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Kia ora neighbours, Taco Bell's been a long time coming to New Lynn, so we went down to the opening to see if it lived up to the hype. The verdict? Perhaps not.
Have you eaten there yet? What did you think?
An Auckland man camped out all night for the opening of New Zealand's first Taco Bell to tell his ma…
Photo 1: A white hollyhock flower off my OTHER (NON-PINK) hollyhock bush. =D
Photo 2: My pink Little Miss Perfect roses (shrub bought from Bunnings, of course). =D
Photo 3: A white (or very pale purple) I-don't-know-what flower, but it is very pretty, so I thought I'd take a photo of it -… View morePhoto 1: A white hollyhock flower off my OTHER (NON-PINK) hollyhock bush. =D
Photo 2: My pink Little Miss Perfect roses (shrub bought from Bunnings, of course). =D
Photo 3: A white (or very pale purple) I-don't-know-what flower, but it is very pretty, so I thought I'd take a photo of it - it's the same as the unknown pink flowers I've photographed before, but white. =D
Photo 4: My snapdragons (I think). =D
Photo 5: My beans (all sorts) and pumpkins coming up. =D They are butternuts, I think - I planted the seeds from cut-up pumpkins I'd bought for dinner, then put the scraps (including the seeds) in the compost - YES, you can grow all sorts of pumpkin plants from these, I'm pretty sure that's how one of my previous, VERY prolifically-fruiting butternuts grew - from a seed in the compost!!!!!!!! =D So HERE'S hoping I get some this - or next - year!!!!!!!! =D
Photo 6: Some of my pumpkin seedlings. =D Butternuts, I think - my favourite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D Hehehe. =D
Photo 7: Two of my scarlet runner bean seedlings!!!!! =D Yay - I can FINALLY get them to grow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D AND, what's AMAZING is that NONE show signs of rot. =O The trick is to plant them, and your pumpkins, in a raised bed WITH GOOD SOIL, and then BOTH your pumpkins AND your beans will be healthy - THIS is what I have learned from this. =D Heheheh!!!!!!!! =D
A male Nyala antelope at Wellington Zoo got spooked/frightened by the fireworks and ran into a fence they believe, and they found it dead the next morning:
www.odt.co.nz...
Omelettes are essentially a version of scrambled eggs but they have been left to rest and coagulate so that the pan side is firm. Some people prefer firm omelettes, others like to have the egg a little runny so that it retains that soft, silky consistency also known as baveuse.
Ingredients
3 … View moreOmelettes are essentially a version of scrambled eggs but they have been left to rest and coagulate so that the pan side is firm. Some people prefer firm omelettes, others like to have the egg a little runny so that it retains that soft, silky consistency also known as baveuse.
Ingredients
3 Eggs
1 pinch Salt
½ tsp Butter, or a splash of good quality olive oil
Directions
1. In a bowl whisk the eggs. Add salt.
2. Heat the butter in a frying pan (non-stick is easier) until it is just beginning to brown and has a nutty smell. Let it run around the pan so that it is well coated.
3. Pour in the egg mix. With your rubber spatula, constantly lift and scoop around the edges and cut through the middle of the egg mixture to cook evenly.
4. If you are adding a filling to the omelette, it should be done at this point.
5. Roll or fold the omelette by folding one half on the other, or fold one third on the middle third and then roll on the remaining third.
Prior to folding, you can add a filling to lift the flavour of the omelette.
Classic combinations include:
Saute mushrooms
Blanched spinach (with cream)
Diced ham
A combination of finely chopped herbs such as chives, chervil, parsley, tarragon
Join me and a team of adventurous women on Habitat for Humanity's Women's Build - Cambodia, early 2020! Check out the flyer and let me know if you're interested. No building experience required! Email: gaylenekt@gmail.com / Ph/Txt: 021 232 8149
Auckland Council’s new Policy on Dogs 2019 and dog management bylaw is now in force across the Auckland region.
