Pacific Island Dreams

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Ignorant or ditzy you choose...

So after two years here in the Cooks we are packing up and heading on to a new adventure. I have been busy with Garage Sales and packing, school reports and data entry. All the end of year things that need doing on top of the impending move!

So when I received an email the other day about our freight ...

Can I just check with you for the customs form whether you have any of the following:

Food of any kind?
Animal products of any kind? that includes shells, bone, wool, fur, feathers etc
Plant products? including wooden ornaments, carvings, bamboo, basket, straw etc
Equipment used with animals?
Vacuum cleaner, sports gear, shoes, outdoor equipment etc?
Medications of any kind?
Knives? or other weapons? - do you have kitchen knives in any boxes?

I thought, ah no to most things knives in one box and nothing else... As I had begun packing almost a month and a half ago I forgot about my bible bag, church hat, wooden scratcher and a couple of other touristy keep sacks. So as I thought about it more those items began popping into my head...

Then I received a second email...

"I just opened up the box you labelled 'books' to see if I could see any shells and there was a large piece of coral right on the top! We've been told you can't take anything off the beach like that into NZ. It's exactly the same as when you fly into NZ, you wouldn't be allowed that in your suitcase ..... they are really strict about it. I don't want to go through your boxes to see what else needs to be taken out - can you come around on Monday afternoon or evening and just do a quick check of them?..."

Oh my gosh! But the best was yet to come... I did not even click to the fact it could not come back with us and had just 'chucked it in to fill a gap'.Comment was made that it is not even a nice piece of coral, until it was pointed out about the shape...

Yep, that is where for the first time in a very long time I have felt mortified! I was so embarrassed. If you struggle to work it out here is a couple of others from my collection surely you can tell...

Yes the 'Penis Coral Collection' had been discovered and my embarrassment is more for the fact that I did not even think that coral is on the

"NZ bio security website, coral is on the totally banned list whether it is bought from a shop or not."...

I was very sheepish and red faced about the fact that I am so predictable, for someone to realise I would like the shape of the coral because it takes the form of a penis.

My husband hung his head and tutted at me again. He also told me after going through all the boxes that he seems to remember something about coral not to be taken. Could have remember that one earlier!

Have a laugh at my expense and I hope this makes someones day as they realise there is someone out there crazier then themselves!

Much love (and there is absolutely NO coral in any of my boxes penis shaped or other!)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

One of THOSE days...

Today has been one of THOSE days when you wish you had not gotten out of bed! It started at 4.30am with Milly rolling out of George's bed and crying out in pain, we thought maybe collar bone but by the time we were up and moving all was well again. Then Brendon needed the car today to get to town, as he has sold his scooter it meant he needed to drive us to school... Once he found his keys! Two days in a row of lost keys. I arrived at 7.55am School starts at 8am so with five minutes to go I hastily prepared myself and realigne my inner-self.

The lead up to our class field trip goes well as does the heading off to the weather station. Parking, getting out of the car I turn and lock the car (MY BOSSES) and the key attached to a central locking and alarm system breaks. I now have two halves, a spring, a key bit and a button piece in my hand. I rush to join the group thinking I will deal with it later...

Weather Station on the sea front

Three terraced walls protect the Met Station
during a Tropical Cyclone

Weather balloon $100, whole unit $300! Daily...
$109, 500 per year!

Where does the weather balloon go???

What a great visit and WOW! The information shared was fantastic, they make their own hydrogen to send the balloon up and I am sure this is easy enough for you science geeks out there but I am impressed!

So after a successful visit I head back to the office as we were gifted a water gauge for the school. By the time I get back out to the car all the parents are gone except one who has a meeting and I am taking her group back with me... She kindly hangs around to see if I can get in the car and then shoots off to her meeting. With all the kids in ooohhing and arhhing about the (brand new) clean smelling car I turn the key over ... NOTHING! Will not start. I phone husband who is not far away and then the lovely school office lady who is in town banking. One comes to collect the kids and return back to school so they can catch the school bus home and the other to run me down the road to fix the key. But before either of them get to me a very kind young lad stops to see if we are all right, he has a go trying to fix the key and after ten minutes and finding in the small amount of shade he hands the key back to me. Husband turns up followed by Bec's. I try to unlock the car, instead the alarm is going off, I have to leave my handbag and hope no one spies it. We make it down the road to the Motor Centre where some helpful men all have a look, laugh and murmur "Oh that's a bad one!" NOT helping the guilt I have churning inside!

Any~who, a wonderful young lad takes it away, returns ten minutes later all fixed and glued back in position. Returning to the car I say a little prayer and the car turns over! Turns out though the key was loose and just needs to be clipped in plus it has a button to push to lock and unlock. Not like I am use to in our car where everything is manual... So not all my fault after all, but it does leave me wondering...

'Why does this stuff always happen to ME?'

Have a laugh as I can see the funny two hours later! :-) Thanks to the very kind man that stopped for me and to all those that came to my rescue! x

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Cakes in 30 degree heat...

