I've moved...

to here....

http://whitehouseclaire.blogspot.com

Come visit!

My big fat business trip to Auckland

I've been up here in Auckland since Monday night, working for our Auckland office. It's a nice change of scenery but a lot of work to do in a short space of time!

My cellphone's been playing up (including taking about 40 pictures of the darkness in my handbag) so the best image I've got right now is a blurry picture of my giant hotel bed. Honestly, I could have fitted six of myself in this bed comfortably! The pillows in the picture are actually those huge european size pillows (if that helps anyone on perspective).

Biggest regret of the trip? I've been sleeping right on the edge all week when I could have been starfishing right in the middle.

Run, Forrest, Run!

This week I've been working in the office (not exactly a regular occurrence) and so at lunchtime, I've been running with Matt (and sometimes Amy). We've been running through the botanical gardens (see picture above). It's a nice change from running on a treadmill, that's for sure!

Long time, no blog

Yes yes, it's been a while. I actually think that anyone who had stumbled upon my random ramblings, is probably now no longer stumbling across them as the updating really hasn't been happening.

Bad Claire! Slap on wrist!

It might be summer....

I think summer might have finally arrived!!!! Yippee!!! It's my favourite time of year.

I love the smell of sunshine and all the cold drinks that are around at the moment (Chillers, Smoothies, Frappuccinos - I'll have one of each, thanks!). I especially love the look of the sea in summer - it seems to sparkle more and to me that seems inviting.

At the moment I'm working in Nelson - just for a week. I'm down here by myself and it is actually getting pretty boring at night with the limited tv channels and no one to talk to (other than the waitress at the hotel restaurant who I think has now decided I am a crazy person).

Look at that blue sky in the photo! Nelson is currently a little cloudy, but super warm and the city has a really nice vibe. I've been eating sushi for lunch from a cute little sushi cart on the main street.

Tip of the day: If your hotel room seems really hot and you're not sure why, you should check the aircon. Maybe you need to flip a switch!
(learned the hard way - I had one very uncomfortable night's sleep!)

The slackest blogger I know...

Hey, I realise my loyal readers (or reader!) have probably been busy nominating me for the slackest blogger, but I think you'll find that its really Emma.

Life has just been so hectic lately and I haven't been making time to do things for myself - things I love. Its funny how we sacrifice so much of ourselves for others... I find myself a little reflective today. There are lots of changes going on around me - people leaving mostly. Good friends are going overseas and not coming back. Other good friends have gone overseas, and are coming back, but not until April 2007 - it seems so far away.

The other change is that this will be the last post from 'new old house'. I'm moving, again! I've got an apartment in the city, and my mum is arriving tomorrow to help me start to move things across - I can't wait.

For now I'll have to go, I'm heading out to another friend's house (Tracey) to look after her two kids so she can go to her work Christmas party. Tis the season!

Good times and good company...

As promised, here are some photos from the work Ball/Christmas party/any excuse to party really. We had a fantastic time! In the background of one photo you can see the Moulin Rouge sign - themed events are my favourite! This was particularly fun - it'll be a long summer without Milli around! She's always interested in going out and keeping me.... busy (I was going to say out of trouble, but its the opposite of that!) It'll also be the last Christmas for Emma in New Zealand - she's off to London in March!

I'm ever so charming!

Jo, Milli, me and Emma - harnessing the power of blonde and brunette...

Emma and I...

But for now, it's back to the routine of work - in our lovely new building on the waterfront. Today though, the water itself is missing. Fog has replaced any view we once had. A pretty gross day all round, and I'm wearing a skirt which in hindsight was a particularly bad idea - I did a total Marilyn Monroe on the street on the way to work!