Home Sweet Home

Hello all!

This week marks my 6th week home from New Zealand. It was hard to leave New Zealand, but I have gained the perspective being home. I am so appreciative of the life, family, friends, and abundance of love I have here in California - not to mention the warm, sunny summer! What I have to say is, since I had to leave NZ, that I am so thankful this is what I get to come back to. I am around Southern California with the eyes of one who is showing her stomping grounds to someone for the first time. While everything is familiar, there is a freshness to everything that I see and notice. It truly makes me recognize the beauties and details of Southern California; the place I know is home.

I want to thank everyone all for your support, love, and consistency in following my travels through Australia, Fiji, and of course, New Zealand. It was an experience that has impacted me and a part of my heart will forever be left in the South Pacific - I feel so blessed to have been able to have had this opportunity, I think of it daily and I know God has used this time I had abroad to strengthen me.

Goodbye Came Too Soon

This is the end of the line for me. I now write from the shores of California and the heat of its inland city, Riverside. Home has pulled me back to reality and torn me away from the land I grew to love.

My last few weeks in New Zealand were covered in much quality time with the people I would miss greatly. It boiled down to the little moments we had together and how grand they could be just through the company of each other. Countless hours were spent talking, laughing, and just soaking up each others presence.

The goodbyes we had to make were so many that it seemed like they would never end. For a solid week my heart was losing one person after the next - and by the end, I became overwhelmed with the emotions. Shutting down, each goodbye got easier and easier; until the plane fight home. As soon as I settled in my window seat, I looked out at the country I gained a love for and I cried. I felt as though the person inside me was kicking and screaming as she was being forced away from a place she wasn't ready to leave. I hadn't prepared myself for this reality, and it hit me hard.

The memories live inside me, and not a day goes by that I don't reminisce on my time in New Zealand. Being home is not bad - but having to end something that was so grand is what tears my heart up. As my life has to continue on ward, I will always carry with me the lessons and love I learned while being in NZ. The relationships I have created through this time will continue on, and the unique bonds I formed will never lose importance.

While goodbye came too soon for me, the dream I lived remains present in my daily life here in California, and always will.

A Romantic Getaway - FIJI

'Bula' in Fiji!

This past week, Jen and I were fortunate enough to travel to wonderful FIJI!! It is nearly impossible to explain paradise in words, but I will do my best to express how extraordinary this place is.

We spent our entire week in one location, rather than island hoping as many do. We were situated on Waya Island at Octopus Resort.
"Waya Island is one of the largest in the Yasawa group of islands - or archipelago. It is to the northwest of the Vitu Levu which is considered one of the main islands of Fiji (Suva and Nadi are on this main island)."

It is here that I left a part of my heart. Being able to spend a week in one spot, we were truly able to emerge ourselves into the community and culture of the place. We met and enjoyed the company of many Fijians as they are such a friendly and warm group of people. One smile from a Fijian will touch any one's heart in a brilliant way.

We had the opportunity to travel to two of the four villages on Waya Island and as we ventured through their living space, Jen and I felt invasive of their home, but Fijians don't view it in that perspective. Instead, the Fijians welcome us with 'Bula' and bright smiles and the children embrace excitement at the presence of visitors. Even though their space is confined and their homes are with the lack of furniture, it doesn't matter - it is extraordinary how much joy and love still fill the lives of the Fijians. The simplicity of their lives is something to be envious of. When we ventured over to the primary school for the children of Waya Island, the students flocked towards us. Speaking and learning in English in school, their communication with us was fantastic and their curiosity lead them to draw us into conversation. This school is completely funded by the Resort through the money it receives from guests as well as any donations guests wish to contribute and its condition of facilities were very good. I was truly impressed with the openness of the Fijians towards us visitors, and it added to our experience greatly.

Lying in the sun with a good book to keep us company is how most of our days were spent. There are no better ingredients to a perfect Fijian day than losing track of time completely and soaking up the warmth of the weather. Though, thanks to the Resort, there were different activities to take part in daily. Jen and I took time to learn how to basket weave, make jewelry, and snorkel. We also partook in the evening volleyball game: Fiji vs the rest of the world, and the evening beach bon fire. Each night, we ate dinner all together as guests, family style; it was a wonderful aspect to the community of Octopus - a great way to meet people and stay connected.

Overall, I have learned a significant lesson from the land of Fiji. It is not just the sparkling turquoise water, or the strikingly green hills, nor the soft white sand - but it's the tranquility, the laughter, the relaxation, the peace that makes Fiji beautiful. It becomes so easy to lose oneself in the silence and stillness, in the beauty. Fiji possesses a beauty so pure. In its natural state, not trying to be beautiful, not trying to be anything, but just being is where its beauty lies. It's beautiful in its simplicity and luxurious in its beauty - and is a place where one learns to appreciate the joy of finding beauty in simplicity.

Bay of Islands

June is now upon me and I officially have only 4 weeks left in this beautiful country of New Zealand. I consistently ask myself where the time has gone and I can't help but smile because I know that each moment I have had here has been marvelous! ...and I still have 30 more days to cherish!

