A wonderland of GREENness

How is it possible that I have been living out in Auckland for 4 weeks already? It has been one of the most heartwrenchingly difficult periods of my life.. as at just 8 days in my dear, sweet Nan sadly passed away on Bonfire's Night.. and all I wanted more than ANYTHING was to be home with my family.. I  crumbled.. I struggled. It was such a devastating shock that all I could take comfort from was in knowing that she is no longer in pain and is hopefully reunited with her beloved husband. I believed I was a strong, capable woman but my days in the South Pacific suggest I am often anything but.. It seemed like nothing would bring me joy now my heart was hollow and that I may as well just board a plane back to England.. but I know that she would tell me to stay and have the time of my life. So I'm dedicating all my experiences to her loving memory xxx

Brief recap of week 1: 

* When our plane landed in the island I shall call home for the next year, I was astonished by the supremely teal and aqua shades of the water. Even highly dazed and confused, I could tell that NZ has hit the paradise jackpot and I shan't take its beauty for granted. 

* Jetlag is a stinky swine and my body clock became massively confuzzelated from crossing too many time zones. I don't dig it. 

* Began all the menial tasks of setting up a bank account, getting a SIM card and AT Hop for the public transportation. Essential items of business before I get to have some F-U-N!

* For an entire 24 hours, I had an ache in my side that was tight and constant but ranged from dull discomfort to agony. No method of pain relief alleviated it whatsoever, much to my hypochondriac nature I imagined the worst - that it was appendicitis or gallstones. I was housebound as it hurt too severely to do anything physical. Of course I contacted my Mum to see if I needed to go to hospital, less than 72 hours into arriving in Auckland as I was stressing. Magically, the next day it wasn't causing me any troubles so we deemed it to be a muscular strain from the weight of my suitcase!

* Takapuna beach before 7.30am was reviving with the cool ocean breeze and a beautimous view out to Rangitoto Island, followed by my first foray into the City of Sails itself. The weather is so intermittent that I am forever putting on and then taking off my raincoat.  I don't strongly enjoy rapid drops and rises in temperature. 

* Browns Bay may not be classed as anywhere extraordinary in and of itself; for the sand is sandy, the waves are wavy and by George, the wind is windy!! What I like is that it wasn't swarming with beach bums and had a tranquil aura with old couples taking jolly jaunts hand in hand. What I did not like was being hit on by an undesirable I attracted, who sat beside me on a bench and stroked my hair, causing me to jump up exclaiming 'I NEED THE TOILET!' in order to hastily retreat. 

A SURPRISING DISCOVERY - Iridescent ladybirds exist here which I came to know when one took a shine to my chest region and held a one bug party. 

A NOT SO SURPRISING DISCOVERY - (which came from spending a lot of solitary, remote Rianne time) I am a BORING person. Gone is the formerly rambunctious Miss Montigue!

Shortish and sweetish summary of week 2:

* Was tinged with the deepest sorrow when Amy broke the unbearably painful news of my Grandmother's death. I don't think I can comprehend that she's truly gone.. Before I left England, it frightened me that losing her was a possibility which is why I'm so grateful that I got to spend one more afternoon with her. Those final few hours were so special and important to me and allowed me to say a goodbye to her. The last words she ever spoke to me were 'bye, love' ... I'll always miss her and can't bear the thought that I wasn't able to attend her funeral but it's nice to think that now she is watching over me and keeping me safe. 

* The following day, I fervently desired to leave but a long chat with my Mum encouraged me to remain out here. Still, to go out and try to have fun or even smile seems WRONG when we're in mourning. 

* Whenever I was out running errands and would see an elderly woman, I was filled with unreasonable resentment and all consuming, gut-punching grief. How come she gets to live? Why is her life preserved and not my Nan's?? 

Our last photo together

* I broke down in floods of tears very publicly in a Pak N Save superstore when Michael Buble's song 'Home' played out over the sound system. The lyrics 'I'm just too far from where you are' and 'may be surrounded by a million people I still feel all alone' struck a poignant and lip-trembling chord within me. 

* Visited the Hibiscus Coast at Orewa beach on a beaaaautiful 21 degree day and there's just no escaping the gusts from the sea. Decided there's simply no point in brushing my hair as it won't stay in tact and is savaged in seconds. The shoreline is gorgeous as are the bedazzling hues of the ocean - a swirling of aquamarine, azure and sapphire. Maybe it's silly, but I feel my Nan's presence in the wind .. her sass and spirit will live on inside me as I'll keep a part of her in my heart everywhere I go. It's supposed to be for the best to try and keep busy.. that way I shouldn't be continually overcome with anguish. 

* You can't be beach-ing appropriately when the skies are blue, without a scoop of gelato or two, can you? EVERYONE in the universe loves having ice cream at the seaside. The flavours of Crunchie and passionfruit called out to me and although the combination didn't work together, the passion I now have for the seductive passionfruit is EVERYTHING. I fell full on in lurve with this sunshine in one scoop.