Trying to decorate cakes here in Rarotonga can have its problems, one being getting your hands on just the right tools and ingredients. Another is the 30 degree heat plus, and the third problem I had this time was not only had I said I would do it on a Friday arvo for my friends son but I would also go to the 'Diva's in Raro' concert with her that night too!

Dirty icing...

My mum had brought over black royal icing on her last visit...

The scientists of the group did count the eyes to make sure
there were eight, lucky I kept my audience in mind and made it
scientifically correct!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

An enjoyable cake to make and what a night out after, kicked up the heals and danced to some GREAT ladies.

Much love x

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Huffin' 'n' a puffin' ...

Desperate to lose the 3cm (doesn't sound like much, but to me it is an insane amount) that has become lodge around my waist line I began my new routine...

I am sure the next door neighbours think there is a crazy living next door; jumping up and down on the deck, running up and down the lawn and generally huffing and puffing trying to complete my first circuit.

It is all documented and a time frame given, I just have to say NO to all those little evening snacks that husband enjoys ... Hhhmmmm

Oh well here is to a much thinner me, much love all!

Monday, October 1, 2012

“Would you shut that child UP!”

Waiting with a little chap, his family was from Aitutaki

September 19^th saw Milly go under the knife for her first eye operation. Which she handled very well. She fell asleep as she was being wheeled into surgery so the Anesthetist had a very easy job, this was commented on by not only the surgeon but the other half dozen surgical team in the room. I did however say to the surgeon as I left, “You take care of her!”

All the hospital bits!

After waking in recovery she was not at her happiest and this was where as she cried I was in tears too! She eventually ate some ice cream and chocolate pudding with her eyes shut the whole time. Uncovering the plated hospital meal I was okay with her not wanting it as neither did my dad or I who were starving due to being in the hospital since 11am and it was nearer to 9.30pm when they released Milly!

Waking up in the recovery room...

The following Tuesday we were back at the hospital for a check up and to be given the all clear to fly the following day. This went well and we were in and out of the hospital in record time.

I have only positive comments to make on the hospital staff and surgical team they where helpful and very understanding to us all. Making the visit over from Rarotonga for the surgery they accommodated us well!

This is very different to the flight home…

Milly was on her fifth post-op day and was dealing with very sore eyes as we reached 30 minutes out of Rarotonga and coming down to land. The airhostess had asked for me to lower the hand rest and raise the window shade which I did waking Milly up in the process as she had finally given in to sleep and rested on my lap…

The sun was glaring straight into her eyes and all she wanted was to shut the shade, which of course is not allowed and trying to explain it to a sore and tired child was not working. She began to hit and scream for the next ten minutes. A parent’s nightmare in any small confined space! I was still trying hard to pacify her when a man yelled out, “Would you shut that child UP!” The man sitting beside Milly looked at me and said “Ignore him, he probably doesn’t fly well”. I simply burst into tears! Because at the end of the day I LOVE having my child in pain and hitting, punching, screaming and shouting at me. In fact I make her do it on purpose I enjoy the experience so much! W**KER! I was very lucky to have had a lovely chap in the seat next to Milly and some lovely people in front and behind.

But the dream flying experience with Air New Zealand did not end there. I had to exit the plane… Two seven kg bags and a tired tearful child trying to get down the aisle, then down the shiny, reflecting stairs. As the airhostesses were ver busy in their own conversations I was offered no help. Thankfully the lady that had been sitting behind me offered to take Milly’s hand down the stairs as she could barely see with swollen eyes. Poor Husband was greeted to a very tearful wife that ended the trip in a collapsed heap in his arms!

A big thanks to all those that wished us well or helped us through this time.

Much love all x

The response after sending an email to Air New Zealand thanks to Amanda Inskeep:

Dear Ms Fiebig

Our office recently received your message regarding your travel experience with us onboard NZ746 on 26 September 2012.

I regret to read you were subjected to a comment onboard by another passenger in relation to your daughter Emily. Please accept my sincere apologies on behalf of Air New Zealand for any inconvenience or discomfort this comment may have caused. I appreciate how challenging air travel can be at the best of times. To be travelling with a child in Emily’s condition, would have only added to these challenges.

It is thus disappointing if passengers conclude that the only reason a child is crying onboard is because they are unsettled. This is both an incorrect assumption as well as inconsiderate toward parents. I again regret the actions and comments of this particular passenger.

Your frustrations would have only been heightened by the lack of assistance provided by the crew member when deboarding your flight. We certainly provide assistance toward elderly and infirm, parents with young children as well as passengers with medical conditions. It is thus unfortunate if the crew member was not aware of your situation or the condition of your daughter. Regardless, crew need to be proactive whenever onboard and offer assistance in various situations. I regret if this was not made evident upon your arrival. Please be assured your comments have been forwarded to the Flight Service Manager to convey toward staff on duty on this occasion.

Ms Fiebig, thank you again for bringing this matter to our attention. It is only with such feedback that we are able to make improvements in specific areas of our operation. I trust we have an opportunity to welcome you both back onboard again soon, albeit without incident.

Yours sincerely