This past weekend, Jen and I set out on an 8 hour bus ride to the far northern part of the north island. The Bay of Islands it is called, and that is just what it is. A bay with roughly 145 islands off its coast makes for a beautiful destination.

Our first day there, Jen and I took a sailing trip around the bay. There were only five of us on the boat, making for a quiet and quaint experience. It was magnificent sailing through the bay and seeing many of the various islands - though we actually only covered about a third of the bay, I still was able to capture the marvel of how expansive the space was. In specific spots, we were able to view the open space of the Pacific ocean, knowing that the closest land was Fiji thousands of miles off, it brought me a whole new perspective of where I was. There truly is nothing like sailing in silence and noticing the serenity of nature untouched. We were given an hour to explore one of the islands, something that drew breath away from me as the beauty of such a remote place was so captivating. It was a beautiful day - something very rare to see now entering into winter here, but feeling the heat of the sun once again and seeing the land meet peacefully with the water was beyond picturesque. A gourmet lunch on the boat was just a mid day treat as we then continued to travel through the vast bay. It was a trip that I loved!

The following day, we took an organized trip up to the most northern point of New Zealand - Cape Reinga. Here is the location where the Tazman Sea of the West meets the Pacific Ocean of the East. It was not a definite line of the waters meeting, but a vague change in water color passed through the entire ocean, leading us to believe that was the separation between sea and ocean. It was great to know that we were at the tip top of the island and any other land mass was thousands of miles away. LA lie in a northeast direction 10, 474km away! We dropped off in a rain forest on our way back, something that constantly reminds me of how vibrant the greenery is here! This land is not shy to shout color into the world - such distinct colors paint this place so brightly.

Each morning, we were awake before the sun rose, allowing us to experience sunrises on the bay. It was a spectacular vision; one that reminds you of how special of a gift each new day truly is.

Overall, this trip was delightful and a great reminder of how beauty is captured by this land called New Zealand. I will never forget and always miss driving along the highway and having rolling green hills on either side of me, or rivers and lakes as I just travel from point A to point B. It makes one appreciate the journey and not just focus solely on the destination :)

The passing time

Things have been very quiet here for me during this month of May. These days, the sun appears less and less while the rain pours out more and more. Days of constant rain, days with cold wind chills, days of thick fog - these are days which keep one inside...and this is only fall! Winter is to settle in come June. I can't imagine it getting colder or worse, but it apparently does!

On some small notes, I have still been getting doses of adventure. Just in this month, I have been to two Rugby games. Our home team: Waikato Chiefs are doing extremely well - facing South Africa Bulls this coming Saturday for the Championship title of Super 14! First time our Hamilton Chiefs are in the finals! Rugby is quite an exciting game as the ball never stops moving and these massive guys crush on one another in no padding at all!

One weekend this month, I took a small trip to Whakatane (f - aka - ta - nie) which is East of Hamilton on the Bay. I truly enjoyed this weekend by myself - being on my own schedule, having my own time, and doing whatever I wanted to do was a nice escape. On Friday night, I went to a pub and listened to the live music playing there, while Saturday found me on the shore of the bay for 3.5 hours: reading, journaling, and sleeping. The hostel I stayed in was very quaint - owned by an older couple, it was well maintained and set up as a house. There were only 5 of us staying there, and on Saturday night, we all watched Night at the Museum together. The entire weekend was such an enjoyable time for me!
To finish this month off, this weekend, Jen and I are traveling 8 hours north to the Bay of Islands. It is at the northern part of this North Island and said to be nothing short of magnificent. The following weekend, after our courses are completed, Jen and I are traveling for a week to FIJI. Upon return, I will have time here in Hamilton before I take my finals to finish up, then have a short time before departing to LA. It is all becoming a reality that time here is closing up - and it truly is a sad fact to think about. These upcoming adventures will distract my mind from that thought for a while, and I refuse to begin a countdown!!

Birthday Celebrations in NZ

This past weekend was my birthday weekend. As I turned 21 on May 2, my friends here made sure I made the most of this special occasion.

Beginning Thursday night, a group of 12 of us went out to dinner to a lovely restaurant in town to celebrate my birthday at a time I would still be in Hamilton. As Thursday nights are a popular night to go out in town, we stayed for the evening at clubs and bars pretending like that day was my day :)

The weekend took us to Lake Taupo, 2 hrs south of Hamilton in the center of the North Island. As Jen and I had met a couple on the South Island as we asked them to take a picture of us, they invited us to stay with them anytime we wished to come to Taupo. Taking them up on their offer, we spent the weekend in their lovely home which overlooked the lake. They even invited us to a dinner party to celebrate the beginning of duck hunting with them Saturday night. It was a special treat to be in a home and with a couple who welcomed us as thier own.

