Going back to school means.....

1. Not being able to freely wear jandals every day. I added the word 'freely' there because I may well still try and wear them, until a 'general warning' is given to staff and directed at me. I'm a rebel like that.

2. Having to get up before 10am every day. Ugh! I quite happily push Marty out at 7am saying, 'Get up! You don't want to be late!' and then go back to sleep for a couple more hours at the moment.

3. No more leisurely lunches and shopping trips with the other teacher-folk and no more meeting Marty for lunch in town with the other worker-bees.

4. Having to get used to my own hand-writing again.

5. An onslaught of new names to learn. I'm teaching two Year 9 classes and two Year 12 classes (a year level I have missed teaching each year, so they'll mostly be unknowns too).

6. Ironing.

7. Morning and afternoon traffic.

8. Having to greet everyone at work with chit-chat and small-talk about how the holidays went. I shall try to pre-prepare three varying responses to cover all questions. eg - 'Did you have a good break?' or 'Did you manage to get away?' or 'What did you get up to?'

9. Being the same as everyone else! It's fun getting to gloat and make average corporate types jealous of our job for once, while we have our mammoth holidays.....

10.

Done.

Cass got hitched without a hitch.

Now Ant is trying to quit smoking. So if you see him walking around look miserable and

Bye bye, Miss Savage!

One more sleep.......

The social event of the season is toooomooooorrrrooooow!

Exciting!

Went to the rehearsal yesterday. I figure all I have to do is watch what Laura does (she's the middle bridesmaid and I'm the last one). I get to be escourted around by Scott. That's a good deal. He's the tallest.

Me and Scott (mainly me) whispered a lot during the boring bits of the rehearsal, where we weren't involved. I told him about how we did a gospel version of one of the readings .... and it was great. I double-dog-dare Laura to do that reading tomorrow - and I promise I will join in with, 'You tell 'em, sister! Love is king!'

Today we have to get our nails done and finish all the party savours for the reception, possibly setting up the reception too. Busy busy busy! And hence I am up at an UNGODLY hour (for a holiday day).

While I wait to wash my hair dye out, I shall blog.

Just realised another reason why we've never had a girl in the sleepout before...... girls have waaaaay too much crap! Our already cluttered flat now has even more stuff. And I think Reidun will keep having small hernias until it is all put away in a more organised manner.........

On the plus-side, we have had no rats or mice this summer!

* * *

Marty's gig.

The comment was made that Marty looked Jack Johnson-esque (must've been the jandals). To me, this is high praise!

* * *

Two days until Cassie's wedding! I intended doing a rather thorough bridesmaid diet.... but plans have failed. Food is too good. Exercise is too hard. I actually managed to lose some weight last week.... only to put it all back on (chippies are good!).

And thus my stomach will protrude a little. I like to think that my imperfections will only bring more attention and adulation to the blushing bride..... and thus I can justify not looking more fantasmic :) It is a generous thing on my part, really.

I think Cassie will look gorgeous. She is healthy and has the longest hair she's had the whole time I've known her. Very girly! And she will glow (literally) with all her sparkles and glitter.

I'm sure I intended doing much more other stuff in preparation for her wedding.... January goes by way too fast! Morgan is right.

* * *

Basketball starts up again tonight. Always takes a while to readjust to shooting a heavier ball than in netball. And it makes me puff. A lot.

* * *

Oh.... and school starts back soon. Ugh! Work! Getting up early! Only good thing is that Julie is back at East.

I told her to apply for a job that came up at the end of last year (after she had worked at St Mary's for a year) and she did..... and then I heard no more. So I assumed that she hadn't got the job (or else surely she'd have sent me the 'Got it!' text.... or something...). This surprised me greatly, as our HOD has nothing but high praise for her from her last stint at East.....

Turns out Julie is just a slacker and assumed I knew somehow. So, yay! Always good having a friend on staff. Julie is super-easy to work with. And we find the same people annoying, so can share the odd raised eyebrow during staff meetings.

Oh yeah, and the accountant at school thinks last year's magazine was the best one he's seen at East. High praise! He liked the way the kids wrote the articles - more in their own voices, rather than formulaic..... I was just surprised that anyone actually read the articles. And I think we've finally found a printer who's easy to work with and reliable and reasonably cheap. So that's one less stress for this year's project.

* * *

Marty and I are finally at the same place in our Gilmore Girls watching patterns. Both up to Series 7. The final series. I have read bad reviews of it, as the original creator left the series that year.

