NBTN : The Honeymoon is over

       

It's official. The honeymoon period is over. After 2 weeks of being here my husband started work today and my eldest daughter Ava starts school tomorrow. I am feeling that dreaded what about me feeling that all us mothers go through when our family move onwards and upwards in their lives. I've got a little bit of those lonely blues but ill get over it, hopefully sooner rather than later. I still have my youngest daughter Carrera with me for now. We've got her on a waiting list for the local daycare centre. I should be thinking about all the free time ill have to myself as a lady of leisure. Time for me to exercise, bake, blog and come up with a way to dominate the world! Back in NZ when everyone goes to work and school I used to get to hang out at home with my mum, dad and sisters. We used to get up to nothing at all, or a whole bunch of trouble. I skyped home and we hung out like we used which settled my nerves about being at home by myself. Good luck for the basketball game tonight guys! Go hard and get the W!

 

NBTN : off to the principals office

                         

  

Today I had the enrolment interview for my daughter Ava. Woohoo, she starts on Tuesday! In Nz Ava was in year 5. I remember it as std 3. In my eyes she had next year as her last year of primary then off to Intermediate. Here in Australia she is now a year 4 because she was born in the 2nd half of the year.

Her new school Mt Ridley College is separated into 3 sub schools within one large school that covers from new entrants to 5th form. 6th and 7th form is currently in construction to start 2014. Ava will finish this year in the junior school, makes some friends and settle in before she heads to middle school. Middle school is a combination of intermediate and junior college. Here they mix the age groups and even though Ava will be year 5 next year she will be integrated with children of mixed ages and mixed levels of learning. As a parent to me this means she is able to be her calendar age but still learn at the level she is comfortable with, whatever that level maybe. 

Uniforms are very full on but I like it. The look very smart. She needs a sports uniform twice a week. This includes a sport polo, black tracks and a rugby styled jersey. There is the school uniform as well which is worn on non sport days. At the moment we are in winter uniform which is a polo shirt with a tunic. A school jumper in wool knit or jersey and a school jacket. When she moves to middle school she will change to a blouse, skirt and tie combo, leaving the polo and tunic behind. The uniform isn't the cheapest but luckily I only have 1 to enrol, for now. Carrera turns 5 next March which means she will start school at the beginning of next year. OMG. Her school fees are $150.00 but that includes all her stationary. I hope this gives a small insight to the schooling set up here in Australia. I don't know if all schools are using this method but I find that it suits Ava's learning and personality. 

We have our American Idol finale party on tonight. My sister and her family are coming over so maybe I should put some baking in the oven. TGIF everyone!

NBTN: Skype

 

       

Finally got to have my first Skype convo with my family tonight. Since moving I've had only one phone conversation with my dad, so it was nice to not only hear from everyone but see them too. 

My sister Charity is so vivacious. Man is she one foxy lady. The first thing I see is her butt and she says that's how she wanted it. Conversations over here aren't nearly as long, loud or as animated. Miss you Cha! My little Tama and Wahine, Saith and Sivan. So good to finally see your beautiful and cheeky faces. Glad to see you recognising everyone's too. My little namesake, too pretty my lady. Charm it was good to see you too. Wow that 3 weeks in Wellington went super fast. The house will be even quieter now that you are going back home with your family as well. Soren my marshmallow squishy bum! Aunty Hiria misses you so much. Good luck with your new kohanga. Mum and Dad. You seemed so close and yet so far. I am glad to see your smiling face Dad, and that stern look on yours Mum, hahaha. It was nice to be talking again like how we used to. Everyone trying to squish into the smallest room and have the kids being as noisy as they can be and interrupting us at every breath. But that's how we doooze it! Chatzi, I'm so glad to have finally connected up with you. What a relief. I know we only spoke briefly, and we will have to sort out your camera so i can see you next time. But now you've found me I know you won't let go. Skype whenever, wherever, whatever, just like before. Don't over do it at work okay! I'm serious. Ill call them myself, you know I will....love you x

