Sunday Evening Reflections... At Long Last!

Things have been so happily frenetic the last few weeks, I haven't had peaceful Sunday evening to write in a while.  I loved every minute of it, but I didn't realise how it had all caught up with me until last week when my eyes did some crazy swollen thing!  A big lie-in yesterday solved the problem quick smart and I'm back to my sparkly self.

Highlights of the last few weeks include lots of mail (which of course I tore open in my great anticipation.)  I was feeling a bit blue today, and got the most lovely letter from one of my pen pals in Aussie and reading what she had to say brought so much lightness to my heart.  So thankful I started writing letters!  I also got an awesome card from Ang - another friendship I'm happy to have rekindled through the magic of the Internet.

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Shayda bai (Mum's sister) was here from Sydney for meetings a couple of weeks ago.  We had a lovely dinner out together on our last night here and I took her to the top of One Tree Hill and for a drive around the neighbourhood.  I've said it before and I'll say it again - family time is so good for the soul. 

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Also along the lines of good for the soul - had an awesome time at Phillipa & Truman's last week.  We went over for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  We were spoiled with great food and stimulating conversation.  It goes without saying that I enjoy any time I spend with Phillipa, but it was really great to get to talk to Truman and get to know the man that my wonderful friend is going to marry in April!  

On a more serious note, I've been sending lots of love and prayers for strength to everyone in Christchurch and to those with friends and family there after the massive earthquake that rocked them last week.  I'm also very thankful that no one died in the quake (although, sadly there has been one quake related death since then.)

I'm sure there's so much more over the past couple of weeks that I'm missing, but I must get to the fabulousness that was this weekend...

First of all, I have to say (yet again), I've got some awesome friends.  I'm very lucky.  I probably don't tell them as often as I should, but I count my blessings every day that I am so fortunate. 

This afternoon, I had a great Skype chat with Megan today (after a very lengthy Facebook chat).  It was so fantastic, leaping into the 21st century!  Phill installed Skype on his laptop a good 8 months ago, and I admit it, I was resistant.  While chit chatting with Megan, I downloaded and installed it and we were off to the races!  It was wonderful to see her beautiful, smiling face and to hear her infectious laugh.  Megan.  Rocks. 

As I mentioned in Friday's post, it was Eid.  Phill was out that night, but we spent the rest of the weekend celebrating.  On Saturday he made me a very special dinner and we had fancy ice cream for dessert.  You can't go wrong with white chocolate raspberry ice cream!

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Today, Phill and I had the most wonderful day wandering around West Auckland.  We went to the Waitakere Ranges Park and it was absolutely idyllic.  We then had lunch at a cozy restaurant in Titirangi overlooking the bush.  All through the day, the lyrics from Lou Reed's song, Perfect Day ran through my mind (even when I was having a meltdown with changing gears on hilly, windy roads.)  

Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spend it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on

Just a perfect day
problems all left alone
Weekenders on our own
it's such fun

Just a perfect day
you made me forget myself
I thought I was
someone else, someone good

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Thank you for another perfect day, my love.

I can't wait for this week!