not Archived

June

29 June
Roll on June
At the start of June I got free tickets to see filming of the returning of Shooting Stars. In the second week of June we had a tube strike, so I got a bit stir crazy working from home.

May

30 May
Throughout May
Since we flew back on Saturday, we had a whole extra weekend day to recover and unpack. As it was her last day passing through town, I meet my old school friend Kirsty at Breakfast Club. 

10 May
Spain feat. Portugal
Our trip started early, landing in Lisbon to look around for the day and then head north to Porto.

April

14 April
Easter in Cornwall and Devon
Last Easter we saw snow on the way back from Kent, this year we were being optimistic and planned a trip to England’s surf coast.

March

31 March
Paris in four days
We arrived in Paris bleary eyed from another early Eurostar - we seem to forget when we book, how much a 5am effects the rest of the day.

15 March
Are you available on these dates?
My first few were weeks at work went smoothly, my new team was full of great people and I was eased back into a role that required more than 20% of my brain.

February

25 February
Malta Malta Malteasers
At the end of my first eventful week of employment at the lack lustre Canary Wharf, I pack my carry on luggage for Malta.

15 February
Snow like fire
February started with crazy snow. On the 1st Kev and I had a day trip to see Kenilworth and Warwick Castle and then went on to Stratford-Upon-Avon to visit a really nice old pub and get a parking ticket. Our £30 will really help the bonus scheme for the parking wardens we're sure.

January

17 January
Start as you mean to go on
January started out back at work with uncertainty ahead, so while I waited on news regarding my contract I tried to enjoy a weekend away in Bath.

5 January
To Scotland and Back
Notes from a Small Island unplugged
On Christmas Eve, eleven days of leave stretched out in front of us, unemployment aside, this is would be our longest break yet.

2008

December

21 December
Birthdays away from home
Luckily our birthdays fell on Saturdays this year, giving us back to back weekend celebrations.

3 December
It's not goodbye, just see you later
Well, it's how the 2 year visa works, we've had plenty of practice at saying goodbye before but seeing Hayley and Niki off was not something to look forward to. Even if it gave an excuse to go to Bar Kick and then Brick Lane again.

November

24 November
Belgium Waffles please
With a forthcoming trip to Brussels planned, Kev and I did our homework and watched In Bruges.

15 November
Wake up Mr West
Arriving back from Dublin I was super excited to break the diet and be off to see Kanye West at the O2.

11 November
Dublin At Last
In the week leading up to a weekend away in Dublin, we went to see Arsenal play a Turkish team (Fenerbahce SK) as part of the Championships League (in other words, no alcohol is served during the game).

October

31 October
All Hallows' Eve
At the first mention of a Halloween party I was super excited to be in a hemisphere for pumpkins and carving.

20 October
Sicily in Four Days
After a very early start and the usual check in anxiety, we found ourselves landing safely in Palermo and collecting a hire car for our four day adventure.

September

30 September
September it seems
During September we settled into our new flat, Kev spent most nights on hold to call centers trying to set up and move accounts and I sorted out the parking permit.

August

4 August
Michelle and Paul tie the knot, Debra and Pam get sozzled and the All Blacks win 39-10
With my mums extended trip coming to an end Debra, Kev and myself packed into the car and drove up to Nelson on Thursday night.

July

26 July
Monopoly Board Pub Crawl
As Kev had previously organised a boys-only Monopoly pub crawl, it was time for us girls to see if we could do better.

24 July
Euphonious July
To help through the concert ticket drought I signed up for a few free gigs in the iTunes festival.

4 July
Confessions of a home sick kiwi
Whilst in Brighton to see Sully and Ellie, hearing all about fun times happening back in Sydney I started to feel sick - home sick for Sydney.

June

29 June
Brighton and Lewes - Happy Days
Sully and Ellie, which we know from Sydney, were back in their homeland for bridesmaid duties and a decent curry.

