NYE - some reflection on 2016

2016 started off a little rough for me, rolling up back to Auckland after Fringe World, broke, heartbroken, unemployed and stuck (so I felt but actually it was great) living with my parents. At this (seeming to me) low, I can not thank my friends and family in Auckland enough for embracing me with open arms for returning home. 

As someone who is prone to depression, I am so thankful that I managed to get through this rough time without falling into the dark hole that is depression. Without the kind embrace of my friends and family I don't know if I would have been so lucky. Love, support, understanding are so important when helping someone dealing with depression. It can be so difficult supporting someone who struggles with mental illness.

Below are some of the things people did which helped me stay away of that black hole:

• Inviting me to join an indoor netball team (Dropped the Ball) 
• Helping me find work ! (Thanks Sarah for LEGO and Kimberley for Sanctuary Dental)
• Housing me rent free and giving me a car to drive (Mum and Dad)
• Giving me things to do (Thanks Gina for Show Me Shorts and craftanooning, and thanks to Scarlett - Frocks on Bikes) 
• Inviting me to do social things (Thank you to all the 'Ladies night Ladies' - also we need to come up with a better name for this group) 
• Taking me out for meals (Thanks James) 
• Providing me a little nephew Wallace (Thanks Fynn and Bex) to love me unconditionally (as #1 Aunty) 
• Cooking me over for dinner (Thanks, Lauren, Charlotte, Rach, Fynn and Bex = x100, and also Seamus) 
• Going to all the shows with me (Thanks comedy crew buddies Lizzie, Chye-Ling)
• Joining me for walks up Mt Eden (thanks, Livvy!!)

Everything seems to be falling into place for me, which is almost overwhelming. There is no way I would be where I am today without the love and support I received from the wonderful people in my life. I would never guessed I would have come to the end of 2016 on such a high**.

So many exciting things to come in 2017! Here are a couple of things I am really looking forward to the first few months of 2017:

1. Auckland Fringe - I am not only performing with the amazing Wet Hot Beauties, Sea Change, I am also doing my OWN show, Teeth Talk.
   
   
2.  I am starting a new job at AUT, as a 'clinical educator'. This will be just for a few hours on a Tuesday, supervising the dental hygiene students. I am so excited by the challenge of this new role.
   
   
3.  On Wednesday 1st of Feb, I will be officially starting Wednesdays at PerioCARE. This is a specialist periodontist - a gum specialist. I had started doing some half days in the last few months of 2016. Now I'll be there a whole day.

**Although my actual NYE celebrations finished early due to a touch of food poisoning (I managed to last until the countdown then promptly taxi'd home). 

My one photo I took of NYE party right before the count down.

Some positive thoughts from 2016, Chris actually had 46 points but I cut it at 25. You can look them up the rest of them here if you want:

From Chris Hadfield @Cmdr_Hanfield (twitter)

1. The Colombian government and FARC rebels committed to a lasting peace, ending a war that killed or displaced over 7 million people.

2. Sri Lanka spent five years working to exile the world’s deadliest disease from their borders. As of 2016, they are malaria free.

3. The Giant Panda, arguably the world’s second cutest panda, has official been removed from the endangered species list.

4. @astro_timpeake became the first ESA astronaut from the UK, symbolizing a renewed British commitment to space exploration.

5. Tiger numbers around the world are on the rise for the first time in 100 years, with plans to double by 2022.

6. Juno, a piece of future history, successfully flew over 588 million miles and is now sending back unprecedented data from Jupiter.

7. The number of veterans in the US who are homeless has halved in the past half-decade, with a nearly 20% drop in 2016.

8. Malawi lowered its HIV rate by 67%, and in the past decade have seen a shift in public health that has saved over 250,000 lives.

8. Malawi lowered its HIV rate by 67%, and in the past decade have seen a shift in public health that has saved over 250,000 lives.

9. Air travel continue to get safer, and 2016 saw the second fewest per capita deaths in aviation of any year on record.

10. India’s dogged commitment to reforestation saw a single day event planting more than 50 million trees, a world record.

11. Measles has been eradicated from the Americas. A 22 year vaccination campaign has led to the elimination of the historic virus.

12. After a century, Einstein’s theory of gravitational waves has been proven correct, in a ‘moon shot’ scientific achievement.

13. China has announced a firm date for the end of the ivory trade, as public opinion is becoming more staunchly environmentalist.

13. China has announced a firm date for the end of the ivory trade, as public opinion is becoming more staunchly environmentalist.

14. A solar powered airplane flew across the Pacific Ocean for the first time, highlighting a new era of energy possibilities.

15. Costa Rica’s entire electrical grid ran on renewable energy for over half the year, and their capacity continues to grow.