* * *

I love jandals.

* * *

The Week in Three Oopsies

I just reread my previous entry. The last line was something about going off to wax my legs. The above picture is the result of....

Ooopsie #1

I heated up the wax in the microwave. It was still a bit thick. So I heated it some more. Now it was too liquid and piping hot - too hot to use. So I gingerly carried it up to my room .... and tripped on the stairs somehow. Hot wax sloshed out of the container and onto my hand. At this point I probably screamed out an expletive. More wax was spilled as I waved my arm around in pain. This wax only went on the carpet.

I ran up to my room and used my trusty water bottle to douse the pain. More expletives were uttered. I wiped away the wax with a towel.....

Only to look down and see that I'd also wiped away the skin off my thumb. Owww, I thought. I debated the merits of cutting it off or pulling it back over the raw bit. I went for the latter option.

I have since realised there are many things it is awkward to do with a big gauze plaster on your thumb. Things such as applying sunscreen to the back of the opposite leg.

Oopsie #2

It was Cassie's hens night on Saturday. Many photos are on facebook.

I had the huge responsibility of having to find a restaurant for us. I duly booked Grand Century for 7pm. I figured you can't go wrong with BYO and a lazy susan......

So me, Ange and Lauren turn up at 6.50 and are seated in the window. We amuse ourselves for a while by perving at the boys walking past (some of whom Ange knew, by chance) and drinking our wine. By 7.30 we started saying, 'Bloody hell - where are the others???? Slackers....'

By 7.45 I got a phone call from Cassie. I answered with, 'Where are you???' to which she replied, cryptically, 'Where are YOU?' We then went on to echo each others responses with, 'At the restaurant....'

Now, we had been sitting by the door the whole time. No way could they have snuck in without us seeing.

Turns out they were at the OTHER Asian restaurant on Tory St, Eastern Sunrise. They too had opened wine and were sitting there cursing US for being late. They thought, 'Typcial Kate!' - which greatly offends me! Besides which, I was arriving with Ange, which means you will inevitably be early.

So they had to sheepishly offer to pay corkage and slink out of their restaurant (after spilling wine on the table) in front of a Chinese clan reunion of about 200 people.

Good times!

Oopsie #3

Yesterday was a nice sunny Sunday afternoon. Marty and I fancied an outing to Day's Bay. He suggested going on a wee bush walk. I couldn't be bothered wearing sneakers (having gotten blisters recently) so said sure, as long as I can wear me jandals.

So off we went, in our jandals. Note that I was slightly hung over and had neglected to properly rehydrating - figuring I would have an icecream later on.

First of all we went the wrong way, to the Duck Pond. It was a short walk. Rather trecherous and cliffy. We came to a dead end and decided to take one of the side-paths which went up-up-up and had been etched into the cliff by some child's hands and feet. I took off me jandals and put them on my arms. Up I climbed on all fours. I was very impressed with my balance and agility.

We then found this path went nowhere in particular. And we would then have to climb down one of these trecherous mountain paths, like mountain-goats would. I had just watched the documentary Out of the Void, so I felt like one of those adverturer guys, knowing that one wrong step could cost me big time. Got down ok.

Walked past some kids getting stoned and heard the mutter of ... 'works at East....' After a quick glance I couldn't recognise any of them. Walked onwards.

This time we took the correct path. It was a 45 minute walk up to Ridgeway Lookout, or something. It started off nicely enough. We sighed and said, 'This is more like it!' A canopy of native trees, a trickling stream. A few little upward slopes, but that's ok.

Then the path changed and became very steep. I figured it was a brief climb..... so up we went in our jandals. I was getting thirsty by now. The water in the stream looked tempting. Marty drank some to show me it wasn't poisonous, but I still didn't trust it.....

We climbed up for a while. Then every corner we came to was another climb. Then some steep steps. We realised at this point that maybe jandals were inappropriate footwear. I had visions of us breaking our ankles and being air-lifted out like hapless English tourists. A few people passed us going down. They were dressed in tramping shoes and had day packs.

Marty had a hat on. That was our only piece of useful equipment.

But neither of us being quitters, we kept going up. At this point I had to have a wee stop or two. Too puffed.

Then some people coming down told us there was another four hours to go..... or there was a nice seat with a view about five minutes up the path.

