The beginning...

Influenced by my co-teacher Tez and her inspiring writing, I find myself writing a blog. I have also pinched her idea of using the letters of the alphabet to guide my writing.

I will start at the very beginning, because it is a very good place to start. While sitting down and relaxing this evening I chose to watch a film which is very close to my heart, the main quote, though it seems cliché, is ‘love is actually all around’. Most of the ladies out there would have already guessed that it is the adored film ‘Love Actually’. There are many reasons why this film has a special place in my heart, probably most significantly is that love is such a difficult topic and I believe that this film with all its giggles and tears, really does pin point the positive and negatives of a feeling that we all have experience with.

However, I am going slightly off topic, this film also makes me utterly homesick, of England, of family, of close friends. I tend to watch this film on days of reflection. Having moved half way around the world and visited a fair few airports, I have a fair idea the rituals and routines when arriving in a country. When the plane lands, often you’re sat at the back waiting for the doors to be opened and the impatient travellers are already standing and queuing with their oversized hand luggage and their passports at the ready. Obviously then you go through the process of passport control and luggage reclaim. But I think what touches me the most is walking out through the doors of the arrival lounge. Like walking through the smoke on Stars in their Eyes, spending 24 hours on a plane to prepare for it, yet exiting the gate looking more like the grim reaper! It is the feeling of relief and excitement that the never-ending plane journey did end and the long awaited hugs and smiles from family and friends are only minutes away.

I think back to the last time my sister and her family came to New Zealand. To see them walking through the gates, was just overwhelming and slightly surreal. And so, I start my blog with the word Arrivals. Whether being the arrived or the awaiting loved ones, the arrivals lounge is full of smiles, laughter, tears and most of all, love. I look forward to many more visits to arrival lounges, to be or to greet the arrived...