Skillz

I think everyone has things they want to be good at. Strength, marshal arts, public speaking, etc. Maybe some of us want to be good at these things because we'd be perceived differently. Or it would open up career opportunities, or help you attract a partner, or simply it's a personal goal you've developed a resonating feeling towards through memories.

I believe it's good for yourself to have these interests, but it does weigh down on you if you never pursue it.

Take me for example, I have 4 things I would love to be excellent at. Singing, Gymnastics, Mandarin, and Dancing.

I have phases of half-assing each one. I'll focus on Mandarin for a month and then slowly miss practices and forget everything I've learnt, I'll practice singing for an event, but afterwards not continue my growth. However, I've got 65 years left, and I have hope.

There must be ways people stick to learning a skill though, maybe that's why personal trainers exist, or why the duolingo bird is so darn annoying.

I think I want to get back into it though. Recently, I did a dance performance with my youth where I cartwheeled onto stage and danced. I forgot how much I loved it!! This Saturday I'm singing "La vie en rose" at a wedding. There'll be a string quartet playing behind me, the couple will be having their first dance, and I'll be trying to sing with more expression than a twig.

Seriously, I just stand there.

I guess this is me getting back into (yay!) self-improvement. It sounds cringey but what is life for except to progress?

Here's the dance performance (I'm wearing the blue bandana at the front):

Christchurch is interesting

I've lived in Christchurch for the past 3 years (2022-2025), and that's about enough for me.

I'm not sure what draws people to live here, maybe the beach? It seems like the sort of place you move to raise your kids and then live to die.

Ok back up, let's not shade it too much. Everyone has personal preference, and while I'm at it why don't I bombard you with mine! Hehehe. I like cities, I like movement, I like to feel like life is moving. I like tall buildings, cars, night lights, and also the ocean - because they all move.

Christchurch is quaint, it's got nice enough people (though New Brighton has a few crazies), it's got restaurants, beautiful scenery, parks, rivers, etc. The beach is close by, and it's got a nice university in the center. My only request is that it adds a Krispy Kremes, because Amy needs her donuts - but it's not like I could afford it anyway.

My main issue with Christchurch is that if you can't afford to go spend all the time, you run out of places to go pretty quick. The bus system is terrific, you can go about anywhere in that blue box. If you're visiting I would recommend these places as a local:

  1. Rolickin

Amazing gelato but I would even go for the good music and great vibes the shop has

2. Riverside market

Bustling with people, so much food, definitely try the greek souvlaki!

    3. Bottle lake forest

    I spent a Christmas here with my family, scenic and peaceful, and you can also walk to the beach from there

    

    4. New Brighton Beach

    AKA the beach everyone goes too

    5. Ancient Lanzhou Beef Noodles

    They actually make the noodles!!

    6. Christchurch Adventure park

    

    They have chair lifts, ziplines, bike trails, and beautiful views. Though it's $35 per person so keep        that in mind :)

Well I'm not really bothered to write anything else on this but Christchurch is great, the weather is steady, and I've made some amazing friends here. If you're visiting, a week will be more than enough :)

    

My first blog - yay!

This'll likely be lost in the deep archives of blogspot due to the very generic title, but I'm trying to start somewhere. I think that'll be the main word of the blog "try" - and "trying".

My name is Amy Redmond, I'm 15 years old and a youngest sibling. I live in Christchurch, New Zealand with my two older brothers. My parents? Dad lives in the Philippines for business with my older sister. I have a feeling he didn't just move for business though. Mum lives in Auckland, New Zealand, a 1 hour flight away. I visit her every 2 months. If you couldn't tell, my parents are divorced :)

My story doesn't start in New Zealand though, I was born in the UK in 2010 on an icy January 1st. The newsmen must've thought that was out of the ordinary since my first feature was in a newspaper as the first baby born of the decade. Not much of feat on my part, more like my mothers. So each new years day, instead of celebrating a new year, I age.

Why am I writing this blog? Solace - and also I'm bored right now :p

I have many friends, I'm close with my family, I don't feel lonely, but not many teenagers my age want to talk about anything more than what outfit to wear or what guy looked at them. I seriously think. All the time. At this point you probably think I'm an entitled teenager thinking that no-one understands her. Maybe you're not wrong, but I'm here to share thoughts and hopefully only future me will read these blogs, but maybe someone from 2900 will too. Unlikely as blogs or any form of literacy are dying out. Attention spans are depressingly short. Now all we can consume is 5 second videos.

So here's me, writing from a library, putting off my chemistry studies. Thinking that there's so much more to come.

xoxo - Amy R.