Boxing Up Another Year

Its the last day of 2009 and this is how I have spent my day, Im clearly really bored not being at work and I am dying to get back to work already....!! I have sat on Splitcoaststampers and looked at tutorials for different boxes and stuff....I went to the warehouse and got a couple pads of paper on clearance, they are massive pads I had seen them some months ago and they were about NZD$30 or so.....and I put it on the "wishlist" I went out and tried to find them the other day, no one had them but I managed to find two in the clearance part of the Airports Branch....they were scanning up full price even though they were damaged and missing a few sheets and the cover.....I was offered them for a discount for damage stock...$20 but I wasnt fully keen on it for one lot of paper...that wasnt an overly large amount off given that there didnt appear to be any in stock for some time in any of the stores Ive been too......I said there were two the same (in the same condition they both have different papers in them) and so I was offered them for half price and I think I got them both for about $17 each or something like that.....so I have this big heaps of gorgous papers now to use for Layouts and all sorts of other things....

This is what I have made with some of the damaged papers....all the templates for these can be found on Splitcoaststampers under resources....so thankyou to those who have uploaded them....I for some reason managed to work these templates out better than trying to trace some of the templates Ive Googled for....

2-5-7-10 Box (half sized)

Box in a Bag

Ghirardelli® Box

Explosion Box

Party Favour

 

Sour Cream Container

Milk Carton Box

Christmas Lunch

We had lunch at my Uncle house for Xmas.....I tell you its so nice when my sister isnt there, I know that sounds really mean but sometimes she really can put a downer on things and in some cases can make a bit scene and try and be the center of attention. Past few have been pleasant with out her there and we can just relax and just be with family.....for thats what Xmas is all about to me - Family, being with those who you love and that mean something to you....a time to reflect, share and just relax and have fun. Its not all about the presents......sure the act of giving means something but its not all about the amount of money spent on something or the size or if its "in" this year with out financial constrance and the resession hitting my industry of work really hard, we have had to revert to home made presents - but what meant something to me about doing this was that is what it use to be like as a child. My Nana use to make us kids stuff all the time....and not once did we complain, Nana's stuff had sentimental value to it and to this day I still have alot of Nana's things shes made us, sure something things may not be in good condition now where its aged and changed colour or the glue and tape has deteriorated on it and bits are missing but it was special because Nana made it from her heart....and its something she was passionate about - and its where I guess my crafty stuff comes from...its in my blood.....that and I am Cancerian..!

This year mum made Meggan and Michael clothes, Meg got two skirts, and Mike got a pair of shorts and pants.....she also made them puzzles with pictures off the Internet of things they like, Ben 10 and Transformers for Mike and Hannah Montana, Saddle Club and Roald Dahl for Meg. They loved them...I love Michael on Xmas Day going BEN 10 BEN 10!!!!!! BEN 10!!!!!!!! And Meggan having this like aaaaaghhhhhhhhh who excited OMG its Hannah Montana reaction...The kids also got a few other inexpensive things from us - with it being Michaels 4th Birthday also....his presents were split up - to make it even I gave Meggan her belated birthday present from me - some earrings that I got cheap from the Chemist.

I think the best thing about Xmas this year was probably spending it with my younger cousins....though I dont see them much its amazing how they come running up to me and give me big hugs now....and stay close to me.....we had a big massive water pistol fight - I got totally soaked but it was well worth the laugh and fun...!

Just to show you how much fun - and I thought I was going to be safe behind the camera - this totally proved that one wrong -  I made a video of us kids out playing with the water pistols. I well you next year Im going to come better prepared!!! Actually Im looking forward to Xmas next year as my little brother Luke will be down from England. He leaves for his big OE in April and Im super excited, he is starting out in Bangkok and HongKong then going down to Melbourne, Australia working then finishing off down here.....Im just hoping he will be here for my graduation which is at the start of December...!!

MERRY XMAS!!!!

Ive been up busting out these boxes to get finished for Xmas Presents...!! Mum's made all the fudge and Im darn proud of these little beauties...!! Another thing I can add to the business idea thing I mentioned early in the month about parties and weddings and what not....

I found the tutorial for these at SplitCoastStampers it can be found HERE

I dont have a scorepal or anything really to score with lol so I actually score my lines and I shamely say this - a ruler AND a coin...!! Wasnt that greater score lines sadly but it worked at the time.....the tutorial says to stamp the cardstock - which I did but I jazzed it up a bit with some embossing powder to give it just that Christmassy feel to it..only down fall is that it cracks a bit when its all folded up...I made a booboo and cut the tabs all at the top including the one for the flap so I had to stick it back together with some patterned paper on the inside but again this also gave it a bit of extra....Im sure it would look great with patterned paper or even double sided pattern paper :o)

Well its after 3am here and its not officially CHRISTMAS DAY....

So....................with out a due...


MERRY CHRISTMAS - Happy Hanukkah and a Blessed Yule....!

Langham Xmas Party

Well it was my works Xmas Party the other night.....not an overly large amount of pics of me, but this is one of my faves of me....I regret not getting a full pic of me standing outside all dressed up..! Not many photos were taken of me, I didnt even get any done at the photo op thing...(just like at my school ball....why did the two have to be so much alike?? I even went alone once again...!! My Date cancelled out on me...so I lost me some money for my other ticket I got...)

My dress was brown, my shawl was pale pink and I had a butterfly up in my hair matching my mask...

