Tramplings

And She's Off!

2011-08-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

I am off to Christchurch today!
Per my mother's request I am only spending two nights there before taking the Trans Alpine Train across to Greymouth on the west coast.
I think i am going to have to get a job to continue my travels (which is the complete opposite of what i was thinking a few days ago. i was planning on coming home soon. but now i am anticipating liking to south island too much and have to prolong my visit. We'll see how i feel when i actually get there.)
So this is two things off of my wish list in my last post, booked and going to happen!!
I have spent yesterday and today catching up with Guillaume, Celia and Martin from Taupo as they just came up to Auckland. :)
Happy now.
Though, as per usual, i am sick..
i will keep you posted!

Escape from Taupo

2011-08-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

*View from the tree*

*Henry and Tane and the big cave*

*Brinna, Phil, Peter, Sam, Lukas, Martin, Me, Henry, Mollie*

*Henry and I halfway up a hill*

*Pretty sand on the beach*

My 2 day trip to Auckland turned into a fleeing from Taupo.

I realized that i was, in fact miserable there and that it was time to leave.

So i put in my one day's notice at work, packed my bag and hit the road (only after a big night out with all my friends of course.

Spent a few days in Auckland, then took the train to Bethell's beach to stay with the lovely Henry (who had 2 days prior returned from England) and her boyfriend Tane at Tane's Beach house. It was awesome and just what i needed after a thuroughly crippling homesickness breakdown in the Auckland Starbucks a few days before. Happy now though.

We played in caves, walked on the beach barefoot in jeans and a tshirt (in mid winter!), saw a dead seal, climbed a hill and then climbed the tallest tree on top of that hill, went to a lake behind a sand dune in the middle of teh woods, read, napped, watched Fantasia, made pizza and drank milo. It was exactly what i needed. Of course, Henry would probably be able to cheer me up if we were living in a sewer.

Now i am back in Auckland. It is sunny and beautiful. I don't think i will be as lucky when i come home to my northern hemisphere winter....

No solid plans.

Wish list:

-Get to the damn south island!

-Take a train trip.

-Go to a Rugby World Cup game (17 days!!)

-Use my tent at least once before i go home.

The Book list

2011-06-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

Being bored has afforded me a lot of time to read.
Though I am a dreadfully slow reader, I have been tearing through the books.
They have passed through as follows:
January:
-The Pearl by John Steinbeck-- A short little gem (or pearl I guess) about the value of what is really important. It is a very short book. I think it only lasted the first leg of my flight. I left it at the Mercure Windsor hotel in Auckland.
February:
-On the Road by Jack Kerouac--Tales of Jack Kerouac and he crazy buddies revolutionizing American literature and bumming across the country. I gave this one to my friend Liz when she and George came to visit me on the barrier. She is Australia now.
March:
-The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna--This is a great story of a man whose life is dramatically altered when he hits a rabbit with his car. After nursing it back to health, he drops out of his previous life and travels around Finnland with the hare getting into all sorts of situations and unusual circumstances. It was a great book but I think there were some deeper meanings in there that I missed. I sent this one back home to Anna, who sent it to me in the first place.
-Thanks for the Memories byCecelia Ahern--This was a dumb book about a woman who recieves someones memories through a blood transfusion. By the author of P.S. I love you. I put this one back in the caravan that I found it in.
-20 Under 40: Short Stories form The New Yorker-- I bought this book before I left for a short story, Here We Aren't, So Quickly by Jonathan Safran Foer who, if you know me, you will know, I am obsessed with (within reason). I really enjoyed this book. It was full of entertaining short stories by many talented authors. I left this one to my friend Henry in Great Barrier Island with instructions for her to pass it on to my friend Grant when she finished it. But i am pretty sure her house ate it.
April:
-The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald--I really like Mr. Fitzgerald's writing. And this book did not disappoint. Though it did get a bit desperate at times I was thoroughly satisfied with it upon completion. I put this one on the book exchange shelf at the Centabay Lodge in Paihia.
May:
-Occupational Hazards by Jonathan Segura--This book was $3 at Whitcols. It was ok. A lazy reporter getting sucked in to a story to the point of danger. A bit raw which was refreshing. Awful ending. I have it to Grant for his bus ride home after his visit to Taupo.
-Maroc by Daniel Easterman-- A mystery through history novel taking place in Morocco. It was entertaining but not life changing. I enjoyed it. I sent this one home to Dad along with his birthday present. I though he would like it.
-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby--Amazing. I read it in about 4 hours. Very short, which is understandable as it was written but a paralyzed man who wrote the whole book by communicating by blinking his one functional eyelid. I put his one back on the book exchange shelf i found it on. Read it. It is a movie too i think.
June:
-Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer--This was I think my fifth read of this book. I love it. My favorite book in the "whole waarld" ( --;) Anna). Grant bought it for me when he was down here. It is sitting under my bed now. I may lend it to friends but will probably hold on to it.
-A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian by Marina Lewycka-- This was a good book. Not quite as funny as I wanted it to be but entertaining none the less. It touched on WWII which is a favorite of mine when it comes to books. I has great cover art. Grant sent me this one and i will probably send it back to him.

I am getting kicked off the computer now!!

Life on the lake

2011-06-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

*Gnome friend in front of the Waikato River*

*Paihia friends out on the town*

*Me and My germans out for Sandra's birthday*

*Huka Falls*

I am going on seven weeks here in Taupo now.

I now:

--have a job waitressing at Portofino Italian Restaurant and possibly another one in the wings.

--Am working for my accommodation (which is a bunk bed in a garage with 5 other people) at a hostel in town.

--am a member of the local pool and get to swim pretty often.

--am the proud owner of a light purple (with pink detail) bicycle.

--am a member of the Taupo Library.

A few weeks ago, the group I worked with in Paihia stayed a night at my hostel on their way down to Wellington. We had a fun night out and won a lot of free beer at the Pub's quiz night. Fun kids.

I miss having friends.

Well, I have a few friends here; the two french kids form work, A couple cohabitants of the garage, some lifeguards from the pool. But it is mostly just Madeline most of the time. Thought i am expecting some visitors her in the next couple of weeks. :)

In other news, I have decided on coming home before Christmas. Mid-December I think. So I am pretty exactly 6 months away from my return....which is still a pretty long time.

