(So, this first part may be uninteresting, but SPOILER ALERT! there are some pictures I will post last that will be of more interest to everyone else. )
My birthday was pretty awesome. I got to spend it in New Zealand with my super sweet husband. I woke up to this:
Yes, toast. This may not look like much, BUT gluten-free AND dairy-free bread was very difficult to find here!!! So this was actually perfect. Plus my green juice. He knows how to make me happy :)
Then in that beautiful little package I delightfully found:
Isn't it cool?! This is a pounamu. Green stone, or New Zealand jade, was sacred to the Maori people. It is an extremely hard stone and was used to make tools, weapons, jewellery.. etc. It is a gorgeous material, especially when carved! Don't you think? The carvings are very symbolic and meaningful. Mine is a combination of three different symbols that are commonly used in the Maori culture.
1) The single twist (up at the top) or the Maori Eternity Symbol represents the path of life.
2) The whale or dolphin tale is a symbol of protection (especially for travellers). But the whale is also a sign of greater intelligence, and the dolphin a sign for friendship and harmony.
3) And then the Koru at the bottom (the swirl) is designed after an unfurling fern frond. It represents new life, or beginning a new phase in life. It is a symbol for positive changes, personal growth, and peace.
All combined together creates a pretty powerful and positive meaning (and makes the gift even cooler - thanks babe!).
(Hey mom, make sure you show Trev. He will want to see it.)
The week before my birthday Auntie Donna was staying with us and she completely shocked me with this:
A gorgeous Pandora charm bracelet. The symbolism isn't sacred to any ancient culture, but it is very special to me. The two charms on the left represent New Zealand. Then the two on the right side are for Australia (where Auntie Donna lives), and the middle for my home country. The charms are so fun and thoughtful. It will be a happy reminder of my first trip down under every time I wear it. Thanks Auntie Donna! I love you!
Then this is from my wonderful new family:
I'm on a roll with giving the deeper meaning behind all this, so I'll just tell you what this represents for me :) Seeing as it is a heart, to me it represents how loving and accepting Nathan's family has been to me. They are absolutely lovely people, and I'm having fun having some sisters!
It was actually pretty funny. Mamma G and Rachael went out for some mommy daughter time the day before my birthday and when they got back this is what went down:
MG: "Ok Tash, you have a choice to make. You can either open your present now, or wait till tomorrow when Rachael gets home from school"
Me: "Present?" (confused face)
Rachael: "Open it now! I can't handle the anticipation!"
lol she is so fun and funny. So I was spoiled all through the month and not just on my day.
Ok, now on to the pictures I promised! Nathan took me site seeing so I have a few photos of this gorgeous area!
This place reminds me of Jurassic Park ^
And this is down the beach to the right:
That is where the fancy people live ^
And just to prove I was actually there :)
See how dead the grass is? You wouldn't think I was near Hobbiton!
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