I lived though 9/11 which was devastating in every way possible and obviously was internationally televised and virtually lived on many continents. It was a horrific experience that no one should or hopefully will ever forget.  That said, yesterday in Christchurch, New Zealand I was overcome with an overwhelming sadness that left me speechless. A massive earthquake left this city in shambles in February of 2011 and nothing has changed. My dear friend, her husband and children live here and plough though each day and until I went downtown yesterday I didn’t understand why she hasn’t wanted me to visit. There is literally no city left.  It was shocking. Katrina shattered New Orleans, one of my favorite cities but within a year there was visible progress.  Here, sadly,  there is complete devastation and it is nothing that can be verbalized or exemplified in photographs but below is my bleak attempt to convey the nothingness that I felt…

Today I took an hour drive to Akaroa. A beautiful French settlement which was stunningly beautiful. It’s amazing that only an hour away from such devastation Hector’s dolphins, fur seals and blue penguins captivated my attention and I must include the breathtaking landscape. It was a welcome reprieve from my crazy dreams, stress about my life that I am trying to forget or reconfigure and a welcome centering of living in the moment and seeing the beauty in every, single thing around me.  Below are some images of my day. New friends in every shape, size and form.  And a lovely job that was offered with an incredible view.

A scotch and cigar are totally in my future…

Fur seals….supposedly mean but boy they looked cute and comfy sunbathing!

New friends pretending to work….

A nice bathroom exit…

Who wouldn’t be happy after this day?!

Ok a few photos from up north and my trip to the Bay of Islands….a small town called Russell and of course the Sky Tower looking out over Auckland.

My future boss….and his great view. 

Some last thoughts of the day….

Life is so short and you always think the grass is greener or that one will “get to it someday” but one should appreciate the moment because life is made up of vignettes and moments.

10 might seem young 20 might seem old 30 might seem young and 40 might seem old but you better appreciate every moment because it can stop at any second.

The world is vast and so many people are incurious. It bewilders me.

Families of people, ducks, cows, sheep, dolphins, penguins, seals…the ocean and mountains what’s better than New Zealand? Hmmm except that it lies on a massive fault line.

At the end of the day….really this is all it’s about. To me anyway.

I

It’s all practice and  a work in progress…but hoping to navigate closer to my path…