The Pursuit of Happyness
After a fascinating week in the beautiful but oppressively humid rainforest of Palm Cove, Australia, we have now been in Auckland, New Zealand for the past 4 days. Interestingly, I got more bug bites in 2 days in Sydney than I did in the 4 we spent in the rainforest!
This is a lovely country, and it is amazing how much Auckland reminds me of San Francisco. The people are very friendly and we are enjoying the warmth (without the oppressive humidity) while escaping the coldest and wettest month at home.
Tonight we had a unique experience of going to their “Circle Lounge” to watch an American movie – “The Pursuit of Happyness”. It is an inspiring movie that not only brought back memories of when I lived in San Francisco, but also of the times I had been unemployed (or underemployed) while raising my daughter by myself.
And all this in a luxurious setting where they brought us coffee and dessert to our lounge chairs midway through the movie!
Both Smiths do a fine job in the movie, and it made me very grateful to have had the opportunities that allowed me this evening to sit back in comfort and watch this fascinating study of a man determined to make his mark. It is the story of a man who made good despite the odds, a story that will inspire you and make you grateful for what you have.
Go see it (or rent it). It will remind you to hold on to what is most precious to you.
In the meantime, remember that regardless of the circumstances in your life, it’s who you are at your core that makes the difference. And when you are able to bring your gifts forward into the work you do in the world, it is amazing what you can accomplish.
Tomorrow we head off for a week without a computer to Pauanui on the Coromandel Peninsula. Paua is very similar to abalone, but a much darker blue color generally, and a thinner shell.
I hope to post a few pictures from our trip sometime soon – right now I’m on a computer that has limited USB capability! I will post more later after we finish our black water rafting in the glow worms caves of Waitomo!