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| christchurch! |
| 09.22.05 (6:06 pm) [edit] |
I picked up my ball dress from the drycleaners, which (before) had an ugly alcohol stain from the ball, then I went and did my NZ Citizen duties which of course was voting! I made an advance vote, since I would be out of my electorate area (seeing I would be in Christchurch on D-Day, 17th Sept) I gave the Greens my party vote, and the electorate vote went to one Labour MP who won that seat. Really disappointed that the Greens just made it over the 5% threshold, but not surprising seeing lots of people would have voted for the Labours seeing they're the people behind getting NZSL to become the 2nd official language of New Zealand.
Going majorly off track here, so back to the story! I went to Daniel's place, and he was out voting as well, caught up with his mother briefly and then when Daniel got back we went shopping for his new shirt. Sonia met us at the mall, and after a serious discussion we decided to not buy a new top, instead using the one that he bought for the uni ball. Armed with alcohol, we headed home, drank...Sonia and I played pool while Daniel made his mouth-watering delicious wontons! Sara, Mez and Victoria arrived about the same time that the shuttle did, so off we went to the airport, with the alcohol :D Daniel H (mister harbies) met us there, and after checking in we went to the bar for yet more alcohol! The flight was pretty uneventful, except for Sonia being drunk at this stage and spilling water all over poor Mez's laps! I'm sure that you all know how airlines are being tight with the food and drinks they serve on domestic flights, so Daniel sneaked his flask of vodka on board, and we swigged some shots of that, hard stuff but it felt great being naughty on the flight!
Time flew and we were in Christchurch already. The 6 of us (sara went off with Darryl in another car) squeezed into a nice Nissan, with the 3 snowboards taking up the middle seat meaning i had to sit on Daniel and Mez was on top of Sonia. We got to our lovely backpacker's, Charlie B's, unloaded all our stuff into our bedrooms then headed for the Holy Grail, Chch's famous sports bar that used to be a movie theatre but now has been converted into a multi-level nightclub/pub with various bars on the different levels, and a monster screen. We had been told the chch deaf people would be there partying, so to our dismay, there was NO ONE there! had a few drinks then headed back to bed.
Friday morning Darryl, Sara, Daniel and I had breakfast together in one of those little streets lined with cafes. Phillip came over and took me and Daniel for drive around Sumner (where van Asch Deaf Education Centre is) and Lyttleton, afterwards we dropped him off back at van Asch for work and we took his car back to the city, had a quick nap before going to the Deaf Society of Canterbury (Deaf Club). It was a great night there, good to see all the ppl again.
On Saturday morning Daniel and I drove for 1hr and 30mins north to Hanmer Springs, where they have a lovely thermal resort. It was sunny (cloudy at some times) and lovely to relax with him in the thermal pools! Back to chch for the Deaf Short Film Festival that evening. It was a grand event with many people dressed up fancily, everyone looked excellent. When you arrived there, you had a photo taken with your partner (if you had one) on the red carpet. Actually I'm kidding, the whole place was carpeted in red, so it wasn't like they put down red carpet specifically for that evening! Bubbles, beer etc were consumed. Rumours had 190 people there at the event, but I feel there was more like 170 people!
The award-winners deserved them, they put in fantastic efforts into their movies in all aspects - camera work, editing, directing, acting and so on. After that, we all headed back to the Holy Grail where we partied til dawn. me and Daniel went to bed at 4:30am and got up at 6:30am as we had to drive back to van Asch to get the car back to Phillip so he could take us to the airport and drop us off. Sonia and Mez were there as well to catch a flight earlier than ours, we had breakfast together and off they flew back to auckland. David McKee came along and his flight was about the same time as ours, so chatted with him and my brother Karl who lives 5 mins from the airport. It was good to see him. Once we got on the plane, collapsed into a deep sleep!
Bloody fantastic weekend!
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| busy busy busy |
| 09.11.05 (11:37 am) [edit] |
The ball was great, Daniel looked good (and I think I looked good as well!:D). I scored lots of free drinks off the bartender that night! Only paid $15 the whole night, pretty proud of that achievement! But I certainly paid for it the next morning - too many different drinks is a recipe for hangovers...
