Party season.

Planning for a best friends 21st is sure damn exciting. Its pretty much a blank canvas with no holding back, not that there's a rule book, but if there was, thats what it would say.

Speeches are planned and the numerous stories this particular being has are limitless, the difficulty is narrowing down the wide selection.

Alcohol + friends and family + a room full of people + a birthday girl = one helluva night.

I even have a wee video up my sleeve, little does the guest of honour know (so don't tell).

Saturday couldn't come fast enough.

Dishing embarrasment is my fav.o.u.r.i.t.e game.

So in advance (by about two months, but thats not the point), happy birthday Mil. May our violent, adventurous, outrageous and unique friendship continue around the world as we travel and for many, many more years to come.

Snow way.

There is nothing like waking up, looking outside your bedroom window and being greeted by a beautiful white blanket hiding all else from view. SNOW! It has been years since my beautiful town has been blessed with snow. Its on par with 30 degree summer days, both rare and wonderful.

Rugged up in layers upon layers of clothing (looking and feeling 3 times my usual size which has benefits in added protection comforts). A friend and I spent the day with all the other 5 year olds (and the many of those our age acting like 5 year olds).

It is the day when rubbish bags become tabogan devices and winter comforts like soup and hot tea become up there with cellphones and laptops (or a roof over your head and safe love ones, depending on how materialistic you are).

My planned flight to Wellington was cancelled and delayed immeninently (as snow decides to settle and looks opposed to budging, another uncommon occurence here with snow normally followed by bright sunshine minutes later). But this fact I'm eagerly trying to erase from my thoughts (due to the fact the reason I was actually getting on that flight was kind of vital, think valid, legal entry into a country I plan to stay for more than 6 months...eek.)

But as I sit in front of a glorious fire, contemplating my weeks schedule and thinking of the best means to procrastinate that which I really have to do, the attempts of snowmen lie abandoned on the ground, remnants slowly melting away. The path of taboganning efforts remain distant reminders of the days unexpected joy, waiting for the future snowfall and reliable fun.

Limbo.

Currently in the midst of a prolonged period of nothingness. Waiting. Waiting for my dreams to take flight and months of organistion to come to fruition. Paris is a little over a month away and the realization of what I'm about to do is beginning to take effect. Cue: freak out. I'm a mad woman on a mission, I have visa's coming out my ears and am paper pushing like I didn't know possible (trees, forgive me, I WILL make it up to you.) A last minute flight to Wellington is around the corner and, I'm praying, will solidify the legal ability for me to enter France for a longer period of time than an idle holiday (and also prevents involving the law in my arrival).

Thoughts are churning, organisation, responsiblity, independence. C'est le test!

Filling the time by baking a delicious (albeit heavy on the waistline) batch of raspberry and white chocolate muffins, hot and steaming next to my waiting cup of tea. Fire is on, ugg boots snug on my chilled toes and the day is co-operating, it appears snow is on its way!

Relax TIME!!!

Leaving for Coolangatta, Austra.l.i.a. Tomorrow morning!

Can not wait. I have been wracking my little brain with media phrases, consititution dates and writing essays till my eyes fall out. Also while trying to juggle the insane, environmentally UN-friendly amounts of paperwork to get to Paris. There is so much paper I actually tried building a fort with it. Just another form of procrastination really.

But Uni is COMPLETE! How weird is the fact that I have finished with UC. My degree is pretty much DONE. So odd as I still feel juvenile, want to play on playgrounds and watch Harry Potter in my pyjamas all day long. My the stress and strain off the last few weeks (or month really, if you want to get all technical) is over and out and Coolangatta will refresh and rejuvenate me. with NO shaking. (So I hope, anyway, in a 17 storey building).

A tad over this shaking, constant shaking. Trying to run away from large buildings on a ground that feels like jelly. (No, this isn't a really bad way to describe a night out).

Earthquake free, sun laden, surfs up, shop till you drop holiday. MUCH deserved. Bring. it. on.



