School holidays

My, my! It has been awhile.

Kia Ora New Zealand!

I thought I'd leave a blog about all the weird things that I have experienced when saying "oh god alright, I'll come out" or "I'd usually say no, so up off my ass I will go!"

I guess as far as I will back track is in the September holidays. Although I've done plenty prior, I think my experiences here will do.

Firstly though, I will share one thing I've been doing for the last few weeks and that is taking care of a wild rooster, named Chicken.

He is such a darling. I feed him all the scrap seeds that I keep from my parrots. Normally I'd throw them over my deck to the sparrows and pigeons, but I now have a much better place to dump them....


Week One of the holidays:
- Friday: Dad arrived.
-Saturday: BBQ at Ryan's sister's place where parents unite and become more acquainted.
-Sunday: Bucklands beach with dad. We ended up sitting on the beach and drew what we saw and painted with pencil paint. A great experience indeed. I also particularly enjoyed the fact that it was relaxing and free !

As you can tell by the photo, the day was gorgeous ! What a great Daddy Daughter Day !

-Monday (finally hitting the actually holiday break) Home alone...didn't do anything but clean and potter around the house. Although a waste of a day, at least I had time to relax further.

-Tuesday -ZUMBA!!- Zumba is always the thing I look forward to each week. I love it!

I also managed to get my bum down to the library and borrow some books for the month. I love that they allow 28 days for return, rather than 2-3 weeks like most places. Brilliant. No rush at all.

So I began reading a follow up on the Irish folklore...the stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill. It was an extreme fluke that I found this book as I had given up trying to look for another Irish myths and legend style story to read....I found that book on the shelf then walah, as I was reading it I realised it was exactly what I was after.... another side to the story (sort of by discussing a certain character) of "Shapeshifter". The book I read last holidays. CHOICE ! So far, a damn good read. Loads of stories... Fionn is like the Maui of Irish myths. Mauriora !

- Hunted for a new car at Turners auction, nearly brought a faulty car....thank Christ I didn't.
Then went out on the town with Tanya and friends. Now that was fun.... even though we were told we were off on a pub crawl, the guy taken us cancelled it because "only we were going"....Poor service indeed. But nonetheless, we made it fun for us and I experienced different pubs and clubs I hadn't been to in my 9 months living in Auckland. By the way ! I love Auckland still. I'm not going anywhere ! I didn't spend much in town either. My lovely friends paid for my drinks - bless them for understanding my teacher's salary.
-Nursed my birdy better as she was attacked by hormonal nesting "friends". Damn them. I also went to the doctors. Fun times. Being female sucks sometimes.
-Friday: Nearing the end of week one. Tanya had her first DJing gig in NZ so we supported her at Grace bar in town. Good fun and Ryan made an appearance too. Seeing him dance and be merry on the same dance floor as me made me love him even more.
-Saturday. So here we are at today and well, I'm sick. I have throaties, lemonsip and ice blocks...toilet rolls, water bottles and pills.... I will beat this sucker by the end of these holdiays dammit, because the next little blog will be about my lovely experiences with my sister and whanau in Aucstralia!
Looking forward to it...3 weeks away, so let the countdown begin !

Xx

Tovah

Howick Recreation Centre

Although I have been a member since the start of this year, I'd like to write a short review on the group fitness classes that I have attended. I have about two - four classes I am yet to attend (and possibly more if I knew them all). However, I will review my experience of the last few weeks.

KiaOra New Zealand and hopefully a warm welcome to Summer and the Bikini Bod (in the near future!)

Monday = Normal gymmin' - tred mill, Braxton boys and me for a half hour every day at 5:30pm. Providing myself a time limit to get my ass to the gym is a good incentive, as is the fact that if I don't go, I'll miss 'Home and Away'.

Tuesday= Zumba. Always fun and always 'we are a family' vibe, because of our wonderful instructor Sarah Su. Kia Ora Sarah!!!
I am lucky enough to be able to teach some dances and boost my leadership skills in this class. I really enjoy Zumba and the amount of room we have to really boogie. The space is roughly two basketball courts.

Wednesday = Fight Do! Punch punch punch hook, knee knee knee knee, step kick back kick, block block...Well, other than having a good "let's punch the air" session, Fight Do is great because of the delicious instructor's muscle and technique, plus the company is also very warm. It is sadly a bit cramped though, because we are in the smaller yoga room upstairs.

Thursday = Oxyfitness. BORING! loads of stretching, white girl routines and roll downs. We were in the yoga room, which meant when the girl in front bent down, I knew about it. However it was a good once off experience. The teacher had the right attitude and rapport for the class, however I wouldn't have made this class a regular thing.

Friday = Zumba with someone else (Dare me to try?) - I was chicken after the last experience, where the instructor used my well known song for a different routine(after saying they didn't have my music so I could teach) and I ended up being immaturely annoyed at her. I'll go on a Friday, once day. In the meantime I am very happy with Tuesday and Wednesday - Group fitness.

Well I tried to keep this short - but that isn't very rarely the case.
I am loving Auckland and this positive mentality.

 -  Just do it anyway for the thrill. I do not know many that regretted living an opportunistic life.

Tovah

Rate:
Experience: 7-8
Entertainment: 7-8
Amount weekly: $12.70

beach house

Ryan's birthday.

Family and friends attended = happy and appreciate this gesture for Ryan.
Slow service, average food = not happy.

It's a shame that occurred because now I assume Beach house is another over priced restaurant.
The grab one meals were designed to hook us in and it did. Unfortuantely they failed to deliver today...
and for $107 I would have to say I am not happy.

Fail on your part, Beach house (Bucklands beach).

Lame.

Tovah

Tanuki Cave + The Basement Theatre

Firstly, I have to say I WISH YOU CAME ALLIE! because I had an absolute experience tonight.

1. Japanese food at Tanuki's Cave. (Amount spent $80 between 3 people)
2. The Basement - double the plays! yep - two one hour length plays!!

AWESOME

Kia Ora New Zealand!

It's nights like these that make me really glad I am continuing with this blog and continuing to "YOLO"
(my how I hate that acronym). But in all honesty, I am very happy with my new frame of mind and the added pressure of Ryan (my partner) telling me to spend my money instead of saving it or being tight with my money. Because basically, I keep saying to myself "Oh what if I need my money for something else this week" !!! So thank Christ-mas I am spending some now....and still putting away a satisfactory amount...good compromise if I must say so myself.

So!!!!!
Tanuki's Cave - let's start with you aye!

