Afghans and Flat Whites

For the past month my only mission has been to get on the freaking plane to New Zealand. There was so much to do that I couldn't even think about all that awaited us in Auckland, I just had to get there.

So now I'm here. But like any human, without a pressing narrative (ie trying to leave England), my mind starts to wander into worry territory. Yesterday I was caught trying to plan too much into the future (How long will we stay in NZ?! What will the next step look like?! What are we doing with our lives?!) and it freaked me out. Having a completely open slate is exciting but stressful.

To combat the stress of having too many options and the luxury of time, I decided to enjoy each day as it comes. It's strange that this is something I have to tell myself to do, but that's just the way it is. 

So here's what I enjoyed this weekend...

La Cigale French Market in Parnell

Cookie Party - Dan's mum had me baking 6 dozen cookies on Friday to prep for the cookie party on Saturday. I was naturally happy to oblige as cookie parties remind me of growing up and all the cookies that used to fill our house (and probably still do) around Christmas. This one was thrown by an American ex-pat living out here and the result was some sweet cookies, including my flavour of the month and Antipodean fave, the Afghan...

 

Cops and Robbers party - Saturday we were partying hard because, after the mid-day cookie party, Dan's bro Justin lined up a Cops and Robbers themed party. Great costume effort on everyone's part as well as a steady supply of donuts.

Flat Whites at Kohi -After a beachside curry lunch Dan and I fell into a cafe at Kohimarama for a lazy Sunday sidewalk cafe Flat White and paper reading session. The highlight was possibly the drive-by egging, which caught us by surprise, but, since it didn't injure us, was funny. Plus it greased the wheels for some banter with the ladies drinking wine at the next table. I loved one reaction: 'What a waste of an egg.'

(Great view, ay?)

As you can see, all the essentials are here with a vengeance: sun, coffee, fresh fruit and farmers markets. I'm happy to report that the stress was just a blip...