Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Pride Week


I went to my first ever pride day. God what fun! Tom and I went down and enjoyed the people watching...I mean parade watching. Then we met up with Dave, Kenny and well a bunch of people including Sarah and Gus from Taiwan. We had a number of drinks and headed out to Church Street. The beer gardens were wonderful darling! Lots more drinks and dancing and watching the make-outs happening around us...."Red card, You're outta here!"
All in all a fun, crazy, different day. Im glad I went.




Friday, June 16, 2006

Tom showed me how it was done!





Im Having TOO Much Fun!






Dont hate me beacause Im beautiful.
MAC photo booth, my new FAV thing to play with!

Hanging in the Big City


Since I’ve finished my thesis, and all the school work is behind me, I’ve been REALLY busy, doing nothing!

No really, I’ve been getting my applications together, working on my resume and trying to volunteer. But mostly, I’ve been trying to catch up with friends I haven’t truly hung out with in ages.

I’m in the heart of the city right now and got the full T. dot tour yesterday. I mean it, I’ve traveled around a ton of places in the world, mostly where English is not the first language, and yet I still have drama on the subway here! The street car driver actually got out of the car and walked me to where I had to wait for my transfer, then he told the guy where I needed to go and said he would take care of me. (grin) I asked him how he knew I wasn’t from here and the guy laughed and said “honey your smile gave you away as soon as you got on, you’re too nice to be from here” I just laughed at the fact that I’m 28 and 11 ½ months old and this guy was walking me up Queen to be sure I didn’t get lost. I even crack myself up at the stuff that happens to me.
So this mission I was on last night, I made it from the west end, to the east end for dinner, to right downtown for drinks with another group of friends, to back in the west end knocking on the door at 1 am to let me in to crash! What good friends I have to put up with my wanderings!!!

I still need to see a couple more folks and I feel like I’m slowly getting back into it. My fav part of being back here is the fact that I never have to say goodbye to people again…I can truthfully say “Ill see you again soon”
I can’t tell you how good that feels.

Monday, June 05, 2006

Im done!!!

Sweet relief, the thesis is done! My shit is all over my parent's house, and i have been sleeping for the last 2 days straight. God stress really takes you for a spin doesnt it? 2 weeks of not sleeping and working on this paper has worked me over so now my body has shut down.
But now, now i have a new mission...work!
i need cash, i need a plan, and i need to get out of my parent's hair. There isnt even room for me to unpack, Im living out of my suitcases which are in the middle of the living room!
It amazing how much space a person needs. Well we will have to see what happens. Im thinking a car should be high on my list of needs right away. There's so much to do when setting up a life again, but this time im doing it with no money...hmmmmm this is going to be interesting!

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Sarah's Welcome Back to Canada Cross Country Tour!

My cross country tour started in Vancouver and stayed with Gus and Sarah, my friends from Taiwan. It was so great to see them and to see Gus finally in Canada! We had a great weekend of hanging out and catching up. I managed to do a bit of work on my thesis and Gus and Sarah continued going to school/work. Later in the week I went to my flat mate from Oz. Katie picked me up from Sarah & Gus' and I moved onto my next friend for some chill time, more catching up and a lot of laughing. Again I did more work on my thesis.

THEN...the trouble trio drove in and shook things up. Laura flew in from Toronto, Mel flew in from Alaska and Cathy drove up from Whistler. The weather was beyond gorgeous so we jumped in the jeep and drove out to Whistler. However Cathy thought I was still a tough outdoors girl and we went for a small hike on top the the mountain called the chief. Well, it was nice, all up hill because we were hiking a mountain! There were stairs, ladders, logs anything and everything you can think we had to climb it. I was doing good until i thought we were at the top and it was only our lunch break! So another hour up. Flat rock we shuffled up with chains to pull ourselves and once we reached the peak...my god! it was so beautiful. You could see all the mountains surrounding you, the ocean to the right, bright sunny clear blue sky and the gasps of breath from everyone around me, they were trying to steal the oxygen I so badly needed!

