...life after 35

I’m back kids – sincere apologies for the delay – it’s been a bit of a bumpy ride of late. Here’s what I’ve been witnessing since I last posted….

I had a relationship break up. Horrid, those things and let’s face it, no one really likes rejection. But I’m of the opinion that when one door shuts eventually a better brightly coloured one will open….

While many of my friends gave birth to babies in recent months, I instead had my appendix out. An interesting experience, and full credit to the nurses at Auckland City Hospital.

I’ve seen one of my closest friends go through hell and back fighting her cancer battle. She is an inspiration.

I decided life was for living so quit my regular 9 to 5, and am about to start an exciting new job doing something I’m passionate about.

I undertook a massage course so that I could ‘give back’ to friends and family. From this I have found my niche.

….and I turned 35.

Yep. I didn’t want to make a big deal about getting older – who CARES. I’m still young, I have the world on my plate yada yada yada – but alas who was I kidding, and still found myself having the same ‘guilty’ feelings that I had when I turned 30 (holy crap, I should be married with 2 kids by now, with a good retirement savings plan under way).

When you turn 35 you suddenly realise that you’re rapidly approaching the dreaded Four-O;  and you find yourself ticking a different ‘age bracket’ box, when filling in surveys/competitions/lifestyle polls (that’s a smug slap in the face I tell ya).

But I got a grip and hardened up, as some like to say. So WHAT if I’m still single, so WHAT if I’m nearly 50. I’m fortunate enough to have seen the world over. To have experienced many a lifetime that lots of people could only dream of.  I have the best friends and family a girl could ask for, and whom I adore so much I would marry them if I could (the friends, not the family may I add).

35 is the new 30. A time to kick back and enjoy each day as it comes. This is your life, do what you love. If you don’t like something, change it. If you are looking for the love of your life- stop. They will be waiting for you when you start doing the things you love. Life is short, so live (just get that retirement savings plan under way).

Rock ‘n roll
Auckland Girl

Dance like no one's watching

A few weeks ago I felt a bit overwhelmed with everything so decided to dance like a fool in front of the stereo at home to get rid of some built up steam.

The great escape

So..when was the last time you went to Waiheke Island?

“Ah nah, what’s the big deal with Waiheke” you’re probably thinking. “It’s full of hippies and new age weirdo’s; and the ferry ride is really expensive blah blah blah”. Well my friend let me tell you something. Firstly, stop talking to yourself, and secondly, consider just how much Waiheke has to offer!

For me recently winter had been a long, cruel, cold son of a you-know-what, so a spring escape was calling me, like a nagging house wife moaning at her husband to do the washing up. Cue Waiheke – somewhere where I hadn’t been for over 8 years and made for a perfect getaway.

Once on board the ferry I felt like I was running away from the madness of work, bills and familiar ground-hog-day routines. An adventure if you like, to a mini paradise within Auckland.

Because Waiheke is an island you’re pretty screwed without transport. We decided to take it as it came, so that we could enjoy a bit of booze without worrying about driving. There’s a bus you can catch from the ferry terminal (you need a bit of patience cos like ‘Fiji Time’ the bus service is laid-back and comes along pretty much whenever it feels like it). There are car hire options of course, and a not-so-bad taxi service too.

I was looking forward to wine tasting at one of the many beautiful vineyards located on Waiheke. Casita-Miro was my favourite, with its romantic French/Italian charm. Just gorgeous. Amazing views. Friendly staff. I could go on. The dinner at Mudbrick Vineyard was lovely too and after 8 years since my last visit there, I can confirm that nothing has changed and it’s still as perfect as usual.

So my suggestion Aucklanders: If you’re fed up with the weather and wanna get away without the involvement of a long drawn-out road kiwi road trip (which are indeed awesome but are often full of traffic jams and those annoying little toilet stops in the bush) –  pack your nearest and dearest and a happy attitude and take yourself over to Waiheke.

I had a ball. You won’t regret it.

Here’s to summer
Auckland Girl

Rain. Yawn

I don’t know about you, but I am officially over this Auckland rain. Fact.

We all know that there’s nothing we can do about it, but it’s the topic of much conversation lately – everyone putting in their 10 cents worth: “Can we get any more rain people?!”…..”Oh Melva look: it’s raining again, what a surprise!”…..”Jaysus wept Shane, I wish it would stop blimmin-well raining”.

All this rain is causing much depression, bringing everyone down with its selfish downpour, and it’s enough to make ya wanna pull the curtains and stay in your pyjamas all day long, cursing those smart enough to book a holiday to Fiji.

The only thing getting me through at the moment is that fact that Spring arrives this week. I’m tolerating the constant rain with thoughts of ‘up ya bum, it’s gonna be Summer soon’ and I’m choosing to ignore those who mention that it rains a lot in Auckland during Spring.

Ah yes Spring. I reckon it’s my favourite season of the year. The ‘Yuss Winter is finally over’ season. Where sunshine slowly begins to open its doors, flirting with the idea of a long hot Summer. I can’t wait.

I confess that I’m a natural born romantic and while kissing in the rain is a fun thing to do, Spring loving is another reason for shouting to the roof-tops: ‘Hello Spring, come on in. I thought you’d got lost’. Couples everywhere emerge from being snuggled up on their couch all Winter long, and openly walk hand in hand down the street, arms wrapped around each other, a joyful smugness about them, like kids high on sugar.