27 June
Crystal Palace and Back
After recent family events, my mum was in London a month earlier than expected, luckily this coincided with my flatmate/cousins holiday so we had a whole spare bed for my mum on offer (instead of an arrangement of couch cushions on our tiny lounge floor).

21 June
To Nelson and back
On Wednesday a last minute plan to drive north was thrown together.

19 June
not TakenDaily
Three years on from leaving NZ and starting this blog updates are far and few between.

7 June
Long road to ruin
For our three year anniversary I scored some tickets to the supposedly sold out Foo Fighters concert at Wembley Stadium. 

May

24-26 May
Christchurch
For the second bank holiday May had to offer, Kev and I headed down to Christchurch (two hours south, when the traffic is good) after work on Friday night.

3-5 May
South West England + Wales
May has two long weekends, and the last bank holidays until August, so Kev planned another road trip to make use of the time off.

April

8 April
Cheap Trick
Well, it's been too long to make an honest attempt at a proper update, so I'll try and make it short and lets see how long it'll get...

March

29 March
Oh you do go on
As I read through a new found internet gem (http://mightygirl.com/), I wonder if my own blog sounds quiet as immodest.

February

12 February
Weekend Away at the Seaside
After my day of interviews I meet up with Kev and my cousin Ben at the train station before heading down to Hastings for the weekend.

7 February
Employee Me
Clocking into week four of unemployment may have seemed promising with interviews lined up but we weren't feeling too great to still be unemployed and staying in someone's spare room.

6 February
English observations
They still have 1 and 2 penny coins, and paper notes

January

January 30
Interview with The Recruiters
On Tuesday went to see the Tower of London.

January 21st
Birthdays and Markets
On Tuesday we trained it out to Camberley to keep Kev's sister Stacey company for a few days.

January 14th
London Tourists
On Monday morning we had finally adjusted to the time difference and were ready to venture into the big city.

January 9th
Christmas and the rest
Christmas came and went fast, but not without too much eating.

2007

December

December 22
Pick Up, Pack Up and Go
The last two months in Sydney were somewhat stressful with furniture and the car to sell, the house to let as we were leaving mid contract and of course leaving parties to hold.

October

October 29
Flying Hungover
After an extra day in Melbourne, my sister came up to Sydney for her last holiday with us here.

October 22
Melbourne
After many months of planning and group emails, a long awaited girls' trip to Melbourne approached.

October 12th
Don't Move
Moving is in the top five most stress events in life so having a holiday after it seemed well deserved.

September

9 September
Little Map of Tassie
APEC has taken over Sydney, and with this predicted months ago, Howard decided to give all Sydneysiders the day off and suggested we all leave the city.

6 September
Move it
At the end of August Kev was offered a new job, an opportunity to get some stellar experience to take on to England next year, the only negative - it's in St Mary's.

1 September
Cocktail hour
Looking ahead to leaving the country at the end of the year, I realized my full duty-free grog cupboard was too much for me to get through by the December.

August

13 August
Karma killer
Thursday night, Grainne and I meet up in Newtown to get a bite to eat before seeing The Shins, supported by NZ indie band The Ruby Suns at the Enmore Theatre.

6 August
Sneaky Sneaky
On the Friday before my mother's birthday I found out my old man and brother would be in Brisvegas for it.

July

31 July
Happy Birthday to you all
Saturday night we were invited to a very grown up dinner to celebrate Brian's birthday.

20 July
Just like new
Yay! We finally have our car fixed and back in action.

9 July
Live Beer
What a week of major events and changes. First off Jacki arrives in Sydney for a week of tourist fun.

2 July
Free's Company
Finally, all that work time wasted on entering competitions online has paid off!

June

June 15
Lock it In Eddy
Woo hoo! Its official booked and paid for... Kev and I are definitely moving to London next year.

June 12
Tropical in the Stormy sense
After a morning of hassle with the shuttle company, Kev's sister Stacey finally arrived safely to Coogee on Friday morning with only a house key to greet her.

