Tips for Indonesia

1. Insect Repellent is in fact a fantastic moisturiser. Apply it all day, every day.

2. When running on white sand, along the water, the sun will burn at a higher intensity.

3. When running at midday, any sunscreen applied will sweat off.

4. REMEMBER point 3, when doing point 2. Result is not cool. Not cool at all.

5. Have a 'Game Face'. Very important when trying to bargain. YOU CAN ALWAYS GET IT CHEAPER. Ensure at least one person in the travelling party has this 'Game Face' mastered.

6. Rice does burn when dropped on your foot. It burns badly if it is the spoonful from the boiling pot of rice. It will get infected. Further to this, don't let locals at the market in Singapore put a little plaster over the open puss-leaking part no matter how lovely, and how good their intentions are. Also, you cannot swim or go to the beach for over a week.

7. In Indonesia, there is a lot of swimming, snorkeling, playing in the sand and walking on the beach. Point 6 is highly inconvenient in this situation.

8. Sunscreen should be applied always and liberally even when those who live there claim that they never use it, and never get burnt. This situation will not apply to you when you have left the European winter, to then go to the start of the Southern Hemisphere winter. You. Will. Get. Burnt.

9. Choose appropriate clothing when going on a bike tour of over 20km. And do not feel embarrassed when all the other females are dressed all pretty with dresses, and necklaces and their hair flowing "carelessly" down their back. The temperature is 35 degrees, it will get hot and you will completely smoke all these girls on the bike, who even opt to take the car up the hill. They are girls in ever sense of the word. Biking with the boys is way more fun.

10. The Muslim Mosque has very loud speakers. Especially at 5am in the morning.

11. Choosing a fan room is definitely all that is needed. It is necessary to have it set on the highest setting throughout the night. Oh how it spins fast. Oh how it sounds like there is a small plane taking off over the bed.

12. Noting point 11 & 12 - earplugs are often needed.

It's all but over

Like always the return to somewhere over yonder is upon me. It was a 6 week seance on the shores of Aotearoa, with a big focus on family and whanau and family.

It all began in the scenic region of Wanaka for the wedding of Matt and Launa. Flying from Christchurch it was blue lakes, white tip tops and patchwork quilt paddocks all the way. My excitement levels were peaking as I leaned all over Denis to peer outside. Teach me a lesson for being nice to the non-new zealander who might like the window seat. Excitement levels peaked and then troughed when Dad was late picking us up and I had to wait outside. Standing on the large ornamental stones. Hands on hips. Searching. Lip dropping with each car that was not Dad.

Lucky he came.

Quick visit into Queenstown. Standard photo on the lake front. Then onto Arrowtown and a token walk along the river. We all know the real reason to go to Arrowtown is for the pies. Best pies in New Zealand for sure. Then the Crown Range, park and gaze at the top before quenching the thirst at the iconic Cardronna Hotel with a handle of Speights mate. A standard day in the mountaneous region I suppose.

Worries about the weather for the big day amounted to nothing as it was nothing short of perfect for a lake front ceremony. The lake was so still it was like a mirror and blah blah blah. The photos look amazing and Matt definitely has a few 'album cover' photos to be released.

Post wedding was spent biking and cruising around before setting of on a(nother) road trip with the parentals. This time it was up the West Coast of the South Island, taking in the gnarled skeletons of wind blown trees, glaciers, Pancake Rocks, wind and rough coast lines. Postcard scenery contrasting all other areas in New Zealand.

A little shout out to our Nelson stop over crew. Tom and Loren, and Nicoleta and Rod. Was fantastic seeing old friends from Korean days, and new friends from recent Belgian days.

Returning to the Northern Island and the return to Napier. Time to hang out with Nana P. Tu meke. Seeing her in hospital only confirmed the decision to come home for a good stint. Seeing how hard it was for her to accept that she had to go into a home was emotional, but it was at this moment that I decided to make it my goal to see her everyday that I am home. I often get caught overseas not being able to help out at home when something is going on. Makes me even more useless than I already am. But being here to help Nana settle in, and helping Mum move her out of her house was really good. I helped Mum clean - by choice!!!!

I've also been working at Mums school - painting over 300 small boxes for their resource room. The level of skill that was involved was about as high as you can imagine. And the excitement levels about the same. Sans the radio, it would have been my death. Still work is money, and money is money, so would do it again if needed. Next holiday!!!

I was playing Netball again which was cool. I was just hoping for some training, as moving my lard arse out the door for a run is beyond difficult, but managed to get a couple of games in which was a big bonus. Felt lost, slow, confused and slow, and slow again when playing, but enjoyed it none the less. I might try and play in London, but not sure if I want to commit to Saturday games.