Not an overly exciting night to have a big flash blog report done up on it lol, it was pretty boring until the live band kicked in....

Xmas Drinks

I was out shopping for a new Bra...ooOoO La La!! hehehe for under my dress for my work xmas do (not that Im hoping to get lucky...I just like to feel nice and thus gives me a smexy bra and undies for some other occasion if the occasion shall arise...) but I had a text from my mate Stacey saying she was at Cock and Bull for some Xmas Party they were having there and I said I couldnt come as I had my mum with me....but she said it didnt matter and said to come along....

So that was just what we did....I rocked up to Cock and Bull with my mum....had my cranberry jucies but thought heh why not and fell into peer pressure - breaking my 2009 new years resolution by having a couple glasses of Pinot Gris..! Ahhhhh...!! lol

I ended up dancing to the live band and with some other random lady at the pub....but it was a great....though didnt like the dizziness that came afterwards - I spent a few hours recovering on the floor at mums watching a movie on TV...

Masquerade Ball Masks

Well this is what the feathers were for :p

My work is having a Masquerade Cocktail Party for our Xmas Party.....Masks are essential..!! My colours is Brown and Pink....my mum is in the process of making my dress for me since my ball gown from high school is too big for me now...so I need a new dress that will fit me....!

Im rather proud of my mask..! Its pretty fucking awesome!

A Party??

Some Chocolate Brown Satin, Feathers and Two Tickets......what shall it all look like??? Check back in a week!!!

Birthday Card

Im not overly big on my cards - but this is one I threw together for one of my boss' at work for his birthday - lol talk about a big kiss up! Not really, I just appreciate my boss' alot. This was my first time heat embossing onto metal.

November's Bakers Dozen Challenge

So my lovely friend Deborah has been pulled down with Swine Flu this month (I say she's been rolling around in the pig stye to much lol!!) but we havent had a Baker's Dozen Challenge for a good 6 months I think...I emailed Deb asking her if we could do one and have a pig in it in memory of her having Swine Flu, she laughed and told me to host it on her behalf....which I did...

I knew just what I was going to do for my layout but because we were only allowed two photos and it was very small in size the layout, I ended up doing a double layout to get a few more pics in to tell my story...of course I applied the challenge to BOTH Pages...

This is the list for both pages...

1. A PIG - in one of the photos

2. Stamping (technique) - My journal box was stamped

3. Border Punch (tool) - at the bottom of the pink paper

4. Brads - on one of the photos in the corners

5. Pink PP (background paper) - the 8x8 is pink

6. Bling - on one of the photo corners

7. Ribbon - to the sides of the photos

8. Hand or Machine Stitching (technique) - i machine stitched the pink to the blue

9. Paper Folding (technique) - the barn I folded

10. Heat or Dry Embossing (technique) - the journal box is heat embossed

11. Sticker/s - the title (hard to see it i know im going to mount them on black soon)

12. Two different size photos - dittot

13. Created on a 8x8 and applied to a 12x12 - and done!!

 

 

1. A PIG - in the corner

2. Stamping (technique) - my journal block was stamped

3. Border Punch (tool) - at the bottom of the pink

4. Brads - in the corner of the photos

5. Pink PP (background paper) - background of 8x8

6. Bling - on one of the photo corners

7. Ribbon - by the photos

8. Hand or Machine Stitching (technique) - pink machine stitched to blue

9. Paper Folding (technique) - my little piggy :p

10. Heat or Dry Embossing (technique) - the journal block was heat embossed

11. Sticker/s - the title

12. Two different size photos - dittot

13. Created on a 8x8 and applied to a 12x12 - and all done!

Wedding Invite Samplers

Ok so a few months ago a friend asked me if I could do her wedding invites for her - I was blown away by her asking me...! She had looked through my things I had done over the year for Uni and the Culinary Comps and all my scrapbooking and other crafty things....so asked me, I felt very privilage to be asked to do such a thing.....for me this is a big thing professional in terms of my career because I am wanting to start up a small business of doing such things for Parties...be it weddings, baby showers, hens nights, birthday parties, xmas gifts what ever it may be....along with that I want to do scrapbooks, I planned to join it up with my mate Yaz who does photography and my old co worker Renee who is a chef to make cakes..

I met up with Jenna for the first time the other day on the 28th where she showed me the things she had gathered and a few samples she had been sent. We went and had a look at Spotlight and Scrapbook Studio in Mt Wellington at supplies and to see if there was anything she liked or if we could find something similar to these samples she had (Ive since figured out who has the paper used on these samples she was sent) I made a few samples using the same concept that were from the samples she had to give her an idea.....and later on I made a whole pile more samples of her.

So these are the samplers I have put together out of stuff in my stash - these ARENT my ideas, so thank you to who ever came up with the original idea of them, these are adaptions of samples I found on the net with my own names I have given them.

The slide show below is all the invite samplers I have put together, of course the colours can be changed in them to suit any wedding or occasion. These are the colours that my friend has picked out for her wedding. I really like this linked one, I was able to put it on not just an invite but an RSVP card, it would also work for on Place Names, Menus, Thank You Notes, Save the Date cards....the lists is endless.

Now I just need to try and think of a name for this business.....and see what else I can come up with...in terms of ideas for things like favors...!

