tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81112543055871012442024-03-13T09:47:37.544-07:00Dan the Occupational Therapist in New ZealandI'm now living and working in Wellington, New Zealand after an opportunity arose from the 2011 NZAOT Conference/Clinical Workshops in Bay of Islands. Here's some of the adventures from my life and work in New Zealand. Find out about OT, OT education and cultural issues within New Zealand!Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-69920776888633894692016-06-05T17:22:00.002-07:002016-10-10T19:20:58.963-07:00The last post - well, for a little while as a new blog needs writing...Hi Everybody,<br />
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As an Occupational Therapist of knocking on almost 15 years - I've picked up some useful habits and maybe a few not so useful ones. Being reminded to reflect, analyse, question and consider the use of language carefully have all been things my professional experience has helped me to develop. However, sometimes searching for understanding in a situation isn't really necessary. I do think a little reflection might be a good way to bring this blog to temporary end right now.</div>
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My career to date has taken me quite literally around the world and brought me a truly global set of friends, colleagues and inspirations. New Zealand continues to be the latest chapter of this journey, and oh it's been an amazing 4 years here so far. My top memories from an adventurous point of view have to be:</div>
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1) The Tongariro Crossing - best day walk ever!</div>
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2) Exploring the Wonders of Wellington - summer concerts & salsa</div>
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3) Snowy mountains in both the North & South Islands.</div>
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4) Sailing in a cowboy suit with my OT Supervisee! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random NZ Moments</td></tr>
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5) OT National Conferences & Presenting on 'Tall Poppy' Syndrome (@ WFOT, Japan)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Fave presentation team - OT Conference 2013</td></tr>
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I could go on, however the point I'd like to make is about keeping an open mind for the opportunities life might throw your way - as you just never know what's around the corner. New Zealand doesn't hold the same level of craziness of other places I've lived like Romania & Vietnam, but it does have it's own special lure of randomness and beauty.</div>
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From a professional perspective, the journey has been no less lively and interesting with 3 years in Community mental health, further cross-cultural learnings and then a move to the private sector and the realisation that our knowledge as health professionals is highly valued outside of the health sector. There's so much we can bring to so many settings and offering a fresh and different perspective to private business - it's quite refreshing. We needn't be afraid of what we don't know. Let's feel good about shouting from the rooftops (in a pleasant, down to earth, melody) - as we 'know stuff' - 'real stuff' as a friend of mine recently commented to me. </div>
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My desire for cross-cultural learnings continue too. The best, funniest and most memorable moments of my career to date have come when I've been at odds with other people and then had to try and see the other person's perspective to understand the difference in opinion. So to all those that have joined this journey through email, in person, in NZ or elsewhere in the world - keep at it. </div>
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The next adventure is perhaps the biggest one I've faced - and one I really know the least about - parenting a baby! I'll be writing about this on www.otdantheparent.blogspot.com</div>
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Come follow the ultimate adventure with an OT twist. We'll hopefully get back to a more comical view of the new world! Always happy to take emails about anything NZ related too. </div>
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For the final time (for a while)</div>
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Regards from New Zealand.</div>
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Dan</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-86065573607647218372016-03-28T00:57:00.000-07:002016-06-05T16:21:25.723-07:002016 - Life as an OT - "but not as we know it"Hello Everybody,<br />
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It's been a few months since writing the last post, mainly due to there having been quite a few significant life changes recently, and this has meant it's been hard to find a minute to stop and take a breath!</div>
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One thing that does remain constant though, is the beautiful wonder of these Islands and the constant reminders of how the lifestyle in New Zealand is so closely connected with the physical land. Recreation time in NZ is spent walking, swimming, cycling, tramping, caving, diving, and th elist goes on and on. Even for the less adventurous person, with almost all of the major towns / cities being located by the coast or a short(ish) drive from a snow covered mountain, there is no escaping the visual and physical effect of nature.</div>
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The photos below show how even just getting around can be an adventure:<br />
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Whilst out walking with my 15-yr old step-son and trying to encourage him to enjoy the 'free' & healthy lifestyle on offer in NZ, we headed to the Red Rocks walk (Wellington's South Coast). Whilst usually full of seals during a few months of the year, on this day we were treated to a free dolphin show. A pod of Dolphins arrived along the coast line and played around for 15 minutes much to our surprise and enjoyment.</div>
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Wellington also has a number of events throughout the year that have fireworks linked with them. This latest one (Chinese New Year) coincided with us having access to a friend's car. Making the most of some the hillside we headed up Mount Victoria to enjoy the spectacular views over the city. It was my wife's and step-son's first 'proper' firework display here and what a lovey reminder of the beauty of their new home. </div>
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The added beauty on the same night, was a late summer sunset as seen from Mount Victoria. The colours generated due to the hillside setting were further reminders of the free star and 'light shows' on offer here, all through the year. Sights like this just make you stop, look and admire your surroundings. As with many things in life, seeing things through the eyes of others (whether it's the first time or not) has always been a powerful experience for me, and a wonderful one when it's a sight like this.</div>
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<u><b>O.T. BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT!</b></u><br />
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For anyone's who's followed my adventures or career to date, you'd probably be a little surprised to hear that I have move into the private sector - and now work for an INSURANCE company of all things! </div>
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I've never been one to dismiss an opportunity to consider doing something a little different. Having worked around the world and usually in face to face settings with people in a variety of health settings, a move to INSURANCE has been different to say the least. The skills required to work more remotely (not in face to face contact with clients), analyze medical information truly objectively, and apply that analysis to any given condition and policy definition, are complex. Working alongside non-health trained colleagues who can hold a very different set of work values and ethics - has been a great challenge too. My outlook has been forcibly widened, and not in a negative sense. Initially I wondered how much REFLECTIVE PRACTICE would occur, and how would I feel about any conflicting professional (OT) ethics verses workplace expectations.</div>
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The over-riding sense of working to help people return to employment and assess their functional abilities has been positive and full of learning for me so far. It has also been a really good reminder that Health Workers do not have a monopoly on understanding the perspectives of people in health-related difficult and emotionally challenging situations. Some of my colleagues, who don't have a 'Health Care' background have inspired me with some of their insight and understandings of different client's issues. </div>
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So this experience of working within the Insurance Industry in New Zealand, is a far cry from my experiences in Vietnam & Romania: but my learnings have been similar. People are made of stern stuff. People can surprise, inspire and grow no matter what their history, job title and beliefs. People anywhere and everywhere have the potential for personal growth and make positive contributions to others. </div>
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'NOWHERE BEATS WELLINGTON ON A GOOD DAY' - This is a phrase that many Kiwi's know. It's a polite way of saying the weather can be really crap a lot of the time. This summer however, well actually since I returned in October, the weather has been pretty amazing! These next pictures have been 4 years in the making and I finally had a camera with me when spotting sting-wrays in the lagoon!</div>
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IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA - TRY IT! - Kiwi's are not afraid to create and try new things especially adventurous ideas! It doesn't take long of living here to see this spirit in people and it's no surprise to learn that bungy jumping originated here. It my short time (well 4 years now) I have seen and played a few interesting sports with Turbo - Touch, Frisbee-Golf to mention just a couple). The latest new 'sport'' we decided to give a go was Football-Golf! </div>
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Basically, instead of hitting a golf ball with a club, you kick a football in the least number of attempts possible from the 'tee' to the hole! (Obviously the hole for the football is bigger than for the golf ball). The 'course' is a golf course, so you do need to watch out for golf balls flying by, and the general looks of horror from the golfers!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBM4us4qnHE/VuplQh4Q-eI/AAAAAAAAEi4/UPGWXKBjQ-MfUPPtOojUkcb3nhpzCMjTA/s1600/DSCN5308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBM4us4qnHE/VuplQh4Q-eI/AAAAAAAAEi4/UPGWXKBjQ-MfUPPtOojUkcb3nhpzCMjTA/s640/DSCN5308.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FRANK & FRAN AT THE READY!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQ68XwLRtEM/VuplVYWD63I/AAAAAAAAEi4/INh5ylJpQ68Z8CXfuHQVzjZhTq7TVZGnw/s1600/DSCN5310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQ68XwLRtEM/VuplVYWD63I/AAAAAAAAEi4/INh5ylJpQ68Z8CXfuHQVzjZhTq7TVZGnw/s640/DSCN5310.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FOOTBALL GOLF CREW</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff0J3W9neWI/VuplZ8RQG7I/AAAAAAAAEi4/wl1oBg4w-YcLyxlFKcdwb-QhezBX3s1Mg/s1600/DSCN5311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff0J3W9neWI/VuplZ8RQG7I/AAAAAAAAEi4/wl1oBg4w-YcLyxlFKcdwb-QhezBX3s1Mg/s640/DSCN5311.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FOOTBALL GOLF</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QkzxG1ZsArg/VupleiJG1tI/AAAAAAAAEi4/q47pnbmQZAk7Dr9BlvZ-RShBzHWVizfrQ/s1600/DSCN5318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QkzxG1ZsArg/VupleiJG1tI/AAAAAAAAEi4/q47pnbmQZAk7Dr9BlvZ-RShBzHWVizfrQ/s640/DSCN5318.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PLAYING THROUGH</td></tr>
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ALL IN ALL..... Life is changing quickly with a wife, teenage step-son and changing job role. With a number of other things going on life is certainly busy. Therefore as time is flying by, the ability to stall time a couple times of day it would be most helpful. As I've not quite developed that skill yet I need to learn to just 'pause & reflect' 2-3 times a day to ensure I'm not getting pulled away from those things that are most important to me...</div>
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Regards from New Zealand</div>
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Dan</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-61233220825904993272015-12-29T00:46:00.000-08:002015-12-29T00:46:26.583-08:00September - December 2015 <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="goog_1361477148">Hello Everybody,</span></div>
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<span id="goog_1361477148">Well it's nice to be back writing and sharing a little of what's been one of the most cray years of my life. I've already written about my time living & getting married in Colombia in another blog: www.otdanincolombia.blogspot.com Getting married has obviously changed my life beyond recognition, but it hasn't stopped me from keeping up my Occupational Therapy relationships thriving. My wife (below) is an OT - which is really no surprise.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvhoHljUiHg/VnJtsbp1JcI/AAAAAAAAEfM/P249rUBsn9U/s1600/IMG_5817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvhoHljUiHg/VnJtsbp1JcI/AAAAAAAAEfM/P249rUBsn9U/s640/IMG_5817.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_1361477148"> The journey before getting back to New Zealand just as eventful as some of my previous round the world travels. A 16 hour stop in New York became an overnight stay as the absolutely shocking USA airport staff and Delta Airlines showed their continued incompetence by over-booking the plane. This worked out well for me though as I got extra time in New York and time with my long time friend, Petra. Check out some of the famous NY sights below... </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dOd12JaCGaM/VnJtB9bUDII/AAAAAAAAEd0/kNts6YuCP5E/s1600/DSCN4459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dOd12JaCGaM/VnJtB9bUDII/AAAAAAAAEd0/kNts6YuCP5E/s640/DSCN4459.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Times Square, NY</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrmN6-66pBw/VnJtHv1KKoI/AAAAAAAAEeE/kg3HbztxtX8/s1600/DSCN4509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrmN6-66pBw/VnJtHv1KKoI/AAAAAAAAEeE/kg3HbztxtX8/s640/DSCN4509.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the Empire State, NY</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TP6UXsWFRW0/VnJtEtqxNHI/AAAAAAAAEd8/5WW4xWhkxD4/s1600/DSCN4543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TP6UXsWFRW0/VnJtEtqxNHI/AAAAAAAAEd8/5WW4xWhkxD4/s640/DSCN4543.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up with Petra for lunch, NY</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ9hGru51uQ/VnJtMVTpELI/AAAAAAAAEeM/w9HOChGM584/s1600/DSCN4549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ9hGru51uQ/VnJtMVTpELI/AAAAAAAAEeM/w9HOChGM584/s640/DSCN4549.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night at the Museum fans will like this one...</td></tr>
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This shot (taken in central park) might not be so recognizable but I loved it too much to leave it out... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF2WWHLJhTk/VnJtSSGqErI/AAAAAAAAEeU/QD3ys4jwfNs/s1600/DSCN4606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF2WWHLJhTk/VnJtSSGqErI/AAAAAAAAEeU/QD3ys4jwfNs/s640/DSCN4606.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Park, NY</td></tr>
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Returning to New Zealand was never going to be difficult. I say this for many reasons. I had a great time in Colombia and wished I could have had more time with my new family, and more time with my own family and friends in the UK, but I was also very happy to get back to this beautiful country and get the chance to return to work and the new opportunities ahead. That said, my amazing friends in New Zealand made the transition easy. Friends (Frank & Fran) put me up in a truly stunning place with the most amazing views (see below)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xp72xzQ1dV0/VnJtUTsdBhI/AAAAAAAAEec/2JZbLUsZ-AQ/s1600/DSCN4855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xp72xzQ1dV0/VnJtUTsdBhI/AAAAAAAAEec/2JZbLUsZ-AQ/s640/DSCN4855.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from my Temporary Home, Karaka Bay, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsOLWx6Sqss/VnJtckQeGMI/AAAAAAAAEek/i3tzBcn6c3M/s1600/DSCN4888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsOLWx6Sqss/VnJtckQeGMI/AAAAAAAAEek/i3tzBcn6c3M/s640/DSCN4888.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karaka Bay, Wellington, NZ</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1361477148">I needed a little bit of temperature adjustment and had a couple of freezing nights (following months of intense heat in Colombia), before my body adjusted to a NZ Spring. Moving in to a place that had everything I needed so I could just dump my bags was brilliant! Walking into a new (old) job just 5 days after arriving back in the country was also a good thing as within a week, I was pretty much feeling back to my previous life. (Minus my wife and step-son of course) </span><br />
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<span id="goog_1361477148">Wellington always has lots of stuff going on all year round, but one event in particular caught my attention. ROBBIE WILLIAMS was playing a concert at the Basin Reserve (One of the most famous cricket grounds in the world). I went with my good mate Ros and we one had a truly brilliant night singing along to songs from our younger years! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kzvC-Sn-x50/VnJtdnCWD_I/AAAAAAAAEes/G2mMiiB_h9M/s1600/DSCN4895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kzvC-Sn-x50/VnJtdnCWD_I/AAAAAAAAEes/G2mMiiB_h9M/s640/DSCN4895.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robbie Williams Concert @ The Basin Reserve</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wM-Af9QHwEU/VnJtiRw7HPI/AAAAAAAAEe0/vnwotvlqp4Y/s1600/DSCN4919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wM-Af9QHwEU/VnJtiRw7HPI/AAAAAAAAEe0/vnwotvlqp4Y/s640/DSCN4919.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocking Robbie!</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1361477148">I had a few weeks to basically get myself organized: start work, readjust to New Zealand life, find a house for my family and well, you know.... find some time to enjoy life. So, as anyone that knows me knows I tend to search out what's going on in and around the place where I live. This is no different with a wife and teenager in toe. So after just one or two weeks after arriving in the country the family was running around the water front dresses as Santa (with another 300+) other Santas, as part of the Kidscan Charity Santa Run - held all over New Zealand.... </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stThMooVW1s/VnJtm_IhcfI/AAAAAAAAEe8/rSDoU_fsOdM/s1600/DSCN4961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stThMooVW1s/VnJtm_IhcfI/AAAAAAAAEe8/rSDoU_fsOdM/s640/DSCN4961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Run, Wellington</td></tr>
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Needless to say the difference in lifestyles between the bustling and busy Bogota, Colombia and here in the wonderful waterfront of Wellington, NZ is absolutely huge! So views from our new home, (like these pictures below), definitely help with settling into this totally new world. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y642UuXHWyU/VnJtq_S0OUI/AAAAAAAAEfE/cv12_dyhGBA/s1600/DSCN4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y642UuXHWyU/VnJtq_S0OUI/AAAAAAAAEfE/cv12_dyhGBA/s640/DSCN4970.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the new home...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceK5S7iEUzg/VnJukZEX1YI/AAAAAAAAEfU/DqwvWewVSgo/s1600/DSCN4975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceK5S7iEUzg/VnJukZEX1YI/AAAAAAAAEfU/DqwvWewVSgo/s640/DSCN4975.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the new home...</td></tr>
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CHANGE has been the one constant factor in life this year (2016). Change in my working life, change in my country of residence twice (& Continent), a change in climate, a change in marital status, moving home 3 times, and finally a change in becoming a parent to a teenager overnight. I'm a bit over change to be honest! Still, some change is unavoidable. One thing I can definitely say is that change is not something that worries me anymore! </div>
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Wellington, NZ.</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-51746576238628133302015-04-23T14:52:00.002-07:002015-04-23T14:52:25.454-07:00A little Sabbatical....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wikipedia tells me that a 'sabbatical' is: </div>
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<b>Sabbatical</b> or a <b>sabbatical</b> (from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin" title="Latin">Latin</a>: <i>sabbaticus</i>, from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language" title="Greek language">Greek</a>: <i>sabbatikos</i> (σαββατικός), from <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew" title="Hebrew">Hebrew</a>: <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabbat" title="Shabbat">shabbat</a></i> (<i>שבת</i>) (i.e., <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Sabbath" title="Biblical Sabbath">Sabbath</a>), literally a "ceasing") is a rest from work, or a break, often lasting from two months to a year.</div>
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Well, in reference to life in New Zealand, that's exactly what I am doing - I'm off to Colombia, yes the one in South America, for 5-6 months to live in the desert and get married amongst other things! So you can catch my adventures at www.otdanincolombia.blogspot.com.</div>
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I'll start this blog up again later this year (2015) on my return. </div>
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Adios Amigos! </div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-36056525801531450922015-02-19T01:56:00.001-08:002015-02-19T01:56:49.976-08:00It's All About Alice....Hi Everybody.<br />
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It's been quite a while since the last post, and as usual lots of things happen at once that I want to write about. However this post is a fresh one, meaning I'm writing it just an hour or two after an experience that I thought I'd like to share.</div>
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Four of my female friends (Fran, Maree, Tania & Ellen) are about to do a 100k walk for charity, and well, hey, that's what lots of people in New Zealand seem to like doing - big walks, runs and all manner of physical endurance races for good causes or personal challenges. It's no wonder people are so bloody healthy looking here. Anyway, I digress. As part of the fundraising they had a movie screening at one of the gorgeous little Art-House cinema's - the Cuba Lighthouse. The film that was screened had to be changed, and as a result of the change tonight's film was 'Still Alice' (see picture below...)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CWaYnaGTbc/VOWn1EtDSbI/AAAAAAAAEBc/MfgruoFqGwY/s1600/MV5BMjIzNzAxNjY1Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMDg4ODQxMzE%40._V1_SX214_AL_-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CWaYnaGTbc/VOWn1EtDSbI/AAAAAAAAEBc/MfgruoFqGwY/s1600/MV5BMjIzNzAxNjY1Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwMDg4ODQxMzE%40._V1_SX214_AL_-1.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
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Now, this movie which is based on a book, was all about 'Alice' - a highly successful academic, wife, mother of 3, who finds out she has a rare form of Early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. The added twist is that it is a rare form of the disease and is hereditary, meaning any of her children may also get the disease. One of Alice's daughters is "Bella' from the Twilight movies, (who actually is really good when she's having to worry about vampires and werewolves fighting over her).</div>
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This movie is not a comedy, but it's gritty and very real portrayal of how the Alice and the family cope with such a disease. The film made me frequently tearful, and made me think about lots of wok related cases from my past. Also I think a recent file I read of someone at my current work shared many of the same issues that were shown in the film.</div>
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I'm also reading the book pictured below....<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0gbsiPrBn8/VOWn2jWgv2I/AAAAAAAAEBk/VaqpE2F-V4E/s1600/what-alice-forgot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0gbsiPrBn8/VOWn2jWgv2I/AAAAAAAAEBk/VaqpE2F-V4E/s1600/what-alice-forgot.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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... which also has a central character called Alice, who loses her memory. This story focuses on Alice who can't remember the last ten years of her life (from age 29-39). She can't remember her 3 children, the reason for her divorce, of the death of her best friend. This story also focuses on a real sense of what has been lost and how relationships change over time, including the perceptions of who we are as people and how our values can change.</div>
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I was sat watching the film tonight, thinking about many of the 'people', (patients / clients / families of clients / friends & family), who have been affected by illnesses and injuries like in these stories and the sense of a person being present in their body, but not always present in their mind. In both stories there are interactions where the 'now' Alice is either trying to send a message to the future Alice, or understand behaviors of the past Alice.</div>
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These stories really got me thinking about issues like:</div>
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<i>- What parts of myself and my own story would I like to record, and be able to tell myself in the future if forgot?</i></div>
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<i>- Would there be parts of my past I wouldn't want to remind the future me of?</i></div>
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<i>- Do I tell the important people around me enough of how I really feel about stuff now, whilst I can?</i></div>
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<i>- What do I really value in my life, and am I doing the things that make those values real?</i></div>
