stunned mullet.

I got a haircut in a new country.

She said she had worked there for three years.

After she chop sueyed my hair, she said her haircuts were half-price because she was in her third year of training.

I had a mullet.

I hope that is the one and only time I have to get two haircuts in one day, even if I pay full price.

poppies

At exactly 6 a.m. we couldn't help but look up as two helicopters loudly passed overhead. It was early and very cold but droves of people walked silently to the cenotaph standing tall against the still blackened sky.

Getting as close as we could, the ceremony began.

We were welcomed by a woman minister from one of the local evangelical churches. Her strong accent and even tone made the solemn words that she spoke hang in the air waiting to be understood by those who have never made the kinds of sacrifices she described. 

Men of age mostly, who got up that morning and relived memories as they dressed in their black and red, were sprinkled throughout the crowd. Their heads held high except for an occasional dip to dry their eyes with a handkerchief.

The call came for a song to be sung. The one chosen is one of my favorites 'Eternal Father, Strong to Save'. In the stillness of the morning, it is quite a haunting melody.

One thing that was so comforting to me was hearing the presenters speak of God, pray to God and sing of God's saving grace that protects this land. It made me feel a little more at home and I enjoyed the fact that I could observe something that has been a favorite of my husband's for many years.

After asking wreaths to be placed on the cenotaph by various branches of service (including those who fought in the Vietnam war), the national anthem was sung. As my patriotic self, I felt the need to burst into song due to fact that I love New Zealand so very much. However, I refrained and listened to the crowd.

Jared bent down and said 'guns'. I was thankful for that warning as I was not tall enough to see that a gun salute was about to begin and would have dishonorably shrieked had I been taken by surprise.

As they dismissed us in prayer, the sun began to rise to our left and the dawn parade began down the main streets. Many people wore poppy lapel pins that they bought to support the RSA or Returned Services Association. My lovely husband bought one for both of us. :) 

After the service ended, many strolled to the cenotaph to place their poppies in honor of those lost.

We returned home and prepared for our crazy day ahead.

We grabbed a quick muffin and coffee at the Coffee House and headed to Wellington around 8:30. Because it was Jared's baptism birthday, it was his day to do whatever he wanted to do. We really enjoyed the trip down. My favorite part being a moment in time when you come around the corner and all you see is waves breaking against the rocks and a vast body of water. I love that!

We made our way to downtown Reading Cinemas to watch 'The Avengers' in 3D. AMAZING...I really liked it although it was much longer than we had planned for. Immediately afterward, we rushed to the Wellington Church building for a surprise party honoring one of our dearest friends, Mery Arulandu.

She was very surprised! It was a great day spent with friends and church family. We got to catch up and just enjoyed the company of everyone. After the party about 3 o'clock, Jared and I went downtown to explore. Jared and I had both wanted to see 'The Beehive' or the Parliament building up close. Being ANZAC day, it was super cool.

There were some statues that we of course had to emulate, even though Jared's was admittedly more ceremonial than mine.

As we turned the corner, we discovered the memorial dedicated to the RSA and the members of the Armed Forces.

Yeah...I teared up. Don't judge. lol.

After a really special and fun day, we headed back to Palmerston North. On the way home...

You know it. The perfect end to the perfect day. Frank's first ANZAC day was one to remember. :)

frosty.

If there is any one that has not given up on me and my blogging...I appreciate it.

Over the past two weeks I have had struggles with e coli, infections and a virus that made me wish for morning sickness only. I assumed that you would not want a daily update on that apart from the fact that I didn't move for three days. :)

My in-laws came this weekend and I never once saw them because I was asleep. Seriously? yep.

BUT I am feeling better and I am on the rise!!!

Other than that; Jared has been having to cook, do laundry, save people's teeth and make late(ish) night runs to the store for ginger beer (ginger ale). I am a little addicted to it because it makes me human again...but no worries...it's not alcoholic.

Before the sickness set in and in between doozy days, Jared took me to a Philipino cooking class at the Museum in town. It was really cool. We also went to a import store and found some interesting things. Pickled mud fish, fried grasshoppers...not something I would ever crave.

Pictures will come at some point soon.

The pregnancy dreams have been hilarious and crazy. Stung in the face by yellow jackets, being a character in the 'Walking Dead' and trying but failing to sneak into Makin' Music without being caught; fighting with a girl over a Frosty...yeah...that may have been real. jk.

I have wanted a Frosty from Wendy's for a long time. The closest Wendy's is a little more than an hour away. Last time we went to Wellington in mid March, we didn't end up going and so the craving has been incessant. I think it's just me and I blame it on Frank. haha. 