Speaking of London, I did get my visa for a working/holiday type thing. Stoked. Now I just need work and somewhere to live. Oh god. Moving back into that situation is never exciting. However after 2 months of living out of a backpack, and the same old clothes, I know I will be wanting the comforts that a 'settled life' does offer.

Until that feeling actually appears, I will continue upon my meandering way. My birthday tomorrow, Melbourne the day after, then Asia the week after. Cant wait !

The 'Other' Blog

Yes, there is another. As stated in the post below, and so here is the link to the only post I have done so far for The Other Blog. The rest have been done in French by Denis - sorry to all those non french speakers out there.

If Denis has his way I will be updating far more often than I intend to. If you're all lucky, his nagging may get the better of me.

In the mean time ... WATCH THIS BLOG SPACE ...

http://dbodart.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html

Deja Vu

Ohh I've been here before. The land of unemployment. Another countdown finished. Another long holiday stretched out before me. A return to The Island followed by the exploration of another new country and the passing of adventures day by day. For 4 glorious months.

Day 1 of Les Vacances has begun. Admittedly a little earlier than I would have preferred but 1 day remains to complete the packing and the cleaning of our little apartment. Yesterday I was PANICKED but Denis pulled through and managed to do a lot in the afternoon that now, today seems more bearable.

In saying that though, I should really do something more productive than this. Just felt the need to write (read: skite) about it.

With a new little notebook to take with us, hopefully it wont be too difficult for me to update regulary. Although a new blog has also been created for this trip... currently under construction by Denis as I type. Watch this space for the link. I think it is going to be more photo based than writing based, so it will be the equivalent of a childrens version of this!

Happy holiday vibes to all

Things to be told...

Oh the things to be told since I last complained about not having a tan. Of which I still don't have by the way.

Sam and Harriet got married. And in the process possibly managed to ruin all future weddings I may attend in terms of location, romance and beautiful settings. Seriously. The long weekend in the Bordeaux region was fantastic, and it was wonderful to be part of such a gorgeous wedding. And who said that weddings are stressful on the day? We had time to go to the pub pre-ceremony we were ready so early. Little Spy looked absolutely stunning and Sam - oh so smart. Class.

Then I started working at Toni & Guy. Yes, the hair salon. Yes, moi, working at a hair salon. Yes, I now have to cut my hair, and god forbid, have even coloured it. Even more than just coloured, I've got 'Ginga' bits by choice now. And an Afro when done properly. Toni & Guy has definitely improved as a place to work in, 5 months on, but oh god the dramas. It is so gay in every way. As camp as a row of tents. Drama Queen in all of the struts and waving of hands. So emotional in every tear that is threatened. Hugs. Pulling up my my skirt. Grabbing of my boobs. Dirty, ranchy dancing behind my in front of clients. And finally the grabbing, or stroking, of my arse. One could presume I don't quite fit into this companies 'culture'. Not to mention the compulsory make up everyday, hair down everyday, but I do let the nail polish slide. Then there is the cocaine on the toilet rubbish bin everyday to be cleaned. Oh, Toni & Guy. What a place to be.

On a side note, I will now pledge to spend money on having my hair cut by someone professional. I may get a haircut worth 90euros for free right now. But, damn, he is awesome.

Chanel got married! My ginga sister got married. And I made the cut to be Bridesmaid. Go figure. Was the only bridesmaid who wasn't asked to do a speech but I did write one for her and left it for her. Her wedding was on the North Shore of Auckland, and a perfect spot for photos. Chanel, looked. Amazing. Truely. And again - where was the stress? Apart from Maggie, oh mother, trying to 'whisper' Kiri, look at her make up. What do you think? with only a tone that mother can do. And then appeared the Death Stare of Chanel. My parents handed me one rule for the day. Don't get excited. Don't act excited. It will make Chanel stress. For the record, Chanel was one stress-free, low key, organised and on-to-it bride. Big Ups Nel.

A special big ups to her for her speech. It was well written, well spoken and made me see just a little bit more of that Chanel that annoying-little-sister-me doesn't see very often.

So her wedding was the 18th of December 2010. Which meant I also got to stay home for Christmas. YAY! Christmas Day outside, in the sunshine, in my bikini, sunburnt, drinking, worried about how to keep the beer cool, petanque and annoying flies around the food as we ATE OUTSIDE IN THE SUNSHINE. It was my first Christmas at home in a couple of years, and it was brilliant. It is definitely one of the most difficult times to be away from home. So definitely one of the best times to be home.

Since returning to Brussels, the weather has got warmer and sunnier with hints of spring and cherry blossoms. Denis has turned into even more of a usual Handicap with an operation on his knee, resulting in 6 weeks with crutches. Painful when doing grocery shopping when he declares 'I want beer. I feel like buying beer'. Painful as we live on the second floor and he can't carry anything.