This is literally where I'm going. Oh my gee.

Happppyyyyy.

Did I make it clear that I'm happy?

I still can't believe it.

I am going to live in France.




I am going to study in Paris.

Beyond my wildest dreams.

Things do come true. You can attain what you aspire. Simply put you can get what you want, whatever you want. Almost a year ago I had a dream, a dream to go to Paris and study at University. Planning, applications, meetings and introductions took place, I worked hard, I worked extra but yesterday I received the news that I knew would make it all worth it.

Nous sommes heureuse de vous inviter a la universite de Sciences-Po.

Acceptance. Confirmation.

I had it. I AM GOING TO PARIS.

I can't believe after all these thoughts, ideas, plans, dreams, its now really happening. I still listen to Carla Bruni songs on my way to work, imagining myself on the other side of the world, barefoot on cobblestones chasing my french lover. Eating du pain and un chocolat chaud at my local cafe, people watching, taking charming Parisian photos or browsing magazines that I struggled to understand.

I believe that things come true. That if you can think it, believe it, DREAM it, you can make it happen. I truly believe this. For a small town girl to be able to leave for one of the biggest, most glamourous cities in the world, on her own and with only short term plans and a future of opportunity, it is clear that we can make anything happen. Don't stop short of what you can't think or dream, think big, bigger. There's no limit.

People say shoot for the stars, but why stop there when there's footprints on the moon?

Unreal....ity.

Surprise GHD's.

No.

Freaking.

Way.

Frats.

First flat party EVER on a blistering of a Friday = success.

Second flat but first flat party, red cups, beer pong and fairy lights. Yep, we went all out. Friends and people flouded our wee hobode. We were decked out with couches at the entrance, mini pies and lots of beer. Recipe for fun?

Like moths to a light, students to alcohol, music blared and people danced, raged and had fun. Loud voices, laughter, drunken slander and stumbling, all enjoyed themselves. Despite my mini mishap of completely fogetting about cooking savouries only to hear others yell "is something burning?" it went off without a hitch. (All was fine, for those who care, we ate them topless and they tasted delicious. Albeit with lots of Tom sauce.) Coincidentally, Will and Kate were getting married as we through ping pong balls at small cups and stumbled into doorframes, mixed beverages and ate sloppily.

Friends arrived and left, some unknowns arrived and left, unfortunately one such loser stole an occupants few possessions. The nerve. We'll find them.

I had work the next day but made it safely, and in time. Eyelids fuzzy and drooping, I solidiered on.

Long awaited flat warming. I can't wait for the next.

Celeb crushing.

THE most divine way to procrastinate.

Weheartit.

Surprise.

Urge to go shopping. Essay due in under 15 hours. Helpppp.

Tomorrow provides no relief, everything is closed for Good Friday. But NO work. Hallelujah. Will relax. Eat. And get a 'surprise' my mum has told me is waiting at home.

Eek! Feels like Christmas! I LOVE presents!

Almost FREE.

Essay #1 handed in! Done and dusted. No looking back. Essay #2 almost at the state of completion, ready for THE toughest marker to unleash her peril on it.

Now a hot cup of tea sits at hand as I get ready to watch a BRAND NEW (!!) episode of Glee with my flat fam. Happiness ensue!

Readied myself for Easter today by going into the supermarket and staring at chocolate. Its not even like I was deciding what to get, I wanted them all. I felt like a 5 year old with an insatiable need to scream bloody murder for no other reason than I wanted chocloate.

Long live that gooey brown substance!

Holidays in 2 days. Counting down. Seriously, counting down.

Egg time.

The chocolate binge is nearing. I blame the duck.

Good Friday.
Happy Saturday.
Chocolate Sunday.
Easter Monday.

G.G.