I am looking forward to being in the country as New Zealand hosts the Rugby World Cup in September and to experiencing a New Zealand spring.

Taupo

2011-05-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

Howdy all!
I finally got up and moving.
After a lovely Easter weekend in Auckland, I adopted two German girls, Sandra and Annika, that I met i Paihia and set off traveling with them.
We went to the Coromandel Peninsula.
We spent Tuesday night in Thames.
Then Wednesday we go up and hit the road.
We stopped and hiked the Kauaeranga Kauri trail. It was very nice but as it was a kind of wet day, there was a pretty constant stream flowing down the trail as well as 4 "flood route" suspension bridges that we had to cross (Yikes!!!).
We then continued north up the west coast of the peninsula to Coromandel town. It was a cute town and our hostel had a hot tub! About a minute down the road from the hostel was a cave and I got to see my first New Zealand glow worms (while standing in six inches of mud).
The next day, Thursday, after the girls did some train ride to a view of something that I opted out of to save $20 on a rainy day view of some mountains, we cut east to Whitianga.
We were detoured a few times due to flooded roads.
We spent two nights in Whitianga.
While there we went to the Hot Water Beach where you can dig a hole in the sand and it fills up with hot water. But because it is a school holiday, the beach was very very full of families and tourists. We got our feet in though, it was very cool.
Then we went to Cathedral Cove. After a 45 minute hike up and down and up and down, we opened out onto this isolated beach with amazing rock formations (I don't have time to add pictures now).
We also had a big night out while in Whitianga. It was a local radio station's "7th birthday" so after watching the royal wedding, the girls and i had a night out. It was fun.
On Saturday we head south and west on out way to Taupo. We had to stop a few times to puke as Sandra was getting car sick and once to get new tires as we realized ours were about to explode. But we made it.
So now I am in Taupo and needing to get a job to finance the rest of my trip and to buy some warm socks as Taupo is chilly chilly.
The search begins tomorrow.
Wish me luck!!

Paihia

2011-04-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

I am in Paihia.
Bay of Island area.
Finally got off of the Barrier about a week and a half ago.
I miss it.
It is nice here though.
Kind of touristy, but quite beautiful.
I am meeting lots of super folk.
I'm here till the 22nd then Easter in Auckland and..... then I don't know.
I'll keep you posted.

In no particular order.....

2011-03-11T21:30:00.000-08:00

*Bringing in the long line while camping at Haratoanga*

*Looking down the runway in Okiwi from a 9 person plane*

*Henry and her face on our trip to Auckland*

*Nortessa and Wontie in Auckland*

*Harry walking down the isle collecting flowers at his and Bex's wedding*

*The girls dressed up for the wedding. Terere, me, Henry and Farley*

*Flax in front of a beautiful sunset in Tryphena*

*Sali, Penny, Prue, me and Farley at our 2011 staff breakfast*

*Grant coming down the steepest hill ever on the Awana falls hike*

*Farley, Girl Henry, Boy Henry and John at our promo ditch party*

*Me and Evelynol, the slug we found in the dishwasher*

*Sharon (Nortessa's mom), Nortessa and I at a birthday barbque*

Number 3

2011-03-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

*Kelly and Mic puting the cray in the pot*

*So pretty. Medlands Beach*

Hello faithful followers that have reason to have lost faith.

I have been in New Zealand now for nearly 2 months and have just sent off my first postcard (though i have been doing some letter writing and sent one happy birthday postcard)

My friend George from Western came to visit with his girlfriend Liz. That was very fun. It was the first time my two worlds came together which was a bit weird but nice all the same.

I got to go to a lovely wedding a few weeks back of my friends Harry and Bex. It was a barefoot wedding in their back yard. It was nice to see my barrier friends all dressed up and clean.

The other day i went fishing with some of the local boys and a new Canadian friend named Breanna. The boys all caught fish and so did Bre but i did not. I caught a crab. I was excited.

We then went back to the shed that one of the boys lives in and cooked up a "mean feed". It was fantastic.

Last night i went camping with some friends. there were tents and fishing and giant crayfish and beer. 'Twas much fun. I went up with my friend Prue, who I work with at the pub and her brother Kelly. We met some other friends there and did some fishing and cooking and drinking and playing of cards. It was good to get out form my normal scene.

In general i am well. I am happy and tan. I have heaps of great friends around but i do still miss my family and friends at home.

As of now my plan is to finish out the month here on Great Barrier Island and then go..... somewhere else. I'll let you know.

I just bought a $3 can of sprite

2011-01-28T17:33:00.000-08:00

I am back home on the barrier.
Life is good.
It was bad for a while.
I lost my luggage.
My best friend got kidnapped.
We had a cyclone.
But all is good now.
And the cyclone was actually quite fun.
And now the sun is back and Barrier life is sweet.
I have taken to assisting on the island radio station and may wet my own show...?
Its fun.
George is coming to visit soon!!! and i am so excited.
Sorry thats all for now.
I am in the middle of a radio show and internet is rare.
:)

Back in New Zealand!!

2011-01-12T23:46:00.000-08:00

I made it after only 36 hours of travel!
They lost my luggage!

This is still Trampling

2010-11-28T20:08:00.000-08:00

I am in Virginia.

Really.

I am here.

Though, I will be heading out on Thursday to head home where I shall remain for about 5 weeks until my brother is married (!!!!) and I am off to New Zealand again (!!!!).

Now don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to be going back to New Zealand, but I am a bit nervous.

I think I'll get too homesick at some point, that I will miss my dad too much. I've never missed a Christmas before and I hate to think about having a Christmas without my family and them having one without me. I mean, I had a hard enough time missing Thanksgiving with them this year. But that is the beauty, I suppose, of doing whatever I want to; I can do whatever I want to. If I want to com home, I can come home.

But enough on that.

I am in Virginia, did I mention that?

If you are at all a regular visitor of this blog, you will know that I don't do well-constructed, fluid paragraphs.

I do lists.

I have a few here for you today because I can't make all I want to convey fit cleanly into one list.

*Differences between Virginia and Washington*

-They have the southern accent down here (ya'll, etc.).

-A lot more road kill down here.

-Few to no evergreen trees here in Virginia

-Really good home cookin' down south.

-Washington had 7 inches of snow while I was enjoying 65 and sunny in Virginia.

-Church goin' is a much more common practice down here.

-Everyone and their brother in Virginia (well, southern Virginia anyways) hunts.