On Saturday drove to Whangarei for my brother's 30th, I dressed up as Tigger as it was a cartoon theme, my parents went as Popeye and Olive Oyl, my brother and his wife were Homer and Marge, and there was a Bart there, as well as a smurf. Plenty of other costumes as well. They had hired a marquee-style tent and inside there was a data projector, hooked up to cable tv, so we could watch the rugby live - Go BLACKS!
Sunday was spent lounging around, went out for dinner with Chris, Claire, her parents and brothers, and my parents. Yummy Japanese food. The rest of week I didn't do much, went back to Auckland on Wednesday, babysat Lily and played soccer that evening, which we won - 8-4.
I had tutorial with a student on Friday, and then went to ADS (Deaf club), stayed the night at Victoria's on the north shore. Saturday did presentation at ADS with Jason about Sweden, for the Youth Night. It was good, then left with Daniel to his friend's 21st, we were pretty much one of the last group of people to leave! I was the sober driver that night (for once!), we went to Hayley's place to watch DVD, only to discover that Daniel had already seen that movie, so went back home, chatted with the boys, then bed.
Have not got much on this week except for more tutorials, meetings. Am flying to christchurch on Thursday night for the Deaf Short film competition, back to Auck on Sunday. We have booked a excellent backpackers, which is a stone's throw from the city and Chch's Deaf Club - it has private double bedrooms, with queen bed that comes with its own sheets for $50 a night! beats the motel we stayed in at Palmerston North - $105 a night!!
til later,
cafs
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| interviewing |
| 08.30.05 (10:12 am) [edit] |
This isn't much of a post, more like a schedule of what I'm up to...
Today I'm on an interview panel, which means I'll be listening to people saying how much they want this particular job, for five fucking hours. And then tomorrow the torture decreases - only for one and half hours.
*sigh* i agreed to this because I thought it would be pretty straightforward, I just give them a score for each question they answer...but I got couried their CV's and had to read through them all, and they're all good. That's why we're interviewing them all.
On Friday I'm doing some filming for the Health Commissioner's website. Then Daniel and I are going to his university ball. I don't know what to expect of it. Should be good though. on Saturday driving up to whangarei, my brother is having his 30th birthday party, and at all his previous parties there have been free booze and fireworks, I hope it'll be the same this time! My sister isn't going because 1) its now close to the due-date (28thth Sept) for bubs #2, and her hubby Glenn is off to watch the rugby (All Blacks versus Wallabies).
Speaking of rugby, to my fellow NZer's - what do you think of the new haka? I thought it was pretty good especially because it talks about the silver fern and the black jersey, what it means to wear one. The way they did the haka is similar to the Deaf Blacks' haka. Especially loved seeing Piri Weepu with eyes bulging, and tongue poking out, making the "KILL" sign (thumb cutting across throat)!
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| update! |
| 08.19.05 (10:03 am) [edit] |
Read back on some old posts, realised I hadn't said anything about what happened with that guy.
Things are going well with us :) the brick wall is coming along nicely. if you want more info, ask me heheh
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| my grandfather's letter |
| 08.15.05 (4:45 pm) [edit] |
Not many of you know, but my Oupa died while I was in Amsterdam. He was 94...pretty good age, and yeah it was natural death, and quite quick I think.
So anyway, my sister gave me a letter recently that she found. I had left it at her place while i stayed there at the end of 2003 while looking for a flat to live in.
"Dear Catherine,
I am determined not to miss your birthday on the 26th (of September) so many happy returns. This will be sent to Denise (my sister) for I am under the impression that you are now with her until you can find a flat which you can share. According to my calculations you will be 18. Time certainly flies for it seems like yesterday that you were a babe in arms and a lovely child. When you have a moment you might let me know what subjects you are taking in your final year at school. And how do you get to school from where you now live. And what are your favourite subjects.