Gossip Girl BINGE. Why oh why do the fashionable, backstabbing socialites fascinate me so? I can't get over the innate sense of style, gorgeous guys, not to mention the insane Upper East Side of NYC that they live in. Talk about envy. I'm friggin Shrek right now.

Rahrahrahrah.

Finally cracking my essay. And the 150 blog posts.

All in one day.

Can you spell p.r.o.d.u.c.t.i.v.e.?

Blah.

Current state: Less than agreeable.
Voice: disappearing.

I sound like I have been smoking solidly for the past century. Raspy and gasping.
Woke up with a splendidly sore throat which is slowly taking over my body. It is the most beautiful Autumn day but I remain inside, feeling sorry for myself and watching re-runs of Glee.

Trying to ignore the two essays I have due in under two weeks, one still yet to fill the blank sheet of paper. Oh yeah and I have work tomorrow.

Silent customer service....legit?

The chill is here.

Went for a nice stroll to a friend's house today. Though nice is a bit of a hyperbole. It was nice once we got there, unfortunately Mr. Winter has decided to come early this year and grace us with his presence. (FYI: It's definitely a guy, he does all the things you don't want him to and none of the things that you do.) I could actually see my breath this evening. Yes, the "breath out and see steam in front of your face" kind of breath.

But I'm sure its colder here.

Winter is..... here?

Relentless rain pelts down outside my window, creating that calming, unexplainable sound that distills relaxation and cosiness. A tower of books rests next to me, arms reach away from my cuccoon of warmth on this intoxifying sofa. Outside is soaking, like a pool dumped from above.

Although there are a lot of houses still open and unfixed from the quake, I hope the inhabitants can find somewhere as warm and toasty as me.

Last day off before a heavy week at work. May this last.

I study, therefore I am.

Today, I study.

These things must be done. And what a perfect day for it. The foreboding clouds of relentless rain approach, slowly but purposefully. I sit inside, cosied up with Crouteau and Hoynes and at break time, Madison.

Some Gilmore Girls would be pretty good right about now. Please, give me Rory's strength to study.

Granted.

Study, play. Break.

I'm not quite sure why studying makes me want to blog so much. Actually, thats not true, I totally know why. Starts with P and ends with rocrastination.

After the earthquake, I had over a month of nothingness. I could have faded into oblivion and I don't think I would have even realised. No Uni, no work, no house, no cat. No nothing.

But I sure made the most of it, travelling back and forth all over the country. Visiting old friends, making new ones and playing possum in a small, low tree (don't ask....). Wanaka, Dunedin, Kaiteri (almost), things I had meant to do for years.

But for all that complaining that this long, unexpected vacaction was dragging on, with nothing to do and no worries on my mind, it all caught up eventually.

Back at Uni, at work, I have a cat, a house. (Lucky me, I know). Now its stress. Trying to fit in St Paddy's celebration (read: fight with short, blonde chicks - not at all our fault, making friends with friends couch surfers, facebook hacking, intoxicated biking, long bar lines), friends parties (scrumpy hands, dancing) on top of a HECTIC work schedule and an almost impossible Uni work load (despite doing only two papers this semester, um helllooo??).

Back to normal? Umm no.

I'm back.

Whoa, long time right?! I'll blame it on unexplainable busy-ness, is that plausible? Well, truth be told, lately I've been hecticly busy. But as I was browsing my favourite website EVER, weheartit.com, I garnered inspiration. I was delighted in the crock pot of imagery which was perfect visual aid after a long, BUSY day at work.



For some reason, this image gets my travelling juices flowing, Paris in under 4 months anyone? Eek.



Inspi.r.e.d. If only I had the time. Oh yeah, and the creativity.

In the element.

This is me (I'm envisioning here). Happiness personified.

Study-less

Having no University is brilliant. Holidays rule. I can go into libraries and spend hours there. Looking at books till my hearts content. Rading the blurbs like its nobody's business. Judging every single book by its cover. Taking the four storeyed building section by section. Filling my arms till I can't carry more. Leaving with a small shop of bound goodness, ready and waiting for the words to be read.