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Now I know, lots of OT's and health professionals will say that questions about personal values come from the 'OT' part of my brain. Yet thinking about all the interviews I have conducted recently in my new job, and thinking of the many hours of time spent with very ill patients / clients / families, I wonder did I ask this one question enough? - WHAT & WHO ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO YOU RIGHT NOW / IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES? </div>
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The follow-up question should be.... AND ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO RIGHT NOW MATCHING YOUR VALUES?.</div>
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You'd be surprised how many people in my professional career realize that the answer to the follow-up question is a "NO".... </div>
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Regards from Wellington.</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-1598128057190017552015-01-24T20:52:00.001-08:002015-01-24T20:52:30.516-08:00A Whole New World - Moving into non-clinical practice...<br />
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Hello everybody!<br />
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Don't worry I'm not about to post a video of me bursting into Disney's Aladdin song, but given the enormous change in my working circumstances, I could have easily have sang my way through the streets after experiencing working in the private / corporate sector. </div>
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Now lets put this in context, I have worked for 12+ years (post qualification) in public health settings - so that's government run - underfunded, busy teams and departments, with short lunch breaks, average pay and with mainly health professionals. During my overseas trips (South America, Vietnam, Romania etc) I have volunteered, but again with health professionals around to speak, work and joke with.</div>
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Not anymore! As of 2015 I began life working for a large insurance company (who shall remain nameless for the sake of privacy). This is a little short term project, whereby I am part of a group of rehabilitation 'Consultants' who assess people who have Income Protection Claims (where an illness or injury prevents them from working either partially or totally). We look at the person's situation and see if there may be additional support that could given to them, to help them recover and get back to work... I don't want to really talk about the work side of things and am legally bound in what I can disclose anyway, but I do want to talk about the difference between working conditions!</div>
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DRESS CODE: No clinical uniform, (or as I have been used to in Mental Health your own clothes), oh no - this is the corporate world, so it's suits, / shirt and suit pants (at the very least). Ties are optional - as you might expect in laid back New Zealand. I've had a few heart attacks already at the cost of suits here, but I managed to find a cheap one ($250 NZ) in a department store instead of $600 minimum anywhere else that was decent. I have secretly (well not so secretly) enjoyed buying a whole new set of clothes, and yes more shoes too! </div>
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LOCATION & LUNCH: Working in the central business district - OMG I have never seen Wellington so busy and bustling with people as I see now every lunch time. Almost all food outlets are busy, and if people aren't out eating lunch they are going off to exercise classes ( I prefer my lunch break). And oh yes! No more scoffing sandwiches down or running to grab something quick. My luch break just suddenly went form 30 minutes to one hour! I'm prety sure I coudl squeexe in a massage f I really wanted to!<br />
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FACILITIES: In public health settings I am used to minimal space for kitchens at work, shared computers,working in publicly accessed buildings and some grotty departments. Well, I now find myself in a flash tall storey building, with lifts (elevators) that only work if you have a swipe card, infact you need a personal swipe card to get in the door, use the lift, use the photocopier, printer and even get back from the toilet! The kitchen is almost as large as my entire flat, and has a huge tv in it! The fact I have been able to watch sky sports whilst making a cuppa still amazes me. Perhaps best of all is the fact that as part of some social responsibility scheme there are free deliveries of fruit on Monday and Wednesdays! During my first week I have literally been in a constant state of shock. None more so than on day one when was given my own computer - my own computer! <br />
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BUSINESS SPEAK: I have heard phrases and words that I have never heard / used before in my work. 'Let's get in front of that/them' = means early intervention, 'we are going to socialize that' (document / idea)... = we are going to share the document, and I can't even begin to go into the specific language of the insurance world.<br />
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MENTALITY / KEEPING STAFF HAPPY: I have worked with some great managers in the public health settings, though many of the Health Boards / organizations have rarely put as many practices in place to keep staff happy - comparative to what I have seen so far. There's a daily meeting in the organization where all staff (including video link to other offices in the country) have a representative and report on how people are 'doing'. The best bit is the rating is with smiley faces! There's regular team time where staff have chance to just say anything good that is going on for them in life, and then there's a little quiz done all together. Did I already mention the free fruit? And discounted lunch time keep fit sessions? <br />
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SO...... basically I have had my eyes open to a new working world, with a different mentality, focus, amazing facilities and most importantly - nice people to go with it. The banter and jokes between colleagues is indeed different, and the level of client / customer / patient (insert appropriate label here...) is less. However the opportunity to be exposed to a new way of organizational structure, mentality, resourcing and flexibility has been wonderful so far.<br />
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THE TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Well I guess it's simply to never rule out any opportunity, as you never know what you might learn / get from it! Even if it's only free fruit!<br />
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Regards from New Zealand<br />
Dan </div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-41868877736340197072015-01-05T00:46:00.000-08:002016-10-10T19:16:25.077-07:00Showcasing Wellington / NZ life as another chapter begins & a very kiwi Christmas Road Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a little while, so please read this when you have time, get a cup of tea and relax - (it's a long one)....</div>
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This picture follows on from the last post - as a new moon arises. Yes it's been a big year, and next year will be an even bigger one, however life doesn't end in December and begin again in January, however the Christmas period does at least allow for people to come together and time away from usual routines. So here's a little snippet of the last wonderfully crazy few weeks living in Wellington, New Zealand.</div>
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1) SAYING GOODBYE TO 'LIFE AS WE KNOW IT'</div>
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The work Christmas party way split between a lunch at Wagamama and then a 2 hour boat cruise around the harbour. It was a glorious afternoon with my fantastic colleagues and friends. It was especially enjoyable for me as I was due to finish working with the team after 2.5+ year together, and these people have been with me through my entire NZ life. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work Xmas Party</td></tr>
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The idea of leaving such a lovely group of people and work that I feel competent and effective in, is a daunting and scary idea. Regardless of whether this is becomes a permanent move or not, I can at least say that the last 2.5+ years have been a wonderful experience and more importantly contained many hours of laughter - which is something I always highly value!</div>
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2) FEELING PART OF A COMMUNITY</div>
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Many of past travels have included attending weddings... I've been blessed going to weddings in Canada, Vietnam, Romania and now I can add New Zealand to that list. But more importantly than attending different wedding ceremonies, was the sense of belonging that these invitations meant to me personally. Living away from 'home' is tough, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, making new friends is great, but knowing people long enough to have shared (or be invited to share) special events like weddings can take time. </div>
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Therefore I was incredibly honored to be invited to my friend's (Chris) wedding in December. I went on the stag party too - but for obvious reasons I will not be sharing that information here! Being invited to such an event really helped to remind me of feeling like I am not just a temporary visitor to NZ any longer, but am part of a community that goes beyond superficial niceness. I can certainly add a few more people to this list, but you really know who you are already!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@ the winery wedding</td></tr>
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The wedding (at Coney Winery, Martinborough) was in itself a brilliant day with a relaxed atmosphere and a day where it was about everybody just having fun (very much like The Hungarian wedding I attend in 2007). Simple, relaxed and about enjoying the day!</div>
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3) CHRISTMAS ROAD TRIP</div>
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This was the main reason for writing this post. Given the upcoming change in my employment status, I ended up with a week off after 24th December. After a very relaxed and chilled Xmas day (Dec 25th), I decided to leave Wellington on boxing day and drive north. My plan really was simple, drive north... text friends along the way, stop when I feel tired or just feel like stopping, and as it's NZ - stop when you see something worth taking a picture of - so every 3o minutes!</div>
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Day 1 and the first proper stop was Taupo (4/5 hours from Wellington). Taupo being a super huge glacial lake in the centre of the North Island. As you can see from the pictures below, it's the perfect stop for a random swim. I literally just pulled off the road to a little layby with a few other cars there, and threw on my trunks, bathers, swimming wear (insert culturally appropriate word here...).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Taupo</td></tr>
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Swimming in Lake Taupo was chilly - but worth it for the pureness of the water. Whilst I dried of in the sun next to my car, I text my friend / colleague (Michelle) and was invited to join her and her family in the Thermal Valley Hot pools outside of Rotorua. I firstly stopped int Taupo township to have a pizza and glass and beer!</div>
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ROTORUA - land of smelly thermal energy and site of the APOTC in 2015. The Thermal pools were at Waikete Thermal Valley, wow, what a great place to catch up with Michelle and her UK family and enjoy an amazingly pleasant NZ evening. Relaxing in the pools (which go up to 40c) between 6-8 pm was a blissful way relax after a long day's driving. </div>
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The evening didn't quite end there though, with a short 20 minute drive into Rotorua to find a cheap hostel room for the night. I was not disappointed as I found Cactus Jack's hostel who gave me a private room for just $40 (£20). </div>
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Day 2 started well with a tip from the hostel receptionist to head off to the local market around the corner for breakfast. I was loving my morning after a bacon and egg butty (sandwich), a cup of tea and then an amazing 20 minute ($18) Thai Massage in the open air. It was just heavenly! </div>
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Following such a brilliant start to the day I was now ready to head up north and to Auckland and to visit my friend's Tony & Monica. Coincidentally it happened to be Tony's birthday. So hand delivering a card to him on the viaduct in Auckland at a tapas restaurant was an added bonus. </div>
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Two days in Auckland followed, which included eating, drinking, relaxing at Tony & Monica's beautiful home and deck in the glorious sunshine. A few guests came and went on day two including A Romanian couple and their young son, which allowed me to practice some of my now very basic Romanian language skills. Perhaps the highlight of the two days was yet another swim - this time in the ocean in front of the Rangitoto Volcanic Island.... see below.</div>
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The water was warm, shallow and full of people enjoying the stunning Christmas weather! Despite the heat, you just can't beat a good catch up over a cup of tea / coffee, and we weren't going to miss out on doing that at such a lovely place. Mum, in case you are reading - I had plenty of sun cream on!</div>
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After two days of relaxing, it was time to hit the road again. I had a choice of three ways to return to South. I decided to keep my options open and head to Hamilton and visit an OT friend, who was in turn visiting her friend there. As things turned out (in true NZ style), The mother of my friend's friend - was an Occupational Therapist too! So after a lovely cup of tea and a great chat, I had to decide which way to go. A quick phone call to my friend Shane helped me decide! </div>
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4 Hours later I arrived in Clive, Napier and was supping a beer on Shane's parent's deck, in a beautifully sunny Hawkes Bay. Shane's family offered me a place to sleep and a great breakfast of home baked scones before I headed out for one final stop. </div>
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In the nearby town of Hastings, I randomly called in to see another friend Lisa. She was working but was able to meet me for a tasty lunch in a nearby cafe. This was the perfect way to end the trip, especially as it allowed me to do a little shopping along the way!</div>
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So in 4 days I had been up and down the North Island, seen 6 friends on unscheduled visits, swam in a great lake, thermal hot pools and the ocean, and been invited to stay with people for the majority of my time away. There's not many places I've lived where you could just set off without any specific plan and end up seeing so many beautiful places, and just meet up with people as you go...</div>
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Thank you New Zealand for providing such a great end to what's been a huge year! </div>
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Regards from New Zealand! </div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-67218060776514610072014-09-07T05:09:00.001-07:002014-09-07T05:09:52.786-07:00Biking the Bays & Existentialism - Making Sense of the world...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Hello Everybody,</div>
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It's been a little while since my last post. There have been huge life changes since the last post and some truly amazing trips around New Zealand. I haven't posted about those things as they were linked to very personal things and so I keep those details off-line.</div>
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Day to day life has continued in it's usual vain, including almost daily conversations about the increasing numbers of young people seen by mental health services who present with anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation. Is this a Wellington Trend, a NZ trend or wider reaching issue across similar countries and cultures? Could there be a generational factor to these presentations?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNyn7pz6mdc/VAwvxXYJKvI/AAAAAAAAD0k/NKFeSZLtbDo/s1600/DSCN2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNyn7pz6mdc/VAwvxXYJKvI/AAAAAAAAD0k/NKFeSZLtbDo/s1600/DSCN2212.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island Bay</td></tr>
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Today's bike ride (where all today's pictures come from) got me thinking about the role of the environment in the increasingly used process of mindfulness (becoming mindful of any given moment), and the idea of 'finding your place in the world' - a common statement which seems to over used and misunderstood by many people today. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNZrQO6KTMo/VAwwHFKIAEI/AAAAAAAAD00/Kdb4hTKSMNM/s1600/DSCN2217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNZrQO6KTMo/VAwwHFKIAEI/AAAAAAAAD00/Kdb4hTKSMNM/s1600/DSCN2217.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyall Bay</td></tr>
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During today's cycle around the Bays of Wellington and the South Coast of the North Island, there were plenty of opportunities to become mindful of each hill climb, each empty bay and each wave that lapped up onto the shore.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIWUTe-7yXk/VAwwcMHamyI/AAAAAAAAD1E/OV2OLh1kWBQ/s1600/DSCN2222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIWUTe-7yXk/VAwwcMHamyI/AAAAAAAAD1E/OV2OLh1kWBQ/s1600/DSCN2222.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towards Breakers Bay</td></tr>
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Since living here I often wonder if people from New Zealand think about their own environment and the very unique and special resources it provides them. I am not talking about materials like wood and coal, or fish.. but the actual sense of escapism and sense of safety and calm that exists here. Of course this sense of environment is comparative to what you know right? I know streets of terraced and semi-detached housing in the North of England, traffic jams and bustling towns and cities, so New Zealand and Wellington feels like a paradise. Does the sense of safety and peacefulness that I feel living here, does this actually lead natives of New Zealand to feel isolated (from the rest of world) and lost in their sense of life's meaning? </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqWzFUnzkQc/VAww3ZZswuI/AAAAAAAAD1c/VUQ_mk_3NQ8/s1600/DSCN2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqWzFUnzkQc/VAww3ZZswuI/AAAAAAAAD1c/VUQ_mk_3NQ8/s1600/DSCN2225.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above Seatoun</td></tr>
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New Zealand can often be described as being at the end of the earth, and if you watched the main stream media or read local papers you may be forgiven for thinking you had indeed reached a place that thrives on the land... diary and cattle drives the economy. Is it possible that a sense of isolation and a perception that New Zealanders strive to show the world what they can do, might explain a sense of feeling lost here, for some people? - if you haven't moved away from New Zealand or haven't found a way to 'make your mark' in a land of ingenuity?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLMi2Kc_8ug/VAwxE9ioZbI/AAAAAAAAD1k/eDEYvW5kfGU/s1600/DSCN2228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLMi2Kc_8ug/VAwxE9ioZbI/AAAAAAAAD1k/eDEYvW5kfGU/s1600/DSCN2228.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seatoun</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLJerGw9SHA/VAwxjIIAkjI/AAAAAAAAD18/u2Gmw_8xKfM/s1600/DSCN2235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLJerGw9SHA/VAwxjIIAkjI/AAAAAAAAD18/u2Gmw_8xKfM/s1600/DSCN2235.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Here in the beautiful and quiet surrounding of Schorching Bay, allow you to find some ingenuity and creativity in the form of a sea shell mural alongside the cafe...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecrQ1ck0fOE/VAwyEOqv-LI/AAAAAAAAD2U/YNCYg0A7-Qo/s1600/DSCN2238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecrQ1ck0fOE/VAwyEOqv-LI/AAAAAAAAD2U/YNCYg0A7-Qo/s1600/DSCN2238.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Shell mural - Schorching Bay</td></tr>
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Living off the land may enhance a sense of belonging and certainly catching your own food could be considered an activity that helps develop a healthy sense of self, so when seeing this next picture I began wondering about the idea of supporting some of the clients that come public services to engage in activities like fishing. Not as a suggestion though, no, more like a prescription. Go spend time with the land, develop a sense of belonging, serve your family / friends / self with food caught by your own hand - use the time to become / practice mindfulness. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh7nm4mnTH0/VAwyG3ClTHI/AAAAAAAAD2c/S6wFL-LA2dc/s1600/DSCN2240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh7nm4mnTH0/VAwyG3ClTHI/AAAAAAAAD2c/S6wFL-LA2dc/s1600/DSCN2240.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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As the journey moves away from isolated bays and small beaches we move closer to the city. Therefore the sights you see begin to reflect the change in environment and need. Sea Shell murals are replaced by slightly larger buildings, and the entertainment around a cafe is no longer solely provided by the land (sand & sea), but by manufactured toys and games. A sense of environmental importance remains present with old buildings are transformed with new purposes, but the old look is kept acting as a reminder of past use. Wellington is great as recycling spaces, to minimize wastage. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUW8xFomeBg/VAwyim9Z4CI/AAAAAAAAD2k/35t_HoY_Mp0/s1600/DSCN2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUW8xFomeBg/VAwyim9Z4CI/AAAAAAAAD2k/35t_HoY_Mp0/s1600/DSCN2244.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Fish Cafe - Shelly Bay</td></tr>
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Oriental Parade (Below) basks in sunshine and splendour, hotels, cafe's and restaurants come into view and so do people. Lots of people (by Wellington standards) stroll around and sip coffee, eat ice creams, (that's normally me), and chase after their kids on bicycles and scooters (of the non-motorized kind). A sense of growth and the city are clear, but yet it's only 5-10 minutes cycling away from remote bays and beaches. There is real in between here. You can be in the city or you can be in the wilderness....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2u8Hlq5arlM/VAwzPKqIHlI/AAAAAAAAD3M/zNOBYBVFh0k/s1600/DSCN2254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2u8Hlq5arlM/VAwzPKqIHlI/AAAAAAAAD3M/zNOBYBVFh0k/s1600/DSCN2254.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85W47wjOs-g/VAwzaaK1k7I/AAAAAAAAD3U/AuunTrrU844/s1600/DSCN2255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85W47wjOs-g/VAwzaaK1k7I/AAAAAAAAD3U/AuunTrrU844/s1600/DSCN2255.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oriental Bay...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FaQyWYXE1PA/VAwzlbPkyVI/AAAAAAAAD3c/s2odrGMs4Ws/s1600/DSCN2258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FaQyWYXE1PA/VAwzlbPkyVI/AAAAAAAAD3c/s2odrGMs4Ws/s1600/DSCN2258.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oriental Bay</td></tr>
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I finally arrive home after 35k, and despite being in a built up area of the city, 50 yards from a huge supermarket, several take-out places and bars - Living here, I still see the ocean and mountains from the apartment. It really is like nothing I have quite experienced before.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R1QnbIWPgcQ/VAwzu7DK3MI/AAAAAAAAD3s/aDrOcautze4/s1600/DSCN2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R1QnbIWPgcQ/VAwzu7DK3MI/AAAAAAAAD3s/aDrOcautze4/s1600/DSCN2259.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of the day...</td></tr>
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Do I know my place in the world / life? Did I always feel part of something important or just hold a perception of England / UK / Europe being a big and important place in the world? Was I brought up to have realistic expectations of life which lessened the chance of me feeling constantly disappointed? I know young people in the UK have existential issues, and the rates of anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation are also increasing there, so perhaps there are other more important factors?</div>
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All in all, I know only one thing for sure from today. My place in the world is determined by the people I want to be with, and my sense of feeling connected has come from interacting with people in the world around me - wherever that has been. My current physical environment offers lots of chance to reflect, consider and be mindful of life and it's challenges. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOXjbq4L8tg/VAwz340bqiI/AAAAAAAAD30/oOTLm4hf87s/s1600/DSCN2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOXjbq4L8tg/VAwz340bqiI/AAAAAAAAD30/oOTLm4hf87s/s1600/DSCN2285.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early evening moon above Wellington...</td></tr>
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Good night from New Zealand<br />
DanDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-16934874534337602942014-05-04T03:44:00.000-07:002014-05-04T03:44:31.782-07:00The Power of Many, Running Man & does the mass use of social media = social decline???Hello Everybody,<br />
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It's been another busy few weeks and weekends here in Wellington both personally & professionally. The World OT Conference (WFOT 2014 Yokohma) is creeping ever closer, which means I'm getting short of time to do everything I'd like to with my presentations. On the flip side, this has been because I've been busy pretty much every weekend for 2 months, with all the wonders of living in NZ - weekends away up the coast, fun runs, comedy festivals, dinners, dancing and plenty of watching and playing sports!</div>
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DOES MASS USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA = SOCAIL DECLINE?</div>
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My anecdotal observations about the ever declining ability of people to communicate face to face due to the relentless and almost addictive use of social media, were confirmed in another thought provoking video (ironically seen on Facebook). The link is: <span style="color: blue;">http://sfglobe.com/?id=637&src=fbfan_637</span> called Look Up - <span style="color: blue;">This short video by Gary Turk is a reminder of the effects of social