Wicked! 
Atmosphere... so relaxed. I felt like I was in a dear pub. A place where business men meet for "spontanious" meetings away from the long tabled boardrooms. 
...Which is quite the contrast from my first impression. Firstly, it's located where you'd assume caves would lead....underground. If it was in Hamilton, I'd cross the road before it and then cross back again once I passed it. It's a dodgy door with an Asian man smoking outside of it. He unlocked the door with his free hand and off we went down poorly lit stairs to a small room with an island bar in the middle.
Enough about that though - the food was the funny part! Small and dear. Of course. That's what you expect in Auckland. Everything comes in twos and you only were allowed really a bite or small nibble each, if you're sharing. Two kebabs = $10
FWWWAAAARRRR !
But hey, I tasted the following things, which I probably never ever would have, if it wasn't for Bianca's friend's expensive taste.
1. Chicken mince balls wrapped in capsicum
2. Mushrooms stuffed with chicken mince
3. black king prawns (tasted like crayfish! hurrah!)
4. steak kebab
5. octoballs (well what I called them. Seafood chowder in a crumbed batter)
6. pork riblets
7. chicken wings
8. beans..... (my first response was "where's the fucken meat!"....felt the same way after eating them too)
9. Chicken liverssssssssssss -slimey pillows of jelly-like goo...similar to truffle.
10.Plum liquer

What a great experience and I even managed to share my drink with my pants on the first sip. Fail.

The Basement

To write two reviews will be hard on the fingers because I could write and write and write. So I'm going to take a whack at being brief. Wish me luck.
Firstly, I am impressed.
'N0ughty Girls' (directed by Hera Dunleavy) is a two women cast, that play multiple roles (both genders). It is about two girls that work at a cafe together, after first meeting in a pub waiting for the toilet. One has a morbid sense of humour, the other is a rather innocent. One is single and mingles....regularly (if you know what I mean), the other has invested in a 7 year relationship with a lazy boy named Ben. However, they both want a taste of each other's lives.. and like most dramas, it somewhat occurs after the other girl's influence.
The acting was not completely spot on, as one actress carried the other. There was an akward moment where one was playing a guy and the other was the girlfriend. It became awkward when they had to kiss. It wasn't the kiss that was deemed awkward to me, it was rather the preempted lines staggering along then the hesitant heads jarring towards each other, when they were meant to be into it.
In my eyes, if you are not going to do something the whole way, don't do it at all! Nothing should ever be done half-arsed. Nothing! It just spoils it....and in this case, it did spoil the scene.
I'd have to say that I particularly enjoyed Chelsea McEwan Millar taking on the role of an Irish "diddle lee dee" player. Her facial expressions and pausing made the "dinner date" scenes most enjoyable. It was at a point where I became excited when the right hand side of the stage lit up on the pub table. Good work, indeed. I felt she let herself go in that role...her work as the female lead was weaker. But she was still the best actress, in my opinion.
I won't even start on the other girl, Elizabeth Mc Menamin. Although, she also, carried a better male role than a female.

-----A 20 minute interval and awayyyyy we went onto the next showwwwwww!-----

The second play was called 'The Pantry Shelf'. I enjoyed this play the most. It was fast paced and snappy.
The characters all had their strnegths and they shared a bond with one another that reflected in their performances. It was good to see no one over staging another, as they each has a role that was unique and hilarious. Because each actor had multiples roles, it was quite enjoyable to see the quick changes between gigantic food product costumes and tones of voices. I particularly enjoyed Michelle Blundell (you may know her as Hailey, the psycho from Shortland St) her facial expressions brought out the energy and fire in her. I loved the "up the nose" milk carton, punching Wasabi peas and her geeky professor cereal characters.
She was even quick to help out her "love interest" when he fumbled recognisably through his lines....which is something I truly respect in another actor. Some people tend to let the other actor rot, in fear of being upstages, but not her. Well done.
The love interests worked really well and they were not your typical hotties either. I think the warm nature of Peter, the "porridge" package, made the audience connect with the lovers "boring" characters a little more than they could have. I enjoyed the typical "run to find your true love and kiss and make up ending". I felt like I was watching a movie for a brief moment, which is an effect I have never experienced with theatre.

I had a great night tonight and am so glad I went out !
Now off to bed for me to dream about my next endeavour "Black Grace".
That is definitely something to be excited about !!!! 

Overall: 8/10

Tovah Xx

   

Fluro Party !

House parties.
What comes to mind for me are bonfires, couches outside in the cold, RTD bottles scattered all over the back lawn and the odd couple of strangers pashing it up next to a group of smokers oblivious to the PDA.
But then again, that is a party influenced from a small town. So what on earth would come to mind in a big town?

Well, instead of contemplating it, I actually experienced it...

Auckland, middle of town, a high-tech security apartment and little ole me with a backpack filled with left over vodka bottles and cartons of Just Juice.

Kia Oraaaaaaa New Zealand!
One little white Maori went for a mission to hang out with a bunch of Canadians.

The theme was fluro so I dressed in purple jeans and a purple jacket and made my way to the ferry. I spent $13.90 return on tickets and was told by the lady behind me that one day I would earn millions of dollars. I had asked if there was a student ticket and was told no. How reassuring. Cheers for calling me cheap, lady. Good start.
Up I went to enjoy a relaxing time looking at the view on the top deck...It was lovely and warm up there so I made myself comfortable and then, DOM DOM, a flock of testosterone flew up the stairs with drinks in hand. I was hit on inappropriately and was annoyed by a man that refused to follow the simple "no smoking" policy on the boat.
The Sky Tower came around the bend and once I reached the shore, I paced myself for a great climb up Victoria St West. I waited patiently to be let in and away I went for around 7 hours enjoying a night filled with drinking games, laughs, new greetings and of course loads of fluorescent lights.

I really enjoyed the Auckland house-party, even if it was in an apartment. There was no necessity for clubbing. We enjoyed dancing, drinking without paying $100 on booze or entry fees and were able to select music ourselves to cater to our moods.
Everyone was friendly, no one was hitting on us girls inappropriately and everyone was there just for a dam good time.

The reason I am writing this blog is to re-enforce the importance of experiencing things.. I wasn't going to go to this event, because I assumed no one would. A few people pulled out from the event and I negatively assumed the worst. I truly had a great time. It was great to be around people that were not catty, were not uncomfortably flirting with me and genuinely wanted to have a good laugh.
I look forward to more experiences and hope I continue to push myself to attend events and experience life properly.

Xx Kia Ora Canadians for a great house party.

P.S. Fluro party theme = Fluro font in my blog. I'm brilliant. So are you.

8/10 Experience
$50 roughly on transport and booze (with left over alcohol for future experiences)

Ara Tai, Half Moon Bay.

Another spotted success at Ara Tai Cafe!

Kia Ora New Zealand!
We have now decided to come here (Ara Tai) every second week. Yes, it is definitely that good.

I think, other than the food, I particularly enjoyed the fact hardly any people were there and meals were quicker than normal. I also liked the lack of wind, the warmth of the sun and the view of lazy boats tied up at the wharf.
I could smell Spring and it felt like an early morning in the middle of Summer.
Ryan had bacon and eggs on toast and I had french toast.
Only it was more like cinnamon donuts covered in banana and super crunchy bacon. It was a little too chewy/crunchy for my liking - but everything else, PERFECT.

The picture pretty much speaks louder than words.