Read me.

An unhealthy obsession for magazines.

Check.

Escape.

Casually jetting off to a wee place called W. anaka.

High hopes for long walks, long reads, lying in the sun and endless swimming sessions (not in the Lake, you understand).

Goal: preparation for flatting and a rowdy O-week. May my body forgive me for the torment I'm about to put it through.

Goal #2: Marathon training. Ditto above. Kill me now.

Nice, holed away getaway, picturesque landscape, no internet or electronic interruptions. Reading, writing, watching, eating.

Much needed escape thanks to a timely five days off work.

Bring. It. On.

S.Y.D.

Back from the land of the sunshine, and happiness, and flowers and all other joyful iconography. Home to the Land of the Long White Cloud. Literally. I can't see the sky, just eternal cloud.

Sydney was crazy, the best adventure. Just four friends and a city of possibilities. It was as cheesy fun as it sounds. Although our mischief was limited, we shopped, swam, wandered, it was tough. But we managed.

I want to go back. It was one of those times that you forever look back upon, the height of our freedom, a time treasured for our ability to go with the wind. All care, no responsiblity. A memory lashed with smiles and laughs and very little of anything else. I even constrained myself to write in my diary everyday so serious reminscing will take place. Parents and adults are forever hindering the younger generations with questions, plans, proposals, but the six days of Sydney possessed zero. Zilch. We came back with all the memories, feelings and sunburn that we planned for and so much more (thankfully, not so much on the sunburn front.) There was not a moment that I thought, why did I come, or when are we going home, only jeez this is fun, or could we miss our flight and stay another week.

Home was always too close. Although six days seemed not enough, I prefer to see it as perfect, it left me wanting more. I want to go back. I want another holiday.

It was also a great test of my responsibility, maturity, independence and ability to cope. I saw it as preparation for France. I confronted every obstacle with vision to french challenges. How I would deal with it in another language, in a far far away land, not just across a ditch, but across hundreds.

And, thankfully, I came away with excitement, hope and a belief in myself that only true personal challenge can create. I don't admit I'll have the Metro mastered, or understand why the french insist on making rooms without wardrobe's. But I do plan to accept these things and deal with them as Sydney showed me I could.

Sydney was amazing and I will forever see it as a trip I was destined to go on for many reasons, a trip where I learnt more about myself and a trip where I had a downright, flippin' good time.

Love forever, Sydney.

La verite.

Life Motto.

I seriously couldn't agree with this more.

Ima bag lovin'

Pwettyyyy.

In the meantime...

Blogging has fallen to the wayside. So busy pulling my life together. Go to Sydney the day after tomorrow. I can't control my excitement. Every night has been difficult to sleep, like eternal Christmas morning.

Got a To-Do list about the length of my arm (thats not short by the way, I have incredibly long arms for my height, not that I'm short either, or am I? Dum dum dum.)

Anyway, so much needs attending to, it feels like I'm trying to fit the rabbit back into the hat. Or a similar metaphor. Whatever.

I find that often the best part of a holiday is the days before, dreaming up idle activities and locations, the various people you meet, places you'll go. I can't even think up of things that we'll be doing as I know we will have too much fun. Yes, TOO much.

Will spill all the details on my return. Until then,

AU REVOIR.

P.S. Blogging lag will completely redeem itself upon my return.
P.S.S. (or P.P.S. I always got confused here. Why you never learn the important things at school, I'll never understand). Regardless, photos to follow. Inspiration is flowing.

Le francais.

I'm definitely not drawn to every single image with some stamp of french.

The world is my oyster.

I've come to appreciate, to realise that I can do anything I want, anything I dream. But it takes effort.

Then there's the question, if I could have, do, anything in the world, what would it be...?

Happy.

So I have to remind myself. Smile. Laugh. Always.

Extended reso's..