Heading back down was another story and my legs were shaken so much, although it was hard I was laughing the whole way which of course made it tons easier to breathe!!!
Back down and heading to Whistler, Cathy lives in a 1.2 million dollar log house which is nicer than any hotel Ive stayed at. We made dinner and had a great catch up. The rest of the weekend was full of canoe trips, hikes, and sun bathing...I'm telling you it was the nicest sunniest days Ive seen in about 3 months! It was almost 30 everyday!

Saying goodbye to those girls was hard knowing it might not be until the first wedding that I see them again (of course i don't think the weddings are too far off now) I got back on another plane and have landed in Calgary. I walked in the door said a quick hello to Erin and went straight for baby Jane. My god, she is so cute! Erin is an amazing Mom, as if I had any doubts, and Jane is just the nicest, cutest, happiest kid ever. Tim is very pleased with himself that he made such a cute baby and whenever he walks in the door from work Jane's face lights up. I cant even imagine how big she will be the next time i see her. I'm guessing she will be walking and talking! I almost don't want to go just because I'm going to miss everything about her growing up! (I know its not my baby....but i can at least be the crazy aunt who smothers her in kisses and presents cant i?)
Well I got a lot done on my thesis here, I think my Lit review is done. Now i have to move on to the other aspects of the paper. Only 6000 more words to go!
Ill be in contact after June 4th (D-Day) Oh and trust me Ill be posting tons of pics after that.
If your in Southern O, ill see you soon
xoxoxox

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Baby Jane


Erin and Jane in the UGG boots I brought her....she is soooo cute!

Friday, May 12, 2006

So Funny

I swear, too funny. This guy follows me to the clubs and steals my moves!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Somthing to think about

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't
supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have
your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder
every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it
felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best
friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.
You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll
eventually lose someone you love.
So take too many pictures, laugh too much,
and love like you've never been hurt because
every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of
happiness you'll never get back

Monday, May 01, 2006

Leaving on a Jet Plane

My bags are packed and ready to go, I'm standing here outside my door, I hate to wake you up to say goodbye....

But I will!

Right, so I'm outta here and I'm signing off now as I travel Canada for the next month. I might be able to put up an update from here to there but we will have to see the access I can get to a computer.

2 weeks in Vancouver, 2 weeks in Calgary and then home to Toronto.
Canada are you ready for me again?

I hope to see you if I can on my trip and wish me luck with all my flights.

Goodbye NZ its been well worth it!

Sunday, April 30, 2006

If you know me

If you know me at all you know how much I hate goodbyes. I don't deal well with them at all so I usually always avoid them, but when you are leaving a country for good and you know your not coming back, then the 'goodbye' is inevitable.
I've started my goodbyes this week and I know now that when I say goodbye to someone its forever, a very unsettling feeling. You would think I would be really use to this leaving people thing...But Im not.
I cant believe Im here already, its come and gone so fast.

2 years of school-check!
Head home to get a job-check!
Finally grow up and get back to the reality of real world- don't ever want to check that off.......

This week is going to go by so fast and my suitcases aren't even close to being packed yet. *stress*

To Catch You Up

Lets see, a lot has been going on. Last weekend I went away to Lake Bruner. It was an awesome weekend however it piss poured rain the entire weekend and on top of it all the boys’s broke their boat. We never got to go out on the lake or go water skiing (which secretly I wasn’t going to do anyway) but everyone else was really bummed about it. I was just sorry we didn’t get to go for a speedboat ride!

So we sat around, drank a million bottles of wine and played cranium (my new fav game, Im an expert at humdinger!)

As you can guess, pretty much a dream holiday weekend for me! There were 6 of us, 2 couples, a baby and Greg and I the singletons, although Im pretty sure Greg had other ideas! Ill tell you more about that when and if I see you.



Check out the pics in my photo album link. I know they are not that exciting but give me a break; it was raining the WHOLE weekend.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Thursday, April 20, 2006

David Gray!

Let me just say....

Front row center. David Gray was amazing...truly amazing.
Plus I have a new boyfriend, Pete Murry. He opened for David and he is from Australia and Im in LOVE!!!
awesome awesome awesome concert!

More to tell you but im out the door for a long weekend away in cottage country!

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

I swear this country is trying to kill me!

That’s it! I’ve had it! I swear!

Since I have been in NZ I have
-Fractured my arm
-Had a severe cold for almost 3 months
-And now.... now I have officially thrown my back out.

