Silly Me!! - DHM Kitchen Operations - Lesson 9 Practical

Silly Me forgot my Camera and it wasnt until I was sitting on the train and it pulled away from the platform that I realized that I had forgotten it!! Sooooo no photos of what we made on monday morning!! I had to rely on my phone and at that im not sure what the photos look like I need to upload them - though Jude took some photos on his phone....however also a waiting game with me going hurry up hurry up upload the photos!! He also took a photo of me and Zane haha..

Im in the wars - my arm is bandaged up as it is rather sore from when I jammed it last week at work...and I burnt my other hand in class with my soup that was turning into a hot mud pool effect like in Rotorua....it was literally spitting soup up into the air!!

To ease my pain I rang Robbie D and went for a ride with him....I was having so much fun and was relaxed to the point I was close to falling asleep safely in the ven - that he told me I had to go to class...noooooooo!! What a boring class it was at that...we spent half an hour talking about the assessment and then the other half watching videos on You Tube about Spa Baths in the Roman Empire and Greek days...and the Ritz Hotel in France...very pretty....can we go their one day Robbie when we are all super duper rich??

**Update - 10.04.09 - some photos**

These are our meals we made - pics arent that great as they were taken on my phone, Jude has some better ones Im guessing from his phone but he hasnt sent them through yet..

Chick Pea and Kumara Soup

Chicken Tagine

Couscous with Spiced Pumpkin and Nuts

Salad of Cauliflower, Broccoli and Shallots with Honey Dressing.

DHM Kitchen Operations - Practical Lesson 8

Spanish Flat Omelette

What Im Listening To: Chrildren (Eat Me Edit) - Robert Miles

Known Fact: One of the songs Robbie has sent to me over the years knowing I would like it..

Marinated Mushrooms

Thursdays for me is my day of where I have my $3 Cheeseburger Combo with Extra Pickles from McDonalds for dinner before I start my four hour practical in Kitchen Ops...

On this night I tested McD's again, as last week I had trouble with my extra pickles, having had a huge amount of extra pickles put on the week before hand, I had no extra pickles on this one and NO MUSTARD!! So it was a test, I have the same people always serve me, and I informed them of my issuse with the pickles I was asked how many I said whats the limit? I was told it was up to me I asked how many I actually get and I was inform ONE pickle!! Thats one pickle slice and it varies in size...so she put on Extra Extra Extra EXTRA pickles for me and I said it beter have mustard it didnt last week! I got my burger somewhat satisfied - hey its a cheap meal to put something in my stomach to get me through the fours before I eat what i make...!

Prawn Fritters

I went in early and was ready and we were underway with cooking we were so well prepared we struggled with something to do for a whole hour having prepared everything all that was left to do was cook really....and wash any dishes we didnt need.

Zane forgot the mushrooms and beans and we were told off for having our meatballs sitting out for long...lol I got the yelling at more so the rest as Im chef de partie!

Pork Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

We got some really good feedback from the lecturer on our meals again, and we then made our final choice on the final menu - sadly I didnt get what I wanted I really wanted to do the Mezze Platter however the rest liked the Spanish...oh well...

Squid with Gramolata

I need to now work on my requesition forms. time management, price costing... and do up the menus and buffet cards...but the hours seems to have escapsed on me today - I have the paper ready to make them though, I might go out to my scrap room and bring some things in to help me and do them inside, I have work in the morning and dont know how much time I will have to do them tomorrow when I get home...

Parika and Almond Beans

Enjoy.

What Best Friends Are For

What Im Listening To: Out of Space - The Prodigy

I hate it at Uni when I have big breaks between classes and I have that on Mondays - where I have three hours between my classes. Most people would do study during that time and I have done that before and that was the plan on this day to do my assignment that is due in....

But no I wanted something more exciting! And I knew just what I wanted....so I texted Robbie saying I was bored and that I had these 3 hours to spear - well it was 2 at the time I didnt realise we had gone over time in Kitchen Ops....I rang Robbie and he told me he would pick me up from Uni and go for a cruise...and that is just what we did..

