A little bit of gratefulness, a little bit of loving, a little bit of life.

On my way home from work this evening, I started making a mental to-do list. I erased it and started again loads of times, mainly because I couldn't remember what was on each list. I just couldn't bear to put my hand into my bag and get my phone, cos then the list would be for real. 

I still can't remember most of what I had planned out to do and all those 'important' things but here's what's in my head now...

- I really need to put my photos from Budapest onto my laptop for a few reasons. 1) So I can look at them. 2) So I can email Cara the ones of her. 3) So I can blog about it all - I've got a few lined up for ya! 4) So I can keep remembering a pretty choice holiday I had. In the mean time, you can pop over to Cara's blog, Britventures, and check out what she had to write about it all! 

On the walking tour we did. All the Hungarian history got a little bit too much!

- I joined the gym yesterday. I got a pretty sweet deal - the gym, classes and the pool all for £18.50 a month! - all because I teach in Islington! Choice! And you can use any of the facilities in the Islington borough under the Aquaterra scheme! 

Luckily there's one right behind Archway station which is super close to my house. I popped along tonight, a little bit nervous as it's been a wee while since I've actually done proper exercise. I play netball once a week, but I needed more!

I strolled on over to what I thought was the cross-trainer, and low and behold, it wasn't. So after entering my all the important stuff and going for a few minutes, I realised that I was on the stepper. The freaking stepper. I immediately thought I CANNOT do 20 whole minutes on this thing! I lasted for 10 before my legs nearly gave out - in the mean time, I spotted the actual cross-trainers and did 30 minutes on that afterwards! 4 miles of exercise baby!

Whilst I was sweating up a storm, I also realised that wearing 'ear-muff' type headphones wasn't the best idea. I love my Skull Candy headphones, but I don't think they're going to love the pools of sweat that were congregating around my head and neck! Lesson learned. 

I make a point of not weighing myself as I find it quite easy to get all caught up in the firago that comes along with. I decided that I'd just hop on it for old times sake after realising I have no idea what I weigh and I'm a little bit stoked with the results. I've had the opposite of the 'London weight-gain', and since I left two and a half years ago, I've lost 15kgs, and I'm back down to that! I don't remember the last time I weighed this much! CHOICE!

Széchenyi thermal baths in Budapest

- I also love smoothies. They're rather easy to whip up but I seem to not make time to do it in the mornings! On the weekend I was craving one, popped down to Sainsburys and bought the essentials, and voila. We had a happy hungover Nikki on our hands!

- I also love Autumn. I love all seasons but for different reasons. Autumn = amazing colours, crunchy leaves, sunny cool days, refreshing air, and the exciting times when I get to wrap in warm in all sorts of woolen and winter paraphernalia!

My £5 cat dress off eBay! 

- Lastly, I love this song. It gets played at least three times a day, much to everyone's disgust. But I'm obsessed with it at the moment. I like her studio version better than the video clip as it's more raw, but the video is pretty rad too!

Gabrielle Aplin - Home

Linking up with Cat this week for things I'm loving and Simoney for the grateful project!

Gratefully Loving on Special Friends

I could write a post about how I've lost the will to blog, or I could write a post that I've been mustering up in my head for a wee while now.

I think I'll go with the latter.

I have this really special friend. We became friends kinda by accident. I was her oldest child's teacher at day care and me and him became buds. Pretty good buds. We had 'Nikki cuddles' and would read stories all the time together and play loads of chasing games. 

Then I decided to move to London. 

In the few months between announcing my departure and actually leaving, I became quite close to his mum. And what a life changer it has been. It was almost a bit sad that I left at the beginning of something awesome, but the distance hasn't gotten in our way. Maybe only a little bit, seen as how we're both on the other sides of the world from each other, but never fear - Skype, Facebook and WhatsApp are here! 

This pretty choice chick, who also goes by the name of Meg, Meghan or my BFF4L, has got one of the hugest hearts that exist. That's a pretty big call to make, but it's 100% absolutely true. 

She introduced me to blogging, which coincided nicely with last minute bonding time before I left Wellington and started travelling, and after just over two and a half years, she's still my top 'blog-adviser'! 

She welcomed me into her family with the widest, most openest arms ever, and I'm pretty confident in saying that I won't be going anywhere, anytime soon! Sorry lovey, you're stuck with me now! 

You see, Meg is just really pretty choice. She's got a pretty choice husband and two super lush boys, who I all love to bits! 

It was one of my favourite parts of being back in New Zealand a few months ago, knowing that I was going to be seeing Meg and the boys, having chats about whatever rolled off our tongues, having quality chill-out-catch-up time. Basically whatever we did, it was fun. 

It was all the same again when Meg, Mark, Noah and Mylo all came and had a sleepover at my flat in London last week! I met them at the Natural History museum where Noah proudly showed me around the dinosaur exhibition - this kid can teach you a thing or two about dinosaurs! We had some of the best curry I've had in London for dinner that night, then me and Meg hopped into our matching pjs! I love being matching. 

After work the next day I met them all for dinner at my local 'spoonies' then we ventured back on the bus back to my house. I could tell (mainly because Noah had said he wanted to sit right up the front) that the boys really wanted to be, right.at.the.front. It's such a fun experience and a must do, so Noah and Mylo, your wish was my command! 