Then there was the berry smoothie..... actually tasted real - there's a first.
Other than Tank, where will you ever find real smoothies?

Congrats Ara Tai you now have two very happy regular customers that will gladly spend $40 a fortnight having a lovely relaxing and romantic breakfast.

Xx Tovah

The Beach House, Beachlands.

THE BEACH HOUSE, BEACHLANDS.

Well.... I am beyond satisified with this restaurant.
It really says a lot considering my fussy mouth. I have only enjoyed one other restaurant and that is in Wellington called 'Cobarr'.

Kia Ora New Zealand!

The picture here is of our steak dish we both slowly savoured.
There were elements of cream, crunch and crazily enough ...crinkle!
The steak was cooked to perfection....I have never experienced that in a restaurant... I always find they define "medium rear" as a chewy slab of meat.
But today, I finally experienced "medium rear" the way it is meant to be cooked.

Both Ryan and myself were satisfied with our three course meal.

We began with a Pumpkin soup entree. It came with a triangle sliced piece of wholemeal and walnut bread and a perfectly portioned amount of soft butter.The pumpkin soup's texture was incredible. I ate it slowly just because I was fascinated with the texture as it pressed between my tongue and the roof of my mouth. True story.

Second course is what you've been visually drooling over top left.

The crinkle I mentioned earlier involved potato chips in a cross hatched "chex" cutting. They smelt and even tasted like ready salted thick cut chips, but warm. That was awesome with blanc jus and perfectly cooked steak...amongst many other complimented flavours.

I have to say by the time I reached desert, which was brought instantly to our tables, I was smiling. Although, I kind of panicked that my stomach hadn't had time to get used to it's recent forced expansion.I did my best, nonetheless. I finished a lovely night with a brownie and very rich chocolate ice cream. The little strawberry was one thing I've missed, since it had been some time since I had eaten one...I also felt the wafer straw was a great touch too. Simple, covered in thick icing.

The presentation was good too. The lemon tart (right) was delicious also, although I was only able to steal one bite. I didn't fancy the pistachio flavoured ice cream, but I was slightly smitten over the lemon tart.
There was a theme of "piling" food on top of each other in each meal... I noticed this as I watched many concoctions float past with the waiters to other tables.

But what really took the cake was finally finding Ryan's favourite bottle of wine (Vavasour: Pinot Gris) in the wine list $56 a bottle, that we happily bought for his benefit. He had been searching for a place that either sells this or offers it as a wine option at a restaurant and have been unsuccessful... then low and behold, the restaurant down the road from out house sells it. We were so happy. Ryan shared his happiness in the form of full glasses, four times over.

We will be back indeed for Ryan's birthday for another bottle of special wine and more three course meals.I highly recommend this place. It is on the beach so in the light of day, the view would be spectacular....just like Cobarr, Wellington.

I felt warm, relaxed and in love.... even when the rain plummeted outside.

9/10

Xx

Tovah

29/07/2012

The Barrel Inn: An awful Irish pub in Howick

26th July
The Barrel Inn, Howick.

Not much is to be expected at an Irish pub. The meals will be huge and average...but they are designed to fill the stomach with meat and carbs, just in case you feel obliged to divert yourself away from numerous pints.

Kia Ora New Zealand!

The idea for this particular night was to wind down from a long week with my partner, since we aren't known to drink together too often.
Ryan, aiming to have a Summer body again, purchased the Teriyaki salad and I had a Steak sandwich, potato and onion rings meal.
When it was served I bet Ryan that they'll give me the salad and you the steak sandwich....I laughed rather loudly when my prediction was true.....talk about failed stereotypes.
The meal was....crap. Course it was, I kind of expected so.
Food preparation and taste: 3/10

The atmosphere wasn't seedy. It's Howick, so it's filled with rich Irish imposters that bring their kids in for a quick bite and that sneak a handle of beer that they just can't crack open at their own homes without feeling guilty.
The service was stupid. We asked for a Sav and as I was about to order my vodka and pineapple juice...we received 2 wines and a wonderful blank stare....Hopeless. I ordered the juice after I ordered our food.

I think there was only two things I enjoyed about that place. The fact that there is a wall of fame, filled with people that have accomplished 100 jugs of a certain type of alcohol. There were about ten or so different plaques on the wall for each type of beer on tap. Then to make it more hilarious, there were stars next to some of the names, which I believe meant they had done at least 300-500 jugs of beer. Unbelieveable.
The other thing I found interesting was the fact they had a clock on a stand in the middle of the bar. It reminded me of a town clock or an old retro bird cage stand with a clock face, instead of a small bird cage.
We spent a fair bit of dosh for such a hopeless night. But hey, at least Ryan and I were able to spend some time out together and that my friends is worth more than all the pints recorded on the wall of fame !

2/10 for the experience and awful stomach aches Ryan and I stared at home afterwards.

Xx
Tovah

Car buying....

Is probably the biggest adventure I've had in a while!!

I went along to Turners Car Auctions in Penrose today for the auction at twelve. My best friend Rose's dad Terry accompanied me to the auctions and helped me look through the assortment of cars in the car yards. There were so many different kinds and I thought I was prepared after my hours of sifting through them on the turners website. But oh no... No way was I prepared. Luckily I had Terry there with me who is mechanically inclined...being a car enthusiast and a train driver to boot! (Yeah...I know a train driver. Cool right?) What was most helpful was knowing exactly what I wanted, and also what I knew I didnt want...ever. It kind of felt like searching for a new man... And then picking out of two you'd fallen for.

Unfortunately for me, the car I'd fallen for had gone back to its owners and I had to go hunting again. But...I was determined to leave turners with a car. Partly because I needed one, but also because I didnt want to leave and go home in an expensive taxi!! So. There I was... Searching through the lanes of possible candidates. Many tried to impress me with their beauty like the Holden Vectra's while others basked in their ugliness, showing that strength had nothing to do with beauty. I was pretty well undecided.

Then it finally dawned on me that I needed to find the right car before 12pm when the auction would start. So I put more effort into it then I ever had and drove car after car until I found it.

The one I'd been waiting for.

Now it wasn't exactly perfect. It had an indicator light that was barely stuck on with cellotape. (Which I've since lost on my trip from Morrinsville to Opotiki-I thought it was a rock from a passing truck...turns out it was just my light.) But it was a gorgeous colour. Like the tips of the greenest pine tree. Dark and rich and beautiful. I kept making sure no-one else was looking at it. They weren't which made me happy! But until the auctions started, I really had to have a good look. The pulsar and primera caught my eye, as did the honda civic...until it started smelling like an oily rag.... One girl told her mum "No ..Mum. I'm NOT buying an oil leak." Good advice really which soon turned me off of the civic.

My thoughts turned back to the Green Machine. Although it was an 1998 version, it was in good condition despite the indicator light. It had nice seats and a flash cd player. Central locking and lots of cool little buttons.