The main reason for our trip to Taupo this weekend especially was for skydiving. Known as the skydiving capitol of the world, Taupo provides a 15,000ft jump over the lake. With clear skies, one can see both the East and the West coasts of NZ. As we thought of what we could do on my actual birthday, Jen and I thought, "What's more exciting than jumping out of a plane?!" In light of this, there were five of us which travelled to Taupo, making for an extended birthday party for me! As Saturday turned out to be a gloomy, cloudy day, no jumps were allowed to take place, so we had to wait until Sunday morning. This was a good lesson for all of us to just go with the flow and find joy even when things don't end up the way you had envisioned them to. Sunday morning was bright, clear and beautiful, allowing for a gorgeous jump.

It was a supurb birthday, and one I will never forget to be sure!

I have attached a link to my skydiving photos, because my words just cannot explain the experience well enough! Lets just say though that the free fall is insane: it is cold, and the pressure of the wind is intense making it hard to breathe as well as move any part of your body. You will see in the photos that my arms are always out and back, its because there was no way to fight the wind to put them anywhere else! Getting up to speeds of 200km per hour (more than 100mph), it feels as though you are in a tunnel of wind, cold wind! But as soon as the parashoot is pulled, all pressure is released and the most lovely, relaxed gliding begins - I reckon its the best part.

There is hardly any comparison to bungee jumping. As in a bungee jump, it is all you: you have to make the leap. In skydiving, the guide on your back does everything and there is truly no time for you to think about being scared. Your in the plane, just like any other plane ride, you see the ground below you, but before you know it, you are being scooted to the edge and off you go. Only once did my heart drop to my stomach, and that was when the door of the plane opened up - at that moment I thought "Oh God no. No I don't wanna jump out of a plane!" haha, but being moved around gave me no choice. Also, not having to be the one to push us out of the plane stole all pressure and fear away - I was just along for the ride!

South Island Excursion

A recap of my travels through the South Island of New Zealand!

Christchurch: Arriving by plane here in this West coast city, we immediately saw the English influence all around. Resembling a European city with corner apartments, traditional Cathedrals, and streets lined with autumn coloured trees, I was able to enjoy the beauty of the city, but felt a bit put out by its overwhelming English influence. We spent a quality amount of time in their botanical gardens which allow gondolas to float through the river, and I truly enjoyed escaping the city for a bit.

Akaroa: Continuing westward, we drove through the hills to the various bays of this peninsula. This place stole our hearts. We made several bike rides around various bays, and hiked through one of the hills (a hike that almost killed us with its direct vertical climb up!), but the most captivating moments of our time there was the cottage hostel we stayed in. Located right on Banks Bay, the front garden and veranda looked out straight into the water and hills, not to mention the precious couple who welcomed us into their homey hostel, I knew this place was a storybook come to life!

Lake Tekapo/Lake Pukaki: Heading directly East from Akaroa, our destination were the lakes that lie in the centre of the South Island. Lake Tekapo welcomed us with its large body of water that was completely aqua and the hills were strong and covered with forestry trees. Though the town was not much, Tekapo provided us with enough excitement as we awoke with the present of 3-4 inches of fresh laid snow. Everything white, crisp, and reflective of the sun – it truly felt like Christmas morning! Lake Pukaki was a beautiful compliment to our drive further inland to the mountain range of Mt. Cook.

Mt. Cook: These were mountains like I had never seen before. These mountains were massive in size, abundant in snow, and majestic in beauty. Despite warnings of overcast, raining weather, the afternoon we spent there was clear, sunny and bright!

Queenstown: This is one of New Zealand’s more famous destinations as it is known for its extreme adventurous opportunities. Of course Jen and I had to partake in the adventure, so we signed ourselves up for a bungy jump: 440ft into the depths of a canyon – third largest in the world. Fear did not come to me until I was in the chair getting my feet tied looking at the ledge I was about to jump off of – but once I jumped, leaving behind my shaky legs and light-headed self, the feeling of free falling for 9 seconds with speeds of 80mph is like nothing else. For a time, I was completely separated from the world. Alone in the canyon, it seemed as though I was free to do anything – I loved it!

To celebrate, we spent a half of an hour in Minus 5 Bar – a bar that is a freezer, literally. With a temperature of negative 5, we were provided with gloves and heavy coats since everything in the bar was made of ice: benches, glasses, and all ice sculptures as decoration – a definitely unique experience.

Despite all its offers of extreme adventure, Queenstown also was such a welcoming town. Situated right on Lake Wakatipu, the town grows outbound and up onto hill. So quaint with its town centre and shopping boutiques, I would have enjoyed staying here longer.

Quote from Queenstown store: “Chocolate makes my clothes shrink.”

Te Anu/Doubtful Sound: Waking up early one morning, we drove south east to the town of Te Anu in order to travel Doubtful Sound. The Sound was a definite highlight to our trip. Heading on the cruise ship out to the Tasman Sea, we travelled through mountains with a small mist hovering at the top of them. We were able to see a pod of dolphins and a group of seals seeing how the water was more still than it usually is. In a moment of silence, we were able to witness the Sound as it naturally is – peaceful, yet full of life through the voices of birds we heard. In so many words, it was beautiful and majestic.

