WOHOOOO!!!

I passed both my papers - so hopefully that means I've actually graduated! :)

Yeah - crazy and hard to get my head around.

On that note.... I'm feeling most deserving of a holiday and some R&R to celebrate, so I'm going AWOL for a while.

Bags are packed, tickets booked..... watch out world!

Where to from here.... who knows.

It's a big wide world and there's a whole lot to see.

Yes - feels totally insane, but exciting at the same time.

the crazy things...

So, the last assignment has been sent off with prayers being whispered on the wind that I've passed and graduation is just around the corner.

Exciting!

The last couple of weeks have left me feeling beyond overwhelmed; with school work, work, packing and family.

The house has sold - and that all goes through at the end of the month. Absolutely fantastic and exciting...... which also means big things for me.

Maybe some sleep?

For now, I'm catching up on the little things. Getting the bills paid. The washing done. The coffee drunk and a few photos taken.

Life carries on, regardless of how we're feeling and where we are.

And knowing I'm held in the palm of His hand does much to sooth my soul.

over coffee.....

Tobias checking out the Bantams.... in his laid back way. I think they were far more interested in him than he was in them. I kept waiting for "Tiger", the new rooster to come inside. (named after mr woods because of his 'affection' for the girls.

coming to the end.....

Should I be excited, scared, anxious?

I've got 4 weeks left of my university course and then, all going well I graduate with my teaching degree.

It's only taken me 10 years. WOW!

Yes, worth a few fireworks! :)

I am scared...... scared of failing, which is something I know we all have to deal with at different times.

For me this has been a huge stumbling block in my life. I think when I gave it all up, I'd figured I couldn't do it - not because I couldn't. Yes, there have been some tough moments - but it's doable, but more because I was scared.

I've realised lately while I've had so many other things going on in my life that I'm one of those people who doesn't get scared often - but when I do it has an almost paralyzing effect on me. I freak and become incapable of making a decision or just move on. It's the most bizarre thing for me to realise and have to deal with - because I've never really been a person who gets scared of much.

Staying at home by myself has never worried me. Swimming out in the ocean doesn't frighten me, I happen to love the dark, will happily drive across country by myself.

I've come across many people who actually don't like doing some of those things and I've often struggled to understand that kind of fear.

So, here I am. A new season approaching. Some massive changes, and I refuse to get scared.

Watch out world, here I come!

Tui in action...

We had some old family friends from Canada here last weekend. They're actually on their way down here again today, which will be very cool. This time I get to see a girl that I grew up with, but whom I haven't seen since I was 9.

A bit freaky. he he.

We used to spend every Easter at their farm in Edmonton till we moved over here.

Anyway.... We took Tui for a spin last weekend. Was great fun, and she went so well. She's hardly acting her age. Turns 25 in May.

Time to let go......

The house is on the market.

It feels like the right thing to do now, and yet I'm sad at the idea of letting go. The blood, sweat and tears that went into that place.

Still, a new season and time for big changes. Hopefully the house will sell quickly, and there won't be any more dramas with tenants who aren't paying rent. he he.

More character and more growing.

New Plymouth

I was down in New Plymouth back in January for a friends baby Baptism.... a great weekend catching up with friends. Think that's the last time I'll be down there for a very long time, though I get a regular phone call asking me when I'm going to come down. he he.

I'm trying to be staunch and tell people that if they want to catch up with me, they really need to come here. I just can't do as much as I try to do - and the weekends away, while being wonderful adventures just can't happen now.

I can appreciate that there is only one of me and often many o

f "them", but I've always been the one to do the traveling. Now, now I need the time to go into the studies.

Boring, huh.

Darling, Nifty and I went for a walk down the waterfront while I was down there to check out some stone carvings that had been done. Some of them were brilliant!

my boy....

Tredway Aritocrat..... known as Jesse James.

He's such a funny boy. Dad's got his two stallions that he deals with, and I've got Jess. We bonded when he first arrived, and now.... he doesn't really like dealing with anyone else. I mean he's never bad - but he follows me around his paddock, and comes running when I call, neighs out to me - even when he sees my truck. Who wouldn't fall in love with a rebel like that?

inside my head.....

