Just keep humming along

Grit on the streets.

2009-11-10T22:54:00.000Z

There's grit on the streets. The council (or some kindly citizen) has gritted the sidewalks so that we don't slip over on our way to work. The cars in our street are frosted over, and our neighbours scrape at them, frustrated.

My hat has too many gaps in the knitting and I am pondering an early 'hat-with-ear-flaps' purchase. That or earmuffs and mittens. Like a real winter!

Dave makes soup and plays video games in his robe. I end up in the bedroom earlier than usual as it's usually the warmest room, and besides, I can get into bed.

The light is still there in the mornings, but gone by 4.30ish. The sky is a deep, deep pitch black when I walk home. It feels like 9pm and my body feels confused. I am even more sluggish than usual.

Depression is close, but not creeping in yet. I long for music. My keyboard is timed to be purchased in December on the first eve of.. Hannukah. Or I can consider it early Christmas, a very late necessity. I'll have had 7 months, 19 days without touching a key, playing a piece, writing a song. The longest stretch in 18 years. I have lost my hands and my voice and my songs are wandering around my head and smacking into my skull, waiting to be released. I'm almost too scared to hum. I feel on standby; my heart in my throat until I can free them properly. They might run away if not able to bounce off of (fabricated) ivories, lost in a mess of song sheets.

I am ingrained here. Things are changing around me, the trees have lost their leaves, the bed is too warm in the mornings to leave it.

I am lost and I am found. I am rumpled and dazed. I am loved and in love.

Winter is here.

Watch This Space..

2009-10-28T17:14:00.008Z

..'cause tonight I'm carving pumpkins for the first time, and will be liveblogging* with photos!

Yeah, I'm that cool.

6:53pm: After 4 supermarkets and no tools found (I'd seen a 'pumpkin carving kit'), I have come home and set up my area:

Pulled out tripod, found covering for floor, guessed at what tools I should have and grabbed 'em.

7:04pm: Can't say I love the feel of pumpkin guts on my hands but I am rather fascinated by the insides!

7:14pm: Am amazed by 2 things - 1, how much there is inside a pumpkin. 2, how well an icecream scoop works!

7:21pm: Yes, I'm wearing pajama pants. They have Cookie Monster on them.

7:35pm: Went for the cliche face. Fun times cutting it out, I'm surprised how easy it was for me. I'm not the best with a knife.

7:42pm: Voila! This brought me way too much joy. Unsure if I will do the other one, though, I am craving soup.

*(sadly 99% of my readers are not in my timezone, but sshh, you).

Autumn nights.

2009-10-27T18:04:00.002Z

...Yeah. And while this is a 6pm shot, it was like this at 5pm. No going back 'til February now, kids!

British Summertime Ends: 2am 25th Oct 2009.

2009-10-26T15:04:00.002Z

Leaving Tesco last night with our groceries:

Dave: Guess what time it is.
Kat (looking up at the pitch black sky): Umm... 6:30?
Dave: Nope.
Kat: ...6?
Dave: Nope.
Kat (meekly): 5:30?
Dave: Bingo.

Eep. It has begun. And sure, it's certainly only starting to set 15-20 minutes earlier than the shortest day of Wellington winter, but today I'll be leaving work with a pitch black sky, the street-lights aglow, a cold nip in the air.

I know I blog a lot about this. And the photos will continue. But it blows my mind. I sometimes feel like I live in Alaska. Unless I pop outside at lunch time, I'm not getting any light in my day at all. I already feel anaemic lately, what with the lack of red meat in my diet, but not getting any Vitamin D has got to be a killer.

I'm seriously thinking about investing in a natural light lamp. Probably make me happier than dosing myself with tablets and watching sunny television shows. I think I'm definitely going to get S.A.D. this year.

New Zealand's back to being 11 hours behind, where I do that confusing "it's an hour later there, but the other part of the day" thing, and forget to call my mother because I fall asleep thinking she won't be up yet. The Royal Mail are still striking, and ruining birthday present arrivals. Sure, they're late, but now they're super late. And I now know why our power bill will be so much more in winter than in summer, and with our double-glazing, it's got nothing to do with heating. It's all lights, baby.