June 7
Back Flips and High Kicks
A Freedom Air return airfare during Feijoa season is over AU$500, so 99 cents for a Feijoa doesn't seem that expensive does it.

June 4
Fixed For Now
Waiting on the insurance to get back to us, after faxing our incident report through 3 times, is not our only present car problem.

May

22 May
A Mannequin Doesn't Smell Like That
The Amazing Human Body Expo is nearing the end of it's time in Sydney, so as Kev was interested in it we headed there - luckily on empty stomachs.

May 17
SKI holiday
Thursday night my parents arrived through customs for a week in Sydney before heading north for three weeks traveling through Queensland.

8 May
QLD Labour Day = Sydney getaway
On Friday night Toni and Darryl flew into the domestic airport, and after circling the outside of the car park I eventually found a park and them.

1 May
So we're just gonna deem you at fault, Okay?
On Monday night Kev had someone pull across his lane and the two vehicles connected.

April

27 April
Go Chiefs
Being a harbour city, there a tons of good snorkeling spots we're missing out on.

20 April
We want Chili Willi
Late in October last year I got tickets for the Chili's Stadium Arcadium album tour.

16 April
Little Italy
Sydney is a big city, but it doesn't feel like it when your life is mostly lived in the Eastern Suburbs.

6 - 9 April - Easter weekend
Snorks
Easter weekend was the weekend Kev and I decided to appreciate summer...

March

31 March
Hollywood Leaving Party
One of our friends that is actually from Sydney was heading off on her OE recently so we travelled up to Turramurra for her farewell party.

24 March
Corporate Games
Corporate Games bring out the competitive at work and as a team in my function needed more females to balance up the mix team, I signed up for a months worth of training.

12 March
Sydney > Auckland > Hamilton > Taupo > Tauranga > Hamilton > Sydney
Home road trips
Kev's first trip home, and our first time back together, was mostly for my old man's 60th - but we managed to fit heaps else in during the brief break in NZ.

February

28 February
Unfortunate circumstances for fun like this
My sister Debra celebrated her birthday last Friday, although unfortunate circumstances bought her over to Sydney for it, we got to celebrate it properly on Saturday.

23 February
Excuse me, that's my foot your sitting on
Sunday night Kev and I ventured downtown, in hopes of better weather than last year to watch the Tropfest Short Film Festival.

January

31 January
Culture mate
Happy Auckland Anniversary, to you at home, meanwhile we were given Friday off for Australia Day. A day where made-in-China flags cloak the city and later mop up the dregs of the beer flow.

20 January
Free As
With free being the new black of this season, Kev and I took advantage of the free outdoor cinema on offer as part of the Sydney Festival.

2006

December

31 December
New Years
New Years eve celebrations, one of the most anticipated and consequently disappointing events of the year.

28 December
NewHamiltonCastle
Wednesday after Christmas I had to work, for the so called urgent work that was left waiting while I froze my ass off in NZ.

25 December
Christmas with you is the best
Back in Sydney for Christmas day (celebrations round two), with ten of us eventually piled around the Christmas table at Brian and Leanne's.

23 December
Still 23
The remainder of my time in New Zealand was mostly without the sun, despite my micro-packed luggage and included a few trips to cold old Hamilton.

16 December
Christmas Party round two
Some of us in Sydney recollect the last Christmas party thrown at Tim and Louisa's house with fond memories.

13 December
Happy Birthday to Ya
On Wednesday night we celebrated Kev's birthday, following the tradition of his childhood, with a sponge cake and 24 candles.

11 December
Christmas cheers
We found another advantage to having a car - drive in movies!

November

24 November
Kiiii-lee
Kylie's illness last year meant her sold out Australian leg of her Show Girl tour was postponed.

20 November
Sydney Tourist
Kev's mum Shona arrived on Friday for five nights in Sydney, so on Friday evening we walked to Bondi to see the Sculptures by the Sea along the coast between Bronte and Bondi.

