Home Again: Take 2

Ok, so I did not anticipate moving back to NZ so soon, but hey that's life! The simple truth is that I cannot handle the stress of living so far away from my parents and being worried about what's going on with them. Sounds terribly self-sacrificing doesn't it? Don't be fooled, it's really all about me : )

My last few days was a whirlwind of farewells. I hate saying goodbye. But it's funny, what used to REALLY irritate me when I first got to the UK was that I kept only meeting kiwis. Now it's a great comfort to know I'll see a lot of my friends again when they come back to NZ either to live or on holiday. Thankfully many of my non-Kiwi friends are visiting NZ soon, and I'm sure I'll go back to the UK for holidays. I already have plans...


My flight home was the usual long-haul horror. My flight was delayed, but I didn't mind as it meant I got to hang out at Heathrow with Victoria for a bit longer, and that I spent less time in Shanghai (where you have to clear customs and then check back in again. Theoretically I could be running amok in Shanghai right now. A lucky escape for China, I think!)






Is cannibalism alive and well in Shanghai? Who is Cate? And why does she go so well with coffee?



I saw lots of movies on the plane, the best of which was a German film called 'Die Welle' (The Wave), which is set in a high school. The students are taking a class on autocracy and argue with their teacher that a situation like Hitler and the Nazis could simply never happen again, so he decides to do an experiment with them. He sets himself up as the class leader and manipulates them to do everything for the 'greater good' of their class. Most of the kids discover they love the sense of belonging he creates and within a few days they have their own uniform, logo, salute etc...and it all turns to custard. It gets my nod for movie of the year.


I also feel compelled to share with you all a conversation I overheard on the flight to Shanghai, I found it so funny I wrote it down immediately. I swear it's true, I'm not making it up. In the row over from me was a group of trendy/arty/muso type young people, and here's what went down between two of them:

Girl: ...No, my Dad is gay and has a boyfriend, and Mum has a boyfriend too.

Guy: Wow! So what, do they like, all live togther or something?

Girl: No, but they get on really well with one another. It's all very cool and grown-up and stuff.

Guy: So your Dad is gay. What's up with that? How did you happen? Was he always gay?

Girl: Oh yeah, but like, he and my Mum were properly in love. Mum was the first woman he was ever, y'know...with. They got married and just went their separate ways after a few years. But they get on really well. Mum just loves my Dad's boyfriend who's a transvestite ex-stripper.

(Stunned silence)

Guy: Wow. Your life is like, so amazing

Girl: It's not a competition...Although if it was, an ex-boyfriend of mine is a terrorist...

I think she might possibly win if life was a competition, don't you?


Anyway, I now find myself in Wanganui, unemployed and living with my parents...aaaahhh!!!! Nah, it's alright. I should be able to pick up some work with DIA for a bit while I try and get a real job. It's not too much to ask for a job that actually interests me is it? Anyway, I hope to be back in Wgtn soon.
In the meantime I am busy organising my parent's lives (they love it, really) and doing exciting things like pruning trees and walking the dogs. Here's a couple of reasons why it's good to be home (and yes, it really is that warm and sunny in Wanga-Vegas!)...