For now, though, it's my multi-vitamin, a lunch-time stroll, and a lot of forcing myself out of bed.

A wee story.

2009-10-22T10:26:00.000+01:00

6 months ago today I boarded not one, not two, but five planes to begin my journey to Edinburgh and my new life with Dave.

I can't say it has been an easy process. The visa process was difficult and scary and at times, unsettling. The packing was a nightmare. I still have shoes at home that I dream about. And leaving my family and friends has been particularly tough.

I think the worst thing, though, is not having an instrument. This will hopefully be rectified by the end of this month, or within the first few weeks of November. It's an odd feeling. It's like not having my voice.

I left Wellington and sadly looked out over my home as it got smaller and then the clouds came in. What an odd feeling. My tears were drying and I hadn't yet grasped the massive undertaking ahead of me. I thought I would write in between flights and use Twitter to report and take pictures, but instead I changed terminals, sat, boarded the plane, sat, slept, got off, changed terminals, repeat. It was, however, surprisingly easy: a really pain-free experience.

The big plan had always been to arrive a day earlier than Dave expected, so that even though he had taken the day off to prepare for my arrival, I would be able to spend all of his days off with him. I'd taken his mother's email address from his brother, organised his mother to collect me, and faked an elaborate power cut and sent confusing messages to Twitter to throw him off the scent.

Once I flew into New York, however, I'd sat myself down at the gate for my flight to London, only to find out I was seriously delayed. I spent the better part of my wait watching an NBA game on TV, and made the mistake of sending a tweet about it. Luckily, Dave thought it was odd, but didn't think much more of it.

I still made my connection in London, which made my 3.5 hour transit booking a piece of very good foresight. Terminal 5's new layout is great, and I'm glad they did the overhaul.

On my final flight, I sat next to two men on a "boys golf weekend", who were very chatty, and baffled that I'd just travelled 29 or so hours to move to Edinburgh. "Don't you know it's kinda cold up there?" Well..

And after all the nervousness regarding UK border control (as when I arrived last time they gave us a bit of a grilling, etc and especially with the letter accompanying my visa that basically said, "THEY CAN STILL SAY NO. SORRY."), I sailed through. She wasn't particularly friendly, however. I was hoping at least for a "Welcome to the UK." Bah. LA super friendly, UK not? interesting..

I arrived into Edinburgh to Ann already waiting for me. It was so nice to be arriving to someone actually picking me up, as airport arrivals are so depressing for someone in transit at times, and I still ached a little for family.

One hiccup was that one of my bags had missed the plane in Edinburgh, but the baggage manager for BA arranged for me to have it delivered to the house that afternoon (read: next day at about 4pm!) - the whole process took much longer than planned, though, so we were nervous that we would make it home after Dave.

She drove me home after my extremely extended travels with us babbling in the car about surprising Dave and I was so pleased to arrive at a house with a dog and a soft bed and clean bathrooms. Airports can really make you feel displaced.

I only made it there about 5 minutes before Dave was expected home, and Ann and I sat on the couch nervously smiling and wondering exactly how to surprise him - do I stay downstairs? wait up in his bedroom? But we didn't really get a chance to get too far. Not even time for a cup of tea.

Because suddenly the door opened, he called out "Hello!" into the house, and walked into the sitting room, and stopped. And stood there staring at me, baffled, as we giggled away. Um, surprise?

"How are you... what?"

I immediately got up to hug him but he barely hugged me back in his confusion. His face was a priceless mix of disbelief, surprise and happiness. Adorable.

Later on, once he had adjusted, and I had slept a little, I explained the whole clever plan to him. Hours of working out timezones for every stop of the way (I flew through 3!) and carefully planning tweets, as well as a power-cut hoax, two co-operative families and months of trying not to slip up about it.