media on our society. By connecting online, we are disconnecting
offline. What are we missing from life as a result? What critical
moments do we miss that we didn't even know passed us by? Be sure to
watch this entire video, especially the ending</span>.</div>
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This video talks of the OVERUSE of social media, and the potential consequences when it replaces face to face communication for current and future generations - this IS NOT saying social media is evil and all bad, it simply discusses the very real consequences of it's over use. I know from my own experiences where people get stressed and freak out if they don't get a 'like' or 'comment' on facebook, and almost anyone in the world where people have good access to phones can look around in a restaurant, shopping mall or social setting, and see groups of people 'together' and communicating with people who aren't actually in the same place - a crazy notion.</div>
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I have certainly benefitted, perhaps more than most, professionally through on-line teaching, on-line international presentations, blogs, allowing me to share experiences and promote my profession. </div>
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However, like many, I have experience of a life where people shared information face to face, by talking, and talking was not edited or planned. It was spontaneous. When I talked and shared information, I knew somebody was listening, and I never relied on people who I didn't know or had not met to feel heard or listened to. I really do worry for the current and upcoming generations whereby people lack ANY ability to be alone and can't communicate effectively in real time and face to face.</div>
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THE POWER OF MANY:</div>
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There are many many things about living in New Zealand that has had a significant effect on my thoughts about life, culture and well-being. Once such concept has been the idea that people really buy into the idea that ANY ACHIEVEMENT IS A COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT. The best example can be seen by many of the NZ Olympic medal winners, who often talk about the influence and efforts of everyone from high school coaches to family members, which has helped them to achieve success. Everyone's contribution is acknowledged and considered. I've been moved by seeing this concept actually played out across different spheres of life here, and if you truly believe this idea, then it could be argued it can have a profound effect on a person's psyche. Imagine what a community, region, or country could achieve with such a powerful notion????!!!!</div>
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This leads me to acknowledge an achievement of my own this weekend... I've been running a lot since doing the 10K 'around the bays' run in February, and this weekend I managed to run (albeit slowly, very slowly at the end) a distance that I had never imagined running before. Whilst running around the coastline I started to think about how I had come to be spending my Sunday Morning running such a long way.....</div>
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....then I realized, a huge number of people had in some way influenced me to this point. Lots of friends who had run long distances for good causes, (yes Jenny, you get a mention), and even more recently, some of my good friends here (Ros, Emma & Jen to mention a few) had all inspired me to get healthy by taking on such challenges. This was not my achievement, but very much a collective one, because I am pretty sure that without the influences from some of the people in my life, both past & current, I wouldn't be feeling so bloody sore! </div>
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Just my thoughts for the weekend.</div>
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Regards from New Zealand</div>
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Dan</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-47546704511645184062014-03-23T03:44:00.002-07:002014-03-23T03:44:33.055-07:00A Weekend of MINDFULNESS helps manage a busy life...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As life seems to get busier and busier and there seems to be a endless build-up of expensive and time consuming bureaucratic processes heading my way, I have been thrilled to experience a day (and weekend) of moments that have brought my mind to a halt and made me appreciate solitary moments of time.</div>
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Seeing this super yacht equipped with own helicopter was a random enough site in the harbour, not something you see everyday in Wellington.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8AEtGJm5lI/Uy6mLgzNTLI/AAAAAAAADsg/SXN7CJFPosY/s1600/DSCN0523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8AEtGJm5lI/Uy6mLgzNTLI/AAAAAAAADsg/SXN7CJFPosY/s1600/DSCN0523.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super rich yachts</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The first random event of the weekend occurred when one of my football team mates invited me to the opening ceremony of the '24 hr Relay for Life' race at Frank Kitts park. The reason for the invitation was because another mutual friend (Nick) was giving a speech as a 'cancer survivor' before the event began. The event was huge with 87 teams (some with up to 100 members) including several schools from the region, running / walking 24hours in aid of cancer charities. see below.... </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZSDEogIuHQ/Uy6mKCAHwHI/AAAAAAAADsU/evqXE3_Fqhk/s1600/DSCN0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZSDEogIuHQ/Uy6mKCAHwHI/AAAAAAAADsU/evqXE3_Fqhk/s1600/DSCN0524.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relay for Life Ceremony</td></tr>
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Nick's speech was one that took me by surprise, having not been aware of the scale of his battle against illness and all that he has endured over the past 4 years. There were plenty more people in the crowd that had similar stories. Nick's humorous, yet moving account of his recovery along with plenty more tales of both successful and unsuccessful battles against Cancer could be heard from the audience. Listening to Nick's speech was the first moment of the day where I felt totally mindful of the moment I was in. There was also a moving performance from a group called 'StarJam' who finished with the event theme song - 'Somewhere over the rainbow'. The event included an evening remembrance service for people who have died from Cancer related illnesses. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDljvsvr224/Uy6mWGJSKMI/AAAAAAAADss/V-aVKJvc-dc/s1600/DSCN0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDljvsvr224/Uy6mWGJSKMI/AAAAAAAADss/V-aVKJvc-dc/s1600/DSCN0526.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StarJam performance</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I had my own remembrance service planned (for my gran) that evening, and was soon on a bus up the Kapiti Coast.... </span><br />
As the weather forecast suggested a clear day, I had decided it was time to say goodbye to my gran in my own way (having been unable to attend the funeral in the UK). Taking a candle to the beach had seemed a fitting way to remember her... First stop was a bite to eat and a walk along the beach from Paekakariki station.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbczg_mn0Qs/Uy6mrZIYZvI/AAAAAAAADs0/rViqc6YqPC8/s1600/DSCN0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zbczg_mn0Qs/Uy6mrZIYZvI/AAAAAAAADs0/rViqc6YqPC8/s1600/DSCN0530.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paekakariki, Kapiti Coast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYhbXREDz2Q/Uy6m5ksC7II/AAAAAAAADs8/76p-FyoZYrg/s1600/DSCN0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYhbXREDz2Q/Uy6m5ksC7II/AAAAAAAADs8/76p-FyoZYrg/s1600/DSCN0535.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping for Life @ Paekakariki</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The beach was pleasantly empty, as it usually is, and so I took full advantage to get another jumping photo in! The log just made it perfect! The sun began to set and I got to snapping away to capture the moment as best I could....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BXixDcxnfBc/Uy6nVWoXH7I/AAAAAAAADtM/ihnmn_PPnOg/s1600/DSCN0548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BXixDcxnfBc/Uy6nVWoXH7I/AAAAAAAADtM/ihnmn_PPnOg/s1600/DSCN0548.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdlife at Paekakariki</td></tr>
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The local wildlife were quick to join us, mainly because my friend who'd accompanied me, decided to waste some perfectly good Cadbury's Chocolate 'Fingers' on the seagulls. I quickly grabbed the chocolates, and set about eating them myself!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlbYua72cyA/Uy6nyftjfSI/AAAAAAAADtY/w_saj57JEBM/s1600/DSCN0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlbYua72cyA/Uy6nyftjfSI/AAAAAAAADtY/w_saj57JEBM/s1600/DSCN0571.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusk at Kapiti Coast</td></tr>
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As the sun began to fade we made our way out into the sea with a little candle holder, which was floating nicely, but the wind just wouldn't let me light the candles sufficiently to set them out floating. An OT always has the 'smarts' to improvise right? So finding some rocks that offered some shelter allowed us to light the candles until they burned out, whilst we sat back and watched the ever changing colours in the sky! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5L5Qf2CljSk/Uy6oVA26HOI/AAAAAAAADt0/8sUldXe-D3I/s1600/DSCN0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5L5Qf2CljSk/Uy6oVA26HOI/AAAAAAAADt0/8sUldXe-D3I/s1600/DSCN0570.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candles by the beach...</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FfpMSke7FA/Uy6nNyxhBJI/AAAAAAAADtE/J1G70Rh81Bc/s1600/DSCN0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FfpMSke7FA/Uy6nNyxhBJI/AAAAAAAADtE/J1G70Rh81Bc/s1600/DSCN0552.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AL1HiARtjWU/Uy6nydhbscI/AAAAAAAADtU/OFVDEUBqleU/s1600/DSCN0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AL1HiARtjWU/Uy6nydhbscI/AAAAAAAADtU/OFVDEUBqleU/s1600/DSCN0572.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Changing colours @ dusk.... </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NmiUHrQWbw/Uy6oS7ua7cI/AAAAAAAADto/V2KgYX9n6VQ/s1600/DSCN0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NmiUHrQWbw/Uy6oS7ua7cI/AAAAAAAADto/V2KgYX9n6VQ/s1600/DSCN0555.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being Mindful</td></tr>
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The time spent on the deserted beach really allowed us to become mindful of everything around us in that moment, the sights (color of the sky), sounds (seagulls & waves), smells and feel of the sand underfoot. No other thoughts were invading my mind, and I was able to enjoy the tranquility of living in the moment for a second time that day. </div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Mindfulness:</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> (also translated as </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">awareness</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">) is a spiritual or psychological faculty (</span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indriya" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Indriya">indriya</a></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">) that, according to the teaching of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Gautama Buddha">the Buddha</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, is of great importance in the path of enlightenment.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-henu1gwzlvs/Uy6oR6ahp-I/AAAAAAAADtk/H6LAS1SbbD0/s1600/DSCN0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-henu1gwzlvs/Uy6oR6ahp-I/AAAAAAAADtk/H6LAS1SbbD0/s1600/DSCN0561.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Mindfulness is a concept I have touched on before, and used to help many people in my line of work, deal with significant distress, to avoid self harm behaviours and deal with suicidal thoughts. It's also something that has existed for years in spiritual concepts like Buddhism. The use of mindfulness techniques in mental health practices seems to be on the increase, and I've also heard many people tell me that going to a particular place of tranquility seems to be something that helps them 'keep well'. <div>
I think I'm starting to really appreciate why mindfulness can be so effective in this kind of environment. These seagulls seem to have been aware of this for a while I think....</div>
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Regards from New Zealand...</div>
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Dan </div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-27204281450380683992014-03-16T02:30:00.000-07:002014-03-16T02:30:09.932-07:00Generation 'Y' & Modern day illness - the innovation of loneliness???<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hi Everybody, </div>
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Thanks for the very lovely comments regarding last week's post, and especially for the kind thoughts and offers of support that people have sent from all over the place. How amazing has technology become whereby friends (both actual people I have met and connected with, and virtual on-line friends), could offer support to me in the 'bottom corner of the world'. </div>
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I'm sat here on a Sunday night at 21:08, alone in my lounge, after a weekend of football, a Botanical garden light and sound show, and a record (for me at least) 13k run around the bays of Wellington. A good friend just commented to me (via text) about their perception that I have 'busy weekends'. I don't think I have busy weekends, but on reflection, I realize I judge my weekends by what I do in terms of actions, and often by the amount of time I spend in the company of others - the direct company of others. </div>
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Whilst growing up with a group of kids on a street, who always played outside, regardless of the weather , and being encouraged to try many 'doing' activities, (along with a fair few backpacking trips around different parts of the world), I have come to accept that I judge and value well spent time, as time with other people, and can feel comfortable being alone too. </div>
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I accept that the same can't be said for everybody, and certainly generational differences are even harder to account for. As I sit thinking about the amount of time I have spent on electronic devices this weekend, and the amount of hours I have used up communicating with people who are not in the same room, building or local area, I do wonder about the changing way people are relating to each other </div>
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I recently saw a brilliant video talking about this very issue, and it was derived from a TED talk by a woman called Sherry Turkle - 'Connected but alone?'</div>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/c6Bkr_udado/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/c6Bkr_udado&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/c6Bkr_udado&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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This video begins to touch on the issues described in recent presentations and research about the new ways we communicate and the issues faced by the new generation ' GENERATION 'Y'. </div>
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I have debates about the issue of modern day depression, the ever-seemingly increasing number of people in life, and at work, that I come across that have a profound sense of ENTITLEMENT. People who are looking for reasons as to why life has not gone the way they feel it should have worked out for them, especially unable to understand why their specialness has not been recognized, or indeed why they feel 'lost' and 'helpless' and unable to find their place in the world. In has been suggested through anecdotal & some research that there is an ever increasing presence of REACTIVE Anxiety & Depression which has taken over as one of the leading illnesses in the developed world.</div>
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This is often referred to as an existential crisis. Defined by Wikipedia as <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">a moment at which an individual questions the very foundations of their life: whether their life has any meaning, purpose or value.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1em; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existential_crisis#cite_note-1" style="background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[1]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> This issue of the meaning and purpose of existence is the topic of the philosophical school of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;" title="Existentialism">existentialism</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">If the issues raised in the video are more than anecdotal truths, and we are becoming afraid of intimacy of the human kind through ever decreasing exposure to real-time life, these 3 factors which help to maintain a sense of control through the use of social media:</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">1) That we can put our attention where ever we want it:</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">2) That we will always be heard:</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">3) That we will never have to be alone</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">, these factors will change our psyches - and will will judge ourselves through what we 'share' how we present ourselves rather than what we can actually accomplish. Faking experiences, so we have something to share, is not an uncommon feature of on-line </span>behavior.</div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Now those of you with burning questions and contradicting statements just hang on. The people that often challenge me the most about these issues are usually people from my own generation or older, that experienced their formative years in real-time life and then had exposure to the technological age. I'm just raising discussion and asking us to consider what are the possible influences in the changing presentations we see in health care issues today???? </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">If reactive mood disorders are becoming more prevalent, people are scared to be alone and feel less skilled in real time communication, so substitute real life quality interactions for on-line connections, then the sense not achieving what success in life, (that everyone else seems to be achieving by 'sharing' and 'defining' themselves), will only get worse?</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">If we do indeed 'slip into thinking that always being connected' (through phones, iPad, computers, consoles) will make us feel less lonely, we could be in for some serious trouble - as some people would argue the opposite is true... </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">GENERATION Y - if we believe the theory of how the current generation that are entering the 'productive and meaningful' life phase - (i.e. the working world), and how they are showing signs of entitled behavior, why might this be? The general theory is that whilst Grandparents generations mantra was 'work hard so their kids (Gen Y's parents) could have a better life', and then Gen Y's parents, grew up with a mantra ' work hard, and collect the rewards after hard work' - then it's been suggested that Gen Y's mantra is 'individuals are special, you'll be recognized for being special, and don't have to wait as long or work as hard for it' - you can understand why problems are occurring. Lets look at expectations vs disappointment.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">1) Grand parents generation = Low expectations (after war / depressions) & low disappointment with the outcome.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">2) Parent's generations = medium expectations (high after years of work / save to buy house, furniture, car) & low disappointment with outcome (economies were growing / jobs were easier / less over crowding).</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">3) Gen Y - High expectations (can do everything, travel, have family, own property, be successful, be what ever you want to be) & High </span>disappointment - (mass competition for jobs, slowing economy, childhood message of 'be whatever you want to be' is not realistic in the modern world, without hard work). </div>
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The questions raised are, with unrealistic messages in childhood leading to a more constant sense of disappointment with life, in this transitional phase in life, and with a potential lack of quality real time relations for support, is the defining characteristic from this upcoming generation going to be one of poor mental health? Is a repetitive sense of disappointment, with poor emotional coping strategies as a result increasing definitions of success driven by on-line life, leading to an generational existential crisis?</div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I accept that personal responsibility, individualism, culture, parenting, influences from social and physical environment all contribute to the overall development of an individual. Also as someone who has benefited greatly through the use of technology, (teaching 'on-line', publications, blogging, and forging an international reputation in my field), I am not saying technology is BAD & TERRIBLE. Far from it. I'm simply saying asking us to take a long hard look at how we communicate and consider the outcomes that are evident around us.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">On a personal note, I will certainly be restricting the amount of 'on-line' time my (potential) kids have during the course of a day / week. I hope schools and educational facilities ask themselves these questions when they consider 'best practice'.</span></div>
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Regards from New Zealand.</div>
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Dan</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-87819129746341713172014-03-09T01:52:00.000-08:002014-03-09T01:52:20.267-08:00The best and worst of life, wonderful Wellington, & the use social media in 'Therapy' .<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnijkFDBG20/UxL0k3n3w-I/AAAAAAAADn0/IH4Pdypf6FY/s1600/DSCF3179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnijkFDBG20/UxL0k3n3w-I/AAAAAAAADn0/IH4Pdypf6FY/s1600/DSCF3179.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & my Nanna</td></tr>
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Hi everyone, it's now March 2014 (Yep, where did the time go?).<br />
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It's been a while since my last blog, and even though I intended to have a little break, it's been longer than I anticipated. There's been a lot going on in life since my last post in November, and for once I'm going to share a little bit of my personal journey....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFgkDH3bCWY/UxL0jfI7ghI/AAAAAAAADns/N_x2J_SNvcY/s1600/DSCF4997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFgkDH3bCWY/UxL0jfI7ghI/AAAAAAAADns/N_x2J_SNvcY/s1600/DSCF4997.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30th Birthday</td></tr>
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Whilst at home visiting friends and family at Xmas, my world changed. My gran became ill (and died just 3 weeks later). Whilst nothing will ever fill the hole in my life left by my gran, I do wonder if there is some invisible force that directed the events of the last few days of my Gran's life to allow family from far and wide to come together, as a serious of randomly planned visits. These recent events have certainly played a large part in my current thinking about which path to travel down for the next few months/years, leading to lots of unanswered questions.<br />
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These events also made me become more mindful of the distance between myself and those people I'm closest to: family, friends, and loved ones. I love where I live, Wellington is like a paradise for me, in so many ways, but missing the central characters in my life. It's kind of like eating at your favorite restaurant but never feeling totally satisfied with the whole experience. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is fantastically friendly, the prices are reasonable, the food tastes great, the company is good, but there will always be an empty chair or two at the table...<br />
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WELLINGTON'S WONDERS...</div>
The level of satisfaction living here is really like nothing I have experienced anywhere else in the world. Here's a sample list of the events (often free) that have been on around the city - JUST IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS -<br />
- DRAGON BOAT RACING (free to watch)<br />
- NEWTOWN FESTIVAL (70,000 PEOPLE) - free<br />
- KILBIRNIE & ISLAND BAY FESTIVALS - free<br />
- 10/21K ROUND THE BAYS RACE - free post race events including music & food<br />
- WELLINGTON WATERFONT SUMMER THURSDAYS - (music, craft stalls, & Salsa) - free<br />
- FILMS BY STARLIGHT - free outdoor movies<br />
- NZ FESTIVAL - many art / performance acts - free drum, band & choir concert.<br />
Check out some pictures below from some of the events!<br />