I spent the morning at the chiropractors and I have an inflamed joint or something.
The doctor had me all over the table: sitting, standing, and bending, everything. This sucks. She said that all I can do is rest and ice it. But resting is the problem, I can’t rest, I can’t sit and I can’t lay down, basically Im an old woman that is falling apart.

I need to get back home where my body might act normal for once. Im so sick and tired of being, well, sick and tired!

Monday, April 17, 2006

Rugby Girls!

As it was Karen's last night here we all went to the Rugby game. Jacqui also joined us, because she knew we would be causing trouble and that means fun!
Ive actually been able to follow the game and I really like it. This is one sport that makes sense and it moves fast so there is always action. Plus the guys arent bad looking either!
Our seats were so great we were only 2 rows off the grass. Everytime the ball was kicked through the goal post it would land in the crowd. We were ducking balls all night. Never got hit though thank god!
The Christchurch Crusaders (black and red) creamed the South Africian Cheetahs 53-17. It was awesome!
After we went out to the bar and had pizza and drinks. We of course went to the rugby bar and low and behold half of the team showed up! And we didnt reccongnize them so we just kept staring at them saying I swear he should be on the team he's huge. It wasnt until the next day when we watched the highlights of the game did we see the guys from the bar on the TV. Yep huge fans we are. Didnt even know it was them. I mean I could have gotten an autograph or something!
It was a fun match no matter, and our seats were awesome. A great way to end off a weekend in NZ. Anyone up for a match when I get home? I can explain it all to you.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Schooools Out for Everrrrr!


That's it. School is done. The kids are off driving their parents nuts now and I am free to sleep in until noon if I could!
Now I only have a Thesis to write, a house to pack up and my luggage to ship. Life is busy but good. Sometime in doing all that I am also heading out the Muskoka of Christchurch Lake Bruner. It will be a sweet weekend with lots of drinking and relaxing on the deck.
I can’t wait.

Friday, April 07, 2006

Time is flying by

Okay everyone,
Here is the low down on my flights home.

May 4-16 Vancouver
May 16-27 Calgary
May 27 Toronto.

Any questions?

Thursday, April 06, 2006

You Spin me right 'round baby right 'round

Did my first spinning class today. Oh My Gawd! Okay i was told it was a great workout, I dont know what is wrong with people but they are messed up if they think this is the most fun class. I was puffed out within the first 3 minutes and then I had to keep going for another 40!!!! By the end of the session I couldnt feel my toes and my legs were so tired they were shaking. I loved it!
Hopfully this will take me through to the end of my time here. I need another class to pump me up so Im going to start getting right back into them all.
Ill keep you up to date, but man is my butt sore already, I dont think Miss Downes will be walking upright tomorrow. Time to rest these bones of mine.
Sleep, ahhh good good sleep. zzzzzzz.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

My pills

These are my herbs that I have to take. This is one day's dose! I can't wait till I get better!

Monday, April 03, 2006

Just Hanging Out


A weekend trip to a local town that is famous for.....um, well maybe the ocean and cafes. Im not sure now that I think about it. But they did have nice cafes and lots of shopping.
Anyway it was a nice day and well worth the long drive. Its only an hour and a half away and everyone we talked to couldn't believe that we would drive it there and back in one day. They think things are so far away here, an hour and a half, ha! That's nothing in Canada.

Easy Breasy

How does a work week like this sound?
Saturday off
Sunday off
Monday teach all day
Tuesday off
Wednesday off
Thursday Teach all day
Friday Teach all day
Saturday off
Sunday off
Monday off

Sweet as! Only 2 weeks left and my working for free is finished, Jolly good!

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Nothing like a good weekend

There's nothing like a good weekend out with good people to get yourself sorted again. Its funny how sometimes it takes a stranger to remind you of all the things you want in life, and why your doing it, and what you are aiming for. Sometimes you need someone, anyone just to say it like it is and to think its great.
Right, so into my 2nd last week. Man it has flown by. Before I know it ill be on a plane home, and I don’t even have a ticket yet. Priorities Sarah!

Saturday, April 01, 2006

What is in the air?