-Sweet tea is a great treat while down here as it is not so commonly found in Washington.

But I am getting ahead of myself here.

I flew in on a Red eye.

I left Seattle at 10:30 p.m. on a plane bound for Charlotte, NC next to a woman with a 20 month old son.

Upon first feigning interest in the baby, the woman said to me, "Don't worry, he's been flyin' since he was a month old, he'll be fine." A pause, while she fiddles with the squirmer. "Although, his father did give him a thing of coffee right before we left the house"

Arriving in Charlotte at 6 in the morning with about a half an hour of sleep holding me up, I walked the 35 miles from gate B2 to E31. If you ever get the chance to have a layover in Charlotte take it. They have rocking chairs.

So, I made it to Lynchburg, VA at about 10:30.

I had a fun afternoon with my cousins and aunt and, when he got home from fishing, my uncle.

The following day, Monday, I borrowed the Ford Fusion and the tomtom and set out north!

Destination: Reston, VA.
4 hour drive. It was beautiful though, it was kind of the tail end of the changing of the fall leaves.

However, around noon I was patiently waiting for my friend Brian at his workplace.

*Over the course of the next two days I, with the company of Brian, I:*

-Was given an obscene amount of food at Charcoal Kebab.

-Got to see and spend some time at his cool stylie town house and meet his nifty housemates and their dog Layla; the sweetest and dumbest boxer.

-Went, for the first time, on the DC Metro (I felt a little like Mr. Weasly when he goes on the Muggle Underground in London to get to the Ministry for Harry's trial.) (Also, the design of the tube-like inside of the terminal as we waited of the train, reminded me of the movie Metropolis.
-Went to the Natural History Museum. I love that place but Brian was getting annoyed/frightened by all of the Trilobites so we had only a short visit.

-We saw a fair few art museums. The National Portrait gallery (home to a HUGE and very bright picture of LL Cool J), The Freer Gallery, The National Art Museum (Brian really enjoyed a work called Free Candy which was a pile of candy in the corner of the room, meant to be eaten), and The Modern Art Museum. I never really went to any of the art museums when I came with my family so it was nice that Brian was in to it. And the National Archives which neither Brian or I had been to so that was very cool to see. (did you know that the Declaration of Independence hung in a window for 8 years?)

-Had wonderful pizza.

-Braved the mall in Tyson's Corner where we split up and I tried on about 178 dresses as possibilities for my brothers wedding.

-Ate lots of really great food (Drunk noodles, pizza, vegetarian breakfast sausage, kebab)

-Got to meet Brian's girlfriend, Stacy. She was very nice and.... super? (I spent about an hour with the girl, I really liked her but can't really say I know her)

-I enjoyed it all thoroughly. It was great to see him.

On Wednesday morning, I went into work with Brian and, from there, set out to Frederick, MD to visit Grandma.
It was a fairly short and sweet drive and I surprised her by being 6 hours earlier than she had expected. oops.

*While in Frederick with Grandma I:*

-Accompanied her to the pet store for assistance with heavy lifting (cat litter and stuff)
-Assembled a self-cleaning litter box
-Got to see Uncle Bruce.
-Accidentally ate some chicken
-Asked an Indian man how to say "box" in Spanish at Fajita Grande.
-Got to visit with Dot, the neighbor of forever.
-Made my Grandpa's Aunt Ina's Jam Cake recipe.
-Got to see where my Grandpa is buried for the first time.
-And got to spend some quality time with my Grandma.

On Friday morning started back down south towards Lynchburg. I made it home in plenty of time for my cousin Kesi's 18th birthday dinner at Olive Garden.
On Saturday, we had a catered party for Kesi and I got to meet their whole side of the family. Grandma and Uncle Bruce came down too. It was very fun and I got to see what it would be like to have more than 2 cousins.
We did Thanksgiving at my Aunt Charlotte's Mom's house. It was pretty much the same crowd as Kesi's party and there was sweet potato casserole so it was a success. Fun bunch.
The rest of it has pretty much just been time to kill. I read The Importance of Being Ernest and A Woman of No Importance both by Oscar Wilde. And am finishing up Eat Pray Love.

And the movies, good lord the movies:
(* indicates that this is my first time seeing it)
-Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
-Iron Man*
-Sherlock Holmes*
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
-Two Weeks Notice
-Die Hard*
-Die Hard 2*
-Die Hard with a Vengeance*
-Live Free Die hard*
-Letters to Juliet*
-Mean Girls
-Final Destination*
-And on Wednesday we saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 at the theatre. It was awesome. That is why we watched all of those other Harry Potter films, in preparation. But I really have no excuse for some of those other ones. Some mindless vacationing I suppose.

On Saturday I got to spend a day around town with my other cousin, Gabrielle. We rang the Salvation Army Bell outside of Kmart for a couple hours and then did a standard mall crawl and some other shopping, had lunch at Panera, bought crickets at the pet store, and other activities. We both got some Christmas shopping done, but mostly it was just a fun day out. It was a great day, we had a lot of fun.

This is the longest post ever and I can't imagine anyone would possibly care that much about my trip to Virginia.
In summary:
-It was a really great trip. I hardly ever get to see this part of my family and I have never actually been to their house before this.
-I was really happy to spend some time with Brian. I don't get to see him much what with the continent of separation and all. And it was great of him to take off work and play in DC with me. So great.
-Had some good quality time with Grandma.
-Bonded with my cousins.
-I am no longer a Die Hard virgin.
-I went to a church service for the first time in like 4 years (and I think I am good for at least another 4-6 now)
-Also, my uncle is a vet, so I helped out at the clinic one day. And on a related note, this house is also home to 5 cats, 5 dogs, a bird, a lizard and about 25 fish. And 4 horses and 7 chickens just a hop away. So there is always someone around to talk to or play with.
-It has been a really great trip and a relaxing 3 weeks.
Thank you Uncle Scott and Aunt Charlotte for having me!

I enjoy the film The Man Who Knew Too Much.

2010-10-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

When I was young, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

I think I've stopped biting my nails, but every now and then, I'm not so sure

2010-09-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

It sure has been a while.

But I'm not sure that I have enough loyal followers for that to matter to anyone besides me.

Since my last visit here (in no particular order):

-I have been working as per usual

-I have, for the first time in 17 years, not started school in September.