The policy relates to time and season, access, menacing dogs and multiple dog ownership rules.
Kia ora neighbours, Taco Bell opens in New Lynn today, and one man camped out overnight to be first through the doors.
Mark Felton arrived at 10pm on Monday and said he was there to "create memories" and secure bragging rights so he could say he was the first customer at the chain's… View moreKia ora neighbours, Taco Bell opens in New Lynn today, and one man camped out overnight to be first through the doors.
Mark Felton arrived at 10pm on Monday and said he was there to "create memories" and secure bragging rights so he could say he was the first customer at the chain's New Zealand debut.
Will you be making a visit?
REVIEW: There were years of waiting, months of hype, and hours of queuing before Taco Bell made its …
Hi neighbours,
Date nights of the 1950s era are back with drive-in movie screenings of ‘Grease’ at MOTAT.
Will you be going?
The importance of communication
What you say at work is almost as important as what you do at work. Learn the phrases that will help you sound smarter, more respectful, and ultimately help you succeed at the office.
Cancel meetings with tact
You have to cancel a meeting and come up with a … View moreThe importance of communication
What you say at work is almost as important as what you do at work. Learn the phrases that will help you sound smarter, more respectful, and ultimately help you succeed at the office.
Cancel meetings with tact
You have to cancel a meeting and come up with a reason—or tell the actual reason. Excuses already sound, well, excuse-y, so to validate your behaviour it’s important to choose the right words. Gary Burnison, author of Lose the Resume, Land the Job, reported for CNBC that standard Stanford business practices include being honest whenever possible, and avoiding typical excuses such as “current meeting running late” and “got a fire to put out.” Instead, validate the significance of the missed appointment by saying “I understand how important this is…” or “I’m really sorry but I have to reschedule.” Then quickly move towards potential dates and times when you can make this happen. Setting an example is one of the best ways to build trust with your work colleagues.
Ask the question
Challenge your assumptions about others by asking a question instead of responding with a statement; this can be a powerful argument avoidance strategy in the workplace, according to Mack Shwab, an executive director at the Dale Carnegie Institute. He recommends getting in the mindset to be a more curious person by asking “Why do you think that?” to gain more information about a person’s stance instead of jumping to conclusions. Want to go even further in your career?
Make them think your solution is their idea
In every classic persuasion training, the “winner” has succeeded by making the other person think their solution was the other person’s own idea. Shwab says it’s no different now. To accomplish this, use more questioning strategies to get them to consider multiple points of view such as: “What would be the benefit if we go that way?” and “What would be the benefit to you if that happens?”
“Emphatically” admitting you’re wrong
We’ve all heard the deep significance of apologizing when you are wrong in a relationship. But the Carnegie institute specifically teaches doing so “emphatically.” For example, instead of just saying “I’m sorry,” elaborate a bit to ensure the other party really feels your emotion. You could say, “Hey, I’m really wrong about that and I’m really sorry.” The emphatic nature of this style of apology diffuses the other person more quickly and also creates a culture where it’s safe to admit mistakes. It’s also a best practice to outwardly say you forgive someone, instead of leaving them to wonder where they stand. It’s also key to not sabotage your own apology.
Avoid the “and/or/but” to demonstrate respect
After pursuing the other person’s viewpoint, it’s imperative to avoid the words “and,” “or,” and “but” to ensure the colleague or boss has felt thoroughly heard. Instead, replace these debate-oriented words with a pause and a breath, then say, “that’s an interesting idea. It triggered a thought in my head,” Shwab recommends. His strategy of separating your colleague’s suggestion from your presentation of your own idea demonstrates respect for them.
Kill them with kindness
We all have that colleague, but we don’t have to be that colleague. Using extreme friendliness with the toughest cookie in your department may not change their generally terrible demeanour towards the world, but you may be the person who, as Shwab calls it, “begins in a friendly way.” He compares it to how a dog acts when they can’t wait to see you, complete with the wagging tail. “You will be shocked by the way they change.” Simply starting with “How are you?” and caring can make a difference. You can even attempt small, intentional acts of kindness in your workplace to improve these relationships.