16 November
Paul, David, Adam, Larry & Billy
It's nearly a year since Leanne and I waited in line for tickets and now U2 are finally here to promote making poverty history & their latest album & tour.

11 November
Aunt Pearl's Jam
It's a well known fact that I love concerts and hate to miss out on anything good coming to town, my life is tracked by concert, sport & boarding tickets.

6 November
Bernard & Beer
November, or Movember to those charitable enough, is the month for music in Sydney. So Grainne and I got things started early on the last day of October.

October

25 October
Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world
Before the November onslaught of concerts and visitors sets in, Kev and I headed off to Fraser Coast, to relax at one of Australia's must see tourist spots.

13 October
Jackson's
Black Friday was a scorcher, with temperatures creating a night for micro-shorts and cool cocktails.

11 October
Brrroom Brroom
NSW celebrate Labour weekend a bit early than back home, so on Monday 2nd we were treated to a day off (treated, at the contractors own expense though). I had recently decided that it was time to by a car.

September

27 September
That's so G.C.
It started on Saturday morning, early; 5am our shuttle was suppose to pick us up in time for our 7.25am domestic departure.

8 September
Western Chopsticks
Friday night rocked round and I made my way from the eastern side of Sydney to the west to meet my old workmates for dinner, to catch up, hear who else is leaving and share work stories.

August

6 August
Spring time for...
Spring came early for one weekend at the start of August, so Kev and I headed to Manly for the day.

5 August
"Happy birthday to ya"
August started with Leanne's birthday, and an experience in Australian service quality (or lack of). Leanne and I started at the flagship Pantene hair spa - for a birthday do.

July

13 July
Damn you, Jack Sparrow...
Friday night was round two for cocktail parties, this time at Brian and Leanne's with a pick'n'mix combination of people, all quickly de-sobered and soon getting on like old friends.

July 3rd
Your present (to be paid for in only 3 small installments of...)
During my Christmas/New Years holiday I presented Rach with an early birthday present, a ticket to Coldplay in June, the only condition was that it was in Sydney.

June

19 June
One Year where?
After our extra long weekend in Canberra, on my second day back at work I spent until lunch time looking forward to the Tuesday Sub of the day...

14 June
Canberra
With most of my family in Oz for the long weekend, we all headed to capital city for a road trip

9 June
Aotearoa, rugged individual
Split Enz, founded and lead by two of the godfathers of NZ music.

5 June
Cocktail Hour
My last flat in Hamilton was the birth place of many tasty cocktails and some hazy memories of fun cocktail parties, so with enough duty free stocked up it was time for a Coogee styled one

May

23 May
I say what's, what's cooler than being cool? (Ice cold!)
Friday night we headed to Luna Park for twenty buck unlimited fun on the ferry from Circular Quay.

16 May
Interstate
Yay, Debra and Toni are here! Saturday included dragging them around the standard tourist photo spots.

April

4 April
where ever you go, there you are
Lesson 101 of travelling - learn to say good bye. Rob and Grainne, my beloved flatmates since I moved here

3 April
Weren't you just here?
Yes, I'm back home again, within four weeks of my last visit in fact. As already mentioned, U2 postponing their concert meant I could come back for two weddings in Napier and Tauranga

March

23 March
Rent-a-rant
Maybe it won't be Dan Brown's next inspiration to plagiarise but check, check, check - check it out.

21 March
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi
The Aussies aren't happy, apparently NZ celebrating a bronze medal with a haka is overkill - well, how could any Aussie

20 March
Olde Goldy
Queensland - they don't do daylight savings or warrants for cars but the beaches are beautiful and there kiwis are aplenty.

9 March
oh no, not U2?
Irish rockers U2 have postponed their tour just two weeks before sold-out concerts in Australia and New Zealand.

6 March
You underestimate the sneaky
Yes, I managed to sneak back into the country, almost undectected, to spend some quality time with Kevin before he leaves NZ in two months.

