Random Ramblings

I have moved ...

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:37:00 -0400

to another provider. To view my new site, please visit:

www.chryseisvivienne.wordpress.com

LP - 47: Bulaklak

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:22:00 -0500

Pretty Pink Petals

About a fortnight or so ago, my sister and i had a small tiff which ended up with me bawling my eyes out and ranting and raving like a lunatic on weed to my best friend who lives just across ... the Tasman. The reason for the fight really was (and is) insignificant but on that particular day, it just felt so important to me. Well ... anyway, we sorted ourselves out within that week and all was forgiven. Then the Monday after our big falling out, I saw this massive bouquet of pink flowers at my desk when I returned from work. I thought it was for one of the guys but when I looked at the card ... it was for me! Which - of course, freaked me out cuz, I hardly ever receive flowers and I so didn't want it to come from an 'admirer' (though I was quite sure it wasn't him cuz he has officially bowed out of the race - so to speak). When I opened the card, the words "Bati na tayo ha?" were written in a hasty scrawl on the insides and I knew right then and there, that the blossoms were from potpot.

Yez, the flowers not just made my day - they made my week, my valentine's, my month ... made me happy!

Thanks again potpotskidoodle!

Storm Clouds

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:45:00 -0500

View from the Balcony

Just wanted to share a few old piccies with everyone on this dreary and wet saturday morning. This was taken about a year ago, at my mum's and her partner's place here in Hamilton. We were just lazing around in the lounge that afternoon, and were talking about the weather when one of us just happened to look out the window and saw the amazing cloud formation in the horizon. Naturally, I ran down to my room and grabbed my camera and started shooting away. The piccie above is my favourite image.

Run for Cover

I like the 2nd one because it kind of gives a sense of abandonment (I think it has something to do with the chairs being in disarray). It's as if the people just ran off when they saw the threatening skies.

It's already 21st February 2009 here in the land down under the land down under! Can't help it if we're always a few hours ahead of everyone else.

Have a happy weekend!

Tag: Light Moves is my Weekend Snapshot.

Punting on the Avon River

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:50:00 -0500

The Avon River @ Christchurch

I think, the most romantic tipanan* ever would be Venice. Imagine riding a gondola in the sunset while being serenaded with italian love songs by a dashing gondolier. Whew! However, I think the next best thing would be a punt ride down the Avon River at Christchurch. It's probably the closest thing to Venice on the Southern Hemisphere.

A Classic Punt

According to the Punting on the Avon website, a punt is defined as: "... a flat bottomed boat that does not have a keel. Typically, a punt is approximately 21 feet (6 metres) long and 3 feet (1 metre) wide. It should be propelled by means of a pole - about 16 foot (5 metres) long - which is also used to steer the punt. This method of propulsion is known as punting; using a paddle to move along does not qualify!"

Louie, our punter, said that apart from the typical tourist rides, they can be booked for private functions and the most popular of these are wedding punts (somehow, it does not sound particularly romantic, but I'm sure it is) where the punts are adorned with a billowing white canopy and the newly weds are nestled right in the centre. Of course, they (with or without the wedding party - they may be in a separate punt) then cruise down the Avon River. Absolutely perfect.

Louie, the Punter

(odiba? gwafu!!)

I was able to ride a punt (with a female friend dahil pareho kaming kasapi pa ng SGV**) and it was indeed very romantic. It would have been perfect if Louie, the Punter (pictured above) was seated beside me, instead of standing at the stern, punting away. Now if that had happened, that would have been like - even if we were in the yuckiest of tipanans* - the most perfect date ... EVER!

* tipanan: Filipino for the term 'dating place'

** SGV: Samahan ng mga Giniginaw twing Valentine's

Tagging this for: LP - 46

Happiness is ...

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:35:00 -0500

A Chocolate Pecan Torte

Mmmm .... Yummy yummy yummy! Mr. K, my mum's partner, finally gave in to my heart-felt pleas for a delectable goody from our local cheesecake shop (sorry, no listed NZ website ... darn it). I had my heart set on a strawberry cheesecake (i swear, it's so delish! it's absolutely sinful) but Mr. K brought home a Chocolate Pecan Torte instead. I don't mind because I also love the Torte which was also very very yummy - I think I had 2 slices on Saturday and half a slice on Sunday (yes, i've been naughty). I figured getting a high on chocolates wasn't that bad considering I didn't get any valentine's cards nor flowers over the valentine day weekend. I did, however, receive a couple of lovely text messages which warmed the cockles of my heart, and an equally sweet message sent from halfway across the globe -so, I really can't complain.

Anyway, for those living in the Central North Island of New Zealand, that wonderful cake can be purchased at The Cheesecake Shop and they are open 7 days from 9 am to 7 pm. Free phone NZ 0800 428 328 to find out if they have a branch near you. The head office, I believe, is in Australia and their website can be viewed by clicking this.

I had a horrible migraine on Sunday and because that headache rendered me absolutely useless, that image became my only Weekend Snapshot.