16. Israeli and US researchers believe they are on the brink of being able to cure radiation sickness, after successful tests this year.

17. The ozone layer has shown that through tackling a problem head on, the world can stem environmental disasters, together.

18. A new treatment for melanoma has seen a 40% survival rate, taking a huge step forward towards long-term cancer survivability.

19. An Ebola vaccine was developed by Canadian researchers with 100% efficacy. Humans eradicated horror, together.

20. British Columbia protected 85% of the world’s largest temperate rainforest, in a landmark environmental agreement.

21. 2016 saw the designation of more than 40 new marine sanctuaries in 20 countries, covering an area larger than the United States.

22. These marine reserves include Malaysia’s 13 year struggle to complete a million hectare park, completed this year.

23. This also includes the largest marine reserve in history, created in Antarctica via an unprecedented agreement by 24 nations.

24. Atmospheric acid pollution, once a gloomy reality, has been tackled to the point of being almost back to pre-industrial levels.

25. Major diseases are in decline. The US saw a 50% mortality drop in colon cancer; lower heart disease, osteoporosis and dementia.

Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante

This restaurant is heaven. 

I felt like a real grown up this morning when I asked my hotel to book a table for one at this fancy restaurant my friends, Laurence, Henry and Tamara had recommended to me. 

I have never dined alone at a fine dining establishment. As this was my last night in Oaxaca City I decided I wanted to go all out and the rave reviews first hand from my friends pushed me to go for it. It was liberating. At this point in time if I am dateless on Valentine's Day I would be tempted to book a table for one at The French Cafe. This is a restaurant I am desperate to try in Auckland, but have lacked a suitable suitor to take/join me. 

Gotta dress to impress when taking oneself out for a date.

Unfortunately my friends lead me astray as they thought the restaurant was called 'The Cathedral" which I google and this is where I booked to dine at. When I arrived to 'The Cathedral'.  I knew instantly that I was in the wrong place as we had attempted to go to the restaurant in question for a cocktail last night. I knew I was close, as I was right by the craft warehouse we had stopped at on our journey last night.

I knew I was close! 

I came across this cathedral which I knew was very close and followed my nose.

I found it!!

I found the spot. Without a booking unfortunately I wasn't able to sit upstairs on the terrace, but I still go ALL the deliciousness. 

From their website:

"Here, a lively rhythm accompanies the transparency of light that makes the colors vibrate. The subtlety of the essentials underscores the evocative power of the smells and flavors that arise from the kitchen of Alejandro Ruiz. 

The aromas and flavors of Mediterranean herbs are mixed with Oaxacan. Thus, basil and rosemary share their tints with the holy leaf, the pitiona and the shorobobo. Also, pomegranate, fish and seafood, venison and lamb alternate with chapulines, huitlacoche and quesillo.

Five senses influenced by an extraordinary gastronomic experience."
Five senses influenced by an extrordinary gastronomic experience.

Table for One

I will continue in mostly picture form, you know what they say, a picture says a thousand words. 

Passionfruit Margarita to start thanks.

The waiter made me fresh salsa in front of me, to my taste!!

Delicious fresh salsa with bread and feta.

Table bread was a little excessive for one.

Why is this bread this colour? I don't know but it was tasty.

I started off ordering a 'simple' ceviche, as recommended by the waiter. 

Devine.
The pepper, complimented the fresh fish and all on a delectable passion fruit sauce.

Branched out a little more with this choice. I was trying to order something else but the waiter said it would be too much for one person. This was a similar dish. 

Wow. So many flavours. This is probably a dish best not to read too much into the ingredients. It was grasshopper - which are crunchy and delicious. The corn fungus to my knowledge I haven't had before. 

Their menu isn't crooked my photo taking was. 

I didn't know if I liked this at the start, but then I got into it and it was great. The 'coloratio' mole sauce was a chocolate flavour. The duck tasted slow cooked, which was interesting because I was expecting the duck to be crispy fried. Actually the tacos were crispy fried. 

I was well satisfied and did not need dessert, but if you are going to go all out..dessert is a must. And who would resist a goats cheese and rosemary creme brulee?

The flavours of this were just incredible. The texture not as expected but this would be because it is made from goats cheese.

This was heaven in by the spoonful 

Complimentary Mezcal - I really wanted to want to drink this, but I barely had a sip. It is way to strong for me, especially as I am still on antibiotics for my bronchitis. 

It worked out to be $757mex which is around $50NZ = Bargain!  

When I have been dining 'out' here in Mexico it has usually costs around $200mex including drinks, so this was certainly a splurge. My oh my was it worth it. I would 100% dine again.

If you are ever in Oaxaca City, check it out.