6 months in and I'm still settling, and learning more all the time. Part of me is still so very surprised that I took a chance and flew about 11,400 miles to live in a country where the accents confuse, the daylight slips away in the afternoon and I have so few people to call close. I waited so many months, counted so many days, saved so many pennies to get here.. and it all flew by so fast.

I guess I can't really predict the next 6 months. But it sure is nice to be here.

Updating.

2009-10-21T13:54:00.015+01:00

So because I've been such a slack blogger, I'm going to start updating you on my life with stories and pictures of what I've been up to since I moved.

Today's tale, my friends, is about Seattle.

Dave's close friend Will got married in August, to a lovely Canadian lassie named Megan. Dave was asked to be best man last year, and we had planned on making the trip over to Victoria on Vancouver Island off BC for a long time, but of course we booked last minute. We decided we would fly in and out of Seattle from Glasgow, so that we could get a taste of that city as well, and then ferry our way to and from the island, where the wedding would be held.

August 2nd we headed out of Edinburgh, grabbing a very kind lift from Dave's mother, to Glasgow. We stayed at the lovely Ramada right by the airport, in a nice plush room with a window overlooking the highway and out to the runways.

The next morning we headed over to the airport and flew out of Glasgow over Greenland, towards Philadelphia, our transit stop.

The view of Greenland was gorgeous, with glacial lakes, rocky crests, snow-capped peaks, and crystal blue water. I totally wanna visit there. Wearing thermals.

Philadelphia airport was uneventful, and our terminal felt like one long, straight line. We were glad when we took our next flight and landed in Seattle. After a long time in the air, we were glad to get to our first hotel, the Moore.

Situated very close to the shopping centre of town and the waterfront/Pike Place Markets, the Moore was above/next to an old theatre of the same name, and the desk staff were friendly and knowledgeable. We had our first night's dinner at an italian restaurant a few blocks away, and got ourselves to sleep.

Our first day in Seattle involved the Pike Place Markets, a Seattle institution where anything can be found from books to bags to fish to fresh fruit and veg.

We also visited the first ever Starbucks, lazed in the sun by the waterfront, and took in a few shops.

Other highlights of the first few days include: American (kosher) hot dogs (above!) and giving my caramel frappuccino to a bum (at his request while I was throwing it out!) - oh, and the Space Needle.

We went up during the day, and then again at night, and I took a gazillion photos. We also enjoyed sitting by the International Fountain. If you'd like to see all of the Space Needle photos, check out the set (link will be at bottom of post and will be edited asap). We had a lovely Mexican dinner in between viewings, too!

And then, in the early hours, we got our ferry to Victoria. My next belated news update will feature the lovely island, the wedding, and possibly some Seattle again from when we headed back.

(Flickr set - to be updated)

Autumn nights.

2009-10-20T20:12:00.005+01:00

6:20pm, Oct 20th. It was genuinely pretty dark this morning. It's still warm enough to cope without my gloves sometimes, and it's still light until I'm home. On Sunday when we change the clocks it shall be interesting..

Autumn nights.

2009-10-13T20:06:00.001+01:00

6pm Oct 13th. So far, so good. It's only gonna get darker.

Speaking of cold.

2009-10-04T20:05:00.003+01:00

Dave and I went to Matalan yesterday, the oasis of cheapness, and got ourselves some warm bits and pieces, including a few hats for me, gloves for him, and these marvellous treasures:

Yes, those are warm-as-hell pink cow socks, inexplicably carrying handbags with a heart and wearing a flower by their ears. £3.50! Beats boring old slippers any day.

♥

Brrr.

2009-10-01T15:52:00.001+01:00

Hello, October.

Today was the first day I had to put my gloves on for the walk to work. We've/I've been out a few evenings lately, and I've ended up with gloved hands on walks home, but never in the mornings. Season's are a'changin'.

