an excerpt.

"It's all
an attempt
to recreate,
relive
the feeling
the good times,
of times in the past.
Those moments
of pure happiness
not worrying about anything
singing,
loudly,
carefree,
simple.
Like that.
Simple."

-September '09

Bus stories.

If I'm bored and taking the bus somewhere, I'll play the bus game sometimes. It's when you sit at the back of the bus, and make up stories about where the people who get on are going and what they've been doing (judging by what they're carrying- bags, prams, books..).

I'm thinking that the guy paying at the front is off to the uni for summer school (he got off at the uni, and he's carrying a bag. Although I'm not sure if uni's still going on now, this close to Christmas).

And the lady behind the driver's seat may be off to start her day at work. This was the morning bus, after all. Same with the man behind her, he was still on the bus when I got off, so maybe they work in town. The lady in the headscarf looks like she's off grocery shopping, however, she was barely at the bus stop when we pulled up, and was running a bit, so perhaps she slept through her alarm and this bus ride has been her first time to relax so far.

Like that. It passes the time on the bus :)

Or you can just look out of the window as the world whizzes by.

xxx

A random mix.

Today's work shift went faster than yesterday, I'm just somewhat glad that I'm not working until midnight like some of the girls. The mall's open 'til midnight for Christmas present stragglers, you see ;). Today, in particular, there were many bored looking guys, dragged in with their girlfriends/sisters/wives, rolling their eyes in exasperation when I queried how their day was going. Many of them were holding onto bags and bags of shopping, prams and clothes for said partners to try on (while they looked through more clothes) too! Hehe.

However, the highlight of today was meeting up with Love S in town, after my work shift. We got a cheap dinner, and she presented me with this...

It's got a green ribbon! :)

And mini banana muffins inside!! We discussed the aestheticness of the egg carton, and how mini muffins fit perfectly in the egg holders. Kudos for the creativity! (kreativity?!!)

And played around with her new camera-baby, in between everything. Pretty!

I love it how the town centre is getting into the swing of artsyness and has put up blue fairy lights along this alleyway. Look up!

I love it how you can see lots of pot plants from the main street of town. When I have a house, I would love it to have a balcony. Bonus points if it's somewhere you can people watch!! And then, I'll be there heaps during sunny weather, with a book, a drink, friends, my journal, whatever... it'll be love.

There are also new tram tracks being installed in parts of the city centre. These colourful flowers caught my eye today.

I've also been taking the bus lots lately, and driving less. And walking to and from the bus stops.

Again, I love this time of the evening, when the sun's getting ready to set. It makes walking home from the bus stop that much more nicer. I like the way the water from the sprinkler catches the light.

So I guess that what the point of me posting all these is an attempt to say that no matter how busy life gets, or work is, there's always little things that can make your day. It doesn't have to be big, it can be something as small as getting off a bus stop early, and walking home in the sunshine, but there's always something. I think that we get so caught up in things, our own negativity (or people around you) that we forget this, sometimes.

So how was your day?

xxx

Work... photos... work...

Hello! It feels like I've neglected this blog for the last few days, but believe me, I've wanted to update, except there hasn't been much to update about. Seeing as I've been at my summer job (!!) most of the time, a super busy, open late nights, popular clothing shop... so I'm taking tonight to chill, have a breather before getting back to it tomorrow. I have some photos, from before and after work today, though!! Although the relevance of them, I don't know, I just thought they would make nice photos.

I took this when I was waiting for the bus. I like this time of the evening at the moment, around 8pm, when the sun is shining almost perpendicular to the ground, and everything's swathed in a lovely, warm, orange/yellow glow. With very distinct shadows.

I've also been spotting lots of vines (or ivy, in this case) draped along nicely textured fences, walls, backgrounds. Really quite refreshing, you know? Because the house or building behind the fence may be the most modern, nicely kept place on the block, but the exterior is characteristically draped in ivy or vines. Gives it rustic charm ;)

And if you walk around town, you may spot this in several places. They go well with the numerous hearts also scattered alongside the bricks telling you to dream, too!



And these little green army men, spotting a peace helmet and a smily face helmet are lurking in their corner, ready for action!! Phwoar.

I spent most of yesterday correcting myself that it was not Saturday. And today's Saturday, but I keep thinking it's Sunday.

It looks like I'm living a day ahead of myself. Sigh.

Have you got any fun weekend plans lined up?? Six sleeps 'til Christmas!

xxx

Off to the gardens.

Big catch up with Cee yesterday! We've known each other for... almost nine years now? (Wow, I just counted that up, and that's ages! Love you long time, Cee! :) Lots of photos, lots of self takes - I call them "egg photos" because they make your head look like ..well..eggs. If you think about it and use a bit of imagination, anyway.

Outside the art gallery. The sky looks overcast, but it was actually a lovely day out. Hot! YAY. Hello summer! Please stay this way..


And we sat by the river at the botanical gardens and watched a mother and her three ducklings. And giant paradise ducks and other mallard ducks bully each other. And bully the ducklings. It was graduation day for the University, so there were many regalia clad graduates wandering around, taking photos, and a group passed by, stopped and took many photos of these cuties. So they were the stars of the day, as well as the many other graduates. I'm looking forward to marching down the main street in my regalia, it'll be exciting times!!! One more year to go!