A few minutes later and after asking some man to move over, who got all nervous at the thought of us sitting next to him who ended up moving anyway, we sat merrily at the front, chatting about the things we could see and how close the bus would get to the cars! 

We enjoyed some delicious wine, after carefully talking Mark through how to spot good and cheaper wine at Sainsburys, had a little laugh at the new name I gave it, it's amazing what adding an extra O can do!, and continued to hang out like civilised adults... 

I miss these guys so much. It was a sad morning saying goodbye to them, knowing that when I next see them is unknown in the foreseeable future. 

But hey ho, that's what memories are for. They're the best.

The Grateful Project - Life Through The Lens

So sometimes life throws you lemons, yeah? And you can't make lemonade out of them, just yet. So while I wait for the answers that I need, which are completely unbeknownst to me at this point in time, you get to have some of my 'more arty shots' from the month. Lucky you guys!

This pooch, she's the best.

Crocheting in the sun!

Under Petone wharf 

Petone Wharf

 Spring has sprung! Plum tree blossoms

Walking along The Thames, engulfed in the lowering light

My new favourite photo!

Linking up with Simone

Loving and Gratefulness all summed up in a special friendship

Firstly, I'm loving this song. You should probably listen to it. It's Riptide by Vance Joy. Make sure the speakers are up loud.

Secondly, I'm loving and beyond grateful for some special people I've spent this past Sunday with. Meg is one of my favourite people, and she comes with a pretty favourite family too. There's so much love in their four walls and they're more than happy to share some of it with me.

We went to the waterfront and rode the The Enormous Crocodile Bikes in the glorious sunshine. Yeah, that's right, sunshine during winter and not a breath of wind. It was something I've never done before and it was just so much freaking fun. 

Oriental Parade in it's prime.

Mark was really good at steering, I however, was not that good at pedaling! 

Being able to spend such a lovely day with such lovely people was perfect. There were loads of laughs, like so many laughs, and just so much fun. 

Being able to hang out with friends who you haven't seen for nearly two and a half years and still get along like a pair of houses on fire, that's what makes it special. There's no awkward silences, or forced conversations. We can be ourselves, are ourselves, and enjoy each others selves. So it's perfect. 

And speaking of perfect, so are these two monkeys! My craziness might have rubbed off on them a little bit, but that's just one of the ingredients of being choice! 

I'm so thankful and grateful for the friendship that Meg and I have got. We just clicked and will keep on clicking for a bajillion more years. I hope! 

She's one of the best and definitely a keeper! And she comes with 3 pretty choice minions too! 

Linking up with Meg and Simoney (who's also supes choice!)

Grateful for gratefulness

This past week I'm grateful for...

Dogs who have the best welcome homes

Friends who are there and get you

Meeting other bloggers IRL!

Clearing/sorting out my stuff/life and finding so many special memories like...

... This photo of my Nanna and I. I was 10 days old and this was my first ever smile to one of the most special people in my life. 

Linking up with Simoney

Grateful for Friendships

I met my lovely friend Mel at the school where I worked last year. Like me, she's another Kiwi indulging in London and what the world has to offer!

The weekend before I left for New Zealand was our last weekend together, as she arrives back in New Zealand the day I leave to go back to London! We will see each other in the future I'm certain of it!

We spent the better part of the day in the sun, cycling around Hyde Park. It was so lush!

Hyde Park looking a bit desert-like

Melly having fun!!! 

A Sculpture right by the Serpentine. 

Sometimes I wonder how things like this can be art - especially with a title like that! 

Climbing the structure! 

The best jump shot! 

The refreshing cider that was a cooling-down necessity

The refreshing cider that was a cooling-down necessity

Have a safe trip home Melly and I'll see you soon!!!

xx

Linking up with Simone...

Grateful Monday - 01.07.2013

Over the weekend I was extremely grateful for the amazing sunshine we had here in London. Two days in a row - the joke's on us that that was our summer come and gone!

Me and Ceirios enjoyed a lovely picnic featuring the amazing pork sammies, wine and trashy magazines...

And I loved wearing my new-old £1 shorts off eBay!

Then on Sunday I came back from Sunday Roast at my good friend's house, and sat in the park again enjoying some more sun and wine!

It was the perfect way to start and end a weekend, despite a few little bumps in between!

I'm also super grateful for the support, encouragement and help from some lovely people who I work with when I've been super freaking stressed these last few weeks!

Linking up with the Gorgeous Simoney

Grateful Monday - 24.06.13

Today I'm grateful for...

- It being the first day of me migraine free in a week. Fingers crossed it stays that way!

- Knowing that this time, on the 24th of July, I'll be back in my hometown, with my family, for the first time in over 2 years

Me and my two sisters at Christmas 2010 - our last Christmas altogether as a family!

- Going for a run. I did make myself, especially seen as how the idea is always great in my head but realistically doesn't always make it, and pushing myself just that little bit more brings such a choice feeling of achievement

- Watching caterpillars hatch out of their chrysalis' and also learning that chrysalis' and cocoons are two different things - one for caterpillars and one for moths!

We're going to have 5 caterpillars. I think I'll call them - Ronnie, Lassie, Gepetto, Alfalfa, and Bug, ,  

Linking up with my gorgeous Simoney