University Results

Ok the results are now up on Arion - these are the official results..for this semester - now it was a very hard semester, Ive been under alot of Financial constraints this year, especially this semester, to the point Ive gotten a food parcel from AuSM, and Ive gotten a student financial hardship grant from the uni to help me out in some parts..and food vouchers and stuff..Ive had the added stress of mum being sick and the joys of job hunting for a second job - and having that now its still not good - Im in the process of finding a third job (second really given my first job is in liquidation - with much heartache, it was my fave job I was so totally loving it..)

But Ive managed to pull through the hard times, all the stress - I tell you the culinary comps sure had alot of stress on me, alot of that was relieved once the comps were over...PHEW....but things were only just getting started then....but I kept on going...right up until the end...when I had the Catering Plus Maggie comp...and training at work...I powered on through....

After almost killing myself from the biggest amount of stress I have expereince ever in my time being at University I an finally give the results as follows:

Accommodation Management: C

Accommodation Operations: C

Food and Beverage Management: B+
Hospitality and Tourism Human Resources: B+

So here is to next semester!! Oh yea!! Little Bronnie is still going (lol after Ive said every semester that Im dropping out....even when I saught out other insitutes to try and go to instead of where I am at...) and Im still going to be busting it out and exceeding...with both my studies and with doing more Competition work....I must say though - if I have to be truthfully honest - I am getting a little bit more out of AUT then I was at MIT....even if the cost is more expensive...

*brain fart*

Well thats all for now my pretties!! I will update later with more...

Kids Xmas/Holiday ATCs

I signed up for an ATC Swap on Fiskateers where you make some ATCs with your kids...well THEY are meant to make them....so I signed my niece up for it with me...


We had a bit of a fun time making them...Meggan helped me cut the cardstock to size and she stuck the two layers together, she picked out the paper also - and stuck the ribbon down which I had cut to size for her. I later finished them off when I got sent the new Fiskars Briska Brew squeeze punch. Not completely what we had planned - I have sadly missed the due date but I am still sending them out...Ive just been under alot of pressure with Work and Financial problems....


But these are our finished ATCs

Meeting my Step Nieces

My step sister Ruth sent a message to me on Facebook asking us (me and my sister) to come over for a catch up and to met her two daughters....I was super excited, my step sister Ruth is my fave sister...yes over my own biological sister!


It was a rough day, I finished work around 3am I think it was, and had only about two hours sleep once I got home, I woke up early and just couldnt get back to sleep no matter what I did! But the trooper that I am I sailed on, picked my sister and her kids up and headed over to my step sister's place.


There we had chips and dip and drinks and I got to meet two of my step niece's Georgia and Natasha....I even got to give Natasha a bottle!! Little Aunty and Niece bonding moment :o)


So here are a couple of pics of my little princess'

Georgia Ellen

Natasha Mary

ALL UPDATED!!

I believe I have updated pretty much most of the events from the past TWO months....with a few other events back dated in August...but mostly October - November are updated...!!

And Yipee!! Exams are over....THANK GOD!! I am can relax for a bit.....

Now I just got to try and sort things out at work and find out which is up with my job....and also find me second job...or third job is it?? I dont know...see one of my jobs - the company is going into Liquidation at the moment so Im pretty sure that means I lose my job with them...which is sad as i LOVED that job to death....!!

Im considering getting a part time job over the Summer waitressing again...I mean I am currently waitressing I guess...with the two jobs I have but they are in Functions and Events and Banquets...but Im really missing the tips lol....and the music would you believe it?? I miss that fun...that having some good music blasting out through a restaurant and bar and feeling good at work and having some fun...kinda like we use to at GPK before things turnt dead quiet and got a bit boring...lol....!!

I guess in a way I want a bit of both worlds...I want my cake and I want a mound of icing on top of it and sprinkles too....and throw in a candle...I want it all!! Am I being greedy?? I think not...I think it sounds perfectly fair to want to expereince more than one area of Hospitality....this is after all expereince and what not I need to go towards MEB one day...

Well I should get some sleep...but i shall try and keep updated....Im working on some ATCs at the moment...got about three other swaps Ive signed up for...and hoping to get some layouts done....especially start an album for my Aunty of her late parents and her family...

Tata!!

And I have a little personal message for someone - incase they are reading....you know who you are when I say "Chi Chi Chi!!!!" LOL!!! :p

Halloween 2007 Layout - FINALLY Completed...!!

I have FINALLY completed the layout with Meggan and Michael dressed up as Pirates for Halloween in 2007!! The layout has been sitting in a box for some months.....just waiting for a title to finish it all....I ended up using the title I had planned...I was struggling with how I was going to do the title....but with the new embossing powder...I decided to make it look like it was some old map....thats the impression is it meant to give anyway....!!

Either way....finally its done and finished...!!

Penguin ATCs

Well well well!! Look whos finally finished University for yet another Semester....though just have Exams left to do - YAY!! I sent off a Special Email request to Aunty Merlene on Fiskateers for an ATC Swap to get me going again...she granted my wish...I tell you she is like a Fairy God Mother at times!! With a tap of her magic wand there was a ATC Swap up on the boards just for me....I had little time to get it done in and finished to get to the USA on time....!!

This was rather fun...to get me back into the flow again....and I did my first lot of HEAT EMBOSSING on them!! I brought an unmounted rubber stamp off Trade Me from Not Just Stamping - a cute little Penguin one...and I also brought a clear ink pad...while I waited for this auctions to arrive, I got my backgrounds done up ready and all that was left to put my penguin onto them.....