Arrowtown: This was a small stop along our drive, but one well worth it. A small town located in the valley, it consisted of a town centre of only two streets. Yet along this were boutiques, restaurants, and the greatest ice cream shop: Patagonia, where Jen and I fell in love with their banana split ice cream. Though it still doesn’t out live ‘hokey pokey’ ice cream which is honey comb flavour!

Lake Wanaka: This is where we celebrated Easter!! Waking up on the lake, again with hills surrounding, was the perfect way to remember the beauty of the gift of life. With two beautiful days of sunny and clear weather, this lake was crystal sparkling.

Franz Joseph Glacier: While this town had hardly anything to offer, the draw was the expedition to the famous glacier. It was a 45 minute walk to get to the base of the glacier where we then had to clap on our snow shoes so that we could begin the climb up. Despite the torrential down pour, the time we had on/within the glacier was magical. A mountain of ice we were descending upon in the mist of two other large, not ice, mountains – it was quite the complex. But a trip such as this one really makes one recognize how small they really are when there can be such a large mound of ice to climb about.

Punakaiki + Pancake Rocks: Continuing our voyage north, we stopped in the small costal town of Punakaiki, known for their Pancake Rocks. These rocks are composed of layers of thin rock stacked on top of one another – hence the name. Situated in the crystal aqua waters of the Tasman Sea, our lookout walk along the coast from the top of the cliffs provided us with beautiful views of the rocks in the vast water. As the water crashed upon the lower ends of the rocks, more of a realization occurs as to our weak place in a planet that is so much more than we understand.

Abel Tasman: In the north east cove of the tip of the South Island lays Tasman Bay. Here Jen and I sea kayaked before venturing into the bush for a hike. Kayaking is such a refreshing new look at the world. Resting upon the water, one begins to view land as the constricting force which prevents the abundant water to come to an end. There is such freedom which resides with being so connected to the sea – its one thing to observe it; it’s another to be upon it.

Our hike allowed for expansive shots of the water and its relation to the curving hill sides rolling into the shoreline. Again, a beautiful bright, sunny day blessed us with its presence – bringing about a gorgeous reflection upon the water.

Farewell Spit/Golden Bay: At the very northeast tip of the South Island is where the land dwindles out to a thin peninsula, Farewell Spit, wrapping around Golden Bay, with the Tasman Sea on the east side. Here we ventured out on horses! A three hour horseback ride left us extremely sore, but with one of the greatest memories of the trip. Riding on the top of the hills, with deep valleys on one side and water on the other made this journey one right out of an epic story. As my first horseback ride that I can remember, I truly enjoyed when we got into a canter (an almost gallop) with the horse; there was such adrenaline during one of those rides!

Nelson: The most north city the South Island can claim is, once again, on a hill which descends down to a water front. Here Jen and I stayed for several days at a hostel which was a home – with only less than 15 guests, it quickly became a comfortable environment we could rest in. My favourite portion of our stay here was our bike ride along the river in the quiet of a hidden trail, after which I hung around the park and befriended many dogs. I was also opened up to the true essence of a scene out of a novel where I sat under a London Plain tree, large and abundant in leaves, out looking the green grass and those which ran about it.

Wellington: The capitol of New Zealand resides in the southern tip of the North Island. We travelled there by ferry and re-entered the northern land. As our last stop of our trip, Jen and I treated ourselves with a day of shopping and the second day at the National Te Papa museum. A relaxed time in this spread out city on a hill and its artistic culture gave us a good closure to an amazing trip!

So as not to add anymore, I will close with saying that my South Island road trip (where driving proved to become quite natural on the left side of the road) was more than I could have imagined. Though in the end, I realize that a life on the move does not compare to one where a stable home is there to welcome you at night.

This is my life right now...

This past weekend took us on a spontaneous trip with one of our Kiwi friends. Inviting us to his parents home in Tauranga, the three of us girls got a home stay experience. Their property was water front, looking directly out to Mt. Maunganui. Facing north, we were able to see the sunrise as well as the sunset upon the water from their living room. It was a beautiful time as his parents were so accommodating and welcoming.

Leaving the house, we ventured over to the mount which took us 30 minutes to climb. While there was a track, the uphill incline is nothing to overshadow as well as the rugged rock climb nearing the top. From the top, the view was breathtaking. With a clear sky, the sun reflected upon the water which seemed to be outbound forever. The contrast of green and blue as the mount touched the shoreline never gets past me – I am amazed each new time I see it.

