Curious Kiwi's Place

sight from the bedroom

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:41:30 +1200

Looked out the window this July 1st morning and saw the first snowcap of the season. It's been so overcast the last few days that I didn't know whether there'd been snow in the Tararura ranges or not... guess there has. :)

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Strike One (and two and...

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:25:56 +1200

Strike One (and two and three!)

Our first night in Boston! :)

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Kennedys endorse Obama

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:18:10 +1300

IMG_0991

How big is that?

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Seals!

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:23:07 +1300

I love seals. We saw heaps of them last week just north of Kaikoura. Here's one.

itch

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The flu makes me feel like a coloured pencil drawing

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:48:05 +1300

Movie 5

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Exploring the Rock Pools

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 19:51:36 +1300

Exploring the Rock Pools

[polaroid version of this via picnik.com]
A fun way to spend a Saturday in the school holidays!

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Coming soon

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:38:21 +1200

imac

Yup,

We've ordered a new iMac and it should be here next week.

Yay!

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Sometimes it pays to get out of bed early

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:57:16 +1200

This morning, Brent, the morning DJ on Wairarapa More FM said, "do you see the beautiful sunrise?"

I was still lying in bed, debating whether I needed to get up yet, but upon hearing that, I thought, "no, I don't see it..." So I got up, grabbed my camera, headed out onto the deck and saw this:

So I guess it was worth getting out of bed this morning. :)

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"UP!"

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:23:36 +1200

"UP!"

This took so many takes to get just right... darn broom wouldn't listen at first!

For anyone who doesn't remember the reference:

"Their teacher, Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short, grey hair and yellow eyes like a hawk. 'Well, what are you all waiting for?' she barked. 'Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up.'
"Harry glanced down at his broom. It was old and some of the twigs stuck out at odd angles. 'Stick out your right hand over your broom,' called Madam Hooch at the front, ' and say "Up!"'
'UP!' everyone shouted."

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Kiwisaver, anyone?

nobody@vox.com(Brenda) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:41:56 +1200

NZ Money

If you live in New Zealand and haven't heard of Kiwisaver, you must not have been paying attention the last few weeks. :)

Here's my question and totally unscientific poll. How many of you are signing up for Kiwisaver? If you are, what attracts you to it? If you aren't, why not?

My husband Gary and I have been poring over the Kiwisaver website trying to figure out all the ramifications of it. He is eligible to join now because of his job, and I can join as a "stay at home mum" and still receive the $20/week government subsidy.

Gary's employer is really encouraging his employees to save for retirement... so much so that he is essentially making it "free" for everyone, by giving everyone a pay rise to cover their 4% contribution and also doing the 4% employer contribution from the get-go (rather than by 2012 as legislated). It would be foolish for us not to take advantage of that offer, eh?

Haven't decided yet if I should open an account as well. The $20/week government topup pretty much means $1000 a year for nothing, so it is probably worthwhile for me as well.

So, anyone else care to share their thoughts?

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