Thursday's past constant

It's the last Monday of the year and everything is coming to a close or an opening, depending on how you approach it. 

Beautiful is the quickest word to describe it, but to delve, requires more. If we've had a serious conversation, you'd know that I truly wanted to get more involved in the community, this side of the year. I really needed the connection and also, honestly... started to miss teaching (bordering on tremendously). So yup! Volunteering (with English Language Partners) fast became Thursday's constant. Helping out at the Glenfield Community Centre on Thursdays in a class and teaching a one to one learner on Wednesdays. 

Rarrrh. Happenings in the classroom have been most entertaining and challenging (: Well, as the year drew to an end, so did term four. What else was there to do but have a Christmas party?

Decorations were hung, dances choreographed and slices baked. In slight uncertainly, we sang Christmas carols and fumbled occasionally to communicate. I love that. If there's magic in the world, it has to be in the attempt... the trying. 

T'was truly special. I felt so apart of this group and sat there beaming as Alex, who's from the Philippines danced energetically to some awesome retro music. Yeah, I loved it all and will miss it immensely as next year takes on new beginnings... why hello there Masters!

Sing!

Alex, grooving it.

Lisa was (i think) a professional dancer and had her own dance school in China (:

Hanin, the Syrian poet.. She recited a love poem in Arabic while Chris read out the translation. The power in its simplicity:

Destiny

You posses the power

You've vowed your heart to me

As I've vowed my hear to you

You've controlled my very pulse

And set the rhythm of its timing

If you go away, my heart will stop

The blood in my veins I've vowed to you

As my pen traces the line of your heart

So darling, what is it that possesses me?

From where is the power that commits me to stay by your side?

The power that changes me

Just a lonely human heart 

Without the look from your eyes

Is that where the power resides?

A power that is like a mortal spell

That penetrates my heart

Captured by the power hidden in your smile

The secret of your silence

Fleeing from the noise

Overcomes the boring and harmful routine

And makes me lose control of myself

Until my strength collapsed

Drowning in the spring of your eyes

Your smile and the warmth of your heart

I am completely lost

This is the work of destiny-

Destiny that gave me to you

The owner of my hear

And even now I wonder what it is 

Makes me your love

And makes you mine?

What is this thing that drives us so, to meet, to talk?

Is it that power you own

That passion in your nature?

The love that is inside of you

That lets me be alive 

And so it is that time and fate bring together such good and loving hearts.

- Hanin Alkhafaji

I just had to share that, such beauty. And here's a slightly incomplete photo of our Elementary class... ahhh, miss!

Thoughts of love and goodness I send to you and you and you.

In (Friday's) Rainbows

My totes rad shoes (: I hope they last foreverrrrr...

Interlude

"Will we ever get away from this place?"

If there's one thing I appreciate in this city, it would be the allowances to be an escapologist over and over and over. Feeling stifled with my environment? Drive south or north, west/ east and tadaa... pick your reverie. Two weekends ago, I ventured to the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manurewa. Grabbed a roast chicken on the way and ate it whole! Stuffed and all, the 2km sculpture walk began (:

In line with summer, Sculpture in the Gardens has returned and is free for all. Open space, art and greenery? A definite win in my opinion. 

Bronze pieces, a peek-a-boo sun and barefeet...

Samantha Lissette, Atta Mediae

Christine Hellyar, Pineapple Twists

Bing Dawe, Tuna

Squint.

Michael Klaja & Gordon Smith, Carving up the land

Marte Szirmay, Split

Jamie Pickernell, Oh Crabby I do believe we're rather lost!

Bryan Valley, Over the Farm Gate

Ben Foster, The White Horse

Richard Wedekind, Weather House- no shelter from the storm

Jane Downes, 7 Days

Jeff Thomson, Home Sweet Home

Circularity.

"You need open air, all this open air...." Lemolo: Open Air.

Louise Purvis, Alterations

James Wright, Tree Man

Coatsville Market

The charm of a farmers market encourages you to drive considerable kilometres just to roam, entertain your eye and fill your belly, full... to the brim! You follow the endless cars, park awkwardly and fear no judgement- you've arrived! Who gives a damn? Hehe..

Of course you've forgotten cash cause it's near enough outside of your norm. But hey, your gorgeous friend has cash to spare... And so, an exchange of loaning terms occur and soon you're like a child in a candy store. Leash me!

Sans some sun presence... hmm, nothing a ginger latte can't fix. Oh yes, bring on the flavoured coffees for summer. All rules fade and everything goes, for me at least (: 

I could be lost here and be content. I could be alone here and feel apart of you. I could be abandoned here but be free.

Peeps be looking at you looking at them (:

Spicey Mexican sauces and a saucy character of a man.

Should've bought me some of those!

Some say tacky, I say... go with the wacky?

Bits-bobs, odds, ends...

Something for everyone (: Doggy treats?

Yes, yes, yes!!!

Rather liked this!

Anyday, anytime.

Retire to the afternoon sun,

And make your strawberry drunk,

Proceed to tan your legs,

Thus becoming eggs,

So, you summersault, 

There's no default!

Lay back down, no space for frowns.

"Does this path have a heart?"

"It's a Wonderful Life"

Before you realise, you open doors that lead you to summer and all you can think is, 'I made it!'

Over the last two years I've been believing and disbelieving in myself. I've gone backwards, forwards... sideways, heck upwards. After all that travelling, I'm finally on the brink of a two year journey that will flood my future, hopefully... yes, yes. 

The joy of good news can't be encapsulated and shouldn't. And so with my feelings, summer blooms and I find myself standing in line at a Christmas market, waiting for what seems forever for some four for $7 Doreamon- like dorayaki nommies and not caring because the sky looks like that and the atmosphere feels like this and up on a silo, 'It's a Wonderful Life' is projected. 

Indeed, it is a wonderful life.