Sunday found Jen and I white water rafting on Kaituna River in Rotorua. The temperate rainforest, warm water, and its unusual character make this river a world famous destination. While it is ranked as a level 5 river, the largest obstacle we had to conquer was the 7 meter (22 ft) waterfall. To my surprise though, as soon as we began to descend down, the water just swallowed us until we drifted up at the bottom. I wasn’t prepared to drown in the raft like that… Though the most extreme part for me personally was the time we jumped out of the raft to go for a swim in a calm portion of the river. Our guide began to drift away with the raft purposefully so that we would then have to ride a rapid in the water. While that was fine, though again, the water just eats you up, I had trouble getting back to the raft. As I drifted by, Jen reached out and grabbed my life vest so that I could grasp the side of the raft. Unfortunately though, as we waited to come to reality as to what is happening and what we are to be doing, the raft is drifting as the guide begins pulling people up, pushing Jen and I into an area of underwater rocks. Still holding on to the raft, we scramble to figure out what to do as our legs are scraping along the tops of these rocks. Once the guide got to us, Jen was very concerned about me as she had ended up on top of my legs, pushing them more into the rocks. I came out alive, but my leg still holds cuts and bruises. The day was beautiful and the trip was exhilarating, so no complaints flowed from my mouth!

It is amazing to think that this is my life right now. Jen and I have moments where we say “Here we are again, swimming in the pool or laying on the beach, walking in a coastal forest – such a hard life we live”. I am so grateful for this time – it is truly a gift of rest that has been long needed and a treat of adventure that has been longed dreamt after.

This coming Thursday, Jen and I make a jump start on our two week teaching recess as we fly off to the South Island. We will be flying into Christchurch, renting a vehicle, and driving up the Island to explore all its wonders, ending in the south of the North Island in Wellington, NZ’s capitol. I am so very excited for this time of travel and adventure – and mainly to truly see and experience more of my host country, a land that will forever hold a piece of my heart.
Aroha Aotearoa!

Coromandel

Just as I was beginning to think this country couldn't get any more beautiful, my eyes were awe struck this past weekend as we ventured to the east coast to Coromandel.

To get off to a great start, we made the decision to drive the three hour distance. Taking turns, we all saw the road from the opposite side - and surprisingly, we all did very well! Only a few times did we each hit the windshield wipers instead of the blinker, stray to the other side of the road, and sway over to the left side of our lane - but other than those things, we managed quite well! We realized that driving is the same, you don't loose those skills, it's just a switch of the mind on a few things. But we all agreed that we missed driving and the feeling of freedom that comes with controlling your own vessel.

The evening drew us to the Hot Water Beaches as it became low tide. As the cold ocean water drifts back, digging into the sand allows for hot (and I mean almost boiling temperatures) to surface. Digging a large ditch in the sand, we created a spa which we relaxed in as we gazed at the sky which was filled with a dome of stars. The more you dig, the warmer the water stays. In pitch darkness, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore only complimented the beauty the night brought us.

Traveling the next day to Cathedral Cove, Sting Ray Bay, and Cooks Bay brought us the loveliest day on the beach yet. Needing to hike in the forests of the cliffs which overlooked the open sea brought us the areal view of the bays which we would soon swim within. With the sun shining upon us, the turquoise water was so very inviting.

The following morning, we awoke only to escape to the outbound water in our kayaks. There is no feeling like being in the middle of the bay, in a small kayak and only your own strength to take you anywhere. It is such a refreshing rush of freedom - I enjoyed myself tremendously... until a small wave took us out as we pulled into shore, throwing us out of the kayak and into the water!

To say the least, this weekend was a huge blessing of beauty with the gift of friendship to complete it all!

Traveling...and Classes?!

Time is just flying past me: speeding up my time here and expediting my New Zealand adventures.

This is our third week of classes. I am taking American Literature before 1870, 15th and 16th Century Literature, and History of Maori and Pakaha (the others) Encounters. I am enjoying the classes; seeing how they are all sizes I am familiar with, having 25 or so students in each. However, while classes run three times a week each, two of the meetings are lectures and the last is a tutorial. It’s quite an adjustment going from a class where the professor talks at you to the tutorial where it is all discussion based – having the two separate is what is most strange to me. Also, unlike American Uni, here, every day is different: different times for each class, different lecture hall room… I am still carrying around my schedule (or timetable as they call it here)!

This past weekend, Jen and I, along with some others, traveled to Auckland. It’s about an hour or so north of Hamilton and is the largest city in New Zealand with 1.3 million people. Our hostel was in the heart of the central business district, which made me so happy to not be studying at the Uni there – a city is a city is a city: crowded and busy. But Jen and I made the most of it – traveling to Rangitoto Island, off the east coast of Auckland, where we hiked along the lava rocks. We also spent one afternoon at the Pasifika Festival where all the Pacific Island nations are represented and celebrated through music, art, food, dance and crafts. Being in Auckland drove me to contact Barbra and Richard who housed me before during my layovers in Auckland. They were again so kind and generous, allowing Jen and I to stay with them one of the nights. Barbara drove us up to the top of Mt Eden and One Tree Hill, both of which give spectacular panoramic views of the entirety of Auckland, and she allowed us to walk her puppy up the sparkling green hill at the back of her home. We had just a delightful time – again, it was so nice to be in a home with home cooked meals!

