Mission Completed.

Noticing the oasis within metal structures: 1 Day.





Talking constantly about oasis: 1 Week +





Deciding on mission: 1 Month.





Staring outside wistfully at said oasis: 1 Year





Completing mission on one sad confusing day during my lunch break?

Priceless!

I first noticed this garden outside my work window approx 18 months ago. I was looking outside and the rooftop garden was bathed in sunlight. I asked my co-workers and anyone else that I could think of - including people that work in the same building that hosts the garden - if they knew of a way into the garden. I was disappointed to find out that no one knew if it was accessible to the public. I tried to find out more, to no avail.

Faced with the prospect to being able to only stare out the window at this diamond in the rough, I made a plan, a mission if you will. I decided that by the end of this year, I would find a way into this garden - under any means necessary! (legal as possible of course! lol)

Then the time period of late January to early March took hold and turned my world upside down. (I do not care to disclose it here yet - my life is still recovering from the effects and I refuse to let it get to me - there is more important things in life to worry about.) About a week ago, I was having a 'down day' nothing seemed to go right, and even though I knew it wasn't my fault - I still felt bummed that I couldn't do anything about it. I received some bad news, which I think could have started it off - But I had lunch with a friend and after cheering me up told me of a way into the garden...

I was thrilled! I couldn't wait to get back to work to tell everyone but I had to see if this was too good to be true...

This is me in the garden - you can see my building in the background - PROOF that I have found it!

This one small accomplishment on this day - cheered me up greatly, it reminded me that I still have hope - even if the day started out as it did. Everyone tells me that I do, and I know this is something that I need to work on... but THIS is life and what is it without it's ups and downs? :-p

I've found my garden

My sanctuary from the world

It's hidden away

But within full view

I've found an oasis

In the middle of chaous

Between the steel trees

That I so often see.

Although the garden wasn't exactly what I expected flora-wise it was still a fairly neat discovery. While I was exploring the garden I came up with a few more missions to attempt this year...

* Design a new garden - layout and/or just different flowers.

* Find a way out onto the viewing decks in each high buildings in Auckland City.