Kiwi :)

2 years ago I became a mum. Not a human mum but a 'cat' mum. I have never been solely responsible for anything. A plant yes, but that plant died so not worth mentioning. And 'myself' yes, but that goes without saying. Never a pet of any sort. We had pets growing up but mum and dad always took care of them. Just before Christmas, 2 years ago I became a 'cat' mum.

I thought I was getting a fish tank right up until I opened the box. My better half had to basically LIE to me so he could surprise me. I heard him talking on the phone and he mentioned the word 'calico'. A-ha! I knew it! I asked him about it 'so I'm getting a cat right? I heard you say the word Calico' He took a second (I guess to come up with this brilliant lie). He replied 'well um ... actually ... um I was speaking with the ... um ... owner of a fish tank shop. The shop is called Calico. And ... um well ok I'll tell you. You're getting a fish tank for Christmas! Surprise!'

Surprise? What the hell? We had talked about getting a fish but I figured we would get one together. I had to admit 'Calico' was a brilliant name for a fish tank shop. 'Awesome!' I replied through gritted teeth. 'Do I get a fish too?' 'Yep!' he exclaimed. 'I'm picking up the fish tank tomorrow. And you'll get the fish next week. Special order. It's a fish that eats other fish.'

I'm surprised I didn't catch on then. Nodding my head I started thinking about fish names. Jaws? Nemo? Shark? ... nothing felt right. When I had suspected that I might be getting a cat I had already named him/her 'Kiwi' so I thought oh well let's call the fish/piranha 'Kiwi.'

The next day I had a doctors appointment and right after I raced home because I knew I could open my present once I got home. Not sure why I didn't think it was strange that my better half was letting me open up my present before Christmas but because I have very little patience I didn't question it. As I pulled in, I called him on my phone. 'Hey, you need help carrying the fish tank?' 'Nope all good,' he replied. I was very excited walking into our apartment. I looked around. No present. 'Can I open my present? Where is it?' I asked. 'It's in the bedroom,' he replied smiling. I get overly-excited about a lot of things in life, especially Christmas presents. I marched into our bedroom excited to see this fish tank that would house my very first pet. A giant box sat on our bed.

My better half hadn't bothered to wrap it or set it up! I walked up and pulled back the box flap. That was when I let out a bloodcurdling scream. That was not a fish tank. The most terrified, most adorable, most tiny kitten was sitting in that box. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at my better half. This terrified/adorable/tiny kitten was all mine. I reached in and lifted out this kitten. And IMMEDIATELY it started purring.

'Boy or Girl?' I asked. 'She's a Calico. All Calico's are girls,' he replied. I laughed. 'Oh really? Calico? Like that store where you were getting the fish tank?' And with that I became a cat mum.

'Kiwi', is the most naughtiest/loving cat in the world. She is definitely a 'people' cat. She is full of life, full of mischief and likes to argue. In fact while I've been writing this, she's been put in 'time out' twice, water sprayed once and I've been playing fetch with her the whole time. But I wouldn't have it any other way. She teaches me patience, reminds me that a nap will sometimes work wonders and that you don't ALWAYS have to obey the rules.

"... and You're Done!"

Something incredibly awesome happened this Christmas. I didn't win the lotto, didn't run a marathon and I definitely didn't learn how to make my cat behave. Nope this is even better ... I discovered ... Amazon!

Of course I didn't discover Amazon before anybody else. Come to find out a lot of people actually use Amazon but they don't talk about it much. It's like shop cheating! No walking, no crowds, no trying to find a parking space, no getting ripped-off, no lugging bags back to the car, no lugging bags into the house ... SHOP CHEATING! Not only do you not move from your laptop, but you actually get better deals. Like a whole lot better deals. It all started mid-November. I don't know what gave me the idea to go to the website. But as soon as the homepage for Amazon.com loaded I was hooked. So hooked that an entire afternoon was devoted to 'window' shopping through all the goodies Amazon.com had to offer. I couldn't wait to show my (semi-skeptical) better half. He grudgingly decided to take a look but as soon as he did he was hooked instantly as well. 'Type in this item' he said and we both watched in amazement as our previous gift ideas evaporated into thin air. I don't know why it took me so long to try Amazon.com. I've been on Facebook since March 25th 2007. I am on Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter etc and I pay my bills online.

I like to think of myself as technology-savvy, but there are some things I wont stop. Christmas Cards for example. And I have a ritual EVERY SINGLE Christmas that I send out Christmas Cards to friends and family around the world and I always send them out December 1st without fail!