One my goodies aririved - I travelled to the North Shore to NZ Scrapbooking to get me some EZ Mount so I could mount my Stamp onto (it was the recommended product from whom I brought it the unmounted rubber stamp from) then I went to Mt Wellington to Scrapbook Studio to get me some Black Embossing Powder....the lady there was very helpful in explaining to me the different types of Embossing Powders and what effect each gave...i knew I want black but there was more than one tpe of black...!

Then it was time to experiment...I dont have a heat gun so I went the traditional way that many start out with using the toaster lol...I was rather excited and happy with the turn out of these little guys....though my ATCs are no where near as awesome as some of the works of art I get from some people in these swaps!! And I have my selected favourites from the Fiskateers whos ATCs I always love...!

*** Update - 13th Nov 2009 - I have since brought a heat gun and anti static pad on Trade Me...and will be picking them up soon... :p ***

Happy 1st Birthday MARTINI!!!

Happy First Birthday to my little man...MARTINI!!! And along with that a big happy first birthday to you litter Siblings: Heidi and Dora (sisters) and Buddy (brother).

Happy 7th Birthday Meggie Boo!!

A big happy 7th birthday to my niece Meggan!!!

Aunty loves you so much!! And you never stop amazing me kiddo on the things you are learning everyday....what I love is that, you are now able to read this....! AND also write back to me!! Your so clever and smart!! I cant keep my secrets away from you now that you can read and write and count...and all that stuff!!

Trick or Treat!!

Happy Halloween and a Blessed Samhain!!

Have fun trick or treating....but remember to be safe!!

This year is James' first Halloween and as per tradition we took the kids out trick or treating!! The kids dressed up as Pirates again...in their old outfits from 2007...though Mike couldnt find his top...and we put James in some of my fire fighter baby clothes...he was a funky little fire dude...

Catering Plus Maggie Comp - Innovative Table Setting

Well after my results at the Regional and National Culinary Fare, my lecutrer Gina Harrap discovered a new competition - this time in a Catering Magazine....and decided I should enter it...but knowing I had a heavy work load...she decide it was probably best not to add more stress onto me - However that changed when she told me and I jumped up and down begging to do it...



Low and Behold to me...Gina had already thought of a theme...and I was able to work with it and get extremely excited about - not bad table setting that came out, and we only spent about $50 on it...! Better than the $400+ I spent on the Culinary Fare's Table setting!!



Awaiting results...which wont be till at least the end of the year if not Jan next year.....I dont hold my hopes to high on winning this one...but hey it gets my name out there...

IOU

IOU

ONE SERIOUSLY BIG FAT UPDATE......!!

Armageddon 2009

So I went to my first Armageddon Expo!!! My BIL goes to it EVERY year with his Best Friend....and my Aunty in Australia went to the one in Melbourne and got to meet/see SETH GREEN....I was completely jealous.....and for some reason, I think the radio must have had him on or something....but I looked up the casting guest list for this year and there he was....he was going to be at the Auckland one...



A quick email to my BIL and some light begging I was coming along with them...Im not into comic books and all this sci fi stuff - I tell you it was interesting seeing the number of people who dress up...but an hour and half wait in line to get in and 2 mins of seeing Seth Green I was happy lol...BUT there was two speaking with him....and I got to spend an hour drooling over him!! I was purely there for Seth Green....as a Buffy and Angel fan....!! And I use to like Greg the Bunny...!



I tell you there are some ODD people out there when it comes to celebs....the ones who scream HAVE MY BABIES.... MARRY ME!!! And those who give away things like a key to their necklace locket....and want to hug him and shake his hand and touch his hair....though I did love his every answer to everything thing that was to do with them....and it was a great laugh...



Much thanks goes out to my niece....the little trooper she is!! So much like her father...but she wanted to go home and have lunch....she sat through the whole question thing with Seth Green so Aunty could get her monies worth!! lol

Colourbok Survery Prizes

I won some prizes from Colourbok from completing a couple of their surveys a while back....I believe it was August and September....I was a bit disappointed that I got a double up in the kits....I know some of the winners werent too fussed over this....some were a bit disappointed...Id hate to think that any future winners may end up getting more than just double ups....

I ended up sending one kit down to my friend Kerri West in Christchurch to play with....so now we get to share with other what we come up with...Im going to use my kit to make a memorial album for my God Family....as my God Mother has just resently lost her father.....

RIP Uncle Jack Nicholls

RIP Uncle Jack - May you rest now with your loving wife Lois.....

"I Once Was Blind But Now I See....."



My love and thoughts go out to my Cousins/God Family....may the Lord and Lady guide you through this time of your life's journey....

Welcome to the World Baby Natasha!!

Natasha Mary Harris
Born: 3rd October 2009

Time: 5pm

Weight: 7lb 11oz

My Step Sister Ruth and her partner Andrew and their eldest daughter Georgia welcome a second daughter to their little family..... 4th Grandchild for my Step Mum... check back in December when my Step Sister Rebecca is due with her second son....!!

RIP Laura McKinley

RIP Laura McKinley

2nd September 1988 - 17th September 2008

To my sweet friend Laura,

It dawned on me today that it has been a year since I spoke to you last, I will never forget this day last year........Never. I keep thinking what did I miss......why didnt I see anything and why didnt you come to talk to me. I keep going back and reading that last convo I had with you, I still find it so hard to this day to think that just 12 hours later you were gone.....and that was my last time I got to speak to you. I keep on thinking why didnt you come talk to me!? I find it all so very hard to believe its real.....sometimes I wonder if you were real...but I know you are...because Ive talked to you...