October brings many things this year. Apart from the fact that I'm now in a totally different pattern of seasons and October is cold, there's also exciting things like pumpkin carving for Halloween, soups and stews, hats and winter shopping, new boots (sure, I just got a pair in Canada, but they were brown. I need black now!), new friends to spend time with, and my 6-months-in-Scotland-aversary.

(I'm not averse to Scotland. I meant anniversary. In a funny way.)

It's weird that I've nearly been here that long. It feels longer sometimes, like New Zealand is a distant memory, but then at the same time, I still feel like a total newbie, and my family is so, so, far away. I've already missed one niece's birthday, and 2 are coming up fast.

We're back to trying to see movies weekly, too, which will kill time on long dark, cold nights**. Last night's venture was Away We Go, a Sam Mendes piece about a couple (Burt and Verona) trying to find a home to raise their child. With no ties to their home or city (now that Burt's parents are moving to Belgium!), they set off around the USA/Canada, visiting friends in different cities, trying to choose the right place for them. With lovely lead actors (Jon Krasinski from The Office!), brilliant co-star moments from folks such as Alison Janney, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Melanie Lynskey (!), and a great Nick Drake soundtrack, I enjoyed all the little moments that come with a couple who are about to have a baby, and really need to figure out what they're going to do with themselves. Go see it!

I'm also looking forward to: Adventureland, Julie and Julia (shutup), and This is It.

Oh and Up. I've missed quite a few movies lately!

♥
K

**Did I mention that by the time Christmas rolls around it gets dark at 3.30pm?

Fotos.

2009-09-21T18:41:00.003+01:00

Flickr is being updated a whole bunch, so make sure you check there over the next few days for photos from the summer and of Chris' visit to Edinburgh recently. I have made a resolution to take a whole lot more pictures these days, especially now I have rechargeable batteries.

♥!

Ahoy-oy.

2009-09-20T16:14:00.003+01:00

Right now, Dave is watching a football game streaming on his PC, while chopping carrots, potatoes and swede for the casserole, and swearing like a sailor at the screen. I guess we're not winning anymore.

I'm on the bed, with the laptop on a small side table, flicking between internet windows and Buffy.

(Must be Sunday).

For the most part, settling in to life here has been relatively simple. I must admit that I still struggle at times with the pure distance that I am from home, and the small amount of contact I have with my loved ones. Add that to the infuriating internet updates that come in the wrong timezone, so disappear off of my current Facebook homepage, or the emails that I never seem to be able to reply to as fast as I'd like.

(I am also typing this while I watch Dave chop without looking which makes me slightly nervous.)

In good news, however, I did just have Chris to stay. I took some time off work and went down to London, and surprisingly, still remembered where everything is, so was able to be a little bit of a tour guide for him. Then I dragged him up here on a cheap orange plane to Edinburgh, where miraculously, the sun came out and no one tried to stab him. We saw the castle for free, went dancing on a Tuesday night 'til 2am, and ate at the local greasy spoon, where he tried black pudding for the first time.

He also seemed to enjoy the vegetarian haggis we served up. Pity it was only a 3 day visit, but maybe more next time.

Next month I'll have 2 visitors, almost back-to-back, and while I can't really take the time off of work to show them around like I could Chris, it'll be good to have people with me again. I was starting to feel a little bit like an island, with only one tree for fruit, but soon it's gonna be a whole cocktail.

And winter is coming! winter here means actual holly on the Christmas table, and possibly snow next year, and coats and scarves and gloves and ears with flaps. I might get to go sledding.

Music, vlogs, posts, love to come. It's been far too long and not expressing myself is starting to make me twitchy.

I hope you are well. Send postcards.

Ring ring.

2009-07-05T13:29:00.002+01:00

My friends, hope that you never get tinnitus.

That you don't lie awake at night with the ringing in your head.

That you don't feel like you're constantly at a high altitude, popping your ears.

That you don't feel like you're actually going crazy: that the world has stopped moving and all that is happening is the ringing.

The ringing.

Another week of this I'll be armed and dangerous.

Hiya!