We opted for the seat with a view. That seemed doable. Though, we realised that five minutes tramper-time was probably more like 20 minutes layman-time. We kept on trekking.

We are proud to say that we did overtake four people at this point.*

And finally, sweating and dehydrated and squinting in the sun...... we emerged at the seat. It was a lovely seat. I had, for a good ten minutes, begun to think it was a mythical seat that didn't really exist.... as Marty kept thinking he'd caught sight of it further up the path, only to be wrong.

Indeed, it was a lovely view. We wished we had brought a camera (not to mention water and a pair of good shoes). It made us realise we had walked up a long long way, for an afternoon stroll.

And down we went. Going down in jandals is actually more trecherous than going up. There were a few close calls. Towards the bottom, where the path flattens out again, we passed a few people coming towards us in jandals. We tut-tutted and gave each other a knowing look. Fools!

And that's how you do it Naenae-styles.

* Two children, a mother and grandmother.

January.

January is shopping time. Many teachers have the same attitude. You look for excuses to get out of the house, after all your other friends are well and truly entrenched back at work.... and shopping is the most appealing one.

Yesterday I went with Cassie (fellow teacher) to the mall in the Hutt. Our primary goal was to get makeup for her wedding. She bought a sample of everything that had 'bling' or 'glitter' or 'shine' in it. She is going to be well and truly blinged out. I got my makeup done at a counter by a professional lady and proved to Cassie my theory that I look horrible in bright pink lipstick. It makes my eyes look ridiculously green and freakish. The more plum-toned lipstick was an improvement, but still dark enough to be a shock to the system. I'm more of a lipgloss girl.

I managed to bag a bargain to finish off Cassie's wedding present from a group of us. She was admiring something in a 50% off sale section..... and it happened to be worth the EXACT amount I had left in the budget. And it also happened to be a brand that I adore and own myself........ So I said to her, 'Cass - even though that's more for you than Ant, would you like that to be the final piece of our present?' and she said 'Yes!' instantly, dismissing the fact that it, in theory, should be something they both can use. She pointed out that most of the engagement presents were kitchen-oriented, which is more Ant's domain.

Then for meeeee...... three new tops. All on sale, I'll add. One from Cue that will make me look mega-classy at work. Cue is the best place for work clothes. Very chic. And it has the best sales (never buy anything full price there - much like Briscoes and Rebel Sports). Then two tops from Kimberley's. Cassie talked me into the 'slimming sexy one' which will do for her hen's party. It shows a tasteful amount of cleavage. And another one is my favourite new silhouette - the long baggy tshirt with elastic at the bottom. So comfy!

Food and culture (and Jon)

Damon hosted a BBQ that was primarily set up for people who went up to Hokio Beach (Levin) to use up left over sausages and beer. Damon cooked stuff on the BBQ. Because we are grownups, there were even lots of veges.

I just like this photo.

Mary, Dylan and Dave gate-crashed the BBQ (but were most welcome). Dave made a date with Fish to take her for a ride on his motorbike (she may report on that herself at some stage, but they ended up having a lovely time and riding all the way to Otaki to stop for icecreams).

Much fun was made of my 'face' (my blog doesn't have rude words).

* * *

We have been to two Summer Festival concerts. The first one was Don McGlashin in Civic Square. Unfortunately, the group opening for him firstly came on quite late and secondly played a very long set full of music that (as Dave put it) would be more interesting if you'd just smoked a big doobie. So we all piked before Don even got on stage and went down to the St John's bar and had chips and gravy and Tiger beers. That was perfect - out in the sun.

Tonight we went to The Warratahs in the Botanical Gardens. That was also lovely.

There are plans afoot to go in a group to the Irish group playing at the gardens on Tuesday night - and even be organised to enough to bring snacks this time. Should be a good night.

* * *

Ange and I went for a long walk today. It was my first anything-near-exercise all holidays. I am glad netball starts up again tomorrow! My belly needs shrinking post-eating-season.

* * *

Not long til Cassie's wedding! I have to be delegated some bridesmaid tasks for the hen's party, buy new shoes to go with dress and lose belly. I saw Cass in her dress. Awww! She's starting to feel like a princess. I think Ant'll be a happy man :)

* * *

Am currently watching Season 5 of Scrubs.

* * *

Avocados are cheap and good this time of year!

