To be given a honour

This evening I went to Visit Danielle and her new baby son, Jaren Valentino. It was such an amazing sight to see again a new born baby and it seems such along time ago I was holding my own baby daughter as a newly born. Jaren is a cute little boy who's the spitting image of mother and father but most importantly, is a bright healthy child. The most shocking moment came when Danielle and Chay asked me if I would like to be Jaren's Godfather, I was fallen back to begin with thank them both to be considered for this honour.
There are four godparents, Two whom chay has choosen and two whom danielle has choosen. Along with myself on danielle's side, is Sarah 'Petrina' Mortensen (Sorry Sez, just had to put that in there hehehe).
Congratulations again guy's


My new God Son

Congratulations

Today my good friend Danielle welcomed her baby son into the world, Jaren.
Both mother and daughter are well and doing just great although I'm sure she's somewhat exhausted after a long labour.
I look forward to seeing mother and daughter soon
Congratulations Danielle & Chay on the welcoming of your child - our hearts and praises are with you both

Maks Update Nov 27th

I'm happy to say that she has the slight ability to crawl backwards which is the first step to crawling properly. like many babies there's always the one elusive leg that gets suck somewhere along the line, and just as soon as its free they are then able to progress to the 'try to crawl' stage.
I am also able to announce that she mumbles what sounds like "hello".

BOYZ WEEKEND OF GOLF

Come eight days hence, four men shall step forth unto to battlefield to embark on the battle of skill, phycological warefare, finess, and natual talent that is required to handle 72 holes of golf. The battlefield has been designated at Terrace Downs, Canterbury, New Zealand's South Island. The time has been set to commence at 2pm Friday Afternoon. Weapons to be at the ready, Battle-wear to be fitted and suited for engagement, gear to be tested and upgraded where necessary. Wits will be surely tested, stamina pushed to the brink, phycological mind games shall most likely be present and that all combatants bring their game.
I extent a hearty goodwill prior to the deathmatch and promise not to dance on the grave scorecards of my oppossed as I descimate indiscriminantly.

To Jason, Open your club face
To Wuzza, swing with freedom and ease
To Simon, Swing True
and to myself, To breathe

Two count downs in operation

It is 25 days until I see my precious daughter again
It is 8 days till the boyz golfing weekend in the south island.

Two of the most exciting count downs going for me at the moment.


Other count downs runing are as follows
2 days until my cousin stef turns her big THIRTY
12 to Donne's birthday
30 till xmas eve and
31 to xmas day (Miekie's first Christmas)
2 days till training at big swing for next countdown...
3 days to go for golf at formosa golf resort
21 days till next pay day
38 days till the new year

and another exciting countdown ......

143 days 18 hours and 14 minutes to Mak's first Birthday (at the time I typed this)
I Tried for seconds but they just kept zooming away just like this year has gone by

Hong Kong Locations

photo One: This is where we stayed


photo two: the route by ferry to Nan Sha


photo three: where my plane was located in relation to the runway

Back home in kiwiana

Departing Hong Kong at gate 5 meant that its at ground level therefore a bus was required to transport passengers to the plane where the first thing we noticed was that they were still working on the engine, not a great confidence booster.
The amazing part was that the plane was parked quite near the runway so I could see planes approach, lift off & then fly off into the distance. I stood there for a while watching the planes thinking I'd probably not get another chance to get this close to planes racing along the runway and watch them fly off.
The plane departed late due to two occuranes 1) the engine & 2) someone decided not to fly so the plane was searched to confirm no other remaing bags were left.
On arriving into NZ I declared my golf shoes at customs as I always do as I don't want to track any nasties into NZ and they also clean my shoes up nicely aswell.
When I got home it was hard to believe that I'd just spent the week in Hong Kong and felt like I'd never gone at all as it was back to business as normal. Went into work this morning but left straight away as I'm still not feeling very well and the flight didn't help my flu so just chilled out at home resting.
Oh well, early to bed now... Nite Nite

Safe and Sound Maks update Nov 19th

Donne and Princess made it safely to Joburg, South Africa.

Donne said that maks slept the entire way waking up maybe a few hours before landing to which she then fed her and she went straight back to sleep thereafter. So happy she was able to sleep as it gave donne time to sleep as well, or as best you can when we have to fly economy (to which I will have to endure in a few hours time).
Her grandparents were so excited to see her as they haven't seen her pretty much since she was new born and its good for miekie to see them after all this time, Think its good for everyone.
Well - this maybe it for a Maks Update for a while but if anything pops up I'll be sure to post it. Stay tuned.....