-My rabbit died.

-I saw the Tallest Man on Earth in concert in Vancouver.

-My dog was sprayed by a skunk.

-I have been living in the midst of a highly intrusive remodel for about a month now.

-I have planned and booked a three week trip to Virginia to see some family and friend characters.

-I have booked my one way ticket to New Zealand!

-I have not figured out how to compile my eclectic arsenal of skills into something practical.

Regardless of anything else however, I work in a beautiful/magical place.

*Really?*

*Purple produce is thrilling*

*Oh Nature, you slay me.*

Still here

2010-08-05T00:47:00.000-07:00

I am still here, just have not been burdening the interwebs with my mundane life details.

But in case any one was wondering, since I last posted, I have:

- dropped out of college and had a party to seal the deal

- done more hikes (Alpine lakes trail, Poo Poo Point (twice), Rattlesnake ledge (twice)

-done jury duty, been selected for a jury and sat through a trial

-turned twenty

-traveled to Port Orchard and participated in a swim meet

-hosted my teenage cousins from Virginia and gone camping with them, played in seattle and taught them the west coast ways

-dabbled in professional cake baking and decorating

-read Steinbeck's East of Eden

-started my five week housesitting marathon

-toiled at the farm

-and experienced various other accomplishments and disappointments

Plans now are to work trough October, grin and bear November and December and head back to New Zealand in January.

That's it for now I guess.

Lost lake

2010-06-10T02:28:00.000-07:00

Shall remain lost.

After stopping at REI, where Mark and I got fancy new boots, Mark, Eric and I set out to do the Lost lake trail.

Theoretically, it is the Fragrance lake trail to start off and then some more.

But that was not the case.

We did the Fragrance lake portion then continued on a trail that eventually lead to a disappointing access road.

We sat at the lake for a bit and then, defeated, began our descent down to the car.

On a positive note, the Salmon berries are here!

Excelsior Mountain Hike

2010-06-04T22:03:00.000-07:00

Though were down a man, Thursday adventure day continues.

Mark and I set out towards Mt. Baker at about noon.

After driving for about an hour, and being about half an our more away from our destination, we happened upon a trailhead just of the road and decided to peruse.

2500 ft elevation gain over 4.5 miles.

After carefully examining the poster differentiating black bears paws from Grizzly bears we set off.

It was a pretty gradual climb with a lot of switchbacks.

About 15 minutes we encountered "the hole" on the side of the trail.

*Alice in Wonderland time!!!*

Because we couldn't see the bottom, we threw some rocks down.

We could hear them bouncing down and down and down and when we stopped haring it we weren't sure if it was because it had reached the bottom or it was just out of earshot.

We continued on and encountered an awesome creek, yellow fungi that looked like gumdrops,tons of other fungi and then, after about an hour and a half on assent, snow.

Just patches here and there at first but then patches here and there over the trail.

Pretty soon it was patches of trail here and there in the snow.

We trekked on through the snow that was pretty hard due to the too-warm-for-snow weather we have been having.

About one in every twenty steps we would loose a foot through the snow.

At first in to the ankle, then later to the knee, then thigh, then hip.

One PB&J sandwich, half a loaf of banana bread, four scraped ankles, ten five gallon buckets and one and a half hours later, we decided to give up on our dreams of making the summit and turned back down the mountain.

*A good part of the trail was just creek*

After an hour of following our tracks through the snow and knee jerking down hill, we stopped at the hole one more time and with soaking wet feet, we made it back to the car very ready for the relaxing hour ride back into Bellingham.

We got home at about 6:30 and then both head to the pool for swim practice where we both focused on pull a good bit more than kick.

And I slept very well Thursday night.

I went to Georgia

2010-06-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

For the Masters Nationals swim meet.

It was at Georgia Tech University.

There were 11 of us form the Western swim team.

And Brian came down from Virginia to swim.

He stayed with us at a place that really must have been in the top 9 seediest motels in Atlanta.

Tiny, dingy beds; smelled of mold and cigarettes; light shining out of the bathtub drain.

But we are better people for it.

*Andrew, Ben, Eric, Mark and Brian after the 100 free*

The swim meet was fun.

I met a few good people.

Exchanged a few words with Cullen Jones.

Got to swim in the 1996 Olympic pool.

We enjoyed Atlanta out side of the pool thought as well.

It was pretty hot an muggy the whole time we were there, but it was nice to be in the warm weather.

Mostly we just ate at a bunch of different places.

We tried to avoid any place that we could find in Washington

On Monday, before our plane left, we went to the Atlanta Aquarium.

It is said to be the worlds largest aquarium.

While it was a little disappointing for its title, it was still a very nice aquarium.

I saw fish.

The tip was a success.

We were all happy to be back in Seattle, though, breathing cool, non-liquid air.

Last day as a family.

2010-05-10T22:09:00.001-07:00

Shona has left us.

She caught a ferry up to Alaska on Friday.

But we were still able to squeeze in a frisbee event on Thursday.

We adopted Ben.

Mark, Shona, Ben and I went to Lake Padden where the sun is shining and the grass is squishy.

We had cookies and two frisbees.

We played frisbee.

For two or so hours.

It was a lot of fun but there is really only so much I can say.

So, thats all.

Oh Canada

2010-05-03T23:25:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, I accompanied Mark, Sue, MJ, Danny and Lexie to Canada. Though we were in White Rock, so it hardly counts as Canada. You can still see mostly Washington but you can drink a honey lager at the age of 19.

The Mark, Sue, MJ, Madeline car did not have anyone in it that forgot their passports so we got parked in a timely fashion.

We changed our clothes and head out to the low tie beach for some skim boarding.

*Sue, skimming it up*

We were about an hour in by the time the Danny, Lexie car party arrived.

We stayed on the beach for about 20 more minutes then were driven inland due to wind and cold times.

We rinsed off and got changed and set out in search of a dining establishment for dinner.

We found one with snooty waitresses that looked like Barbies.

And apart from extreme salt conditions on my halibut burger, the food was very good.

Also, they messed up on several items on our order resulting in some free food for us.

Yay Yam fries.

Upon returning some found keys to their owner, I received a large hug from an extremely skinny and glittery woman in a tiny denim vest.

We finished up and moved on to mediocre ice cream.

While eating we walked along the pier and then parked on some benches to listen to the two-high-school-boy-Beatles-cover-band.

