Have you ever noticed?

Have you noticed around New Years time, a lot of people will make a list of things that they WONT do anymore?

Ridiculous notions, such as giving up the glorious temptation of chocolate.

Seriously.....why do that?

*eyes up pantry*

I have several to do lists...YUP.....I AM totally one of those painful people who forever wants to try something new!

Recent events have certainly given me a bit of a shake up (pardon the pun) there really are so many things that I have yet to try.

Last year before my 30th, I had made mention of wanting to try a bungee jump,despite having a paralyzing fear of heights!

One of my dear friends bought me the ticket, although not entirely ruled by superstition, the 3 dozen white roses that accompanied it did make me hold off a little.

A short time later, the business operating the jump was shut down due to mishap.

So while my to do right now might not be very daring and adventurous, there really are some personal projects I need to finish up!

For many years I have wanted dreads put in, the synthetic kind.

So this is first up on the list.....I have a good friend in Palmerston North putting these in for me in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to see what it looks like, let's just hope I don't look like a right conk.

I really have put this off for too long, and you know what, I really can't think of a decent reason why!



(Picture courtesy of Amy Layzell, photo taken by Umbra Digital)

Frustration Mounts

Something that I'm finding really difficult to deal with right now is the rubbernecking gloating people.

I can understand and appreciate that NZ is not a large country, and that with 2 degrees of separation we are all connected in some way.

Do people really have to prove their levels of testosterone by fabricating stories of heroism? Or grieving and sorrow?

My house is uninhabitable status updates on facebook for instance, one day before posting photos cooking in the kitchen of the house.

As a city we are all hurting, more often than not for the sheer enormity of the situation, for other peoples hurting and pain. Because in large a lot of us feel helpless. We can not promise our loved ones or neighbours that everything will be okay, when the future for us and the inevitability of another natural disaster that compares is so uncertain.

Tens of thousands of people left Christchurch last week, for fear of what mother nature will do next, some with no home left to speak of, losing loved ones and feeling as though faith in our city was a waste of time. I really feel for these people.

I have a whole different kind of feeling, for those desperate to use the situation to show boat, to be the most worse off, to get praise for false acts of bravery.

Again I do get that we all have different ways of coping, but I just find it utterly disrespectful and hope that eventually these foolish folk grow up at some point, and get honest with themselves, and give the praise and focus to those who deserve and need it.

Not feeling so sublime today....

Everything I've committed to blog to date pales in significance today as I reflect back over the last 8 days.

What has been lost here in Christchurch, the people, the architecture, the City that was.

Most likely too soon to make such a comment, but there is certainly a silver lining in all of this, as communities are driven together, busy parents are on enforced break from work and their day to day hustle and bustle, and regain a little of the day to day bond with their children that is often lacking in our busy society.

People so often taken forgranted now remembered for all their amazing capabilities and giving natures as their bodies are laid to rest. And their families focus on healing their broken hearts.

Good Samaritans giving so selflessly to complete strangers, not for the kudos and recognition, but because it's part of them to look after and nurture those around them.

All races and people walking beside each other, atheists and christians, tall, short, fat, skinny....working together to recover, rebuild and restrengthen our Christchurch.

I've lived in Christchurch for 13 or so years now, and consider this home. I'll be honest, there have certainly been moments in the last week where moving town/country has been in my thoughts. But the reality is I'm not sure I could leave right now, when there is so much to be done, and so many to look after.

I'm proud to have helped on the end of a shovel, at my keyboard and on the phone, and I will continue to do so while I am able to.

My mind is a buzz with thought ... translating this into cohesive sentences is a little tricky it would seem. So I'll sign off for now.

Ali xo