February

27 February
A very merry unbirthday to me
Our fourth surprise party and it's concerning how good we are at being deceitful - but I'm not complaining!

26 February
Tropfest - Tropweather
In its 14th year, and biggest yet, the annual Sydney Tropfest boasts to be the world's biggest short film festival.

18 February
matchbox 20 thumbtack 50
Well, since ailments are now approved blog content.

4 February
Fishey Fishey Fishey
Ain't they cute, Grainne adopted new kids to keep us company, Roberta & Junior in the new upgraded aqueerium (Roberta is gender-challenged).

3 February
Murder House
After a week of tooth ache I was actually looking forward to going to the dentist, for no other reason but relief.

January

26 January
Australia Day
Waitangi Day, New Zealand's national day, filled with political protests, politicians accused of crocodile tears or having mud thrown at them. Now, imagine the opposite of that

24 January
Surprise!!!
Grainne's 23rd birthday was cause for a surprise party - and her favourite colour the theme for the evening.

22 January
DVD killed the Video Star
The first week and a half in the new place was without a decent tv aerial connection - this resulted in watching: Old School, War of the Worlds...

6 January
notHomeless
Grainne and Rob arrived from their early flight in time to join us in our search for an apartment.

2005

December

31 December
New Years Eve '05
New Years Eve mission '05 was to head to Cooks beach, with a detour to Hamilton to pick Kev up after work on the way.

3 January
Rob and Grainne came back to Hamilton with Kev and I for Tuesday night.

25 December
Thanks Santa
Christmas day is made fun again with little ones around and after presents from Santa and secret santas were opened the remainder of the day was spent playing outdoor games and eating.

29 December
Thursday arvo I drove home to meet Jacki for dinner and to see the Feelers (stellar birthday present - thanks Jacki).

30 December
Friday we all piled into my car and headed to the Blowkarts in Papamoa for Rob to use his birthday voucher from me.

16 December
I'll be home for Christmas
The trans-tasmin flight is barely long enough to watch a movie

17 December
Saturday's big plans were to head to Louisa's new home for a flat warming/Christmas party, and for a surprise birthday cake for Debra B - Happy Birthday chick.

20 December
On New Years day this year I had a little (huge) melt down about turning 23 this year, with a feeling that foggy Hamilton was becoming a rut I was discontented with.

9 December
Last week in Oz '05
U2 ticket dramas, packing and moving to Coogee, Christmas work lunch.

5 December
With or Without U2
I have been misunderstood more than once announcing my love for (the band) U2

1 December
Everlong
On Thursday Leanne meet me after work for Christmas shopping

November

26 November
Bravo for Jim & Yvonne
Jim and Yvonne returned from a road trip to the Blue Mountains

iSanta
This year, who cares what santa brings me, I'm buying myself an iPod for Christmas

25 November
Working for the man
The week ending was a pretty boring one work wise for me, seems several different departments are responsible for setting new user accounts up - and none of them see it as a priority.

21 November 
Every vote counts, mine didn't
Well the remainder of my week off was not used for dedicated hours of tanning, but instead on Thursday I joined Leanne in her search for a new apartment in Coogee.

15 November
Rozzers/Pigs/Filth/Plod/Bacons/Feds/Bobbies
Monday morning I headed an hour west of the city to Parramatta for a job interview at a NSW government department headquarters. 

13 November
"Let's put another shrimp on the barbie"
My week back at unemployment eventually finished with an interview set for Monday & Tuesday next week.

7 November
World Record
Before I left for my NZ holiday I had applied for a few jobs and before I got back to Sydney

6 November
Finding a home
Back in Tauranga for a few days with my seemingly neglected olds parents, watched a bit more C4

October

29 October
Not notHamilton
A busy week of quality time included Tuesday gossiping with the girls, Wintec Wednesday for lunch

22 October
Frocked up & celebrating
Saturday's mission was to squeeze in some nephew hugs before picking up Kev and heading to Tauranga

21 October
My bags are packed, I'm ready to go
My week of unemployment was filled with a loss at the Crows Nest Hotel quiz night, 

17 October
Unemployment V3.0
My my, this blog has become neglected in the last fortnight.

1st - 3rd October
Labour Weekend
Labour weekend here, seems I get two Labour weekends this year (this would be good if I was being paid for either of these public holidays, but I'm not). 