- POWER PLANT - Fastasia style sound & light show in Botanical Gardens<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knp5mjufFu8/UxL1GYGkL2I/AAAAAAAADn8/2TjjruqnPFI/s1600/DSCN0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knp5mjufFu8/UxL1GYGkL2I/AAAAAAAADn8/2TjjruqnPFI/s1600/DSCN0452.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the NZ Festival - Big Bang Concert</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcIQbE-6hpM/UxL1HmyM7XI/AAAAAAAADoE/N4Ww0txN2E0/s1600/DSCN0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcIQbE-6hpM/UxL1HmyM7XI/AAAAAAAADoE/N4Ww0txN2E0/s1600/DSCN0453.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choir @ NZ Festival event.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG4zfCOR4q8/UxL1R9xYFEI/AAAAAAAADoQ/MRAILOvnQXQ/s1600/DSCN0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG4zfCOR4q8/UxL1R9xYFEI/AAAAAAAADoQ/MRAILOvnQXQ/s1600/DSCN0457.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bang Concert</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kyrGuFlDR4/UxL4XnR88sI/AAAAAAAADpQ/QgrbtWX6vCA/s1600/DSCN0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kyrGuFlDR4/UxL4XnR88sI/AAAAAAAADpQ/QgrbtWX6vCA/s1600/DSCN0466.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bang Concert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Newton Festival was something I'd heard people talk about, and living just round the corner made me think I should check it out. On a gloriously sunny Sunday last week, me and my flatmate Bez were able to wander through the small suburb of Newtown where you could eat from one of the 100+ food outlets / stalls, and listen to a variety of music from one of 7/8 stages! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aj5vvmx0LEo/UxL6HvaHwyI/AAAAAAAADqo/fPH6lMDVX4s/s1600/DSCN0482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aj5vvmx0LEo/UxL6HvaHwyI/AAAAAAAADqo/fPH6lMDVX4s/s1600/DSCN0482.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd entertainment @ Newtown Festival</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqk9vkNa3GI/UxL5pS9d5MI/AAAAAAAADqQ/njlzlstwyi8/s1600/DSCN0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqk9vkNa3GI/UxL5pS9d5MI/AAAAAAAADqQ/njlzlstwyi8/s1600/DSCN0479.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fL_Wsw88feQ/UxL6AmA8CrI/AAAAAAAADqY/WaY6vrLiny8/s1600/DSCN0481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fL_Wsw88feQ/UxL6AmA8CrI/AAAAAAAADqY/WaY6vrLiny8/s1600/DSCN0481.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random things @ Newtown Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lVF5cZV4eB4/UxL6G_eqVmI/AAAAAAAADqg/ilCLPM-jcjs/s1600/DSCN0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lVF5cZV4eB4/UxL6G_eqVmI/AAAAAAAADqg/ilCLPM-jcjs/s1600/DSCN0483.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local music...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wD3j3HZxCs/UxL6cw-RQQI/AAAAAAAADqw/7gKo0Mm0ABs/s1600/DSCN0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8wD3j3HZxCs/UxL6cw-RQQI/AAAAAAAADqw/7gKo0Mm0ABs/s1600/DSCN0484.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solo shows...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSqGsJf9o5k/UxL6i4Cw3FI/AAAAAAAADrA/nrImGCKqYt8/s1600/DSCN0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSqGsJf9o5k/UxL6i4Cw3FI/AAAAAAAADrA/nrImGCKqYt8/s1600/DSCN0485.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small stages...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bo22dDp8qdQ/UxL67uKxLAI/AAAAAAAADrI/XmG606KlEQk/s1600/DSCN0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bo22dDp8qdQ/UxL67uKxLAI/AAAAAAAADrI/XmG606KlEQk/s1600/DSCN0487.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best seat in the house?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFa-e7dcXHw/UxL7Ad2lfNI/AAAAAAAADrY/d2vJzrweviY/s1600/DSCN0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFa-e7dcXHw/UxL7Ad2lfNI/AAAAAAAADrY/d2vJzrweviY/s1600/DSCN0491.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More music....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdhULNstu-4/UxL68hB_0_I/AAAAAAAADrQ/dT7GSjFLkzk/s1600/DSCN0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdhULNstu-4/UxL68hB_0_I/AAAAAAAADrQ/dT7GSjFLkzk/s1600/DSCN0493.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jazzing it up on the big stage....</td></tr>
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This weekend (today and yesterday) was the annual Dragon Boat Racing - which my ultimate goal is to raise enough money to buy a place in the race for mental health clients, staff and families to race in. The DHB (Health Trust) do have boats for staff as far as I am aware... I learned that once a team is entered they have 8 one hour practice runs before the event itself. It was another lovely day with people lined up all along the waterfront enjoying the spectacle, they even let some Aussie (Australian) teams compete, but needles to say they didn't win. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyzst-2uNYg/Uxwtks0y3wI/AAAAAAAADr8/jJxgo4x7kDU/s1600/DSCN0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyzst-2uNYg/Uxwtks0y3wI/AAAAAAAADr8/jJxgo4x7kDU/s1600/DSCN0508.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvTbcxyKS2Q/UxwtqrCfXNI/AAAAAAAADsE/pYpv9y_EKmM/s1600/DSCN0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvTbcxyKS2Q/UxwtqrCfXNI/AAAAAAAADsE/pYpv9y_EKmM/s1600/DSCN0515.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Check out the grand final video below from day 1!</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx5oWa0tpfM56W3iyLMp7-YHW0QxdXS89d48V_OwgRYG28LRBuSj6uf6ezdqneP_34LEfgRGI5pnXnUGReKQw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The final thing I was going to write about was some of the issues about using social media in therapy, and the way we are communicating with clients and families of clients, through rapidly changing technology. However, as the clock strikes 22:40 here, I am thinking that should be a separate post entirely... </div>
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So my final word goes to all those people who have offered me time, a listening ear, support and encouragement, and most importantly friendship over the past 2 months... A HUGE THANK YOU... and as a dedication to you Nanna, here's the poem.</div>
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<b><i><u>My Nana<o:p></o:p></u></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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My Nana was fun, always smiling and smart,<o:p></o:p></div>
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But not in a way where she knew about art,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or about politics, or current news affairs, <o:p></o:p></div>
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But she knew about life, and about how to care…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My Nana had ups, and her fair share of downs, <o:p></o:p></div>
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But always moved on, making smiles from frowns,<o:p></o:p></div>
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My Nana had a spirit, not quite like any other, <o:p></o:p></div>
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With infectious charm, sometimes frustrating my mother.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My Nana made friends everywhere, it never took long. <o:p></o:p></div>
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All it would take, was a smile or a song, <o:p></o:p></div>
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In Asda, Boots, Aldi or Tesco<o:p></o:p></div>
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There would be a new friend, where ever she’d go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My Nana could shock, always surprise, be funny,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even dressing up twice, as a Hugh Hefner bunny.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My favourite costume, that she bought to look good,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Had to be, the quite naughty, red-riding hood!<o:p></o:p></div>
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My Nana loved flowers, and going away, <o:p></o:p></div>
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With my mum, my sister, on many a holiday<o:p></o:p></div>
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To Germany, Spain especially Scotland,<o:p></o:p></div>
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She’d come back with tales of fun on the sand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My Nana loved life, and ‘Black Russians’, too, <o:p></o:p></div>
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Of the alcoholic kind, she occasionally get through.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She’d welcome each girlfriend I ever brought home, <o:p></o:p></div>
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With such a kind heart, they’d feel like her own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My Nana loved life and went many places, <o:p></o:p></div>
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Bury Market, Ashton, she knew many faces.<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘That lovely lady”, we’d hear many times, <o:p></o:p></div>
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From all kind of strangers, from all walks of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My Nana loved life, and was loved in return,<o:p></o:p></div>
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By many a person, and now here we all yearn,<o:p></o:p></div>
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For one more laugh, one more smile <o:p></o:p></div>
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One more song, for that final mile.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As we say goodbye to my fun-loving gran,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please remember these times, that made us a fan,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of this woman, who knew the true meaning of life, <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That despite many hardships, it’s easy to love
life.</span><!--EndFragment-->
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Regards from New Zealand.</span></div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-88960910053794935482013-11-10T02:43:00.001-08:002013-11-10T02:43:36.569-08:00It's all about the sailing! <div style="text-align: justify;">
October 2013 has been memorable! Therefore I feel the need to share some of the amazing weekends I have been lucky to have in this month, which funnily enough both had sailing links. Now after seeing how seriously the Kiwi's regard sailing, and having literally no idea about sailing boats, (especially proper sailing with boats with sails and everything...) I was keen to take these opportunities!<br />
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Weekend one was down in the South Island, with my friend and fellow OT - Paula. After meeting her in the delightful town of Timaru, 2 hours south of Christchurch, we made the most of the weekend by meet ing her friend Tony, and heading to Lake Aviemore. Paula who is an all action kiwi lady, has her own boat! Yes quite a feat indeed, so as you can see from the photo below we drove the boat to the lake with her truck!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the boat to Lake Aviemore</td></tr>
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After making good time and being able to get the boat in the water before nightfall, we were able to spend Friday night on the boat. This meant that come Saturday morning, we woke to the following scenes... (joined by a few other boats belonging to members of the Otago and Timaru Yacht Club)... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorings at Lake Aviemore</td></tr>
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Our particular spot had it's own particular features, including a submerging boarding platform , but absolutely gorgeous views...<br />
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After breakfast and some interesting chats with some of the other sailing club members, Paula led me and Tony out on the lake, and was fab with her instructions, and made me feel very safe, even as the winds began to pick up, and the boat really tilted during some 'tacking' maneuvers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony & Paula keeping watch..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a sail with Captain Paula...</td></tr>
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Of course sailing wouldn't be sailing with out some seriously bad pirate impressions, and this patch (that just happened to be on board) did little to help with my awful impressions - I was no Captain Jack Sparrow....<br />
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Saturday's on-lake adventure was cut short by some pretty strong winds but that didn't stop our crew keeping up the fun activities with a spot of 'slack-lining', which is something I have never tried before, but have seen people doing around Wellington. It involves tying a line between two trees, posts or anything, and then trying to walk along the line without falling off.... it's not easy! Paula started off, and did a pretty good job....<br />
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I went next but was bloody awful, even though I thought my balance was half decent... I needed help, and lots of it...<br />
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Tony was just awesome, and it was amazing watching him regain his balance whilst balancing on this line...<br />
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Saturday night was the 'highlight' of this weekend, as the theme of the weekend was cowboys. Having never been shy to have a dress up, I got myself a half decent costume. Paula & Tony joined in the fun with the rest of the yacht club, see below...<br />
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I went for what I thought was a decent outfit, but most people who saw it seem to think it's a bit close to being like 'Woody' from Toy Story....<br />
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After a few beers, and some funny games of cards we spent another night on the boat, before I had a 4 hour drive back to Christchurch airport and a flight back to Wellington. Couldn't thank Paula enough for a great experience and for teaching me about the basics of sailing!<br />
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Weekend 2 - was up in Auckland (North Island) and involved boats of a much bigger kind. The 'Tall Ship Regatta' is a World wide race, that has several legs. This leg was from Sydney to Auckland (across the Tasman sea). The reason for heading up to Auckland to see some of the boats, was to catch up with friends, and return the car of a friend back to her family home - which meant a 10 hour drive from Wellington to Auckland! Quite randomly this led to a chance encounter to meet my mate Bez in Taupo who happened to be staying there that weekend.<br />
Another reason for heading to Auckland was because I knew someone (Kylie) who was actually on one of the boats - The Tecla - a Dutch boat that actually came 2nd in this race. The weather was amazing in Auckland as you can see, and the view over the harbour as perfect for seeing the boats...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall ships by the 'Cloud' building...</td></tr>
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One of the biggest and most popular ships you could look around was the 'Spirit of New Zealand', and as you can see from the photo's it was pretty popular!<br />
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As I said, my friend's boat the Tecla, cam second and was one of the smaller boats in the Regatta. It was moored in a great spot, with a backdrop of the city behind it. Kylie was able to get me on board to have a look around and show me the living quarters that she and the rest of the friendly crew had endured for the past few weeks. The crew would take shifts through the day and night, and somehow managed to sleep in-between!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the Tecla, with City Backdrop</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland back drop...</td></tr>
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After a fun night out with the crew drinking beers, and listening to all kinds of funny stories and tales from this friendly bunch, on Sunday we took the time to explore a few of the other ships, including the 'Spirit of New Zealand'. It was an awesome ship, with a mini lecture theatre build under the deck, and could hold a significant number of recruits. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylie on the 'Spirit of NZ'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet weather gear!</td></tr>
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So in just 2-3 weeks I had found myself on boats; on a small sail boat in Lake Aviemore in the South of the South Island, and a large sail ship in the North of the North Island - both times with friends who could teach me about the skills of sailing. I have definitely appreciated some of the finer points of sailing and have begun to understand why this activity is so popular and part of the culture of New Zealand. These experiences were not possible without the support of these friends, and it's yet more fantastic memories to add to an already amazing year! </div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-30912275726373531462013-10-20T00:51:00.000-07:002013-10-20T00:51:02.356-07:00An unexpected journey, conflicts of interests in the workplace and what a moment of realisation! Hey everybody! It's been a funny old weekend, with a collection of lots of different activities with lots of different people. I've even managed to complete my 'extreme ironing' tonight in time to sit and wrote this blog, (and maybe catch the episode of 'Miranda' on TV shortly.<br />
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The pictures from this post are all from last weekend's Auckland Adventure ( a trip to see the the theatre production of 'Wicked' - which was indeed a wicked show! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 'Wicked' Auckland</td></tr>
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The adventure though began after the afternoon show, as we missed our flight (from Auckland to Wellington), which left us with the choice of a very expensive flight, an excruciating 11 hour bus journey, or a 10 hour car drive split between two of us! Of course there was only one real option - a one day, ten hour drive from top to bottom of the North Island. Stops included the magnificent Lake Taupo, the coastal town of Napier, and the black hole of the Wairarapa, (Masterton). My Auckland adventure was shared with my good friend and fellow OT Soo-Yin, and her sister </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre show excitement!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The journey started out about 08:30, and took in some great sights, and we came across a few unexpected sights along the way, including these 'Superloos' in Cambridge. Now as our traveling party included 2 OT's and a Physiotherapist, we just couldn't resist the photo opportunity!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NZ has 'superloos'</td></tr>
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There are some pretty unique small towns along the way, but the winner had to be this place, which had a serious fetish for corrugated iron structures. Even the local church got in on the act with a shepherd!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corrugated iron town!</td></tr>
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Visiting NAPIER was a new experience for me, and even though we stopped for all of 1 hour, the place had a lovely vibe to it, tempting me to head back there for a weekend some time in the future. It's only about 5 hours drive from Wellington.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napier gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napier Gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited Dan at Napier beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling in the Napier tree...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napier Flowers...</td></tr>
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REFLECTING ON WORK:<br />
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I've had a few quite significant events / experiences with clients over the past few weeks, which have certainly tested a number of my organisational, conflict resolution, and time management skills, along with needing to use my physical health experience in this mental health role. I certainly feel confident and competent in the few occasions where some of my mental health clients have become physically unwell. I think having a generic view (and experience) allows me to support clients in their dealings with the physical health system, and what can be quite a traumatic experience. I think at time I may have supported my clients in areas of their lives which may be perceived to be outside of my 'current job scope', and thinking about this led me to start thinking about how my role as both a Case Manager and an Occupational Therapist may conflict with each other. </div>
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An event this week really had me questioning a conflict between my roles. As OT's we often talk about being client-centred, advocating for clients, and facilitating opportunities to empower and engage in meaningful occupations. As a Case Manager, I found myself being asked (within a legal framework) to write a report from my perspective about the use of the mental health act for my client. My client's wish's were quite different from the ideas put forward by myself, and having to then justify these ideas not only in front of my client, but in front of a judge in the mental health court was not a pleasant experience. Discussing differences of opinion with clients is something I'm quite used to doing, and it's so important to be honest and transparent, however advocating for something that goes directly against my client's wishes, is something quite new to me. How will this event effect the therapeutic relationship and trust? Time will tell. These kind of situations raise some good ethical, moral and professional questions about the effectiveness and 'rightness' of OT's working in generic role. Is it a good or bad thing to work within two roles in the same job? That I hope to figure out! <br />
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Regards from New Zealand,<br />
Dan </div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-50610728932213253472013-09-29T04:09:00.000-07:002013-09-29T04:09:43.920-07:00NZ Occupational Therapy Clinical Workshops 2013 - when life comes full circle!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Powhiri</td></tr>
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Well hello everybody!<br />
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It's a week on from the 2013 Clinical Workshops, and it's been quite an amazing couple of years since attending the previous Clinical Workshops - an event that has changed the course of my life, and ended up setting off a chain of events that brought me to be living and working on the other side of the world.</div>
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Living in NZ, the 'land of the long white cloud', has definitely has an affect on the way I've viewed many aspects of my professional and personal life. So the opportunity to go back to these workshops and share that journey with new colleagues, other professionals, and most importantly some good friends, was fantastic. </div>
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NZ has a wonderful system where they alternate each year between a more standard 'Conference' setting, and 'Clinical Workshops'. This allows a variety of people to access a variety of research, clinical practice, and presentation styles, and for those of you that know me, it also allowed me to share a little of my own unique OT journey with the NZ OT's. </div>
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<b><u>DAY ONE HIGHLIGHTS:</u></b></div>
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After the traditional Powhiri, traditional greeting and welcoming address, including a speech from a prominent local politician ( an interesting choice indeed ), the first presentation session was indeed ou rown!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Presentation Team - Ros, Mordecai, Sarah & me!</td></tr>
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I've always been passionate about not only share my own journey, but also to learn from other's journeys in a more relaxed setting, and also encourage others to do something similar. Therefore I was really excited to be joined for our presentation 'Around the OT world in 80 Mins' by 3 of my local colleagues from Wellington. After some brief introductions (you know how I can happily talk all day about this stuff), the next hour was spent with each of us sharing Case Studies from around the world of OT - Gibraltar, Zimbabwe, Australia and Vietnam - the session flew by, and we could have easily had another 90 minutes to develop the discussions shared by our wonderful participants! Thanks to all those wonderful people that contributed to a great start to the conference.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Carolyn</td></tr>
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After enjoying a delicious lunch and feeling far more relaxed, I headed to an afternoon discussion by <b>Carolyn Simmons Carlsson (above) - </b>entitled ' To SOAP or not to SOAP? - a thought provoking discussion about the use of Occupational Therapy language in medical notes, and how we as a profession we should promote our work through our language.</div>
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We celebrated with a little drink over dinner that night! </div>
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<b><u>DAY TWO:</u></b></div>
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Started with a truly brilliant, and wickedly funny workshop by the inspiring <b>HUGH GAYWOOD, </b>who described a process to 'BUILD A 3D DYNAMIC REPRESENTATION OF THE SELF' - basically building a 3D tree of your past, present, future with a view for future goals. The initial group activities focused on creating a web of connections between group participants, and Hugh's delivery was first class and so engaging!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugh's workshop...</td></tr>
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As you can see from the pictures it was a very interactive workshop and very 'OT'! The bottom of the tree represents childhood and youth, the middle section represents the present... and the top represents the future. Each side of the tree represents the self, family and the community. - I'm sure you get the idea... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugh's workshop...</td></tr>
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Lunch was another great buffet, and left plenty of time for networking.....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachael, me & Sarah...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mordecai, me and Sarah</td></tr>
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....and a little time to look around the stalls, including getting some information for the 2015 APOTC (Asia Pacific OT Conference) to be held here in New Zealand!</div>
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There were many OT's from my DHB (District Health Board) at the conference, and quite a few presenting too, and having such brilliant representation was a major boost for the Wellington region. We were able to round almost everyone up together for a group photo!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBemD4pRZgk/UkfiCw8u_xI/AAAAAAAADgE/TIH9KaJztPg/s1600/DSCF6769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBemD4pRZgk/UkfiCw8u_xI/AAAAAAAADgE/TIH9KaJztPg/s640/DSCF6769.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellington DHB OT's</td></tr>
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The afternoon session was equally interactive with a rather oddly titled workshop - 'Bring back the Baskets and the Bunnies' - which looked at the benefits of maintaining creative activities, especially in a group format, in clinical practice. My personal highlight of this workshop was meeting a couple of very inspiring South African OT's who helped me with some of the practical tasks, and who later presented a great workshop. I also met a very inspiring honors OT student from Otago Polytechnic, who was later to end up dining with us at dinner!</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">The Gala Dinner (Murder Mystery with Italian Theme)</u> </div>
