Twenty to Twenty-One

A year in the life of Annabelle. Musings, memories, recipes, music, and general blathering. Will begin blogging properly on the 17th of September 2014

[20to21]

Signing off.

So,

Here comes the awkward part of me trying to explain myself.

I’ll say it: I pretty much ignored/gave up on this project a while back. There were some feeble attempts to get back into it with music posts, but nothing really original.

I stopped writing properly on June 7th. A whopping three months ago.

The truth is I just didn’t feel like sharing the events in my life. Ironic, seeing as some of the biggest things occurred in that time. In fact this year has been a big year. There have been a lot of changes, a lot of sadness, a lot of happiness, great friends, good food, lots of laughs, and more than a few tears.

I don’t regret starting this project, it has been a lot of fun documenting some of the things going on in my life. But I’ve realised just how public this blog is and haven’t always wanted to share every intimate detail. I guess somethings in my life are just that - mine; to be shared with who I want, when I want. 

However, I do feel the need to conclude this project as my 21st is tomorrow and that brings it to a full 365 days since I started this thing. It’s shown me that I do like writing and it’s been something of a trip down memory lane to look at all the posts I did make.

I think the next time I start a blog (if there is a next time) it will be more focused - say food, or music, or whatever.

Thank you to all who have read this blog and given me feedback. It’s been one hell of a year.

[20to21]

Feeling this song so hard

[20to21]

Double Denim Double Trouble

Went to a 21st last night themed ‘double denim’. It is one of the best themes, in my opinion. So easy, so hilarious.

The above gif sums up the nights activities...

[20to21]

I’m officially on holiday, having emailed in my last assignment and damn it feels good! Finished my first ‘on holiday’ coffee and am now going to do sweet FA for the rest of the day. Actually, that’s a lie, I’m going to pump this arvo to get some gainzzz

[20to21]

Coming home & Antiques Roadshow

Currently sitting in the Dunedin Airport waiting for the boarding call for the Auckland flight. I can’t relax just yet, however, with one more essay hanging over me. Such an odd feeling to be going home but still doing uni work. I’ve been very fortunate as I have no exams (fully internal papers) but this has been less than amazing in terms of workload. It does mean I do get to go home early, though. And it does mean I get to watch the Antiques Roadshow in the departures lounge. Some might say I’m having too much fun. My goals for later in life are to collect antiques and make it onto the show. Aim high, dream big is my motto. This life goal fits that motto to the last letter, I like to think.

Life goals aside, I’m really looking forward to coming home. Can’t wait to see the fam and friends, eat some excellent food, and not have to wear merino under everything.  

[20to21]

Donated blood today and created a crime scene when the nurse put the needle into my vein #hardcore

[20to21]

Dunedin Thunder vs. Red Devils

Went to the Ice Hockey (preseason game between Dunedin Thunder and the Canterbury Red Devils) yesterday with Teri and her boyfriend’s flatmate, Alannah. It was an intense game going into overtime to decide the winners. We won 8-7. It was the first time I have watched Ice Hockey live and faaaaarrr out it is fast and aggressive. Do want to go again when there are more people in the stands as it’s such a cool experience (excuse the pun - it was pretty effing cold in there). Take me again pls Teri <3

[20to21]

Nu Du

Decided to change my hair up a bit seeing as I’ve had the same cut for quite sometime. 20 is all about change. Excuse the dressing gown - it’s cold down here

[20to21]

Mum just sent me this stunner with the caption “You started young!”

It’s a full time job being this flawless

[20to21]

Really enjoying this tune

[20to21]

Dawn Service 2015 - 100th Anniversary of ANZAC Day

This morning I participated in something quite special to New Zealand - the ANZAC Dawn Parade. As part of our MFCO303 course we attended the service to do some ethnographic research as an option for our 40% essay. While it is not what I will write on, I am grateful I went and experienced the 100th ANZAC Day Service. It was the perfect morning for it - a mild 10˚C (yes that is mild here in Dunners) with little wind. We arrived at 5:40am bleary eyed and sleep deprived to ANZAC biscuits and darkness. At this point in time I was still grumpy at having to get up at 4:30am on a Saturday for a uni field trip. Alas, it was well worth losing sleep over. The service commenced at 6:30am with a two gun salute (which scared the living daylights out of Rach and I) followed by some speeches that accounted for Turkey and the losses they experienced and how our nations are now friends. It’s taken 100 years for wounds to heal, but it shows that old grievances can be set aside to recognise that both sides of the war lost many people.