2009-06-30T04:09:00.000+01:00

I've spent maaaannnyy years of my life facing this odd interaction with people. Apparently, normal folk don't say "Hiya".

It's a simple, friendly greeting that implies informality and playfulness, and just, well, it's fun. And yet, everyone thinks I'm saying "How are ya" in some strange short-form.

The accents do amuse me here. You get your average Edinburger who sounds clear enough to understand, unless they're rushing through their name and business on the phone to where I am working, of course. And then there's the Weegies and the Highlanders with the broad accents who just look at you funny when you ask them to repeat, like it's insane that you might not catch what they are saying.

Oh and the mumbling. If it's not fast or broad, it's mumbled. I get so tired of saying "Sorry?" to folks that I sometimes try to hazard a guess - ill-advised in the corporate sector, unfortunately.

One thing I am getting used to, however, is the UK keyboard, with the " being where the @ is supposed to be and such. I was seriously confused the first time I had to type a quote into an email, staring dumbly at my fingers like they had forgotten my 13 or so years of geekness and completely failed me. It still throws me when I switch to my home laptop, however, and can't type an email address correctly..

Other things I am finding are silly problems like not knowing area codes, not understanding place names, not knowing quite how to follow the road signs and some intersections. I started driving manual again on the weekend, and while the concept of it came back to me quite quickly (which I was very surprised by - 2 days practice and I feel quite confident), the idea that I had to start getting ready to go on the 2nd amber light that they throw in here, made my head a little spinny. And the roundabouts that Dave calls the death traps, where you have to stick to your lane fastidiously or get taken out by a truck, or worse, a Merc.

But the most exciting thing in my week so far has been my first sighting of a fox. The concept of not having foxes, squirrels, badgers and the like completely confuses and bemuses Dave, having grown up chasing them out of his garden, but my first fox jumped over a wall, hid behind a tree, then decided to lift its head and stare right at me. I smacked Dave in the chest in surprise reaction, startled by how big they are and how they seem to slink through the night. Last night's fox decided to spend some time in the Corstorphine suburbs in the low fog that was settled, and I thought it was very nice of him (or her) to linger and take a glance my way. Dave quipped as we started to pull away again, "What are you going to do when you see a badger, then?"

So really, all is well in the land of the Scots. I am speaking a wee bit Scottish and aye, I have started to roll my rrrrrs a little. Work is varied and I'm looking forward to starting a long-term position in August after we go to Seattle and Victoria (!), Dave and I are just great and all I really need now are some friends.

Not advertising just yet, though.

Kat is in Edinburgh. Yes.

2009-06-08T17:10:00.002+01:00

Hi there, folks. Here's a (longer than average) vlog to make up for my absence:

♥

Kat

I love you guys.

2009-05-01T11:49:00.002+01:00

While trying to sort myself out for a new vlog, I realised that I haven't really taken any video footage of well.. anything. And the idea of another vlog of me sitting around, blathering on about the move just seems boring.

I understand that after all the build-up with the other vlogs, not having anything just seems a bit anti-climatic. But I assure you, something is in the works that will be both interesting and exciting. I live here now.

And I'm getting to know it, too. I went through this strange transition/arrival period where I just felt asleep most of the time, and like it was some strange dream-like holiday sequence in a film. How could I really live here now? I haven't felt like I barely said goodbye to home properly.

But after a few days of being lost in Edinburgh and finding my way around on foot, I'm starting to feel terribly glad to be here. Dave comes home from work and I can see him and kiss him and we can have dinner together. We can go to the movies. We meet friends for drinks. We have a normal existence as a couple, and suddenly all that long-distance seems worthwhile.

I apologise, though, to my friends who are emailing. I will be in touch, and we won't lose what we had. Hopefully. I don't want to be one of those who goes away and the contact dwindles.. until suddenly I'm off the radar, out of conversation, out of mind.

So. Vlog and emails to come. Job applications are flying out the door today.. and my bank information should be with me shortly. How adult.