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Always a fun night, and this one was no exception with some interesting costumes, and a very entertaining murder mystery piece of acting from Andrew from the OT Board! The dinner was in a beautiful old house, with some gorgeous food! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foSTk212CCM/UkfiVlb7CVI/AAAAAAAADg0/HuIx78p-a28/s1600/DSCF6792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foSTk212CCM/UkfiVlb7CVI/AAAAAAAADg0/HuIx78p-a28/s400/DSCF6792.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My good friends & Colleagues @ dinner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3oSQvPC7hA/Ukfigu-L12I/AAAAAAAADhM/ThQW2qAEWiE/s1600/DSCF6808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3oSQvPC7hA/Ukfigu-L12I/AAAAAAAADhM/ThQW2qAEWiE/s400/DSCF6808.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murder mystery continues!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awon_1GLUcA/UkfiVU-RSNI/AAAAAAAADgw/99uwfD2BOuo/s1600/DSCF6789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awon_1GLUcA/UkfiVU-RSNI/AAAAAAAADgw/99uwfD2BOuo/s400/DSCF6789.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qX5kTqv9RGA/UkfidytdlyI/AAAAAAAADg8/u-G3yiZRmtw/s1600/DSCF6814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qX5kTqv9RGA/UkfidytdlyI/AAAAAAAADg8/u-G3yiZRmtw/s400/DSCF6814.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up with Cara!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wwRTh-b70w/UkfipInWZKI/AAAAAAAADhc/zTSpYLQKiPc/s1600/DSCF6828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wwRTh-b70w/UkfipInWZKI/AAAAAAAADhc/zTSpYLQKiPc/s400/DSCF6828.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up with Andrew from the OT Board and fellow Northern Englishman!</td></tr>
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One of the funny things of the dinner was noticing that the sponsors were a 'Bidet' Company... yes, A bidet company - sponsoring dinner! (Only in OT Land...) This led to some pretty poor toilet humour through the night and an interesting chat from the sponsor, as you can well imagine! </div>
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<b><u>DAY 3 (ALL ABOUT THE RACING)</u></b></div>
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So, the funny thing about NZ sports (in my experience) is that I haven't really seen lots of passion from the crowds, even the All Black (Rugby) games have had mellow crowds, so seeing the whole nation get excited and nervous about a sporting event was something I was waiting to experience. I was pretty surprised to find out that the entire country seemed obsessed with a Sailing competition - the reason I mention it, is because on Friday morning I woke up to find most of the workshop attendees sat in the hotel bar for breakfast huddled together to watch the America's Cup - with team NZ needing just 1 more win, to beat team USA.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DC-vLVKWirk/Ukfiw7x-etI/AAAAAAAADhs/89sjSu5z0Es/s1600/DSCF6829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DC-vLVKWirk/Ukfiw7x-etI/AAAAAAAADhs/89sjSu5z0Es/s400/DSCF6829.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting Sailing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0eSX1HpRtU/UkfirVre0uI/AAAAAAAADhk/NA2FY9M1GCY/s1600/DSCF6830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0eSX1HpRtU/UkfirVre0uI/AAAAAAAADhk/NA2FY9M1GCY/s400/DSCF6830.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More nervous times as NZ lose the first race...</td></tr>
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I was surprised that anyone went to the first morning workshops, given the nerves in the bar over breakfast! I chose to attend 'NAVIGATING YOUR WAKA' A model of reflection by <b>Esthe Davis</b>. Another brilliant workshop on the need to eradicate the stigma of illness, 'by understanding that knowledge is the dawn of understanding, understanding is the first sign of tolerance and tolerance is the bright light of social harmony' - all from the perspective of Whanaungatanga (<strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Raleway Medium', Raleway, 'Gotham Book', Gotham, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">noun:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Raleway Medium', Raleway, 'Gotham Book', Gotham, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"> relationship, kinship, sense of family connection - a relationship through shared experiences and working together which provides people with a sense of belonging. It develops as a result of kinship rights and obligations, which also serve to strengthen each member of the kin group. It also extends to others to whom one develops a close familial, friendship or reciprocal relationship.)</span></div>
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The final session of the day was presented by my good friend, and conference buddy Ros, who I first met at the Clinical Workshops two years ago. Ros is a pretty inspiring OT, who is also from the UK. Ros has been a great support to me during my time here, and shows what can be achieved when you put your mind to something. It was great to see some of the work she (and some of her colleagues) has been doing to highlight the issue of Elder abuse and Neglect, and the potential pivotal role that OT's can play in identifying this issue. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uy2GnjiTFtQ/Ukfi3T1h0vI/AAAAAAAADiE/fovWEvLAvok/s1600/DSCF6853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uy2GnjiTFtQ/Ukfi3T1h0vI/AAAAAAAADiE/fovWEvLAvok/s640/DSCF6853.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ros & Me</td></tr>
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The final session and closing of the day included all the thanks, the final goodbyes and exchange of contact details. I was pretty frustrated at myself for forgetting my business cards! The session also included big thank you's going out to the organising committee who had done an fantastic job too! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w09OrG3qAcY/Ukfi4gHATnI/AAAAAAAADiM/n5RHZrcs0Ro/s1600/DSCF6852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w09OrG3qAcY/Ukfi4gHATnI/AAAAAAAADiM/n5RHZrcs0Ro/s400/DSCF6852.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organising committee! </td></tr>
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So as another Workshop came to a close, and old friendships had been renewed, and new friendships formed, my attention began to turn to the next challenge of speaking at the next WFOT (World) OT Conference in Japan next year. However, I began to reflect on the two years gone by, and the people that had helped shape my journey from one side of the world to the other... Merrolee Penman, Yvonne Browning, Ros Barham, and Cara just to name a few people. It's been an amazing journey and I start to understand the importance of how things, people, places and events are connected in a way that maybe I have never fully appreciated before...</div>
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The link between the Maori/NZ culture and the land, including a very deep respect and physical link to the land is something that has started to take a form in my life. This understanding of a physical link, crosses my professional and personal life and has really started to make me ask myself some very important question about what my links to the land, people and places in my life really are all about... This was not the kind of cultural learning I had expected when I discussed the idea of moving here two years ago...</div>
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...and now, on to Japan 2014 and the presentation of 2 abstracts in Japan:</div>
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1) Tall Poppy Syndrome: Friend or foe to clinical Intervention in NZ</div>
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2) The Hobb-OT: An Unexpected Journey, from Santiago to Yokohama via the Shires of England and NZ - What affects the development of OT Education / Practice around the world?</div>
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Thanks for reading, if you still are!</div>
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Regards from New Zealand.</div>
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Dan</div>
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Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-54088551246941087792013-09-21T17:54:00.003-07:002013-09-21T17:54:58.679-07:00A return to Nelson & Rabbit Island, (South Island) and Kayaking in Abel Tasman!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auw3-JSnDOs/Uj4wkNXlonI/AAAAAAAADcs/ZvRzm5Qu5OY/s1600/DSCF6658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auw3-JSnDOs/Uj4wkNXlonI/AAAAAAAADcs/ZvRzm5Qu5OY/s640/DSCF6658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello everybody! Well it's been a pretty busy time here in Wellington (and in life generally), with the latest weekend adventure and this week's National OT Clinical Workshops / Conference, of which I will write a separate post about soon. I've also had the amazing news my abstracts have been accepted for next year's WFOT (World Federation Occupational Therapy) - IN JAPAN!!!!!</div>
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Of course life balances things out too, with some pretty difficult aspects of my work, including enforcing treatment under the Mental Health Act, which despite being in the best interests of clients, does not sit easily with my professional and personal ethics.</div>
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Today's post will be more about this little trip with BEZ - who is a mate from the UK that has recently made a move out here to live and work, and Bez was also a volunteer in Romania for the same charity that I volunteered for (Volunteers for mental health - www.vfmh.org.uk )</div>
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JOURNEY OVER THE COOK STRAIGHTS (North - South Island) </div>
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Another sunny & beautiful Saturday morning allowed for some great picture taking, and allowed me to have my favourite view of Wellington again - from the water! I loved how as the boat set off, you could really see how there are houses just dotted around these huge hills overlooking the city...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GjlU4jWVgeo/Uj4wkJ4pPPI/AAAAAAAADco/IGcPohAUkKE/s1600/DSCF6630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GjlU4jWVgeo/Uj4wkJ4pPPI/AAAAAAAADco/IGcPohAUkKE/s640/DSCF6630.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Wellington...</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">As the skies were so clear, we had barely 'turned the corner' from Wellington Harbour before being greeted with one of the best views of the South Island Alps that I've seen all the way from the North Island.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVA2z-qP03E/Uj4wrKecHfI/AAAAAAAADc8/0k073MswvDQ/s1600/DSCF6643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVA2z-qP03E/Uj4wrKecHfI/AAAAAAAADc8/0k073MswvDQ/s640/DSCF6643.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As we approached the Northern tip of the South Island, and the port of 'Picton' through the stunning Marlborough Sounds, the colours of the hills and ocean became more and more vibrant, and almost everybody on board was out on the deck enjoying the stunning views on offer!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yY2yFe0gpSA/Uj4wpTUwxMI/AAAAAAAADc0/CevFKFue_zk/s1600/DSCF6663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yY2yFe0gpSA/Uj4wpTUwxMI/AAAAAAAADc0/CevFKFue_zk/s640/DSCF6663.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the Marlborough Sounds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shM2Q9sjmcA/Uj4w0HwzfXI/AAAAAAAADdM/0nuotpU0DXI/s1600/DSCF6672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shM2Q9sjmcA/Uj4w0HwzfXI/AAAAAAAADdM/0nuotpU0DXI/s640/DSCF6672.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picton Port</td></tr>
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Having had a dream crossing, and Bez's forward thinking to book a rental car ahead of time, we were quickly on our way towards Nelson. A few random people I had spoken with since leaving my flat that morning (including a man at the bus stop, that I shared a cab ride with, and a teacher on the ferry who was having a little break from work, by driving pretty much from North to South), had advised us to take the scenic route to Nelson - via Queen Charlotte's Pass.... and so we did - and oh we were glad we took that advice... </div>
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These next few pictures are from the 90 minute drive through the Pass...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vA7Lom_6ILs/Uj4wujxKz-I/AAAAAAAADdE/vSez3XuJSko/s1600/DSCF6678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vA7Lom_6ILs/Uj4wujxKz-I/AAAAAAAADdE/vSez3XuJSko/s640/DSCF6678.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bez overlooking Picton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAbBwagjW74/Uj4w1vGUBUI/AAAAAAAADdU/xYRoW8s6MhU/s1600/DSCF6679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAbBwagjW74/Uj4w1vGUBUI/AAAAAAAADdU/xYRoW8s6MhU/s640/DSCF6679.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was an empty swing and with this background I couldn't resist! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8dEz56wtt0/Uj4w3cPwrKI/AAAAAAAADdc/Cwf6CqZkD-Q/s1600/DSCF6684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8dEz56wtt0/Uj4w3cPwrKI/AAAAAAAADdc/Cwf6CqZkD-Q/s640/DSCF6684.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan 'on the rocks'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTRc0SrS_3Q/Uj4w-jaGfKI/AAAAAAAADdo/oeg02yhwX48/s1600/DSCF6687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTRc0SrS_3Q/Uj4w-jaGfKI/AAAAAAAADdo/oeg02yhwX48/s640/DSCF6687.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's what I call a camping spot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpiUUG3FOCM/Uj4w_KNjaMI/AAAAAAAADdw/2J_LfHgr91w/s1600/DSCF6693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpiUUG3FOCM/Uj4w_KNjaMI/AAAAAAAADdw/2J_LfHgr91w/s640/DSCF6693.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like a scene from a sci-fi movie... invasion of the nosey cows!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--c_oCOk0Xto/Uj4w__wmPxI/AAAAAAAADd0/7xgL_37nNAM/s1600/DSCF6695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--c_oCOk0Xto/Uj4w__wmPxI/AAAAAAAADd0/7xgL_37nNAM/s640/DSCF6695.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through Queen's Charlotte's pass...</td></tr>
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Once I had stopped requesting Bez stop the car every 5 minutes for me to take more pictures, we finally arrived in Nelson, found our backpacker accommodation and considered out options! There was still some decent sunlight , and with that night's All Blacks vs South Africa rugby game approaching in a couple of hours we set off for the nearby area known as Rabbit Island. (I loved this place when I had visited once before, and I was not disappointed on my return)! I could talk about the amazing beach, views, forest - but the pictures will describe the place more emphatically than I ever could...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2ERPBUuDUo/Uj4xGyYxtKI/AAAAAAAADeA/7Srs2qz1Q2o/s1600/DSCF6707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2ERPBUuDUo/Uj4xGyYxtKI/AAAAAAAADeA/7Srs2qz1Q2o/s640/DSCF6707.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on Rabbit Island </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1PCilXneMg/Uj4xLAYu55I/AAAAAAAADeM/UDd5dUXpOWQ/s1600/DSCF6710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1PCilXneMg/Uj4xLAYu55I/AAAAAAAADeM/UDd5dUXpOWQ/s640/DSCF6710.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bez seems to be enjoying the place!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyG0xJo5DAg/Uj4xH112yqI/AAAAAAAADeE/RZ1kubx9heA/s1600/DSCF6719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyG0xJo5DAg/Uj4xH112yqI/AAAAAAAADeE/RZ1kubx9heA/s640/DSCF6719.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly my favorite beach in NZ so far! - Rabbit Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_qKJHfEoCk/Uj4xPbnUA-I/AAAAAAAADeY/GMvM0nNy4T8/s1600/DSCF6725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_qKJHfEoCk/Uj4xPbnUA-I/AAAAAAAADeY/GMvM0nNy4T8/s640/DSCF6725.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views through the trees Rabbit Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XOUE6w4qxE0/Uj4xQX3PDbI/AAAAAAAADec/7Rq9iz5RHp4/s1600/DSCF6728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XOUE6w4qxE0/Uj4xQX3PDbI/AAAAAAAADec/7Rq9iz5RHp4/s640/DSCF6728.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflecting on Nature, Rabbit Island</td></tr>
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Some beers, food and a pretty exciting, and controversial rugby match followed this little excursion, but not before some pretty decent sun set colours! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuOL8bO0yxk/Uj4xWbggFHI/AAAAAAAADek/tSsSelCDcvY/s1600/DSCF6734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuOL8bO0yxk/Uj4xWbggFHI/AAAAAAAADek/tSsSelCDcvY/s640/DSCF6734.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelson Sunset</td></tr>
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SUNDAY - ABEL TASMAN</div>
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Abel Tasman national park, one of the 'must see' sites on a NZ tour and a place that almost every tour of NZ will visit. Vast areas of forest, hills, mountains and ocean, leading to the usual array of activities, including trekking, paragliding, kayaking etc... Being just an hour from Nelson, and having a late ferry back that evening, we decided to drive to this spectacular place and see what we could find... an hour or so later we had the 'last point of civilisation' and a very helpful lady at the tourist information centre. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dfiXL_9Iy_E/Uj4xYD0HgkI/AAAAAAAADew/IjDeK2ZQgas/s1600/DSCF6745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dfiXL_9Iy_E/Uj4xYD0HgkI/AAAAAAAADew/IjDeK2ZQgas/s640/DSCF6745.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abel Tasman</td></tr>
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Despite most tour operators being busy, we were told to drive down the road (2 mins) and see if we could spot anyone at a particular kayaking centre. It looked a little deserted, but we found a pretty funny worker, who was happy to give us a quite comical safety talk, and tell us about his marital disputes with his wife (who apparently wanted him to get a 'proper job' with a second child on the way). He towed us out to the ocean in his tractor, and so a 3 hour kayaking journey began. The weather was ok, but with a wind picking up, we spent what felt like an hour just getting away from the shore line! Obviously it's hard to take photos from a kayak, but we did stop on a deserted little beach to take a few shots! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUpZ_dSJ0ZE/Uj4xYwIPb2I/AAAAAAAADe0/SHs5CARpGDI/s1600/DSCF6747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUpZ_dSJ0ZE/Uj4xYwIPb2I/AAAAAAAADe0/SHs5CARpGDI/s640/DSCF6747.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bez with our 'Waka' ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2U3vsJDrclk/Uj4xeESjg7I/AAAAAAAADfA/bnqyQoozSPE/s1600/DSCF6749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2U3vsJDrclk/Uj4xeESjg7I/AAAAAAAADfA/bnqyQoozSPE/s640/DSCF6749.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch on a deserted beach in Abel Tasman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8G0Synyo9E/Uj4xechPQCI/AAAAAAAADfE/wY_-JhsrivA/s1600/DSCF6756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8G0Synyo9E/Uj4xechPQCI/AAAAAAAADfE/wY_-JhsrivA/s640/DSCF6756.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs of life... ah no, just my life jacket - better not forget that! </td></tr>
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The journey back to the beach was half the time, with wind assistance, though we had some quite comical moments with the tide in, and getting beached on a couple of sand banks, before eventually navigating our way to shore! </div>
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After eventually getting dry (and warm), a return drive to Picton followed, and a late ferry departure meant our return to Wellington was delayed until after 11pm! A stint in the $2 massage chair in the ferry terminal helped me to relax further! </div>
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Now I was ready for the upcoming presentations at the OT conference! </div>
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Regards from New Zealand.</div>
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Dan</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-12227505005799713732013-08-21T03:32:00.000-07:002013-08-21T03:32:02.842-07:00When life shakes you up.... through a 6.6 magnitude EARTHQUAKE!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hi Everybody,</div>
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No pictures, no funny tales, and no witty remarks. I just want to share a brief snap shot of what went through my mind last Friday at 2:31pm, when Wellington was struck by a 6.6 magnitude earthquake, which shook the city to it's core.</div>
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2:30pm, Friday 16th August, and everything was perfectly normal, as I'm sat at my desk writing notes, with one eye on the clock due to having a flight to Auckland at 7:55pm. </div>
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2:31pm - Stood at my desk speaking with 2 colleagues, looking out at a sunny day and the construction site just 15m away, which has a large crane about 10 floors above our building. A slow rumble can be felt under our feet. My colleagues both give me that look of 'can you feel this shake'. without saying a word, we all acknowledge each other's look. 5 seconds go by, and the rumble becomes a shake. One colleague moves towards her desk. 3 more seconds go by, the shake continues, and I follow my colleagues and get underneath my desk. 3 more seconds go by, and the shake becomes a sway - as our building literally moves from side to side. I can see the look on one colleague's face, which has a very fearful look. I hear something fall over in the office. 3 more seconds go by, and the swaying stops, and everything goes quiet for a few seconds. </div>
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The ground is steady again, and a few shouts are heard around the office. Within 30 seconds, most people from the surrounding offices have come into the main office, to share their experience. The workmen on the building site opposite, can be heard 'whooping' and laughing about how they swayed, as they now wait for a safety inspection. A doctor is telling me about how a client dived under the doctor's desk without delay, leaving the doctor stood in his room wondering what to do. </div>
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People start leaving buildings, and despite some further rumbles, we watch the city start to panic. Roads start to fill, with cars as people try and get to their families, or have been told to leave their place of work, schools or buildings. The roads are busy, and the car parking buildings have big ques forming - (nobody wants their car crushed in a car park). There is only one way out of Wellington City, so traffic is quickly at a stand still. </div>
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Whilst some colleagues leave to attend to their families, most of us stay in work, as there is no point trying to leave the city, and calls from our clients start to come in. Another rumble, becomes another shake, as a 5.7 after shock has a few of us back under our desks. </div>
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30 minutes after the original quake, we have had at lest 4 after shocks that could be felt clearly. We have also decided that as we'll be staying in work, tea and cakes are required to calm the nerves and help us focus on work. Calls are made to the colleagues who have been off base, as more tales of shaking building, bouncing parked cars, and swaying pavements are shared. 2 more aftershocks are felt.</div>
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5:00pm, I finally leave work, walking home, trying to focus on getting to the airport. I have heard that the runway has been checked out, and planes are still arriving and departing from Wellington. I get home to find no noticeable damage. I am just praying there won't be a big shake when we're on the runway taking off. As I pack a few clothes into my bag, another 5.+ aftershock shakes the apartment for 2-3 seconds. It's enough to make me thin I'm glad I'm leaving Wellington for the weekend! </div>
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It's now Wednesday, and my mind continues to play tricks on me. I haven't felt any major shakes since Sunday, but have felt some small tremors. The big problem I have is that I now constantly feel as though the ground moves - it's like that 'sea legs' feeling when you first get off a boat. I know the feeling is in my head, as I still experience the sensation even when I'm sat down. </div>
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To say this experience has shaken me up is an understatement - here's to a more 'stable' future! </div>
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Regards from New Zealand</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-90996146399236822682013-07-31T05:08:00.000-07:002013-07-31T05:08:02.325-07:00Another Weekend of Wonder - Wellington Style!Hello Everyone!<br />
After a quite amazing weekend up in centre of the North Island last weekend, I was not expecting to have another spectacular weekend one week later - Wellington Style!<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">FRIDAY</u>: No time to rest after work, as I was meeting the other volunteer basketball coaches for a pre meal drink in the city. The reason for a night out, other than to have some social time all together, was to support some of our athletes who were trying to fundraise for their own hip-hop dance group. The fundraiser was in 'Dragon' a chinese restaurant on Tory St, and we were treated to a performance from the group before dinner!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ftHXPiZVi_U/UfjtuBPnN2I/AAAAAAAADcI/D5YCGy8zmGw/s1600/DSCF6278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ftHXPiZVi_U/UfjtuBPnN2I/AAAAAAAADcI/D5YCGy8zmGw/s400/DSCF6278.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hip-hop crew athletes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_r3CfwLdK8/UfjrvrXtD-I/AAAAAAAADaU/qyUH_l2n6jc/s1600/DSCF6285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_r3CfwLdK8/UfjrvrXtD-I/AAAAAAAADaU/qyUH_l2n6jc/s320/DSCF6285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B-Ball crew</td></tr>
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Following a greeting from the group, we were soon enjoying the food, (around five different courses of pork, chicken, dumplings rice etc...) Ryan was still waiting for the vegetarian option for most of the evening though... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kd8jScZJGPI/Ufjru-dMYJI/AAAAAAAADaI/FJ7UccJk8VY/s1600/DSCF6284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kd8jScZJGPI/Ufjru-dMYJI/AAAAAAAADaI/FJ7UccJk8VY/s320/DSCF6284.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B-Ball group</td></tr>