September

30 September
Unemployment: Days Two-Five
Interviews 2 & 3 were seemingly a waste of time,

26 September
Unemployment: Day One
A few call backs from the 30+ jobs applied for last week 

23 September
Ping pong over oceans
Live kiwi music, o how I've missed it. Elemeno P got the party started on Friday night as the first support act

23 September
Back on the chain gang?
Not much going on here, the first half of the week was really quiet with not much work

16 September
Feels Like Home
Friday night was spent at St Leonard's Tavern with Brian, some of his mates and...

9 September
Road trippin' with my two favorite allies, Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies
Obelisk Beach & Blue Mountains

7 September
Sinfully good
Kev and I went to see Sin City last night, something of which I could dedicate an entire week of lunch time conversations too. 

5 September
"I should have said no to that last round of puggs"
Friday night started with warnings (or enticings) of strobe lighting, nudity and explicit language.

August

31 August
Cha-ching
With my ma here for a few days I had someone new to play with (more like shop).

25 August
Cue the Tumble Weed
Nothing much is happen'n round these parts lately. Recent non-event events:

15 August
Terä Luv
My sisters gone home already, with only really one day together we didn't get up to much mischief.

12 August
Keep it down in the back
What do you get when you re-unite two Briggs girls' on a train?

8 August
Inception of Deception
Brian's birthday surprise was a practice run for the elaborate web of lies that lead to Leanne's birthday surprise a week and a half later.

July

26 July
P-Knuckle
We've given up on the flat hunting and staying where we are.

19 July
Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?
Sorry for the lack of updates, I finally have some content but no time to put it up. Life to date:

18 July
Sorry for the lack of updates, I finally have some content but no time to put it up. Life to date:

17 July 
For Kev's last night we caught a ferry to Manly for traditional Fush 'n Chups on the beach,

16 July 
Parramatta
Came back on the ferry and rushed over to a flat viewing in Crows Nest near Leanne and Brian's new place (more importantly near their spa and sauna...).

14 July
With two days left of working opposite the Royal Botanic Gardens it was fitting (and sweet) that Kev brought a sumptuous picnic for two. 

09 July
World's most under-rated injury: The Paper Cut
Well, my first week of over-qualified employment was pretty successful. With little demand on my brain it was quite comparable with unemployment.

01 July
This time will be different though...
So I'm all set to start work on Monday, Friday midday rolls around and another recruitment agency I had previously spammed with my CV has a contract job suitable for me. 

June

30 June
Back on the chain gang
Finally got some temp office admin work to keep me busy. At least one recruitment place cares about me (as much as their commission).

29 June
Might trick me once
Spent the morning applying for the backlog of jobs for June on Seek. 

26 June
He's been doing it all day ref!
Go the AB's aye, what a rough game though (don't mess Carter up). 

25 June
Bugger...
Yeah, "They're currently in the process of filling the position, if the person they have already got doesn't take the offer, the interview process will start again next week...". 

24 June
Get a Haircut & Get a Real Job...
Started applying for jobs on Monday - spamming agencies around Sydney with my CV, cover letter and desperation. 

18 June
Thanks from all the crew for flying with Air NZ
Been here a few nights now and currently enjoying unemployment...

15 June
bye Bye
It's time for me to go, thanks to you that turned up for any of the leaving parties, and thanks for the black outs all that alcohol you bought me resulted in... 

13 June
not Hamilton? It's nothing personal...
The kiwi "OE", it's a rite of passage (I'd skipped the yardie at my 21st) so it's time for mine.  Aussie is the first stop, why?  Cause it's not Hamilton...