*Mark and Sue*

They were fun and we all sang along a little to Hey Jude (Which was played per Mary Jane's request).

We then made our way back to the cars (where I accidentally swore in front of some small children) and set off back to America.

It was a supremely pleasant day that ended in lounging and mojitos.

On a separate note, it is clean sheet day.

I don't care what your viewpoint on anything is, you can't deny that clean sheets are just great.

It has been far too long since my last celebration of this holiday....

I am going to take clean sheet day for all it is worth and not disrupt the festivities be getting out of bed to get my camera. I will add pictures tomorrow.

Also, I made vegan chocolate chocolate chip walnut cookies again as they are the only kind of cookies that I make these days. They were wildly popular among the swimming community.

My raw cookbook (well, I suppose recipe book would be more appropriate) came in the mail today. I am excited to try out some of this stuff. It's gonna be weird!

Sweepstakes

2010-04-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

After we found out that the boathouse was closed and we could not go kayaking, Mark, Shona and I were faced with the task of thinking up another Thursday adventure.

Because of general footwear unpreparedness and Shona's overall human weakness, we decided against a hike.

Walking to the car with our thinking caps on, we were determined not to surrender to defeat.

Mark suggested skim boarding.

And after some discussion about the exact time of peak low tide we set off.

We stopped at Mark's to pick up the boards and at the fruit stand to pick up kumquats then set off to the beach.

It's weird to think that our last adventure was snow sport.

We got to the beach and ditched our shoes and excess clothing.

After the first fall, you've got nothing to loose; you fall into warm water and soft mudsand.

And fall I did.

*I can't do it with my arms down*

Only a few times, then I got the hang of it enough to be able to stay on my feet.

Shona took some pretty epic spills and I was lucky enough be able to document some of them.

*Shona doing summersaults*

She will have sand in her hair for days.

Mark on the other hand decided to be no fun, being quite good at skim boarding and all.

*Cruisin'*

He did however provide for the family in being an excellent teacher.

As the incoming tide put increasingly less distance between our playground and the barnacle covered rocks, we decided to call it a day.

*Shona going out to sea*

Sand covered and soaked (some more than others), we got into the car.

So, skim boarding is quite fun, i will do it again.

I think it would be fun to try on Pah Beach.

Happy Thursday.

The Tallest Man on Earth

2010-04-27T01:13:00.000-07:00

I love this guy.

*Photo Credit*

I have been listening to The Tallest Man on Earth's album, Shallow Grave for about a year now.

He has now come out with a second album, The Wild Hunt this month and I just cant get enough of it.

Here is a sampling of some favorites:

The Wild Hunt - from album The Wild Hunt

The Gardner - from album Shallow Grave

King of Spain -released as a single and with album The Wild Hunt

Swedish Kristian Mattson is The Tallest Man on Earth.

He is playing a show in Vancouver, BC next Wednesday, but sadly it is sold out and I will not be seeing him

If anyone has any connections that would make arranging my marriage to him easier, please let me know.

Weekending

2010-04-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

Happy weekend end.

Sad. I had another great weekend.

Friday night I went to a Surprise party for my friend George (Lots of the same kinds as the camping trip). It was a wild success and was very fun.

Saturday, I got up at about ten, which is earlier than I maybe would have, had I not had hiking plans.

Skyline Divide was the plan.

Mark and Shona and I set out and drove for about 40 minutes in the direction of Mt. Baker.

Stopped at a friends house and picked up some snowshoes.

Set off up a gravel road that we had to follow for 13 miles to get to the trail head.

It was a pretty rough road.

Whit the snow line and that was fun. There was more and more snow the higher we went.

Then there started being snow on the road in some places.

Then there was about two feet of snow on the road and we couldn't drive any further.

*Family Portrait*

So we parked the car on a little pull out thing and, as Shona had the most appropriate footwear, Mark and I put on snowshoes.

We hiked up the road for a bit, snowshoed around and played in the snow.

It was great fun.

*Mark in the snow*

It was snowing the whole time we were there.

That was my first time seeing snow all year.

*Shona doing a cartwheel in the snow*

Afterwards, a bit soggy and damp, we went to Graham's for lunch.

Good day.

Sunday.

I had a weird sleeping in- stiff neck morning, went to the co-op to get eggs, and had an awesome egg sandwich.

I them met up with Mark and girlfriend Sue and we head down to Fairhaven for the Dirty Dan Day's Chowder Festival. We met up with Shona and Emiko and some other friends.

*Mark and Sue*

$10 to sample 17 different types of chowders from different restaurants and get a bowl of your favorite.

Lots of good food.

My favorite was the Pumpkin and Corn chowder from Avenue Bread but they ran out at the end, so I got a bowl of Skylark's clam chowder, my second favorite.

It was so sunny and there was good music.

The Gallus Brothers played for a good bit and I particularly liked them.

*The Gallus Brothers*

It was splendid to sit in the grass in the sun with my friends and chowder listening to bluegrass music.

Such a pleasent Sunday.

Tonight I made Banana Bread. 'Twas delicious.

Now, I've got a touch of math to do and them have to mentally prepare myself for the week ahead.

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how hard of a time I had finding some one to go on a hike with me on Earth Day.

But, in the end, Shone came trough for me.

We did a repeat of our last week's hike, the Pine and Cedar Lakes hike.

This time, we more thoroughly explored Cedar lake as we covered Pine Lake pretty well last week.

Cedar Lake was much easier to explore the perimeter of as it actually had a trail all the way around it.

We saw a few ducks, one of which was doing some sort of splash dance in the water while we observed.

We met a stump and Shona almost took a spill in the lake.

After a few cookies and sufficient photo documentation, we set off for our descent.

The way down was enjoyable.

We saw a huge Wood Pecker doing a number on a tree.

He really was not at all phased by our presence so we took a lot of pictures of him, got very close to him, and talked to him. Not a superb conversationalist.

Next we ran into our friend Emiko. It was surprising and joyous.

After about 15 more minutes of knee jerking down hill fun, we reached the car.

As Shona has never experienced the pleasure of a stinging nettle and has been complaining about it for some time now, we decided to check that off of her to do list.

For support and because she was a little nervous about her first time, I also indulged in some nettle.

I gently brushed the back of my hand on the underside of a leaf while Shona raped her forearm with an entire plant.