I emailed the company and told them, 'I just moved from America, I am expecting a baby and I am craving Wendy's. You must open a store in Palmerston North. Please!' haha.

I received an email from the company saying that they are opening a store in Palmerston North this year!!! I replied with...'I LOVE YOU!'

Is that inappropriate? hahaha.

Tomorrow is ANZAC day. ANZAC stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps day. It is similar to our Veteran's Day. Jared and I are going to be at the square at 5:30 a.m. for the dawn parade. This day is incredibly special to Jared because he was baptized on ANZAC day. It also honors his grandfather who died in the battle of Gallipolli.

This is the national anthem of New Zealand in Maori and in English. It's quite haunting at the beginning...i love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF5xhKbAGSI

After the parade, we are heading to Wellington to celebrate his baptism birthday. We are going to watch 'The Avengers' which we have been eagerly anticipating and guess what's on the way? Wendy's!

It's a holiday and everything usually closes. Don't worry...I called ahead to make sure they were open. I am just trying to save Frank from the disappointment. haha.

In short, my life is sadly focused on chocolate soft serve. I will be quiet about Frosty's after tomorrow. Bear with me. :)

dream craving.

Jared rolled over to turn off his alarm and said "I don't want to get up." I drowsily responded with, "I want Wendy's!!"

Last night I was awakened by Jared. Apparently, I had been exhibiting symptoms of a nightmare. The ones I have had previously are pretty vivid. This one I had gone to get Chinese food and when I got there, I couldn't stand the smell. THEN I SAW IT...

A cinnamon empenada. It was gorgeous.

Much prettier than this one. :)

I sat in the line holding my nose and waiting for that empenada. When I got to the front of the line, the worker kept talking to me about a disease he got in Turkey and I said (very nasaly because I was still holding my nose)..."Look, I'm here for that empenada, but to pay your medical bills, throw in some sweet and sour chicken. Make it quick." Luckily, I got the LAST empenada.

I walked out to my car in the raining dark and as I got in, a stranger got in beside me and started taking pictures...due to the flash, I DROPPED THE EMPENADA.

At that point Jared woke me up. I was so mad about the empenada.

All you need to know I guess is that the second I step back into the States, I will be looking for Wendy's, McDonald's sausage biscuits, pinto beans and chow chow, crispy bacon, dill pickles AND a cinnamon empenada so WATCH OUT!!!

frankly...

Well if you haven't already heard...we're having a baby!!!

WOOHOO!!! We are totally surprised, super excited and ready to see how this goes for us.

It has been part of the reason that I have been so absent from blogging. I didn't know what else to say when I was trying to keep the secret.

By the way, I am terrible at keeping secrets. It seemed like every day Jared would come home and I would confess that I let it slip to someone else.

Jared had his Christmas presents 15 minutes after I got them in the mail. IN NOVEMBER!

At least I don't pretend to be good at it. Let me say this...if the secret is incredibly personal or someone else's business...no issue. I can keep those. It's just the ones that I am excited about!!

The most interesting part about finding out we are pregnant is finding out how the system works here.

There is only one prenatal ultrasound unless you pay the big bucks for them. You do not have an obstetrician unless you want to pay the big bucks for it.

Knowing that, my question is...okay...who delivers babies around this joint?!?!

Midwives. Sometimes midwives in the States are looked at as 'hippy' or 'alternative'. Here, they are the norm and are more medical than what I have heard from the stereotypes in the States. The one we chose is absolutely fantastic. She is from England and answers all of my anxious questions with ease and understanding. Love her!!!

Jared calls the baby Frank. In that case, let's hope its a boy. Even though we probably won't name it Frank, the explanation to a boy would be easier than an explanation of 'Frank' to a girl. :)

The best part is watching Jared tell people. When he told my parents, my dad danced and my mom cried and Jared chuckled. When he told Emma, she started crying...er...sobbing in the middle of the mall with people giving her very concerned looks. The picture I have in my head is priceless.

When he told his parents, we got mowed down by hugs. At least I could explain to his mom why I had been so sick when she was here and didn't take any medicine. I knew she had to be starting to worry about me.

At some point, I am hoping to put a video montage of the people we videoed when we told them. It's HILARIOUS.

Just writing to say...thanks for all of the wonderful comments and congratulations. I am so blessed and this baby is already so loved. I will be back to the blog consistently now...hopefully...probably.

I better be, because once this baby comes...it's probably not going to happen much!!