Once I was unintentionally punched in the face at a rock concert.
I never learned to whistle properly.
If I wanted to I could probably quote all of Jurassic Park.
I've been a can can dancer in two different shows.
When I was a teenager I got sick of having curly hair so had it all shaved off.
I've never broken a bone.
If I really like a book I'll usually reread it, sometimes straight away.
I don't own a hair brush.
I was a vegetarian for nearly four years.
When I was little a went through a stage of making everyone call me Arnold.
26 January 2012
24 January 2012
Bicycle Love
I mentioned that one of my goals this year is to finish restoring my retro bicycle. At the moment it's very slow going, I'm getting close to finishing painting the body but need to buy more supplies and I just want to get it done already!
I'm really looking forward to riding around while the weather's still nice, and watching videos like this one (via LA) makes me even more impatient:
This reminds me of all the mornings biking to school with my friend Nicola. It was downhill all the way and we spent most of the time riding along with no hands and singing really loudly.
If I'd known about all these moves it would have been even more fun!
I'm really looking forward to riding around while the weather's still nice, and watching videos like this one (via LA) makes me even more impatient:
This reminds me of all the mornings biking to school with my friend Nicola. It was downhill all the way and we spent most of the time riding along with no hands and singing really loudly.
If I'd known about all these moves it would have been even more fun!
19 January 2012
Visiting Central Christchurch
The other weekend I ventured in to the central city, which was for the first time in almost a year (for obvious reasons...)
It was surreal walking down the quiet streets that used to be full of people, and there were so many gaps from buildings that have been demolished that in some places it was hard to remember what used to be there. Add some more damage from the latest earthquakes, scrawled messages across buildings from Urban Search and Rescue checking for survivors back in February, and most of the areas still fenced off - it was still a bit overwhelming.
The reason I wanted to go back to the city was because of some new developments, mainly the new Restart Project which has brought back some of the original shops and cafes in buildings made out of shipping containers:
I was really impressed! If you want to brave a visit to the shaky city* then definitely check it out.
* I haven't noticed an earthquake so far today though, fingers crossed this lasts for a while longer!
It was surreal walking down the quiet streets that used to be full of people, and there were so many gaps from buildings that have been demolished that in some places it was hard to remember what used to be there. Add some more damage from the latest earthquakes, scrawled messages across buildings from Urban Search and Rescue checking for survivors back in February, and most of the areas still fenced off - it was still a bit overwhelming.
The reason I wanted to go back to the city was because of some new developments, mainly the new Restart Project which has brought back some of the original shops and cafes in buildings made out of shipping containers:
I was really impressed! If you want to brave a visit to the shaky city* then definitely check it out.
* I haven't noticed an earthquake so far today though, fingers crossed this lasts for a while longer!
11 January 2012
Travel Plans: Greek Islands
Last night we booked our flights to the Greek Islands! We're going to fly from London to Mykonos, spend a few days island hopping, then fly into Athens for a couple of days. We'll be travelling with some friends who are living in the UK at the moment and I'm really looking forward to catching up with them.
Now that we're starting to make some plans and spend some money, the trip seems a lot more real and I'm getting excited. We've also booked a flight to Rome, and thinking about a train trip to Belgium as well. I always have to be careful that I don't plan too many countries/cities/activities into our trips, especially with my travel challenge. I think five countries in four weeks sounds pretty good though!
What's the best place you've ever been too? At the moment my favourites are London, Northern France, Berlin and Rarotonga. I have a feeling Greece will make my list too!
Now that we're starting to make some plans and spend some money, the trip seems a lot more real and I'm getting excited. We've also booked a flight to Rome, and thinking about a train trip to Belgium as well. I always have to be careful that I don't plan too many countries/cities/activities into our trips, especially with my travel challenge. I think five countries in four weeks sounds pretty good though!
What's the best place you've ever been too? At the moment my favourites are London, Northern France, Berlin and Rarotonga. I have a feeling Greece will make my list too!
08 January 2012
Progress with the Garden
A couple of months ago our garden was looking like this:
And now, voila!
So far we've harvested peas, lettuce and broccoli. The cauliflower and cabbages aren't far behind, and I'm looking forward to some carrots and corn in a couple of months too.
Apart from enthusiastic pumpkins and flattened onions, everything is going pretty well!
And now, voila!
So far we've harvested peas, lettuce and broccoli. The cauliflower and cabbages aren't far behind, and I'm looking forward to some carrots and corn in a couple of months too.
Apart from enthusiastic pumpkins and flattened onions, everything is going pretty well!