My sad face was gone...not that I was fully sad or depressed I had just had a great weekend after all and the rest of last week from when I saw Robbie last was going good...which seeped into my work at my new job..! Anyway yes we drove around doing deliveries...I get majob kicks out of this...Robbie does it for a living and Im sure he gets sick of it after a while, but I love it - I love being with him and having laughs and thats what he is great for...he is the one who makes me extremely happy...I hate saying goodbye always have and always will...

We went up to Mt Eden....shared a few more memories from the old days....and grabbed some Macca's for lunch...$5 BBQ Bacon Combo! Personally I would have enjoyed it with some pickles and tomato sauce...and as much as I tried to hint at Robbie to remove my BBQ Sauce from my burger he wouldnt lol...yes opposites do attract very much with us...as well as having things in common - I will always be the salt and Robbie the pepper man....me the Tomato and him the BBQ....(though in saying that I wont forget how I converted your mom to Tomato sauce one weekend in Taupo!)

Once again - thanks to my bestest friend in the whole wide world for making me happy....and being one of the highlights to my week again..until next time my partner in crime!

x

DHM Kitchen Operations - Practical Lesson 7

Baba Ghannouj and Pita Wedges - (Eggplant Puree)

What Im Listening To: Slap My Bitch Up - The Prodigy

Well Ok yes sorry been slack on the write up for what we have been doing in class - things are getting pretty heavy and Ive been full on with assessments all due in at once - I guess one good thing about their not being anything on at work and not having any shifts is that I can get all this stuff done this weekend...so I can hand it in. The only down fall in leaving it last minute is of course I cant ask if Im doing it right or not, and the only down fall in not having any shifts at work is that I will not have much money next week!

Spinach and Feta Filo Pies

Anyway Monday was another lesson - Monday was a good day. We got to pick our final teams for the final assessment - our lecturer all gave the chef de partie's a spoon with a number on it - what ever number we had was the order we picked in, and the person we picked had to pick the next person and so on..good system kinda..I mean you get one person you like they get one person they like and so on...and you get a variety but you also run the risk of working with people you wouldnt want. I knew who I wanted in my team sadly most of them were chef de parties also! But I pulled out #2 in the spoons..meaning I went second I prayed like made that Zane wasnt picked by one of the other chef de parties I had it all sorted and told him I wanted him in my team...and so I go that. He was a bit thrown off at the fact he had to pick someone...and thought I was picking them all...I was worried he would pick one of the girls that are always clinging to him and coming up and hugging him in class and stuff while we are cooking...but he didnt...but end of the story is I have a good team and Im happy...and the bitches who have a thing for Zane are in their group all together and jealous that I have Zane...and as a result are causing trouble...but little to their knowledge none of the lecturers like them..and have complained to me about them...hehehe

Ladies Thighs with Tzatziki

Chicken and Lemon Kebabs with Red Hot Smoked Tomato Relish

So yes we got into our teams and I let Zane take control of things as I was feeling completely up to it...and I wanted to see how he worked some more - he assigned task and meals to everyone..and we worked very well and got our meals out together- I let him decided how to do the buffet (with my guidance and agreement) and we got some good feedback...

We all agreed to what till the next lesson to decided on the full final menu...so this is what we made for this lesson..

Tabbouleh Salad

Sunchyme - Dario G

I love this song!! Ive been hunting around for it for ages!! And when we were out in the delivery van, Rob had it on a CD and OMG!! I was so happy...though I think this is a different version to what he had - so many remakes but I love the African Theme to this song and the video is awesome - I remember watching it as a kid...!

Im kinda growing on the music by Dario G...I get this whole urge where I listen to House and Techno music and want to go clubbing...of course with Rob cause he is like the king of party animals...lol! But then I remember my big fear of crowds and that I hate talking in places with loud music...! I struggled at work on Saturday night doing a wedding and having live music playing really loud....and people asking can I have a Sav...and can I have some more Pinot Gris....another Chardy please!! And then losing them once you had their drink for them...story for another day!