It was more nostalgic than painful for me, but I don't think I can say the same for Shona.

All in all, a lovely day for a hike and a happy Earth Day.

Camping!

2010-04-17T22:51:00.000-07:00

I love camping.

Last night I set out on a vaguely structured camping trip.

Paranoid about failure or arrest I was a bit wary at first.

There were nine of us. Most of us lived together in the dorms last year and a few we adopted.

Our destination: Oyster Dome.

This is the same hike that I did with Mark and Shona last week.

I was a little concerned about potential freezing, snow and wretched conditions but my fear was for naught as it was a clear, beautiful and dry day.

*Colin preparing for flight at the top of Oyster Dome*

The way up was a bit tough, especially for those who were carrying things like tents and 24 packs. I just had a bunch of pants, so i did not have too much trouble.

*Sunset*

We finally made it to the top and looked for a place to set up the 8 person tent.

But, as there was an abundance of trees, there was no such place.

We resolved to just sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags.

We made a fire, ate hummus and were merry into the night.

*The gang: Kyle, Riley, Evan, Meghan, Colin, George, Nathan, Austen*

We had some small adventures and managed to stay away from the cliff edge for the most part.

The night was quite chill for sleeping, especially in my "warm to 55 degrees" sleeping bag. But I survived, we all did.

*Antics. Austen, Meghan and I*

Saturday we got up and indulged in a little fire, played catch phrase (good thinking Nate), ate what was left of the the little, random food that we brought, packed up and set off down the hill.

We stopped off at the bat caves on our way down. There was a cool view looking up form the bottom of the giant rock face that we had just spent the night at the top of. But i left the jumping around on the slippery rocks and logs to the others.

We got to the bottom happy to see at out cars had not combusted, been towed/stolen or had suffered any other traumas.

It was a highly successful trip and it was really good to see the gang again.

An event to have a sequel for sure.

Pine and Cedar Lakes Hike

2010-04-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

I got out of lab today and went, again with Mark and Shona, on a hike.

Today, we did the Pine and Cedar Lakes trail.

It was about 5 miles round trip, except we took a detour circumnavigating Pine Lake which added a bit of time and distance to our stats.

We made friends with some dogs on trail.

We saw some Elk/giant deer tracks, some mystery poop, a blue heron, an abandoned jacket, a toilet and lots-o skunk cabbage.

I don't find the smell of skunk cabbage offensive; it is more nostalgic for me and makes me think of spring time in Preston.

It was pretty vertical for a while which proved daunting in the beginning but was fun for galloping down on the way back.

Overall, good hike, pretty lakes, tons of skunk cabbage and once again, wildly agreeable company.

Good day. Math test tomorrow.

Oyster Dome

2010-04-08T21:51:00.000-07:00

I had my first Biology lab today.

It was fine, I'll go back next week.

But lab day means I get out at noon so, I went on a hike with Mark and Shona.

We did the short version of Oyster Dome.

It took about two hours.

*Shona in the snow on the way up*

We started in the chilly sunshine and when we got to the top we were in the snow and wind.

It was a good hike with an awesome view and a wretched cliff that inspired much fear.

*Mark and his success face at the top*

There were many potholes on the drive in (and out) which were kind of fun.

It was nice to do a nice hike on a nice day with good friends.

On a different note- Here is what I am digging lately:

-Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

-Christmas TV by Slow Club

-Edmonton by The Rural Alberta Advantage

-Animal By Miike Snow (not the video though)

-Easter candy

Also, I am rereading The DaVinci Code and digging it.

Thats all for now I suppose.

I have math homework.

-MB

I am a productive procrastinator.

2010-04-05T17:38:00.000-07:00

It's Monday.

It is Ryan's and Tel's birthday. So happy birthdays to them.

Got up and went to Biology where I toyed with how to take notes in that class.

Then I went to Math where I struggled through a quiz.

To the bookstore to get my Biology Lab manual.

And home for the 3 hour break in my day.

I went to REI and spent my dividend/coupon/gift card and money on some new pants for all of the hiking I am doing.

Then off to latin.

I came home and did a little of this and a little of that.

I looked in o the homework that I should and will do and the didn't do it.

And then I made vegan chocolate-chocolate walnut cookies.

I like to share them.

Now I am going to swimming.

Bye.

Also, I just remembered, i made broccoli potato soup yesterday. It was fabulous and there is a lot in my freezer for later. Just thought you should know.

Easter Weekend

2010-04-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

It was kind of stormy up here in Bellingham this weekend. But mostly just on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday I went on a midday hike with Shona, Meghan, and Philip and Alicia. Shona is my friend/swim coach. Meghan is my friend/ roommate from last year and Philip is Shona's brother and Alicia is his girlfriend. I like all of these people. We hiked to Fragrance Lake. It was 1.9 miles each way. Afterwards, I was on an endorphin kick, so i went for a short run and then went to the rec center and did some weights and then went swimming. But my goggles broke and the ones i borrowed from the lost and found afterwards burned around my eyes terribly so I stopped swimming, went home, showered, crawled into bed and watched Inglorious Bastards for the first time. I liked it.

*Me at Fragrance Lake*

*Me, Meghan and Shona*

*The forest on the way down*

Today, Sunday, Easter, my roommate, Mariah and I hid easter presents for each other around the apartment. So, we got to look for them and have a little easter fun! I went out to Lake Whatcom with Shona and we went kayaking for about two hours in the violent wind. This was my first time kayaking. I really enjoyed it and cant wait to go again but would love it if it were maybe not as wet and windy. Now, I have just gotten home, had a lovely sandwich for lunch and will now go for a quick swim and then do math homework. Thats all. Happy Easter Day.

Last day of freedom.

2010-03-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up at a reasonable hour, picked up a friend and ran errands.

I went to Lowe's to get some screws for my picture holding magnet strip thingy and a screw hook to hang up a lamp. Then to the fruit stand to pick up an application for employment and then to Haggen to get a small amount of stuff for a large amount of money. Immediately upon arrival back at my apartment, I hung out and did nothing for a little bit. I visited a friend that I hadn't seen since being back. I got back to my quarters around 5:30 and started chopping onions for French Onion Soup.

I melted a few tablespoons of butter and added the onions in.

About an hour later....

I added in 5 or 6 cups of the veggie stock that I made yesterday.

