was this horrible realisation that we weren't as badly off as we could be, and what was happening to the world? And all I could listen to was this song and feel very dark and desperate:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-m1ATkp4riE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />Maybe it was the following songs that pulled me out of this a little bit... they're not particularly positive either but they helped:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4ihaPRgXAcE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0IywjWWlxF8" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />I don't know when the turning point came, but during the remainder of the year I came to love Ella Fitzgerald:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MIDOEsQL7lA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />... and Mumford and Sons:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x2RKb3VNAOo" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />Maybe I had calmed down a little? Probably it had something to do with finishing my Masters and learning to think clearly again.<br /><br />And now it's this:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/N5O-9oYfUIQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="243" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />I'm sure I'll do a "summing up the year" blog post in a wee while so I don't want to steal all my own thunder... but it has definitely been a year of learning to rely on God. Did you know that we can't even rely on the ground beneath our feet? So I've learnt and I'm still learning to put them elsewhere, and I'm happy with the song my soundtrack finishes on.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-16186294444536724302011-11-20T09:16:00.004+13:002011-11-20T09:22:51.343+13:00west virginia<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-n0vep5RGsFjK0v18q0MBrW8aZWfq7ccUhDny45PzyNVK3C4vW9QpfdxM_l260hfey4JtgEGd6l7MmL6KnlZeHFX4DJZrGjNPX22tqD9ZPpSFFJXuFLlQLF9OBoWV-P7QPpAVhSfcM4/s1600/morgantown.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-n0vep5RGsFjK0v18q0MBrW8aZWfq7ccUhDny45PzyNVK3C4vW9QpfdxM_l260hfey4JtgEGd6l7MmL6KnlZeHFX4DJZrGjNPX22tqD9ZPpSFFJXuFLlQLF9OBoWV-P7QPpAVhSfcM4/s400/morgantown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676803501781961650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">[<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?q=%22west+virginia%22+morgantown&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1280&bih=670&tbm=isch&tbnid=YI4_y20oae5agM:&imgrefurl=http://pittsburghsec.org/2011/06/09/morgantown-bans-fracking/&docid=QI5eDMMcCRfViM&imgurl=http://www.dom.com/about/stations/fossil/images/morgantown.jpg&w=450&h=301&ei=_anCTsS4FY29iAfzwdTjDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=354&vpy=163&dur=6215&hovh=184&hovw=275&tx=112&ty=72&sig=106974650851578950695&page=1&tbnh=151&tbnw=205&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0">original photo</a>]<br /></span></div><br />On the monorail, to be precise. That is why I chose this photo.<br /><br />It was actually quite scary and I burst into tears. (I was 12, separated from my mother, had no idea where I was, and no idea how to make the monorail take me where I wanted to go.)<br /><br />Then I collected myself, found some coins in my pocket and figured it out.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-64405107749294318272011-11-19T07:23:00.005+13:002011-11-19T07:46:34.812+13:00rat raceSo it turns out that I really love my job! I've been there four weeks now, and not once have I felt at all unhappy with it.<br /><br />I won't explain what it is again here, but will point you to <a href="http://survivehistory.blogspot.com/2011/10/hunting-of-different-kind.html">this post</a>, as I probably should be discreet and avoid easy google searches - not that there's any level of special, mysterious knowledge about my job, but it's in the public service and there's a lot of public interest in this organisation and I'm still a little unclear about where the boundaries are when it comes to blogging about it.<br /><br />All the same, I can happily say that I love working there!