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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

New Zealand drip feed.


Q1: a rose is a ... , originally uploaded by badskirt - amy.

I'm home from my South Island New Zealand tour now and trying to decide to tell you about it. Thankfully we weren't caught up in the earthquake, yet my personal journey felt horrid rumbles as my family quaked, tremored and fell apart. It was a brutally exhausting trip. Emotionally draining. I have not felt this tinged with sadness, grief and loss since my mother passed five years ago.

I feel the turmoil amongst my in-laws must be mentioned to give you an understanding as I take you on the journey I had on New Zealand's south island. Callous and careless words from a bitter woman stung at my heart each day. I saw my own pain and hurt reflected in my husband's eyes as, he too, took the brunt of a mother's thoughtless words. We were encompassed by negative energy from the woman who should love us and encourage us.

And through all of that bitter spite, we found beauty daily on New Zealand's South Island. I think that's the story that I want to tell you about... the beauty of the New Zealand's south island, the strength of it's people. Come with me on a visual feast, spoon-fed a few photos at a time.

I'm not a rose person, yet these called me far off our path on Queenstown's lakeshore. Camera in hand. A perfect place to start.

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16 comments:

  1. oversewn (Raven)March 2, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Such are family trips, no? A hug from far away. I'm glad you are home now.

    I'm not a rose person either.

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  2. Stitching in SydneyMarch 2, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Hi there Hope you are OK - I am from the North Island of NZ but have very fond memories of the beautiful south - I look forward to hearing more of your trip.

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  3. {Leila}Where the Orchids GrowMarch 2, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Ouch, you need a holiday from being on a holiday girl!
    Looking forward to your pretty NZ pictures.

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  4. JennieMarch 2, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    I'm about to have my in-laws from the UK come stay with us for three weeks. MIL is well-meaning but requires a lot of patience. FIL is tolerable, I suppose, as long as he doesn't get any drink in him. Visits between us usually end in massive arguments between Hubby and FIL just as the visiting party is departing for the airport. But it sounds like your MIL is more difficult. Sorry she hurt both of you.

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  5. MargretMarch 2, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Some truly crap people have kids, and it's a testament to those kids when they themselves turn out to be wothwhile people despite the examples they were bought up by. Families... you can't pick em.
    I'm sorry your trip and MIL were a trial.

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  6. Stacy Kraus McDonaldMarch 2, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I'm so sorry because you are completely, totally awesome and deserve to be surrounded by awesomeness. Maybe a self-made voodoo doll is needed? Hugs.

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  7. AnonymousMarch 2, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Jesus. You poor thing. What a horrid time. I am sorry that you had to go through that.

    I am looking forward to seeing the prettier parts of your holiday, but always here to chat about the crappier parts if you need to.

    (From someone whose MIL once called her a free-loading tart. On her deathbed she told me that she loved me, but really? All those years wasted?)

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  8. NessaKnitsMarch 2, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Sorry you MIL is a biatch. Don't let her bad energy drag you down. Hold your head high and be more dignified than her.

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  9. Jo (sparkly green knickers)March 2, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Terrible for you, but awful for poor Mr Badskirt too.

    I'm sure you'll read a lot of MIL stories now. My ex MIL encouraged her son to get a paternity test when we fell pregnant after 6 years of being together. I had felt like part of the family until I heard that...

    I look forward to seeing more of the beauty of NZ.

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  10. AnonymousMarch 2, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Ach! MILs can drain the life out of a person faster than anyone other than teenage children. I'm sorry your holiday turned sour. I have to remind myself that time spent with family is *not* a vacation, it's a family trip. Somehow adjust the expectation helps.

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  11. justmejayMarch 2, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Oh, Amy - how horrible for you both - I empathise with you on MIL's - I have never been able to understand how/why some mothers (and fathers) seem to think it's ok to treat their children so badly in so many different ways...

    Gorgeous pic - am looking forward to seeing some more of what I'm sure are amazing photos :)

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  12. AnonymousMarch 2, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    Sorry the emotional part of the south Island was so harrowing for you. Family trips are hard work and we should get compensation and danger money for them!
    I'm glad you enjoyed some of the other wonders though - the south Island is a pretty extraordinary place, non?
    ps. I visited the Japan $3 shop in Auckland's Queen street whilst there over the weekend - would never have discovered it without your blog (small children in tow can cramp the day long wanderings). Thank you - what a treasure trove!

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  13. Belinda aka beewareMarch 2, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    I hope & trust that there are much better energies surrounding you now lovely Amy. I agree with Maggie--families, you can't pick 'em.

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  14. katrinaMarch 2, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    Awwww. I'm glad that you two were able to find some beauty in the trip at least. Hugs!

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  15. willow and mooMarch 3, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    Amy, hope your feeling more positive back in Sydney. I'm just sort of gobsmacked that anyone wouldn't be nice to you. You are such a lovely person and have such a wonderful energy about you.

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  16. carepharmarxMarch 6, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    Nice Post, I appreciate with you and your work. Thanks for sharing...

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You are a rockstar! Thanks so much for your comments!