I never got to met you, but the very short time I knew you will forever remain important to me...apart of me. This past year has been hard, and I have stuck by Cheryl to help her through losing you - her best friend. Ive had no on there to turn to when things have gotten hard with her and stuff....but youd be so proud of her as I am....she's gone through so much and she is still fighting! And she is just blossoming away!

Though I never met you, I know I had an impact on your life in the short time I knew you, and I will always remember that you had me personally mentioned me and thanked me at your Funeral last year.....for caring about you and being there for you.

Sometimes I get so angry at you, this time last year when I found out you were gone - I was so upset.....and then sooooo angry.....all I could think was how weak you became....and with that anger came the big hit for me - the feelings and emotions I went through....were horrible....seeing what they did to Cheryl were one thing...but knowing what she was going through and feeling them was another....but I learnt something....I learnt I couldnt never attempt to end my life again.....and with your sudden departure, I came to realise just the true effect that Teen Youth Suicide has on people...the things I felt and thought and the aftermath I guess....made me see that I couldnt put anyone through that.....my parents, my siblings, my friends and family...my doctor, my lecturers....my co workers....and just everyone....

You taught me a great lesson...and you raise great awareness at the time - you may now be one of those unfortunate statistics.....but its because of that that awareness needs to be made.....and more needs to be done to lower those numbers....I kills me everyday knowing that here in NZ they got rid of Yellow Ribbon Day....but I was fortunate enough to have a Yellow Ribbon given to me at school on the last yellow ribbon day here.....and i always look at it and think of you...infact the day you died...i wore it...

We will never forget you....your daughters will never forget you....we will always love you, as will they....we will always hold close the memories we do have with you and of you....I never got to met you, I never will get to met you....but I knew you, and I always will know you for ever. And I will do EVERYTHING I can to make sure Cheryl grows up into a sucessful and wonderful woman......you need not worry about that....I love her so much, and she knows to never lose touch with me....she knows how much I love her and care for her....you need not to worry!

Look after mine and Cheryl's Angel Bubba....let them know their Mumma's love them very much and that we miss them!

RIP Laura

NEWS FLASH - A New Job!!

*big long sigh*

This seriously needs updating!! And argghhh laking the motivation, but I thought I would post something, because well yes some news....I dont even know where to start....Im going to have to go back like two months!! Lets go back there....

CLOSE YOUR EYES PEOPLE....*wavy images as time goes back*

This is like a major update from my entry in July or so about the job I applied for at The Langham Hotel...

So things at work have been pretty quiet....bless them....Ive been dying with no work and Ive been having MAJOR withdrawals....!! Because I LOVE my job with The Relish Group....my boss is like my angel....when things got bad at GPK...I had to get out and he was my angel who lifted me up as I was falling from the sky...haha! But no really Im not just saying that for the meer joke of it, my boss is the greatest, he is a brilliant inspiration and he has built my confidence up...everytime I talk to him, I walk away feeling alot better in myself. I like that I have a relationship with him and that I can honestly tell him things, infact its like that with most of my senior management staff there...we are a tight little intimate team there.....even if I am only a casual and havent done many shifts with them....

But because of the Recession hitting the Hospitality Industry so hard, and working in the Luxury side of things....its hit it big there....so it was best for me to find a secondary job to help out. I had looked at some places....and applied and never heard back...it was hard as I wanted to stay with Functions and Events....its where I am liking things, Im like the change from the Waitressing I had been doing....its a different level and what not...I have found my place that I am wanting to get more into and being an expert in. The Langham Hotel had an advert for their new Banquet room...looking for Banqueting staff...so I applied... I had applied to them once before and never got a reply back at all...so I applied with the same feeling thinking I wouldnt get looked at....how ever the difference between this application and my application then was that I WANTED someone to pick me....and Ive been let down big time by alot of the big hotel chains in the CBD when its come to assessment days and open days losing out to others....feeling Im put aside for being a Kiwi...

But I applied for it just on the cut off of it closing....and I actually got an email back inviting me to an assessment day...which I thought was awesome...it was such a long wait as it wasnt for almost another month - and when the day came I was late...I missed the bus I wanted to get up to Symonds Street and had to find another one...(can I say Link bus drivers suck...when you ask what bus goes to Symonds Street dont listen to them when they say any of the buses from the side street to Britomart with 5 at the start....just walk up to the next stop and wait for any of the buses that goes to Three Kings as they go along there....and its like only 50 cents compared to the $1.30 you pay for the other buses going from the next street over..) anyway so I was late, and panicking....I knew it would make a bad impression being late....

The assessment day consisted of three parts - first one was Observation, and well little old me was in such a hurry the only thing i noticed was the lovely Kevin who is the door man....and may I say he really sticks to the Langham's Vision and Mission....as he remembers me...you will learn soon....but yes so the first part was a series of questions relating to the Langham Hotel and things inside it....this is partially a test to see if you have done research on the company before youve applied and during that lead time from being invited to the assessment day and the actual day. It was also taking notice of what was around you as you came in....and well their key point being to create Memories and a lasting impression...and well the hotel is meant to do that....your meant to remember these little details....so yes I helped my little group where I could...I remember saying the whole time "I rememember Kevin" thats all I took in was him and his name...! Haha!!