Yes, I for one think an escape from Winter is long overdue and I cannot wait to dust off my sunnies and chuck aside the knee-high boots. Bring it on.

Say Hi to your Mum from me
Auckland Girl

Sing like no one is listening

Last week my workmates and I decided it would be choice fun to organise a Japanese dinner and Karaoke evening. A real ‘let your hair down, toss aside the shame and do some bonding’ night.

I was looking forward to the Karaoke sing along. I’m quite a shy person, but have no shame when a bit of liquor hits my veins, and I was looking forward to busting out the 80s rock classics. Giddy up!

We headed out to Genji in Ponsonby Road, who offer a ‘semi-private room’ and set menu for large groups. What’s funny is that the room isn’t really semi-private – people parking out the back, or picking up their takeaway order walk through the room to get to the main restaurant. Fortunately we all found it quite amusing and sort of went along with the ‘sing like no one is listening’ theory.

What was even more amusing was the video action which sat on the TV screen from which we read/sang our lyrics. Instead of seeing the video clip for the matching song we were singing (or a fake music clip of some kind), we saw strange late 90s images of people on their summer holiday somewhere in Europe. Lying on beach chairs and pulling their lime green togs out of their bum – unaware that they were being filmed and shown on international Karaoke machines. Hil-ar-i-ous!

It was a pretty fun night singing along to the likes of Bon Jovi and Guns ‘n Roses. Naturally I just couldn’t help myself and sang ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ too. It would be rude not to really.

Have yourself a rad weekend
Auckland Girl

Shapeshifter

I’ve been meaning to tell you about my brilliant night out when I saw Shapeshifter live at The Powerstation. Shapeshifter are my current favourite band, I never tire of their music, so seeing them live on stage was enough to cause as much excitement as a 4 year old seeing The Wiggles Live in Concert…..yep, I could’a peed my pants.

Speaking of kids, the concert was – as the kids say these days – MEAN! And I’m talking awesome, cool, wicked – phat even. The Powerstation has recently been refurbished and as we stood upstairs centre stage it almost felt as if they were Shifting Shapes directly to us. I danced like a prime fool but loved every minute of it.

We then headed into town for a few drinks and further dancing.

Namely Chapel and Whiskey Bar on Ponsonby Road, a favourite haunt for girls nights out.

My beautiful friend was busy chatting up a fella so I chose to dance with his mate mostly because I felt sorry for him as he was getting down with his bad self all on his own. Just platonic like, you understand – I’m a nice girl I am

A great night followed by the mantatory 3am crap-but-brilliant-tasting-cos-bit pissed-burger-and chips from the open all night chippy. Solid gold

Hope all’s good in your hood
Auckland Girl

Cocktail hour

My lovely friends and I are planning a few cocktails this Friday night. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on gossip and to have a bit of a rant – so in honour of this exciting occasion I thought I’d highlight my top favourite cocktails. Woot!

1. Pina Colada

Now that’s what I’m talking about. The creamy pineapple tang mixed with the strong Bacardi and Malibu combination reminds me of long hot summer fun. One of my favourite songs too.


2. Cosmopolitan

The Sex and The City series made this drink a popular number, and it’s still a favourite of mine. Plus all that cranberry juice must be doing something good for your kidneys, right?


3. Feijoa Moscow Mule

I’m not a fan of the feijoa fruit but mix together a blend of Feijoa Vodka, ginger beer, lime and brown sugar and your taste buds will say ‘hello sailor!’ (or ‘Goodnight Nurse’ depending on the situation).


4. Bellini

Classic and chic, a Bellini – Champagne with a dash of peach schnapps – is a simple cocktail which tastes like a million bucks.


5. Margarita

A few people can’t stomach tequila after a few too many nights of innocent fun in their early 20′s, but who doesn’t like a good margarita? The sudden wake up you receive from the bitter salted edge and sour lime taste is also incredibly refreshing – and of course it’s great with corn chips.


What are your favourite cocktails?
Auckland Girl

3D movie

Decided to take it easy last weekend. To step away from recent late night boozing; and to enjoy a bite to eat and a session at the movies.

I love going to the movies, or ‘ to the cinema’ as my mates in the UK like to call it. I used to work for a large home video rental chain whereby movie watching literally became part of my daily routine,  so I became quite the film know-it-all-nerd. That was some years ago however and nowadays seeing a movie is a real treat.

I find it really comforting to sit in a dark room, slouch in the chair, put my feet up and get cosy with the ice cream and/or lollies. It’s the chance to switch off for 2.5 hours and escape to the scenario of the film.

We saw Avatar in 3D at the IMAX theatre (those glasses you wear are hilarious).  Not entirely convinced by the whole concept of 3D … felt a bit queasy and developed a nasty headache over 1 eye (hmmm perhaps it was the early symptoms of the head cold I have just picked up).

It seems everything is becoming 3D these days from Avatar to Alice in Wonderland, to the Michael Jackson’s Grammy Awards tribute. Apparently there is even a film producer who is creating the concept of 3D porn as well (insert joke of 3D double D’s)…

Right, I’d better get some sleep and knock this cold on its head so that I’m better in time for the weekend. Yeah!

Until next time
Auckland Girl