Resignation...

Goodbye G.P.K Restaurant Group

Hello The Relish Group!

DHM Kitchen Operations - Practical Lesson 6

Apple and Date Cake with Coconut Topping

We made desserts tonight.....and once again we made that darn cake to try and master is for the final assessment - Ive almost got it nailed...Ive figured out that I need to get it made fast and in the oven as fast as possible and then out of the oven and straight into the chiller for as long as I can to get it chilled enough that when its cut it doesnt cave in the centre....as not only will one piece of the cake be presented but the whole cake also so it has to look really good with no centre bit missing.

Poached Apricots

We worked pretty well with just three of us in the team. This is my first time working with Zane and Im hoping to have him in my final team for assessment - I was informed today that I am one of the chef de parties - but I had already guessed that.

Apple and Blueberry Crumble

We also practise Chocolate Run Outs....and designs of plates...all of this is to add up in the final assessment.

Delivery Boy

I had a nightmare about 5am that I woke up from - its the second this week...Ive had nightmare of my bestest friend in the whole world dying...first one was an odd one..lol he was there and next moment just vanished into nothing in front of me....this one this one was real! I was in my home, he was there....then he wasnt...and I spent alot of time trying to cope in this dream....not wanting to accept it...I had alot of angry towards the person who killed him (he was killed) and I had thoughts going through my head of do I contact his mum then I thought no no no cant do that he doesnt like me doing that....he will be angry never mind he is meant to be dead in this dream...it was just so real and intense I started crying which then woke me up...I couldnt breath and I had an anxiety attack...I then texted my bestest friend told him what happened...

The whole aniexty attack was over the fact that if I lost my bestest friend whom I hadnt seen since May last year - that would have been my last moment with him...the last time with him..I wouldnt have anything...I needed to see him...to help me with the whole dream and make myself feel better I couldnt go to this interview like this...

I was happy once i heard from him - I know your fine my darling..but you know me - 5yrs now and Im always going to be thinking of you worrying about you and stuff...

So anyway, i got up and dressed and printed stuff off maps and what not for my interview double checked train timetable for some reason I slept with that and kept checking the time on the timetable of the train and the time it was as to how much longer I could sleep for haha..I always do that..! I sat on the packed train..I wish they had one purely for the high school students they are so annoying...surely we werent like that at Papakura High on the train?? Or were we?? Lol

After I got off and made to the road after looking where I was going - that tempory ramp to the New Market train station is scary!! I waited for the bus...the bus went past and then another...I was texting Robbie..hehehe and hoping he would say wanna ride...and he did...I was hoping he would because I had already missed the bus I should have gotten on..so it was off I walked through New Market in heels with a sore foot - evil hells up to BP and there was Robbie...this gals frown turnt upside down at the site of her bestest friend in the whole wide world...I actaully felt my smile...it hurt lol! Hot Chocolate sorry Fiskateers it was in a takeaway cup no pic!!) and a Latte in hand..we were off to the Domain for my interview...so much laughs and my god I now remember where I learnt alot of my driving from!

You know Rob it wasnt until I got to Uni and found I had printed out a map showing right where to go and how to get there lol! But who needs maps we found our way....with out a flash GPS like Yaz and with out a map book!! It was just a process of jiggling the brain around with memories...and memories they were!! Chasing ducks, photos, climbing trees...lovers walk...being beaten up...lol...Sunday Day Dates...I really need to finish that scrapbook page I started of us in the domain!

My interview went well - its a waiting game now...I realllly do hope I am offered a part with this company...its so lush and it will be a foot in the door for what I want to do and I will be able to do something other than waitressing!

I walked through down to Grafton Road and found a bus to go to Uni...spent an hour and half in the library working some more on my assignment...I have to get this finished and written up its due in two weeks! EKK!! Time is going to fast already! I spent the next four hours in lecturers....the last one was boring as...I hate that one..I had a row of students behiind me chewing gum and kicking the chairs and banging on their desks and talking and I kept giving them looks to them saying SORRY!!

