The Hiatus continues... BUT!! {read on...}

Hey everyone, If there is anyone still out there... Im afraid to say that my hiatus from Shewaitsforwhispers will be continuing... however.... I have started up a tumblr to keep myself inspired in the mean time, so if ya'll are on there, you should come and say hi... you can find me at locketsandrubies.tumblr.com

Oh.. and ive started reading this blog.... If you are a friend of mine... maybe you should too... she sounds alot like me ;)

Buziest of all the bees.

Life is beyond hectic. But Im coming back. I promise. I just have a HUGE project that I am starting, and its taking up a whole lot of time. {I cant wait to be able to tell you all about it!} I really hope to catch up on all of your beautiful lives soon. Dont forget me! I MISS YOU!

Speak to my soul,

Its not secret that music is a big passion of mine. I really cant imagine going even a day without listening to a tune. At the moment though, I have been listening to 3 or 4 albums, over and over and over again. In fact in the last week I have probably listened them through more than 10 times each. As I sat down after a long day at school {more about that later...} to catch up on a bit of blog reading, I noticed that a couple of my favourite bloggy ladies Jess and Claire had recently written about their eclectic iTunes collections, so I thought I would play along and shuffle up my iTunes to see what 25 songs pop up to speak to my soul this evening. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the list that I managed to compile... I have so much music on my iPod that sometimes when its on shuffle I don't even really know that songs that are being played, but this list, well it pretty much reflects me perfectly at the moment...

Wish you were here - Incubus
Hey Jude - The Beatles
All for you - Goodnight Nurse
Pure Massacre - Silverchair
The man who sold the world - Nirvana
Misery - Pink
Get Fighted - Alexisonfire
Brightest - Copeland
Painting - Blindside
Everything We Had - The Academy Is
Drink the Water - Jack Johnson
Almost Golden - Courtney Love
Saviour - Rise Against
Light My Fire - The Doors
Sunday Morning - No Doubt
Always All Ways - The Lost Prophets
Betty - Brooke Fraser
Three Simple Words - Finch
Franklin - Paramore
Breathing Room Barricades - The Bled
Such Great Heights - The Postal Service
Never Take Us Alive - Madina Lake
Seize the Day - Avenged Sevenfold
Kings and Queens - 30 Seconds to Mars
Estranged - Guns N Roses

If you play along, let me know so I can check out your list! Or maybe you should just tell me all about your favourite bands, I never say no to new music, and I get the feeling my 4 albums on rotate are going to need to be switched out soon!

Disaster Strikes

It seems we have had a bit of a run in with Mother Nature on this side of the world. Just after lunchtime on Tuesday, Christchurch NZ was hit with a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, a follow up to the 7.1 magnitude quake which was felt in September 2010. The city has been devastated, buildings have collapsed, Homes have been lost forever, Roads torn apart and pipes burst causing huge problems for the whole city. Unfortunately, this time around, the quake has also seen causalities fallen. The death toll continues to rise as the rubble is slowly removed. The search and rescue attempts are quickly turning to search and recovery missions. This has quickly become one of the most devastating Natural Disasters ever to be seen by my small country. The images of the desperation of the people of Christchurch will be burnt into my mind forever. These are the days that my heart breaks for my country, these are the days I wish I could do something to stop the suffering and heartache. These are the days that I mourn for the lost and grieve for the broken.

And even though, this is one of the most tragic things I have ever really encountered, its during these times, that I have been the most proud of my country. Not only have we, as a people, come together in this time of need, to donate, not only financially but emotionally as well, we have come together to encourage, and to support those, sometimes perfect strangers, who just need someone to count on. The messages of hope, and love, and encouragement that I have seen over the past few days make me so proud to be a New Zealander. My people, truly, have the most beautiful kind spirit.

I just wanted to share a few of the images that have become so familar to all of us over here in the last couple of days. I think these pictures will stay with me forever.

This one might be the most devastating of them all. The Christchurch Catherdral. One of the most beautiful buildings I had ever seen. I am lucky I got to experience it, before its destruction.