At 18 you are a major in your country, but here (South Africa) the age of major is 21 when one can enter contracts without the help of ones parents. As a young man I inherited two hundred pounds and immediately traded in my car for a new one. I asked my mother whether she was not disappointed that I had not rather save it. She replied 'My boy you are only young once, so enjoy it as long as you do not hurt someone'. George Bernard Shaw the English author once said 'It is a pity that youth is so often wasted on youth.' Judging by your exploits this certainly does apply to you. Uncle Hennie (his brother) maintained that life was to be enjoyed. So Catherine, take your pick and be a joy to others.
Now the World Cup Rugby is to be played in Australia and I take it the All Blacks will again win but we hope to give them a run for their money.
Once again my love and many happy returns. I do hope that what I have typed makes sense.
Oupa, 9/9/2003"
I cried after I read that letter. What he said is so true. And I intend to live by his words.
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| groovy weekend! |
| 08.14.05 (12:54 pm) [edit] |
Back from Wanganui. After 1100km's in two days, we went to: Wanganui (to watch the game) Bunnythorpe (for drinking), Palmerston North (for even more drinking and sleep), and New Plymouth (for fun!).
You can look at this map to see our route: http://img.photobucket.com/al...
We drove from Auckland, down thru Cambridge (near Morrinsville) to avoid Hamilton. Then we swang around and went thru Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, and Te Kuiti on Highway 3. Then we went onto highway 4 down to Wanganui. After the rugby, drove thru Bulls and Feilding to Bunnythorpe (which is too small to be on the map - only has a rugby club, dairy shop, 2 pubs). Then down to Palmerston North for the night. on Sunday we drove back to Wanganui, then Hawera (on Highway 3) then up to New Plymouth. Then all the way up 3, and thru Ngaruawahia to avoid Hamilton again then Auckland!
Unfortunately australia beat NZ, 22-10 BUT the all blacks won the bledisloe cup yeaaaaaa 30-13!!! Woohoo.
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| caf's back! |
| 08.09.05 (12:15 pm) [edit] |
hey!
didn't realise I was neglecting my poor blog! So here I am, bringing it back to life.
I had a great time overseas! the wfd jr camp in sweden was excellent, with 145 people involved (105 participants to be exact) from 27 countries. the NZ group was the most furthest-travelled! as the other countries were pretty much all from europe, like Denmark, Finland, Norway, England, Germany, France, Ireland etc.
It was really great to see 6 developing countries take part - Nicaragua, Gambia, Sri Lanka, Laos, Thailand and Nepal. They were sponsored by the Swedish Deaf Association I think. Much fun was had during the 10 days of camp.
I also went to Germany to see family, it was nice to see all the people i know again, it was bloody hot there!
After the camp finished, i went to Maastricht in south of Holland for a deaf education conference (ICED), and then for my last 2 nights in Europe, I went to Amsterdamage. Richard from scotland and his mates came to amsterdamage as well. IT was great fun there, visiting the coffee shops and pubs, van gogh musuem, madame tussards museum.
I've been back in NZ for just over 3 weeks now, and it's very strange still! it gets so dark here! by 7pm in winter the sun has gone. In Sweden it went dusk-like at 12am and then dawn-like at 2am, it really screwed with my brain!
I'm currently not doing anything because I didn't like my course, so have unofficially withdrawn from that, haven't done the proper channels yet so I guess I better do that soon! I'm doin some NZSL tutoring as well, for some random hearing people that I got referred to by other tutors who were not available.
Yesterday I watched the Australian Deaf rugby team play against the Northern Zone team, and australia won, BUT the score was only 12-0! prety good game for a country team against a regional team. I caught up with some mates from Sydney/Gosford/Newcastle. This saturday will be making the 5 hr drive to Wanganui to watch the first test between Australia and New Zealand. Darryl will be there playing, so will be great to see him!
that's all for now,
til laters,
caf
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| Brick walls and relationships |
| 07.01.05 (5:08 am) [edit] |
I have a theory.
Relationships are like brick walls. Each brick represents one part of the relationship. And if you rush the relationship, there'll be some gaps/holes in the brick wall, and eventually the brick wall will fall down (because it's not solid enough).