We got out of class early and I was able to do a pretty quick jump and leap and drag myself into the Bread Box Van just as the lights went green pulling the door closed as the van started move - yes I am that needy and desprate when it comes to Italians I just jump in their car in the middle of the traffic in the CBD!!!...It was all very i dont know action movie like...the old Bonnie and Clyde - Bonita and Chad - together agian like old times...so yes i spent the next hour or so with my bestest friend...

I had fun....just being with my bestest friend...oh you sure know how to put a smile on my face.. :o) I love you! hehe..

I will say this knowing full well your van is the only one like that, and being in it I will still looking for it on the streets lol - force of habit...

Thank you for making my day special and happy after the sad start to it!! Your the bestest and greatest ever!! Bestest Friends - you have to old on super duper tight to them they are very hard to let go of just as hard as it is to find them!!

Heres your sexy and cheesey photo my darling hehehe...! Until next time..!

And just incase you want to know - sadly I wont be using Rob's work to send my parcels to America - I can send 6-10 parcels with NZPost for the amount it would cost me for just one with Rob's work...now I see why big business' use em....!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

For the Luck of the Irish!!

Im a proud Irish....yes I am...on both my mother and my father's side...

Me and Yaz and her partner Eddie went to Finn McCool's Irish Pub in Manukau for Saint Patty's night....for a drink and a meal....we all had the Cork Quarter Pounder (they had a specail St Pat's Day Menu on) - I must say service not good! Yaz asked them what was in the burger and the guy serving us consulted a co worker and came back to use saying it was just your stock standard burger! I said can you go find out from the kitchen what is in it please - That is your job mate...he looked at me and said yes sorry...he came back and he said to use it had tomatoes mayo lettuce and tomatoes and meat and tomatoes...(I commented to Yaz going and what kind of meat is it??!) and did i mention he mentioned tomatoes a few times?? Yaz knew just where I was coming from when I demanded he go and ask she knows Im an industry worker and knows I face serious warning if I was to do that...heck Im on the bad books just for not asking if someone wanted a drink! If my big boss was there he wouldnt be impressed...hmmmm I wonder if I should mention it to him next time I see him maybe he will ease off me a bit...lol!

Anyway it was a good night all in all...and me and yaz finally got our first real official photo together - we forgot to take some at Latin Larder and in high school it was always trying to avoid getting yaz in photos...it was that bad in high school....it was a tought school to fit into...I was in the 'In" crowd and yaz wasnt really lol....ahhhh I even showed her how to fit in (by smoking...yes that is how I got in! Not that i smoke anymore...I leave that for Robbie to do...he has my share in a day).

I would like to say that I was a good girl and didnt touch the booze..I was going to and believe me I was tempted big time by the Archers in the their fridges...but went for my cranberry juice with Lime (though i dont know if he did put lime in it lol)

Im off to have a cranberry juice now i think!

DHM Kitchen Operations - Lesson 5 Practical

Chocolate Cafe Biscuits

Bit guttered I was on Monday - I rushed to Uni and got my Jacket Ironed and I had all my uniform there - my Jacket, Apron and Scull Cap....went running up the stairs to Level 3....got changed and IT WAS GONE! My scull cap was gone so I ran back down to level 1 and it was gone..I couldnt find it anywhere....some of my class mates were at the iron and I asked if they had seen a scull cap they just looked at me and snobbed me..(I seriously hate them they talk all through class like in Financial Operations for example then say they dont understand it and the lecturer fustrated tells them its their own fault for not paying attention...I hate people like that!)

Anyway so I went into the class after putting everything in my locker and my lecturer asked me how my weekend was I told her what had happened...and yea...checked the group roster to see who was sous chef as our groups were still the same from last week - half our class was away so we were reduced in numbers and there was only one sous chef...i said I would be sous chef again which was ok...we had three actaully, I was watching over them and giving them advice and telling them what they had to do...I was also chef de partie for my kitchen...