All in all, things are going really well for me here. Growing in relations with people, developing a greater understanding of the culture, language, and conflicts among the kiwis here, and learning that at the end of the day, I can still count on all my loved ones back home! I am still in awe that i am actually here sometimes! I am learning so much about the world, and gaining such an appreciation for the beauty that it holds... already i am sad that i am going to have to leave this place!

Raglan

/>
Raglan is a beach town 45 minutes West of my campus in Hamilton. Spending the weekend there was such a delight - as one can see, it was beautiful. I was fortunate enough to have my first hitch hiking experience while there as well... Late at night, a friend a I started the walk to our hostel with our thumbs raised high. After being past far too many times, she and I were laughing at our pathetic attempt to hitch hike. Not long after, a car actually pulled off to the side for us! We were so excited. Phil was his name - an artist in his late twenties was so kind and friendly. He got us safely to our hostel where Jen and I were still amazed that that actually just happened!

Kia Ora New Zealand!

Kia Ora! Hello from New Zealand!

There is so much to say about this land and its people. I have only been here for a week and two days, but I have learned so much already.

Starting out my journey, we had orientation for the American students studying through the program Australearn. We spent four days in Rotorua, a well known town for its location on the lake as well as its hot pools. Hot pools are boiling pots of mud in the ground that are heated by the ground heat and let off tons of sulfer – image that wonderful smell as you walk through the park…

We spent one day there caving. Picture driving through rolling green hills, bright and vibrant from the morning shower, with the friendly faces of sheep scattered about only to realize you will be climbing down under them shortly to an undiscovered world. Through a small crevice, we ventured down into the darkness. Three waterfalls repels (attached to rope, I slid down, pushing off the vertical wall with water pouring down on me), several times crawling or swimming in the water to pass through, ducking, squeezing through stalactites and stalagmites and passing by in awe of the wonders down under ground. Climbing it all back up again was not the highlight… it was the most strenuous part to say the least!

Attending a sheep show the next day was a big highlight of engaging in the New Zealand culture. Sheep are cute, but not the smartest animals and I was very amazed at all the various types of sheep there are! Standing on their pedestals with their names displayed obeying the commands of the leader and the dominating position of the dogs was incredible. Never would I have imagined such entertainment from sheep!

Encountering the indigenous Māori culture was such an educational experience. We were taught and had to perform, with costumes and face paint mind you, the traditional Haka dance that Māori warriors perform as a sign on intimidation. It was aggressive, but very fun! We were also treated to a night at a Māori village. We saw performances of singing, dancing and chanting, saw replicas of the housing and way of life for the first Māori people and were fed a beautiful dinner with choices of lamb, fish, chicken, sweet potato, stuffing, and mussels. I have found myself to really enjoy lamb – it is a softer red meat that is not dry and contains much flavor.

Throughout this orientation, the American students I am studying with here at Waikato and I really bonded. (Put 20 people together for four days and have them do everything together and tell me how they couldn’t bond!) They are such awesome people from all over the states: Colorado, South Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Maine and more. I am the only one to represent from Cali – something I am finding is quite a privilege. Not only are New Zealander’s impressed with my being from California, but so are the other Americans. Apparently, California has a great reputation and is the place to be! I have received the question “So do you see celebrities around?” so much even though I tell them I am from outside LA. Not only that, but once I mention that I go to school in Orange County, because of all the television shows that are based there, so many questions arise about that place too… I have become the California representative here – and I have to say, I am proud to be a California girl!

The New Zealander’s (or as they are better known as ‘Kiwis’) I have met are so friendly! While they are all younger than me because of my status in the dormitories, they are all very open with conversations and allowing you to jump in anything with them. Just very welcoming people that always say hi when you pass or at least smile as they make eye contact – something that does not happen in Southern California. The accents are awesome as well. Not anything like Australian, nor British, but somewhere in the middle. The only trouble I have had is the way they don’t use their mouths much to speak, limiting their annunciation of words and leaving me to have to decipher the words that just barely slipped through their teeth!
Vocab: - “togs” = swim suit
- “whinge” = complain
- “heaps” = a lot (used very frequently)
- “keen” = cool, good (surprisingly, this is not an outdated word for them)
- “sweet as” or just “as” = this is my favorite. It can literally mean anything. And you can place “as” at the end of anything.
o Ex: “I’m walking to the dining hall” response = “sweet as”
o Ex: “Did you see that bird?” response = “He was big as”
Mullets here are the latest trend for males. Picture the eighties all over again. Now imagine Mohawks connected to a mullet… (short side hair with longer hair in a straight line down the middle that continues into a tail at the end) now to make it even more disgusting, envision parts or just the tail dyed a different color… yea that is the hair style for many here…

While there are no hand guns in New Zealand, and drugs are not that extremely popular, but the drinking culture here is like nothing I have ever witnessed before. The legal age to drink is 18, so it is almost a right of passage to begin in taking loads of alcohol by age 16. These 18 year olds that I’m living near are experienced drinkers and some are even functioning alcoholics. It feels weird when the residents halls throw a community costume party at a local bar. It amazes me just how drinking is not taboo here as much as it is in the states. However, while they may drink a lot here, they all dance as well. Talent or no talent, skills or no skills, all people, males and females alike are on the dance floor. Yes, most of the music is techno, but that only adds to the entertainment because it makes for a very interesting style of dance – arms flailing, fingers possible pointing as well, and lots of jumping. Though I am told that this is only a case of being a white New Zealander and Māori’s have much better rhythm, I don’t miss the grinding dance style of the states where boy and girl are very close to one another.