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The performers were supported by friends, family, and many of the other athletes from the 'special olympics' family, which gave the night a very social feel, and allowed everyone to mix and mingle between the 21 sold out tables of 10! The more time I spend with this group, both through the basketball sessions, tournaments and social events, the more I'm inspired by our athletes who face barriers every day that many people would struggle to accept and cope with. I've only ever been met with smiles, laughter (usually at my B-ball shooting ability) and total acceptance for everyone involved in the organisation. It's a truly inspiring group of people involved in this organisation, and just as the SV group was in Manchester, - it's always the highlight of my week!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yp6IJIcIYB8/UfjrvYJ1vZI/AAAAAAAADaQ/Ifi66cptQA4/s1600/DSCF6286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yp6IJIcIYB8/UfjrvYJ1vZI/AAAAAAAADaQ/Ifi66cptQA4/s320/DSCF6286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hip-Hop Crew</td></tr>
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The fundraiser event ended, but the night just started with a rather random trip to the Irish Social Club, and pub quiz, which we didn't enter until Round 5 of 9! Still, we gave it a go and definitely got at east 3 answers right! The cheap drinks and 'good crac' was worth the detour - Thank you Emma Hayes! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5I8XqMpZTfQ/Ufjr0iaPQjI/AAAAAAAADag/Al8RHydnKgY/s1600/DSCF6292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5I8XqMpZTfQ/Ufjr0iaPQjI/AAAAAAAADag/Al8RHydnKgY/s320/DSCF6292.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the irish social cub with Ryan, Emma & Jules</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><u style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">SATURDAY -</u><span style="text-align: justify;"> Well to be honest, it was relatively restful after the previous night's outing and the odd drink! With a beautiful sunny day outside I was keen to do some kind of exercise, so I eventually got ready and cycled out to Island Bay to see a pretty amazing sunset, and take on a head wind around the coast to Lyall Bay before cycling up a never-ending hill on the way home. I didn't have my camera with me unfortunately, but this was the perfect way to dust off the cobwebs before getting ready for a cultured evening at the theatre to see the ballet - Swan Lake with my flat mate Tibo. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wC61-pV7qMk/Ufjr7qY1G-I/AAAAAAAADa0/WK_FiTm0x5s/s1600/DSCF6293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wC61-pV7qMk/Ufjr7qY1G-I/AAAAAAAADa0/WK_FiTm0x5s/s400/DSCF6293.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tibo @ Swan Lake</td></tr>
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The St James Theatre is a pretty nice venue, with decent leg room too! I've been lucky to watch a fair few ballet's whilst working in theatres over the years, and I have to say this production was pretty amazing, and well worth the quite expensive admission cost!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPawz7syVS8/Ufjr6TS4nNI/AAAAAAAADas/PFVk6UwXb9E/s1600/DSCF6294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPawz7syVS8/Ufjr6TS4nNI/AAAAAAAADas/PFVk6UwXb9E/s400/DSCF6294.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St James Theatre - Swan Lake</td></tr>
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An extra bonus to the evening was bumping into my workmate, Belinda after the show and heading to one of my favourite bars (The Library) for some drinks, and post show banter! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinks with Belinda</td></tr>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">SUNDAY</u> - Another beautiful day in Wellington, and after a home made bacon sandwich, I was off on my bike to the Kilbirnie Sports arena to learn how to play 'Korf ball'. - A game somewhere between basketball and netball, with 8 players, (4 men & 4 woman) and a very tall pole with a basket on the top of it. An hour and a half later, I (and a group of random people from Adventure Wellington meet up group) had got the basics of the game and enjoyed a fairly social game, enough to work up a good sweat. I have to say, I'm far better at sports with the ball at my feet than in my hands, but getting better.</div>
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The rest of day was spent in the company of my friend Soo-Yin, as we headed up to Porirua to an arts & crafts fair, (where I was able to buy a few early xmas presents), before continuing up to Kapiti coast - which is becoming my all time favourite drive around Wellington. As it's the West coast it's a totally unspoilt view of the sun dropping into the ocean, and we enjoyed some spectacular views on an almost deserted beach...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWFnxF-bEc4/UfjsGfJgwEI/AAAAAAAADbM/TAuHnG8AhX4/s1600/DSCF6308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWFnxF-bEc4/UfjsGfJgwEI/AAAAAAAADbM/TAuHnG8AhX4/s640/DSCF6308.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kapiti Coast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cja8pGoXmsg/UfjsDJkBeRI/AAAAAAAADbE/YoYKv16gTis/s1600/DSCF6316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cja8pGoXmsg/UfjsDJkBeRI/AAAAAAAADbE/YoYKv16gTis/s640/DSCF6316.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kapiti Sunsets</td></tr>
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As the sun was setting it was time to get some fun photos, which now include the great 'jumping shot'. Soo-Yin is getting well practiced at this shot and I think you'll agree it's another good shot! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4flmZgwTp2M/UfjsGurwafI/AAAAAAAADbU/BF0a1PtgoXE/s1600/DSCF6334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4flmZgwTp2M/UfjsGurwafI/AAAAAAAADbU/BF0a1PtgoXE/s640/DSCF6334.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping Shots</td></tr>
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I can't resist a good pose now and then, and have to say that this photo shows the beauty of the Kapiti coast pretty well... beautiful nothingness, total piece and unspoilt nature! This is one thing aspect of life here I will never be bored of, and it's all just 20 minute drive away! (Or train ride).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ylXa9XtLuU/UfjsJrc0isI/AAAAAAAADbc/oLdc29TmFa4/s1600/DSCF6335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ylXa9XtLuU/UfjsJrc0isI/AAAAAAAADbc/oLdc29TmFa4/s640/DSCF6335.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kapiti Poses!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5K8O3tnQ5k/UfjsQgT5uhI/AAAAAAAADbs/2qOMy6hFE5U/s1600/DSCF6346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5K8O3tnQ5k/UfjsQgT5uhI/AAAAAAAADbs/2qOMy6hFE5U/s640/DSCF6346.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kapiti Sunsets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkVBxDvRAlQ/UfjsQE4pfCI/AAAAAAAADbk/32yey3sxZm4/s1600/DSCF6351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkVBxDvRAlQ/UfjsQE4pfCI/AAAAAAAADbk/32yey3sxZm4/s640/DSCF6351.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kapiti Sunsets</td></tr>
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I attempted to get a little arty with the next shots, including the use of my sunglasses to show a polarized view of the coast line, though I think the Soo-Yin silhouette photo was the my favorite shot of the day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25Zn5hJbENc/UfjsRxzaF2I/AAAAAAAADb0/AZAQSn-s3fc/s1600/DSCF6357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25Zn5hJbENc/UfjsRxzaF2I/AAAAAAAADb0/AZAQSn-s3fc/s640/DSCF6357.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kapiti Sunsets through sunglasses...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvTb-GpwOK4/UfjsUu17V3I/AAAAAAAADb8/SAC2iIGR98A/s1600/DSCF6361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvTb-GpwOK4/UfjsUu17V3I/AAAAAAAADb8/SAC2iIGR98A/s640/DSCF6361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Soo-Yin sillhouette </td></tr>
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The drive back to Wellington was spent deciding where we could go for dinner, with a steak house being the preferred option! After a good steak and some ice cream, we ended the night with a late movie - The World's End! I have to say that after 30 min of the film I was wishing for the world to end, because it was rubbish! I mean, absolutely awful, not funny and too silly to even be considered amusing. Despite the movie, I returned home ready for bed and in high spirits ready to take on the week ahead, which would include the arrival of a friend 'Bez' who is moving over here from the UK! </div>
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Regards from New Zealand!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dan</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-86269002503050306932013-07-24T04:26:00.000-07:002013-07-26T20:09:37.880-07:00A weekend to remember - earthquakes, volcanoes, and free spirits mean anything is possible!<div style="text-align: justify;">
SPECTACULAR, SCARY, FUN, DANGEROUS & BREATHTAKING - all the words that described Friday 19th - Sunday 21st July 2013 - read on!<br />
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EARTHQUAKES! 3 Big ones in 3 days! I could talk about that quite easily... the city survived the big one (6.9 magnitude) which shook the top of the South Island and Lower north Island on Sunday evening. Yes there was mild damage to the city, but no serious injuries! To be honest the series of aftershocks have been more disturbing to me and the 'planning' that the media and the city had undertaken is pretty extensive. On Friday morning about 09:00 whilst sat in front of the computer at work in the office, I felt a little rumble under my feet, then felt the building move in a way that buildings should not be moving (sideways)! I went deadly quiet, (thought about diving under the nearest table as I have been taught to do by a multitude of school children on tv adverts), and looked out of the window to see the workmen holding onto the scaffolding of a newly constructed building across the street. Everyone else in the office seemed calm, and no one jumped under the desk, despite saying it was one of the biggest quakes felt in Wellington for some time... </div>
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Part of the reason I think I'm not feeling too panicked is because I missed the entire big event on Sunday! After feeling Friday's warm-up shake whilst at work, I was quickly out of Wellington and driving up North for one of the most incredible trips I have had since I arrived here - up a volcano at Mt Ruapehu at the time of the Earthquake!</div>
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The weekend itself was pretty mesmorising from start to finish! Moving from the city of Wellington, to remote farm land Friday Night, then to the thermal geysers of Rotorua, and Lake Taupo on Saturday, before the splender of Mount Ruapehu and return to Wellington on Sunday! All this was with two wonderfully spirited new friends, who both originate from Brazil and provided non-stop entertainment from start to finish! I'm tired just reading that sentence! I could talk all day about many aspects of this adventure, but I'll try and stick to the main points so: go put the kettle on, get a cup of tea and a biscuit and sit down to enjoy the story! </div>
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<b><u>FRIDAY NIGHT:</u></b></div>
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Filled with quite a bit of excitement at the weekend ahead, and a long drive of 3 hours, I finished work early, (@ 3:30pm) picked up my hire car. (Another free upgrade - I should keep asking for 'manuals', because every time I do, they never have any and give me a free upgraded automatic). I had ALL my CD's, and set about singing my way (along with the cast of Glee, and the odd musical) 2 hours north to Palmerston North, to pick up Sonia, - a friend of my friend Dayanne. Sonia and Dayanne are both Brazilian by birth but have been over here in NZ longer than I have. Me and Sonia drove for another hour up to Takapau, to Dayanne's farm house - in the middle of absolutely nowhere! No noise, no neighbours and a clear star filled sky! After a home cooked lasagna (yummy indeed), it was a relatively early night before waking up at 0530 the next morning - solely at Dayanne's insistence so we could get to the Lady Knox Geyser by 10:00 just outside of Rotorua. I thought I was being tortured to be made to get up so early on a weekend, but I will publicly admit that it was the right thing to do as the video and pictures below show the wonder of the Geyser demonstration, which is actually brought about by adding soap powder to it! There is 26000 litres of water suppressed underneath!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwzogyXK28U8O16lL54tE0j5YvDDivwcQOCEzM_Pelp3A0UU8xb9aUAGs4nP4WpIqfzfXkq0r0VQhjLA8GOug' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-doY1eAqo1OY/Ue5o1PdfyQI/AAAAAAAADV4/KH_gKOL-SeI/s1600/DSCF6147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-doY1eAqo1OY/Ue5o1PdfyQI/AAAAAAAADV4/KH_gKOL-SeI/s400/DSCF6147.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">starting to go...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c9Je94Iul14/Ue5orulnrsI/AAAAAAAADVs/DQaMEetBdtM/s1600/DSCF6148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c9Je94Iul14/Ue5orulnrsI/AAAAAAAADVs/DQaMEetBdtM/s640/DSCF6148.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It might be early, but we're happy campers!</td></tr>
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The Geyser was impressive enough, but was nothing compared to the wonders of the WAI-O-TAPU 'Thermal Wonderland' just down the road from the geyser. These thermal wonderlands offer bubbling mud pools, both small and large coloured pools of water, coloured differently by the different minerals that sit in the pools. The only problem was the sulphur smell (rotten eggs) that followed us around the park... or was that actually the remains of last night's lasagna?????</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oEgB7Yf9Ras/Ue5pI9wIEEI/AAAAAAAADWI/EwEktdYFJng/s1600/DSCF6160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oEgB7Yf9Ras/Ue5pI9wIEEI/AAAAAAAADWI/EwEktdYFJng/s640/DSCF6160.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Thermal pools... & smelly too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60w6zF9fv5g/Ue5pVtUORTI/AAAAAAAADWY/EaqtFPjfQfE/s1600/DSCF6169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60w6zF9fv5g/Ue5pVtUORTI/AAAAAAAADWY/EaqtFPjfQfE/s400/DSCF6169.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So excited, Dayanne jumps for joy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9ALDY5UxH0/Ue5pWfYF35I/AAAAAAAADWg/jiVdTBj_jzo/s1600/DSCF6177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9ALDY5UxH0/Ue5pWfYF35I/AAAAAAAADWg/jiVdTBj_jzo/s400/DSCF6177.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Fantail bird'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-44RtF0CNRws/Ue5pfHhm5CI/AAAAAAAADWo/nt42NA1zAvg/s1600/DSCF6183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-44RtF0CNRws/Ue5pfHhm5CI/AAAAAAAADWo/nt42NA1zAvg/s400/DSCF6183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheesy Pictures!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-si2wLVvZjSI/Ue5pfhgxZ5I/AAAAAAAADWw/2x3wJq6rbOo/s1600/DSCF6187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-si2wLVvZjSI/Ue5pfhgxZ5I/AAAAAAAADWw/2x3wJq6rbOo/s640/DSCF6187.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning Thermal pools...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6LGWtZNhVs/Ue5ppG6fyPI/AAAAAAAADW4/XGtKPyd8uMM/s1600/DSCF6193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6LGWtZNhVs/Ue5ppG6fyPI/AAAAAAAADW4/XGtKPyd8uMM/s640/DSCF6193.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thermal pools...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--n-7e_sqDeM/Ue5p0RaIE5I/AAAAAAAADXI/gJW4-pZ4qBo/s1600/DSCF6197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--n-7e_sqDeM/Ue5p0RaIE5I/AAAAAAAADXI/gJW4-pZ4qBo/s400/DSCF6197.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful colors...</td></tr>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">HUKA FALLS</u> - The next stop on Saturday was Huka falls just outside of Taupo, which is a little gorge where an awful lots of water passes through as fairly high speeds, making it a nice little stop and tourist attraction, with a 'jet boat' and viewing platforms, I'll let the pictures do the talking here...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJXsRyN5Ytg/Ue5p19x3WkI/AAAAAAAADXQ/12O9llK3SnQ/s1600/DSCF6202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJXsRyN5Ytg/Ue5p19x3WkI/AAAAAAAADXQ/12O9llK3SnQ/s400/DSCF6202.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huka Falls, Taupo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YS4jpEmWaA/Ue5qCPo4xzI/AAAAAAAADXg/XKx9F8F2Xk8/s1600/DSCF6207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YS4jpEmWaA/Ue5qCPo4xzI/AAAAAAAADXg/XKx9F8F2Xk8/s400/DSCF6207.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">powerful falls...</td></tr>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">TAUPO</u> Saturday evening was going to be a night out in Taupo, (home of the seriously beautiful and huge Lake Taupo). We thought it was a good idea to do a touch of shopping, and me and Dayanne even tried to fit in a tandem bungy jump, but arrived too late to jump that evening. Sonia wasn't very keen on for me and Dayanne to go jumping off a platform tied to only elastic, and she found her own way to cope with her anxiety! (see picture below)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KbC4yl54Sl0/Ue5p-uQjpUI/AAAAAAAADXY/ZALy8fejTAc/s1600/DSCF6208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KbC4yl54Sl0/Ue5p-uQjpUI/AAAAAAAADXY/ZALy8fejTAc/s400/DSCF6208.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coping with the idea of a bungy watching us bungy jump</td></tr>
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On arriving at our hotel we were all looking forward to jumping into the free thermal spa pools, but I got distracted by the sunset (yes I know I always get distracted by sunsets - thank you Helen Clark!) Check these sunsets out at Lake Taupo...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rm8twIbjeSg/Ue5qGB5HyHI/AAAAAAAADXo/hWF8EIeS-bo/s1600/DSCF6209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rm8twIbjeSg/Ue5qGB5HyHI/AAAAAAAADXo/hWF8EIeS-bo/s640/DSCF6209.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taupo Sunsets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43GEi4R9ocM/Ue5qK1zOt1I/AAAAAAAADXw/YrCM41CrSk4/s1600/DSCF6223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43GEi4R9ocM/Ue5qK1zOt1I/AAAAAAAADXw/YrCM41CrSk4/s640/DSCF6223.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Taupo Sunsets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHCpSpw9Z2c/Ue5qQQCMrzI/AAAAAAAADX4/qku8rOCJM_M/s1600/DSCF6224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHCpSpw9Z2c/Ue5qQQCMrzI/AAAAAAAADX4/qku8rOCJM_M/s640/DSCF6224.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Taupo Sunset</td></tr>
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That was pretty much the last thing I saw (outdoors), as after a good soak in the spa, and a few tasty ciders later, the early morning start had caught up with us all! Whilst me and Dayanne sat watching the movie 'my big fat greek wedding' on tv, whilst waiting for the longest ever pizza delivery, Sonia was in the land of sleep and adding some funny noises to the movie soundtrack!</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">DAY 2 - SUNDAY:</u> TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK & RUAPEHU</div>
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Having woken up, to some sunny skies, and cold pizza, Dayanne was bouncing round the room (like tigger from 'Winnie the pooh') because there was sunshine hovering over the Tongariro National Park and over the volcanic Mt Ruapehu. One quick stop at the bakery was made before driving out to the national park and first stop was the drive up to Whakapapa village and the now famous Mt Doom! Take a look at this! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9zx4e7Ku9E/Ue5qTc0qJlI/AAAAAAAADYA/kxw6fuHD8Uk/s1600/DSCF6230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9zx4e7Ku9E/Ue5qTc0qJlI/AAAAAAAADYA/kxw6fuHD8Uk/s640/DSCF6230.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Doom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGDANfMjhzs/Ue5qbsjF8aI/AAAAAAAADYY/Bj7f0szQNIA/s1600/DSCF6231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGDANfMjhzs/Ue5qbsjF8aI/AAAAAAAADYY/Bj7f0szQNIA/s640/DSCF6231.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Ruapehu from Whakapapa Village</td></tr>
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We may not have been skiing, but there was plenty of life on the volcano with families all over the place making snowmen and sledging on the way up to the ski-fields. I wasn't really sure what to expect as the snow didn't look too heavy, but once we managed the long long walk up to the chair lift (because it was so busy you just couldn't park anywhere close) the adventure began.</div>
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The views just got better and better as we got higher, and the mountain had poked it's head though the surrounding cloud, to leave an almost perfect circle of blue sky surrounding us. I could easily try describing the views, but I couldn't possibly do it justice, so enjoy the photos... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-kbjZ_Qsao/Ue5qbJv0TjI/AAAAAAAADYI/9_lyzTCxTTw/s1600/DSCF6234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-kbjZ_Qsao/Ue5qbJv0TjI/AAAAAAAADYI/9_lyzTCxTTw/s640/DSCF6234.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladies chatting away...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MlRnobKD3eE/Ue5qlh2mM9I/AAAAAAAADZA/coNOTcrqclI/s1600/DSCF6238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MlRnobKD3eE/Ue5qlh2mM9I/AAAAAAAADZA/coNOTcrqclI/s640/DSCF6238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over at Mt Doom from Ruapehu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy ski-field</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chair lift to heaven!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hcaczgvhvlM/Ue5qvUiXnqI/AAAAAAAADZY/b_QGpKPKEvQ/s1600/DSCF6254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hcaczgvhvlM/Ue5qvUiXnqI/AAAAAAAADZY/b_QGpKPKEvQ/s640/DSCF6254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two very happy ladies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-Kpl_qi_-0/Ue5q35GqsDI/AAAAAAAADZg/5A7pMAznDXc/s1600/DSCF6257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-Kpl_qi_-0/Ue5q35GqsDI/AAAAAAAADZg/5A7pMAznDXc/s640/DSCF6257.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More chair lift views...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSinEBcVu0g/Ue5q5ON1AgI/AAAAAAAADZs/2QMsUxRWwwo/s1600/DSCF6264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSinEBcVu0g/Ue5q5ON1AgI/AAAAAAAADZs/2QMsUxRWwwo/s400/DSCF6264.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thumbs up for this experience!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVj0JyBkcHU/Ue5q8TNh7YI/AAAAAAAADZ4/G2yFcpD9xXk/s1600/DSCF6268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVj0JyBkcHU/Ue5q8TNh7YI/AAAAAAAADZ4/G2yFcpD9xXk/s640/DSCF6268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow covered mountains...</td></tr>
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A very long drive home followed the time up the mountain, with some funny conversations in the car about what superpowers would you chose to have if you could pick any 3 powers. Sonia seemed to want to use any power for numerous forms of world domination, which we pointed out was not allowed in the rules of the game! Time passed relatively quickly in the car, and we soon arrived at Palmerston North to drop Sonia home, and make a mad dash to use the toilet - not lasagna related!<br />
I returned to Dayanne's farm to pick up my car and prepare for the 3 hour drive back to Wellington (which unbeknown was still reeling from the earthquake). I couldn't leave without a final piece of lasagna, to see my through my drive home, and finally arrived home just before midnight.<br />
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When these kind of spontaneous events happen, with near strangers, I do wonder if there is a higher meaning in these connections. Just over one week before this weekend I had never met these two ladies, and would never have imagined having spent a totally spectacular weekend in their wonderful company. So thank you Dayanne and Sonia for a weekend filled with fun, laughter, wonder, laughter, some weirdness, more laughter, a little alcohol, a bit more laughter, and plenty of lasagna!<br />
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Hope you've enjoyed the blog (if you made it this far)...<br />
Regards from New Zealand<br />
Dan </div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-7813269290203913582013-07-14T05:35:00.000-07:002013-07-14T05:35:00.172-07:00Winter Wellington, - theatre, sports, walking, storms, meet ups and new friends...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urBjeWbGdLQ/UeJUJ26YV9I/AAAAAAAADT4/YQgZUKz3LIQ/s1600/DSCF6117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urBjeWbGdLQ/UeJUJ26YV9I/AAAAAAAADT4/YQgZUKz3LIQ/s400/DSCF6117.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Wellington, from the apartment...</td></tr>
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Hey everybody, well it's been a little while since the last post, but there's been a few events and some people that have inspired me, and helped me to remember the benefits of blogging. It's been quite a few weeks since my visitors came, and I've been making a concerted effort to get back into a more regular fitness regime (especially since the weather this winter has turned to an English downpour). So whilst I have been spending lots of time both in and out doors playing both traditional sports like (football & basketball), I've also been trying a few alternatives (turbo touch & gaelic football). I've also been adding a bit of culture to my life... so let me share a story or two.</div>
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<b>Phantom of the Opera...</b> my first trip to the most traditional Wellington Theatre (St James Theatre), was never going to be a disappointment as myself and my work mate Jen, took our seats for the showing of the Phantom, which was pretty good, considering the stage wasn't the biggest. It was nice to be back watching big show, sand with 'Wicked' coming up in Auckland in October, I'm getting my musical hit! </div>
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<b>Basketball Tournament with Special Olympics Wellington...</b> a trip up to a town called Palmerston North (known as Palmy, and the place people seem to make fun of). The reason for going was for a basketball tournament with the fantastic athletes that I volunteer with on a Thursday night. The tournament was a weekend and started out with a very early start 06:40 start. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgsFdA2w8YY/UeJUG3ZOwaI/AAAAAAAADT0/lPDQUyy2naE/s1600/DSCF6112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgsFdA2w8YY/UeJUG3ZOwaI/AAAAAAAADT0/lPDQUyy2naE/s400/DSCF6112.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Players & Coaches...</td></tr>