So in the last few weeks I have found out that one of my best friends is pregnant, another got in engaged and Faye (if you know her you know her, if you don’t she was one the girls I went to Taiwan/Thailand with) well now she is engaged!

Oh and me? Yah well, I have $60,000 in debt.

Im so excited for everyone and all these life changes. But Im also so gutted that Im missing it all and that its not happening to me.

Jealous anyone?

Monday, March 27, 2006

Right, okay

Right so I have given up on modern medicine for now and I headed to the naturopath. Miss Vicki was my consultant and she spent over an hour chatting with me about all my symptoms, my diet, my body functions, everything! I am now on a bunch of pills and a liquid form of herbs, which I might add is the worst tasting thing I have every tried to drink. Actually it reminds me a lot of the anti-cold herb vile I use to take in Taiwan, but worse, much much worse.
However she does promise me it is all to up my immune system because I’ve had this cold/cough for almost 2 months my immune system is hugely weak. We shall see how well it works but at this point Im thinking....it has to work, it just has to!

Wish me luck swallowing it all down!

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Camp life or just life

Was at camp this week with all the year 6's. There were 100 kids and 20 adults, both teachers and parents. It was a lot of fun but it totally wore me out. Im spending the weekend watching a stack of movies and chilling out on my couch. My flatmates have gone on a over night trip and I have the house to myself for the better part of 2 days. I feel like I need a lot of me time lately. I don’t know what it is really. Maybe it’s the impending doom of my beautiful little bubble bursting. Travels over, love lost, fantasy finished, time for the real world to creep in. I know I’m excited for whatever happens next all the new adventures of career, money, house, life but in the same breath I'm worried, scared and pretty much freaked out that it may not be as good as I’ve had it.
It’s silly to think like this I know, and Im so young and there’s so much more to happen, I’ve been given the speech a million times. But until you hear it in your own head it never really sinks in. I think it’s just the ending of something that is getting my heart racing and making me hold my breath, the beginning of something new is always exciting but closing off a piece of my life, letting it go and moving on that is a different story. It was really, really hard the last time I did it. Wounds I don’t think will ever heal are still here and now I am about to move onwards, another step. It feels a lot like a step backwards but yet it is still a step in my life. My life. Deep breath Sarah, good things will come.....one can hope.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Argh!

Travel agents -grr!
Trying to get my plane tickets together and Im hitting a few snags.
So Im at least heading to LA...
Ill be in North America now on May 4th, Then Ill be heading to Vancouver to hang with Sarah, Gus, Tory and Chris (the gang from Taiwan) After that fun adventure, which i cant wait for, Ill be taking a few days in Calgary to play with Erin and her baby. Then Ill be home around the last week of May.

Now all I need is a travel agent in Canada to book my ticket!
haha, not as easy as it sounds trust me.

Ill let you know how it all goes.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Thesis Part 1 - DONE!

Thank God, after weeks of working on it, the first part of my thesis is finished! Now I can move on to actually starting my research in the classroom and attempt to make my ideas actually work. Its only 3000 words but man it took a lot to get done, and it doesn't help much that I work full time hours during the week.
Next thing on my to do list is to actually apply for work for next September. Is there anything else anyone wants me to do for them, because I have a ton of free time right now (Grin)

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Ink Blot Test

I did a ink blot test on line and this is what they said about me....Very scientific I know - grin -

"You have a deep desire to be kind and fair to others. You are preoccupied with finding kindness in the world around you, far more than you may realize on a conscious level. This makes you unusually empathetic and very sensitive to other people's feelings.

Your kind nature makes you an optimist at heart and allows you to see the best in the people around you. Because you're not judgmental, others seek you out when they need a friend.

Your psyche is very rich; the more you learn about it, the more you will understand who you really are."

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Baby News

Janet and Karl MacDonald (Janet is one of my oldest friends, I was her maid of honor at her wedding in the Yukon a few years ago) they are expecting!!!
Janet is about 16 weeks along. Im so happy for them both, they're going to be amazing parents.

Friday, March 03, 2006

What the?!?

Okay no joke, they told me the other day that it was the last day of summer. And my god they were right! The temperature has dropped almost 10 degrees, its been raining and hailing and everything since then and I haven't seen a nice sunny day since the last day of summer. Feb 21 is my new hated day. And their summer weather wasn't even summer. I think the hottest day was 30 degrees and that only happened once. Now I have deal with cold and wet. So unfair!