One of my favourite parts of the service was an original song written by the Balmoral Primary School music teacher, sung by the primary students. I was surprised at how beautifully crafted the song was and how well the students sang it. Another favourite is the Last Post. It was used to signify the hour to retire at night in war time for the soldiers, and also to signal to those still out in the battle field who were injured or separated to indicate that fighting for that day was done and to follow the sound to get to safety. Now it is played in remembrance of those who fought and to summon the spirits of the fallen soldiers to the cenotaph. It’s haunting knowing this context. I think I learned about this after I had been to a few ANZAC services and it completely changed the effect it had on me. 

The last thing about the Dawn service that is awe-inspiring is watching the changing light surround the cenotaph and seeing dawn break. 

[20to21]

21st Season Begins

I always seem to start these posts with some sort of apology for not posting. So, sorry I haven’t posted in a while!

Last night was Rex and Josh’s joint 21st and it’s a tough act to follow! With many a catch up, many a laugh, many a drink, and many a dance, we had an excellent night in Innocent Bystander (never been there before, its pretty good). I love an excuse to get dressed up in a nice dress with pretty make up and hair. I feel like over the next six months or so we will be doing a lot of that... oh well time to buy lots of pretty dresses....

Here’s a snap from the night taken with two good friends: Hannah and Aleesha. They were both looking really on point last night. Job well done, gal pals.

[20to21]

Hyde St 2015

Apologies, it has been a while since I’ve written, and I haven’t really felt like blogging. Hopefully I get more motivated.

Thought I’d do a post about Hyde St 2015.

For me, the day started at 7am, late by the rest of my flatmates’ standards as they awoke at 5am to start imbibing. Six before six is no joke. Nor is wine before nine. Or goon before noon. Because I am somewhat of a lightweight and like to actually make it to events I only participated in wine before nine. And pretty much cheated (it was a single serve bottle of Lindauer). The part opens at 9am, hence the early start for this unusually bright and beautiful saturday. 

In keeping with the Hyde St expectations, we all dressed up according to a flat theme. Hannah went as Bambi (Disney flat), Aaron went as a carrot (Food flat), Ethan went as a Chilli (ditto), and I went as a Playboy Bunny - sleepover edition (Playboy Mansion Flat). I like to think I was quite a tasteful Bunny in a nightie and silky dressing gown. It was all very PG. 

We stopped off at the (ex) V Flat boys’ flat for prinks and a few rounds of beer pong, and I found another Bunny and Heff. This was somewhat relieving to see others in the same theme.

On our journey to Hyde we saw three sailors parked outside the library on a bench. One was ahem, sea sick. This is why I didn’t do six before six.

We breezed pass security and into the street. It was pure organised chaos. People spilled out of flats and congregated in the street. Walking through the crowd was like changing radio stations as many flats had music/a DJ/a live band pumping tunes out into the street. It was quite odd being tipsy at 11 in the morning and dancing in the Playboy Mansion’s driveway. In broad daylight.

With 4000 people around, I saw many friends, old and new and had many a loud catch up trying to shout over the music. Going into the Playboy flat was easier on the ears and good for a chat.

Later on in the day, around 2pm, people started to forget it was daytime and proceeded to enjoy each other’s company a little more publicly against walls and fences. Dunedin knows how to do classy.

2:30 rolled around and I bumped into Ethan and Hannah heading out, having had their fill of Hyde. I gladly joined them on their mission to the final destination after every party/night out/event: Maccas. After a slap up meal of cheeseburgers and nuggies we ambled back home and fell into our respective beds. 

I can finally tick Hyde off my Otago bucket list.

[20to21]

Wanaka me manques

On days like these when I’m stuck inside doing readings (because I put them off - I’ll give myself a slap on the wrist) I start craving some Wanaka. Especially Wanaka in summer. Take me back pls. Photo Credit: Gracie Lynne.

[20to21]

The weekend that was/is

So I've popped up for the weekend while the coursework isn't killing me and so I can see Dad while he's in NZ. One of my friends also had the good grace to turn 21 so a splendid time to come up. Here are a few snaps from the evening. Please excuse the crude caption on the first photo: it seemed fitting with the Gynecologist get up.

