1920s Flappers

"1920s Flappers and Gangsters" was the theme of our office Christmas party! I was stoked to have the opportunity to wear my Great Aunt's authentic beaded dress :) Everyone looked fabulous and we had great fun wrapping up an awesome year at Tourism NZ.

I have great news... I have been offered a permenant role as an Events Marketing Coordinator from February 2008 and have accepted without hesitation! It will be great to be back on board in a full-time capacity.

Christmas in the Park

Wayne and I recently headed to the Domain for "Christmas in the Park" with 200,000 other Aucklanders. We had a wonderful picnic with friends as we were entertained with live music, carols, and a grand fireworks display.

Elam Grad

Buddy Group #9 member and Elam Graduate Renee has had her printwork displayed just around the corner from us on Ponsonby Road :) It was wonderful to have Renee over before she headed back to the South Island for the summer. God bless you gorgeous friend!

Nabe Party

What fun we had cooking "nabe" squeezed in our lounge in the early summer heat!

Home Sweet Home

Despite my emotion leaving Japan it is great to be home xx Pictured above from left to right: Jake (family friend and host), Patrick (my bro), Fleur (my sis), Dad, Mum, Wayne, Cathy (Jake's fiancee), James (my bro-in-law).

Autumn Colours

On our final morning we went for a stroll through the rural town of Ohara. The leaves of the mountains were stunning clothed in reds, oranges, and yellows.

Ohara

We were in Kyoto over the busiest weekend of the year due to the beautiful changing Autumn colours. To make the most of the season, we headed an hour north of Kyoto on the bus for our final night in Ohara. We stayed at a "ryokan" or traditional inn with outside hot springs.

Kyoto International Chapel

It truly was wonderful to take Wayne to Kyoto International Chapel where I attended for eight years plus. We've bridged my two worlds! They introduced us as "Carly and Wayne Mulqueen" and even played our ten minute slide show of our wedding for those who were still around after lunch. Tears came to my eyes as there were many people at Chapel who I would've loved to have been there xx Thankfully we were able to visit as a married couple of only seven months! It was such a blessing to see you all! We will continue to pray for you xx

Yamamoto Family

Extended family and friends gathered at Tomomi's Mum's place for a beautiful meal of fresh sashimi and some of my other favourite dishes. I was overwhelmed to see them all for such a brief time. I do hope that we can return again soon or that some of these special people can visit us in New Zealand xx

Gotenyama

I was all teary eyed as we approached Gotenyama where I lived with Tomomi for nearly four years and became so close to the extended Yamamoto family. Tomomi hosted a special lunch for us to catch up with Debby, Naomi and Hitomi. We had a wonderful time talking, praying and worshipping together. It was quite unsettling seeing my beautiful friends and then being torn apart all over again! I did a lot of weeping on return to New Zealand xx Feeling much better now but I still do miss you all!

Shincho Family

Wayne and I had a lovley evening and delicious meal with the Shincho family. Saori came with her Mum and two baby boys to our wedding so it gorgeous to see them again so soon! Mayumi has recently became engaged so it was very special to meet her fiance :) So wonderful to see the family growing xx Thank you for having us!

Machiya

I took Wayne to show him the traditional Japanese style house which I lived in for one year (on the right above). It was a dear wee two-storied place probably nearly 90 years old now. One of the reasons I chose to move on from this treasure spot was that the summer was extruciatingly hot and the winter was freezing... I had to step outside through the snow to use the bathroom and shower! It was delightful to bump into my previous landlord and landlady. They have since purchased eight more preserved homes or "machiya" which are open to the public to dine in or stay in overnight. http://www.shindosyokuryo.com/

Kendo

We went on the hunt for some martial arts and stumbled upon a Kendo tournament!

Riding along Kamo River

This is something else that I've dreamed of doing with Wayne! Kamo River is my favourite place in Japan and it was idyllic riding along the riverbank together :) We also rode through some of the Imperial Palace grounds pictured above.

Tea Tasting

We discovered that Wayne adores Japanese tea! So, I took him to Ippodo, one of the oldest tea houses in Kyoto for some tea-tasting. They taught us how to brew hooji-cha, sencha and macha. We've brought some of our favourites home to keep enjoying xx