If you take the relationship slowly, and the time to lay each brick, you'll have a strong foundation and a strong wall. A strong relationship in other words.
Today I started laying the foundation for the brick wall with someone. And while I am overseas we are mixing the mortar. And when I get back, hopefully we'll start building the brick wall.
Cheerio,
caffy
2:30am. Departing at 11:30am. Better go to sleep!
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| phew |
| 06.29.05 (1:15 pm) [edit] |
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Two more days! Finally have a bag, so I can start packing!
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| Countdown |
| 06.26.05 (1:54 pm) [edit] |
Five more days! Til I grace Europe with my presence! I'm going to Germany first, to visit my family there. I will be staying in a coastal town, in the north, with my mum's aunty at her supercool house.
Will be going to Sweden after that, for WFD Jr camp. Then off to Maastricht in the south of Holland. Very close to Belgium (according to the map) so I might try and get into Belgium for a few hours. Have a beer at one of the locals. Then going to Amsterdam for the rest of my trip, then back home at the end of July.
It's freezing here in NZ, so looking forward to the Europe summer!
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| ________ |
| 06.15.05 (12:50 pm) [edit] |
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| Some realisations |
| 06.07.05 (4:58 pm) [edit] |
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I talked to a friend today, when I made some helpful realisations. I want to put uni on hold for the next 6 months (next semester), and have a break. I've been meaning to have one, but have been putting it off for the past few years. Next year I'll start uni again, at Victoria University of Wellington. There's no point in me carrying on doing papers that I'm not enjoying, and it'd be a waste of money and time.
Anyway, I also realised why my degree isn't particularly useful to me - it's really about English Literature. That information isn't helpful to me, especially if I want to become a teacher (I'm not saying I will), because the information isn't relevant to Deaf people.
I feel what I'm learning, and what I will learn, in linguistics is more beneficial to me. Also the Deaf community too because it's a relatively new area in NZ (if you're talking specifically about NZSL linguistics).
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| whoa |
| 06.02.05 (6:13 am) [edit] |
I just got home.
From a drive around, through the city, over the harbour bridge onto the North Shore, and back over again. Home now.
2:36am.
Don't ask heh
caffy
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| I wanna move... |
| 05.29.05 (8:20 pm) [edit] |
...to Wellington!
At the moment, I am checking out if all my papers can be cross-credited to VUW, and I can just finish off my degree there - with a new focus, linguistics.
Since mentioning my interest to a few people there, I've had three potential job offers (part-time of course), if I do move there. Nothing is guaranteed, but it's made me realise, because the Deaf community is smaller there, there's more opportunity for jobs there.
I'll keep youse updated about that...
caffy
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| Testing |
| 05.28.05 (5:34 pm) [edit] |
I'm trying out new colours for my blog.
Comments please
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| one more thing... |
| 05.18.05 (8:01 pm) [edit] |
when I said before about commitment, I've decided to cut one of them off the list...that one thing being work.
As I type this blog, I'm also typing up my resignation letter...
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| conclusion |
| 05.18.05 (2:41 pm) [edit] |
I've come to a conclusion.
I'm not happy with where my degree is leading. I've realised that I'm not interested in the papers. I don't enjoy them, because it's not what I'm interested in. I'm not interested in how Tolkien got his ideas from Norse sagas/myths. I'm not interested in reading about how Samoa's churches are fucked. I'm not interested in learning how to write movie reviews. I'm not interested in writing essays on what these sagas and myths mean - most of the time my interpretation is wrong!
Instead, I am interested in learning about linguistics, specifically English and NZSL (or other sign languages). But I think the degree I am doing, doesn't offer enough variety within linguistics. I've done an intro paper, and am currently studying the difference between English and NZSL linguistics. I know of one more paper, which is to do with Phonology. And, if I am right, that's about it. It's not enough to fill up one semester, let alone a degree.
What do I do? Look at other universities? Victoria University has a linguistics department, and Deaf Studies department, which might meet my interests. I am slightly interested in literature too, but only if it covers things like the history of English, and how old texts have influenced today's literature/been brought into current literature.
I started to do research on AUT papers, but their internal website sucks, it crashes everytime I use it...fuck that.