Well, I am 25 now.

Well.

2009-04-27T11:14:00.002+01:00

As you have probably guessed, I've been just a little bit busy settling in here.

And while I really wanted to vlog from an airport or at least film some in-transit moments, I was pretty much rushed from gate to gate, or talking to the lovely people I met along the way.

The trip over was surprisingly easy: pleasant airport staff, pleasant transitions. My bags were not lost (well until Edinburgh where we discovered my smaller suitcase hadn't been loaded at Heathrow), my FedEx boxes weren't delayed nor had they fees upon them, and my reunion with Dave was a surprise to the point where he was left speechless and hugging me, murmuring "..how are you here?"

Proper post/vlog to come on Wednesday, my first day alone in my new town. Now that all of my stuff has arrived.. well, I live in Edinburgh now.

xx

Kat

Farewell

2009-04-22T05:50:00.002+01:00

My original intention was to post a final vlog with a big farewell montage and love for everyone, but it just all ran away with me and now I'm almost out of here and I won't be able to do anything before I actually go.

Just know that I love you, New Zealand. You are a fabulous country, despite what anyone says to the contrary (ie. Kiwis sometimes). You're small and far away and backwards in some ways, but I love you and I can't wait to come back to you, preferably with a gorgeous tall Scotsman. Or Dave. (Hee).

But mostly, I love the people in it. There's something special about New Zealanders and the way we see the world; there's something about the way we treat everyone like a friend we've always had and (mostly) have a Can Do attitude. Yeah, I sound like Air New Zealand marketing here but it's true.

And sometimes it just hits me: the enormity of what I am doing. I'm not going to change my mind and decide to stay, but the idea of taking off on this big adventure, mostly on my own, is such a move and somewhat baffling. But wow, what a story I'll have to tell.

Wish me luck, kids. I doubt I'll get a chance to post before I take off outta here. But when I get there? Kat in Edinburgh really begins.

Kat

FedEx, leaving work, and getting close

2009-04-20T05:28:00.002+01:00

Filmed when there were 8 days until leaving..

Of course, now there are 3..

♥

Kat

Ohhhh yeah.

2009-04-18T00:05:00.001+01:00

My new Ray-Bans? totally boss.

Vlog to come.

Packing packing packing.

2009-04-08T12:06:00.002+01:00

I still have stuff everywhere. It's doing my head in. Okay so that's not that different from how I normally live up here.

But I've finally come up with a new technique for this move! (This doesn't necessarily mean it'll work out but it's a start).

So. Clothes get divided into Yes, No But I'll Keep it Here, No So My Sister or Sallies Can Have It, and Maybe.

Shoes are divided into Ooh Yes, Maybe, Too Damaged But Boy Do I Love Them (A No. Sigh.), Where Oh Where Would I Wear Them (another No), and Wait I Still Own These? (A Maybe).

Then of course the next step is to very carefully walk around all of these piles and check everything out.. and to storage box the Nos, pack the Yes items into the suitcases and continue to despair over the Maybes.

But I keep discovering more stuff in wardrobes, boxes, nooks and crannies. I know people keep telling me to take less, but hey. This is relocating my life, not some trip.

Fingers crossed that I can actually get it to a reasonable level. The suitcases are going to be weighed a few times I think!

(2 weeks to go..)

Packing, kids and the pup.

2009-04-07T14:09:00.001+01:00

A bit non-linear, but hey, it's a vlog.

♥

Kat

Hopelessly hopeful.

2009-04-05T11:42:00.003+01:00

I am an optimist. And it bugs people.

I try not to be annoying about it. But I've kinda had a strange life. Not all of it good. Quite a bit of death. Painful rejections. Failed relationships. Lost friends. You know, like everyone else's. Just a little more at times.

But I decided a while ago that I wasn't going to let my experiences define who I am, only shape me and teach me. And as new-agey-omigod-gag-me as that sounds, I was going to be happy. I was going to stay content with who I was, work on what I didn't like, and expect the best from life.