Autumn is nearly upon us here on the other side of the world......

With it comes the noise from calves being weaned, leaves falling and pages from large books being scribbled upon.

Yes, University has begun once more..... with a very full on couple of terms ahead of me before it's all over once and for all. I'll come out of this game with a jumble of letters to go behind my name, which will mean that I'm now more able and eligible to teach a room full of young children than I was previously.

There's a small problem with that idea. I have no intention of teaching small children.

So, why the need to finish the degree that I started 10 years ago?

It's been hanging there, and I couldn't seem to move on before this was finished.

So, come July it will all be over. The work I've got to get through in the next 10 weeks is HUGE, but I know I can do it. Not only that, but that I will do it!

After that the next adventure begins.....

Sadly till then I'm not a nice person to be around while I try to do it all... and do it well.

Bare with me world while I stumble along.

Poppa and Israel

Israel went for his first tractor ride with Poppa last weekend. He's become a super cheerful little guy who is a tad obsessed with balls and anything that could possibly be used as a ball. Super funny.

The cousins....

hope and love.....

Another wedding this month.

Yes, it would seem all of the cousins are getting married off, with just 3 of us left now. It would seem that it's my family who is letting down the side. he he. Strangely it's my older cousin, Jeremy and I who are a mere 3 months apart in age and my youngest brother who are left in the lot.

How do I feel about this?

While all of my family are marrying off and beginning families of their own every Christmas I somehow feel more left out of this happy little circle.

I realise that's not the case, but emotionally, it does feel somewhat alienating. Irrational?

Thank goodness I get to be a work in progress as I figure things out and grow up.

Greetings. . .

Back in the land of reception. It's been kind of airy not being in contact with anyone via cell or email. Figure it can all wait till i'm back. That, and it's physically impossible. He he. Reality does hit when i get back to work though. What a sweet holiday it's been. Gonna soak up the rays and the peace. X

Need i say more?

One of my favourite stores in Napier.

East cape light house.

755 steps to reach the top. Gorgeous view from walk up and at the top. The lighthouse was originally on an island, but earthquakes had caused so many landslides they had to move it mainland. Would have loved a swim after the climb, but lots to see and do today!

Ah, another beach.

It rained a lot last night, but woke to find the most gorgeous day. Blue sky for miles. Now just need to find coffee to complete the feel good morning. God is good all the time.

Ah, coffee. . . .

Another coffee in the next town we've come to while driving around the coast. Suspect this will be the end of cell reception again. Ah, the joys of being in holiday mode. Till we meet again, crazy material world. Be well, friends.

The road trip.

Traveling around the coast with my friend Gavin. Was desperate for some time away. Of course way more interesting when traveling with a goof. :)

Happy New Year....

We've made it.... another year!

We found ourselves looking after Mandy's grandchildren - a littler of 5, who are adorable! This is the runt of the bunch. A small girl - though according to the vet, she only looks like a runt because the others are all HUGE. :)

It's been fun having them, especially now that they've all opened their eyes and have just begun to move around - almost a walk.

Mandy knows that something is going on out in the garage, and would love to go and check them out - but we'll leave it for a few more days I think. They've just reached 21 days old now.

Now we're just waiting for foal number 4 to be born.

Welcome to the zoo.

new years eve....

~

There have been so many adventures this year..... overseas and here in NZ.

I feel incredibly blessed.

And yet - I'm praying that next year will be more.

I sat down by a lake today and pondered what it was I wanted to work on for the year 2010.

I know that I need to work on being gracious and merciful, but I was also thinking that I really did want to live a life of reckless abondonment.

I don't mean that I want to live a life not thinking about what it is I do - but I would like to stop over-thinking the things that I do do.

Those thoughts that we have where we feel totally alive and know deep down that this is something we have to do - that we were born to do. Designed to do.

I want to jump more than think.

I want to live and breathe the life that I was meant to live.

To give when I'm not feeling gracious.

To laugh when I hurt.

To smile at strangers.

To look on the brighter side.

To share all that I have with those around me.

And.... to look adventure in the eye and say YES!!!

Small things?