Well....

In case you have missed me (and I KNOW you have) here I am!

So what have I been up to? Well apart from being RIDICULOUSLY excited about the Olympics and how well New Zealand is doing have been wasting an incredible amount of time playing Pack Rat - in case you are wondering about it, it is basically a trading game on Facebook - the aim basically is to complete certain sets and I have managed to complete lots - anyways you can see my brag book here. Um what else? Doing sound for latest show at the Dolphin so have been getting up close and personal with Dvorak and working and playing Pack Rat and watching the Olympics!

Ian has been working like a crazy man with ridiculous hours but still it is constant work and some of the people he gets to drive around and escort is astounding - shouldn't really say TOO much in the interests of national security (hee hee) but suffice to say have been some pretty important political figures and the like.

Anyways that's about it - sorry not much to report, but tend to become a bit of a Nana over winter, but have parties to go to this weekend (fondue anyone) and lots of other stuff coming up, so will probably look back at this peaceful time with fond memories LOL.

Luffs and huggles to you all....

Let's Bring It Home

Well this weekend is a HUGE Weekend for New Zealand Sport (mind you virtually all weekends are huge weekends for New Zealand sport) :o)

This is a biggie with the Netball Finals tonight, the Warriors also tonight, and tomorrow night the first Test of the Tri-Nations for the All Blacks against South Africa and then the BIGGIE - Team New Zealand vs Alinghi in the first match race for the AMERICA'S CUP!

The whole of New Zealand (all 4 million of us) are right behind you and so so very proud - so lets BRING IT HOME!!!

Reasons I LOVE New Zealand

Well seeing as though today is WAITANGI DAY in New Zealand I thought I would note some of things I adore about this country.

The fact that for such a small country we conquer in such diverse fields as Science (Earnest Rutherford), Mountain Climbing (Ed Hillary - First Man to conquer Everset), Film Making (Peter Jackson is a God!), Acting (Russell Crowe, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Anna Paquin, Karl Urban to name a few), Sport (too numerous to mention - but think The World Cup - Rugby, The America's Cup, The Tri Nations, The Bledisloe Cup), Music (Crowded House, Dave Dobbyn, Split Enz, Golden Horse and of course the inimitable Kiri Te Kanawa).

The All Blacks - when they open a match with the Haka you cannot help but get goosebumps!! and of course the fact that Dan Carter, Doug Howlett, Byron Kelleher and Richie McCaw wear those tight shirts doesn't hurt!

That most of the major posts in this country are held by Women.

That I went to school with Lucy Lawless (Xena - Warrior Princess) and snogged Russell Crowe when I was about 17 as he was the DJ at a dance I went to (and he was VERY cute back then!)

That we respect our "fallen" and celebrate ANZAC Day every year wtih Dawn Parades and Marches throughout every small city in Aotearoa.

Our great Kiwi mentality of "she'll be right" and the fact that we can fix anything with a piece of 4 x 2, gaffer tape and a bit of Number 8 wire (well apparently have never tried it myself :o)).

That we are the "melting pot" of the South Pacific with the highest population of Pacific Islanders anywhere in the world. This diversity shows in our music, culture and incredible food.

Speaking of food - think Pavlova (despite that the Aussies have tried to steal it), Roast Lamb, Lamingtons, Chips and Dip, Parties where you still "bring a plate", Barbeques in summer with sausages on the grill and beer and wine in abundance.

That wherever you go in the world you will find the friendliest people are always the "Kiwis".

Because of our location at the bottom of the world we get the very best in TV, Movies, Music and therefore expect that perfection is the only thing to aim for.

That we are free to practice whatever religion, thought, sexuality or belief with (relatively) no fear of persecution.

That you can literally pop over to your neighbours for a cup of sugar and not be worried about getting abused or even worse shot at!

That when horrid things happen like a murder it actually makes the front pages as it is still (thankfully) something or a rarity.

That no matter how far you have travelled throughout this wonderful world of ours there truly is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!