Oh what a beautiful morning!!

After a few days of rain, the sun finally came out. It was so nice to sit on the porch. I really love my nephew, Johnny. Today he got tired of playing with his brother, so he came to me and put up his hands. I picked him up and held him. He was so relaxed and content just to chill in my arms. I took him to the front yard and put him up on my shoulders. We watched the kite surfers for the longest time. I felt very peaceful for a time, and then, my back started to hurt. So, I put him down and he ran off the play again. I guess these are the moments parents live for.

I was also able to talk to Anna on the phone today and Mom and Dad on Skype. It looks like everything is good on the home front and I am missing the 100 degree weather! Sorry, maybe I should not have ! that. That was rude.

The detox/die-tox diet

Jenny and I are doing this intense diet. It is called the detox diet, but I like to call it the die-tox diet because I feel like I am dying. We are on day 5 of 15- so 1/3 of the way done. I have only cheated once- one cookie on day two... I was baby sitting alone. But, besides that I am doing well. I have also worked out every day since I have started. All of these things constitute a record for me. Five whole days on an exercise and diet regime. WOW!

NZ is wicked rainy right now. It seems like it will rain all weekend and maybe into next week. The kids are all sick- chest infections and stomach virus, complete with throw-up and fever. It has been a hard two days and Jenny and Clint are up all night with the kids.

You should try the diet! It will give you a healthy appreciation for everything- sugar, caffeine, salt, meat, etc.

Foods to avoid:

sugar, salt, all animal meat except fish every other night, eggs, dairy products except sugar free yogurt, no butter or milk, no refined sugars, no refined (white) flour products, rice, white pasta, white bread, processed foods- including canned foods, packaged foods, frozen foods, chips etc, no chocolate, donuts, cake, including cold pressed oils. Avoid caffeine drinks. No alcoholic beverages.

Foods you can have:

All sprouted seeds, grains and legumes, ex. Alfalfa. Mixed salad greens. All raw and steamed veggies including potatoes. All fresh fruits except oranges. All nuts raw or roasted with no salt, seeds,such as sesame. All whole grains, rolled oats, whole grain pasta and brown rice, rye, barley, buckwheat, linseed mimeal. Sundried fruits with no added sugar. Tofu and tahini (unhulled is best) or even hummus to use as a spread on wraps or sandwiches. Raw honey in teas or rice bran syrup used in place of sugar. Herbal seasonings-use in place of salt. Cold pressed virgin olive oil, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar(unfiltered)-mix together, use as salad dressing. All fresh vegetable and fruit juices, herbal teas, and 8 glasses of filtered water daily. Goat, soy, rice or almond milk. Plain soy or goat cheese and yogurt with no added sugar.

Here is the suggested daily meals

On arising:

Drink a glass of warm water (150ml) with a dash a fresh lemon juice(this kick starts your digestion ). Wait 20 minutes and then drink 200ml of fresh vegetable juice. (V8) Alternate every other day with fruit juice. (V8 Splash not citrus blend).

Breakfast:

Medium serve of natural raw muesli (granola cereal)(no added sugar and organic if possible), add fresh pear, ripe banana, stone fruits in season or your favorite sundried fruits. Add soy, goat, rice or almond milk. An alternative to raw muesli, Medium serve of oatmeal or quick rolled oats with fresh mixed or sundried fruits.

Mid Morning:

1-2 pieces of fresh fruit (no oranges) and one cup of Green Tea or Herbal tea (no sugar or milk, just honey)

30 minutes before lunch:

1 piece of fruit

Lunch:

1-2 sandwiches or wraps on wholegrain bread or wrap filled with salad, mixed sprouts, use avacado or tahini as a spread. Always include heaps of fresh sprouted seeds, sesame seeds, grains or legumes with all salad mixes. Please try and choose a good quality wholemeal bread with lots of fibre.

Mid Afternoon:

1 or 2 pieces of fresh fruit and a cup of green or herbal tea. If you are still hungry have some raw nuts or pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds or more fresh fruit.

Dinner:

Include any of the foods on the "foods you can have" list. Brown rice, steamed veggies, whole grain pasta etc. On every 2nd consecutive day you can have a small portion of fish.

And I uploaded a pretty picture, just because. Here are Johnny and Quintin eating morning tea on a rock on Little Waihi.

So many beautiful things in New Zealand

Beach at Mt. Maunganui
The volcano x2

Little Waihi Beach. I brought the boys for a play date this weekend.
On the hill by Jenny's house



Here are just a few pictures from around my sister's house and at Mt. Maunganui, which is the volcano you can see from Jenny's house. It is dormant. But, with all this activity on the Ring of Fire, I would not be completely surprised if something happened with it.

This is from the hill near Jenny's house. And the last ones are from Jenny's yard. Pretty sweet. I spent some time today just staring at the coast line. It is so refreshing.

Christchurch Earthquake

I'm fine. Christchurch is on the South Island. Great day. Did not feel a thing.

Maori designs or symbols

The meanings provided are the result of many books and web pages of information, and as such is as accurate as we were able to get it. Some meaning's will not agree with every tribal interpretation as not all interpretations are exactly the same.