So, basically Skype is officially amazing. If anyone has any recommendations to try something else then hit me up, let me know. But it was amazing to have seen and spoken with my family finally, for free. Night peeps x

NBTN : Melbourne Monday

 

                       

So I was going to post how horrible the shopping is here in Melbourne but instead I spent the whole day in a grumpy mood because I couldn't find my passport. 3 kids at home plus a 4 yr old that has the energy of terrible twosome on crack, plus a visit from the property manager tomorrow. Well that was a wee challenge for me today. Trying not too lose my cool with everyone because i'm trying so hard to retrace my steps to recover my passport. To kill time and calm me down I thought Id finally unpack out of our suitcases. It's been so full on since we arrived that we hadn't fully unpacked. Luckily the library called at 4pm and said that i had left it in the photocopier on saturday morning. i don't really know whats best right now. Having it back, or knowing thats how forgetful or careless I am sometimes? still though, what a relief! So now I'm here trying to use the free wifi, which is painfully slow, to download skype so i can have a chat with my sister. Multi-tasking right? Anyways hope you all had a better Monday than I did. I must say it has all turned out the way I needed, plus there is chicken marinating in the fridge for dinner. Nom! Night peeps xxx

NBTN : MILF Day 2013

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I hope all you lovely ladies had a great day today. I truly hope you got to be the best you that you can be for at least 5secs. Cos I did! hahaha. My sisters and I renamed it Happy MILF day which meant that we had to wear the hottest .... most totally uncomfortable and ridiculous outfit including heels. Sorry you didnt see the before pic lol, cos these are the after outfits. Challenge accepted and now we are all chillin on the couch, barefoot, listening to stan walker, enjoying the ambience and thinking about our Mum. We send our love from Tarneit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia across the Tasman Sea to you Mum and Dad in Auckland, New Zealand. Love you, love you, love you xxx 

NBTN : One way ticket to Melbourne, Australia

                                     

Good Morning Everyone,

It's my first TGIF post from sunny Melbourne this morning at 20 degrees. At the moment I'm finding it a but hard to disconnect with NZ. I'm in a great place at the moment, but the homesickness is so hard that I'm in denile, so I just block it out for now. My husband has a thousand different ways to connect with everyone via his S3 but I have my IPad. He uses whatsapp, voxer, viber, texting, Facebook, Instagram and now kik. To me that all seems a bit confusing so I thought I'd keep it streamline and keep it to Facebook and start blogging again to keep everyone updated with everything. Once we have our Internet provider sorted and with the help of my cousin Tyrel Orrin I will be posting videos soon too. 

Thanks to my little sister charm, above Is a snap of my family and I going through the gates at Auckland airport for our new adventure in Australia. We thought we were going to be late to board our plane so we raced to the farthest gate in the whole airport. When we got there the gates hadn't even opened yet so we were fine. We flew with Emirates and we enjoyed and recommend it thoroughly. Service, comfort, movies, games, music, food and drink, kids meals and kids entertainment pack for the same price or less as other Airlines at that time. It was Ava's 2nd flight to Melbourne, but a first for Carrera, Alfred and I. 

Everything has just been amazing since we got here. Our friends and family here have been nothing but supportive and amazing for my family and I. It really lets you know what relationships you have with people when you leave so much love behind and get to the other side and its just as overwhelming what people do for you. I'm so appreciative, grateful and humbled by everyone and what they are doing for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ka kite ano xxx Heds

 

NBTN : How to keep a guy for 10 years

Do we all remember Kate Hudsons movie How to lose a guy in 10 days? Well this is how to keep a guy for 10 years, and hopefully for many more ...

After 10 years of being with my Husband I thought Id share some funny, quirky or hard lessons that I've learnt. We only celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary this year, but it was today May 18th when he asked me to be his girlfriend outside Avondale College after the 2002 Talent Quest.