This ones for you

I don't really have an opinion on Valentines day. I can take it, or I can leave it. In the past I have been in relationships on Valentines, and well, of course it is nice to get flowers, or wine, or other special little gifts, but I guess the old fashioned part of me feels like its a little superficial. I mean, Isn't it more fun to come home to a surprise on the 5th of April, or the 17th of October.. Just because? I dunno, maybe I am just feeling a bit bitter because its the first time in my grown up life {I totally don't count high school valentines haha!} that I haven't been 'seeing' someone on Valentines {even though clearly those relationships didn't last haha}

So this one, this one is for you.
This is for the single ladies, the broken ladies, the ladies who are sick and tired of being alone. This one is for the hurt, and the scared. This one is for the vulnerable. This one is for the girls who love the boys they can never have. This is for the ones who have never been in love, and are afraid they never will. This one here, this is for you, the girl that sits and waits for him to call, the girl that watches but doesn't act, the girl in the background. This one is for the girls who have been told to change, or choose, or both. This one is for the times that you wanted more than anything to scream from the rooftops but held it in because it was the 'right' thing to do. This one, this one is for the regrets, the moments passed. This one is for the friends lost, and the friends found. This one is for the lovers. This one is for the tears and the laughter. This one is for the raw emotion, the heartache and the overwhelming sense of love. This one is for every time you wondered 'what if'. This one is for you.


Because you are beautiful, wonderful and quite simply perfect just the way you are. Happy Valentines day beauties. And if you didn't get anything on this silly hallmark holiday... Know this.
That this one, is just for you.

Deux

Day Two.

Your longest friend.
{There are a few... But heres the one I picked.}


May I introduce to you, the most beautiful girl in the world. Her name is Dom, and she is amazing. That's all you really need to know, but, I guess I could tell you a little bit more about this special little lady. Dom and I met 6 years ago {holy moly} when our local Boys only school was putting on a production... a musical no less... called back to the 80's {imagine, big hair, star wars, 80's high school and all your favourite 80's tunes} After a bit of persuading by another friend, I was enlisted to play one of the lead roles. Dom had also been cast in the production, and the rest... well as they say was history. Air Bands, Concerts, Picnics, Hang outs. I honestly cant pinpoint my favourite memory with this girl. {there have just been too many good ones} Dom has been there for me through so much, and even though right now we live on different islands in this beautiful country, I know that she is always there for me. We may not talk every day, we may not even see each other for months at a time, but our friendship is one of those real ones, you know, where you can be absent for periods of time, and then the minute you are together again, things are just as they always were. And the most exciting thing... She is thinking about moving to Auckland! Oh boy! That would see me wearing my glad face all the time!



Oh and! Five days till I start school... I may, or may not be starting to get a little nervous!

A vent, and A first.

I haven't even been anywhere, and yet, I have been oh so absent from thee blog. Maybe its because Ive been a little stressed, A little uninspired. I don't want this place to become somewhere that I just put things for the sake of it. I don't want it to be a place where I just dump sad/angry words because its an easy option {although I do love the ability to vent here... dont get me wrong}. I have an update of changing perspectives to post soon, but I didnt want to just put that up and not write anything else.. I want this blog to spring to life again, and Im hoping that once I start school {yip! its finally here...6 days and I'm officially a student again} that I will have a bit more inspiration, a few more stories, and a little more drive to keep my little corner of the web updated a little more regularly. {either that or ill be so busy you may never see me again...}

So I've seen around lately a few blog challenges. And some of them {I'm not ganna lie} seem a little boring or maybe just a little tedious, but I think I have found a little one that I quite like the look of, and well the bits that I dont like, Im just going to opt out and make up a few of my own. That way, I get to share a bunch of awesome things with you that I love, and I also get to keep the inspiration and mood of the blog on the up and up. So thats right kiddies. Its 30days, and its 30 posts. Now, Im not going to say that I will do it every day, because some days things just get to busy. But there will be 30 posts in 30 days. Maybe just a couple of double ups perhaps even a couple of triple ups {I know you will forgive me.}

So here we go. Bottoms Up. Ready. Steady. Go.

Day One.
A photo of you, and 10 facts.

Taken by my flatmates 3 year old son. Some reason... I like it.

1. I am a big fan of TV on DVD. Boxset Marathons pretty much rule.
2. I think more people should wear red lipstick. Its my favourite.
3. Chai Latte is my standard order.
4. Whiskey is my poison.
5. One of my best friends got engaged recently, and she asked me to be her bridesmaid. I'm pretty darn excited.
6. I like to make things. Cross stitch, Jewelery, cards, brooches, journals, mail art. You name it, I probably have made it, or want to.
7. I already have one degree, and I'm about to start my second tertiary endeavor in 6 days! I'm excited.
8. I'm addicted to the instagram app on my iPhone.
9. I like to change my hair colour regularly, and I think I might just be getting bored of the blonde... Uh oh!

10. I have the most amazing friends and I love that they've become my family. I would do anything for them, and I know they would do anything for me. I'm pretty much the luckiest girl alive.

x

Week Four.