So by the time the auctions started, I had my mind made up. I told my new friend Jaques (my consultant at Turners) my highest price and the car I wanted. He sat with me and helped me bid. Rather he did it. But in the end... Despite the nervousness and anxiety, I knew I'd get it.

So. I won a 1998 Mazda Familia Hatchback. For $4,000 + on road costs and insurances/warranties. I was pretty stoked. She drives beautifully and most of all has the ability to go fast. And has the sweetest cd player ever!

Yay me!

What a brilliant idea!!

The Nerdy Teacher: Call Me Maybe #EngChat

Holiday Catch-Up

Allie and I are playing a game with the picture cards. If you get a king you have to post something/a line, queen is truth, jack is dare. 

Allie is wearing ugbootssssss

Tovah just made me a syrupy drink....mmmmm syrup.

Allie is going to buy my wart.

If you like it then ya better put a bitta snail on it...

And that was our game. We ate dinner and had a looong chat and catchup. Love the holidays!!

Crystel's Exciting Week

Hi my name is Crystel. I'm Allie's little sister. This is what I think about how my adventure in Auckland is going so far...

It was awesome that we went to the mall that I've never been to-Dressmart. They had a shop called Factorie where we could get all of these bargains.

Netball vs 3 week long illness

It really is good to see Allie making the effort on here. It's not the fact that she's blogging now, it is more that she is pushing herself to see her friends. It is the middle of Winter now, so it is harder and harder to hang with others in the cold. Keep it up my friend!

Kia Ora New Zealand!

Last night was an interesting turn of events. I managed to get my ass off to the Trust Stadium in Henderson where I watched the Mystics play the NSW Swifts. I haven't watched a live netball game in years. I believe the last one was when I was doing catering jobs at Mystery Creek, Hamilton.

Because LG sponcered the Mystics they were giving away a TV, blu ray player, camera and an microwave oven. Impressive 1/4 time prizes.
But the thing that really made my day was seeing Trubliss back in action singing for the Children's Cancer Appeal. What a treat. Apparently it's been 13 years since they were together. Unfortunately Carly Binding wasn't there, but the other 4 sounded superb.

The purpose for going on this outing was to be the teacher-minder for one of our netball teams (year 9s/form 3s). This meant, I had 6 enthusiastic thirteen year olds in front of me. All but one behaved, which was good to see really. That little one brat though frequently flicked tomato sauce at her friends and really upset them. There's always one.

It was a good night though. The score scuttled its way up to 50-49 to us. Talk about a tight game though. If they had received a tie at the end of the match, it would've been well-deserved.

I'm glad that I went, although I was very reluctant as I've been sick for the last 3 weeks (I have stayed in bed for a good amount of it).

But this just shows, that if you get up off ya butt - even if you are sick - you will always have a good time, in a good frame of mind.

Overall price spent $31
Ticket: $20
Parking: $5
Pump water: $5
Lollie pop: $1

Tovah

School Holiday Adventures: Itinerary

Kia ora koutou! Term 2 is officially over and the start of our fabulous two week break commences. Because of this opportunity, I have taken this time out for relaxation as well as for some much needed bonding time with one of my little sisters- Crystel. Now me and C go way back. I changed her nappies, taught her funny things to say and most of all have taught her how to deal with the neccessary things only a sister can talk about with her sister. In saying this, here's a quick backstory. When lil C was born I was at the young but very opinionated and indignant age of twelve. Now Miss C is now at this precocious age and each time we spend quality time together I'm reminded just how quick I grew up becoming that older sister I always had it in me of being and I see that opinion and indignation in her too. Needless to say I'm ridiculously proud of her. So, with this is mind and the fact that I believe she's awesome and deserves a good holiday, I'm bringing her up with me to stay in Auckland (the big little city) for the coming week. She does not yet know exactly what we are doing but she did have a certain input-that is of going to the mall and we also discussed going to the sky tower.

Below is the outline of our very exciting and action packed itinerary. More posts to come after each day.

Tuesday:
*Pick C up from Meremere where Nana has very kindly offered to bring her up halfway.
*Mall hopping. Dressmart (where we will catch up with Tovah), St Lukes and Albany.
*Dinner at home. Possibly pizza or pasta -basically whatever C feels like ;)

Wednesday:
*Check out the Sky Tower and walk on the sky deck.
*Do a screen-printing class at the Auckland Art Gallery for two hours.
*Dinner at Santa Lucia Italian Restaurant (thanks to Groupon).

Thursday:
*Spending the day with friends at school re-vamping our classrooms.
*Going to the Stardome Observatory at Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) for 'Winter's Night Sky'.

Friday:
*Cooking and baking class with moi at my whare.
*Checkout the Botannical Gardens.
*Drive C back home.

And that my dears is our exciting week!

Stay tuned for the action,
A

Sorrentos in the park: One Tree Hill.

My first school ball.....from a teacher's perspective.

$30 - tickets (including meal and entertainment)

Kia Ora New Zealand!

An hour in front of the mirror curling and powdering and brushing and stressing.....
Then off went a first year teacher to her first James Cook High School ball.
It was quite a plesant night that will always be remembered. It wasn't just the food and the good music though that really stood out for me, it was the fact that James Cook really represented our school and was on their absolute BEST behaviour. Apparently it has been this way for years. Congratulations to them indeed!

These were the things that were really creative and most memorable:
1. The pot luck dinner
2. The polaroid stand
3. The great company

I had a blast!

Something that really made the night was the polarloid stand. It's basically a grand (don't quote me on that) to hire a polaroid display for a few hours and students can line up and take 4 consecutive photos (8max) in polaroid fashion - which means snap snap snap snap and walk away with your rectangular photo, drying in your hands.

The food - was fabulous too. Nothing on a restaurant, however, I really enjoyed trying different bits and pieces ....one in particular was a well presented lasagne. Yummmmm!

I decided not to write my blog in the normal structure and tone as I usually would because,
a. I'm still hyped and in awe from the night
and b. sometimes it's nice just to leave a quick note and photos of a great moment in your life.

So here's my moment -I have found myself snuggling into my school quite well this term....
and well if you see in the picture, I'm not going anywhere.

Ha ha

Ka kite.

Xx

Tovah

Bitchin' Bingo - Take Two

So Tovah finally convinced me to get my butt to Bitchin' Bingo and I'm glad I went!

At first I was anxious and still in school brain mode so wasn't quite up for the challenge of talking to adults let alone thinking about making sure I was stabbing the bingo card with the pen when my numbers were called out! Luckily enough I had my good friend Tovah to help me along to make sure I was taking the right numbers down.

First up, the lady - Miss Bitchin bingo herself- gave me a set of bingo cards which were a set of 10 rounds stapled together. Colour coded.of course! The bingo itself is free and there was a huge turn out. I ordered a pizza- it was too delicious and I was too starving to take any pictures!!

I at first was a little disgusted at the language just because I'd just come from school. Though I soon got used to it and my confusion was overcome by laughter. Now I'm not a conservative person I am quite liberal and so most of the jokes I did enjoy and understood. There were quite a few about our esteemed leader which were quite funny and incredibly accurate. Which is what we needed after being told the government backed down!