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

228


Today is 228 day in Taiwan, Peace Memorial Day.
Happy day off to everyone in Taiwan!!

This is too funny!

If you didn't see this on the Tonight show, I hope you're sitting down
when you read it. This is probably the funniest date story ever, first
date or not!!!
We have all had bad dates, but this takes the cake. This
just tells you how tough it is to be single nowadays. This was on the
"Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. Jay went into the audience to find the
most embarrassing first date that a woman ever had. The winner described
her worst first date experience. There was absolutely no question as to
why her tale won the prize!

She said it was midwinter... snowing and quite cold... and the guy had
taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a
day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and truly had
never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful until
they were headed home late that afternoon.

They were driving back down the mountain, when she gradually began to
realize that she should not have had that extra latte. They were about
an hour away from anywhere with a rest room and in the middle of
nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a
while. Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there
came a point where she told him that he had better stop and let her go
beside the road, or it would be the front seat of his car. They stopped
and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants down and
started. In the deep snow she didn't have good footing, so she let her
butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself. Her companion stood
on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real
gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the
relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation.
Upon finishing, however, she soon became aware of another sensation. As
she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks
were firmly glued against the car's fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen
to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her
flesh from the icy metal. It was quickly apparent that she had a brand
new problem due to the extreme cold. Horrified by her plight and yet
aware of the humor of the moment, she answered her date's concerns about
"what is taking so long" with a reply that indeed, she was "freezing her
butt off and in need of some assistance!"

He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater
and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out
laughing. She too, got the giggles and when they finally managed to
compose themselves, they assessed her dilemma. Obviously, as hysterical
as the situation was, they also were faced with a real problem. Both
agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the
grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the
predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was
only one way to get her free. So, as she looked the other way, her
first-time date proceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the
fender.

As the audience screamed in laughter, she took the Tonight Show prize
hands down... or perhaps that should be "pants down." And you thought
your first date was embarrassing.

Jay Leno's comment...
"This gives a whole new meaning to being pissed
off."

Give up?

Australia is the top one and NZ is the bottom one.
Do you see a difference, I dont see a difference, do you see a difference?

(the stars in-case you were wondering are the southern cross)

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Seriously!



Okay seriously, one flag is Australia and one is New Zealand. Don't you think they would try and make their flags a little bit different from each other? And they get as upset about being called Aussie as we do being called American. Its almost too funny.
See if you can guess which one is which. Ill let you know later on.... Just to keep you guessing!

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Big News!


I went to the doctors again for a check up and he said im healed! Last time i was there he said my flexability was only at 30% and now im at 100%. I still cant hyper-extend it but that will come in time, and he also said that I can start punching again soon.
Punching you ask, yes, punching. I want to do boxing with my trainer at the gym and it was the first question i asked the Doc. You should have seen his face, it was too funny. He said i should wait a couple of weeks then i can punch all I want.
only a couple of weeks left to wait...look out!

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Sick and Tired!

*Sigh*
Im sick. Yep full on sick. Plus im writing this stupid thesis that Im so brain-dead for I cant get it going.
frustrating.
grrr

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

I dont think I taught it right!



Guess who....
I helped teach drawing portraits today. We all learned about drawing a head and how you place the eyes half way down and how big you’re suppose to make the mouth in comparison to the eyes etc etc.
Well Sian, a wonderful 10 year old who works hard and does a great job on everything she tries, wanted to draw moi!
So of course I let her...and only now do I regret it - Grin
What do you think, is it a true likeness? It certainly is motivation to hit the gym hard today! Ha-ha

Monday, February 13, 2006

Who needs a laugh?

You have to check this out...I was laughing so hard, because if someone planted a web cam in my room i would be caught doing the same thing. Of course not half as good as this guy.

http://www.glumbert.com/media/dancewhiteboy.html

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Rugby!!