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| fuck everything |
| 05.17.05 (6:32 pm) [edit] |
I've had a motherfucker of a day! I woke up feeling very very very funny. I had already arranged to meet with a friend, hence I went to the city even though I decided to wag classes...She reckons I should take time off uni, because I'm questioning my commitment to that. I don't know if it's the right place for me - other people say it is, and that I should stay there because I have the brains. Yes, I might have brains(?) but I can show that in other areas can't I?? Sometimes I feel like doing more practical/hands on things, in school I did woodwork, and loved it, because I was making things, and i got to keep them afterwards.
I haven't picked my papers for next semester yet, and I don't feel like doing that. But what will I do? Look for work? but good jobs requires some sort of qualification, which I don't have.
I suspect all of this is coming from neglecting myself. i.e. I am always helping other people, listening to them. I haven't given myself a chance. But ironically, I LOVE helping other people. Do youse know of any job industry that does this?? (other than cleaning, of course!!!)
I'm trying to cut down on my commitments, like the camp committee is finished, so thats less work, (but I think I've just agreed to do MORE work! fuck that...) but there's also work on sat mornings, other meetings like the Advance Centre..... bla bla bla.
I hate all this emotional fuckwittage! (copyright Bridget Jones)
sigh....
*goes off to light a ciggarette*
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| mmmmm |
| 05.12.05 (3:16 am) [edit] |
Tonight I got told by a mate that it was good to see me smile. He said that he's been worried about me. It was nice to hear that from him, because no one else told me that, and about the fact that I looked very stressed. I have to say he's pretty good at being spot-on about what I'm feeling.
- uni assignments
- taking a friend to hospital (the reason for that, I can't disclose to you)
- my friend finishing her chemotherapy, and the doctors being pleased with her progress...only to find out the leukemia has come back.
- tension within the community (higher than the average levels)
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| Holidays are over :-( |
| 05.01.05 (1:24 pm) [edit] |
Whew, busy holidays I had! It wasn't much of a holiday, come to think of it...let's see, the first week I had meetings, and was doing last minute stuff for the Deaf Camp. And in the second week I was one of the group leaders at the camp. Exhausting stuff!
We did heaps of cool things, and the youths enjoyed themselves (so they say!!!!)...na seriously most of them were sad to leave.
As a leader, I got little, or shit-all amount of sleep! bed after 12am each night, with the last night being 3am! and up at 6:30am for our daily exercise, which everyone loved to hate!
I'm off to uni now...see youse later
cafs
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| World's most boring blog |
| 04.23.05 (3:56 am) [edit] |
Today I went to the world's most boring blog. I yawned, and therefore I left because I was bored.
http://www.wibsite.com/wiblog/dull/" title="http://www.wibsite.com/wiblog/dull/" target="_blank"http://www.wibsite.com/wiblog...
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| politics |
| 04.20.05 (1:12 pm) [edit] |
hey everyone,
sorry it's been a while. I've been busy with uni, organising the camp, and socialising.
Uni is going well, sastisfied with my assignments. Thought I'd fail a couple, but have passed...:D the camp is next week, and to be honest I'll be very happy when it's over!! It consumed a lot of my free time, and some of uni time as well!!
Ricci is back in Auckland now, and he flies to Fiji tomorrow morning, and then Cook Islands and USA after that. He had a fab time travelling in South Island after Easter weekend. Bennie and Renee are my new flatmates, so now there's 4 of us in the house, plus Ricci for one more night.
Things in the political area are getting interesting. I went to DEAF (Deaf Education Access Forum) on Monday, and boy was very interesting! I won't bore ya with details - just that I am kinda pissed off that I'm not allowed to be in a particular group - because I am not part of DYG anymore. That group requires their members to be representatives of a group, relating to Deaf Education. I'm sweet with that...but, as I am not member of DYG anymore, I cannot get into that group, and I would love to because currently there's no opportunity for Deaf Youth to speak up and give their views.
It might be time to set up a separate Deaf Youth group, to focus on the political things. DYG is great, don't get me wrong on that, but their focus is on Deaf identity, Deaf culture, bringing Deaf youths together, and all that.
