hello 2011.

Hello and a happy new year to everyone! How is 2011 treating you so far? I am in the last week of my holidays so trying to make the best of it. You know what it's like, frantically cramming all your summer holiday projects into 2 or 3 days because you left it so long. Also slowly retraining yourself to wake up earlier each day. Groan :)

It's new year resolution time! I thought I'd keep my 2011 list simple. I'll probably fail at each but God loves a trier.

Eat better. Less cheeseburgers. I may have already failed at this one, but I can't remember so it doesn't count. 

Exercise more. I am returning to the gym! I haven't officially signed on... but I will. Might need some nagging on this one.

Get into the garden. I grow herbs in our kitchen window and lettuce in pots. There are a few weedy spots though that I need to suss out. This year I will take command of my garden!
 
Spend more time with people I love & appreciate them more. Visit my friends. Play with my nieces and nephew(s). Totally cliche but life is short. And my loved ones are the closest thing to my heart.  

There are some other exciting happenings on the horizon but I'll keep them a surprise for later :)

Image: Jellicoe Park Christmas tree, Onehunga.

plus one.

My birthday came and went earlier this month. A year older, I'm on the verge of the big three-zero, eeek! Will be purposely keeping birthdays hush hush from now. Ha! I'm sure it isn't as devastating as it sounds (apologies to any wonderful thirty year old readers.) I'm kinda succeeding at keeping the wrinkles at bay so I don't I'm doing too badly. No one would believe it. Right?? :)

Anyway on the day itself I worked, something I haven't done for the last 4 or 5 years. But the 8 hours suffered during the day was quickly redeemed with a hilarious night at Tanuki's Cave, which more than made up for it.

A pic from the night (love this sign at the entrance of Aotea Square) and just a few of the beautiful pressies I received. The Karen Walker Wooden Acorn & Leaf pendant was a beautiful replacement for all the other necklaces I lost in our recent burglary. Adore the wooden acorn!

samoa.

As promised, here are some snaps from my recent trip to Samoa. The five days there flew by; our time was spent eating fresh mango and pineapple for breakfast, shopping at the markets, swimming in beautiful tropical waters, sipping from fresh coconuts, relaxing body scrubs and massages and bumpy tour rides. It also included food poisoning but I'm well recovered and food is my friend again! Where to next?