Beach and Lanterns: Another great saturday

I was lucky enough to have a whole weekend off work, so I took the most of it by visiting Mission Bay and going to the Chinese Lantern Festival.

Mission Bay is such a beautiful place and the weather was stunning. I collected some sea shells which now I will be googling what to do with them, I relaxed in the sun (got a little bit burnt) and of course went to Kiwiyo and treated myself to some amazing frozen yoghurt.

That night my flatmates and I ventured to the Chinese Lantern Festival which is held to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and it was crazy busy I was shocked and a little overwhelmed. We even got half a watermelon and managed to eventually finish it off, it was amazing but I think I ate my weight in watermelon! The lanterns were beautiful and there were so many, my favourite is the last photo.

Flat bonding, beach, lanterns and such a beautiful day it was a very good Saturday.

21st Birthday Weekend

So a couple of weekends ago I turned the big 21! but deciding to be different I didn't throw a big shin dig (otherwise known as a party) instead my sister, mum and her partner came up and surprised me in Auckland for the weekend. My nana and grandad I knew were coming up but what a shock it was to see my sister standing outside my apartment building and later that night to turn around and see my mum, it was the nest 21st present ever! 

My sister and I walked to the Auckland domain and ventured around the wintergarden pavilion and the museum on the friday before the rest of the clan arrived. On my actual birthday my family and I ferried across to Waiheke Island and spent the day walking around the hilly island trying to find a vineyard, which we everntually did, but I was worried my nana or grandad would have a heart attack, but they are still fit and strong. That night we went out for an amazing meal and later drinks (which ended with just me and my sister and a few shots)

I remember my mum asking me what I wanted for my birthday present and I said: " For everyone to come up to Auckland and we can all go to Waiheke Island" I was so happy that this actually happened, I love my mum, sister, nana and grandad so much they are my rocks and without them I don't know where I would be today. 

So remember to tell your family you love them as you only have one family so treasure them well! 

New things and a familiar face

Top to bottom: Velvet dress from Glassons, Black dress from Lippy, The Hunger Games DVD, Urban Turban meal, Macy and I, Bonfire time, and again.

All photos taken by me.

So last week was pretty exciting! One of my best friends came up to Auckland for the week and what a week it was! We went shopping together, had dinner at Urban Turban one night and I meet a couple of her friends who were also up in Auckland at the time. One of her friends has a bach further up north from Auckland in an area called Langs Beach. It was amazing, it was such a beautiful area and they had easy access to the beach so we decided to start a bon-fire. But it failed, it only lasted for a little bit which was enough to take some pictures while it was a blaze.

It was so good to catch up with my friend and meet some new people as well, but one week was not nearly enough time (and I made her fall in love with Auckland). But now I am back to my crazy work hours and soon uni will be back on as I only have one week left of holidays.

The Wanted in Auckland

Last Monday (so on the 13/08/12) I was lucky enough to see The Wanted at an exclusive showcase in Auckland. I won a double pass through the radio station ZM and that was the third time I have ever won anything in my life, and what a prize to win!

They were only on for half an hour because they were only here to promote their EP, so it was not a full blown concert, but I am still super excited that I got to! It's not often that you walk up to a showcase with your name on the door. I have been a fan of The Wanted when I heard their single Gold Forever, this was a long time before they were even popular over here in NZ so I was very excited to see them live, and was impressed that they sounded so good live!

Taking my friend from Uni we ventured to a place called Turkish Cafe on K'Rd (as The Wanted were playing at The Studio) and had a kebab. When we got our kebabs they were nothing like we expected and were instead on panini bread. But these kebab's were amazing! I am definitely going back there another day because they were also cheap, and I want to try one of their wood smoked pizzas!

Reunion, of a sorts

 Top to bottom: Best rice ball in Christchurch, my sister all rugged up, a cloudless sky in Christchurch, going for a walk around Hagley Park, spending time with two of my best friends, braces are off, my mum, a book I found at my nana and grandad's, going through a car wash, catching up with friends, glow bands, Mt Hutt, the mountains which I grew up looking at.

I am now back at Uni after my four week break between semester's, and what a busy four weeks! I went down to the South Island for two weeks for the holidays, and it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of Auckland and to enjoy the open space and quiet. I also got to spend time with my friends and family which I was very thankful for and I finally got my braces off which I am very happy about and I can't seem to stop smiling. My first week I spent in Christchurch with my sister and I got to see all of my best friends which is very rare since we have all spread out throughout New Zealand, so it was a very good catchup. The second week I went to my hometown Methven and spent it with my mum and just relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful mountains, even though it was freezing. And then in my last weekend I went to Timaru and seen my Nana and Grandad, and ate too much food as per usual when I visit them. It made me realize how much I do miss them. Moving to a new city where I didn't know anyone has been tough, but I'm happy that I am doing it. I've been through some tough times in my life, but its made me who I am, so I know I can get through with living far away from my comfort zone.

Getting away for a couple of weeks gave me some more determination to keep going and studying what I love and to not give up. It was a trip worth taking!