<br /><br />It totally suits me. I get to research and write letters in response to letters that come into the office. The original letters are often angry or complicated or sad, and I find the necessary information online or by talking to people throughout the organisation or in different organisations, and then draft a response. The best of it is when someone is in a really difficult situation, and you can provide information that will benefit them enormously.<br /><br />The atmosphere is really exciting, because the pace of change is FAST. Since I've been there, there have been two major public announcements that have had a huge impact in the recovery effort. There are opportunities to stop your normal work and go help out at a community meeting, or take a bus trip through the central city, because there's a recognition you have to stay connected with what the organisation is doing on the ground, and with the people who are affected by the decisions coming out of this organisation.<br /><br />My colleagues are wonderful. We get on very well, share a similar sense of humour, and there's a culture of helping each other out. We're a very small department and have a huge backlog of work but we're attacking it together and it's very satisfying to see the numbers on the "to-do" list falling.<br /><br />Often, when I remember to think about this, I love the feeling that I am in the midst of a historical moment, a juncture in my city's history. I'm learning so much about what is going on here - it's a really valuable perspective. You can see things from many angles. I know that I will be looking back in the years to come and be able to say that I was involved. There's a strong feeling at work that, although we will probably make mistakes, everyone is there because we really care about our city and we really want to serve its people.<br /><br />I also have to say that I <span style="font-style: italic;">love</span> earning a regular income. The last few months have been really, really difficult money-wise. I had to stretch out any money that came in as long as I possibly could, as I usually had no idea when next I would be paid. It was a revolutionary feeling to get my first paycheck as a full-time worker and to know that another would be coming in a fortnight and so I could actually buy the things I need!<br /><br />Oh. Two not-so-good things.<br /><br />1. I don't like uncomfortable work shoes.<br /><br />2. I'm not so keen on the fact that I am writing a blog post at 7:00am on a Saturday morning, because I am now incapable of sleeping in.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-85084687241805448832011-11-15T20:42:00.001+13:002011-11-15T20:44:24.443+13:00krabi<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTbVU7KVydw2yET6KrbRbYI1CsGvZfoYauvTbd-9J2OCYqhzSxb66YP5fEzqLf1npV5ZXTdZHUsf5PmgGCBY_lMTLzKrhiLqbliirLPN0JAqPjkHM_6G4IBFaRJAwf-VI3GcW7IOX7zE/s1600/phi+phi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTbVU7KVydw2yET6KrbRbYI1CsGvZfoYauvTbd-9J2OCYqhzSxb66YP5fEzqLf1npV5ZXTdZHUsf5PmgGCBY_lMTLzKrhiLqbliirLPN0JAqPjkHM_6G4IBFaRJAwf-VI3GcW7IOX7zE/s400/phi+phi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675124814517395474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">[<a href="http://www.travelnlife.com/2011/03/phi-phi-islands/">original photo source</a>]</span><br /></div><br />... but at least I did it in an exotic, beautiful place, right?Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-81668626176769417392011-11-12T14:46:00.000+13:002011-11-12T14:48:57.099+13:00brighton<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxexGRLhw9TxHhX7kwUEGA1alXXkbKcXr-Crrmol9Z5GKW9SAXL7sFXlDyz2tDyilodnt8wNxUNfRmS03QQUdZhgl3u-IbAwOlYMBUHvh8SMsO2js8kGGFiYnGocpVSV6_fi1moWYqM0/s1600/Brighton.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxexGRLhw9TxHhX7kwUEGA1alXXkbKcXr-Crrmol9Z5GKW9SAXL7sFXlDyz2tDyilodnt8wNxUNfRmS03QQUdZhgl3u-IbAwOlYMBUHvh8SMsO2js8kGGFiYnGocpVSV6_fi1moWYqM0/s400/Brighton.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673920233122416706" border="0" /></a><br />I think it wanted to eat my fish and chips.<br /><br />Weirdest feeling ever.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-72035424487951906372011-11-11T19:37:00.002+13:002011-11-11T19:50:04.570+13:00manderleyLast weekend I went out to Little River for the Manderley Festival. Little River is some forty minutes from the outskirts of Christchurch, and Manderley is an old homestead with beautiful grounds, where every year they hold a market of artsy-craftsy-foody type stuff and open up the house, etc.