The town of Hamilton itself is very nice, and much larger than I anticipated. With suburbs surrounding the campus and roundabouts connecting streets, the walk into town takes about 40 minutes but is quite pleasant. “Going into town” means we are headed to the main strip of restaurants, bars, and shops, mainly off Victoria street. While there are no tall buildings, town is quite busy and has a city-ish feel to it. Never have I felt as though I was in a desolate land. We do have the Waikato River which runs through our town – it is very serene, gentle and large, and flows quietly and steadily along brush lined banks.

All in all, I hope you can tell that I have had an amazing first week in New Zealand. While all the orientations I have been through have told me that I am in the “honeymoon” stage of culture shock and I need to be aware that a downward spiral awaits me, I like to believe that New Zealand truly is a wonderful place that is going to remain a wonderful place in my eyes as I continue to live here. Classes start for me on Monday, and so the vacation mode I have been in for the last month or so comes to an end, but with only three classes, and not working a job, I think I will find plenty of time for New Zealand adventures!

Until next time, Kia Ora!
Monica

Sydney - Goodbye Australia

I was in Sydney a week ago - here is a recap of my time there:
Sydney! The city which stands on the world perception of Australia does not disappoint!

On our first day there, Alana and I visited the Sydney Aquarium where we were enthralled with the beauty which lies beneath the sea. An entire world we may never get eyes to see was made available to us through tubes which allowed us to walk through the water. Exploring the city allowed us to see Sydney as just that, a city. Beyond its harbor, Sydney holds much culture and diversity. Many people from Asian countries call Sydney home, as well as Indians. To give you a clear picture of the feel the city leaves on you, imagine Manhattan, NY: busy pedestrians, quick drivers, close knit buildings, and many tourists! But beyond all that, the Aussie's remain the same – friendly, cheering, and helpful.

Of course being in Sydney meant we had to visit Hillsong – the largest Christian church in Australia. We attended two services, and both were incredible. (Brother Erik, you would have loved the new rock songs they were worshipping with!) There was such high energy in the place, so much of God's presence, and a peaceful place of excitement for God. – if you ever get the opportunity to visit, do so – the place is anointed!

We also ventured into our adventurous side with a trip to the Blue Mountains (also described as Australia's Grand Canyon) This canyon is composed of sandstone rock, and covered in rainforest. We had the opportunity to hike through the ground rainforest, then spend a good 90 minutes hiking the rainforest along the cliffs. Passing waterfalls, looking out upon the vast land, seeing the greenery of the natural landscape – all just takes your breath away (that and all the uphill/stairs you have to climb!) Despite gloomy weather, we were blessed to have sunshine as we sat on a cliff overlooking it all while eating lunch. Such a delight!

Our last day in Sydney proved to be the best. We went to the Wildlife park where we got a photo shoot with Koalas, saw a Kangaroo boxing match, and saw most of Australia's rare and deadly animals. Such a treat! We then spent time at the harbor. Can I say that I could not get enough of this place! The bridge and the Opera House are more beautiful in real life that it seems surreal that they are tangibly before you. After taking a tour of the Opera House, Alana and I knew we had to see a show in there. That night, following our dinner cruise along the harbor, we saw a violin symphony perform in the Musical Theater of the Opera House. Talk about amazing! The building was absolutely fabulous in its design and beauty. High ceiling met at the top with the world's largest organ superseding the back wall – just classy and glamorous!

This entire Australia trip was more than I ever could have imagined. Coming here, I had no idea what to expect, but anything I thought about or contrived in my mind about Australia was overwritten by the truth of this amazing land. All that has been created on such a young land has preserved the natural beauty, yet allowed space for people from all over the world to meet and share in what was there before colonization began.

Thanks go out to my Grandpa – without his encouragement, excitement and bank account, none of this would have happened. Thank you to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Pat who were supportive, informative, and helpful throughout this entire excursion. Ann and Jarrod deserve a huge thanks for hosting us and taking care of us while in Australia. Thank you to Mom and Dad who are always encouraging and behind me 100%. And finally, thank you to all those who contributed through gifts which were much appreciated and helpful!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

The Gold Coast

Hello from a new Australian State!

Alana and I flew up to Queensland a few days ago to enjoy where it is to be said "Beautiful one day, perfect the next". We had to rent a car - a challenge since they drive on the right side of the car and the left side of the road here... Alana did well, except she tends to hug the left side of the lane, putting me in danger...