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Both teams (Wildcats & Tornadoes) played some great Basketball, and more importantly, enjoyed the competition and spending time away together. Basketball is still pretty new to me, but I'm learning to appreciate it more week by week, and I have to say that the athletes help me out much more than I help them. The spirit in our Wellington group is outstanding, with a total acceptance and respect, and it's usually the highlight of my week going to the training. Here's a few pictures from the tournament...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3EHFRXLVdM/UeJUClGzFMI/AAAAAAAADTs/YF_H5pSNwIM/s1600/DSCF6104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3EHFRXLVdM/UeJUClGzFMI/AAAAAAAADTs/YF_H5pSNwIM/s400/DSCF6104.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasuring the medals!</td></tr>
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I got really good at shouting 'defense defense' and 'hands up' whilst patrolling the side line. I think the athletes even listen to me sometimes too! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg_A2p77Ao4/UeJT8VtlGRI/AAAAAAAADTU/KXVuVXIafF0/s1600/DSCF6095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg_A2p77Ao4/UeJT8VtlGRI/AAAAAAAADTU/KXVuVXIafF0/s400/DSCF6095.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving the defense!</td></tr>
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<b>SPORTS...</b> through one of my fellow volunteer coaches at basketball, (Emma) I've finally been able to find a 'social' football team that I can get a regular game with. So on Tuesday nights I get to play 5-a-side footy in a mixed team, with some odd rules! </div>
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1) You can use the side walls, but not put your hand on the rail side wall (rail).</div>
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2) If a girl scores, it's worth 2 apparently... ( a pretty sexist rule in my book).</div>
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How can a goal be anything other than a goal? Should it matter who scores?</div>
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The girls scoring double points is not limited to football, in a game I have now played twice called 'Turbo touch' (5 team members on a gym court, in a game that mixes rugby, handball and netball), girls 'score' double too. The kiwi's seem to turn any activity into a game/sport of some description, with ultimate frisbee and 'frisbee golf' being just as visible in the sports arena as football, netball and basketball. It certainly keeps people active and keeps me out of the gym. I even attempted a gaelic football training session, where I didn't embarrass myself too much. Actually, I think I picked the basics up quite well, though as tiredness crept in, my kicking direction went out the window.</div>
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As far as watching sports go, we're still in Rugby season, so I've been watching the not so mighty 'Hurricanes' who at their final home game played out a 44-49 loss. I do have tickets to the All Blacks vs Australia game on August 24th which will be amazing!</div>
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<b>Meet ups...</b> I'm constantly talking with people, locals, visitors, travelers and clients the amazing variety of 'meet-up' groups around Wellington, and I've been making the most of them recently with the following events: the rugby, Theatre Sports - an improvisation competition, roller derby, Korean meal & Karaoke, outdoor team fitness and a few more to come! Adding to the list of other stuff I've done like an adventure weekend away, gorging, white water rafting and abseiling, sailing, rock climbing, kayaking, outdoor movies, concerts, walks and socials. Anyone coming to visit me, definitely check it out and with it being free to join these groups you could end up doing some amazing things here in the 'coolest little capital in the world'.</div>
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<b>WEEKEND WONDERS... </b>This past weekend has been pretty hectic, involving Korean dinner & Karaoke, the visit of new friend, walks with workmates, first time watching roller derby, flight shopping, and the gym to boot! I'm ready for bed!</div>
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The korean meal and karaoke was fun, with my usual repertoire of songs, which was followed by a fun night out with a recently made friend - Dayanne, who came to Wellington for a change of scenery as she lives out in the countryside! A late night out with my flatmate Tibo, was followed by a very early morning walk up Mount Kaukau with my work mates Jen, Bob, John & Jen's son and dog. Me & Dayanne were a little worse for wear, but managed the walk, for some pretty spectacular views of Wellington! (See below)...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jen & Bob on the walk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of Wellington from Mt Kaukau</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John enjoying the fresh air! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buster (the dog), Me, Dayanne, Bob & John having a picnic!</td></tr>
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I was joined by a couple of other workmates for Saturday night's visit to the Roller Derby match between the Wellington team, and an Aussie team from Melbourne. It took a while to work out the rules, which were something like, the scorer (jammer) had to skate past the opposing team, though the opposition can basically try to stop the jammer by blocking with their bodies. All this on roller skates! A series of 2 minute rounds within two 30 minute periods make the match last about 2 hours. Watch the video below to try and make sense of it! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dC8SfnBTF5c/UeJUaAKTeKI/AAAAAAAADUw/8-UQpnQKw58/s1600/DSCF6135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dC8SfnBTF5c/UeJUaAKTeKI/AAAAAAAADUw/8-UQpnQKw58/s640/DSCF6135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So that's a pretty sketchy review of the past few weeks, and hopefully gives a quick summary of life in Wellington during my second winter here. </div>
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Congrats to Andy Murray for Wimbledon, and hopefully to the England cricket team, who are one wicket from victory in the 1st test, though Australia are fighting back brilliantly! </div>
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Regards from Wellington,</div>
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Dan</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-83140166516292589242013-06-09T05:09:00.001-07:002013-06-09T05:09:58.017-07:00South Island Adventures with my best mate! (Dolphins, mountains and Ferg Burgers!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Jen in Queenstown</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Wow! What a crazy 10 weeks: with holidays in Vietnam, my parents visiting for over a month, and then the final installment - My best and one of my oldest friends Jen arriving in town! She's only been here just over a week with me, and is now currently shaking up the North Island, but it's already been quite the adventure! </span><br />
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My next post will be that year review, but after exploring some of the most stunning scenery NZ has to offer this week, I felt like I just had to share the adventure! </div>
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So having a weekend to recover from some emotional goodbyes with the folks, was just about enough time to get prepared for Jen's visit. Me and Jen were at primary school together, became best mates in our teens and have have lived through each others ups and downs, and funny relationship / dating stories ever since! Jen's family are also like a second family to me, and have been feeding me 'pasty & beans' on a Saturday morning for years! (Which are sadly missed here in NZ).<br />
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Jen quickly made herself at home, (in a good way) from day one, and our first big night out didn't even wait for the weekend, as we hit the tastiest restaurant in town 'Ombra' for food and drink with Tibo, before ending up in the dodgy and always empty Fringe Bar for some karaoke! The only problem was that Jen (who can actually sing amazingly well), and a stray we picked up called Glen set the bar too high. I normally hate singing karaoke with people who could do it professionally, but I have no such feeling with Jen, and so I quickly brought the quality back down to earth (where it should be for karaoke), but did it with a smile on my face! My flatmate Tibo watched on with a funny look on his face, somewhere between confusion and pity I think!<br />
<b><u>QUEENSTOWN...</u></b><br />
The main event was always going to be the 4 day trip (which turned out to be 5 days) to the South Island and Queenstown - the views did not disappoint!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First views of Queenstown.</td></tr>
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Once we found a little room in a hostel, we went straight up the mountain via a very steep cable car, and took in 'THE POSTCARD VIEWS OF QUEENSTOWN'.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEWS OVER QUEENS TOWN</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ME & JEN INFRONT OF THE 'REMARKABLES'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE THIS VIEW!</td></tr>
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It was almost impossible to think how the day could get much better, with the stunning views, and being with my bets mate in this kind of setting, yet there was an added bonus on the first day. A friend and fellow OT Paula (who made an appearance in the very first week of this blog back in 2011), was randomly in Queenstown! Paula took us to a nice little bar, and whilst she is quite modest, I have to say I am always amazed when I listen to what Paula gets up to... sailing her boat, tramping (hiking to the rest of us), swinging through canyons, kayaking and anything else that requires some superhuman effort! (Sorry for embarrassing you Paula). Can't wait to go sailing with her at some point!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Paula</td></tr>
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The first evening was pretty eventful too, as we were joined by our lovely German room mate Kristin, who had been working as an au-pair in the north Island for 9 months. After a gorgeous dinner, we found a bar for a drink that actually had some people in, the only problem, they were having a fluorescent night, and I got a bit overexcited!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Jen at the fluorescent night</td></tr>
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<b><u>DAY 2 - ARROWTOWN & TE ANAU</u></b><br />
The less said the better, as it just rained, and rained a bit more, then rained a bit more. Making what should have been a spectacular drive to Te Anau, we could barely see a mountain as they were covered in cloud. Arrowtown's highlight was definitely the old world sweet shop with these funny named choclate bars:<br />
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We did end the day in Te Anau watching a movie in a tiny little cinema, the movie being 'Song for Marion' - it was a real tear jerker, and beautifully written and acted.<br />
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<b><u>DAY 3 - DOUBTFUL SOUNDS</u></b><br />
With the road to the world famous Milford Sounds closed, we took the option of exploring another one of the stunningly beautiful sounds, called Doubtful - so named as Captain Cook was 'doubtful' that his ship could get out of the sounds if they entered it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doubtful Sounds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doubtful Sounds</td></tr>
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Don't miss the video of the dolphins below!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doubtful Sounds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doubtful Sounds</td></tr>
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After warming up and driving back to Queenstown we met up with Kristin again and headed to the famour "FERG'S GURGER BAR' and let me tell you it was well worth it! We ere starving and it certainly filled the gap. A dessert at the bakery next foor followed by $5 (£2.50) glasses of pino gris wine by a log fire in a pool bar, just added the perfect touch to a amazing day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristin, Me & Jen having a Ferg's burger</td></tr>
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<b><u>DAY 4 - ADVENTURE & MORE ADVENTURE!</u></b><br />
After a reasonable sleep in, and gorgeous breakfast we decided that rather than try and head to Wanaka, we would enjoy the adventurous activities that Queenstown is famous for! Our first stop was the 'shot over' jet boat, which as you can see from the video and pictures below, was a high speed jet boat, through some a shallow river and some narrow gorges! The driver likes to spin the boat around and soak everybody for fun too!<br />
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The next serious piece of adventure was not caught on camera, but involved me jumping off a bridge over a very fast moving river on the original bungy jump in New Zealand! The pictures are on Jen's camera and will no doubt appear on here at some point, but the point is that I felt like I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could do the bungy jump that I did for the first time 11 years previously! I did manage it and loved experiencing that sense of free-fall again!<br />
Before heading off for the airport and what turned into a seriously challenging flight back to Wellington, we took in some final sights, see below!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny days in Queenstown!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in Queenstown!</td></tr>
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As we boarded the plane to fly back to Wellington, via Auckland, we thought we'd left the adventure behind us. However, after leaving Auckland (late) at 21:00 on Tuesday night, we knew the approach to Wellington would be rough, due to strong winds and bad weather... what we didn't expect was 3, YES 3, FAILED ATTEMPTS TO LAND, and a return to Auckland at 23:00hrs! We were put up in a hotel for 4 hors sleep, before waking at 04:30 to get the 06:00 flight to wellington, which allowed me to get into work just ten minutes late! Needless to say I was pretty tired for the rest of the week.<br />
Still, most importantly, we finally landed in Wellington safely, and in one piece!<br />
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Regards from a beautiful New Zealand.</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-81642446376662783012013-05-19T04:06:00.002-07:002013-05-19T04:06:51.241-07:00Weeks 51-52 - A year goes by, the parents explore Wellington, and an inspiring weekend!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random House in Island Bay</td></tr>
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Hey Everybody, excuse the reduced frequency of these posts, but I have been so busy between keeping the folks out of trouble, a few social engagements, and some pretty inspirational basketball events with the amazing group - Special Olympics Wellington! More on that later! A year has passed and the next blog post will be a more reflective post about the major events of of surviving one year in NZ!</div>
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My parents have been attempting to put the Wellington bus companies out of business by getting on any available bus to anywhere in the city. The good thing about their enthusiasm for public transport is that we have been to places that are new to me too! One such place being Island Bay - where we not only discovered the funky and clever house in the picture above, but some pretty large waves and another new cafe! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island Bay </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bM_jWt3lMaQ/UZiWGCIeQyI/AAAAAAAADLQ/sxlVQ_odiIg/s1600/DSCF5782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bM_jWt3lMaQ/UZiWGCIeQyI/AAAAAAAADLQ/sxlVQ_odiIg/s640/DSCF5782.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Waves @ Island Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ydEzMdKRfFQ/UZiWFikz99I/AAAAAAAADLI/91-_2chjd1Y/s1600/DSCF5784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ydEzMdKRfFQ/UZiWFikz99I/AAAAAAAADLI/91-_2chjd1Y/s640/DSCF5784.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island Bay - breaking waves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WU606G71Pr8/UZiWOHzIJTI/AAAAAAAADLg/4w77_VeEHX8/s1600/DSCF5787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WU606G71Pr8/UZiWOHzIJTI/AAAAAAAADLg/4w77_VeEHX8/s640/DSCF5787.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Mum @ Island Bay</td></tr>
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The parents have really embraced the Kiwi outdoor lifestyle, walking here, there and everywhere the bus will take them. They have also been made the most of the chance to watch almost any live sport, including the Aussie Rules, NZ Rugby league team the 'warriors', and the local Wellington Rugby union team the 'Hurricanes'. All games have been at the Westpac stadium, and have been in all kinds of weather! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4JXIbA_7gk/UZiVqY2C3jI/AAAAAAAADKQ/lQ5oyyMMU9A/s1600/DSCF5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4JXIbA_7gk/UZiVqY2C3jI/AAAAAAAADKQ/lQ5oyyMMU9A/s400/DSCF5767.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum & Dad at the Westpac</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-G-4hqeV44/UZiVkwJvPwI/AAAAAAAADJ8/VYVCdwTKgwk/s1600/DSCF5768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-G-4hqeV44/UZiVkwJvPwI/AAAAAAAADJ8/VYVCdwTKgwk/s400/DSCF5768.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Warriors game!</td></tr>
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The folks have certainly enjoyed the getting in the mood for sports....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GutsJZKbaDo/UZiWQnduR_I/AAAAAAAADLo/xU72Oyv1RXo/s1600/DSCF5789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GutsJZKbaDo/UZiWQnduR_I/AAAAAAAADLo/xU72Oyv1RXo/s640/DSCF5789.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum & Dad at the Hurricanes game...</td></tr>
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It's been a year since arriving in NZ and it's been quite an emotional week for me, getting to this point, and thinking about how my life is very very different from my life of one year ago. As well as thinking about all the amazing new things, people and places that fills my life, I have also been thinking about the things, people and places that are missing: the birth of my good mate's baby daughter, friend's engagements, weddings and big life events. The opportunity to spend the night of my anniversary with my parents seemed very meaningful, especially as 365 days earlier they had driven me to the airport in London to say goodbye. We also went to a place (Wagamamas) that we have been to together many times in the UK, so it seemed very fitting to have this very familiar scene from my 'old' life happening right here in my 'new' life.</div>
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I just want to finish off this post by saying I have had an absolutely inspiring weekend with 'Wellington special olympics' basketball athletes who competed in the first tournament of the year this weekend. This is my first full season volunteering with this amazing group. The athletes stepped up to the mark and took on the challenges of facing guys much bigger and stronger than themselves and never complained once, when they got barged out of the way. I quite literally stood back in admiration when seeing the athletes support each other, whether things were going well or badly. The head coaches have done an amazing job building confidence and a team spirit that put many of my own sporting colleagues to shame, and showed the true meaning of belonging and support. Whilst all the athletes have faced some tough challenges in life, the way they played and conducted themselves could only be described in one word - class! </div>
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Regards from New Zealand</div>
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Dan</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-35152151086479436112013-05-06T01:22:00.000-07:002013-05-06T01:22:48.823-07:00Weeks 49-50 - The folks come to town, Ice Skating, and the weird and Wonderful things Wellington offers! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QtlznIZXp7M/UYYFujob4RI/AAAAAAAADHY/BNQy9feHJeg/s1600/DSCF5710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QtlznIZXp7M/UYYFujob4RI/AAAAAAAADHY/BNQy9feHJeg/s640/DSCF5710.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Wellington - views from our balcony...</td></tr>
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Hello Everybody,<br />
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Another 2 weeks has flown by, and all of a sudden it's May, almost a year since I arrived here in Wonderful Wellington. I'm really happy to be sharing this time with my parents who have traveled a long long way to come and check out my life here. </div>
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It's also been a fairly hectic time too since returning from my holiday to Vietnam, and applying to present at conferences n both New Zealand & Japan. So lets try and put some order to these weeks.</div>
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First up is the great news that the abstract submitted to this year's New Zealand Clinical workshops, was accepted which means in September I'll be presenting a 90 minute workshop with some colleagues entitled: 'Around the OT world in 80 Mins'. It will be full of great case studies from around the world for the delegates to have a go at solving! I just need to get a student competition up and running so the winner will get the chance to come and co-present with us, hopefully to show people that senior therapists can help facilitate student / new-grad participation in such events.</div>
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I've also submitted a risky abstract to the World OT conference in Japan next year, entitled: 'The hobbOT - an unexpected journey - from Chile to Japan, via the shires of England & New Zealand'. Not sure if the committee will take it seriously, but if they do, and accept it, I could have a brilliant time making lots of LOTR (Lord of The Rings) links in the presentation! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t0xLgdti3Do/UYYKKKJoReI/AAAAAAAADJg/OOiJs-Dygjk/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t0xLgdti3Do/UYYKKKJoReI/AAAAAAAADJg/OOiJs-Dygjk/s640/IMG_2112.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Mum & Dad @ Plimmerton</td></tr>
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Back to life here, and the main event being my folks getting here! They had a pretty big first week trying to adjust to the new time zone and get over the jet lag. Eventually after a few days, they came seemed to pick up, and were soon getting around on public transport around the many stunning bays that Wellington has to offer! Thursday was ANZAC DAY (Public holiday commemorating the lives of those lost in the war. Did you know New Zealand lost the largest percentage of the male population of any of the allied countries, during the WWII). </div>
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ANZAC day was also celebrated here in Wellington with the first ever competitive AFL (Australian Football League) game to be played outside of New Zealand. (You might know the game as 'Aussie Rules'). The game itself is a mix between rugby and gaelic football, but one thing that does not explain in the ridiculously tight shorts that these guys wear!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmM1dSEAnYQ/UYYFvIGFBcI/AAAAAAAADHg/eHSe0Wyh8bQ/s1600/DSCF5693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmM1dSEAnYQ/UYYFvIGFBcI/AAAAAAAADHg/eHSe0Wyh8bQ/s640/DSCF5693.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aussie Rules match... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3aD57WDilCI/UYYF1RYpt0I/AAAAAAAADHw/HDStGlKlMiw/s1600/DSCF5699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3aD57WDilCI/UYYF1RYpt0I/AAAAAAAADHw/HDStGlKlMiw/s640/DSCF5699.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aussie rules match...</td></tr>
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The game is split into 4 quarters, (I think it's 30 mins each quarter). The aim is to kick the ball through the middle posts for 6 points, and you get 1 point for the ball going through the posts at the side. The main thing that seemed to go on in the middle of the pitch was all these guys wrestling with each other, (or tickling each other) - it was hard to tell to be honest! It wasn't boring, but did seem to be without any serious rules, and there must have been at least 3-4000 Aussies who had come to watch the match too! I took a little video so you can make your own mind up, enjoy! </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwXJt38ESuDI5ekCvYtxH9M_yW7h2GWu962dZ3LvVOt05qz2IwHsBvh_4KZKGoyEB6sICH5JkVbEASz7ZI8WA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The weekend turned out to be a brilliant one, with my good friends Tony & Monica coming to Wellington to enjoy the long weekend! I'm always trying to get them to think about moving here, (but don't think I'll convince them about the weather - its much colder than Auckland. Still, we decided to have a little drive up the coast to Kapiti, and Paraparaumu...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bX6H9_1P0jQ/UYYKJSu5fgI/AAAAAAAADJU/T2ycBgPZZ14/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bX6H9_1P0jQ/UYYKJSu5fgI/AAAAAAAADJU/T2ycBgPZZ14/s640/IMG_2125.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The troupe @ Plimmerton</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I even managed to find myself a nice looking kiwi woman! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rz1VbRK8VQ/UYYGM7DvXtI/AAAAAAAADI4/b1S1sHNI8nw/s1600/IMG_2123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5rz1VbRK8VQ/UYYGM7DvXtI/AAAAAAAADI4/b1S1sHNI8nw/s320/IMG_2123.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Before fun evening to, we drove around the bays, and by chance arrived at Moa Point on the Southern tip of the North Island, for a spectacular sunset! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZxi52B4Ujo/UYYFzoC0qtI/AAAAAAAADHo/1ujkGPjuQ4Q/s1600/DSCF5722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZxi52B4Ujo/UYYFzoC0qtI/AAAAAAAADHo/1ujkGPjuQ4Q/s640/DSCF5722.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moa Point @ Sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4quD74UFQU/UYYF4pj_rEI/AAAAAAAADH4/3-p1DWgdWZw/s1600/DSCF5731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4quD74UFQU/UYYF4pj_rEI/AAAAAAAADH4/3-p1DWgdWZw/s640/DSCF5731.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moa Point Sunset.</td></tr>
