Well, that's christmas over for another year. Had a few days off work and spent the time doing what I do every year. Sit and watch tv and eat chocolate. Am only halfway through my first box...not good. Am trying to get all 3 large boxes eaten by the 31st Dec so I can start my diet on the 1st Jan. As you do.

Mum thinks I'm anorexic though as she hasn't seen me eat anything for days....little does she know I've been scoffing chocolates all day every day (and the odd tube of pringles...)

Am back in Scotland now after a difficult journey back. I always wondered why it was cheaper to fly through LA than to go via Singapore. If you've ever flown to LA on transit, then you'll realise why. The airport is complete organised chaos. And the airport staff......I've never met people so rude as the staff I encountered at that airport. The first people you encounter upon arrival are the customs people.....short little men on power trips who like to shout at you for not filling in your form correctly. (it wasn't my fault...the air steward gave me the wrong form!...I certainly didn't deserve to be shouted at. "Is the air steward a united states customs officer.....is he? IS HE???") Then after I had collected my baggage, there was an utter absence of directions. I caught the eye of a member of airport staff and said "excuse me please..." What I got in return was a hand thrust into my face in the manner of a Jerry Springer guest. She might as well have said "talk to the hand....." and did that eye popping, head rolling move that they always do. Rude, rude, rude.

Well, managed to get out of my last week of contract work so I can go on a wee holiday to the north of the north island. It's very beautiful up there apparently. It's also very hot right here at the moment, so I'm looking forward to getting as much sunshine as I can. I won't be seeing the sun for a very long time where I'm going.

Will be good to get home....deep fried pizzas here I come! Just not looking forward to the 26 hours of flying time though (sigh)

I'm coming to the end of my contract now.....been doing a lot of soul searching to decide 'do I stay or do I go'. Ultimately, the need for cash to pay debts etc, over-rides what the heart wants. A friend here told me to just say sod it and to stay and enjoy myelf. I wish I was the type of person who could do that, but I'm just too sensible.

I have just over a week left here to enjoy the lovey New Zealand sunshine, and then it's back to Glasgow to take up a month's contract. After that.....well, who knows.

Hopefully I'll be bringing a very lovely souvenir back to keep me warm during the dark, cold winter months. More on that later though......

Went to the circus at the weekend. Haven't quite decided whether or not I think the circus is an evil place for animals. It was my first time at the circus, and I found it very entertaining, but very nailbiting (the trapeze artists were young girls who were performing without a safety net).

Best moment though......when the elephant stopped in the middle of it's 'act' to produce a huge steaming pile of poo :o)