On our way to our hostel in Surfer's Paradise, we stopped off in Palm Beach - all the beaches here have sand that is soft enough to feel like flour on your feet... While the water is not warm, you do not go numb ever like in our California beaches. And they are very pretty with the tourquoise color leading into the deep blue. Again, the hole in the O-zone layer here beats down on a person a lot, but sunblock has been doing its job for us!

We drove up to Brisbane one day and spent time in their Parklands after driving through the buisness district. The Parklands are a part of the city along the river which has become a pubic park. There are shops, restuarants, gardens, and man made beaches. These "beaches" are truly swimming pools with sand leading into them - it was so nice to swim in the warm, clear water, before we relaxed out in the sun. If I am making you jealous, I apologize :)

Today, we drove South to Byron Bay. This bay is in the state of New South Wales, the same as Sydney. The drive here was beautiful as we drove through green mountains, trees, and overpasses made of cobblestone - think a mixture of Ireland and New Zealand... While it was overcast here, we made the hike to thier lighthouse, which took us around the mountain and through the costal rainforest, all along the coast. It was like a dream come true to be hiking along a cobblestone path with the ocean as our view. Each new view captured our hearts and amazed us even more than the one before. Our path took us to the most eastern point of the Australian mainland! Once we got back to the beach and were headed along the sand to the town, it started raining like I have never seen before! Think hurricane weather! After taking shelter in the bathroom for a bit, we made the trip to our hostel... it added to the adventure :)

I wish there was so much more time to truly allow you know how blessed I feel to be able to see and experience these wonders of this country. But know that I truly feed off all your words and emails. As I walk God's beautiful creation, I can't stop thanking Him for each one of you, and this amazing gift I have to be here!

Until next time!

One week down

It has been an official one week for me in Australia. Thus far, I have only found Aussie's to be friendly, fun, and relaxed people. I have seen kangaroos to be adorable creatures with personality and curiosity, while koalas seem cuddly but sleep a lot! Farms here resemble those along the 5N, while the coast lines are like nothing I have seen before! Limestone cliffs dropping to turquoise waters... gorgeous!

While the summer heat here is hitting a record breaking 125 degrees Ferinheit, nothing can stop my sister and I from exploring the city of Melbourne - the Yarra River, the buisness district, the Botanical Gardens, posh shopping street Chapel Street and of course, museums - and the southern coastline of the state of Victoria called the Great Ocean Road. My cousin and her Aussie husband have been excellent hosts and have given us the most authentic Aussie experience we could have asked for, exposing us to the game of Cricket and Aussie Football.

Thus far, we have not been let down - and we still have 2.5 weeks left!

Made it to Melbourne!

Finally made it - after 3 countries and about 30 hours, I made it to my first stop in the southern hemisphere - Melbourne, Australia.

With two days down - I have discovered five new things:

1. UV rays are low in So Cal (thank you smog) but in Melbourne, they are strong. Note: always wear sun block - even on cloudy days

2. Moist weather, while it may be good for the skin and hair health (hydratation please) - the waves become curls and I look like Im 12...

3. El Camino low riders used to be cool back in the day, but here in Melbourne, they are still very cool. Not called el caminos, but low ridin trucks, are every where! - Dad, you wouldn't be the only one still ridin low... :)

4. Its not a comforter, its a dunna.

5. Melbourne is the proud host for the Australian Open, and as a guest, I had to partake in the men's finals - a sporting event to remember. Congrats Nadal, but I hope for brighter things for Federer...

These are only a small amount of moments that have made me smile in these last two days here :) ...Welcome to Melbourne!

Today is the Day!

Today marks the hourly countdown to my take off half way across the world. In 12 hours, my entire world will shift and for the next five months I will say good-bye to all that I know. Am I excited? Absolutely. Am I ready? Well, my bags are packed. Am I prepared? Hmm... Can't answer that. I know nothing that awaits me, nothing I can expect, there's nothing I can even imagine. My heart is prepared, yes. I am thrilled to see what lies before me and the impact and changes I am to experience because of this time.

The bags are packed (and filled to the maximum possible weight limit!) and I am tired of preparations and ready to just be on the airplane, or maybe just be there - skip the 24hr trip...

As I turn my eyes to a new horizon, I keep a part of me here... I can't help it :)

16 days in counting

Welcome to my blog! I hope that you continue to follow me throughout my adventure in New Zealand for the next 5 months as I attend a University there and continue to travel the luscious beauty the country has to offer.

Today marks the 16 day countdown to my departure down under. While I am very excited for all that awaits me, I am nervous and sad to be leaving everything and everyone that I know. There is still so much that I need to get done, and so little ambition I have to do it all... it is as though a part of me is rejecting the idea that I am actually leaving and traveling 7,810 miles away. That or I am beyond done with the stress it all brings - either way, I am having difficulty realizing that this is actually happening. It will be nice to travel Australia with my sister the first 19 days of my trip though - and who am I to complain about the blessed opportunity to actually be able to travel?

It is going to be one luminous journey - and I intend to log it all here for you!