manawatia a matariki

 This weekend New Zealand Aotearoa celebrated our first official Matariki public holiday. Apparently it is the first and or only known indigenous celebration to be made official in the colonised world. 

Matariki is celestial so the timing varies like Easter. It is when the Matariki stars rise in the east. This cluster of stars is also known as Pleiades and the Seven Sisters. 

It signifies the Maori New Year, a time to be with whanau (family), to think of those who have passed recently, to reflect on life and make plans for the future. It coincides with the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere signalling that the days will now get longer and it is time to plan and prepare for the next crops. Never a year went by without my mother reminding me about the shortest day and the relief of knowing that the days were now getting longer.

Manawatia a matarki - Happy Maori New Year. 

Sunrise on the 21st June, the shortest day. 

my much neglected blog

 Wow, it is almost a year since I posted on here. Realistically, probably one of the most 'different' years of my life. Not necessarily in a bad way but in the adjustment to a completely new retired lifestyle in a new and totally different location. 

Anyhoo - I'll resurrect this blog and see if it still works for me. 

I'll begin with a few snaps from the year neglected:

the election experience

 Yesterday the final results from the NZ Election were announced. Yes, there were postal votes, etc to count - it's what happens in a democracy when everyone's vote is respected. Some years our elections have been so close even to the point that the party with the most votes did not become the government! We have MMP in NZ - there are other forms of democracy other than the 250 years old unfit for purpose version the world now watches in horror unfolding in America. NZ citiznes accepted the final results and responded appropriately - even those who lost thier seats at the last hurdle. 

I recorded my thoughts about what we are witnessing in America but felt uncomfortable publishing them. So I have here a link to an article - one of many opinion pieces now being published - by an American explaining the shame and the relief. I think it says mostly all? - but maybe not the underlying issue of American christianity and it’s impact on culture and politics. Maybe I’ll find something incisive to share on that topic one day also. 

Now the world can let out a collective sigh of relief and move forward. 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/07/catastrophe-has-been-averted-let-us-all-breathe-a-big-long-sigh-of-relief?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

spring is in the air

Spring is here. The tuis have been feeding in the cherry and kowhai trees. NZ has survived and beaten a second community transmission of Covid19. Elections are 2 weeks away. Globally Covid19 is rampant. The American President has tested positive. I'm guilty of schadenfreude. His supporters still say it's a hoax and/or he was infected intentionally - you can't have it both ways. 2020 continues to challenge us all. 

day 23

Empty city. Got a bit stir crazy today so went for a drive - in our neighbourhool of course! Found a fruit and veggie shop that was open! We walked down by the river in the centre of town which is usually bustling - but not under lockdown.

day 3

People in my neighbourhood are obeying 'the rules'. I heard the mailman on his little scooter and someone open their letterbox. That was about it today. The odd car goes down the road but being on a back section I hardly hear them. The very occasional siren - these used to be constant. Is this practice for living at the beach in a small quiet community? Not complaining.
So I made fruit bread - practising for Easter. Just as nice and much less fluffing about than hot cross buns. Delicious! The addition of gluten flour and bread improver appears to have resolved the 'doughy' issue from the last loaf.

it's been a while...

It certainly has. 2016 Spooling just didn't happen. Think I was so over Project365 that I never wanted to post anything anywhere ever again. Well, apart from occasionally on Instagram. But it is sad when you let something you value slip, so one goal for 2017 is to resurrect this blog. Not a resolution - a goal. So farewell 2016, you have been one b*t*h of a year and 2017 promises as much. Might be time for some self improvement mumbo jumbo...

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF 2017
1. FIND YOUR THEME: Your theme should be simple and motivate you to make the changes you want to your life.

2. SELECT YOUR AREAS OF FOCUS: Think about the specific areas you want to work on to improve your life.

3. CHOSE 12 GOALS AND HABITS: Write down why you want to accomplish it, how it's going to impact your life, and plan how  you are going to make it happen! (one per month)

4. CREATE A BUCKET LIST: Make a list of anything you've always wanted to do.

5. MONTHLY CHECK IN: Only add a new habit to your life when you are ready. Ticked anything off that bucket list this month?

Sorry no pretty pictures with this post, but tomorrow is another (day) year...
HAPPY NEW YEAR😊🎉🍸