My Obsession with Washi Tape

Last year when I found out I was heading to China, I knew I had to keep a journal, and I knew I had to make sure I remembered as much about the experience as possible. So I bought a Smash Book for journalling. I also bought washi tape, because, well, I needed tape to hold stuff in the journal. Now, I have been journalling since I was a teenager.... And I always keep a travel journal, but this was well, a new approach to the previous ones.

Not only did I fall for Smash Books completely... Love love love... But washi tape changed my life. From a couple of rolls just to hold stuff in, I then went crazy.... I bought so many.



Now I pretty much use the stuff for everything.

Need to decorate a card.... Washi tape.
Need to journal.... Washi tape.
Book too similar to everyone else's... Washi tape.
Hold a gift closed.... Washi tape.
Set a theme.... Washi tape.

The tape is smooth, and totally easy to use, it can be moved, repositioned, and still stick down.

I imagine I'll be using if forever... And probably buying far too many rolls.

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Meet Deirdre!

Its been a while since the last post.  But there are plans, oh the plans.  In the meantime, meet Deirdre.  She is my new car.  Well, she isn't new, but new to me.  We are planning on going boldly where no man has gone before.  No.... wait.... we are planning on going places that roads exist. 

Andre, the green SUV you see there, and I have travelled the whole of New Zealand together.  It took 9 years.  But it was time to send him on his way.  Deirdre is a Suzuki Swift and soon to be a key component in my next novel.  I love her to bits, and you shall see more of her.

Deirdre and I in Wellington on the Waterfront

Tackling mountain roads

Dealing with the locals

Samoa... looks like a go-go!

Well, it looks like January will be spent in Samoa, which I'm quite excited about.

We are looking at all the awesome things we can do, from horse-riding (Okay, I admit to having a small love affair with horse riding every possible holiday), to snorkelling, to exploring islands to the Robert Louis Stephenson museum. 

Mostly I am looking forward to getting away for a bit.  By then I will either need a shoulder to cry on because I get rejected from my Masters application, or I will need a nice breather before spending a year working on a creative writing thesis!  Crazy.  So, for now it is the waiting game.  And I need to re-new my passport. ;)

My love of the beyond

I love traveling, and if I could, my life would be one trip after another.

This year has been chaos, but it hasn't been without its joys.  I have managed some amazing journeys in and around New Zealand which I am going to fill you all in on.

And now is the time for plans.  We have been tossing up where to go in January.  Either Rarotonga or Samoa.  I am now leaning towards Samoa, and lots of lying on beaches.  After the chaos of this year, a whole lot of tranquility is what I need in the near future. 

But, enough of that.  Soon you can look forward to a few local rants, from in and around the Waikato, and Northland.  More lakes and beaches. :D

Oh the Excitement!

Well, I have returned from an interview....

And one that I hope like crazy will prove productive and highly successful... though I am sure that I'll get really nervous if that happens.

What for?  Well, a one month teaching exchange to China!  Yes, China!  If selected I'll get to teach English and Drama to school and university students in China, and to spend time in Beijing!  I know that is a lot of !!! marks!!!

But it is worth it.  Really.

Do I want this?  Yes!  It's China!  I cannot even stop to say how exciting even the opportunity is, because I am such a fan of Chinese Architecture... yes, that is the building nerd seeping out again.  And I read "Cradle to Cradle"... that is awesome.  Included are the ideas around building cities so that they have no negative carbon footprint.  And I want to see the Yellow River and the 3 Gorges Dam and the Terracotta Army and the Great Wall and to do Tai Chi in the park.... so many things!

But, we shall see how this goes.  I should know in a few days time.... which is nerve wracking in itself.

5 Things: Thankfulness

Since the diagnosis a few months ago, I have been thankful for many, many things.

1.  My husband and I can now make priorities out of what we want to do together.  

We have always planned to travel, but we have not done as much as we intended back when we got married.  Hopefully when we get done with Chemo, we will travel to Europe and explore.

2.  Language

I speak English.  While I have tried to learn many languages, none seem to stick very easily.  However, I did speak Sign Language for a time.  There is something that is universal.  Being able to indicate and sign, as well as speak a common language (thanks to the evils of colonisation mindyou...) has got be through interesting travel situations.


3.  Exploration

I love to travel and I am very thankful that while the world may keep building walls and protecting borders, we are still allowed to cross these as travelers and see the real world.


4.  Opportunities

I have been very lucky in my job.  I have been able to travel with my students around the country, showing them what I love the most.  I have also been able to travel the country as part of a leadership development programme, which I was fortunate to be selected for.  I have seen so many stunning and beautiful things, and had the chance to experience so many once-in-a-lifetime activities.


5.  My family

I am most thankful for my family.  They have been there to support me through so much.  I am also so thrilled that I can finally do something to support and share with them, as I am taking them all on an overseas vacation over the Christmas break.  It will be so nice having my parents, sister, niece, nephew and husband with me as we explore the South Pacific.  It will be magical.

My mother preparing for a horse trek in Vanuatu

Destination Friday: Where are you off to?

Welcome back to Destination Friday- it is lovely to have you here.

Dilip searching for remnants of his family

This week I thought I'd ramble a little about where I am off to in a months time.... TONGA!  Oh, and Fiji.  But, I have been to Fiji before.  I love Fiji.  My husband's father grew up in Fiji, so when we go there, Dilip always tries to find people who knew his family.

I know Suva gets a bad rap, and for good reason, but, it is a great city.  All too often tourist destinations in Fiji seem to be fake.  Port Denarau only exists because of the Fiji Hilton Hotel.  Most of the tiny islands surrounding the cities are tourist resorts.  Suva however feels real.  People live, work and love there.  The streets may not be paved in gold, but they are filled with real people.  And as far as I am concerned, this makes it worthy of travel.

I have wanted to go to Tonga for a long time, and now I have the chance, I am really excited.  The only thing that worries me is that I am set for ankle surgery just a week before we leave, so I will be on crutches....

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