And I've bought on-line before so 'shopping on-line' isn't a new thing for me. However as much as I do NOT enjoy the crowds, the finding a parking space, THE GETTING RIPPED OFF, nor the lugging of bags to the car AND into the house, I do enjoy making the effort to shop around to get the perfect gift ... and also 'physical' shopping is a great way to spend a weekday with a friend! Maybe now I can just shop* (go to an actual store, not cheat shopping) for myself from now on?? And I think that's why it's taken me so long to try Amazon.com. When you buy online there's no effort. Also you don't get to touch the item. You weigh up options only based on price or a tiny photo. You press a key on a keyboard and ta-da 'shopping finished'. Which is why I will always send out Christmas Cards. I want people to receive something that I actually wrote in, addressed to them and put a stamp on. I don't feel as guilty shopping online when I actually have to make an effort with my Christmas Cards. So even though Amazon.com had to make me re-evaluate my shopping morals, with immense excitement I am happy to say all of my Christmas shopping is complete! Now back to the Christmas Cards ....

Pumpkin Cheesecake Nightmare

Thanksgiving is next week, we're hosting it at our place and I'm making Pumpkin Cheesecake. I posted on Facebook that I'd been thinking about making it. My friends were very encouraging and a few minutes later, I'd decided to make it*. Now I'm stressing. A friend gave me a recipe which has helped ease the nerves**. The recipe is called 'Impossibly Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake'. But I guess the thing I don't understand is, WHY do I have zero confidence in myself?

'They're hosting?' ... 'What about the rest of the Thanksgiving Feast?'*** Well thankfully I have shacked up with a cook! My delightful boyfriend is the most amazing cook and he is in charge of the whole shebang. He never stresses when cooking/baking, has a calculated approach from start to finish and is FULL of confidence. So I figure if my Pumpkin Cheesecake doesn't turn out good, at least everyone would of thoroughly enjoyed their meal up until dessert time. I have several issues with making Pumpkin Cheesecake. Concentration, patience and unfamiliar territory. It is also going to take a long time to make and I am more an instant -fix type of person. Which brings me to the obvious: Why not just buy a pumpkin cheesecake? To tell you the truth I am defeated then. The Pumpkin Cheesecake has won and I am defeated. I cannot let the Pumpkin Cheesecake win.**** So I embark on this Pumpkin Cheesecake nightmare***** tonight. I am purchasing the ingredients. There is no going back after I purchase the ingredients. Wish me luck! And if you learn anything from this. Never post anything on Facebook that you do not intend to do :)

* peer pressure? ** yeah right! *** I just know you're thinking that **** I feel like I'm in the climatic part of a movie ***** yeah I tend to over-exaggerate!

some things change ... but not by much

I spent 4 days in NYC last week. NYC is a superb place to visit and for the past couple of years it's become the place I go to see my friends and family when they visit the US of A! In NYC you never have to worry about 'what to do'... lots of walking (so plenty of time to catch up), tons of tourist spots (to keep you entertained) and plenty of places to eat and drink (just in case it all gets too much!)*

Over the past, oh I don't know ... 8 years, one of my very best friends and I, have not been in the same country at the same time. That's just what happens in your 20's!** So when she said she was visiting NYC I jumped at the chance to see her (and meet her fiance and 2 of her other friends!) So off I went last week to NYC full of excitement! It was pouring the rain when I arrived, which I really dig***. So I sorted out an umbrella and started exploring by myself, as my friend (whom I hadn't seen in 8 years) wasn't arriving until later that night.

I got up early**** the next morning to head to Times Square and meet my friend (whom I hadn't seen in 8 years). I felt myself getting nervous. Like REALLY nervous. What if we were completely different now? What if she couldn't understand my NewZealand/WestVirginia/Ohio/NorthCarolina accent?***** What if we didn't laugh at the same things? eeeeeeeeeeeek! Shaking off my nerves I got on the Subway. My phone beeped. 'We are on the red steps.' A text from her. OH MY GOD. What if I don't recognize her? Nerves are back. I didn't bring my glasses with me. I am going to look ridiculous squinting into the crowd at the bottom of the red steps without my glasses ... looking for someone who MIGHT NOT LOOK THE SAME!!! GREEEEAT! Did I say nerves are back? I approach the red steps. I can feel my heart beating in my chest. I peer into the crowd****** and I begin searching for a familiar face. She jumps up calling my name and waving and I let out a huge sigh of relief. I run up the stairs and give her a big hug. ... she looks exactly the same! Yay! AND then the tears started! Yep I'm slightly strange. I don't cry at goodbyes (ever), I cry at hellos!