1. The first 7 secs ...
Studies have shown that you can size up a person (male/female) in the first 7 secs. Its instinctive, its human nature. You need to protect yourself and trust your gut. This can be said for scouting prospective husbands too hahaha sorry boys, but dont worry you do the same to us ladies too. so, we are even :) Make sure you are attracted to eachother, that there is a chemistry, a spark, that no matter what you will always see through your eyes only and forever. To me, Alfred has a cheeky smile and a certain twinkle in his eye that is just breath taking to me. But that might be a bit TMI for you guys. When he is an old wrinkly grey haired grandfather, Ill still see him for the young, long haired, spunky, muscle flexing, league stepping man I met in 2002.


2. Know the Boundaries
In every relationship both sides are forever testing their limits and boundaries. This applies in all areas. We test it in the bedroom, we test it in the bank account. The boundaries are tested pretty heavily when it comes to the topic of parenting. Im a supernanny time out in the corner according to your age kinda mum. Where as my husband was raised in a house of 8 boys with a certain samoan discipline kinda flavor if you know what I mean. So often we are 'discussing' how to discipline our very boisterous 3 year old. No matter what, respect eachother first. If he/she is being a bit silly then let just let them think it over, if your being a bit selfish then just let it go. Bobs your uncle.

3. Dont bring up the past
Its pretty simple, and yet its so hard to do when you are in an argument. You cant move into the future if you keep going back to the cemetery to dig up the past. It maybe a little pet cemetery or as my husband would say it could be the whole Waikumete cemetery. Never the less, Its happened and it cant be changed so just like Dory on finding nemo "just keep swimming".

4. Look after yourself
Being physically and mentally healthy also means you can be physically and mentally apart of your relationship. If you cant look after yourself, then why should someone else? if you cant love yourself for you, how can someone else? You are no good to yourself, your partner or your kids if you are not taking care of yourself. So be loving and kind to him and to your family, but most importantly yourself.

5. Nip it in the butt
When something becomes a problem I nip it in the butt! If you leave it alone it doesnt just go away (most of the time). It may grow into a little bit of disconnection at first, next thing you know you dont know how to have a proper conversation, then your sleeping in seperate rooms?? In my case, which doesnt really go well with my husband, I just voice it. Once I've said it out in the open, it just feels better to have got it off my chest, then he identifies with it, and we are back on the yellow brick road again.

6. Learn to Laugh
Sitting down at the end of the day and sharing a laugh or two can keep the bonds of love alive. You may not know who the office lady that Im talking about is? I may not know what the south african lady who was hitting on you today looks like? But its all just for shits and giggles and speaks volumes that you can sit down for 5 minutes, we can sieve through our day and just have a laugh.


7. Be Proud
People dont praise their partners enough. Its very easy to backstab or just joke about silly things that they do when we are having a coffee or wine with the ladies. It would be nice to even out the scales and share how lovely, kind, sexy, funny or caring he is too. If you say too many negative things about him your coffee group might actually be thinking why are you with such a loser if hes is so crap at everything??


8. Keep the love tank full
Your relationship needs petrol aswell to go the distance too. Find out how your partner likes to show love and recieve love. Alfred is always doing thoughtful little things for me. He often brings things home for me, or little presents because it reminded him of me. Our love tanks are always pretty full so when its time to celebrate big milestones we just go with the flow. Its not a big build up, and its not a competition to prove our love in a monetary sense. Being here today, making it to the top of the mountain together and sharing the journey was the best part. The fruit, or in this case our kids is like the clouds parting to reveal a crystal clear view of all the beauty and hardwork. We've battled some blizzards, but we are here together, ready for another 10 years and more!!!
http://www.5lovelanguages.com/learn-the-languages/the-five-love-languages/

9. Be crazy in love
With all the crappy things that are on TV these days I really love programmes like Ice loves Coco. They really do know eachother, love eachother and support eachother no matter what. They are best friends, lovers and hopefully soon to be parents. I'll have to catch up on the finale hopefully sometime this weekend. Try to mix it up, spice it up, be spontaneous, have fun and live it a little. Scream on the rollercoaster, skinny dip, ride a motorbike or learn something new together. Ive set a goal for Alfred and I to take surfing lessons this summer. Be a bit crazy every now and then. Remember to let your guard down and show your fun side.