Isn't it cool how we have a massive garden, complete with a river, smack bang in the middle of the CBD?

There are several sculptures dotted around the garden, too! This one is of two people wrestling. I don't really like it, but that doesn't stop us from taking photos with it. Go Cee!! Yee Hah!!


I can fly! Over trees, over people.. you name it ;)

Cee's new hair decoration. It blends in with the background.

Wings! :)

I found myself a new hat, too. What do you think of it?

And if I get hungry, I can always turn herbivore. Mmm, leaves...

Cee's pretty hair tie. She has gorgeous hair, too.

So the was our adventures from yesterday. Stoked that the weather remains nice (weather's a big thing, here in NZ) and now, it's the start of another day. I have an inability to sleep in these days (more than usual), coupled with an inability to get to sleep after being woken up, but eh, what can you do. I think the inability to sleep in is due to the sunlight that streams in through my curtains around 7am, which, in turn, wakes me up, but it's ok! I like being up and about in the mornings. I get more done, and can go put myself in funny poses at early morning gym classes. Morning people for the win. And gee, I'm rambling now....

Are you a morning person or a night person?

xxx

Adventures at Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour.

Today, two friends and I decided to take a little adventure out to Port Lyttelton for a wander and possible ferry ride out to Quail Island (which didn't happen, because we were too late for the last ferry). However, we decided to take another ferry out to Diamond Harbour, instead, and had some fun adventures up there.

Lyttelton is an inlet of the northwest side of Banks Peninsula, and was discovered in 1770 by European settlers on Endeavour's first voyage, and in a quaint, charming little town, and it is accessible by a tunnel through the Port Hills. It's going to be a photo saturated post, by the way! :) I hadn't been there in over a year.

Here's the main street.


Paper art! I love this one, as we made our way through town, I spotted this next to somebody's garage.


Lovely L posing by some more building art. That's the door to the public library!

Creeping vines along a brick wall. This was in a little courtyard kind of place, in the shade.

We looked down into another little courtyard! Somebody's growing pot plants down there.

At this point, we had stopped by the shop in which we were to buy tickets to Quail Island, alas, the last ferry had already left several hours ago. The lady there suggested we take another ferry out to Diamond Harbour, eight minutes boat ride away. It's named Diamond Harbour because of the comparison of sunlight on the water, to the shine of diamonds. Kids who live on Diamond Harbour take the ferry to school, how cool is that? :)

The ferry we took looked nothing like this boat, it was much smaller, more modern and probably faster.

And this is where we ended up. Diamond Harbour.

There was a little shelter with porthole like windows!!

And boat storage.


We made our way to the top of the walking track, and L reinacted The Sound of Music. Green plains, sunshine and all, you see!

There is a small memorial graveyard at the top, too. I think it's lovely how it's so well kept, with beautiful flowers (and a fake one, but that's cheerful, anyway) and overlooking a gorgeous view, as well.


And a little cottage! (Stoddart's Cottage) It is Diamond Harbour's oldest European cottage, built in 1862. It was home to Margaret Stoddart, one of New Zealand's leading artists in the 19th century.

So after wandering around Diamond Harbour (we spend a good hour there, exploring and enjoying the fine weather) we caught the 4.10pm ferry back to Lyttelton.

We passed this lighthouse.

And spotted more street art. Quotations!


Rather morbid, you say? Hmm. Thought provoking, maybe!


Another memorial.

And the view of Lyttelton to finish off this post.

I hope you've enjoyed the highlights of our trip beyond the the Port Hills....we sure had a fabulous time. The sunshine was a bonus, as well, and the scenery. Cheers to good times and good adventures! And wow, thanks for all the comments about sleep, everyone!! I might have to try those suggestions next time. I love reading comments, brightens up my day that much more, so you're all super awesome. :)

xxx

Hard to sleep.

I find it difficult to fall asleep when my mind is constantly thinking, moving from thought to thought so that it won't stop. Last night, I couldn't fall asleep for ages, even though I fell physically tired, (ironic, isn't it?) so I gave up and reached for my pencil and paper instead. What resulted was a super crude drawing, attempted of Caverock, but ah well...

...it helped, a bit. What do you do if you can't sleep?

xxx

Christmas Light Show and Sunset.

Each year, there's a particular house in my neighbourhood that puts on a spectacular Christmas Light Show. They've been accumulating lights and Christmas decorations over the years, and it has got to the point where it's become a the thing for kids here to see, and it's full of dancing snowmen, Santa Claus' and penguins, and many other Christmassy memorabilia. A few years ago, the owners didn't have the upstairs bit, either, so now, they have even more space to drape lights over!


This photo's blurry, sorry about that. But as you can see, the whole house is lit up, upstairs as well!




The whole driveway is packed full of lights, and their garage too. It's pretty amazing, the amount of stuff they have and set up.

Just over a week until Christmas, and to be honest, it doesn't feel like it. Then again, it's always highly unlikely we'll get a white Christmas, due to it being summer here and all (and my family and I don't really do anything big on the day, anyhow) but I trust that you'll all have a good one anyway.

Onto another matter, there was an amazingly epic sunset the other evening. I looked out the window when I saw some orangy light reflected, and was blown away by the intensity of the sunset.

What has made your week this week? :)

xxx