Of note there was a man who tied in one round with another man and was expected to do the poi off. Now I believe that was the best way to solve a problem I had ever seen. Not only did the man back down and the other man win the prize but the embarrassment on the cowards wife's face was priceless. Who would want to be married to someone who wouldn't even give it a go!!

Anyway, our team really wanted to win a prize and we did. Two actually. A $30 bar tab for my new friend Camille and a dinner for two to Wagamama for me! So lookout for that post later on.

I was happy overall with the night, spent $17.50 for the pizza and won a prize my first time going. Also, to top it all off, I made some new friends and had some adult laughs.

I would definitely reccommend coming along to Cassette Nine for Bitchin' Bingo every second Wednesday. Hopefully see you, our loyal followers there!!

Yours as always,
Alex

Warming up with the cold weather...

At Ronnie's with Nana and Nicholas in little old Morrinsville. The service is always impeccable and the food remains at its highest standard.

Nicholas says that the American Hotdogs are "Always tasty" and Nana says that "When she (the business owner) makes it (her coffee) it is always good."

My hot chocolate is foamy and chocolatey as it should be. With marshmellows on the side. Not one but two!

So come on down to Ronnie's , whether you are going through or staying for a while. What a treat!

Volare Italian Restaurant: The Gardens in Manurewa.

I learned something today: A popular acronym created by teens.YOLO - You only live once.... Why is it that kids want to portray themselves as wise, yet never ever want to take on board any advice whatsoever?
And why is it that I bunked English lessons so many times in high school and yet found myself teaching the dam thing barely hitting ten years later?

Kia Ora New Zealand!

Well speaking of English teachers (the reason why I brought it up) !
I had the pleasure of wining and dining with my colleagues tonight and my my wasn't it a treat.
Unfortunately the only good part of the night was the company and good humour between friends.
The dinner, although pleasurable by some, was not on my favourites list.
"Volare" Itatlian Restaurant in Manurewa.

I didn't not have any problem with the meal. It was just plain. I was rather excited to find myself in a Italian restaurant, however as my friend put it in the best way possible "it was another night gorging at lonestar".
The meals were very Americanised. Standard $30 meals with potato and boiled veges as a side.
I wasn't satisfied, to be blatant.

The service however was great. The restaurant, although small, had nearly every table filled. They had two waitresses and a bar tender that remembered exactly what drinks I ordered prior and requested whether I'd like another. Impressed.

Awkward eating moment:
One of our support staff sat across from me and orderrd the same meal as I did. Mine arrived with a herb leaf as garnish, hers included 6 pieces of possible onion strips on top. They tastes like onion skins and in all honesty, because of the lack of flavour, the texture and the size - I think they were!
Onion skin garnish.....a crowd pleaser,yeah....? Nah.
A quick run down of the atmosphere was that there were a few memorabilia of "The Godfather" alongside a golden-faced replica. The walls were painted red and the tables were set out with most places including space to move about. The place I was sitting was nearest to the window, so I had the draft and lack of space as another negative side of tonight. No Italian music played. All they had was a projector playing music television above us, but on mute. Not particualrly amazing, although I was in Manurewa.

I did however appreciate the "quotes" that differed on each menu.
“Cheese - Milk's leap toward immortality.” Clifton Fadiman

I was greatful to accept this meal being paid for entirely by my boss. She's an awesome woman to have for a boss.
But tonight, I am afraid to say, I was more satisfied with the company than the meal.

All in all though, I had fun. Wouldn't return on my own account however.

Rating:
Service: 8
Food and Drink: 6 1/2
Atmosphere: 7 1/2

A free meal could have well costed me $36.50
This paid for:
2 x drinks
1 x meal

Tovah

CELSIUS BOTANY: Daughter 'n' Dad Review

Celsius - Botany Downs. A special blog from a daughter and a dad...
1st June: A great start to Winter, I'd say!

Estimate prices: $22-$30
Amount we spent: $102.90

Kia Ora New Zealand!

I am half way through 7 days and 7 nights without my partner, at the moment, so I am feeling somewhat stressed and lonely...My school work is beginning to pile up and I am appreciating the idea of having Monday off (Queen's birthday).
With tense shoulders, droopy eye lids and the absolute urge to superglue myself into my bed, I felt it was an absolute pleasure to have my dad stay with me over the weekend.
We decided to check online for restaurants near my area, however nothing seemed appetising.
Each day I drive passed Botany downs and I always find myself glaring into Celsius the same way a dog tries to cram their nose out of a window, that is only partially down, just to get a good whiff of air.
Now because of this blog, I decided I would take Dad there. I have done well to push myself into new experiences. So much so, karma rewarded me with a lovely experience wining and dining at Celsius.

When you first enter Celsius it's entrance is on the side of the bar, therefore you feel secluded from the grotty old pub next door....I wonder if that was intentional.....?

You are greeted by 4 sections of the bar that share the same vibe, relaxed! The pub at the foreground, a pool table to the right, restaurant to the left and a sectioned off balcony area for the smokers.

The ambience was my sister's bedroom. If you knew her well it'd encompass paintings with vine like designs, similar to ones you see now-a-days on bedding.
In other words, a home of an artist. The ceiling wore 8 pairs of earings. That dropped in the shape of (as Dad put it best) sculptured moons. They attracted me first. This was because the light sat inside the globes, yet peaked through interesting patterns that looked like whirling leaves.
I particularly enjoyed the fact each section of the bar was raised or lowered to show which area was which. Where we sat was interesting because it was right on the edge of the restaurant section; therefore because we were raised higher than the bar, it felt like we were on an inside balcony.
The restaurant was not cramped, although with more people dining in, my thoughts could've changed.

The waitress was efficient. She definitely needed to be running a restaurant and I think because of this vibe, she may have been disgruntled about being out front. She seemed to have 'ticking time bomb' mannerisms.
She did her job and even gave us complimentary wedges, but she didn't seem to have the personality for waitressing. However, she could have just had a bad night. I understand completely, my week has been shitty. But tonight made it all worth while, so some of that would have been thanks to her.

Downside: They need an automatic door! (Suggested by Dad) The cold AND SMOKE rushes in...and that's not like a lingering effect. It honestly rushes in like I'm a rugby ball and 15 players are coming for me.
Twice I got up, walked across the room and closed the sliding door. You could tell the others in the restaurant appreciated this as they did so too, after my first attempt to keep in the heat.
Hurry up and ban smoking NZ - this is really becoming a pain in my ass.

Food for thought:
I ordered a salad. How typical of a female. But what actually caught my eye was: Lamb salad with onion rings......Odd huh?
DELICIOUS! In all forms, just beautiful. It included spinach, tomato and feta drenched in this amazing sweet sauce. All flavours complimented each other and my mouth was in love. I would definitely buy that again!
Another special was presented to us: Buy two house wines, get the bottle free. It was called Jagged Ridge.
Not too bad. Seemed a bit cheap... Reminded me of Jacob's Creek.

