Ode to Mum and Dad

Recently, during a quick stint back home during my uni holidays I came across some rather 80's looking photos of my parentals back in their hay day.

Unbeknown to Mum, I flogged them to take back down to Dunedin and display them on the rather bare walls of my bedroom in my new flat.

I have to say they are a pretty cute 80's couple!

This zipped number must have been Dad's favourite top at the time, even if it does clash!

Seedy eyes much?

Too cool for school with a ciggie and pinstripe jeans.

Rocking the mullet and denim overalls next to the little red mini.

My uncle and his flatmate, dad and mum: pointing to mum's belly
when they found out she was preggers with me.
Thinking mum has a baby face? She was the tender age of 19...

I have loved having young parents that are easy to relate to,
they were totally unselfish at their young ages raising me and my
younger brother. Can't believe that I would have a 1yr old
and a 4yr old if I was Mum right now!

Mum's 21st birthday - in between having me and my brother.
She looks a heck of a lot more mature than I did at 21...

Mum and Dad, I have to say I have so much respect for you!! You're both awesome, I couldn't have been born into a better family.

Love you xxx

The summer that is

Summer... sigh. Its the best. Its the time of year when your worries melt into the sun and your thoughts emerge into reality. Having triumphed the wintery blasts of Melbourne the sun has revitalized my mind and soul.

Finally, after saving a small pocket full of change from the call centre job I skipped back to New Zealand mid december.

Monique and I road tripped it from Tauranga down to the South Island in her beloved Sunny....

Lake Tekapo (the bluest lake ever)

Mount Cook...

Make shift beds on the floor of the ferry crossing...

Swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura at dawn...

Destination: Wanaka

...to see more visit my other half:

http://www.moniquehemmingson.blogspot.com/

Wanaka is where the heart is... my gorgeous aunty and uncle have re-located from the north to the south and nestled in the sweetest little town. Buzzing in winter with snowboarders and skiiers wanting to conquer the mountain slopes which surround the village, in summer Wanaka's lake sparkles from the diamond sun-rays.

I adored having Christmas with my family here.

My brother and I

Festive feast

Hastily driving back up to the north for New Years in the Coromandel, I arrived just in time to be re-united with friends. Apart from physically missing the countdown due to undisclosed reasons, the Coromandel lived up to its usual high summer living standards.

New years at Coro Gold festival

Beaching it at Otama Bay with friends

After working for the first half of January at Scoops (an ice creamery & pizzeria), attending Big Day Out and having a relaxing last weekend with the girls going out for dinner, hanging at the Purangi Winery and chilling at the beach my time in NZ was coming to an end.

My voyage back to Melbourne with my fine friends Matt & Sam...

Holding my breath for the next adventure in my life... xx