An afternoon of unexpected adventures

The other day, what an adventure I had. I woke up fairly early and had a sense of anticipation in the air. I had the day off from university and had to go into work at lunchtime for an hour or two.

I finished work and had every intention of going to the Public Library to return the Famous Five book that I had just finished reading. I had $7 in my bank account, but fully intended or exploring, yet again, the same shops and places that I often do on my journeys around Palmerston North.

Firstly, I finished work and went to visit my friend, who works at Marbecks. I love Marbecks and although I too work in a book shop. The atmosphere and quirkiness of Marbecks suits me and I love to explore in there. I happily chatted away with my friend, discussing vintage china, new recipes, new books  and my studies. She showed me a new book called, "Colour the Stars, " which is a delightful book, about teaching a blind child the concept of colours. Her parents used to be teachers and was going through boxes of old resources and suggested passing them on to me, if they could be of any use. Obviously, I jumped at the chance. We finished our conversation, after about half-an-hour and as I was leaving she handed me a NZ Music Month badge (Gesture No.1).

I then passed through the cafe, in Marbecks, with every intention of setting of to the Library, only to be distracted in conversation with a ex-friend's flatmate. We talked of our motivation being sincerely lacking for our studies and the change in the weather fueling this downward spiral. As I was finally about to leave Marbecks, another friend (who works in the kitchen) popped out and we discussed her chefs course at UCOL and the new concoctions she was inventing for the food cabinet... I spied a yummy looking citrus and white chocolate truffle and as I was leaving, she handed me one to eat on my way (Gesture No.2).

I, finally, was off to the library. This is one of my favourite places to get lost. The world of books and librariness just fascinates me and could simply consume hours of my life. The photos and old newspapers in the filing cabinets on the top floor; the Maori and Pasifika books, too. The hundreds of interesting arts and crafts books; the books on the countries of the world and all the childrens books on the second floor. The cafe, internet and city living room on the first floor and last, but not least, the historical archives, the sound and vision and the basement. This world is like a reverse Narnia. When you go in the door, time stands still and you can be lost in there for hours. It's daylight when you enter and by the time you leave it's dark, but you feel like you've been in there for five minutes. On this day I visited the childrens section and loaned another of the Famous Five series (I am trying to read all of them) and I visited the Sound and Vision centre, where I rented The Good Life series 1 for $3.

I then thought of visiting one of my favourite op-shops on George Street, Urban Charm. They have recently put their prices up so high it's ridiculous, but nevertheless I love to explore in there and see if I can find a bargain. Today, I was not so lucky. I then visited a new op-shop on George Street. I began chatting with the owner and found that she too was a crafter. I saw a delightfully large jar of buttons and asked to look at them... I oohed and aahed over them for a short while, and was asked if I would like to pour the jar out and select a few to take home with me. "A collector of buttons would never say no," I thought, so I politely accepted the invitation (Gesture No.3). I talked with the owner and her friend for quite some time and just when I was going to politely make my escape, "The Dish," they had been discussing walked in. I must add, "The Dish," was one of the ladies brothers. He was shocked when they said, "This is the Dish we wanted to introduce you to, Kendall." He very gentlemanly took my hand and shook it, however we both felt uncomfortable, and I certainly didn't regard the man as, "The Dish," I had been lead to believe he was. I made my escape with my buttons and giggled about my experience on my way home.

"What an afternoon!" I thought to myself and I always thought my adventures were mundane and that they were consistently no eventful in Palmy... How wrong I could've been... Perhaps more will be on the way?

The Adventurer returns

What a fabulous time spent with family and friends.

Firstly, I spent Easter weekend celebrating my friend Erika's 21st Birthday. Ohope and Whakatane were so quaint and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a little bit more of my homeland No.2.

In Whakatane, there is something that all teenagers, boy racers (hoons) and other people who simply feel like it, do and that is something called a "Heads Lap." This is where you get in your car, drive down a road to the heads, that ends in a car park and scenic views of the ocean. Obviously, this is THE thing to do and so to fit in with the locals, Erika and I's first point of call, upon entering Whakatane, was to do a heads lap. When we arrived, the tourist in me screamed and we HAD to pop out for a photograph, in front of the Lady on the Rock!

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her family and friends (outside of Palmerston North). The girls from Palmy and I said spontaneous speech which had its high and low points. The whole weekend was full of celebrating a great person's life-so-far. Furthermore, a chocolate factory in the house was something we thought that we'd all like to have and was a huge hit with everyone, young and old.

Erika's auntie had made two tremendous cakes and spent hours and hours getting them to look and taste so yummy! The importance of family really shined through this weekend birthday gathering.

From Erika's amazing 21st.. I went to stay with family in Pukekohe... and although things are quite stressful for them at the moment, it was a very enjoyable and they showed me great kindness and hospitality. They always have done, but it's always so much harder (I think) when you have stressful things to deal with. However, I think I was able to listen and support them best I could, without being overbearing. They took me on a couple of different adventures.

We went to dressmart where I bought a gorgeous pair of shoes, AT HALF PRICE!

We went adventuring around... visiting places that I'd never been to before. This wasn't really hard, as most of the places in New Zealand I've never been to before!

I found a new, "Dr Phil," but I wasn't tempted to go visit him, nor did I feel he had a TV show. I'm sure if this Dr Phil has a TV show, it would be on youtube and be in a language I don't speak.

When we visited Auckland, we went to Smith and Caughey's, which was absolutely to die for... kind of like a miniature Harrods, but so much more authentic, to the olden days. I got a lipstick from there and I carry it with me everywhere! I love it.... if I had the pennies I totally would shop in there for EVERYTHING, but realistically, that would be a huge waste of money, if I had it. On our walk back down Queen Street we passed a little alley, that reminded me of parades in London and couldn't resist taking a little photo. Oh, how adventuring in big cities is so much fun! Especially, cities with character, charm and quaintness!