So I have begun my thoughts, dreams and desires for this fresh new year, but there are a few more I'm going to jot down in an aim to work towards.

- Improve surfing. New Zealand is a pretty cold place. Yes, it gets pretty hot in the summer, but this air temperature makes almost no difference to the water temperature. Therefore, during these summer months my aim is not only too improve surfing, but to surf as much as possible. Small, big, fat, mmessy. Anything, and I want to be out there. I definitely feel ready to push myself further. Big waves have always been a wee struggle for me and I'm slowly teaching myself that they're fun and the feeling you get from them is one of pure accomplishment. I know I can handle myself in bigger conditions than I give myself credit for so pushing myself to these higher limits in something I want to do in my surfing, and other areas in life. As well as this, I hope to improve my turning, I believe I'm getting there, it just takes practice.

- Live in the now. Its so easy yet so hard, but focusing on my present situation is becoming increasingly important.

Accomplishment.

Feeling pretty proud and happy today. Not to brag or anything. A task arouse, a somewhat daunting task I guess, that I succeeded in. It doesn't even need details, those petty little things that break away from whats truly awesome. I'm just feeling stoked (not that its at all surf related). Its bemusing when a new year begins and the world views it with open arms, assuming their past mistakes are behind them, untouchable and that a new year will mean less regrets and a better ability to make the right choices. Although a new year is exciting to me, its pretty cool to reflect on the past year and take out the positives, the things you did right and the moments you felt happy. For me, there are plenty. Too many to count. This feeling of accomplishment is exciting as it leads to me believe this is the start of a year with many more happy moments to come. This year, I hope to make the most of every moment, live in the now, the present moment, no matter how hard it may be at the time. Because after all, if you can't enjoy the here and now, whats the point of embracing the new year?

2011.

2011 is beginning, fresh and new. I'm so thankful for so much in my life, friends, family, and all of life in general. Communal day off work today for me and my friends. Spent it the best way possible. A sleepover with a movie, early morning surf (well, somewhat, we are freshly un-teenagers now so there's nota big hope of getting up before the sun has risen). Beautiful, epic surfing day. Millions out (for our wee local break, ie. two people to one wave, shocker!) but we spilt waves, egged each other on (and off, comically) and had an all round fun day while the sun shone strong and our sunscreen (thankfully) did its job. A few memorable waves have permeated my mind, forcing me to remember the carving archs and fresh clean face (well thats what I remember, perhaps carving archs in my mind may look different to others...hmmm). A small resolution of mine is to improve my surfing, I feel like I'm ready and trying new things (resulting in a lot of falling, and I mean, a lot!). But whats the point in doing something if you don't try to improve? The best you can do is try.

Our beautiful surf was followed by a big meal of bacon pesto pasta (remind you of your 15 year old selves anyone?) and a spot of shopping.

2011 is dawning to be a wonderful year. Its exciting to see a year begin, no attachments, no history, all fresh. I hope I make the most out of it as I can. Never waste a moment, never regret, just live. Live life the best that you can.

Dreams.

This quote is from the movie Inception and its so true. I had never really thought about it before (i'm definitely not one to stand round thinking about complex movies for too long. Especially like this one, i'll probably never understand). But when this was said in the movie, it got me thinking. Everytime I dream my dreams are extremely vivid and feel real, I'm sure this is the same for everyone. But it's completely bizarre. You can be doing the strangest most random things that you would enever do in reality (or would you?) and it still feels completely real.

Now I'm not one to whack out a dream journal and contemplate what my dreams mean, but I wish I had kept a note of more of the stranger dreams that I've had, just for reference, to read back on and think "what the f*#%?!?"

The Best.

There is nothing more perfect than a late evening surf. The water looked like sheet glass, building its way towards us, refusing to split. A long day at work was complemented perfectly by good company and good surf. And I mean good. The surf was pumping. Plenty out enjoying a glorious summer evening. I simply couldn't ask for better.

What a stunning way to bring in 2011.