We were only an hour into class when the fire alarm went off for a fire drill...never mind having it drilled into us what had to be turnt off and what not in the case of a fire I didnt turn the ovens off...I was going to but I was like but no that means we have to reheat them blah blah...and I will admit minor panic....it was more so the nosie from the alarm that forced that on..lol...my lecturer said did anyone turn off the ovens etc etc...I said running down the stairs with her nooooo dont you get it we need to be able to drool over the hot fire fighters and have them save us and carry us out in their big strong arms in a dazzed dreamy state over the fantasy....she looked at me and said if you must Bronwyn....I had to laugh..

Apple and Date Cake with Coconut Topping and Caramel Sauce

Finally let back in and it was back into baking....we made an Apple and Date Cake with Coconut Topping and Caramel Sauce, Chocolate Brownie Slice and Chocolate Cafe biscuits....soooo good! All part of our assessment that are - well the cake is....the boys got in trouble it turnt out that the whole kitchen was only meant to make one cake one brownie...one lot of biscuits i think...hehehe! Though my Brownie came out nice and moist the boys left theirs in way to long...Im not going to be the one to tell them when to pull it out they have to be the judge of that and learn...I have expereince in brownie cooking from the cafe...but yea...Im there to help and assisst but not do everything for them....and you only learn the hard way...but making mistakes and cock ups..our cake wasnt that greatest though....I think for the assessment I will chop the date and apples smaller and of course we will have bigger pans...

Looking forward to tomorrow night...

Chocolate Brownie Slice

DHM Kitchen Operations - Lesson 3 and 4 Practicals

Roast Vege Salad

Breakfast Salad

Week two is now over at Uni and Ive done two practicals in Kitchen Operations. I must say I am contempt having something very practical to do....over all the theory work, but in saying that there are theory exams for this paper as well as the practical one.

My brigade on Monday was the same as whom I was working with on Thursday night last week. Again I was chef de partie, bit of sense of responsiblity there, and because I am convident and my team was down one member still I was allowed to do my items by myself, one was an assessment item the other I was able to choose which one I made. The Items I made for the Cafe Salads were the Breakfast Salad (which is the final assessment item) and the Roast Vege Salad.

I will semi praise my brigade from Monday for cleaning up everything however I am not overly happy that they did EVERYTHING....when I told them not to touch my station as I had no finished with half my things there....and so when I went to assemble and serve my meal, I had to go and get everything again as they had put it all away!! Arrrggghhh...other than that I was praised for my presentation. Both myself and Zane were the best in presentation and height for our breakfast salads...you could tell who has had expereince in the kitchen...which we both have. My chargrilled veges I felt were a bit over cooked, I have yet to fully master the grill pan, and I now think that the actual roasted veges should have been sliced just so that it presented more better and the height could be help better....but oh well...!

Thursday was our 4th practical, we did Cafe Sandwiches - I arrived to class early, I had taken advantage of the fact I miscalculated the time and ended up being an hour early for uni in the morning! So I took up the time by ironing my uniform and hanging it up in my locker (must remember to take a coat hanger with me next week...for my jacket).....I had popped down to McDonalds for something to eat before my lesson started, I got the $3 Cheesebuger Combo deal with an Apple Pie.....(which also reminds me that I am going to put in a complaint about the cleanliness of Queen Street McDonalds, all very well having a guy out mopping the floors in random places and clearing tables off of rubbish - BUT HE DIDNT WIPE THEM DOWN!!! They all had food crumbs and sauce and other stuff all over them...!) - but yes came back to Uni got into my uniform and into the kitchen - put my name badge on and checked what group I was in and who the Sous Chef was.....and as my suspisions were that morning - I was Sous Chef alone with another girl...I got to work on cleaning and sanitizing my kitchen down....and had it all done before the rest of my group came in - infact before most of the class...

This was my first time being sous chef ok, so I wasnt to know what I was to do for it or anything...its meant to be a team taste between the two who have been selected and we run the kitchen just below the lecturere who would be our Head Chef in other words...! However having completed the safety and health check moreless by myself I soon learnt that my fellow class mate just isnt suited to the kitchen....which I will get to later on...