<br /><br />We stopped on the way out there at Birdlings Flat, which is a wild beach with millions of pebbles, which is exactly what my flatmate A. needs for the decorations for her wedding in December. So we were equipped with several buckets, but I have to admit I kept getting distracted from pebble-gathering and taking photos. Not many turned out very well but here are a couple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsNW-4G0vATD6dnyqsbwPpIRTUe4e1wz3R_D78VaSeXd4oUWfXFC76FcUmzD4YA06YkP8X8r6PkPpTxFEK3iBY7p5m8uzpsym9VSmrjwEn8VmMDHWMRW768u35u-urUCI4U9cntEphnk/s1600/1+birdlingsflat2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsNW-4G0vATD6dnyqsbwPpIRTUe4e1wz3R_D78VaSeXd4oUWfXFC76FcUmzD4YA06YkP8X8r6PkPpTxFEK3iBY7p5m8uzpsym9VSmrjwEn8VmMDHWMRW768u35u-urUCI4U9cntEphnk/s400/1+birdlingsflat2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673624898524480802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFKdcMDzY5o7xs740f_h3mJ9mf_E2cPM-lUKglgzwZbzZj2ptQS5affIVWFFHX4gu0JRbBPkFGAUWST6TEmQHLd7eGC0EwkaqN6cOLfXkiho2LRNWo_f4loWoUJGDmmzPWCTODW9PYFc/s1600/2+P1080685.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFKdcMDzY5o7xs740f_h3mJ9mf_E2cPM-lUKglgzwZbzZj2ptQS5affIVWFFHX4gu0JRbBPkFGAUWST6TEmQHLd7eGC0EwkaqN6cOLfXkiho2LRNWo_f4loWoUJGDmmzPWCTODW9PYFc/s400/2+P1080685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673624894437769858" border="0" /></a><br />Then to Manderley itself:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Here is the house:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKcTYiAFlkX7wz7OIt8p2hgTlh0A1epau0PTUpcAiLnApcbBOm8a2-gxTwnH_rOrhLfgkqwbEssOebENgTQzzkMClotMFQwd6N1DiIsQAG08FRks4dq9JOj4CGHpTUyPynteGuaDGi0o/s1600/3+P1080695.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKcTYiAFlkX7wz7OIt8p2hgTlh0A1epau0PTUpcAiLnApcbBOm8a2-gxTwnH_rOrhLfgkqwbEssOebENgTQzzkMClotMFQwd6N1DiIsQAG08FRks4dq9JOj4CGHpTUyPynteGuaDGi0o/s400/3+P1080695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673624768887531474" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">The stalls:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NkJtE9AOMNqtPbz0VoQL_LKuG0TLFjAB4TNXkNAmIWNiDx4DVhkBnx1sa2xrN8LtZfvWKB8I9-2exqScM07dxuN_g6LwsD74c6BlcQbUnbNIwZRE70dIryBdg3QQZykwSVIz_tNFa7Y/s1600/4+P1080700.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NkJtE9AOMNqtPbz0VoQL_LKuG0TLFjAB4TNXkNAmIWNiDx4DVhkBnx1sa2xrN8LtZfvWKB8I9-2exqScM07dxuN_g6LwsD74c6BlcQbUnbNIwZRE70dIryBdg3QQZykwSVIz_tNFa7Y/s400/4+P1080700.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673624757007383698" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Cool things for sale:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZpDCupiF0mUjNKJPh9yXH5R2GJHfynUFa7w5L-ZC17H5YG257Ll0pTfvdujX0nJpfa3GCQFH3tQkv5BsYL81C1xSfbg-h1zf_qzXD-SMFyiIanCLHcGOnkUcf8_MUoZIsCZIS3QxUHY/s1600/5+P1080688.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZpDCupiF0mUjNKJPh9yXH5R2GJHfynUFa7w5L-ZC17H5YG257Ll0pTfvdujX0nJpfa3GCQFH3tQkv5BsYL81C1xSfbg-h1zf_qzXD-SMFyiIanCLHcGOnkUcf8_MUoZIsCZIS3QxUHY/s400/5+P1080688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673624760637565698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl3OLRf2zUAHM42F5lBWKDdGGz9EBHYeilfJhSgwGI-hKQ9kQ_neYUfnvLlSz65NI35IZVTRkryei13BdWFACalePTKwwPYvFvdH2uYEAM0D-56tdYUWSYYvqjWiYugo_uJAUtUT5LBo/s1600/5+P1080711.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl3OLRf2zUAHM42F5lBWKDdGGz9EBHYeilfJhSgwGI-hKQ9kQ_neYUfnvLlSz65NI35IZVTRkryei13BdWFACalePTKwwPYvFvdH2uYEAM0D-56tdYUWSYYvqjWiYugo_uJAUtUT5LBo/s400/5+P1080711.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673624755910391442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Swing dancers:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKHlMG53G340upenADWMfBBSvG9Q8dUQOq8eKXLN9TCPEfOyMq0yZpHF2Qj2nBHsBcb8LblsvosMi3TYgJaZPIRRi7iutWhPBMgzFt51eq49DehhkyDPkX67f2GqKPcykZQlJj98qgP8/s1600/6+P1080708.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKHlMG53G340upenADWMfBBSvG9Q8dUQOq8eKXLN9TCPEfOyMq0yZpHF2Qj2nBHsBcb8LblsvosMi3TYgJaZPIRRi7iutWhPBMgzFt51eq49DehhkyDPkX67f2GqKPcykZQlJj98qgP8/s400/6+P1080708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673624748718816978" border="0" /></a><br />It's difficult to recreate for you, but it was such a beautiful day and there were so many interesting things to see and/or buy! I ended up buying a hippie bag and a beautiful little old hand-painted china vase, but also got to try out cheeses and salamis and chutneys and cupcakes and more, and I would heartily recommend the Manderley Festival to you - yes you - if you happen to be in Christchurch next November!Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-91946616645779413812011-11-07T21:07:00.001+13:002011-11-07T21:09:55.985+13:00london<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MzK7Gwi81Ew058xbYhjKTBQcXKQ3BXzdr3UdWdn6y8B2nCvT9B6Zah_4_ptVWIp31H3LFbvvz7W_VIuc6rJw-JJkmCC4JIdkYxfmxxetIGx6pMSS6_qx7yk-sODOdOCvDzLmDtqSEUQ/s1600/london.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MzK7Gwi81Ew058xbYhjKTBQcXKQ3BXzdr3UdWdn6y8B2nCvT9B6Zah_4_ptVWIp31H3LFbvvz7W_VIuc6rJw-JJkmCC4JIdkYxfmxxetIGx6pMSS6_qx7yk-sODOdOCvDzLmDtqSEUQ/s400/london.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672162633983025186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">[<a href="http://www.londonmediaclub.org/">source of original photo</a>]<br /></span></div><br />Well, I wouldn't blame him for being confused, really - not all that many people ask to have their photo taken with Karl Marx's grave.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-4928377627185011622011-11-02T07:15:00.004+13:002011-11-02T07:29:37.337+13:00viennaIt's Austria's turn...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxgEIKc7pSd0fOmIeDucsujfZKBUQurSfh4wLiRsrKlm5u4YK34S-fcRJ5hag1jI-RzCv9bIYno3dcoYs20GWruduvDvHP2764hosmUaYx9_Cir-Ax-mHqIk5ltxD6O58GzaZBbaO9aE/s1600/vienna.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxgEIKc7pSd0fOmIeDucsujfZKBUQurSfh4wLiRsrKlm5u4YK34S-fcRJ5hag1jI-RzCv9bIYno3dcoYs20GWruduvDvHP2764hosmUaYx9_Cir-Ax-mHqIk5ltxD6O58GzaZBbaO9aE/s400/vienna.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670093957646017346" border="0" /></a><br />He sauntered into our hostel with a friend. He had a splendid moustache and a tan-coloured suit. I was waiting for my friend to finish using the internet.<br /><br />While his friend argued with the proprietor, he approached me and asked me something in another language which it was convenient not to be able to understand precisely, although the meaning was pretty clear. I'm pretty sure it began with "How you doin'?" Then there were the gestures.<br /><br />"Ah, I can't understand, very sorry!" I chattered politely.<br /><br />"Gypsies!!!" hissed the proprietor as they left.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(By the way - I know that gypsies, or Roma, or wanderers, or whatever you like to call them, are quite a normal part of the community in parts of Europe, but to a 23 year old from New Zealand they sound like they come out a fairy tale. That is where this bumper sticker has its novelty for me.)</span>Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-33993849025716803282011-10-31T22:49:00.004+13:002011-10-31T22:54:39.739+13:00love and marriageMy next bumper sticker...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsjQWZMB34NDMkiqYb5xyOyqyCATBU1KegnYFZBX9jqzA9tD9rIUm3edJXOlLbf2RSuRkNRKQzkLz3QP3f43fvHT48HVhmPRsbJ6H3-zw6i6pY8EXq-3F5FtJQSrG6XyAlmfJwBz-5PM/s1600/washington.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsjQWZMB34NDMkiqYb5xyOyqyCATBU1KegnYFZBX9jqzA9tD9rIUm3edJXOlLbf2RSuRkNRKQzkLz3QP3f43fvHT48HVhmPRsbJ6H3-zw6i6pY8EXq-3F5FtJQSrG6XyAlmfJwBz-5PM/s400/washington.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669591494432625506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">[<a href="http://freehighresolutionpictures.blogspot.com/2011/02/washington-dc-atraction.html">original picture source</a>]<br /></span></div><br />He was a recent immigrant. I was a fresh-faced but mature-looking twelve year old. He thought arranged marriages were the way to go, and were my parents interested?<br /><br />Once he found out I was only twelve, he wondered if I had any sisters?<br /><br />My parents politely said they thought they would let us choose for ourselves.<br /><br />And then we got to the train station.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-2755597108507307852011-10-30T08:19:00.002+13:002011-10-30T08:24:05.272+13:00windscreen emptinessI'm going to pick up my new car today!