What are your top 10 favourite things right now? :) Can be anything, anyone etc. etc. in the world!

Hello there :) my apologies for such a late response. I hope it's not too late, and you can actually read this one day. I JUST checked this page for the first time in probably a year, BUT thank you so, so, much for your kind words. It was a nice surprise and truly brightened up my day. :) I've been feeling a bit dull lately. You've given me a sweet reminder to appreciate and search for the extraordinary things in what could be an average ordinary world.

Aside from meeting my fiance, one of the best gifts I ever received was from my friend Teddy Texas now known as Teddy Brooklyn. He bought a box full of postcards & went to a show where some regionally known bands like "Mars Volta" and fans in the crowd etc. were asked to write a postcard to me. I received approximately 50 something post cards from people, bands, fans I didn't know. Their messages were so lovely. I still have the cards somewhere in storage at mum's place. I can't wait to read them again!

Unreasonable people and unfair people who are in powerful positions that can easily manipulate you...

Yes

I don't think I could see myself here forever. Perhaps a few years...but I guess you never know where life will take you or won't take you.

I miss my family, friends, being able to call/text my family and friends without worrying about the major time difference, the convenience of EVERYTHING, businesses that stay open past 5-7PM, American cable television, radio, media, vegetarian food, music, Chuck Shaw, Jermee Frombach, LSL, Lady C, Crassy Wallace, Monday Nights, The Avocado, NYC, Los Angeles, Vegas, Yeungling, North American seasons...the list could go on and on =)

If you're talking about Auckland: I'd take you to the top of the Sky Tower, check out more amazing views at Mt. Eden, ferry ride to Waiheke Island, have lunch on Vulcan lane, the Korean Pancake shop on High Street, drinks on K-road and take you to some lovely bay in the North Shore.

For just about all reasons. I love animals and feel terrible thinking about them being slaughtered. I was a picky eater growing up and didn't like meat. If I did it was fast food and not the yucky Filipino food my parents force fed me. I want to be healthy. My family has a history of heart problems. By the time I was 18, I hung out with a bunch of Vegans/Vegetarians. I realised that I should give-it-up for good! And I haven't looked back since! It'll be 10 years this upcoming June.

I've become a lot quieter, more serious, permanently homesick and observational. I also fear that when I unleash my inner craziness/hyperness, I'm labelled as the crazy American. I got a few weird looks the first month I was here. It's a different philosophy down here.

Someone told me that my accent has changed A LITTLE. I also speak like a Kiwi now, using different phrases and slang. It was bound to happen.

I'm getting older, so the decisions I've been making lately are a lot more serious.

When I'm acting like a total fool-- having the time of my life with my friends (this usually happens in Vegas), taking a million photos, being silly... Listening to good music, capturing it all in a photo, learning something new, travelling, absorbing all that is good in the world.

WOW, there are so many things that I could write about for this one! So I'll try to formulate a "brief" list.

1.) Being so far away from my family and friends. I haven't seen anyone in about 8 months, and it could be another 8 months before I see them again! It also costs $2,000 round trip to go back home. Not that I really have the money or time to throw around...

2.) Being a foreigner searching for a job/career change in the middle of a recession. Yeah, that wasn't really happening! Until I finally just got lucky. People expect you to have "NZ experience," and even my "NZ experience" wasn't good enough.

3.) Not being able to relate to many people around me. In America, you have friends or people in passing that you've met from other States. Like, "Oh wow, I've been there before. It's a great city. or My Aunt lives in Pittsburgh too." etc. etc. You grew up doing the same things, understand certain pop cultural references, shocking and spot news stories and current/local events that you can laugh about. It took me ages to understand geography out here and a whole new government system (Parliament). etc. etc.

4.) Those brief moments when people use Kiwi or Queens English/slang while on the job. "Please find video of a pram." Look for video of jandals. What the hell is a pram? What's a jandal? And if I ask you, I'm going to look like an idiot. So I'll figure it out myself and have a heart attack. In the end, I found out a pram is a child's stroller! Jandals are what we call "flip-flops" HAHA!

5.) Dealing with people who are openly racist, prejudiced and hateful towards Americans in general. It is so f+cking disappointing. Sometimes I go off on these rants in my blog. Sometimes I write emails to friends back home.

6.) Trying to make friends in a foreign country. Most Kiwis grew up together, high school, university etc. They are also a lot quieter. (And that makes me quiet and uncomfortable.) They have already bonded through some sort of experience. I find it harder to be included/accepted into groups. I feel like I've finally made friends one year later...but it took a lot of time! It's not like Vegas where the city is so transient, people get sick of hanging out in the same crowds, so they enjoy meeting new people!

I regret moving here because I feel like I've missed out on major milestones/battles in my family life. I wish I could be there for my brothers. My mum just went through surgery etc. etc. I don't regret moving here because I would have lost Chris. He's the best thing that's happened to me! But one day we'll be back for good.

PS. You are so, so, so sweet! I love 60s fashion, and somehow try to incorporate it into my wardrobe, but never really noticed if anyone noticed that. I used to be more into it years ago. =P I've always admired your beauty, loved your style and your amazing tattoos from afar!

Sorry for the essay! HAHA <3

I bought a $350 coat from Anthropologie. I've only worn it about 3-4 times. I love it, but I'm too scared I'll ruin it or destroy it in the rain. Silly to spend so much money on something I fear that I'll damage. Sigh* Other than that my mum bought me a par of Doc Martens in high school. I was over it shortly after. HAHA!

Sitting in a car with a road raging driver, people who make assumptions about you, judgmental people, racism, people who brag and always have to "prove" themselves to people...yeah, I don't care seriously! catty girls who are mean to other girls for no good reason, dirty look givers, drunk people who leave their glasses on the floor in the middle of a packed bar or club, people who push you or shove you and don't apologise. WOW, could this list be any longer?! =P

Real teleportation for humans. If my friends and family could just appear in front of me within seconds...at least once a month, my life would be so much better. But if we're talking about something that's already been invented maybe Menus.com!

60s soul Vegas sisters forever!!! This is before and after punk and emo right?! =P <3<3<3

Thanks P, Good suggestion. Now that Chris and I have been travelling a lot more, there are many vege/vegan restaurants I should write about. Cheers!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! "I love everything carbonated." "Because I want to eat right and be healthy" OMG, I MISS YOU.

Real Food Daily

Pizza

Yes, stomach from the chicken pox. And one on my arm after climbing over a fence with Carla Rinehart. We didn't feel like walking around a big desert field and tried to take a short cut.