The second part was a practical, we had to set up a table of 5 in one minute, and then dismantle it all in one minute....the key point to I learnt was partly speed....and it was to test what you knew already....there is no right or wrong way to setting up a table...it all depends on the style of service and the menu being served as to how a table will be set up. I had to share my table - and the girl I was with took up more than half the table and I said to one of the assessors.....There is no way I am going to fit all 5 place settings on here she has taken up far to much room! I was deeply concerned about this....my competitive streak was showing and I was trying to show how damn good I was....and this girl well I didnt like her - ok she was a bit to expereinced for my liking....! I only got my cutlery down and my side plates and just got my nakpins on in a min...I mean phaor ONE MINUTE to set a table of five up....at the time I was doing my training for my table setting for the comps and at that I have an HOUR to set a table to FOUR!! I didnt get my glasses on and I was kicking myself about that....

But that was over and we went onto the third and final part.....this was a group assessment...we were given a senario...we were on a deserted island and we were only allowed to bring ONE thing with us that meant something to us....it wasnt allowed to be a person. For me my scrapbooking means alot of me....scrapbooking is all about Preserving memories for my future generations and just everyone...its my life story...and my item was a craft knife...I was more so specifically thinking of the Fiskar Tool Factory that has like a craft knife, tweezers, glue and other stuff all incased into one little tool....cause that meant I would have had more chance of serving hahaha!! But alas I dont know if anyone really know much about scrapbooking, let alone the Fiskars Brand! ANYWAY...we sat there all silent...and I took the lead and I said alright who wants to go first no one really did so I went and from there we came with out list of things and we then had to talk about how our items worked with the rest of the groups items for us to servive....and we just had to keep talking about how we were make it...my group was awesome....one of the guys in my group and I had so many ideas....our island went from being stuck on this island to repopulating it and having our own language and naming the island and what not...we looked into the future and what not...

After the assessment day was finished we were told it would be a couple of weeks before they would get back to us...if we didnt hear back that we were not sucessful....I decided to make the impression i left go a bit further and I emaild the HR Assistant Manager and thanked her for allowing me to attend...I elaberated by saying how much fun it was also how shocked I was that my group talked about things like sex and stuff...on our island...

A few weeks later I got a phone called on my phone but I was in class and ignored it...and sadly had no credit to listen to the voicemail....and thankfully my good friend Stacey whom Ive known since Kindy...put money on my phone - bless her - I owe her big time!! And doing so I was able to get this message and it was the Langham calling to see if I could come to an interview....I rang back and left a message....and I got a call back the following day while I was on my way into work to show my medals and certificates from the comps and to drop off some stuff I borrowed....and we arrange a time for an interview I was really hoping to have it at the same time as a meeting I had with my PL at Uni...because I didnt want to go to that meeting....Im going to white lie to her and say I had an interview on that day...lol!! LITTLE WHITE LIE NEVER HURT!! I get away with that fact I have bad memory thanks to my head being bashed against the kurb when I got beaten up and my depression sure screws it up...

I went off to my interview - and this is something people who know me well will know - when Im late I ALWAYS make up for it the next time - in this case I was an HOUR early for my interview....I went down to the cemetry and looked around trying to find my family that had been buried there....kinda sad down there alot of kids...and babies....my family is buried in the other part - well I mean their names are on a wall....their graves were covered over by the motorway.....NICE I KNOW!! I read all about the history of that Cemetry and stuff!! I went in for my interview - felt a little put off that the Banquets Manager wasnt paying full attention to me....and I left feeling like I didnt get the job...

Two weeks went by and I put it away and forgot about it...hadnt heard and thought I wasnt succesful...just another one of those hotels...but I got an email last week that brought hope...but only a little and I was like pfffft to it....but then the next day....an hour after I got my baby nephew to sleep finally....my phone rang and it was the call I had been waiting for...I was offered the position....and said I could start next week...I was a mean Aunty and woke my baby nephew up going "Wake up, wake up....Aunty got the job at The Langham Hotel!" ....he smiled and cuddled into me - lol then he started to cry as Aunty woke him up from his sleep that she worked so hard to settle him down into!

And so yes I now work for the Langham Hotel...I had my first day yesturday at the Langham...I was late...by like half an hour...thank to yours truely the train and bus - and the first person I saw when I walked up wth the lovely Kevin who knew who I was and he took me right to where I was meant to go...well he directed my from the lift...I got lost...lol! BUT I saw a chef who I asked to help me and she took me down to where I was meant to be...and THAT my friends is just the Langham way.....we are there to help everyone and we are to take you to where you are to go....because trust me its easy to get lost in a big Hotel...! But its just part of the service and it is just one of the many memories....

And already I feel welcome greatly into the team at the Langham Hotel and in actual fact I am already talking future plans....with my foster brother in the UK...like living in London and transfering over to the big Grandaddy of Langham Hotel....the very first Langham hotel...! Which of course I know a big part of the history of now...

Strangely enough Ive learnt alot in the past two days about the Langham Ive forgotten all my stuff for Uni!!

I just want to say a big thank you to my new co workers and management team....if you have managed to found my blog after I told you today what I read and out of curiosity...also part of the Langham way lol you have come to find this so called blog of mine....!