Once upon a time there were 2 girls, who decided to embark on a photographic journey. Not the kind of Journey with Dragons and Bad Guys, rather the kind of journey that requires them to take 1 photo everyday for a whole year. Thats 365 photos. A challenge? Perhaps, But these girls decided to take it on together, everything is better in pairs right? The rules are simple. 1 Photo every day for 365 days. Starting December 25th 2010 and ending December 25th 2011. They thought they would share their little project on their blogs. A little gallery of sorts. So this is it. A year of photographs. Are you ready to see what their worlds look like through a lens?

Week Four.

15.01.2011 - 21.01.2011

I have had such an awesome week and its been fun to reflect that in photos this week! I definitely got back into the groove of things! My good friend Alesha and I started lo0oking around for ideas for her wedding, one of my best friends in the entire world came up from Christchurch to spend a long weekend with me, I travelled out of the city to support my boys in Shotgun Alley, and hung out at the last show of their summer tour, and I went to Big Day Out, and saw the Deftones, Tool, Iggy and the Stooges and some of my other favourite bands, all in 7 days! It was crazy! I think this week coming, is going to need to be a chilled one, so I can catch up on sleep and laundry!!

Everytime.

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It’s not a cry you can hear at night
It’s not somebody who has seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah



Everytime I hear this song, It moves me to a different place. Its so powerful. Of course, there is nothing better than Leonard Cohen, but this version right here... it gets pretty close. I adore it. Do you have a favourite cover of this song? or maybe another classic that you think is almost as good? Id love to hear it.

Better late than never...

Once upon a time there were 2 girls, who decided to embark on a photographic journey. Not the kind of Journey with Dragons and Bad Guys, rather the kind of journey that requires them to take 1 photo everyday for a whole year. Thats 365 photos. A challenge? Perhaps, But these girls decided to take it on together, everything is better in pairs right? The rules are simple. 1 Photo every day for 365 days. Starting July 1st 2010 and ending July 1st 2011. They thought they would share their little project on their blogs. A little gallery of sorts. So this is it. A year of photographs. Are you ready to see what their worlds look like through a lens?

Week Two.

01.01.2011 - 07.01.2011

Week Three.

08.01.2011 - 14.01.2011

Oh its been a busy few weeks, so here is a bit of a double issue of Changing Perspectives. Im trying to get everything sorted for school, starting in less than a month now! Things are pretty stressful here, Ive had a couple of really bad days, but, I might just be getting my head above water... Maybe. I'm trying to keep my photos fresh and fun, but Im getting a bit stuck again, so hopefully next week is full of a bit more creative flair! Let me know what you think! I would love to hear your feedback!

x

Sweet Adventures.

1. Rolling hills on the way to the beach. 2. A view, and a sign. 3. Ice cold beer. 4. A quick game of boogle or two. 5. Baking in the sun. Im starting to get brown!! 6. Waking up to paradise. 7. Beautiful beach, beautiful sky. 8. Its true. I love you! 9. Oh what a view.

It was so nice to go on a wee holiday, we decided that morning we would leave, packed a bag, and left. After a wee drive south, out of the city and down the coast, we ended up at the most perfect beach, with white sand, blue sky, a few boxes of beer and a good book. It was bliss. 3 Days later we decided to come home, but when we arrived back in the big city, it just didnt feel quite right being there. So we took off again. This time up north. Four hours later and we were at the very top of the north island, enjoying once again, the sun, the sand, and the beauty that my little country has to offer. Its little trips like these ones, that make me realise even though I often catch myself daydreaming of all the places I want to travel and the countries that I want to meet, I am pretty fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Steal my heart

Im back from my little roadtrip, which turned out to be a bit of a bigger one than I imagined. I cant wait to share some of the moments with you in a little bit! But in the meantime I wanted to share something else with you... Its no secret Ive always had a fascination with New York City. To say that I love that city is well, like saying, cookie monster loves cookies. I first met this city face to face just over a year ago now, when I spent Christmas 2009 there, and saw the first sun of 2010 there too. What a magical place. The hustle, the bustle, the amazing atmosphere, the shopping, the sites, the energy. Oh its like a dream. Anyway, I found this little timelapse video, and it made me remember how much I adore this city. I thought you might fall in love with it a little bit too.

Back in 5

Impromptu Roadtrips are probably the best. I wont be gone for too long, but I am not sure when I will be back. I didnt have time to line up a guest blogger while I was away... but I thought, on a whim, how about YOU be my guest blogger. {Yip! You! Im looking at you!} Leave a comment telling me all about your favourite things to do in the Summer... What reminds you of this beautiful month? Whats the one thing you look forward to all winter long? I love the beach, cold beers on a hot day, picnics, flowers, warm nights, summer dresses and being able to just decide that you are going to take a little trip... I hope I can combine all those things over the next few days! Oh and a little birdy told me there is likely to be some little giveaways for a few of you who participate! So... what are you waiting for. Tell me your summer stories! I cant wait to read them!