* * *

Shot, Morgan. Dave told me. Well, he had this vague conversation with me where he asked if I'd talked to you recently .... then suggested I called. I was perplexed and asked questions like, 'Why? Have I offended him? I didn't reply to his new year's invite.... but I often don't reply to texts..... surely he's not pissed off......... ' And eventually Dave hinted unsubtly enough that I guessed. So, shot!

Dave felt very odd being the one to tell me a good friend is engaged. He is well and truly in 'the loop' now. He's getting the inside word even before me.

New Year's Eve

Me and Ange share the same attitude to New Year's Eve. We both don't care too much about it. I hate the pressure of the chit-chat that starts, 'So - what're your New Year's plans?' or 'So, what'd you do for New Year's?'. Ok - so I hate most chit-chat.

Anyhow.... we had a BBQ round at her and Marty's flat. It was good. We are all (mostly) well over going into town and standing in queues and paying ridiculous amounts of money and feeling old and making jokes about girls in pulling-outfits (ok - that bit's still fun).

The food was good. Marty almost made potato salad (Ange ended up doing it, as predicted). Ange made fritata and brownies. The brownies were good. Especially heated up. We had several for breakfast the next day. Ant brought his special recipe meat patties (with sun dried tomatoes and other yummy things in them). Marty claimed his rightful spot at the BBQ and cooked everything to satisfaction (with some 'helpful' advice from the onlooking men).

There were games. We played Buzz. I like Buzz! I was unfairly targeted in the pie-throwing and points-stealing rounds, I feel. Cassie was consistently good. As she said, that was the form she should have shown on the TV quiz shows we went on...... If only!

Sing Star was also fun. Me and Cass belted out some rock hits (being better suited to yelling songs than ballads or 'skill-songs') while Dylan and Marty actually sang properly. Dave looked for someone he could beat... and found Ant. Ange did not partake.

And..... there was much posed photo taking by me, Ange and Cass. We love it! And we got some very flattering ones (once the others were filtered out).

Perfect.

At 4am, after the Andrews Family departed, me and Marty did a quick tidy-up of food, rubbish and drinks. The only real carnage was a few spilled drinks (and a lovely wine-like aroma that filled the lounge the next day) and a near-fight (drama!).

And so it is 2008.

I like January. It's when the 'real' holiday starts. December is for rushing around buying presents and seeing family. Late December is for catching up with friends and having BBQs and feeling bloated from over-eating. January is where you finally get to take a breath and have a bit of Me-Time. If you're a teacher, that is. Other people may be heading back to work now. Sucks to be them!

* * *

Ten Things I have Been Doing

1. Yesterday I started looming a scarf. Get in early, I say. This scarf will be ready BEFORE the end of winter. Ange helped me. She is busy crocheting another blanket.

2. I read books. Most have been blogged about already, but Marty also suggested I read the autobiography of Mankind (the wrestler). It's not bad, 30 pages in. I have been 'thoughtfully' included in so many wrestling events of late that I even had a wrestling dream the other night. I have suspicians that Marty whispers things about wrestling in my ear at night while I'm drifting away, trying to convert me subliminally.

3. I went to the Irish Society on Cambridge Tce. A friend of Marty's was having some drinks there (he is the president of the Wellington Celtic Rangers Supporters' Club). It was fun. Cheap drinks, free pool, sing-a-longs, nice folk.

4. Key Lime Pie at Sweet Mother's Kitchen. Enough said.

5. Drinking beer with summery names.

6. BBQing with Kirsten and Richard. That Bastard. He got the winning answer for the boys' team at Trivial Pursuits.

7. Watching DVDs. Kyle, the new flatmate, thoughtfully brought back a whole stack of them he borrowed off his brother. Prozac Nation was good, as was The Best Thief in the World.

8. Getting a little sunburnt. Usually the right side of my body. Most recently both my knees.

9. Wearing jandals. Everywhere.

10. Cursing the crap air flow in my car.

I will blog more.

Resolution #1 (renewed from last year's list, and year previous to that)

Eat Less Crap

Progress report: Not doing well. Ate Honey Mustard Grainwaves and chocolate biscuits in bed at 1am last night.

* * *

Going to a free concert tonight at Civic Square - Don McGlashen. Sam is also going. Maybe I should have resolved to see more free cultured stuff. I'm doing ok in that front!

* * *

Have seen 'The Kite Runner' and 'The Darjeeling Express'. Both good. Glad some nice movies came out for my holidays.

* * *

Must go now - hair dye will start burning my scalp soon.