New Zealand National Culinary Fare 2009

I know its like a few weeks delayed and behind - but it was nothing that flash cause I didnt get any big major prize or medal as I like to think - Ive been super busy with assignments too.....Prizegiving for my class I competed in was on August 23rd, again another pet pieve has come up with this....dont ask me why Im being so critical on the whle thing....but this was my first year competing and I have been told that my ideas and feedback are highly welcomed and will be taken into consideration for improving next years Culinary Fare...(I have a very good relationship with my lecturer who was training me and who is heavily involved in the organisation of it all) but yea....pet peive was prizegiving...

Looking back at the Regionals EVERYONE who got a medal had their photo taken, at Nationals, only those who won over all got a photo...which was a bit disheartning....and by the time my class came there was pretty much no one left in the room that and half the winners were still competing in other classes - so ideally they should have had one day where they had ALL prizegiving....at the very end instead of heaps of seperate ones and stuff...at the beginning they would call out the names and stuff of those who werent present at the last prizegiving...

I got Silver and according to the result marks I came 3rd....no one got Gold and Sky City won over all - I felt stink about that as Im sure the winner has probably done it before, and Sky City has a massive staff training operation....I know because my lecturer who was training me is their trainer...! So felt a bit stink....so many people said they liked mine and didnt like hers....I personally found her centre piece was lost as her menus were too high....and she didnt have any plates on her table...

But oh well - I will go for Gold for both comps next year!!

New Zealand National Culinary Fare 2009

Ok I have put all the video clips my mum took of me into one big file and have uploaded it onto You Tube....so here is it all is...I put little annotation in it stating what I was doing in each video.

I keep picking out on all my flaws and thing I did wrong and stuff...I could have done so much better!! I have my medal and certificate and I will take a photo of them later tonight and upload onto here...

NZ National Culinary Fare 2009

Its 8 o'clock and Im extrememly tired and nackered, after spending the day in at the ASB Showgrounds competiting in the National Culinary Fare. But I think this blog entry needs to be done while its fresh in my head still. Strangely enough I was thinking about my blog entry all day today....!!

After the success of getting Gold at the Auckland Regionals this year, my lectuter sent me to the nationals. Ive spent the past two weeks doing training, I think I did about 4-5 session at Uni after and before Food and Beverage Management, it was just conveniate that I had class with my lecturer who was training me. It hasnt been an easy month I will say that, Ive been cruising alone with training, I know i can do it, I know i can get it done with pleanty of time at the end. Sadly you will learn how it went in training or how it went at the Regionals did not go that way at the Nationals BUT I do know why that was! So keep reading...

Friday saw me collecting my box from Uni, I had two assessments due that day but I had extension granted for them, as my mum has been ill the past month or two and my depression hasnt be the greatest this past month. Infact we ended up in the hospital a couple of times the week after Regionals with mum....also the same week mum was in hospital Matthew decided he would dump me after a month of going out with me....its one thing being dumped, but its another thing doing a competition when you have Starfish in your setting and knowing that a guy you were going out with has the nickname "Matty Starfish" but strangely enough I wasnt even thinking of him today, infact I was actually thinking of Roberto....my bestest friend in the whole wide world and who brings me alot of luck. But not only was I thinking of him but I was also thinking of our little Angel up in heavan..for it is him that I am doing these comps, I missed out on doing them two years ago as I fell pregnant with him and then sadly lost him...and ended up going on extended sick leave at work and missed out on entering them.

ANYWAY....

Friday I spent the afternoon washing all my china, cutlery, glasses, vases, trays and napkins and table cloths.....Saturday my darling mother spent the day ironing everything for me (see now I hae her do them because last time I went and ironed my table cloths they melted and I had to have her make them smaller and then had to get a second cloth to go underneath the table...as what I had became to short all because I had burnt it...probably a good thing in a way as had it been long still it would have clashed with the chair covers) I spent Saturday night packing my box and making sure I had everything all in it and putting it into order.

I was woken up by my stalker this morning...(a guy who goes to Uni and he just stalks me none stop...texts me and msn's me alot....and he gets all shitty if I dont reply and ahhh I wont even go into it all - thats a blog for another day....but I have learnt he does it to everyone - all I can say on the matter is in hospitality its one thing to be friends but its another thing to be TOO friendly and in your face...to the point you actually put people off you) but after lying in bed for a couple more hours I dragged myself out and got dressed had some breafast...and got things all sorted and into the car...

Updated my Facebook Status and sent a message to the Fiskateers....and checked on my Farmville farm....however not my Farmtown farm...which I should as I think I had Coffee beans to harvest soon...texted a few people and then headed off over to Greenlane. We stopped in at Countdown (formerly Foodtown and I had fond memories as I drove in of the last time I went there in April with Rob to the McD's and got a BBQ Cheeseburger combo meal...hows that for memory??) Got some munchies then had fun and games trying to sort parking out and where to go to unload...

My first bit of critisim came across here - I thought it was poorly organised, maps of the place and gates should have been supplied with directions on where to go and there should have been specific parking for competitors - I didnt think it was overly fair that competitors had to pay for parking, I mean we have paid registration, and we have spent lots of money to get things all together for these comps, for me I have spent well over $300 on things for my table setting! Which is alot of money in my books.....thats how much its costs someone to have me working for 10 hours at work at a function.