This is Mike from Hong Kong, Signing off

Signature Hole

The Number 8 hole at Nan Sha which is the signature par 3 with a distance of about 132 yards out or 145 straight down. Similar to the likes of new zealand golf holes such as the second hole at South Head West Auckland, 11th Hole at Formosa but not nearly the same distance as those but an easy PW or 9 iron would be sufficient, accordingly you could opt for a 7 or 5 iron hooded over and lightly punched forward depending on the pin placement. Todays was front to middle so it was an easy half 9 to 6 feet from the hole and then three-putted for bogey Grrrrrrrrr Gutted!!!

Nan Sha

Yesturday morning we departed Hong Kong by ferry to Nan Sha in China to play golf. The resort is quite stunning for where it's situated in the valley, there are two courses, the valley which is where we played and the mountain course. The course is a par 72 and relatively easy.... when you game is up to spec and shots aren't going left - right and over there. Was playing with copy callaway's and let me tell you that you can sure tell the difference straight away. Had a very difficult time putting as there was no feel off the face where I would put it as putting a marshmellow with how much feel you had on the greens. The greens in themselve where somewhat new to me as well, they were so hard I would place it as similar to a cricket pitch in NZ but dryer and in better condition. But a great course all round. The most exciting part of the round was that you have a caddie and these guy's are great. They organise your clubs, mark out distances, explain the greens, hand you your drink when you think your about to melt and just generally good company. I had a hard time judging distances as I'm metric and they operate in yards and I don't know how to calculate so had a rough time measuring out the field.
We stayed in the Nan Sha Hotel that night and the rooms were very accommodating and I relaxed in the big bath to soothe my aching back. We had dinner in the cantonese restaurant and I was thoroughly impressed by the impecable service. I would surely go back there again if not for the service, then the sweet and sour prawns, yummy.
Day two on the course today was somewhat better but was only able to drop 7 shots off from yesturday but struggling with the clubs and feel that next time will bring up my set as I'm more familiar with them. This morning we did the front 9 in about 1hour 40 mins then about 2.5hours on the back nine due to slow play up front, thought I was about to loose my mind as i've never been behind a slower bunch of people before so just had to concerntrate on the game at hand.
So now here I sit back here in Hong Kong listening to the sound track theme song from Mcguyver that my sister downloaded and turned on for my amusement.
Ok, next stop... New Zealand

Hong Kong

Arrived in Hong Kong on Monday night (Nov 14th) with Donne and our darling daughter in tow. So what adventures did we get up too whilst here? Well Donne wanted to experience the shopping side to hong kong, and did she shop!! :-)
Tuesday we went for a walk with the kids down to the water front to look out over the waterfront towards Hong Kong Island and took some photos. Then it was off to Hard Rock Cafe for a nice lunch (its tradition, I go everytime I'm here) why? who knows, good food perhaps. Then it was back home to rest the kids (Makayla and Danika) and rest ourselves as well, gets pretty tiring rushing around after two kids. That night we went to the night markets where Donne bought a few things such as hand bag, shoes and watch to start and then the shopping was continued the following day at stanley markets. We caught the number 6 bus which goes over the hills and not through the tunnel which I think I won't do again as the drivers are nuts, or the shocks need replacing on the buses, or both. It was at this point I was really starting to feel the effects of the flu I caught from Donne and Miekie on the flight over from Auckland which meant that when they went to the night markets again I was not feeling well enough to go. But Donne managed to score a few more buys and she's a great shopper getting lots of not only great stuff but good bargins too.
Last day now, so we decided to show Donne and Miekie around Hong Kong so we took the MTR to Admiralty and from there walked up through Hong Kong Park towards the avery and then to the playground for the kids to have a little fun.
Then it was back to pack the bags for Joburg, time just flew by so fast that it was lastnight that we dropped Donne and Miekie off at the airport and that in one hours time I'm off to play golf in China, so best get packing now