The desert was great as well. We ordered a desert for two, which meant you got a third desert free if you order this. So we received berry crem brulee (for Dad), Almond fudge brownie with ginger nut Kapiti ice cream and the third one free was a bunch of hand picked chocolates. Very very impressive !
The desert came out on a long rectangular plate, so we picked at it with our tea spoons - even though we were given two extra plates.
All in all....
The colours, decoration and even time management was efficient. I would honestly give this place a 9/10.

Dad's verdict:
I thought the TV's were annoying. They didn't match the place.
It was nicely set out though. Absolutely stunning bar maid. If I had a ferrari, she would've gone for me (don't worry he wasn't serious).
The food was beautiful. The chicken was slightly tough but the food was great. Compliments to the chefs.
The price was reasonable for what you got, which was: Chicken breast and gnocchi with other cheesy extras.
This was the first time I tried gnocchi and I really liked it.
Suppose next time I have it, it'll be terrible ha ha.
As for desert I was enthusiastic about the crem brulee. This was also my first time eating crem brulee.
It had a great texture with a mixture of different berries on top. I'd definitely get it again.
My rating would be 8/10

Of course I can never review a place without something random happening....

Fasicinating moment: Adding a wing bone (with no meat on it) to the chicken breast to make it look interesting.. (WE BOTH FOUND THAT HILARIOUS!)
It was attached by a piece of chicken skin. The poor thing looked out of place but however not so plain.
It was great as a talking point and made us laugh.

I would go again, and because it was down the road, I probably will!

Experience: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Price: 9/10

Tovah Xx

The Village: Remuera

The Village in Remuera  17/05/2012
Total Spent: $90 and $9 house wine (unfortunately not meeting the requirements of this blog, but still well worth blogging about)
 
Kia Ora New Zealand!
A colleague of mine said to me today “Boy, you get around”. It wasn’t meant in a sexual way, but rather that I have increased my night life.
But that’s the thing…I’m really trying to improve that because I am very capable of staying home warm cooped up with a laptop on facebook…which in my recent eyes is no longer acceptable.
I’m young and new to Auckland…The old me just wasn’t working!
Plus, if you create a “The Adventures of Allie and Tovah” blog for the soul purpose of extending your life experiences, it’s certainly time to start considering a night life as being one of the options.

So far, I’d have to say I am loving it! Perhaps my wallet not so much, but money is made to be spent….So spend away I say!
I have grown up learning that if you have money spend it on someone…and that’s what I’ve done. However right now, it’s a good idea to try spend a bit of money on me.

So off Ryan and I went to Remuera to have dinner with his Dad, sister, brother-in-law (well nearly brother-in-law) and his dad’s friend of 25 years. What a treat we were in for!
The first assumptions of a pub for dinner was:
“Yay! Pub food. More junk that I’ll love to give my hips, cheeks and thighs”
But really, it was far better than that! Restaurant fooooooood!

The menu consisted of rabbit and vegetable pie, lamb shanks, sirloin steak, chicken and fish….All the typical awesome foods that make it hard to decide what on earth to order. Rabbit pie – now that’s something I’d love to try! However, me being me, I “safe carded” it and went with sirloin streaky bacon, potato bake, spinach and almond beans. If there was anything to call that meal, it would have to be “fuck-tastic”.
[Nothing on the ever impressive Cobar in Wellington – Go there! You will not be disappointed. ]
Nonetheless, it was lovely and I appreciated it with a house wine and many compliments from my darling boyfriend on my attire for the evening…..

It was a great atmosphere, although I had a few too many men glaring at me like I was the steak on my plate. But you’ll get that when you go to a pub.
The tables were not cramped, the meals all looked amazing (except Candice’s fish and rice risotto) and I really felt sad to not have room to fit in a desert.
The desert menu consisted of date pudding (my favourite!), chocolate mousses etc.
But the one that caught my eye was: Chocolate wontons and chocolate chopsticks. I wonder how that would’ve looked and tasted.

Moment I enjoyed the most:Watching a lady guzzle down wines like water with her toddler hanging off her arm…The toddler slowly became strangled and from what I assume, was ditched in her pram for the rest of the night BEHIND their table away from view.
Parenting fail indeed.
I sense the following thoughts took place in her mind: Bubs asleep, she’ll be alright in her pram for the night (No other thoughts occurred, since she only visited the pram twice while we were there).

Another 8/10 for a great night out -The Village is definitely one to beat.

Tovah

Bitchin' Bingo Auckland City

Bitchin’ Bingo 16/05/2012
Every second Wednesday Night at Cassette Nine
Vulcan Lane, Auckland City
Amount spent: $24
Rate: 7 towards 8/10

Garlic Bread $6
Waitakere Daiquiri $8
Vodka Orange $8
Bingo Dobber $2

Kia Ora New Zealand!
With a red beehive wig and glasses, the bitch herself protruded nothing but swear words and bingo numbers from her mouth. It was a night I’ll never forget. “11…spread ‘em” “69…Dinner for two”
Enough said?
There were moments where we had to call out “ya bitch” and “om nom nom” and you can only guess what kinds of sentences prompted this.

I did indeed enjoy this night. However it wasn’t just because of the Bitchin’ bingo games. It was because of the hilarious Waitakere daiquiri that was not made of crushed ice or in a cocktail glass, the pizza size garlic bread on an awkwardly big wooden board and the nice new company I was with.

I arrived down Vulcan lane finding myself climbing stairs that I can only imagine have felt staggering heels clamper up them each Friday and Saturday night. I made my way up into a small bar with many similarities of the Cubby hole in Hamilton. There was a DJ on a higher platform, booths galore and a lovely outdoor balcony filled with tables for smokers.
I almost felt at home.

I met up with 2 committed bingo teachers that were slightly disappointed that more did not arrive and we began our night talking about what we know best, Education.
We were given the chance to collect our 10 bingo pages and warned that we will be whipped if we called “Bitchin’ bingo” when you didn't have a line during the meat pack round.
The prizes included an $85 haircut, roller derby vouchers, muffin coupons, coffee packs, vodka and Southern comfort bottles, a meat pack and two $30 bar vouchers. I am forgetting one…..
They were rather promising until one woman won 3 of them in a row. But the fight for free stuff was not over; there were still 6 rounds to go. Sadly I didn’t win any, but I don’t think it mattered because I was happy playing, as always. I felt sorry for the ones that won at the same time as others, as the rules were: first to call/get her attention got the prize. There were three occasions where it was quite the show down.

Atmosphere: 7/10
Prices: 8/10
Experience: 7/10

Tovah

GBS bar and restaurant: Howick

Thought I'd keep this site going as an incentive for Allie to do the same...What you think, Alle-Belle?
Kia Ora New Zealand!

