Holy Hannah I’m turning 28!

Another year gone with a year of endless possiblities to replace it.

28 isn’t old by any means and I’ve grown to really appreciate every age and really savory each year as you never get any of them back.  As I get older, I’ve started to let things go. Things I’ve been holding on to for years, for reasons long forgotten.

28 is going to be glorious as I will usher it in on the beach with my few Akaroa friends. I will spend it thinking about the past year that was full of change, and I will look forward to the coming year with anticipation as I can only improve myself and enjoy every step I will take.

Oh 28…what will you hold for me?

Double Life

The transition to NZ has been relatively easy. I’ve actually forgotten how long I’ve been here (1.5 months) as it feels so natural. I didn’t even suffer from jetlag as I went out drinking and dancing my first night in NZ which acclimatized me to the time difference.

Now that I have a job and a home I really feel settled but it feels strange because I feel like I’m living a double life.

Back home in Toronto I work in the arts, in theatre, in the film festival world and I love it and I’m good at it, but I often forget about my life back home.. I see theatre, opera, film and concerts on a regular basis. I have drunken political conversations with anyone possible. I am confident in myself, my ideals, and my passion.

Here in New Zealand, I work in the service industry as a waitress and I’m not great at it but not horrible. I’m not confident in myself, I can’t express my ideas and my passion, and the arts feel a thousand miles away. I don’t feel like myself but I’m not completely unhappy with that. My life is very simple here, I go to work, I read a lot, I drink wine or beer on the patio or the beach, and I have no worries or stress.  I do wish I could have a conversation about art, any art form, just some acknowledgment that art exists.

 I have a double life with very different goals, different friends and different skill sets. I may not feel like myself here but maybe I’m becoming the person I’m going to be. A very wise and wonderful woman once said to me that you truly do not become the person you are until you hit your 30’s. As my 28^th birthday approaches very quickly, I’m not sure if this new person is part of the person I will become or if I am just on a vacation from the person that I really am.

Oh my double lives… both are lovely and both are satisfying but in very different ways. I have to remember not to lose sight of who I am as it is quite easy to do here.  

XOXO

Sid

Things I've learnt So Far....

1.       NZ drivers will not concern themselves with pedestrians. Not because they are mean but because they have never had to, so get across the street quickly and double check before crossing.

2.       The hottest men work in hostels. Maybe it’s because they all have sexy accents and are extremely friendly but whatever it is, it’s always a pleasure to check-in.

3.       It’s really okay to smile, start up a conversation or just say hello to anyone and everyone you see on the street. Except in Auckland where they suffer from big city syndrome.

4.       Kiwis love their roundabouts. Roundabouts make me nervous; see point 1.

5.       You don’t have to wear shoes to the mall, restaurants, on the street or anywhere you don’t feel like.

6.       Sprite is called LEMONADE! Drives me crazy because I can’t actually get lemonade in restaurants because if I order lemonade they always bring me sprite.

7.       Apparently it’s okay and expected for you to drive to work when you only live 10mins walking from work.

8.       People really do love Canadians but can’t discern our accents. Only one person has gotten it right and it was a Canadian who has been living in Australia for a few years.

9.       Foreigners also don’t realize that there are coloured people in Canada. They always wonder why, if I’m Canadian, I’m so dark.

10.   Aftershocks become so a part of life here in the South island that you can sleep through even the 5.3 ones. Trust me, I’ve done it.

XOXO
Isidra