This weekend we went to a rugby game. I had a ton of fun screaming and cheering even though I had no clue what was going on. I figured out most of it while the game went on, and a few beers didn't hurt either.
I think Ill go again, we had awesome seats and they were only $17, how cheap is that?
What a fun time.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Thursday is the new Friday

Thursday, so hot, so hot right now, Thursday.
Aren't Thursdays the greatest, all day I walk around thinking tomorrow's Friday!!! I think its more exciting to be Thursday than it is to actually be Friday. The antisipation of Friday coming is just too much for me to handle - grin -

School is great, my kids are so sweet and nice and helpful, its actually a bit freaky. Ive never seen so many helpful kids, i dont have to do a thing, they run to the office to get a notice, they hand out the books, they do the marking. Im mean do i even have to be there?
I mean it, do i really have to?

Monday, February 06, 2006

Summer Break is O-V-E-R

The summer holidays finished today. I celebrated by going to get a few things I needed for school and hitting up the gym one more time in the middle of the afternoon when its not busy. Yes I am able to go to the gym again and I can’t tell you how happy that makes me, I missed all the sweating, really I did!

So tomorrow I again must grow up a wee bit and become a responsible and active member of society. The alarm clock is set for 6:30 AM and Ill have my lunch packed and ready to go by 8.... I can’t believe that these will be the hours I keep for the rest of my life, what was I thinking - grin-

Wish me luck, those 12 year olds can be rough on the new teacher, Ill let you know all about it over the next many blog entries I'm sure.

Man, I can’t wait for the next long weekend, or mini break or something (big groan)

Thursday, February 02, 2006

40% and rising

I went to the doctors again today, Cristal had to drive me as I still cant move my arm well enough to drive yet. Anyway the doctor said that my arm is healing well and I have about 40% of my movement back. He said that I should be healing for about 6 weeks and then after that we’ll look into physio.

But the GREAT news is that he told me I should be using my arm as much as I can, do what I can and when it hurts, stop. That means I’m going back to the gym tomorrow, Yah! Sitting around for a whole week not doing anything has been killing me. I hate it, but now that the doc said that I shouldn’t be afraid to move around Ill be back doing everything I can. Although writing is still a big issue, I can write, but it looks like a 7 year old wrote it…I’m going to make a great impression on my students aren’t I?

Ill let you know how I’m progressing but so far I’m happier today than I have been since I broke it! Things are looking up – grin -

Friday, January 27, 2006

Is it Karma or what?


Oh Yah, so I had a great weekend and its only Saturday!

Friday night Karen and I went out for dinner to this great Tapas place. Then as we were trying to walk to the bar and we got turned around, we’re still learning our way around, and as we were walking one way I was looking another way and oops, I bit it. I tripped on a crack in the road and went flying into the sidewalk. I landed hard on my knee and my hand to protect my face from hitting the ground. And guess what….yep I knew it right away too. I broke my arm!

I am now sitting here after a day at the doctors and many x-rays later in a sling. For about a ½ hour the doc thought I might need surgery on it because I have fractured my elbow joint, which can cause big problems. But lucky me seems to only have a clean fracture so I’m just looking at wearing a tenser bandage and sling for the next few months and many more months of physio. Can you believe this? I start teaching in less than a week and I cant write on the board, or lift anything heavy at all, I can barley feed myself. I don’t even know how I’m going to go to the gym. Pretty much all the reasons why I came here, just got 500% harder, or I’m unable to do them at all. I can’t even drive my car!

This sucks, Big time, and the worst thing is I don’t even have a good story for it. I wasn’t even drunk! I was just walking. But I guess I wouldn’t be me if I had some awesome story and I didn’t just fall over! That’s why you love me!

Sunday, January 22, 2006

This weekend


Christchurch has been fun this weekend. We've gone to see the World Buskers Festival that is playing all throughout the city.
Today we sat in central square and saw these very cool street performers and tonight we are heading to a pub to see some other acts.
Check out the LINK to see what its all about.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Baby Jane

These are some new pictures of Erin's baby. They're all doing really well and enjoying all my presents Im sure!

Jane


Isnt she sooooo cute? I cant wait to meet her!

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Yah Right!

So a good friend of mine, you know those friends that you chat with and you are each others talk through person...well she said today to me that she missed my "sound mind advice" made me laugh out loud thats for sure. Yah right, cause I can give sound advice for everyone else's life but my own! ha h. At least I've done a couple of things right in my life...no regrets there. But man...sound mind advice? Makes me feel like I've chosen the wrong profession...what do ya think Dr. Downes?
ha ha yah right!!!