Positivity surely brings positive things. So far so good, though I have my doubts like everyone else.

Some days I wake up and wonder what the hell am I doing quitting a job I like, leaving my family and moving to Scotland in 18 days to live with a guy that I've spent all of 3.5 months with in person. Well I'm nuts. Young. Adventurous.

In love.

And lately the wake up (and day-to-day living) has been underscored with little, fluttery, soft butterflies, tickling my stomach and throat and making me squirm every now and then with a silly little smile and internal (mostly) squeak. It's so so close now. The light is there at the end.

I can see it.

Wellington photo-day

2009-03-30T10:23:00.003+01:00

"It's true you can't live here by chance. You have to do and be, not simply watch- or even describe. This is the city of action, the world headquarters of the verb."

Well I'd like to have another afternoon in Wellington to take some more, as I had limited time, but here are my favourites from my "Wellington photo day", March 11th 2009. (Blogger has auto-cropped their appearance on the blog, for space. Bummer.)

Model at the Hello Kitty makeup display for MAC, Kirkcaldie and Stain's.

Wellington Buses.

Lambton Quay.

Civic Square.

Cuba Mall.

I could go on all night! You'll just have to look at them all yourself now, won't you.

♥

Kat

Dear Wellington, I love you.

2009-03-30T10:17:00.000+01:00

20 things to do before leaving your home town..

When I originally thought about writing this post, I had no real ideas. Well, maybe two or three, but definitely no heart-wrenching sentimental tasks to complete before I leave.

And I have a confession: I'm really not that stressed about the recession. I'm generally someone who tries to be ridiculously-optimistic all the time and has a lot of faith in things working out, but well. Then Wellington icons started closing down. First Dorothy's shut its doors, and now Espressoholic. And the latter isn't even having financial issues.

So it got me thinking. What's my favourite place in the world, really? I mean, I'm obsessed with New York. It's been top of the list forever. But what about Welly? Do I take it for granted? And yeah, I really do.

Wellington's a fantastic town. Forget the wind. The places, the people, the beautiful harbour.. I'm proud to be from Wellington. And I am truly sad to be leaving Wellington for an indefinite period. 2 years? 1 year? forever? let's hope not.

So I have compiled a list, with some help, of things that I really want to do before I leave this city. In no particular order.. (and edited as I complete..)

1. Spend a day somewhere in the Wairarapa. Well, not exactly Wellington. But it's in the region! Check!

2. Museum day! Te Papa, National Gallery, the New Dowse etc.

3. Kaffee Eis, Espressoholic, Fidel's, Midnight Espresso.. Best cafes/treats around. Check on Espressoholic, sad sad sad.

4. Spend one (or two) day(s) photographing Wellington. Check on one day!

5. See a film at the Embassy. Check! Though I'll go again.

6. Spend some time in Cuba Mall people-watching and watching the Bucket Fountain. Check! Love to repeat if I can.

7. Mt Victoria lookout. Maybe take a picnic, take photos, day or night.

8. Ride the cable car.

9. Walk around the waterfront.

10. Karaoke night with friends at a booked room at Taste of Korea. Check! And it was rad.

11. Night out on the town! Good old Wellington nightlife, crappy though it may be sometimes.

12. One last Kiwi BBQ with friends.

13. Matterhorn, Mighty Mighty, Kitty's, Alice. My favourite (Kitty's for nostalgic reasons) bars in Welly.

14. Do the Vertical Bungy or the pedal cars around Oriental Bay.

15. Visit the Weta Cave, Miramar.

16. Lambton Quay: Kirks, Old Bank Arcade, lazy Wellington window-shopping.

17. Have lunch at the Beehive! Check! Thanks, Sarah-Rose!

18. Sushi from Midland Sushi, hang out in the park.

19. Days Bay - icecream, walking, or just sitting by the water.

20. Sit in Wellington and just enjoy it all moving around you.

What a town. Wellington photo post to come (or you can check em all out: here).

Kat