All and all a fun evening and an excellent theme (anything starting with 'G') for Gemma's 21st. Thanks for having me.

[20to21]

The final countdown

So, that's the first week of uni down, 25 to go until I have completed my course. Of course, there are holidays in between these weeks so the year is not so short. Still, I'm on the final stretch of my degree. Weird.

What a week it has been. We threw ourselves into Monday with much fervor and steam. This wasn't too difficult for me, with only one lecture to attend (I am living the hard life). My course generally has been like this - small days full to the brim with content and many a reading and essay to complete outside of class time. They really aren't kidding about the 13 hours prep/study/essay writing time that is required per week outside class time to complete the paper. This year is certainly no different and is chalking up to be a big one. The biggest, obviously. 

I am only taking three papers this semester (four in the next), but they are all internal. This seems like a breeze, but communications is big on writing, and lots of it. I'm not a big fan of exams, so hopefully this assessment style will be work out. Also, more holiday time at the end of semester sure doesn't hurt. 

This week has clarified a lot of where my degree can take me, which is reassuring. Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communications with a Marketing Minor is not to just be a pretty piece of paper, it can be something useful. Thank goodness for that!

[20to21]

O-Week

I arrived in Dunedin on Saturday 14th Feb, two days before the biggest week of the tertiary year. How big it would be was unclear until we started. We preempted the week with a viewing of Fifty Shades of Grey on Sunday. I cannot unsee that movie.

Monday consisted of drinks at the flat, then a journey to Pitt Street. This week was to become a walking adventure through the streets of Dunedin at night. I feel like it would have been more helpful to do a walking tour during the day, but hey it wasn't planned. We attended a flat party on Pitt and by attend I mean stand outside the party, such was the sheer amount of people pouring in and out of the flat.

Tuesday was drinks at the flat, and then off to Hyde to meet up with the squad. Before getting to Hyde we encountered a wee bit of fracas on the way with some accusations thrown from some party goers to us that ended up with some guy brandishing a broken bottle at our group. You can't say Dunedin doesn't go hard. Thankfully no one got hurt and we continued onto our destination. 

Wednesday was yet again drinks at the flat, then off to Hyde St we went to celebrate a 21st and warm a flat. The party was quickly shut down by the police due to excessive noise. The beauty of Hyde is when one party is shut down, another pops up. Hard work for the police, but fun for us. By the end of the night I had caught up with many old friends, had a wee boogie, and encountered a taxidermied sheep. Just your usual Wednesday night on Hyde.

Thursday was perhaps the most up and down night with a lengthy journey to the Boathouse flat for yet another flat party. We had a few false starts getting out of the flat with various events going down. When we finally made it out, our journey was a long and steep with a few wrong turns thrown into the mix. When we finally made it, the party was going off and we battled our way up the steep stairs. I ran into some good friends who I haven't seen in a while, had some ribcrushing hugs then continued on into the flat, and onto the D-floor. We lost many people that night, only to somehow reconvene at the end of the night,

Friday was our night off from all the partying. If we hadn't taken it off, I reckon we'd all be feeling pretty shite.

Saturday had the highest expectations for being the biggest night. It started off with a roar with the Highlanders vs Crusaders and many a chant and yell in the Zoo. We then headed back to the flat to change and head out for the rest of the night. That's where we kind of ran out of steam. Hannah had a nap, I did a lot of yawning. We finally got ourselves together to head over to Hyde. It wasn't really happening so, with much persuasion from Morgan, we headed into town. Heading into the bars at this time turned out to be quite smart as we just missed being caught up in massive queues. After hopping between a few bars we hit a wall and decided to call it a night. But first, a stop at the Golden Arches for a quick cheeseburger. I think it has been proven scientifically (probably) that Maccas tastes the best after a night out.

This week is designed to meet new people, attend events, experience Dunedin's nightlife, and settle into the flats/halls. We do get a bad rep from a few isolated incidents that happen in this week, and it's sad to see the media exploit what is generally a fun, enjoyable week and make it seem like all the students are hooligans intent on ruining the city. 

All and all a big week filled with fun, friends, and a substantial amount of alcohol. It's time to crack on with the actual uni work and get me a degree. Also now this week is over, I hope people can stop having deep and meaningful chats outside my window at three in the morning. Cheers.