Monday, January 16, 2006

UV Forecast


Summer is slowly arriving, in between rainy cold days we have these beautiful days, like today. Sunny and a high of 28. But this, this is something only NZ offers. The UV Index today is 11! Meaning EXTREME UV. I got a sunburn the other day from being out for only 20 minutes. The sun here is STRONG. I've got to learn to put that sunscreen on whenever I go outside!

Grammy's

The Emancipation Of Mimi By Mariah Carey album of the year?????
All I have to say about this is, Good Lord!
Gross, what the hell is wrong with people?

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Pay It Forward


We've all seen the movie, I just happened to watch it again today and it got me thinking. For such a simple concept, why do we not do it? I mean how easy could it be to just do something nice for another person, a stranger, once a day or even once a week? The idea of pay it forward is that you do something for someone something they couldn't do for themselves, to be a bit more than just a nice gesture however these nice little gestures could work too. Imagine the changes that would happen. Just something to think about...

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

The Little White Art Show


The Little White Art Show
Originally uploaded by Sala.

Well look at this, one of my girls is going to be famous! Mary-Colleen (from London Ont) is having her first solo exhibition in England. She is living there after completing her Masters in fine arts and is trying to establish herself as an artist. She also has a big article written about her in the local paper. How amazing, what some people are able to accomplish, man and its even one of my friends! Good luck with it all M I wish I could see it, but I guess Ill just have to wait for the Art gallery tour.

Hit the link to see the news paper article.

Norwich Arts Centre http://www.norwichartscentre.co.uk/pages/gallery.html

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Coco's Wedding in Taiwan


The girls from work
Originally uploaded by Sala.

These are the girls that worked at Juila English School

Coco and Shirley


Coco and Shirley
Originally uploaded by Sala.

My friend in Taiwan, Coco, got married this year. I was sent some photos of the day and a bunch of my friends from Julia school are in them. Enjoy the Chinese wedding pictures. BTW Coco you looked beautiful I wish I could have been there!

Coco's Wedding


C&S
Originally uploaded by Sala.

Coco (with the curly hair) and Shirley two of my closest Chinese friends

Friday, January 06, 2006

Good friends, that's what they're there for...

I had a nice little msn chat with a good friend of mine this week.
He made me remember quite a few things that I had forgotten, or let go of, or not believed in, for the last little while in my life.
Thanks for the perspective, sometimes you just need the reminder that someone out there remembers who you truly are, and that they want you to be happy, beyond happy, with your life and everything in it and to be reminded that you are worth it; all of it.
He gave me a quote that I’ve thought about for the last few days, and yes sir, I like it...I really like it.

"Have faith and pursue the unknown end"

So here’s my advice to the rest of you: if you need reminding, call a good friend. If you need something to ponder; think about this quote. Start the pursuit, and don’t forget to enjoy every minute of the adventure!

Monday, January 02, 2006

The cottage


The cottage
Originally uploaded by Sala.
3 bedroom, I bathroom, and 1 toilet not in the bathroom but in the laundry room, yes its a bit crazy that's why its called the "cottage"

Me and my new man- Mark


Me and my new man- Mark
Originally uploaded by Sala.
1991 Toyota Mark ll

oh yah, its love


oh yah, its love
Originally uploaded by Sala.

Cristal getting drinks for Christmas dinner


I can cook it, but can I carve it?


I can cook it but can I carve it?
Originally uploaded by Sala.
oh yah a full turkey dinner, just for the 3 of us...

Karen ready for Christmas Eve Dinner


Karen ready for Christmas Eve Dinner
Originally uploaded by Sala.