Koru (spiral)
These Maori Designs are the Koru is the Beginning of Life. The Maori have taken their symbolism from the unfurled new leaf of the silver fern. It depicts new beginnings, growth and harmony. New Zealand is the home of the most beautiful ferns in the world

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Hei Matau (Fish Hook)
These Maori Designs are the Hei-Matau and is the fish hook. It symbolizes prosperity. Much of Maori traditional food is fish. The fish were so plentiful to the Maori that the simple ownership of a fish hook meant prosperity. Today it also represents strength, determination and good health. It provides safe journey over water.

Single Twist
These Maori Designs are the single twist and represents the joining together of two people. Even though sometimes people move away, their journey of life will have their paths cross again. The single figure eight represents the path of life, it is the eternity symbol. (The single twist is different to the double or triple twist in that it refers to individual people, where the double and triple twist refers more to the joining of peoples, or cultures)

Triple Twist
These Maori Designs are the triple and double twist and represents the joining together of two people, two peoples, two cultures for eternity even though they experience highs and lows of life they remain bonded by friendship and loyalty for life. (The single twist is different to the double or triple twist in that it refers to individual people, where the double and triple twist refers more to the joining of peoples, or cultures)

Manaia
The guardian
The carrier of supernatural powers.
Traditionally depicted with the head of a bird, the body of a man and the tail of a fish - representing sky, earth and sea and the balance between. It is likened to a bird sitting on your shoulder looking after ones spirit, and when your time comes it will guide your spirit where it is supposed to go

Circle or Disk
The circle of life which includes the path of life ever ongoing, with no beginnings and no end.

Hei Tiki
The Tiki is commonly known as a good luck charm (Hei meaning to wear around the neck). these Maori designs are considered a symbol of fertility. The wearer of the Hei Tiki is assumed to be clear thinking, perceptive, loyal and knowledgeable. Their strength is their character. The Tiki is a talisman of New Zealand and her Maori people. From ancient times it has been regarded as a good luck charm. It is widely believed that it represents the unborn human embryo. And in Maori culture this represents a particularly powerful spirit for warding off bad luck. Years ago the most valuable tiki's were hand carved from greenstone. They were handed down through the generations and are treasured New Zealand Souvenirs today. You can still get such tiki's and start your own cycle of good luck.

You were only waiting for this moment to be free....

My first few days have been relaxing and slow. It has been nice since I traveled 24 hours to get here. Fortunately, the flight was on of the best of my life.

Flight one from Mobile to Houston was fine. I ended up sitting by myself. I was reading Pope Joan and just relaxed and read the entire trip. Flight two Houston to L.A. was one of the worst flights ever! I ended up right next to the bathroom. I tried just to read, but there was so much going on. Every other second, the bathroom door was banging shut and someone was trying to pass some one else. There were several butts thrust in my face, several people holding the back of my chair and knocking into me. There was one throwing up child and over anxious parent who was complaining because she had to buy the crackers. This torture lasted three hours. Since it was almost a completely full flight, I did not say anything, but this flight had me primed to fight for a good seat the next flight. In L.A., Jennifer picked me up and we went out for a lovely Italian dinner. We sat outside, talking and laughing. It was fun, but much too short. Then, back to the airport. We packed into the plane at 11pm and I saw that I was going to be placed in the middle of 25 screaming teenagers on their first ever flight. I immediately turned to the flight attendant begging for a different seat. Thank heavens there were two seats directly across from me that were empty. They were in front of the exit door. I was able to move. It was great because I had plenty of leg room. I was able to sleep about 10 hours on the flight. It was sheer heaven. It was not perfect sleep, of course. But, still, it could have been a dreadful 14 hours. I woke up when I saw the sun. I pretended like it was a normal morning and I brushed my teeth, changed back into my jeans, put in my contacts, etc.

It was only really sunny on Thursday so far. Then Friday and Saturday it rained. I took a drive to the beach. What I am loving here is that even the winter is beautiful. The sea was crashing and gray, but it still held a certain beauty. See pictures above. Then, this afternoon the sun came out. It was unreal. Steam rose from the valley. I took a walk to the top of the hill. The sun was shinning on the water, which looked turquoise. The fields were sparkling. There were so many shades of green on the trees and fields. In a way, NZ this time is reminding me of Ireland. I did not have my camera with me on the walk, but I plan on taking a lot of pictures, so do not fear, you will see what I am talking about.

This is the picture of the beach that Jenny's house faces. It is Maketu beach. I went to play on it this morning with Johnny, Quintin, and Clint. Then we went for a coffee for the adults and ice cream for the kids at the Seaside Cafe. It was lovely.

The Eagle has landed

I'm here. Te Puke, New Zealand. Well, I am actually living out on the coast, which is Maketu beach. It is great weather. Not too warm, but not cold yet. They said it has been a mild winter so far. I am thinking of this as my wintery summer.

My sister and her family are great. They were so happy to have me. We had a lovely first evening and then I passed out at 7. I was just so tired. But, I have slept about 12 hours and now I am feeling better.

I will upload pictures soon.

To New Zealand I go....

I think I am all set. I just need to add my computer to my carry-on bag. I have made a playlist on my ipod. I have cleaned as much of my mess up as I can. I have suspended my phone service and adjusted my car insurance. What else is there?

I saw everyone I needed to see.

I am leaving on a jet plane....

Good-bye Alabama....

Hello Auckland......