I need to start by saying there is no such thing as a wonder woman.  Juggling work, life, social, family, romantic, personal, medical, emotional, and general responsibilities is enough to drive anyone around the bend.  I’ve had something to prove for a long time. I’ve tried too hard, been too much, and lived a life of … More A Little Break

It is mere hours from the polls opening in the USA for what may be the most important midterm elections of modern times.  The balance of power, international relations, and the current tone toward and treatment of many people within and neighbouring the USA is not only confounding but frequently very frightening. The political system … More The World is Watching

43 Things On the surface, my husband and I are night and day.  He is as quiet and calm, as I am boisterous and gregarious. But 17 years with this incredible, complicated, kind, quirky man have taught me countless lessons, and showed me in a multitude of ways, the kind of person I aspire to … More Phteven’s Phorty Phird Birphday

I am heading down to Queenstown on Wednesday to catch up with two of the many Goddesses I have been lucky to meet since starting the ChargeNet journey toward energy independence for New Zealand.  It hasn’t been a cake walk.  Hours are long, stress can run pretty high, and the high stakes and tight deadlines … More Dee on Leadership

The theme for today, was the value we place in things. Definition: It isn’t a secret, that I am no fan of money – it hurts me every single day that contributions that people make with the work they do or the time they spend seems to often not equal monetary gain.  Nurses, doctors, scholars … More Value

I am in the lounge, heading home to my beautiful babies and my soul mate Phteven, with his superman curl, that falls to the right side of his forehead, and bobs just above his bushy-but-beautiful eyebrow. Suffice to say I miss my tribe.  Not just Phteve and the kids, I miss my people.  I have … More Sunset is Setting on Singapore and a Study Tour

I didn’t sleep much at all last night. Something about the wind makes me uneasy.  Add to that, a very fraught day, letting go of some things that are simply too heavy to hold, an ethics paper to research, and more work sprawled out before me than I could ever hope to start, let alone … More Restless Last Night, Ready to Fight.

For the first six weeks I was in too much emotional pain to cry.   Last week the levy of tears was breached and the leak is still a constant   There’s an irony, that the diagnosis my son has been given echoes so much about my own emotional and neurological struggles since childhood.   … More The Mother of Pain

Dee and Steve West have four children.  The oldest of the kids attends Albany Junior High School, and was given a blog assignment this weekend to discuss the petrol tax.  He researched and wrote this all of his own volition.  We are most proud of his ability to rationalise both the positive and negative implications … More Daniel West Blog on Petrol Taxation

We’re NOT Buying Fireworks   It is November in New Zealand.  People can buy fireworks for private Guy Fawkes parties and events, for the next few days. We will not buy any fireworks.   We used to have a big party and display every year.  I adore fireworks.  I like the smell, and the sound, … More No Fireworks for the Hobbits this Year