Blog Posts

  • Take my stuff – 29 to 31 July

    One Tree Hill, Auckland I have excess wardrobe to clear out. It’s all free but you can give Koha by bank transfer if you want to (more on logistics end of page). Clothing is “women’s” sizes 14-24, mostly around size 18. Dresses formal and casual, skirts, blouses, a lot of “smart casual” and tidy clothing. … Continue reading “Take my stuff – 29 to 31 July”

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  • #ArmsDownNZ

    On May 30 #ArmsDownNZ began to trend on Twitter as we learned that NZ Police’s trial Armed Response Team had not been reserved for incidents that posed “significant risk”, but had largely been doing normal Police work. This news landed just 5 days after the horrifying murder of George Floyd at the hands of American … Continue reading “#ArmsDownNZ”

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  • Letter to MP Scott Simpson regarding connectivity in Papa Aroha

    25 May, 2020 Dear Mr. Simpson, I’m a dual resident of Papa Aroha north of Coromandel, and Auckland. Through the COVID-19 crisis I have relocated to Papa Aroha to be with my family, and have had more first hand experience of the constant struggles they have in regards to internet connectivity.  I recently wrote a personal … Continue reading “Letter to MP Scott Simpson regarding connectivity in Papa Aroha”

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  • Digital Inclusion and Rural Aotearoa

    The trials of connectivity in “remote” New Zealand.

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  • Protected: 24hrs to safety, getting out of Auckland

    There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

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  • Microneedling first-hand, first time

    I’ve been on the Caci Reformaskin plan since May, I first wrote about it here in August. Mostly, I’m trying to repair acne scarring, congestion around the nose and chin, and take better care of my face as it gets older. I’m enjoying being on a “plan”, knowing that I have professionals taking care of … Continue reading “Microneedling first-hand, first time”

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  • Skin dramas

    I don’t know if anyone ever looks at my blog these days, I kind of hope not! It’s a good place to record things though, and I’m investing a lot of money in this. My skin has always given me something to complain about, and lately I’m having more issues with breakouts and at 31 … Continue reading “Skin dramas”

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  • Instagram Ad Fail

    I really want a new dressing gown. My old dressing gown has stains on it and I feel rather frumpy in it. Funnily enough, I’m scrolling Instagram and see an ad for a gorgeous looking kimono… I check out the company’s website. It’s a good price, with free shipping from Australia. I wasn’t sure what … Continue reading “Instagram Ad Fail”

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  • The last time I nearly died

    Anyone else with a chronic illness will know what it’s like to ride the merry-go-round of medical professionals; and this year I was referred to a new neurologist, who sent me for updated head MRI scans. It’s been four years since I was initially diagnosed with IIH, so an updated image would help her to … Continue reading “The last time I nearly died”

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  • Moving to WordPress

    WordPress was a thing, ten years ago when I started my blog. But I chose Tumblr because it was easy and I liked the built-in community that came with it, a context for my content as I posted it. I also was more prone to post just a photo, or to share some content I … Continue reading “Moving to WordPress”

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  • How Colour Therapy gave me M.E

    It’s been five years since I was so sick physically and mentally that I resigned my full time job. I have a neurologist’s diagnosis of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension; but if anything, despite all the best efforts that my support network and I have put into getting “better” I keep having setbacks and overall decline. Medical … Continue reading “How Colour Therapy gave me M.E”

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  • Our colonisers’ talismans just don’t feel like “ours”

    Link: Our colonisers’ talismans just don’t feel like “ours” Written for Radio New Zealand, 2nd December.

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  • Pt 2: An open letter to Countdown Greenlane

    Last week, I wrote about an incident in a supermarket, and the letter I sent management about it. I received a response, and responded with more questions. Read on for these. Perhaps holding businesses to account for safety, or even just encouraging them, can happen from the outside into the business too? I suppose my … Continue reading “Pt 2: An open letter to Countdown Greenlane”

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  • What sick looks like

    So on Facebook I posted this photo of myself today, showing the reality of what it looks like to be sick. Lots of people responded in a bit of surprise, so I think more photos of people being sick should be out there there are so many of us. Maybe some other Spoonies want to … Continue reading “What sick looks like”

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  • An open letter to Countdown Greenlane

    I sent this to Countdown/Progressive Enterprises via their customer support page tonight, 18th of November. I will also publish the response I receive, apparently I can expect it in three working days. I’m interested to hear from other women and customer service staff their thoughts on this incident, feel free to tweet me: @antheaw Tēna koe, … Continue reading “An open letter to Countdown Greenlane”

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  • Hurt

    Bolstered during the night,Clutching bed for comfort on waking. No relief, no answers.Silent plea for care, grim understanding. Plagued and incapable, learning.Last life’s memories, ignorant jewels. Sweetness, poisoned by experience.Let no one else suffer, but they do. Beyond imagination, reality for us.All we can offer, a precious spoon.

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  • Relief

    I hate answering “how are you?” because the answer is typically “crap”, but the bummer for the asker is a bigger bummer for me who lives it.  Yes, others have it worse. Others share similar stories. This is just one small story of one small day. No advice please. Do not make a single suggestion. Tweet me … Continue reading “Relief”

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  • This is my ultimate delicious nutritious comfort food. It tastes so good, has so many interesting textures and fills and warms the tummy so well. The citrus element is what sets the flavours alight and I just love it. It’s great to cook for vegan friends or dairy/gluten free folk, so I like to whip … Continue reading “”

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  • Paying for dinner

    My partner and I went out for dinner and to see Deadpool* at the cinema tonight. After a decent meal, hosted by the restaurant owner or manager and a team of rushed young women, we were perfectly timed to get to our film. From a seat basically under the bar I got up, and reaching … Continue reading “Paying for dinner”

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  • Fly like a woman

    Assigned seat 6E on an A320 plane, I know it’s not likely I’ll have a seat empty beside me. I’m hopeful to be seated next to good people. I’m first to arrive in my row, tentatively sitting in the middle seat and not fastening my seatbelt because at best, no one will be seated by … Continue reading “Fly like a woman”

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