Once I finally found the gate I had to go too - the paper work said Gate Three but in actual fact it was Gate B....there is a big different between B and 3 you know...that little line on the bumps! So I was unpacking the car and took my box into the hall and wait for it here is my second piece of critisim coming - I stood in that door for a good 5 mins going ok now what am I meant to do where am I putting my box and where am I meant to be going and what not....it would have made like so much more easier had there been someone there directing competitors especially those who were there for a first time! I mean for me I didnt have my lecturer there to show me and tell me what to do....because she was managing the floor. And then as I was going back to the car to move it to the the paid parking area...I had the EMT of some manky ambulance company that wasnt St Johns tell me they had rung security on me to move my car because I parked in front of an ambulance..I said to them Im unloading my car...I havent technically parked here and its not my fault this place is poorly organised with parking and directions on where competitors are to go....I mean I didnt know it was a real ambulance...if it had been a St Johns one I wouldnt have parked partically blocking it...i would have blocked the TVOne van....and as I said to Jade I would have made a big scence...and done a special Catherine Tate impersionation on live National TV just for her...lol....but when I went to go move my car the EMT's rang security on me again and said that the tow truck was now going to be there in 60 seconds....(well I saw no tow truck at all...or anything...so threatening people you idiots doesnt go down well....and had anything happened to me through the day that required me having to have medical treatment I would have told them where to go and requested proper St Johns Paramedics...

So once parking was all sorted I pretty much bummed around for a few hours - went and looked in at the Hospitality show...but wasnt really in the mood for it partly because I didnt want to be leaving mum on her own for long and it would have been more fun with her in it with me...I just yea wanted to get the comps over and done with I wasnt feeling well and I was feeling completely put off doing the whole comps due to a certain person. I felt a bit sad that my former co worker Renee was at work and wouldnt be coming but felt a bit better when I had a few class mates come and watch...and the judges from the Regionals *waves to him incase you have found my blog again!! Haha* I feel a bit embarassed by that now! But I guess you will be able to see just how much I can critic and judge things and how competitive I am...

Before I knew it the whole three hours since I had arrived were gone and it was time to enter into the arena...I spent a bit of time on the floor before everyone else arrived, and my fellow class mates were concerned about me and were asking my mum if I was ok...my mum explained to them that I was praying to my son and grandfather....and I was...not so much to my grandfather but more so to Gummi...I was asking him to be there for me and to help me through it all....that I was doing it for him. Part of me wished Roberto was there just for that added bit of luck..I would have felt a hell of alot better having him there...but he wasnt...he said he might come but he didnt...i wasnt fully relying on him being there....in my minds eye I had to envision him there and I knew he would have probably left me messages wishing my good luck - which I found when I got home...thanks!! If only you werent working tomorrow and you come to prizegiving....though again its not biggy but I want you at Gradaution for Uni next year...

We gathered together and the judges told us the rules we had to follow and we were allowed to go and get started. I started to really panic not long after I started unpacking my box...I had a lecturer from Whitieria Polytechnic who was talking non stop all through the whole heat, and she stood right in front of my section and she got louder and louder and she was pushing my mum out of the way who was trying to take photos of me and get video clips of me so I could show my friends and family over seas what I was doing....and not only that but the family of one of their students was with her and they too were talking loudly in front of my section....and one of their kids kept on hanging on the barriers and that in turn kept rocking my side station table...I gave many glances towards them through out the whole hour - and instead of finishing with good time to spare I ended up only JUST finishing with 5 mins left to go...I was completely put off by this lecturer - and I know she doesnt like me at all - as she was a Judge at the Regionals, and she didnt like anything about my setting, she didnt like the starfish on the name cards, she didnt like the shells on the the napkins....she sure as hell didnt like the chocolates in my kite bags - she touched them and freaked out saying OMG they are chocolate and left the arena back then - and I cant remember if I mentioned it in my blog entry back then but I felt there was alot of favourtism towards Whitieria Poly at the Regionals....fortunately I only have one of there students competing on the Nationals but there were others there - and there were some impressive settings...

Given that I was completely put off by this lecturer and this students family from talking rudely if I must say so loudly and their continual bumping of the barriers agianst my side station - I only just finished in time, I was blown way out with my my timing, and my sequence of service...I put my chairs out first and not put my apron or gloves on first....I polished first instead of putting my table cloths on first like I had been doing through my months of training...and that is why I have been left feeling like I did poorly and wont be getting anything...not Gold and surely not winning over all...and getting the prive of lunch with Turning Tables and the one on one training...which would be benificial to not just my Diploma but also my job...

But I know I have lost ALOT of Marks due to my pants falling down...thats the sucky thing having lost more weight since the regionals...my pants just fitted me then, when I brought them they were pretty tight I could only just get them done up...but now they are falling down on my...!! I couldnt afford new ones, they were new as it was and I spent alot of money on them too! Its very hard trying to find clothes that keep your butt in your pants....Jade says I have a sexy bum lol..I said if I had it my way I would have flashed a bit of boob too...!

So yes....comps are over now...THANK GOD!! Though still waiting on results which will be up tomorrow morning and prizegiving which is tomorrow - so tune in tomorrow for the results!!

I have lots of photos but I am on dial up speed until later in the week so wont be able to put them onto Picasa yet...until that speed it back....and I have video clips too - Im not sure if I am going to upload them all to You Tube seperate or put them into Movie Maker and put them all together into one large clip...and then put that on youtube...