Shepherds Park, North Shore

View of Greenhithe and The Great Mangrove

Today my flatmate and I went for a walk around Shepherd's Park, which is in the realm of Beach Haven. Boyfriend was at work, flatmate's partner was playing squash, so we had a little girl time. Had my first brush with The Great Mangrove (see: Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin). It was just another reason why I love Auckland so so much--there are these amazing little parks and walking tracks. In the case of Shepherds Park, it's impressively well-planned, backing up onto a retirement home, thus lending great (quiet and vigilant) neighbors. It was obvious that not much mischief gets committed in the reserve. However, some of the paths back around the water show that the respect isn't always upheld beyond the watchful eyes of bored and mindful senior citizens.

"Green-washing"

Along the way, passed a rope swing that my flatmate pointed out. Not really sure what's happened here (don't think NZ has the obesity problems that US has?!) but something is definitely amiss here...

Where are they swinging to? and how did they get up there?

Last, two pictures of the rocks around the water:

Sandstone rock

Right, Jacko, this is the best you get.

Stay tuned for another epic blog post...

Good Week/Bad Weekend

Where did the week go? Lately I find the weeks flying past, while I'm trying to dig my heels in and make things slow down! Had some relatively good inroads with job-finding this week. Made a few meetings with firms, who may or may not be hiring; most firms are on a hiring freeze, but general feedback has been that the Landscape Architects are run off their feet, and extra help must be brought in from other disciplines to cover the work load.

Despite all of this, it wasn't enough to keep me out of scrutiny for not doing enough, as all of the Kiwis in the house (that's everyone except me) have found some fashion of work. Obviously I'm slack. It was suggested that I should relieve my worries about money by taking on work which "I hate and will be unhappy doing". Obviously suggested by the award-winning in-house mental health staff.

I have been really enjoying the time that I have volunteered to causes which I believe it, but I just don't buy into a mental health trade-off.

And all of this has amounted in my eye infection returning, AGAIN. Leading me to believe, it is in fact, stress-induced.

On the up side, our terribly obnoxious neighbors ("The Meatsacks") have moved out. We're unsure whether it was voluntary or an eviction, and a (somewhat dodgy) inspection of the house shows how utterly disgusting they were. There are, what must be bodily fluid stains in random places--a testament to their true commitment to being disgusting animals.

And I've met with a landscape designer who thoroughly complimented my folio. So that's a great thing too! I'm slightly afraid I may have to re-design my work samples that I've been emailing to people, as they are BIG and sort of lose the effect of my folio by being flattened...

Landscape Porn
Oamaru's Oamarustone Buildings




Taken in the Heritage area of Oamaru, on the South side of Itchen Street. This building (Lane's Emulsion) is currently fitted to be a bakery, but closed down at the moment, while the other building in the background is the current Whitestone Trust building. This area is full of history and stunning architecture and definitely worth a visit.

Right...I'm off to pick up a pencil and do a sketch or two.

Today - started off ok; now rainy. In a matter of moments, temperature dropped from "wearing clothes is ok" to "how many blankets have I got?" This is one thing I really do like about Auckland (whereas most people complain). Is it weird that I enjoy carrying a brolly with me everywhere?? I think it's a step up from 90-day-no-rain-dry-LAKES (yes that's right whole LAKES).

Despite my undying love for sleep, I haven't been doing much of it lately. Was up around 7ish this morning, despite going to sleep late-ish. Damn you, conscience. shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!

Finally, your moment of zen:

Landscape Porn
The SuperMario Mushroom (aka Toadstool)

This was taken last year on Lincoln campus for a hypothetical project (more hypothetical than normal) wherein we were asked to design a memorial for something. I chose Seasons; as it has become easier for societies around the world to obtain foods (especially fruit/veg) year-round, we've lost touch with the seasons.

Despite the fact that I've heard they are very poisonous (especially to stock, which are, in essence, NZ's biggest concern), I always have a little chuckle when I see one of these toadstools.

Then the Mario theme plays in my head. Then I cease to function for days on end...

New Zealand Landscape Porn (quasi-daily edition)

Due to popular demand, I've decided to re-start the blog of my time in NZ. Although when the previous three entries were written, I never dreamed I would be staying on beyond my degree, fortune has seen me finish my Master's degree--which as anyone who has undertaken a graduate degree can attest--has filled up my life until April of this year, and I've decided to attempt to make the most of my Kiwi education by trying to find a job here.

So...bla bla bla. All in all, I've decided to fire this up for the occasional "brain twitch", but more often, as a motivation and receptacle for viewing the world. I will attempt to post pictures I have taken from places that I go. I will start off today with an oldy (but a goody).

During Jan/Feb of 2008, we were asked to design a themed resort on the slopes of Allandale, Banks Peninsula. This was the view from the top of Cooper's Knob, overlooking our site.

Will try to post again tomorrow.