Home Sweet Home

Although I miss my NZ friends and hunny, I must say, I've never been so smiley (even with all the snow!!). I'm SO happy to be home. There is nothing quite like it. It's irreplaceable. The comfort of my pillowy, crisp, white bed. The variety of clothing, jewels, and shoes after months of one backpack. The smell of Ming's grilled cheeses on the stove top. My moms hugs. My dads pinches. Granny's warm house. It's all mine and I'm so grateful to be back to relish in it all once again.

Traveling any time soon? Likely not. I plan on staying put for a good while; smiling at what I have because I am one lucky lady. This girl has had enough adventure for at least a good couple months (or until the bank account is replenished ha).

Till the next adventure me mates... Check out my other blog about daily finds, pics and random thoughts of ting.

xo.

I heart HK

From thousands of pandas, markets, skyscrapers, gold medals and bowls of congee, Hong Kong, you still have me; I doubt you'll ever lose me.

Magic.

From living in a fairly flat place for 6 months, I now know why my mate loved big cities. From the moment I landed in Hong Kong, hopped in the taxi in the dark pouring rain, my mouth agape and eyes wide out the window. Love. As much as I want to stray from the city, my heart will always remain with 60 story buildings, concrete jungles, people, trains and shopping.

I met my father in Hong Kong for his tai chi tournament. I planned 7 days there. I lasted 6. I cracked. Being on a mega budget for 7 months, I destroyed it in Hong Kong. Granted there wasn't much to break... but whatever money I had left from New Zealand was all spent on the delicacies of Hong Kong. Well done HK. You win this round, round 4. You'll likely always win.



Best bowl of congee EVER. I miss this place.

I'm a sucker for markets; fish, meat, fruit, trinkets, I'm all over it. Warning to those who like fish markets, wear proper footwear, otherwise you get smelly toes. Fact.

Farewell Christchurch

For now.

I was never supposed to be away for this long. I was never in fact supposed to be in Christchurch for over a month. This is why one way tickets come in handy. Your path isn't set, you in fact set your path. Mine led me here.

Being here in Chch, I've now met so many beautiful people, worked in a pub, lived in a caravan, went completely broke, got stuck on a hill in a broken down car, had a keg as a fellow passenger, fell in love with a man, and lived through a natural disaster. Yep, not at all what I was expecting; not at all what I came here for either. I love the way the universe plays with you and you with it. Life's path is magic.

During my 7 months away and 6 months in New Zealand, I've seen and done many things that I'm so appreciative of. I love my life. I'm so lucky to have lived amongst magic. Chch, you're going through a rough state. During this time of horror, it's amazing to see how humans are coming together, working with their hands, like the man from Chang Mai; building together a new future; coming together at night like a community. Chch, I love you! I know I'll be back. You are one of my newfound homes. I look forward to seeing the new you.

To the crew at Urban Rooms, in particular, Mark, Michael, Deirdre and Fleur, I love you guys. You are real people. You are magic. I will never ever forget you guys!

To Pomeroys, you are some of the best, welcoming people I know. Pomeroys will always be a place of warmth, community and pure fun. Chef Clayton, I'll miss our love hate banter and most of all your dinners, sans pasta. Mark, you goblin, you are irreplaceable! Hugs to all the bar staff. Steve and Vic, thank you for everything you've done, everything. To the crew on the other side of the bar, it's been a pleasure! I still need to come back for thirsty Thursdays with the Kingi's. David and the 150 boys... thanks for all the beers, same to you Dutchie. General Andi, I hope your baby is as healthy and beautiful and charismatic as you are.

To my mates, Ava, Jen, Sez, Aids, Hera you guys have each given me a lil sparkle. You are all one of a kind gems. Irreplaceable. Irresistible. I carry each of you with my stones, close to my heart. Like Florence and the Machine, You Got the Love. You are all love.

Ava, my twin, we are now split in two. We never got our lock and key but I can see mine on my arm. And it reminds me of you. You are light. A beautiful light. Shine bright little star.

My mike. I hope to see you real soon my kiwifruit, so we can start up where we left off in each others arms.

Farewell Christchurch. I will definitely miss you garden city.

strike my heart!

Sneaky bestie and sneaky boyfriend. A plot to get me out of the house when all I wanted to do was stay in the house...


My mike, is the sweetest man, my man. He writes me small poems when he's hanging from roofs. He writes me small poems when he's under houses. Most of all he writes to me. I love words. I love his words.

A heart hung above the bed to grace us with the sweetest dreams of love. Our love.

My Girl Named Ting

There is such a thing as unsurmountable beauty,
And it's all bundled up in one wondrous cutie.
Her name falls on ears with the most unforgettable ring,
I'm speaking of course, of my girl named Ting.

With a smile so sweet, she sets a heart a flutter,
With eyes so warm, I fear to melt like butter.
With skin so soft, to touch is irresistible,
Before I met her, I must have been miserable.

My arms are held wide and voice bursts lips
"I love you sweet Ting, right to the tips!"
Although time with you may have been short,
It seems that in this sea of love I'm undeniably caught.

I've put into writing that which I want to say,
And all going well by the end of this May,
I'll be in the air soaring above oceans,
To hold you again! What a wonderful notion!

There is such a thing as unsurmountable beauty,
And it's all bundled up in one wondrous cutie.
Her name falls on ears with the most unforgettable ring,
I'm speaking of course, of my girl named Ting.