Acknowledge unsolicited advice
A suggestion is defined as an “idea or plan put forward for consideration.” When you receive unsolicited advice at work, responding with “thanks for the suggestion,” will preserve your integrity when you are annoyed and can simultaneously shut down the advice-giver while making them feel somewhat appreciated (maybe both). After all, their idea is out there for your consideration, not your immediate acceptance, right where advice belongs.
Getting to yes
Sometimes negative colleagues or bosses are simply in a sour mental place and used to saying no. You have the power to get them in a “yes” frame of mind before pitching an idea or requesting something through a series of questions about basic facts, Shwab says. He shares an example of trying to sell a widget in a proposal in which others are already against it. Asking a series of yes or no questions to present the positives will lead to more “yes’s.” “For example, you could ask ‘Do you think it will help our customer base?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Do you think the new widget would make us more profitable?’ ‘Yes,’” he said. Then you move into the potential problematic areas discussion with this yes mindset prepared.
A compliment plus a reason
We’ve all given and received meaningless compliments. “That’s amazing.” “Great job.” While they are appreciated, it’s so much more meaningful to demonstrate evidence for the compliment with specifics. To make it sound sincere, Shwab says, “You have to substantiate it with evidence…if you don’t give an example it loses all its teeth.” Being authentic is one of the best ways to give a meaningful compliment.
Repeat it back
Listening and relationship experts encourage reciting back someone’s words, in your own words, to ensure you have understood and to communicate that understanding back to the speaker. This can start simply with “What I hear you saying…” or “What I think you are saying…” and then discrepancies can be corrected from there before proceeding onto the real work. According to the Harvard Business Review, people only ever retain half of what you said, so this can ensure you remember at least that much.
Accept compliments graciously
A thank you with a period is more sincere than a “thank you so much” or an “I really appreciate it.” It’s the classiest way to receive a compliment, without any elaboration, self-deprecation (“Thanks. I didn’t work that long on the presentation.”) It demonstrates confidence and appreciation without cockiness or insecurity.
On Sunday 17 November, the train timetables for the Western and Onehunga lines will be changing to provide earlier and later services. New timetables are live in Journey Planner and AT Mobile. Follow link for more info: at.govt.nz...
Is GST making you grizzly!? Come and have a FREE 30 minute chat with us, to see if we can help you turn your grimace into a grin!!
Join the WestCity Explorers Fern & Nikau this Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th November as we celebrate Santa’s arrival.
Enjoy a fun filled weekend of Christmas festivities including:
● Meet & take photos with Santa
● Receive a FREE Christmas activity pad with every Santa photo … View moreJoin the WestCity Explorers Fern & Nikau this Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th November as we celebrate Santa’s arrival.
Enjoy a fun filled weekend of Christmas festivities including:
● Meet & take photos with Santa
● Receive a FREE Christmas activity pad with every Santa photo purchased!
● Decorate and take home your own Gingerbread Man
● Decorate and take home your own Christmas hat
● Face Painting
● Balloon artist
● Jugglers
● WestCity Explorers handing out treats
Where: WestCity Waitakere Level 1, Centre Court 7 Catherine Street, Henderson, Auckland
When: Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th November from 10.30am – 2.30pm
Phone: +64 9 978 6700
Do you have a vehicle that is taking up space and becoming an eyesore? At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars. We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!
* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
* Same day removal
* Free … View moreDo you have a vehicle that is taking up space and becoming an eyesore? At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars. We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!
* $300 - $3000 for small cars
* $700 - $10,000 for 4x4 utes, vans, 4WD, trucks and buses
* Same day removal
* Free quotes over the phone
We will beat any prices in the market by 10%.
Support your local business.
Give us a call on ** 0800 50 00 01 ** and we will be happy to have a chat.
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