Where? GBS in Howick
Who? Tovah and 10 others from "Meetup: Nightlife"
Amount spent: $17 on a toasted baguette and $18 on two vodka and oranges (screwdrivers)

Food and drink verdict:
When you go to a bar and you are from Gisborne you expect bar food. That usually includes chips, nachoes, wedges and the occasional prawn skewers/fried food baskets....
Only chips and wedges were on the menu alongside pizza, baguettes and $35 platters.
There wasn't much to choose from under $10 so I decided to just go with something that sounded delicious:
Toasted chicken baguette with bacon, coleslaw and relish.
Can you ever go wrong wtih bacon in your meal?

Year 2054 passed and I finally received my dinner. By that point I had forgotten I was hungry and was rather annoyed after asking twice and hearing "It's two minutes away".
Truthfully, they took a decent hour and a half.
But in the meantime, I enjoyed great covered music by two not too bad looking men on guitars.
I sung along to all but one song. To get a fair idea of the genres they played, I heard:
Valerie Amy Winehouse
Black and Gold Sam Sparrow
and even Freak me Silk (laughed the most when that was sung).
There were a couple of real beauties but I can't remember them (possibly because my birds are squawking to go outside, which is both annoying and distracting).
The tables were positioned well, which meant a lot, once loads of "fans" came to support the guys on guitars around 10pm.
We weren't crammed, which surprised me, with how many people were actually in the one area of the bar (restaurant was completely separate).
I managed to have a hilarious barside chat to a bar tender about being cheap when I buy things for myself which he laughed and thanked me for being honest. I wasn't impressed with the open shirt and chest hair business that was going on with him though...but all in all he was a nice guy and customer service can really affect a night, so I was glad that he was nice.
Back I went to a table filled with people I had only just met and I enjoyed doing what I do best, chatting about my school and how much I love my kids.
This was accompanied with primary school and intermediate chats by fellow teachers at the table.
----Honestly, teachers are drawn together somehow. No matter where I go, I'll find one lurking near...ready to tell me all about their classes!----
I mentioned that I give my students the odd whack with a ruler or book and they were mortified though.
I guess primary school teachers don't understand the concept that most huge boys see this as not punishment but rather a minor version of another "fake fight" with one of the boys.
I had to clarify that I was not one for corporal punishment.

All and all I exchanged numbers with one of the teachers and we'll be hanging out again in the near future.
I think GPS is a great bar to meet people in. It's safe, no one seems dodgy (possibly because it's in Howick not a crazy pub in town), it's roomy and somewhat comfortable and the music is great. I'd go again, but with the prices and patience you've got to have a full time job to truly enjoy it.

Rate: 7/10

Tovah

Was it good to be home?

Pressing my head against a plastic window, trying my best to see Gisborne from up high, I felt like I was 9 again. The amount of times I used to fly from Auckland to Gisborne after visiting mum, I can no longer count on my fingers. And yet there I was, 15 years later, pressing my face against the window once more.

Well it has been awhile since returning to "Gissy". I would say it would be approaching on two years. The last time would have been when I was in the early stages of Ryan and my relationship. 

So I have decided to write this entry in two parts. Part 1 now, Part 2 when I arrive in Auckland.

Part 1: Mid-Holiday.

I laughed on the plane. The colour blue floated above us and the colour white below. We were preparing for landing in Gisborne when the pilot informed us of the temperature, 13'C. Joy. I laughed once more. I've reached a point where I know that it'll only be sunny when I'm not there.
So I prepared myself for a weekend in one jacket, no shorts, no tank tops, no...bare feet.

I arrived. Down went the plane door and in came the cold wind.
Gulp. Don't cry. There she is. My lovely niece.
My dad brought Kaitlyn and Maconnell along to welcome me home. I haven't seen Kaitlyn for some time. Besides my last visit, my sister wouldn't allow me to visit her. I am glad this time I got the chance too.
My sister and I have sadly lost contact with each other. I have put in a lot of effort to get her to talk to me again, however I doubt that'll ever happen. If anyone knows why, feel free to tell me. She won't give me a reason for this....let alone a simple "hello".

Prior to the flight, Louise (another bestie) required a Wendy's cheese burger, so that was successfully sitting in my own version of a barney-bag (huge with an never ending bottom) smuggled simply to end a craving. She received it at 6pm.
It was great to be home. Some things were moved around. Some things still unfinished (my dad, the  renovator). The cupboards.....My favourite unfinished part of his house.

6pm: A hug, two people yelling Kiaora from afar, loads of laughs and a bright blue stripey van. My friend Louise took me "out".
Hayden, Louise and I were off putt-putt-putting down to the subdivision where the pub "Smash palace" sat miserably.
Although, once you are inside it is everything but miserable. Heaters, art work, friendly locals and ...a cat?
Dash the Smash cat sat herself on the bar island asserting herself if anyone dared to stroke her.
"Oh Gissy", I thought, "you are amazing".
We played pool and ended the night with handles of L&P and bourbon.
Amount spent: $6.50
Amount enjoyed for free....Let's just say more than $6.50
Thank you locals for the free drinks and wedges.

The next day was dedicated to Kaitlyn and Louise.
Louise and I took Mac and Katie to the Botanical Gardens, Aberdeen road. The ring neck parrots sat amongst the trees in their aviary. It was not entertaining for the younger ones, so off they went to the pond.
20 jumps from rock to rock brought our visit to the park to a sudden end. Maconnell found himself up to his chest in water. I saw it coming....
It ended up being one of those moments where you should have said something...but didn't. Great temporary parenting on my part.

We visited Trisha and her darling 3 boys under 6 (surprisingly well behaved!) and then finished the day playing a lot of bingo!
By the end of the day we devised rules for drunken bingo, that will be played with enthusiasm on Saturday night with others.....Kaitlyn and Maconnell are too young to participate then.
May I also include, Louise won 4 times in a row. Nicely played my friend, nicely played.

I think really with Gisborne you learn to appreciate what you have, as not a lot can occur there, unless you make something up yourselves. Gisborne doesn't have ice skating parks, malls, bowling etc.
We have parties with bonfires, parties in wood sheds, parties in local pubs....Basically you live for the night.
If it is not sunny, you curl up in a ball in front of a fire (required!) and wait until 8pm then off you go and drink until the morning.
Much of my teen years involved a pack of girls in one yellow Honda City with bottles of "lollie-water/R2Ds" finding places to drink for the night. If not, we were lounging on the sand purposely ignoring our education.
I am still unsure how I wound up on the other side now, enforcing students not to bunk...How hypercritical.

I am yet to visit the beaches. According to the TV1 and 3 weather reports, today was meant to be sunny all round the North island. I am sitting here frowning at the white sky, wishing I was in that airplane again, above the white once more.

I do not have much more to say, as of yet. Yes, that is Gisborne in a nutshell. Nothing happens, nothing to report on. Yet why do we all want to return? BECAUSE IT'S HOME.
When it's sunny, it's dam sunny and you wish you did indeed buy a pool last Xmas.
The beaches are just stunning when the sun warms the sand and water. The colours are made for the perfect photograph. I have yet to visit a place that is better.