With the 'meeting' out of the way I started to really enjoy myself. Over the next couple of days I had the best time with not only my friend (whom I hadn't seen in 8 years) but also her fiance and their wonderful friends. So had anything changed? Yep, a few things. Yes, she could definitely hear my NewZealand/WestVirginia/Ohio/NorthCarolina accent but we only had one communication breakdown the entire time! We still laughed at the same things (the 2 buses that broke down for example). And yes we had changed, but not much. One - I am not very good on a bike anymore*******.

And two - she has become an awesome travel agent. She's always been great to go on vacation******** with but I could tell that her career has made her REALLY great! Even though she hadn't been to NYC before she knew all the places to go (and some of the most inexpensive *********.)

I had a moment about 30 minutes after I meet her at those red steps. We were on the bus********** and we were laughing, and I thought 'Wow, has it really been 8 years?' It felt like just yesterday we were laughing about the same things and I smiled. You have friends that you know for a short while. And you have friends you know for a long while. And then you have those friends that you can pick up right where you left off. Coz some things will change ... but not by much.

* Just to clarify I don't have annoying friends or family. Well any that I'd tell you about! ** I've decided. I might write a blog about it *** Read my previous blog titled 'Rainy Day's - I love rain (a little too much) **** 10am (early for vacation) ***** I've moved a lot the past 8 years and yes my accent has suffered from it ****** NOT FUN! FYI everyone that is sitting on the Red Steps is staring at YOU! ******* Note to self: purchase a bike, don't wear a dress & practice riding bike ******** 'Holiday' for everyone outside of USA ********* $12 dinner, in an amazing restaurant in Manhattan! ********** before the first bus broke down

Rainy Days

It's amazing what a few months will do. I'm all about positive thinking. I have a tendency to aggravate my friends when I post 'motivational & funny' photos on facebook*. But a few months ago (back in February to be exact) I really had to practice what I preach.

Things had been a bit crazy**. To put it bluntly we were broke, alone and I had just broke my wrist. Not just any break, I needed surgery. I had never broken anything nor had surgery and coming from someone who doesn't deal well with pain this was very frightening. I do remember my worst fear after breaking my wrist was how am I going to style my hair***? And how will I fasten my bra in the morning****? On a more serious note I also realized that I was lucky to have had insurance when it happened and that it could of been a lot worse.

Life was hectic and a huge struggle. Then came some more news. My man (we'll just call him B) got a job offer. A job offer that we couldn't turn down. A job offer that had him away from our home, but still a great job offer. So B went for it. He was out of town and we didn't know when we would see each other but he was happy and I was happy for him. With our relationship relying on phone calls and text messages we quickly became amazing communicators. It was nice to hear the excitement in each others' voices when we would have our daily phone convo.

Then came the decision to move to be together. I had been through so much with my tight-knit work family that I couldn't bare the thought of leaving but I knew deep down I had to move forward for my family (B & my little cat). We decided to move out of our broke, alone and (almost healed) wrist situation and thanks to some very wonderful friends and family we were able to do it*****. We were luckily both able to immerse ourselves in work that we not only loved but we found incredibly fulfilling. We were also able to move into a wonderful neighborhood where everyone was so welcoming and interested in the 'Kiwi' from Ohio and her WVU proud B******.

It's been about 4 months since we moved (our '180') and I am so glad that things have changed for the better. I am so in love with my boyfriend, my job & my life (oh and my cat!) I think the biggest decision I had to make when everything seemed unattainable, was do I let this get the better of me or do I keep on keeping on and maybe I'll learn from it? Believe me, it almost got the better of me, but I never doubted that things would only get better. I laughed when things totally overwhelmed me and took one day at a time. And I don't know if it's because I grew up in rainy Auckland, New Zealand or if it's the soothing sound of rain at night but whenever it rains and everyone is complaining, I'll usually have a goofy grin on my face. Which also might be why my favorite saying is 'I like people who smile when it's raining.'

* My friends don't actually confront me about my posts but sometimes (especially Monday morning)even I know I'm a little too chipper. ** Crazy is an understatement *** My boyfriend became an 'expert' hair stylist **** Also my boyfriend - quote 'I'm used to taking these off, not putting them on' ***** You all know who you are :) ****** Not everyone is interested but you get the picture