I let that brew for about a half an hour and made some toasted bread with melted cheese to go with my soup. When everything was all done, i arranged it just so, took a photo and then consumed. Despite the bland picture, it was quite tasty.

Having acquired a sore throat ( i think my sister is to blame) I took the rest of the evening easy and am planning on an early retirement .

Tomorrow I start classes again. Well, I start class again. I only have math tomorrow, and it is at 10 so I don't have to wake up obscenely early. I am not particularly excited about getting back to this school thing. While in New Zealand, I came to the realization that perpetual vacation life suites me quite well. But I suppose, since I am here, I will give school a chance. I'm sure there are probably good times to be had somewhere in this cold, windy town. I just have to find or invent them.

Where's my dinner?

2010-03-28T22:46:00.000-07:00

I am back in Bellingham now.

Moved back into my room.

Reestablished the staple items in my kitchen.

Made vegetable stock.

Made Carrot and Cilantro soup form Anne Watter's Chez Panisse: Vegetables cook book.

It was fabulous but when the red onion salsa was added it was a little bit much. So, should you ever decide to make it, keep that in mind.

Tomorrow I am planning on going to the hardware store to get some screws to hang stuff up, seeing my friends that I have missed while in New Zealand, going swimming, and probably making another soup...either french onion or Broccoli and Potato.

That's all. Goodnight.

I am home now.

2010-03-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

And I have been for about two weeks now.

I have been on New Zealand time though until this morning. So that is waking up at about 1:30 and going to sleep at about 3:30.

I had a fabulous time in New Zealand.

*Mermaid Pools at Kaitoke beach, Great Barrier Island*

I met fantastic people: Norty, Henry, John, Louise, Ashleigh, Yasmine, Terere, Ebony, Pru, Nina, Dave, Lena, Francie, Bex 1, Bex 2, Craig 1, Craig 2, Harry, Peter, Umiko, AJ, Jackson, Martijn, Steve, Wells, Hone, Sali, Carley, Archie, Andy, Ange, Sharpie, Malin, Adrian, Tamara, Sharon, AJ, Munky, Alex, Ramin, Jamie, Becky, Stuggi, Daryl, Natalie, Falk, Finlay, Brooke, Antoine, Simon. Plus other people too. Do not be offended if I did not list you, unless you have sound reason to believe that I did not like you.

*Norty, Alex and I in front of Alex's house*

I learned a lot of things and did a lot of new things: went on a 5 hour ferry ride, drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car, drive a manual, went to a (or 7) pubs/bar/club type things, work behind a bar, ate bacon, say rubbish instead of garbage or trash, count to ten in Maori, sushi, amongst other things.

*Me and Norty in Wellington*

I was home for a week and a half and did some stuff while I was home: got a hair cut, visited Kara, made cookies, made pizza, washed my car, hiked Poo Poo point with Ryan and Jess, and went to a impromptu barbeque at Green Lake with some high quality folks.

Now I am back to Bellingham and back to school.

*Jessica and Ryan on top of Tiger mountain*

*Tel and Mikey at Green Lake*

I have every intention to go back to New Zealand in December. We'll just see if i can make enough money over the summer!

Now, instead of dropping the blog just because i am home, I am going to abandon a different blog that I was doing and I am going to pick up here. It will be a blog where i will keep whatever I am doing or thinking. It will not be particularly consistent or regular. But if you are ever at home just wondering what I am up to in my life or what I have had for dinner all week, drop by Tramplings to see what's up.

I will do my first post of the new and improved Tramplings next!

Thanks for following me on my trip!

Wellington Today

2010-03-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

I am 6 days from leaving and i have mixed feelings.
I am excited to come home and see everyone and stuff and junk.
But i am oh so sad to be leaving this awesome country and all of my new friends.
Norty and I are in Wellington now.
We got here last sunday and wewe here for about 3 days, left for about 4 days and then came back.
It is our favorite city by far.
Much easier going than Auckland.
Smaller too.
We have visited Te Papa museum 3 times because it is so interesting and big and there is so much to see.
They have a giant sick-nasty squid in a box that reminds me of 10th grade biology and animals preserved in jars.
There were lots of cool fossils that you don't see too much in the northwest.
Good deal.
We went to the art museum yesterday and saw some very interesting exhibits.
We learned about objective sexuality, saw some really cool old architecuretr plans and notes and walked into a room with a chior of about 60 speakers singing; each speaker was a different voice. it was very cool.
We have gotten a good taste of the pub scene.
Molly Malones had and incredible irish band playing on Saturday.
We have also gotten a good feel for the backpackers.
We stayed a few nights at Wellywood Backpackers which is a gian 6 level zebra striped building.
We saw Alice In Wonderland, which was a bit dissappointing but still worth a watch. And we saw Precious which was horrible, absolutly aweful. Watch it.
I have to go now. Norty has to potty.
We love you!
Bye.

Sushi Anonymous

2010-02-26T22:48:00.000-08:00

After a fun and draining few days in the middle of Auckland city, Norty and I headed about 45 minutes south to Papakura to stay at her mothers house for a few days. I met her mother, 14 year old sister and 9 year old brother. While there we made bruschetta, got norty's wardrobe to consist of more than 4 items, watched some television and did some laundry. We then set south on a 5 hour bus ride to Tauranga where Norty's brother and some of her friends live. We stayed a few days at her one of her friends auntie's house. We did the beach, the pub, the mall, and some other general cruising around as well as just chilling out with some friends.
Tonight we have moved out of family life that ended up proving dramatic and are staying at a backpackers tonight. We did some successful second hand shopping and had a lovely dinner out at the pub. we have now retired for an early evening.
Tomorrow we shall awaken at 6:30 and embark on our 13 hour bus ride to Wellington. We have little to no idea what we are going to do down there but it will be something new and different. Te Papa is the most popular museum in New Zealand and it is free and we intend to spend a day visiting. There is also a 3 week art festival going on right now. So, Wellington is going to be out culture stop.
this computer is being silly and not allowing me to add photos so i am all done now.
Bye.
Also, i have taken a liking to sushi and Norty and I have taken to eating it often, including breakfast.