The items we made were again another assessment item and one other, infact we were meant to do three or four items...only that didnt happen...for a good or well infortunate reason. I was to be Chef de partie of my brigade who were a new lot thank God, but one of the other girls decided to be it, but I ended up taking over anyway...haha not on perpose though I swear its just she wasnt controlling and with my position of being Sous Chef she was meant to have our kitchen under control to the point I could go and do my duties as Sous Chef...I had a higher power over her and a bit more expereince...and everyone gravitates to me for help..which is cool Im good at that...I like explaining and showing...and I felt special that they come to me for help over going to the lecturer...

We made our Classic Club and Pommes Pailles (these are in our final assessment) and then a Coronation Chicken on Sour Dough...being praised for presentation and lovely golden chips/fries - my team and the rest of the class went on their 10 min break...we were infact on a good role tonight compared to last week - half an hour comes and goes and almost an hour later the class starts drip feeding back in - myself and the lecturer were not happy...i wasnt happy that my kitchen was late but also the second sous chef was too! It was unprofessional and we made a point that in the real world this wasnt acceptable as you would have orders coming in and no one would be their to cook or run things...

After this it was pack up - because of the class being late we were unable to complete the rest of the dishes result in a major loss in stock...we had roasted alot of peppers which ended up going to wastage - though Im sure they probably found a use for them the powers that be down stairs would not be happy with that...we were all out and finished by 8.45am which is brilliant thats an hour earlier than last week so we finished 15mins before we were due to finish class!

I did the second safety check - we were down a paring knife in inventory count....but all in all everything was done with a bit of lip from people...I had a debrief with the team and told that though meals came out great and fast - they let it down with being late on their break....the lecturer agreed with me. My second sous chef didnt put in anything she commented to me that she didnt like being bossing and giving rules and managing people...i said to her well you cant pick and choose you have no option you have to...she goes yes i can..i said no you will have people walk all over you milk you and use you.....for being soft and nothing will get done and you wont last in a kitchen at all! She goes my staff will get cookies..I said even with pampering they need rules and guidelines to have everything done....you will not get far in this industry playing kind...!
Looking forward to next week with Baking and I cant remember what the other thing was...!
Must study for my Food Hygiene Certificate...though I already have one! I need to check if it will be acceptable and cross credited.....if its then that means work should ideal and legally have it on their records (which I so know they wont..)

Coronation Chicken on Sour Dough

Classic Club with Pommes Pailles

DHM Kitchen Operations - Lesson 2 Practical

Grilled Lemongrass Beef with Vermicelli Noodles

Well Ive been back at Uni a week now...kinda strange, I dont know why.. I got use to being NOT at Uni and being at work...now Im all screwed up again....with the recession our numbers have dropped....but I dont think that is fully to do with the recession its been like that since before it started getting bad....it all comes down to poor marketing and failure to forecast for the changes...

Anyway enough about work for now...Uni..!! Woop woop!! I have some pratical work....yay!! That is where I exceed the most is doing things hands on over written theory! All my studies I have gotten high grades for my practical papers - though last semester I did pretty well with my Marketing...but it was semi practical I guess if you count the whole going out to bussiness' to find info and stuff for my marketing plan...

Speaking of Marketing plans, I remember writing in mine in part of the SWOT Analysis that they (AUT) should create a new floor plan and refurbish the two restaurants....and guess what?? They have done just that, and they are looking pretty funky now - not drab and boring...lol now I wonder if they have changed the menu....I remember my lecturer saying that those with the best Marketing Plans from his class would be forwarded to the restaurants....so i dont know if that actaully happened or not....I do know that he said I was in the top 5% of that class...I would have to ask him..

