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“I'm pretty sure I've got an ADHD brain.
I've had my first three assessments, because I want to learn more about myself.
My whole life I've kind of been a generalist. I'm interested in everything. And marketing, it's a generalist kind of discipline. I probably… View more“I'm pretty sure I've got an ADHD brain.
I've had my first three assessments, because I want to learn more about myself.
My whole life I've kind of been a generalist. I'm interested in everything. And marketing, it's a generalist kind of discipline. I probably would have gone into something more artistic if I hadn't been steered towards things. My goal out of uni was always to find a company or organization whose values I aligned with and I was interested in. It's probably an ADHD thing, I struggle with work that I'm not invested in.
As a kid, I'd get told off for walking barefoot outside in the grass, because it was like, ‘oh, no, you're going to make the inside of the house dirty.’ I don't know if people who knew me when I was in school would actually recognize me now, because my interests are so different. As a kid, I did a lot of reading, drawing, did a lot of crafts, and had those things reinforced. ‘oh, Elissa doesn't like going outside, and she doesn't like sports’, that kind of thing. I think a lot of stuff has been masked or gone undetected because we were pushed as kids and given way more structure.
I've always lived in Christchurch, my parents are first gen immigrants from Malaysia, they moved here in 1988. I didn't really relate to people who were Chinese Malaysian, because they were growing up in a different culture to me. Going back to Malaysia as a kid for family things, we weren't really allowed out to explore by ourselves because we were told it wasn't safe.
I feel like I grew up in a very typical Asian household. You do good at school, you go to uni, you get a degree, get a good job, I was never given the space to be like, ‘What do I want to do?’
Aikido was the first thing that made me go, I actually enjoy movement. I was terrible at team sports. I started when I was 10 and I did Aikido for about 13 years. I was a third degree Black Belt and I was teaching some classes.
When I was like 21, 22 - It was a first relationship - I had a big breakup. I lost my sense of me, and maybe this is how I started to learn about myself more. I had to discover what I enjoyed doing, and had to think for myself again.
I did parkour for a bit. That didn't stick, I was pretty useless. I tried pole fitness. It was really fun, but too expensive. I started to discover that I like individual sports that you can do on your own and also with other people. That was when skating started to take over.”
- Elissa
Part 1 of 2
Friday 12 & Saturday 13 September, 10am - 2pm.
Experience the award-winning lifestyle at a Ryman village.
Join us at our open days and explore our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and see the premium amenities on offer.
We look forward to seeing you.
Friday 12 & Saturday 13 September, 10am - 2pm.
Experience the award-winning lifestyle at a Ryman village.
Join us at our open days and explore our lifestyle and care options, tour our show homes and see the premium amenities on offer.
We look forward to seeing you.
Family-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 7 September - at the Ashley Community Church. The gathering will start at 3.30 pm with a shared afternoon tea. Remember to bring something to share!
Dress warmly and remember to go before you come as there is no toilet on site.
Enquiries to Paul or … View moreFamily-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 7 September - at the Ashley Community Church. The gathering will start at 3.30 pm with a shared afternoon tea. Remember to bring something to share!
Dress warmly and remember to go before you come as there is no toilet on site.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley.
Many of our villages are lucky to have four-legged friends like Lulu the poodle!
Lulu is a loved companion with a big personality and an even bigger routine. She’s up at 6am sharp and she never misses an outing - whether it’s a trip to the caravan, a ride in the Bunnings trolley, or even a … View moreMany of our villages are lucky to have four-legged friends like Lulu the poodle!
Lulu is a loved companion with a big personality and an even bigger routine. She’s up at 6am sharp and she never misses an outing - whether it’s a trip to the caravan, a ride in the Bunnings trolley, or even a spin on the jetski with her own life jacket!
Click read more to learn about Lulu's village life.
Create a stylish house number plaque from a terracotta plant saucer and some Resene testpots – we show you how. Find out how to make and finish your own plaque with these easy step by step instructions.
Help your skin feel naturally soft, hydrated, and visibly replenished this spring. For a limited time when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Ceramide Soufflé Fresh Hydration Cream from Antipodes - valued at $64!
Treat yourself to a … View moreHelp your skin feel naturally soft, hydrated, and visibly replenished this spring. For a limited time when you subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years, you’ll receive a FREE Ceramide Soufflé Fresh Hydration Cream from Antipodes - valued at $64!
Treat yourself to a beautiful magazine subscription and a self-care ritual, all in one.
From the team at Mags4Gifts
*T&Cs apply. Offer available to the first 200 people who subscribe to NZ House & Garden for 1 or 2 years between August 25 - September 21, 2025.
It is lemon season - our trees are bursting and our gardens are covered in citrus peels ... what do you do with your excess lemons?
Share with your community your tips on:
🍋 Harvesting and storage
🍋 Creative uses: recipes, cleaning solutions, health benefits
🍋 Tree care and … View moreIt is lemon season - our trees are bursting and our gardens are covered in citrus peels ... what do you do with your excess lemons?
Share with your community your tips on:
🍋 Harvesting and storage
🍋 Creative uses: recipes, cleaning solutions, health benefits
🍋 Tree care and maintenance
We’ve worked our way through our usual batch of The Press puzzles … so now the Neighbourly Team are on the lookout for fresh challenges to keep our brains buzzing 🧠✨
We want to know: When you have a spare moment, what brain-boosting games, puzzles or activities do you reach for?
… View moreWe’ve worked our way through our usual batch of The Press puzzles … so now the Neighbourly Team are on the lookout for fresh challenges to keep our brains buzzing 🧠✨
We want to know: When you have a spare moment, what brain-boosting games, puzzles or activities do you reach for?
Inspire us in the comments below ...
We will give away free copies of the November 2025 issue to readers whose strawberry recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way enjoy strawberry (dessert, salad, main?!): mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by September 15, 2025.
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