10. Most Importantly - L.O.V.E
There are all kinds of types of love. The way you love your kids is definately different to the way you love your parents, grandparents, siblings and bff's. Over time you learn to love him in so many ways. Initially you feel the fireworks, at times he'll be the shoulder to cry on when someone special passes away. Of course there is the lust and passion and there is also the best friend companion type love. No matter what kind of love you may feel from time to time, make sure you always love him, unconditionally.

If you have any other helpful relationship tips too please feel free to share them with us. Till next time ...

xxx Haus of Hiria

NBTN : Mothers Day 2012

Happy Mothers Day to all you lovely ladies out there, I thought Id show my mum how much she means to me by dedicating my blog to her today.

Mum and I share the same month of June for our birthdays. We are both Cancerian Crabs. Our birthdays are only seperated by 4 days ... and thirty years. So our birth dates look like this. 22/06/84 and 26/06/54. Pretty cool I think.

Dont ask me why but people always feel that commenting about my appearance to my face isn't rude at all. Complete strangers always having the need or urge to stop what they are doing and blurt out whatever it is that has jumped into their brain the second they see me. Like I said dont ask me why?? Just the other day someone at work pulled my hair, just because they've never heard of hair extensions before. I didnt know whether to laugh, be angry, or just plain old confused. Anywho, Most of the time the comments are positive, sometimes negative, other times just plain WTH. The most common of compliments is directed at my cheekbones, which i confidently reply "I aint got nothing on my Moms, wait till you see her!" Just think of Cher and thats the kinda neighbourhood her and her cheekbones roll in.

Everyone already knows how madly in love my siblings and I feel about our parents, but just when you think you can comprehend the love we have for them times it by infinity, take it to the end of the universe and back and then we're getting somewhere.

By hook or by crook my parents have always provided for us. All 8 of us. The thought of having 8 children scares me initially, but if NZ wasnt in such an economic downward spiral I would love to give it a go ... on the condition that i could give them back if I didnt like all 8 of them. Sucker! You guys were like OMG how could she say that lol

Obviously between the 8 of us we all dont get along all the time. But Mum and Dad are always there building bridges and mediating to remind us how special we all are individually and as a family.

Here's a couple of things you may or may not know about my wonderful mother;

• She loves Wine Gums ... especially the yellow ones
• She is the proud grandmother of 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 2+ 1 mokopuna.
• She is still madly in love with my Father
• She has already won with Lotto before, but she is going to win the Jackpot!
• She has survived and overcome Breast Cancer
• She is a member of the PutiPuti KaniKani line dancing group
• She loves to exercise
• She was apart of the Maori Volcanics the same time as Billy T James was starting his career too ... Which means she is the awesomest singer ever!! Sliding Doors Gwyneth Paltrow moment much - My siblings and I may not have been here if she had continued down that path.
• She loves to travel
• She is beutiful inside and out

I know you know this Mum, we tell you all the time, but I love you so much and thank you for being my mum, our mum. You are truly one of kind, you adapt to each and everyone of our personalities when we need it, but you treat us all the same on pay day lol

NBTN : Seasons Greetings

Hey everyone! Wow its good to see you all again. I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Years. I know Im fully charged and ready to kick some 2012 butt! It seems as though there are alot of us ready to kick old habits, shed our skin and start to live up to the potential that maybe we have been afraid of all our lives. 2011 was an awesome year for me. Man did I learn a lesson or 2 or 3 or 4 ... million. Some hard lessons, but if you don't make any mistakes and take risks then you'll never know the true taste of everything that life has to cook up for you. I may have been eating burnt toast before but its all gravy baby. Now, my life is so tasty and flavourful.

My 1 year wedding anniversary is this weekend. Can you believe it?! That went so fast. But, they do say time flies when your having fun. Although it maybe our 10 year 'since we got together' anniversary this May .... bar the on and again, off agains lol, Im still so happy and sooo in love. To be honest I didn't think that married life would be this different. We were already living what I thought was the married life existence .... but it is totally different, in an awesome way. What also did happen in 2011 was alot of friends have either started their own little families, got engaged or got married. Love is in the air is all I can say. Its great!