<br /><br />This got me thinking: for the first time in my life, I will be allowed to use bumper stickers in the purpose for which they are intended. But which bumper stickers to use?<br /><br />Some people like to use the back windscreen of their car to boast about the interesting places they've been and the interesting things they've done.<br /><br />And so I bring to you a series of my own bumper stickers, based on my exotic life of travel. And it's all true. Here's the first:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED2PxVJDxNnKEcJhpNXI49LXfLgURIBzavszhnweR_pPavTd2IJnz2LR8FECVwmrSQCNQQ6AtVGHyD3z9Sk7jNKX1U2QOQwwbt50i9pbKrIHztoas84vzByjrM8tfkzCtd9VekrcD6h0/s1600/kalbarri.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED2PxVJDxNnKEcJhpNXI49LXfLgURIBzavszhnweR_pPavTd2IJnz2LR8FECVwmrSQCNQQ6AtVGHyD3z9Sk7jNKX1U2QOQwwbt50i9pbKrIHztoas84vzByjrM8tfkzCtd9VekrcD6h0/s400/kalbarri.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668996002515635186" border="0" /></a><br />Feel free to print these out and make up your own bumper stickers if you too swallowed a fly in Western Australia. It's not difficult to do.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-19809453928103745212011-10-29T22:24:00.000+13:002011-10-30T08:04:17.544+13:00graffiti<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWh4BBR4C8vz3j19FyaA_aUwDnxlm7OeWnjnhnmi_JFMm4UNRpUIMGRx93mR1hfqzVbVm0v3aVAK_O2aWYU-6fC-GXC9r-IOr-LpPAYQowp06Pce1BquLy_cHfqRfsy4x0Kw8ytsnrS4/s1600/383719_10150337329510686_693655685_8831311_776422787_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWh4BBR4C8vz3j19FyaA_aUwDnxlm7OeWnjnhnmi_JFMm4UNRpUIMGRx93mR1hfqzVbVm0v3aVAK_O2aWYU-6fC-GXC9r-IOr-LpPAYQowp06Pce1BquLy_cHfqRfsy4x0Kw8ytsnrS4/s400/383719_10150337329510686_693655685_8831311_776422787_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668973553982741058" border="0" /></a><br />Graffiti in Christchurch - photo borrowed from a friend with permission:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCkSYBfHswNu8Da_QbblF_E6hdvYxzb2O742wiZjca5ZNQI1lyP_yyjESqTfESbWdI3hOykcapOAjCeTQIWXv-aOTkSRQCZT2AQ19aJxwHpU6tWt_eYZd4puwCgVx2v6XAfyZciR34EY/s1600/383719_10150337329510686_693655685_8831311_776422787_n.jpg"><br /></a>"Christchurch - destined to rise"<br />"Ikarus"<br /><br />Look, the thought's very nice, and his/her talent with a spray can is prodigious... but <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus">Icarus</a>? Destined to rise? Really?!<br /><br />Perhaps they started reading the story and got tired before the middle or the end.<br /><br />Perhaps it's the name the artist uses on everything s/he does and my snark is pointless.<br /><br />Either way, this made me giggle.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-13172862131537320022011-10-28T20:05:00.006+13:002011-10-28T23:23:34.216+13:00a week of firsts1. I started my first proper grown-up job. Tried not to refer to it in that way at work and instead look professional and seasoned... well, perhaps not, but contrary to all expectations I did not get horribly nervous. I did not make horrible mistakes. I'm slipping into the work much quicker than I (and they) expected. I'm learning lots. I'm feeling quite privileged to get paid to do something that seems actually important and to work in something so closely associated with Canterbury earthquake recovery - pretty cool, really. Take that, all the people who said <span style="font-style: italic;">But what are you going to <span style="font-weight: bold;">DO</span> with a BA/MA?</span> Future Arts grads, don't listen to them!<br /><br />2. I bought my first car. !!! Rockin it in a Mazda Demio... okay, so it doesn't have that kind of a ring to it, but I'm pretty excited! I'm not actually picking it up until my birthday, as in NZ you pay less insurance after you're 25, so it made sense to wait a week.<br /><br />3. It was my niece's first day at school on the same day I started work. She's five and very excited!<br /><br />4. This week the buses started going through the city again, instead of around it, for the first time since the February earthquake. This may not seem that significant but the city has been like this big black hole in Christchurch where only people with hard hats and orange hi-visibility vests are allowed to go. The buses have been stopping on opposite sides of the CBD. This leads on...