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Happy New Years


Happy New Years
Originally uploaded by Sala.
Happy 2006!
Can you even believe that it is 2006? Where on earth did 2005 go?
At least it was an interesting way to ring in the new year: New Zealand, one friend, strange bar, strange people and yet a fun, fun night!
Hope everyone out there had a good party and someone close to them to wish them a happy new year, at least know that I was thinking of you.
Here's hoping this year will be full of adventures and new discoveries

Smooooootch

Monday, December 26, 2005

Photos and Holidovers

Is that it? Are the holidays finally over? Well good, now that thats settled we can move on. (grin)
Time to get life moving...enough of this sitting around waiting for things to happen.
Speaking of, or well nothing close to it but, the photos from my trip are up on my web page. Hit the link on the side bar

http://sarahscene.myphotoalbum.com/

Enjoy- they are totally out of order and all over the place...but they're there!

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Kiwi Christmas


santa-beach
Originally uploaded by Sala.
So its Christmas you say? Well the hot weather, sun, and lack of friends and family are making it seem like just another day. I knew it would feel like this, but i must admit the turkey dinner Im cooking, the desserts, and all the wine, just doesnt feel like anything special. Its strange, its the first time Ive actually been without, at least, a group of friends around. The three of us are doing our best but for what its worth i think its all going to end up being a turkey dinner and a ton of wine...just like any normal Saturday night!!!
Merry Christmas everyone...Im missing you all a lot!
Love Sarah xoxo

Friday, December 23, 2005

Almost Famous, my new moto...

You know those days when you are so hungover from a night that wasn't intended or planned?
That was today.
Ordered in Pizza, slept till noon, watched movies until i was too tired to stay awake.
All in all a perfect day off.
We watched the movie Almost Famous, don't you just love that movie? I love it. For some reason it leaves a warm spot in my heart, it makes me feel empty, lonely, happy, adventures and so many other adjectives that i could continue for hours, but i wont as my brain is in sleep mode.
The story, the adventure of the band and friends and just plain growing up is sort of like visiting something you've personally done in the past, almost as if i too was on their trip. Maybe the vodka has finally oozed into my grey matter or maybe I'm just feeling a little far away from the familiar. Whichever the case i recommend re-watching the movie.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Contact

To help you get in contact with me again, as I have the home and phone set up and waiting, I've added two new links.
The current time in Christchurch and the international county code web site...USE THEM!!!! Hint hint I want some phone calls!

Hope to chat to you soon,
BTW- internet should be set up by the end of the week so I hope to be on line by then.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Wheels and Beds!

Well Ive done it!
I have a new house and a new car and I got them all in the same day! Imagine that all these shitty days of looking for houses, living in a hostel and walking in the rain and now this!
Happy Days!
So we are moving in today, but we have to go shopping and get some sheets for our beds and dishes and stuff. But hey, that's easy cause i have a car!
The house is a nice cottage like bungalow which is close to our school. Well as close as you could get, we are a good 10-15 minute drive, Thank god for that car!
Because i own the car, i get the big room too, which is a nice perk. The master room with my own sliding door to the back yard and a little porch i can sit on. Lots of windows and great closet space.
Now i know your all wondering so I'll tell you, yes the car is a piece of shit, but hey when you talk a guy down to half of his asking price then you know you've done good. That's the great thing about backpackers, they HAVE to sell their car because their leaving. So I have a 1990 Toyota Mark that's worth more than the $800 I paid for it. yea me!
So the car's name is Mark for obvious reasons, Katie would be so proud of me for naming it this soon.
so its time to run as the Internet is about to cut out...
Ill write soon and maybe get some pictures up!

Friday, December 09, 2005

Phew!

Phew!
So we have made it, no more long drives in the car. I don't think i want to be travelling in a car for a really long time. I'm so tired of it.

We are in Christchurch and I'm so happy to finally be where i'll call home.
hopefully I'll find a place soon to live. I don't think I'll last much longer in the hostel life. I'm just too old for it!

Anyway the city is great, small feeling but really its large and its old so there are great places to go. Old re-done movie theaters, restaurants in old style buildings, art galleries and well basically everything a real city has to offer, no more tourist trap town for me that's for sure! And thank god for that!

For a while ill be using Internet cafe's so i wont be writing too much. Cant wait to get a place and be back on line.
for now...wish me luck on the house hunt

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Erin and Tim and Jane


Erin and Tim and Jane
Originally uploaded by Sala.
Erin and Tim had thier baby!!!!
Jane Elizabeth Burnie
born Tuesday, November 29th at 1:38am. 7 lbs. 9 oz.
I cant wait to meet her!