Eleven Things. Vol. 1

Isnt it funny how when the new year rolls around, people seem to have this thing about making lists of things they want to achieve, places they want to visit, or goals they want to complete. This whole New Years Resolution thing has always kinda got to me, I mean whats really so special about the 1st of January. Its just another group of 24 hours that makes up another day in the lives that we live. But, I suppose, New Year, New Expectation. New Hope. Well I want to have a new refreshed positive hope every month of this year, that we are calling twenty eleven. So there heres the thought {Another one... of the million that are rolling round in my head right now!} Eleven things, at the beginning of the month. It doesnt matter what the goals are, if they are general, or specific to that particular month. Just things that you want to achieve... Eleven things, for twelve months... thats 132 completed goals... well thats the theory at least! Each month Ill make a new header, and try to post in the first few days of the month... Sounds fun right? Well Here goes...

Eleven things. Vol. 1

1. Get back to the gym! Oh the holidays! Its the worse time. I wasn't on my best behaviour, but I knew I wasnt going to be. So I am determined that I will get back into my gym routine in the next couple of weeks!

2. Find a part time job for when I start school on the 14th of February. Goodness knows Im going to need the extra income.

3. Send letters to my pen friends! I have been THE WORST pen pal ever over the last few months. But I really miss sending and recieving mail! I have so much stationary and I want to use it! So that means letters for you my loves! Yay!

4. Finish reading the Keith Richards biography that I got for christmas. Man that dude is cool.

5. Not miss one day of my Changing Perspectives. Getting back into the routine of taking photos everyday is proving to be a little bit tricky this year! I need to kick my butt into action and not leave it till late at night!

6. Be patient. This applies to a lot of things I guess, and will be something I need to apply to the whole year ahead. Patient in friendships, in relationships, with people in general and with myself. Things will work out. I just have to give it a bit of time.

7. Remember that even though times get rough, times can be really good too. I guess this is about being optimistic. Im working on it, even though the natural tendancy is to find the negative.

8. Maintain my blog! This is another year long one! I wanna host most giveaways, more swaps and even some guest posts! I have so many ideas, its about kicking it into action.

9. Finish the cross stitch that has sat incomplete in my craft box for about 6 months. There is only a tiny bit to go, and then it will be done. I really want to finish it.

10. Stay on top of my bills. Another year long one, but something that is super stressful. Coming out of chirstmas and new years, my money seems to be evaporating! So working out what I need vs. what I want. And how to manage those little things that seem to cost so much!

11. Spend at least 2 afternoons every week this month out in sun. Whether it be just going for a little walk, or spending the day at the beach at the end of my road. I want to soak up the rays and spend some quality time with the sun.

So heres to something new... All of them are doable, I HOPE!! {hehe} I guess we will see in February how I went with it all! If you want to join in {and I totally think you should!} leave a link in the comments so that I can read what you want to achieve in the next 30 days, or maybe in the next 365 days!

Reintroducing an old friend of mine...

We're back! Thats right kids! After a bit of a break, due to Jess not having a camera, and a few other little things, we are back! And rather than picking up where we left off, we decided that it would be much better to just start all over again. So... Here it is. Installment ONE of Changing Perspectives.

Once upon a time there were 2 girls, who decided to embark on a photographic journey. Not the kind of Journey with Dragons and Bad Guys, rather the kind of journey that requires them to take 1 photo everyday for a whole year. Thats 365 photos. A challenge? Perhaps, But these girls decided to take it on together, everything is better in pairs right? The rules are simple. 1 Photo every day for 365 days. Starting July 1st 2010 and ending July 1st 2011. They thought they would share their little project on their blogs. A little gallery of sorts. So this is it. A year of photographs. Are you ready to see what their worlds look like through a lens?

Week One.
25.12.2010 - 31.12.2010


Its exciting to be back! Im really looking forward to getting back into this project. If you have any questions about the photos, feel free to ask. They mostly speak for themselves I guess... but you never know! I hope the start of 2011 has been awesome for 'yall! And if it hasnt... well you have 363 days to make it look up!

Ooh! And on a slightly seperate note... A couple of other little things. If you are an iPhone user... you NEED to download the app 'instagram' its such a great little photography community! If you get it, or already have it! Let me know your user name, or come and find me... tilliewaitsforwhispers and we can follow along with each other! And I also just wanted to take a second to say a big thank you to all my readers! I just hit over 20,000 hits on thee blog! Eeee! Exciting! Sending out big loves to all you beauties! x