Monday in class - Kitchen Operations that is, we did a whole pile of cutting, carrots and onions, different kinds of cuts, french terminology...and thursday saw us with our first service, here I was thinking we were actaully cooking for customers in the restaurant haha...but either way it was interesting...we were devided into four groups, as their are four kitchen stations in the learning kitchen each with its own stove etc etc...my group was down on member which set us back minorly to the other groups....I was set back a bit with my group not speaking or understanding english fully...or having any knowledge of cooking...I took the lead and asked who wanted to be Chef de Partie...they didnt say anything so I took the role (I had already decided I was going to be that...but I know that this is a role that needs to be rotated each lesson...but we will just see how many times i am it.. lol) and two members from the class were assigned Sous Chef by the lecturer...

It took FOUR and a HALF hours for my brigade to get their meals cooked and up....! NOT GOOD!! I had the time management all sorted out and written up and no one was listening to me...I had told them to go on their break and they didnt...They werent communicating with me on what they were doing...I will say one members was putting his hand up for me and asking me questions...which is cool...and the other member i had to ask what she was doing...I had to keep telling her to speed up....

To cut the long story short- i was congradulated on my meal being good - it had good height definition to it and my beef was cooked perfectly (everyone threw theirs all into the pan and were told off for doing it wrong and that their were stewing it - SEE Gordon Ramsay has been a good influence and inspiration on me I learnt some cooking secrets from his shows and books hehe - and from my co workers too Ok I will admit that..) - so yes..i took a photo...and Im going to be doing this with all of the meals I create in all my lessons...

Minus my team problems - I can say that this will be my only team work as their will be no group assignments this semester - YAY!! Serious last semester my groups failed and we fell apart and that in return loses you marks...and that just added to my failing Accommodations which I have to repeat next semester - i keep worring about that and I have to tell myself not to think of it - to get through this semester and not think of next semester...So I wont be graduating till 2011 now most likely...unless I can do some of my papers in Summer school...but I will cross that bridge when I get there - for now lets make it through the first Semester!

Anyway must finish off my Finacial Operations Homework...fortunately my lovely friend Dane is a graduate from AKL Uni, and is an accountant for a big company in the city so I can ask him questions when Im stuck with my accounting work..! Thank you Dane for clearing up for me the whole profit and loss bit...I shall take note of that in my book...

Right - Balance Statement Equation time now!! Cant believe Im doing my homework!

Happy Birthday Poppa (and Gummi)

Photo: Poppa, Nana and Uncle Paul (My mum's parents and oldest brother)

Well today is a special day....

Its my Poppa's Birthday - he would have been 80 yrs old today, however he passed away 23 yrs ago when I was three weeks old. I love my Poppa so much, and though growing up I didnt really care much as I was only 10 days old when i met him the one and only time, and I was 3 weeks old when he died and when I went to his funeral....I dont remember anything....so I have only photos of him - sadly none of me and him together, but those I have of him are enough for me!

I couldnt make it up to his grave for his birthday again this year - I was going to go up last year, only my car broke down in the driveway and I had to wait for Mitsi Motors to come out and fix it with the new part..the last time I went to his grave was in 2006 I believe it was, I caught the train into the cemetry and walked up to his grave - swearing I was going to die on my way up lol...but I made it... I remember that day i searched high and low for some roses to put on his grave....but I have been up since, I went up about a month or so ago. The bonus of where Dane lives is that its just up the road from the cemetry my Poppa is buried at...

I have such fond memories of going to see my Poppa with Rob....hehehe like the time we were out doing a steel delivery and we stopped by to see the family, and went toilet, I got stuck and my phone was in the truck...and Rob was standing outside..I stood inside and was trying to open the door I heard Rob call "are you stuck??" I said ummmmmmmm........yes i am...he laughed and opened the door...and said to me...our family is up there cracking up at you right now....!

Its also a special day as it would have been the day Gummi was due on - Gummi would have been a year old this year! To think I would have had a toddler running around had he lived!


So to finish off - Happy Birthday Poppa and Happy Birthday Gummi!! Watch over your baby brother that Daddy gave you for your birthday hunnie!! And guide daddy through each day - the two of them are going to need you alot now...! Your our little Angel hunnie!! We love you so much...

Self Injury Awareness

March 1st is

Self Injury Awareness Day!!

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