Career wise I must say I achieved all the goals that I planned for myself at the beginning of 2011 ... but this is thanks to all of you guys and your continued support and following. When I would have my little hesitations or doubts a little message would appear and just turn my frown upside down. Thank you so much for that ... and keep it coming. Those little messages really do mean so much to me, thank you from the bottom of my heart XX

My sisters, my sisters. What would I be, or what would I do without them. I have to thank my sisters for really making me the strong woman that I am today. The world never challenges me as much as you do. Just when I think "No way Jose" you guys push me to break down another Ogre onion layer that I didnt even know that I had. The blow ups and confrontations, the defriending, the sibling rivalry and mind games that you both do has given me the tough skin that I need to be in this industry. I always knew the world would be hurtful, but I never thought that my family could do things, or say things like that to my face. Thank you for really testing me and pulling out the strong woman that was deep inside of me. Now I can take on the world and not bat an eyelid over petty comments. I have the skin of an elephant, and the memory of a crocodile .... or is it the other way around? To my other sisters, I love how you are all the most beautiful gay dorks I have ever met. You keep me so grounded, only cos Im shorter than all of yous lol You all know when it counts. Quality not quantity. You know how much I love you gay guys ... so no homo okay X

To my gorgeous and amazing daughters, I am so privileged and blessed to be your Mother. Thank you for choosing me. Alfred, can you build me the tallest tower so I can lock these girls away please. Dangerous much!

Here are a couple of goals I am willing to share with you guys .... just please dont hold me to it OK!
1. Drink a glass of wine each week ... hehehe
2. Travel overseas at least once this year!
3. Push Play! Get Active .... which includes a new pair of kicks. Score!
4. Get the ball rolling with my "Lady Ladalah" lingerie designs
5. Keep building my makeup kit til its as big as 1 of the Kardashian sisters
6. "Maintain the status quo" - Ross Williams

So to all, thanks for tuning in this year .... feedback is crucial. If you want to know, see or read about anything just let me know. My direction is your direction. The red pill or the blue pill??

- Haus of Hiria

NBTN - Love your loved ones

Nothing but the Niha's - Love your loved ones

Chilling on the deck of Takapu hills enjoying a chilled glass of Banrock Moscato with 2 of my sisters, a shooting star briefly but brightly streaks across the sky. We all look at each other to make sure we all just saw the same thing, Phew. Now we all get excited and blurt out our wishes. Automtically its a lotto wish for Arts and I, but what does Aunty Chatzi say? "I wish I could have more time to stay here and enjoy this with you guys."

Growing up with this many sisters for myself has been fun. Of course there were and still will be learning curves and fastballs but on the whole we are pretty gay for eachother. This week I had 2 pretty major things happen. One sister luckily escaped unscathed from a car accident, and another sister has told us she is moving from the nest and crossing the ditch to our cousin country Australia.

Firstly, Im so glad that the only injuries were to the car and not my sister. Her jandal got stuck in the accelerator pedal and when she went to brake she rear ended the car in front of her. So lovely readers, be careful this summer while cruising down the freeway in your jandals please. Im so glad that the radiator is broken and not my sis. My family and I really wouldnt know what to do if the phone call had of come from someone else and not her. Love You XX

Secondly, my other sister has been offered an awesome job opportunity in Melbourne. Im so happy for her, but at the same time we only have a few more weekends left on Takapu deck. Better make the most of that I say. My neices and nephew will also be going too OMG. That is really pulling on the heart strings but I know its for the best for her and her family. The most reassuring thing is .... SKYPE!! Thank goodness for that. Im going to miss you guys, but maybe just maybe I might be able to get on a plane and come visit you guys, and the awesome shopping, nightlife and restaurants in Melbourne. Some very blogworthy material, might have to put that under business expenses with the ol accountant I think hehehe

Please everyone, be present in your life, take a deep breath, slow down and take time to enjoy the little things. Say I love you to everyone just because, you love them.

"Yesterday is history, tommorow is a mystery, Today is a Gift, thats why they call it the Present"