"Cause the walls start shaking, The earth was quaking, My mind was aching, and we were making it and you shook me alllllll night long."

Whelp, I guess we're all discovering that maybe I don't need a new blog, but a swift kick up the arse to start writing more. Don't all line up at once. I've been dreaming away over here, but we just felt a big earthquake, which reminded me to perhaps update my family and friends.

I've made it a point to update on quite a few things, so hopefully I'll have a few new blogs up this week.

So, about that earthquake... 5.2, with the focal point being about 30 minutes from us. I never feel quakes, but this one was a big shake. It happened at about 9:30pm here as I was in bed reading a magazine. I was very focused while reading about simple weddings (thanks Aunt Caroline!) and thought Luke snuck in and started shaking the bed. I didn't move my eyes from the magazine and said, "What? I'm reading..." With no reply or hint of laughter I looked up only to see no one, but still felt the shaking. Duh, earthquake. "Stop, drop, cover your mop!" It was really long, maybe even about 45 seconds, but I didn't take cover.

Any who, keep an eye out for some new blogs. I still have to update everyone about our recent adventures and maybe even weddings plans.

Our Kiwi Engagement Party

Last weekend, Friday to be exact, we threw ourselves a cocktail party to celebrate life in general, friends, and our happy news. Our party was a big hit amongst everyone so I was quite pleased. It's hard being the host, because it's making sure drinks are full, food is out, and lots of greeting and schmoozing. I was happy though and generally didn't have to do much. I was reminded of how truly blessed I am by having a special person come to visit: Shannon. Shannon was my first real friend that I made in New Zealand and she, including her awesome family, have helped me out a lot along the way. I was really happy for Shannon, Grant, Alina, and Tom all making the long trip down to Palmerston North. Having them all show up really humbled me and made me think about how good the little things make you feel. It was a lot of reminiscing.

Luke and I in the beginning of the night!

The girls all in the kitchen. Parties are still much the same as a 5th grade dance; Girls inside, boys outside.

Tamsin and I - One of my near and dear

The originals: Shannon, Alina, and me! Thanks for coming ladies!

Much to my surprise, truly, people brought us gifts. I made sure I called it a cocktail party so people wouldn't feel obligated, but that didn't stop people. Our gifts were awesome and very useful! I think we'll have to have another party to use some of our newest additions. I felt rather pampered by everyone.

Tina knows me well. Now I am truly a 1950s New Zealand housewife!

Huge New Zealand tea towels and beautiful coasters - We'll save these for the US.

I've never had "fancy" towels. I feel like I'm at a hotel using these! So soft!

I love this! Aroha means love in Maori.

We didn't have fancy serving dishes and with this book gives me a push to start making new things.

Pretty serving dishes!

The party ended at about 3, which is way past my bed time. I think everyone enjoyed themselves! Thank you Shannon for gathering up the troops to make the drive down! How we spent the rest of the weekend will have to be the next post...

"Keep your coins, we want change."

After a little thought and some time speculating I decided that I would trial a new blog. On my last blog, which I started at the beginning of my travels 3 years ago on my move to New Zealand, I, at a very slow pace, started to fall bored of it, which resulted in barely posting anything. Much to my surprise, there are still some of my faithful followers that have been reading since the beginning that are still holding strong. Through my deep thoughts, extreme quirkiness, and rants they've held onto every word, or maybe it just automatically pops onto their screen; I'm not here to judge.

As much as I love to write I haven't been doing nearly as much because I have lost a lot of inspiration. Without inspiration and passion my words do not come out nearly as eloquently. Instead, they come out as my mood, which wears black like a shirt sometimes. If I could share my biggest lesson that I have learned upon figuring out life my journey of self worth and discovery is that, "it always gets better," "life is what you make of it," and "you don't need to share every detail of your life." I'm sure my mother, or my lovely aunts and cousins, must have expressed somewhere in my long years those exact tips on life, but I never figured them out till I learnt them the hard way, after a lot of trial and error. Perhaps I'm stubborn? As the world keeps pressing on with all of its crazy technology and as New Zealand breaks into the 1950s dial up era I have found myself wanting to hide my voice. The internet has given everyone a soapbox - hey, even me too, but it has also given people, like my boss (yeah, you), the power to anonymously read into your life, something I didn't put too much consideration before, mostly because I am not scared to show my flaws.  As my last blog followed my adventures, but most of my personal life and thoughts, I have decided I would much rather start with a fresh blog and be mindful of what I post. In this day in age where you can find out way too much information on a person, without even sometimes trying, I decided I would try to save face and start with a a fresh, clean slate.