I don't want to have to go back to DYG just so I can get my say in the political arena.
There's also a couple of other things that I'm involved with, which I won't mention yet - still in early stages to announce anything to anyone (i know these people might not be regular readers of my blog, but still you never know who is lurking around! Word might get around!!!)
I think that's all for now :) Oh, I am going to the beach today with Ricci, Richard, and Darryl. I dunno if you guys know, but Darryl is moving to Dunedin, to start a new job. This is a great opportunity for him, to move up in his career area (before he was teacher aide, but now he is Deaf Resource Person = Deaf Mentor in other words). It will be sad to see my good buddy go, I've had lots of great times with him, out of our minds watching dvds, eating and drinking.
Dax - thanks for being a great friend, and for the great time you've shown me, ever since you and Sara got back from South America. I'll never forget our butter chicken meals!!
To Sara - hang in there, he is only in Dunedin, and you'll see him whenever you can :) now you're both working, you can afford to fly back and forth lots of times!
Now, I have definitely finished saying what I wanted to!
til later,
cafs
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| One YEAR! |
| 04.02.05 (4:02 am) [edit] |
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As sara just pointed out to me, it's my FIRST YEAR anniversary with tBlog! indeed - my first longest relationship with technical stuff. As my mates would know, I change my mobile phones every 6months to a year....
go tblog! it's been fantastic here - you were always here for me, whenever I needed someone to listen to me. I know you're just a programme that hosts my online journal, but you gave me access to anyone who was willing to listen to my rants.
anyway, as you can guess, I am drunk!
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| what is it? |
| 04.01.05 (10:42 pm) [edit] |
I have come to a conclusion: this year is definitely different from last year.
"Of course it is, you idiot" you guys might say...but hear me out, please.
I was talking with Janet yesterday, and we both agreed that there is definitely something not right; something funny is in the air.
We don't know exactly what - but it's good to know that I am not the only one feeling like this. AUT is different, friends are different (for both good and bad reasons), people in general are different.
The change from one year to another is usually smooth, but something went loose during the transition from 2004 to 2005.
Shiz asked me how I was, "I don't know" was my answer- which is pretty much the most honest answer I can give right now.
Guess I am perusing life too much at the moment! But heck, I enjoy it...many questions have been asked...and only a few answered.
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| nooooo! |
| 03.28.05 (2:10 am) [edit] |
the inevitable has happened! i'm back in auckland! :cry:
heh...anyway...southern won, grrr. it was a very close game, we lost by one point.
The social rocked! 6pm-3am, had plenty to drink as you can imagine! dinner was good, worth the 30 bucks I paid! Great socialising with central and southern people. Saw mates that I hadn't seen for ages...
It was announced that the NZ Deaf team are not going to Wales (Deaf Rugby World Cup) in July/August as originally planned...it would have cost the players over $7000 each, even with sponsorship. So the Australian team is due to come over here for 5 games in August - two tests (against NZ team) and 3 matches (against Northern, Central and Southern). I reckon I will go down to wellington for the test and match against central.
The ppl that I remember being picked for the NZ team are: dax, baz, steven harvey, rhian, sai, jamie kkk, ben, kelly, ash bensley, patrick, opeti, hazza, and murray speers...there's 22 players all together I think.
anyway, saz, joyce and I had heaps of fun getting the ties off the players - they all were dressed up in suit pants and shirts, with their zone ties. unfortunately we had to give them back at the end of the night! damn! would love to keep them! http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph... See the photos here!
Today, we stopped at Otaki beach to visit david and rachel's bach, which is small but very nice...then stopped in palmerston north, looked at the deaf club there and had lunch. Fielding was our next stop, and we looked at the old deaf school - st dominics, which has now become a mental hospital(!)...
straight through hobbiton (matamata) to avoid the easter weekend traffic, and a quick stop at middlemore hospital for mez's eye infection. We quickly left after realising that there was a 2 hour wait to see the doctor, and that the chemists were closed.
got home at 10pm... now very exhausted!
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