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEFQlVc7VfzjqLKNuDhiTiDoJte2AtWgpkR7ghBkv2eo-c3ggrSVGIKW4Fg4HBUv0E87pDc-8ttAOwCSOVzYQw0IceRg6mFtfLYy2G_dICqV7BKxBLu8Rti9VEd6BWJPO6Z6bC0GWSlo/s1600/312183_10150437925173033_715513032_10440563_228384017_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEFQlVc7VfzjqLKNuDhiTiDoJte2AtWgpkR7ghBkv2eo-c3ggrSVGIKW4Fg4HBUv0E87pDc-8ttAOwCSOVzYQw0IceRg6mFtfLYy2G_dICqV7BKxBLu8Rti9VEd6BWJPO6Z6bC0GWSlo/s400/312183_10150437925173033_715513032_10440563_228384017_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668482656342905506" border="0" /></a><br />5. The shopping district of Cashel Mall has all but disappeared. As you can see in the photo above, so much has been demolished while it's been cordoned off that it's barely recognisable. This goes for much of the city.<br />BUT! For the first time since February 22nd, they're opening up Cashel Mall to the public for shopping in shipping containers! See below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwaIuIQFrm51cWJibVemnyx1K4iz1960TglX7uuR9mOnRLZlS4eGpaucdN2gG0uJLteWInJr0_TJR0gIM8IJB2Ed6Zyp5gOTEHuZTu64gsTzJJwT8mcP9xiSWl6Apgo0ZMB6hxPgW_S4/s1600/5811802.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwaIuIQFrm51cWJibVemnyx1K4iz1960TglX7uuR9mOnRLZlS4eGpaucdN2gG0uJLteWInJr0_TJR0gIM8IJB2Ed6Zyp5gOTEHuZTu64gsTzJJwT8mcP9xiSWl6Apgo0ZMB6hxPgW_S4/s320/5811802.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668481594089025714" border="0" /></a>Behold: the "pop-up mall".<br /><br />It's not quite finished in the photo, but it's finished in reality, and tomorrow afternoon we'll be allowed into this part of the CBD once more to shop in this pop-up mall, eat and drink in pop-up cafés, et cetera.<br />I was a little sceptical until I saw the report on TV tonight about it, and it just looks so cool. It's very exciting to see the central city opening up for the first time, even if it's only a little bit, and in such a creative and fun way. Hurrah!<br />I will also be able to wander down in my lunch breaks on work days, as I work right on the edge of the CBD. Eating options have been limited, so this is also exciting.<br /><br />It's SO GOOD to see Christchurch recovering little by little. There's a very long way to go. This has been something I've learnt even more this week as I've started my new job. It's easy to forget that things are crazy when you live in a fairly unaffected suburb and no longer visit the CBD. Now I'm there again, my work station reflects the buildings that are destined for demolition in its glass, and it seems ghostly. But life is returning slowly.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-43751219154191993502011-10-19T07:21:00.003+13:002011-10-19T08:04:57.990+13:00hunting of a different kindSo it's been a while since I updated you. Last time, I almost had a job. This time, I definitely have it, and I'm starting next week! Can't deny I'm a little bit nervous, but I'm also looking forward to it. I will be working in a research and writing capacity for a government department concerned with the consequences of the earthquake in Christchurch and the rebuild. Doing what I love (research, writing) and feeling like it's actually practical - a winning combination for me! I just hope I don't make any really stupid mistakes in the early weeks.<br /><br />In other news, we are spending this week flat-hunting - my last week of freedom plus my other flatmate is on holiday. We will be leaving our current flat when the lease ends in a month or so as it is quite big (5 bedrooms to fill) and some of us are keen for a smaller place in a different part of town.<br /><br />We visited a potential flat yesterday that has so many flaws but I am addicted to the idea of it already! I will explain.<br /><br />It's on the hills overlooking Christchurch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0idRnMFFgsg0097ju0CLPiPHImD594F0v_4oUUScm4SShaBkM_6av0oeXNeq4sWx6QyEw9UnEde4Y6ezKXJaqCHrRLpcQGuh2L_yVh9gOLhShJWak87qxqzFF2Ot-LUITzzRz1FYPsx0/s1600/1+Path%252Bto%252BQuicksand%252BLake%252Bat%252BAnu%2527u.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0idRnMFFgsg0097ju0CLPiPHImD594F0v_4oUUScm4SShaBkM_6av0oeXNeq4sWx6QyEw9UnEde4Y6ezKXJaqCHrRLpcQGuh2L_yVh9gOLhShJWak87qxqzFF2Ot-LUITzzRz1FYPsx0/s320/1+Path%252Bto%252BQuicksand%252BLake%252Bat%252BAnu%2527u.