But as the possibility of leaving Brussels looms, I begin to see that I really did start to settle here. I did start to find my place. And it has made an impression on me.

There are people I will miss. And looking forward to seeing when I return.

There are cafes, restos and bars that will be tempting as hell when we visit again.

There are too many beers that I like. And too many beers I haven't yet tried.

And until then, with Claudia and Howie visiting this weekend, then Harriet and Sam, I got people for them to meet. And pubs to take them too. And beer to indulge in. Flag the chocolate.

Right, got to go pick the cripple up.

Et voila mon petit pukeko. Cette blog post et pour toi. Bonne sainte valentine est merci pour tout. Tu est genial. Tu est superb. Merci de me pousser toujours pour ecrire sur mon blog.

My greatest fear

Actually, my two greatest fears. Both linked and related.

1. Summer is over. Europe encountered a heat wave this summer that resulted in Belgium bathing in 30+ degree heat for at least two weeks. And the weeks surrounding those two weeks, were 25+. It was glorious, it was wonderful, it was summer.

It is over. It was only 1 month.

Reaching 20 degrees is now highly unlikely. And for the last week, if not more, it has rained every day. Now it is the Belgium I remember so well. The chances of it reaching back up to somewhat summery weather and temperatures is not looking likely. The remaining of this week is scheduled for rain every day. And not just 'showers with burst of sunshine' or symbols of clouds with half a sun behind it. It's simply 'rain' and grey clouds with dotted lines falling from the bottom of it.

Not kidding, today's weather, and yesterdays, and likely tomorrows is the same weather as a Hawkes Bay winter. But in Belgium's summer.

2) I have no tan lines. Never before has this happened where I go through a summer, and I don't gain a tan line. Come to think of it, I haven't even worn my bikini, togs or gone swimming this summer. NEVER has this happened.

What scares me however, is the fact that I am all over white. I have no tan lines. Imagine what I will look like come the middle of winter. I don't have a tan to lose. I only have whiteness to get whiter. I will look like, I'm British. With an oddly flat nose.

Who am I? Lost I am.

Lost. I often find myself feeling a little lost from time to time. Lost in the city, a regular occurrence in Brussels at the moment. Lost while on attack in Touch, due to my lack of the 'cool' maori traits such as pace, a sidestep or mean dummy. Lost in life, sigh, as planning visa by visa, year by year can only allow for so much direction.

Or as recently, lost in languages. And no I'm not directly referring to being lost in the French Language, although this is entirely true. I don't know what's up or down in French. Literally. I don't know those words yet.

But, I just received an email from a close friend. A friend who has excellent and often very proper English. A friend who considers 'good grammar' a necessity when dating a guy. A friend who is from New Zealand. A friend who has the same mother tounge as I. Yet, she sent me an email and I didn't understand it all because of the slang and language.

I know that New Zealanders have a terrible habit of shortening all words to abbreviations, for what reason I am unsure. Apart from making us sound closer to Australians, and therefore less intelligent, I am not sure why we continue to do this.

Because of FOMO? We might not get invited to something unless we drop a couple of letters, or words. Because we are now so busy that we don't have time for Breakie so therefore reduce the word to suit the situation? Isn't it all a little OTT?

But then, a new one is thrown at me. Yes, I understand in context what this new abbreviation is. But what word it comes from, how it applies in the situation, and how common it is - I have no idea.

Which then in turn makes me feel lost. And then I feel a little 'emo' about it.

I don't understand New Zealand slang or lingo like I should. There are new words that I don't know or understand. I therefore, in conclusion, am possibly losing my 'touch' with New Zealand English. And to be honest, each time I see a group of New Zealanders together, I have trouble understanding now. It worries me as to how much I have to concentrate to listen, to catch every word and to fully understand everything.

I don't understand New Zealandish anymore. And it is the only language I have hope of fully grasping at the moment.

Mon francais, oui, parfois c'est beaucoup mieux. But most of the time I get lost and I don't understand, so I guess at what is being said, and then I get strange looks with the responses I make. Firstly because I answered the wrong question, and then surely secondly, I answered the wrong question the wrong way anyhows. My grasp on basic french is weak and sloppy. Comme un bebe avec sa cuiller. Weak and sloppy.

So lost I am. Who am I? I can't keep up with the new words of New Zealandisms. Yet, I can't learn quick enough the in's and the out's of French. Or should I be saying 'les dans et les dehors' du le Francais?

Lost has no grasp on languages. Lost is settled in amongst some isolated emotions now. Lost is me.

Lost thinks Becky should start using correct English again.