Maks Update Nov 17th

I'm typing this as I sit here in Hong Kong after spending 3 glorious day's showing my daughter the sights n sounds of Hong Kong. Donne, Miekie and myself flew up to Hong kong on monday afternoon from Auckland flying on Cathay Pacific CX108. We settled into our seats and took off with Princess being mildly amused, afterall its not her first time on a plane, but it is her first international flight. After take off the stewardess brought out the bassinet for her to lay in where she was quite content to sit and play with her toys and allow her mom and dad to eat in peace and watch some movies. She slept very well and better than her parents but then she had a bed whereas we had uncomfortable economy seats to finds a position to get comfortable in. The day we flew up was Monday the 14th of Novemeber so at 18:25 she turned 7 months, and as we do every month since her birth we took photo's to mark her growth whilst in flight. Its been about 3 weeks since her aunty Kaz saw her and she can't but not remark how much Makayla has developed in that short space of time. She can talk "Dad, Dadda" and interact with her 21 month old cousin danika (those two are so excitable together). Makayla is now so close to crawling we predict she'll be mobile by the time she returns from Joburg in a months time which is where she is currently flying too now.
I miss her so much its almost unbearable
But it will be so great for her to see her grandparents and for them to see her and how much she's grown from the tiny infant baby she once was. She has a fantastic mom too who will enjoy some full time babysitter for a while :-)
Safe travels princess, Daddy loves you

The day is now apon us

Well its close approaching monday to which we will be flying off to Hong Kong.
Am I packed, no not yet, I pack best waiting for the last minute as my theory is that if I pack too early I would then pack more than what would actually be required. Normally used to pack like a boyscout taking anything and everything in the case of uneventuality. But nowadays its more-or-less if I don't have it i'll buy it which isn't exactly practical spending but its still within the males practicality of thinking. Check list
Passport, golf shoes, and clothes to wear on the plane, oh and my wallet. Pretty much anything else is excess but naturally I'll pack a few light supplies.
Well all things going according to plan, my next post will be from Hong Kong.

Rob's 30th

Last friday night was great to celebrate my good friend Robert Goods big 30 that was held at the Denim bar in Parnell Auckland. I was able to catch up with people I haven't seen for years, some since I left Kristin in senior year. It was a great night mate - Happy Birthday bud

Maks update Nov 13th

Over the last three weeks she's developed leaps and bounds since even my last maks update. Her first words are Da Da, Dahdee, and dad, so I love it. I'm actually a little tired at the moment as we've just woken up form our morning nap as they day started early at about 0430 this morning when I had a text wake Miekie up and she was up for an hour before dropping off a gain. We've gone for breakfast (as I hold no food at home) brought some more dvd-rw's and cd-rw to copy Miekie's first six months of videos and photo's on to disk. Now its time for lunch, I can hear princes calling me.

Work tomorrow?

Hell I think not !! !!
Ok well I may go in for an hour, maybe. Just to see if any accounts have come back that need the personal touch otherwise FORGET IT I'm on Holiday.

Tonight I went to practice my much needed short game in preperation for terrace downs. That course with its altitude means that driving long distances is not a problem even with and easy to go swing. But like any course its all down to the short game as that's where your handicap can either be made or broken.
Spoke with Jase today about the 15th hole at TD, a par 3 that you either hit the green as anything else and your in trouble. You hit half a foot to the right hand side of the green and you might as well take another tee shot or take a drop as that balls gone.
Steve Williams who's Tiger Woods caddie says its one of the most challenging back nines he's ever played. But if the course doesn't distract you the back drop certainly will

kiwicarlovers.blog

My good friend Rob has invited me to join in on updating his kiwicarlovers blog site adding in blurbs on highend supercars. Tonight I have loaded my first two being the Holden and the dodge hennessey limited edition.

Check it out on http://kiwicarlovers.blogspot.com

Maybach Exelero

By the looks of this photo, it seems that the Batmobile has gone into civilian production

Countdown 1 week

I predict that at this time in one weeks time I should be close to approaching Hong Kong. Plans are to Fly up to Hong Kong with Donne and Miekie and stay with my parents where I plan to go shopping and definately Disney Land!! Yes I know its not the original one but I'll take it for now. After Donne and Miekie fly out for Joburg, Dad and I will go play some golf, YEAH!!!! Love my golf!!!
It'll be nice to get outta here for a while for a change of scenery so watch out hong Kong co's i'm coming

Maks Update november 7th

Well she's bigger better & Louder...
She's growing so fast now and seems to have grown so much in the past two weeks its been incrediable. I hadn't actually taken full notice of how much she truly has grown until a few weeks back when i went tot he parent and child expo at the auckland show grounds and saw lots of tiny new babies. I could then see just how much she's grown and also how much while Miekie means so much to me I can't but not feel like I'd love to have another baby.
She's getting quite playful now and makes us laugh more and more every single day.
Sure puts a bright smile on my face