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664905892720394866" border="0" /></a>After parking your car, you need to walk up a little path like this one, for about a minute. (So yeah, it is inconvenient when moving in, or at night, et cetera - but oh so romantic!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAYW_K4BNIbJzYE3J9OR5OTtaUep0qFTkuTlEIuQuZOW8_-DQH7fTa7fKaan8BtFbUJvL6fs8Qg-k2OIkUhzgF2EdgtFu5XZk__GmIP8hgFdlZkoY3Dse0K8wJoxl03Nu7AY9VojhiQ4/s1600/2+461-CR6995-Kidson-Terrace-Cashmere-Hills-Christchurch-City-Canterbury-New-Zealand.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAYW_K4BNIbJzYE3J9OR5OTtaUep0qFTkuTlEIuQuZOW8_-DQH7fTa7fKaan8BtFbUJvL6fs8Qg-k2OIkUhzgF2EdgtFu5XZk__GmIP8hgFdlZkoY3Dse0K8wJoxl03Nu7AY9VojhiQ4/s320/2+461-CR6995-Kidson-Terrace-Cashmere-Hills-Christchurch-City-Canterbury-New-Zealand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664905890879566002" border="0" /></a>The house is a 1920s villa a little like this one (but it is almost entirely white).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKy5-1JzAakzL8vhbF8QqRluQjYhqO6xiXdOzja_AVP4Jb-KyyX6rWWF5MJInnJ6jhCO_6DHICqVqwpbH6cjAiK9xBiDbYWtvaTluivFRkp2vTjfuix50mmv5-uHAu-k2Tcs77xiZek-Q/s1600/3+coromandel.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKy5-1JzAakzL8vhbF8QqRluQjYhqO6xiXdOzja_AVP4Jb-KyyX6rWWF5MJInnJ6jhCO_6DHICqVqwpbH6cjAiK9xBiDbYWtvaTluivFRkp2vTjfuix50mmv5-uHAu-k2Tcs77xiZek-Q/s320/3+coromandel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664905775218659394" border="0" /></a>It is surrounded by trees and bush like this one. There is a little grassy area at the top of the section, with a clothesline and sweeping views of the city, and it feels like you're in an oasis from the modern world, even though you're actually surrounded by other houses.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnwBsT8TNfVkVOvVnb8jLAUv54XR_5yJegS6LU45NCJ56sehnJ86P-PTq9BQ9f8xot8nNb3cTdFzXrxJg0t3W8TwF7FIGvEQ17fQ5YEz30cN9dorQgt5nTLLuOLCWMvxHWg6YAVbRe0g/s1600/4+bay-windows.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnwBsT8TNfVkVOvVnb8jLAUv54XR_5yJegS6LU45NCJ56sehnJ86P-PTq9BQ9f8xot8nNb3cTdFzXrxJg0t3W8TwF7FIGvEQ17fQ5YEz30cN9dorQgt5nTLLuOLCWMvxHWg6YAVbRe0g/s320/4+bay-windows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664905771423111570" border="0" /></a>There are bay windows throughout the house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltFYO7Rrtr_R8tbnbc373Q3ygzjmXLXHjAHzTWRcKl7Ll1GP77QFd7HcSbzhlBI974LQSbfIKro0CKo-ntjx5_-JOsGOYJGLLLU2khALXGKkr1fOQsFT2AVVg5wGnZbbM8nPNmUCFzbg/s1600/5+Picture+4.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltFYO7Rrtr_R8tbnbc373Q3ygzjmXLXHjAHzTWRcKl7Ll1GP77QFd7HcSbzhlBI974LQSbfIKro0CKo-ntjx5_-JOsGOYJGLLLU2khALXGKkr1fOQsFT2AVVg5wGnZbbM8nPNmUCFzbg/s320/5+Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664905759800567890" border="0" /></a>There is a sun room and a lounge, dining room and bedrooms with amazing views.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5vHuBNizljdiv0SQFi8a6FH0FgIJRKsBMQGoqqkZZ-p5ToRD5AOV_YMPXtsIAk1oLy5G74Ei0NKhMkYDFV8gRBR6Ek6Er494OYy0lwzTGx38nudGTJz0FUujwvOD-yoBMusy7L9TFzg/s1600/6+goodnight-christchurch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5vHuBNizljdiv0SQFi8a6FH0FgIJRKsBMQGoqqkZZ-p5ToRD5AOV_YMPXtsIAk1oLy5G74Ei0NKhMkYDFV8gRBR6Ek6Er494OYy0lwzTGx38nudGTJz0FUujwvOD-yoBMusy7L9TFzg/s320/6+goodnight-christchurch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664905760476834034" border="0" /></a>This would be the view during the night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvbCtCWkkedp_gPtOx_vxQpPIogyxP5qoa__F4newlSJJXghaHYHUF20BKRxI0_ko9w6mYTIwxLmOkVYD9aNlLVzp_ItD5zh__b2bbzmE5_r81x8Jygxcqgzmyh3DVq8bkRThdhjIEdI/s1600/7+page15-1088-thumb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvbCtCWkkedp_gPtOx_vxQpPIogyxP5qoa__F4newlSJJXghaHYHUF20BKRxI0_ko9w6mYTIwxLmOkVYD9aNlLVzp_ItD5zh__b2bbzmE5_r81x8Jygxcqgzmyh3DVq8bkRThdhjIEdI/s320/7+page15-1088-thumb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664905755459081618" border="0" /></a>This would be a view during the day - except that it would be much more sweeping, and you could see all the way to the sea.<br /><br />It might be cold in winter. The kitchen is quite dated. It's an old house and is likely to have mice. But on the other hand it's affordable, there's HEAPS of space, the landlord seems excellent and he seemed to like us, there will be a new kitchen, and despite the fact that the weather was horrid yesterday the house felt warm, even though its new owners have not yet installed any heating. (They will be doing so.)