Last post I wrote about my new start across the Tasman, well it is all about to happen. My flight is booked for Saturday 1st June. At the moment it all seems pretty surreal but as the day gets closer and my flat gets emptier, I'm sure it will feel like it is all really happening.
In February I turned the Big Five O. I celebrated by returning back to the Gold Coast to stay with a friend and got to see a bit more of the area. Once I returned home my close friends and family helped me celebrate by having a lovely meal together. It was great to have both my daughters there with me.
Phew! I made it to 50
My daughters
Friends
Back in March, the very first Relay for Life in Kapiti was held in Paraparaumu. I asked my workmates to become involved and we put a team together and entered as the 'Norty Noshers'. Organising this was quite a big thing for me to take on and if it wasn't for the help of my boss, I don't think I could have done it. We had to raise funds for the Cancer Society and decided to hold a Pub Quiz night at one of the local bars. I approached different businesses in the area and asked for donations of items for prizes. As well as raising money through holding the Quiz Night, we also held a number of raffles and bingo between sets of questions. All in all we raised $1000 towards our goal.
It was an honour to be part of the first Relay in Kapiti and there were many poignant moments, one especially for me was the Candlelight Ceremony where candlelit bags were placed around the relay track in memory of all those who had passed from cancer. It really brought it home as to how many people this disease affects, and those are just the people in our area who were at Relay.
Our theme was nurses and we decorated our tent complete with X-rays and an inflatable patient. As the photos show, it was a great weekend and a great team building experience. The relay raised almost $91,000 to be used to support people in our own area. My workmates are already looking forward to putting in a team next year.
Our 'hospital' all set up
Our 'Norty Noshers' Team
The 'Survivors' in our team
With my daughter Nicole just before the Survivors Lap opening
My candle bag in memory of a very dear friend
Snuggling in for the night and waiting to walk
We made it!
The Kapiti Relay For Life banner.
Back in August of last year applied for my New Zealand citizenship. It has all been a long process really. I was finally awarded citizenship just before Christmas but in order for it to be come official, I had to wait for a ceremony where I would take my Oath of Allegiance. This would then allow me to apply for my New Zealand Passport. My ceremony was in April and it was a lovely evening. My daughters and close friend attended the ceremony and then we joined some more friends with a celebratory drink.
The Official Ceremony
My beautiful daughters
Friends, Sue and Mal
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My very good friend Sophie
Karen and George
So, there we have it, the last six months in a nutshell. Another Christmas has come and gone, another New Year's Eve celebrated. I have passed another six month checkup with flying colours and my surgeon has discharged me from his care. This is not to say that I won't be vigilant in making sure I carry on with my regular check ups once I settle in Australia.
To all of the lovely ladies out there who read my blog and who have either been recently diagnosed, are going through treatment or those who have fought back and won, there is life after all of the struggling. Yes, it is always in the back of your mind that it may return but each day is worth celebrating and deserves to be lived to the full.