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More adventures followed on Saturday, as I drove the folks out to Makara, on the south west coast, for soem amazing views on the south Island across the Cook Straight....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtv_QKD-fKo/UYYF73Epk2I/AAAAAAAADIA/JKf-HfCq60Q/s1600/DSCF5738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gtv_QKD-fKo/UYYF73Epk2I/AAAAAAAADIA/JKf-HfCq60Q/s640/DSCF5738.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makara Beach...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qoZUqQhXGSk/UYYF_nEHqGI/AAAAAAAADII/HOxgJvJLBYY/s1600/DSCF5743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qoZUqQhXGSk/UYYF_nEHqGI/AAAAAAAADII/HOxgJvJLBYY/s640/DSCF5743.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makara </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iijlJZImRDA/UYYGCUqQKzI/AAAAAAAADIQ/DgEuc5hNTXk/s1600/DSCF5746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iijlJZImRDA/UYYGCUqQKzI/AAAAAAAADIQ/DgEuc5hNTXk/s640/DSCF5746.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad looking out to the South Island!</td></tr>
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This past week, has been something different all together, two good gym sessions, back at volunteer basketball, a great cycle around the bays yesterday and some brilliant and fun kayaking in the harbour today, including self rescue when capsizing! Shame I couldn't get pictures of that, because if you'd seen me trying to get back in the Kayak, you'd be spitting out your cuppa's in laughter right now! </div>
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However, all the fun and active things things week aside, one of the highlights had to be Tuesday nights 'Adventure wellington' meet-up for some outdoor ice skating. Always a favourite past time of mine, about 7 of us (who's never met us before), had a fun night trying our best not to fall over and embarrass ourselves in public! </div>
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Some people on the rink, took fun to a whole new level, and let me take a picture of some interesting ice skating wear... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-borjC4KVMOs/UYYGN6Z6DnI/AAAAAAAADJA/4ONt-_arMio/s1600/DSCF5761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-borjC4KVMOs/UYYGN6Z6DnI/AAAAAAAADJA/4ONt-_arMio/s400/DSCF5761.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random girls at the rink...</td></tr>
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The night ended as many of my Adventure Wellington meet-ups often do.... in the pub with a drink. So after a night on ice, what better way than to end by a log fire in the Dockside pub!<br />
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So another busy week flies by, and it's almost a year. The parents have been in the South Island having their own adventure whilst I have been keeping busy this week! Lets see what the rest of May brings! </div>
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Regards from New Zealand.</div>
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Dan </div>
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Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-84558517444023263222013-04-29T05:35:00.002-07:002013-04-29T05:35:50.186-07:00Weeks 46-48 food, motorbikes and hospitality = Holiday in Vietnam! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNuq1TO1uBA/UX5DXl0Nx6I/AAAAAAAAC9c/HDbnFJWOC2c/s1600/DSCF5370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNuq1TO1uBA/UX5DXl0Nx6I/AAAAAAAAC9c/HDbnFJWOC2c/s400/DSCF5370.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all about the food! </td></tr>
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Hey Everybody, well it's been a ridiculously crazy few weeks, with little sign of things letting up, so I thought I'd better share a little of a mind-blowing trip back to Vietnam, as it is inevitably part of the reason I am here in New Zealand! </div>
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After working out in Romania and then Vietnam, I found myself presenting at the World OT conference in Chile, 2010, where I met a certain Merrolee Penman convinced me to then come and present at the NZ conference, which eventually led me to coming here to live and work! I have always had a strong personal desire to return to Vietnam, a land where my world view was dramatically challenged and where the people I met, had such a strong impact on my life that I had waited almost 5 years for the chance to return. - I was not disappointed.</div>
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The idea of spending just 2 weeks, in 3 cities, (Hanoi, Da Nang & Hoi An), including flights between the northern city of Hanoi, and Central Vietnam (Da Nang), meant that I was going to have had 10 flights in 17 days. Timing was essential, and fortunately, luck was on my side. </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">DAY 1</u> <b>HANOI</b></div>
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After flying from Wellington-Auckland-Sydney-Taipai-Hanoi, I was a little tired, but even tiredness would not stop me from meeting my fiend Tinh, for the first time face-face, and us going exploring Vietnamese food, including Ice cream in a coconut! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YW372C3X78s/UX5S2okWBfI/AAAAAAAADBI/rEy7j9E_z2I/s1600/DSCF5371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YW372C3X78s/UX5S2okWBfI/AAAAAAAADBI/rEy7j9E_z2I/s400/DSCF5371.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tinh </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QhqwgSx5j2M/UX5DeLPZJPI/AAAAAAAAC9s/s74tmHHMAsg/s1600/DSCF5373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QhqwgSx5j2M/UX5DeLPZJPI/AAAAAAAAC9s/s74tmHHMAsg/s400/DSCF5373.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ice cream in coconut! </td></tr>
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<b><u>DAY 2 - HANOI</u></b></div>
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My dear friends at the amazing NGO - Blue Dragon were also ready to meet up and after drinks with my friend Phuong, and her beautiful baby boy Tommy, we were joined by Hieu, Yen and some new friends too for dinner on a floating restaurant in the West Lake area. The night eventually ended up like all good nights with friends, in some form of club, (little room with terrible music), though that didn't stop us having fun! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuboAcRPCcs/UX5DchXgwPI/AAAAAAAAC9k/aB-qakfD5Bg/s1600/DSCF5412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuboAcRPCcs/UX5DchXgwPI/AAAAAAAAC9k/aB-qakfD5Bg/s400/DSCF5412.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hieu, Yen, Me & Phuong</td></tr>
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<b><u>DAY 3 SIGHT SEEING WITH TINH</u></b></div>
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A day long bus tour with 6 hours on a little coach and 2 hours in an even smaller boat with no chairs, was perhaps not the best idea after a night out, especially when the bus arrived 30 mins early, at 07:30 as I had just stepped out of the shower! Still, after circling the city for 45 mins at the start of the day, only to pick up the original passengers they left behind 45 mins earlier, we eventually headed out to a beautiful part of northern Vietnam... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYf7OFmEBuw/UX5DhiGbOjI/AAAAAAAAC90/KvmEUbisLww/s1600/DSCF5427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYf7OFmEBuw/UX5DhiGbOjI/AAAAAAAAC90/KvmEUbisLww/s400/DSCF5427.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tinh & Me on the boat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 Hr Boat ride...</td></tr>
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<b style="text-align: justify;"><u>DAY 4 - HANOI</u></b><br />
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More lunches with friends ensued before watching the water puppet show by the lake and getting ready to move on to central vietnam and my 2008 homes in Hoi An & Da Nang.<br />
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<b><u>DAYS 5-14 DA NANG CITY / HOI AN</u></b></div>
Returning to Central Vietnam was always going to provoke strong emotions, and within 30 mins of touching down at the New Da Nang airport I felt like I had never left. I recognised the streets and many of the pot holes that I used to hit on my motorbike on a regular basis - needless to say constipation was never an issue in the 8 months I lived there!<br />
I quickly took in the scenes around Hoi An...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-quWY7i_zXoA/UX5akLAvydI/AAAAAAAADE8/lzE4pexjMpU/s1600/DSCF5659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-quWY7i_zXoA/UX5akLAvydI/AAAAAAAADE8/lzE4pexjMpU/s640/DSCF5659.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoi An</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoi An </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi2r0uEUKhg/UX5anTcJGEI/AAAAAAAADFE/7_l1qd5ZL_k/s1600/DSCF5667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi2r0uEUKhg/UX5anTcJGEI/AAAAAAAADFE/7_l1qd5ZL_k/s400/DSCF5667.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens at the market!</td></tr>
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The night soon came as I had the chance to meet with some of my wonderful former colleagues, Lai & Phuong...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHOrcNMDssE/UX5aYB2PDoI/AAAAAAAADEg/ugqEi9LewVY/s1600/DSCF5656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHOrcNMDssE/UX5aYB2PDoI/AAAAAAAADEg/ugqEi9LewVY/s400/DSCF5656.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lai & Me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phuong Me.</td></tr>
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The next few days just flew by, mainly visiting old friends and neighbours, like Anh Mo who was teaching kids in her neighbourhood alongside working and studying.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPwSFbxKDiE/UX5Z1zp0quI/AAAAAAAADDE/JHGIxoCmRok/s1600/DSCF5568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPwSFbxKDiE/UX5Z1zp0quI/AAAAAAAADDE/JHGIxoCmRok/s400/DSCF5568.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mo Anh & Me, </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend's little class! </td></tr>
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My former colleague Anh, was also on the list for catching up with, and a visit to her beautiful countryside home was well worth the distance to see her little girl...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIMpFe3afZM/UX5aGPGbN9I/AAAAAAAADD0/mj6jpSuy4R0/s1600/DSCF5635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIMpFe3afZM/UX5aGPGbN9I/AAAAAAAADD0/mj6jpSuy4R0/s400/DSCF5635.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Phuong visiting Anh and her daughter.</td></tr>
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Hoi An was providing me lots of opportunity to catch up with my wonderful neighbours, some of whom lived in the same place, and some of whom now lived in different parts of the city. My old next door neighbours; Huong & Quam now owned a gorgeous little restaurant called 'Chips & fish'. It does all kinds of food, and the food is beautiful, as are the owners. I also got to meet her son, who was not born during my last stay...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CN7-6JFcuU0/UX5fClcn__I/AAAAAAAADF8/nUuFFUWbRDA/s1600/DSCF5582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CN7-6JFcuU0/UX5fClcn__I/AAAAAAAADF8/nUuFFUWbRDA/s400/DSCF5582.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huong's little one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1ZO1Zda4Vk/UX5fDgcXQ1I/AAAAAAAADGE/_yOoa79Se_c/s1600/DSCF5583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1ZO1Zda4Vk/UX5fDgcXQ1I/AAAAAAAADGE/_yOoa79Se_c/s400/DSCF5583.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houng ensuring I eat all my food! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1_JvMjRCIo/UX5fGhtjzII/AAAAAAAADGM/105xPCRUn8k/s1600/DSCF5593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1_JvMjRCIo/UX5fGhtjzII/AAAAAAAADGM/105xPCRUn8k/s400/DSCF5593.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Yen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4TH1BKYKww/UX5fLl24oaI/AAAAAAAADGc/TyPHNeEbtUU/s1600/DSCF5595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4TH1BKYKww/UX5fLl24oaI/AAAAAAAADGc/TyPHNeEbtUU/s400/DSCF5595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With sisters 1&3</td></tr>
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Of course, Hoi An was home, but I was equally familiar with Da Nang where I had worked at the fantastic Bien Vien C (Hospital C) back in 2008, under the charge of a very forward thinking and lovely Doctor, Dr Binh. I had been to the hospital for an informal visit but later returned for an official visit, and to see how things had moved on. Of course it ended up in a beautiful and filling lunch and beers, but started with some funny reunions! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx2q1bLT83U/UX5aPG06TMI/AAAAAAAADEE/zvXMizTn7x8/s1600/DSCF5647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx2q1bLT83U/UX5aPG06TMI/AAAAAAAADEE/zvXMizTn7x8/s400/DSCF5647.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Dr Binh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wMOC6obu1Q/UX5aPVeerCI/AAAAAAAADEM/WMcXF4figXo/s1600/DSCF5648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wMOC6obu1Q/UX5aPVeerCI/AAAAAAAADEM/WMcXF4figXo/s400/DSCF5648.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my physio colleagues...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Er1hdkWfjGM/UX5aYWeXoKI/AAAAAAAADEc/TUfIlpajugE/s1600/DSCF5649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Er1hdkWfjGM/UX5aYWeXoKI/AAAAAAAADEc/TUfIlpajugE/s400/DSCF5649.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my wonderful OT student Hoai, and the now developing OT department!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy working with kids nowadays! </td></tr>
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Seeing such developments and changes, in both personnel and services made me feel very proud to have been the first overseas volunteer to start the project of development off, all thanks to Dr Binh. The invitations to lunches soon began, as did the adventures! </div>
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The first adventure involved an unplanned stay in Da Nang due to very windy conditions preventing me form driving back to Hoi An for the night! To avoid betting any of my friends into trouble with the authorities, I will simply say staying overnight in local Vietnamese house can be challenging, you may be sharing a bed with a family member, or as in this case, find yourself covered by a pink mosquito net on the floor! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vne-3TwC1G4/UX5aFUElSTI/AAAAAAAADDs/aj2HTjDKTnk/s1600/DSCF5628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vne-3TwC1G4/UX5aFUElSTI/AAAAAAAADDs/aj2HTjDKTnk/s400/DSCF5628.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was very grateful for this protection!</td></tr>
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Lunch with friends, in true VN style followed the next day, at my dear friend's house, (house of Hoai & Suu). I had loved the authentic VN experience last time around, and loved this one even more!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4vLwT4arXE/UX5Z8kbMF7I/AAAAAAAADDU/Fw-5J-HXolE/s1600/DSCF5602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z4vLwT4arXE/UX5Z8kbMF7I/AAAAAAAADDU/Fw-5J-HXolE/s640/DSCF5602.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gorgeous lunch - cam on Hoai! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zS8lt1uK5Rc/UX5Z9G-1luI/AAAAAAAADDc/aXlAu0xjU-o/s1600/DSCF5609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zS8lt1uK5Rc/UX5Z9G-1luI/AAAAAAAADDc/aXlAu0xjU-o/s400/DSCF5609.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Suu</td></tr>
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An impromptu invitation to play football followed lunch, which I grabbed with both hands, though it was my feet that caused me the problems! A spare kit including boots were found for me, and my introduction into the game led me to make a fantastic tackle, preventing the other team's striker scoring a certain goal... unfortunately, my touch had taken the ball past my own goal-keeper and into my own goal - not the best introduction! </div>
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Da Nang as a city has plenty to offer with beaches, 4 bridges, including the new colour changing 'Dragon Brdige'...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UXqgu5V-i4/UX5aCJQkIQI/AAAAAAAADDk/YlDNznFAfoI/s1600/DSCF5620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3UXqgu5V-i4/UX5aCJQkIQI/AAAAAAAADDk/YlDNznFAfoI/s400/DSCF5620.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vietnamese fishing boats...<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1E-9YOxcdU/UX5aLpcHy-I/AAAAAAAADD8/51fl2wn8gzY/s1600/DSCF5643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1E-9YOxcdU/UX5aLpcHy-I/AAAAAAAADD8/51fl2wn8gzY/s640/DSCF5643.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Da Nang by night....</td></tr>
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I certainly could not leave Da Nang, with out a final meal and much anticipated Karaoke session, and my friends at Hospital C did not disappoint, with a fitting last night out! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsA7s3nBoNU/UX5aq72F4QI/AAAAAAAADFM/ydn-QoTEY1I/s1600/DSCF5672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsA7s3nBoNU/UX5aq72F4QI/AAAAAAAADFM/ydn-QoTEY1I/s640/DSCF5672.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Da Nang farewell dinner...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmER2fnCOhc/UX5ar4T_ZdI/AAAAAAAADFU/GOZyo7XIda0/s1600/DSCF5678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmER2fnCOhc/UX5ar4T_ZdI/AAAAAAAADFU/GOZyo7XIda0/s640/DSCF5678.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Da Nang farewell karaoke!</td></tr>
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I managed to top score on Karaoke with 95/100 with barry Manilow's 'Copacabana', though I thought my Ronan Keating number deserved more than it got!<div>
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<b><u>FINAL GOODBYES... HANOI</u></b></div>
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Having just about arrived in time in Hanoi, after a cancelled flight from Da Nang, I had one more final evening of fun with good friends from Blue Dragon, before returning to New Zealand. It was another fun night with mountains of food, including, chicken, fish, vegetables, and crickets! very tasty, crunchy crickets! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final goodbyes with Hanoi friends.</td></tr>
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One last little thing to share with you all... a motorbike's view of Vietnam driving! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Regards from New Zealand!</div>
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Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8111254305587101244.post-49130292985896115502013-03-25T04:52:00.000-07:002013-03-25T04:52:37.257-07:00Week 45 - Pole Dancing, Disk Golf & The Kapiti Coast (All in a weekend!)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hey Everybody!</div>
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With Vietnam on the horizon in just 3 days, it's hard to think about much else! I'll most likely have some late nights at work making sure everything is up to date, but well worth it to have peace of mind and be able to leave work behind for the time I'm away! </div>
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This week has seen me say goodbye to my OT student, and the start of the 3rd and final cricket test between NZ & England - and it looks like New Zealand will win! I could easily talk about these points, but I think my weekend that just passed was so full of varied activity that I just had to share it all with you! </div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">FRIDAY NIGHT - <u>POLE DANCING SHOW</u></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FIjRHX5iQB4/UVApi4GAowI/AAAAAAAAC6w/G2jmA_D6FAw/s1600/DSCF5317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FIjRHX5iQB4/UVApi4GAowI/AAAAAAAAC6w/G2jmA_D6FAw/s640/DSCF5317.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kala, Me & Tibo @ the Fringe Bar!</td></tr>
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It was all about a return the now infamous Cuba Street 'Fringe Bar' - the last time I went there with my flatmate Kala, was to see the 'Bare & Back Again' Burlesque show! This time it was a $25 (£12) - 2 hour show of pole dancing! I was initially thinking the worst when I saw the same host from the burlesque show, but that was probably as bad as it got! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RzQcqFdNwA/UVApl9rrB6I/AAAAAAAAC7A/u7bkuWAfjVI/s1600/DSCF5318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RzQcqFdNwA/UVApl9rrB6I/AAAAAAAAC7A/u7bkuWAfjVI/s400/DSCF5318.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pole Dancing venue....</td></tr>
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The dancers, both male and female, were incredible and showed feats of strength that were nothing short of amazing! Even though the venue was pretty crap, the dancers, made up for it with their amazing performances! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dielaim5QrU/UVApkwIhunI/AAAAAAAAC64/SnU7-DK5rLY/s1600/DSCF5320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dielaim5QrU/UVApkwIhunI/AAAAAAAAC64/SnU7-DK5rLY/s400/DSCF5320.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pole Dancing @ the Fringe...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pole Dancers @ the Fringe</td></tr>
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<b><i>SATURDAY AFTERNOON - <u>DISC GOLF</u></i></b></div>
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Yes it's a real sport, honest! It was another Adventure Wellington event, and this time I was reliant on the generousity of a stranger (another Activity Wellington Member) to give me a lift up to Upper Hutt ( 40 min drive away). Josi, who was originally from Germany picked me up near my flat, and we headed off for a game of Disc Golf / Frisbee Golf, without knowing what it was all about! Our guide (Sky) explained that it was basically about getting a disc (frisbee type thing) from the starting point, and into the 'basket' (see picture below) - in a specific number of throws! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4L5duwnZYM/UVAp12dY1jI/AAAAAAAAC7g/_PwjoDIPx3I/s1600/DSCF5326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4L5duwnZYM/UVAp12dY1jI/AAAAAAAAC7g/_PwjoDIPx3I/s640/DSCF5326.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disc Golf</td></tr>
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Now, it sounds simple right!? But there are many different styles of throws, and discs, which spin in different ways! Getting the disc released at the right angle can make such a difference to how far the disc flies! see the technique below! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kiIFvntCobg/UVApwZyPASI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/Hbel8ak9Yr0/s1600/DSCF5336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kiIFvntCobg/UVApwZyPASI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/Hbel8ak9Yr0/s640/DSCF5336.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disc Golf Technique!</td></tr>
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The scenery in Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt was pretty spectacular and the weather was a pretty great - a perfect was to spend a Saturday afternoon!</div>
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After being tips and having 9 'holes' of practice the organisers then offered for us to have another free go around, but this time to have a bit of friendly competition in a team event! So off we went, and it seemed the competition brought out some quite brilliant shots from everyone involved, and a few people had to climb trees to recover lost discs!</div>
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<b><i><u>SUNDAY - UP KAPITI COAST</u></i></b></div>
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Having wanted to have another spontaneous day trip to explore more of the North Island, I travelled up the eastern coast from Wellington the area known as 'Kapiti' There are quite a few towns along this coastal area, and it was just an hour train ride away for just $14 (£7), for a return ticket. I'd tried to hire a car but somewhat bizarrely, all the car rental places were fully booked. However, I wasn't going to let that stop the adventure. I was joined by a rather shy colleague of mine, (so they will remain nameless). We decided to randomly pick a stop, called 'Paraparaumu', as we heard it had a nice beach, and caught a bus for the 10 minute ride to get there. The beach was just lovely! (See below).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paraparaumu Beach, Kapiti Coast</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paraparaumu beach, Kapiti Coast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKZns6JbQO8/UVAqDFsvE0I/AAAAAAAAC8I/dV94tT377uE/s1600/DSCF5346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKZns6JbQO8/UVAqDFsvE0I/AAAAAAAAC8I/dV94tT377uE/s640/DSCF5346.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me @ Paraparaumu</td></tr>
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I couldn't resist the 'jump' shot, and I think we just about nailed it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jump shot @ Paraparaumu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paraparaumu seagulls!</td></tr>
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We stayed around Paraparaumu for a while, as the day was so lovely, and a light breeze kept the temperature own. Eventually after a very chilled couple of hours, we headed back tot he train, but not before eating some seriously gorgeous ice cream - 'after dinner mint / blueberry muffin'! </div>
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After getting on the train again, we hopped a couple of stops down the track to 'Plimmerton' (my Xmas day beach), where we found a great little 'chippy' - fish & chip shop, and had some chips on the beach! we soon drew a crowd of seriously noisy seagulls! We escaped without injury from the crazy seagulls, and returned to Wellington, relaxed and a little sun-kissed...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYfN7rjCajw/UVAqSI1812I/AAAAAAAAC8o/R3ZSRxP3DUk/s1600/DSCF5351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYfN7rjCajw/UVAqSI1812I/AAAAAAAAC8o/R3ZSRxP3DUk/s640/DSCF5351.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plimmerton Beach, Kapiti Coast</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plimmerton Beach, Kaptit Coast</td></tr>
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A truly varied, challenging, and fun weekend came to an end, with yet more reasons to be thankful to explore all the amazing things Wellington, and New Zealand has to offer! I'll be on holiday the next few weeks, so no blog, and soon I'll have reached the year mark, and we'll make the posts less regular! </div>
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As always, thanks for reading, and...</div>
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Regards from New Zealand </div>
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Dan</div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15476738448642416989noreply@blogger.com0