But for now, on Day 3, I visited the Information centre.
Why? Because there is a cute little mini golf attached to it, which may I add, has been renovated.
The "theme" was farmyard. What you see when you visit are holes, hills and hedges wrapped in fences, rusty barrels and signs. I am yet to learn how to post photos on here, but once I know I will include them.
Three of my younger cousins and their grandmother (my Aunty Shell) competed against each other. I believe the best part of the day was hearing them cackling each time I'd miss the hole and watching Michael (autistic) kick the ball into the hole instead.
A brother and sister teamed up on me and tricked me to believing one tunnel would come out by the hole. I whack the ball hard into it and the ball miraculously appeared behind me, further from the hole. PG curses protruded from my mouth. Something else we all enjoying doing with one another.

Well I guess I am all up to date as of yet.
Part 2 will occur soon that will actually review the restaurant I take Dad to for his birthday and a worth while wait for another Saturday in G-town.
I hope I have been more entertaining than my actual holiday.
XxXxX

Here is part two....Although I have the feeling we are finishing this blog experience idea.
I haven't heard much about it lately from Allie and the excitement for it is no longer reciprocal.

Friday night was spent bring revisiting old emotions and also having a crappy night out at "The Mill" for dinner. The Mill's name has changed to "Wild Food" and it is painfully expensive for the crap that was "served up".
To express more subtly, an RSA or homeless shelter kitchen would've provide a better ammount and also not powder potatoes for 26 dollars. A total of $63 was wasted.
I was appalled at that dinner and am 100% sure to not recommend it to anyone.
I received food posioning that night/next morning....funny that.
Although we attempted Dad's birthday dinner the next day (the two of us) and we found it to be most adequate. I had a brownie with a flakey dusted topping and a baguette that involved a mixture of all my favourite ingredients - what are the odds! Bacon strips, camembert, pesto, avocado, lettuce, tomato, relish.
....Dribble..... I'd recommend the Muirs cafe over and over again!
I also managed to fit in a yoghurt and banana smoothie into my stomach at the same time. Not sure how, but it was delicious.
With the sun, the balcony and a musical ANZAC march below us, our "Daddy-daughter day" was a success!
Roughly spent this time around: $15-$20

So if this is the end, I am sorry !
Maybe one day we'll be able to pick this up again.
Xx



  

Hi... My name is Alex... and I'm addicted to blogging...

Kia ora koutou katoa! Hi everyone!

My name is Alex, a certain amount of fabulous people call me Allie - of which you are now welcome to do so as well. This is most likely one of the last blogs I will ever make. Isn't that what we all say each time we make a new blog? Well, this time, I'm quite sure. Mostly because this is the first time I can actually see myself using this for a long period of time - mostly because of my fabulously talented friend Tovah (who I often call Toes - if you want to do so you'll have to ask her!). Now, while we're on the subject of how fabulous Tovah really is - don't be surprised if you find some crazy vlogs or videos of us doing ridiculous things. Because in essence, that is what makes us the friends we are. We often find ourselves in ridiculous moments, thinking up extraordinary things, but never actually end up doing said things. I think this is why we decided to get this going. Because both of us want to spend more time together, and we also want to share our experiences in life with each other, and of course, ultimately through this blog, the world.

There are so many experiences the world has to offer, and I don't want to miss out on another one any longer! I am passionate about travelling - though I have yet to do any outside my beautiful New Zealand/Aotearoa. I love reading, singing and playing guitar. I grew up on the beaches on the west and east coasts of NZ and love being in our 'clean, green' environment (it would be clean and green if it weren't for the oil drilling and oil spills from the Rena!). I am a foodie. I love eating - always have. I attribute my love for food to my Nana who taught me how to eat, and how to bake from a very young age. I'm still building up my cooking repertoire and look forward to finding new recipes, restaurants, bars and bistro's, vineyards and bakeries that have fabulous food concepts and ideas.

For me, this blog is somewhere where Tovah and I can share our experiences with each other and ultimately with you, our readers. We want to hear your suggestions of new places to go to, and see, and experience. We are still new to this part of the country - even though Tovah is a lot more used to it from coming up here to see her Mum when she was younger. I'm still looking to find new places to go in Auckland, surrounding suburbs and throughout the country. I can't wait to go to Paris, (I'm French/Maori) and want to travel and eat my way through Europe! haha.

If you have any suggestions, please add them here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Arohanui,

Allie

Tovah Rachelle Reed

Tovah Rachelle Reed

Kia Ora New Zealand!
The good thing about collaborating with friends is that they come up with ideas, that you of course, agree with. You understand each other's needs and wants in life and are willing to share the same journey.
The thing with Allie and I is that we have been in situations where we have both had people stop us from living and "soaring". So to share this journey with her makes it that little bit more special.
New Zealand is also a beautiful country and sits comfortably in our hearts.
It would be silly of us not to share it with the world!

Allie also thought it would be good to begin our experiences with an introduction. So here I am "Hi my Tovah Rachelle Reed and I am, officially, a blogger."
I never thought of myself doing this...however the internet is of course the future; where we share our thoughts and experiences!
What ever happened to pigeon post?
Can we not train our pigeons to take the same message to everyone in the world?
I guess not. So here's our alternative.
The purpose of blogging online for Allie and myself is more of an incentive for us to see each other more and LIVE more...Now that we are "free".
We are not the next Jessie J or Justin Beiber. Although we share many talents, I hardly see us on Ellen in the next year...But wouldn't turn down the opportunity either. 

May I now present to you... Information about me:

Birth Info: Gisborne, New Zealand.
10th September, 1987.
Female.

Interests:
Birds (I own at this moment 4 Indian Ring Necks that are blue, grey, yellow and green)
Dancing
Drama
Art
Reading
Writing
Movies
Cooking
Education/Secondary Teaching
All things creative
And my bank details for the odd spammer reading this is: 942....Just kidding.I live by two quotes...one of which this adventure we are about to embark on supports:
"A day without laughter is a day wasted" Charlie Chaplin.
"Fall down seven times, get up eight times" Japanese Proverb.

I wish to you all:
Always rise after a fall...We are meant to laugh, dance, make music and enjoy life...How can we when we have fallen?

Tovah


  

The Rules

We decided today that we needed to explore our new city Auckland and it was taking too long to be introduced by others. So, we have taken on the challenge ourselves. We will be writing about each adventure we undertake and we must write about it even if it was boring! We will be writing about our own experiences as well as those share together.

With every opportunity and experience comes a set of rules.

The Rules:

1. We will write about every adventure we undertake.
2. We must be honest and detailed.
3. We must include a souvenir of our adventure and a tally of costs. (Can include a photo or object)
4. We must make at least one post a month!
5. We will always ask for contributions and must undergo each one. (T&C's apply!)

Wish us the best of luck!!

A Day Without Laughter is a Day Wasted (as quoted from the famous Charlie Chaplin)

Allie and Tovah