19/11/2009
12/09/2009
Yes I’m still here!!!
Nearly two whole years on … still in Kiwiland 
still earning a living at the chalkface 
though at times its not the place I want to be … I’m not sure if its the different system or the kids attitudes (and that of some of the parents) but its even more thankless at times than it was in the UK … 
Discovered other things to do on t’nternet 
like pathwords and scramble and superpoking 
but I’m sure I can get back into the swing of things blogwise … where else is my Pulitzer/Orange/Booker prize winning novel going to come from?
Am awaiting arrival of first ‘official’ visitors from UK – my baby sis and her fella 
– have planned a few things to do whilst they are here …
ciao for now 
14/06/2008
Back in the saddle!!!!
Back to work tomorrow 
5 weeks ahead of schedule!!!!!!!!!!!
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26/05/2008
Corner may have been turned …
don’t want to speak too soon – but things are looking a whole lot better!!! 
First I have a car!!! 
A lovely green brum brum – which is timely as…
I have a job!!
I actually had the offer of 2!!! (But had to choose one which was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hard!!! 
because they both are in great schools and offer me new opportunities 
but I start term 3 – which is still a bit of time away …
plenty of time to play hostess to My 
Beloved’s Mum who is coming up for a visit 
which I’m really looking forward to.
And my visa has been extended without ANY fuss – in a record time of 2 weeks – (well compared to last year’s 6 month effort!!!) and I have my passport back in my hot little hand … 
Sadly my creative writing class was cancelled 
– only 2 of us enrolled – so that’s a bit disappointing …
But I still have the reading group to look forward to … the book for this month is Dry by Augusten Burroughs -his memoirs of being in rehab and recovery from alcoholism – not a preachy dull book but funny and sad and thought provoking – I know when I’m ‘in’ to a book cos I read it in the ‘voice’ of someone I know – and both books I’ve read by this author (I also read Magical Thinking a book of short autobiographical ’stories’ – which I thought was funnier!!) were read in the voice of someone I knew from way back who had alsorts of delusions of grandeur even at a young age!!! And who I could imagine going down a similar life path to Augusten as an adult … 
Went to see the new Indiana Jones – great way to spend a Sunday afternoon – but was made extra special cos we had a ‘Gold Class Experience’ 
The seats reclined, and had foot rests and were wider than normal … and as we were on the front row it was like being on a sofa in front of the biggest TV you could have in your own lounge … 
I fear I may never be able to go back to just sitting up right at the cinema … 
it was way 
for now
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29/04/2008
6 months down the line …
still here in NZ
it has taken some getting used to all things considered – but one house move (to a non – leaky building!) and a change of job situation later its slowly but surely beginning to click (sighs of relief from My Beloved 
) just have to begin the process to renew permit to stay here 
‘Life IS a rollercoaster ‘ as Ronan Keating sang … 
but am better strapped in than I was …
Renewed my acquaintence with Rotorua at the weekend 
and slept like I haven’t in yonks plus ages … 
Have been taking Italian lessons ‘Molto bene’ and will continue next term along side creative writing 
Have just finished the latest Marian Keyes 
‘This Charming Man’ (had to find a copy of the song to play!!!!) 
Again another phenomenal piece of writing from Ms Keyes who gets right inside my head and emotions to such an extent I grow more and more convinced she follows me around with a note book 
Slightly darker theme than previously but she has a way with words that leaves you feeling empowered (and hugged 
)
might have to re read all her books again (again) to pass the time until the next one …
am joining a book group too – now I’m almost back to normal (whatever that may mean 
) I think its about time I started making the most of it!! 
Might even get back to blogging …. 
for now
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09/01/2008
And so its 2008
My life has never been straight forward – I may give the impression of being all together, confident, one who nothing or no one can get the better of – well thats been well and truly exposed as a sham in 2007.
Just as we were thinking all that could be thrown at us had been My Dad died suddenly on December 17th.
Luckily was able to get flight back to UK almost immediately – and My Beloved came too.
Still too numb and not quite taking it in to deal with it really – added to which we both caught a nasty chesty fluy bug which is still lingering and in the very muggy heat of Auckland doesn’t seem to be shifting too quickly.
We arrived back yesterday (8th) and I thought I was breathing in an oven!
So 2007 the year which promised so much – delivered a bit but also left its mark in lots of not very happy ways for me.
Hope it was better for you – and looking at it as best I can there’s not much more 2008 can do to make me feel worse really – so in the words of D:ream ‘Things can only get better’
Which I hope and pray they do …
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