<br /><br />We left the house so excited. But completely aware of its problems. Are now waiting for a quote from a moving company for our bigger items, as we have no hope whatever of moving them in ourselves. We think we'll have a cooling-down period and see other houses before we apply... but I can't imagine feeling quite as much in love with any other home!!Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-7820437722766964392011-10-01T14:48:00.004+13:002011-10-01T14:56:58.784+13:00positivityI am having a great weekend so far, and it's only Saturday!<br /><br />1. I almost have a job! Just waiting for them to speak to my referees but basically as long as my referees say nothing horrible about me I am going to receive a job offer soon. It happens to be a job that I really wanted and I am very excited about it - so very grateful, relieved and happy!<br /><br />2. I got my thesis markers' comments back, and was surprised to read some really lovely, positive, genuine feedback from the external marker who happens to be an historian I really respect. Recovered some of my confidence in my own work as a result.<br /><br />3. Googled myself this morning (oh, don't laugh, I bet you've done it too) and discovered my thesis is now online - I'm famous! Hmm. Yes. Of course.<br />You can read it <a href="http://nzresearch.org.nz/index.php/record/viewSchema/102236/3/">here</a> or <a href="http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5507">here</a> if you like. But don't worry. I have few illusions about how widely read this thesis will be.<br /><br />4. Had an excellent night with some friends from church last night, sitting round eating dessert and sharing our stories of how we discovered faith in God. It was really fantastic and a little emotional at times and there were a lot of smiles and laughter.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374927784537766594.post-16790415097483014532011-09-30T10:37:00.006+13:002011-09-30T14:11:57.733+13:00this is one of my favourite things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBOOnEzsY1IvI3yrgH9G7ICN6VdcvBvHEZSqAANjD_ylbkbyX4QJDeVdjaUgp9h7sGhLgm3kS6Ug3BTRPWzsTszz1W9jfyBeBuCpSgVPekrGIak1CwrbrzLSdrmzjFWdrgLLwhZSrTOc/s1600/DSCF8543_4.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBOOnEzsY1IvI3yrgH9G7ICN6VdcvBvHEZSqAANjD_ylbkbyX4QJDeVdjaUgp9h7sGhLgm3kS6Ug3BTRPWzsTszz1W9jfyBeBuCpSgVPekrGIak1CwrbrzLSdrmzjFWdrgLLwhZSrTOc/s400/DSCF8543_4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657904851518548354" border="0" /></a><br />When I was a very little girl, at some point before I can remember, I had my first boiled egg. My father would have drawn a funny face on it, like he did for all my siblings and me. If only we had a photographic record of all the faces, over the years, about to face doom through a sharp whack to the head.<br /><br />I would have doused it in salt - because I'm sorry, but there is no point in eating a boiled egg without salt - and I would have eaten it with great pleasure.<span style="font-style: italic;"> I love eggs</span>, and I love boiled eggs especially. I think I particularly like that they are so personal - everyone has their own preferences when it comes to eggs. For myself, I boil an egg for five minutes <span style="font-style: italic;">precisely</span> in quickly boiling water. Any longer, and it's too solid for me.<br /><br />Anyway, I would finish the egg, already longing for more. At this point someone would have played a trick on me by turning the larger half of the egg shell over in the egg cup, to look as if it hadn't been eaten yet, and offered it to me.<br /><br />Bloggers, I fell for it, even if I can't remember doing so, and from that point on, I have been constitutionally incapable of eating a boiled egg without offering SOMEONE the empty shell. I know that very rarely will anyone fall for it. I have successfully tricked someone once in my entire life, which I estimate would be a success rate of roughly 1/375. Nevertheless it is hilariously funny.<br /><br />These are a few of my favourite things.Alliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11125437682195078847noreply@blogger.com4