Too much Brown eyed girl. Thank you

2010-02-18T20:37:00.000-08:00

I did it!!
I left the Barrier.
Sad day.
As i was saying my weepy goodbyes to my friends at the wharf, i said "Norty, come with me" and she said "no i cant" and i said "yes, just do it" and she said "ok" and got on the boat to Auckland with me with the clothes she was wearing and a primarily empty purse.
Now i am in Auckland with my Norty, playing. Upon arrival we realized that there was no room in any hotels or backpackers due to a concert. So we were searching aimlessly when we met Adrian. He was in the same boat and now we all live together in this strange backpackers/hostel way up a hill on Queen street. We had some other friends coming over on the boat so we played in the city with them last night. We went out to a club and had drinks out of tea pots. Then we went to an Irish pub. It was so much fun. so fun. We sang and danced and drank and chatted. there was a band playing all sorts of covers. they were great. so fun.
Today we were tired.
The three of us got up and set out to get breakfast. We succeeded.
We split up with Adrian for the day and went in search of a second hand store so that Norty could have clothes here. We failed.
Too exhausted, we surrendered to the movies and watched Avatar in 3D. Good flick.
Now we have popped into the old favorite Karaoke internet cafe.
but we are hungry now so i have to go.
Norty says hi.

Cue the Elephants

2010-02-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

Surprise! I am still on the Barrier. But I am finally ready to move on and do bigger and better things.
My experience her though has been good i have met a lot of awesome people and learned a lot. I am not going to list and tell you about every person i have met here because that would be tedious and you would get bored. But I will mention Norty and Henry who I spend most of my non-working hours with. They are fun girls and have gotten me good and involved with island activities. Also, Norty has a car which allows us to get around the island. I will also mention Wop, wretched old man, the one person here that I hate and the one person (as far as I know) that hates me. I don't think either of us have any sound reason for hating each other but we do. But I have the upper had working behind the bar and all. If you want your beer, go away and wait for someone else to get it for you.
Time for a good list!
New experiences/ things i have learned:
-Bartending
-making mixed drinks
-anything about wine
-how to make obscure shots with obscene names
-when to give someone a bowl of chips and water instead of another beer
-how to pour a Guinness
-Waitressing
-Driving on the wrong side of the road and wrong side of the car. It was not as hard as i thought it would be but i think it would be very different off of the island. There are not really any intersections here, i think they would be a challenge. But the roads on this island are a nightmare. many of them are sealed now but they are all twisty turny and hilly.
-The metric system. Sort of.
-Beaches. There are awesome beaches here and super clear water.
-And much more...
This week I plan to go to Awana falls with my friends and watch from below as they jump. And hike Mt Hobson, the highest point on the island, with most of the same friends.
That's all for now. Just thought i would keep you posted!
Bye!

Check it out!!

2010-01-26T01:36:00.000-08:00

I am TV famous in New Zealand!
http://www.3news.co.nz/Thirsty-from-the-man-drought-Go-to-Great-Barrier/tabid/367/articleID/138903/Default.aspx
This was on the news tonight.
We had it up on the big screen at the pub.

Odds and Ends and Tiger Woods

2010-01-20T17:33:00.000-08:00

So about a few days after I got here, a rumor that Tiger Woods was on the island began to spread. There were searches and reports of sightings. But on an island of 750 people, if he was here, we would all know it. Despite that he was probably never here, the reporters of the New Zealand Herald caught wind of it and set out to Great Barrier Island. They spent a great deal of time here at the Currach interviewing the owner, John, and the various locals that spend their afternoons here. They were here for about three days and a few days after they left, this showed up in the paper. Salli is one of the friends that I have made here. She is very fun and... well you can read about her. So, because this is story that surfaced, the reporters clearly did not find the Tiger. Over the following days, a few more Great Barrier articles popped up. As a result of these articles and an earlier article in North and South magazine, business has been booming. John has gotten people calling that want to come stay at the lodge and that want to come meet him. Tonight, channel 3 news is coming out to the pub to do a story on the abundance of available men on the island. So we are all going to be dressed our best and giving the island a good name. We are bracing ourselves for a busy night and it is my third night working the bar. So I will have to learn fast or die. Wish me luck!

Great Barrier Island

2010-01-18T00:48:00.000-08:00

I have made a friend, Henry. She has a computer that she lets me use.
I have been on here on the Barrier for abou two weeks now. My initial intention had been to leave on the 21st which is Thursday, but... i have been offered a paying position, made good friends and just become too attached to this little island. so i think i am going to stay on for a bit with my absolute deadline for departure being the end of this month.
I live across the street from the beach here so i have been spending a fair amount of time there.
I am finally off of doing dishes and working behind the bar and waitressing. Both are fun and tonight was my first night. I did OK but I didn't know how to make a lot of the drinks. But I have the beers down anyways.
Lena and Francie from Germany have left and gone to see more of New Zealand. Nina and Dave have gone to South America. Ashleigh is going back home to the north island tomorrow. I am the last wwoofer/seasonal worker now. I think we are getting a new wwoofer this week.
But i am getting on well with the locals. i know most of the regulars now buy name and i know their strange little stories that follow them around. Like Harry that wears a helmate, creepy andy and bad teeth beard guy. Just to name a few of the notable. There are others with more flattering titles and reputations, they just dont have fun names.
I have moved out of the backpackers where i was staying and have moved into a deluxe shed at the bottom of the property. It is quite nice.
There mosquitoes here are really really horrible and are loving me best. it is turning into a problem. i look like i have something of a fatal disease.
I have not really done anything notably exciting here. i just kind of hang out and live here and try to stay out of trouble. which i am managing fairly well.
This is the beach that is across the street from the Currach Irish pub where I live and work.
This is work crew at a staff breakfast before they all left me. We are at the Wild Rose Cafe which is just next doot to the pub. Really good/expensive food.
I love and miss you all. Bye bye.
-MB

Internet is $12 an hour here and a 30 minute hitch away

2010-01-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

Hey all!
I am on great Barrier island now and i am in a hurry typing here but i wanted to let you all know what is going on. sorry abour any typing errors.
since i posted last:
-i took a 4 and a half ferry ride fron Auckland to the island
-Arrived at the Currach Irish Pub
-Met:
--Lena and Francie fron Germany
--Nina and Dave from Holland and Scottland respectively
--Ashleigh fron North island NZ
--Sally from England
--and other people here and there
-done lots of dished
-cleaned windows with dishsoap and a washcloth
-Beach, beach, beach
-had my first bar/pub experience. it was fun. I hung out with my new friends, danced with lena and francie. I was hit on which was new and different. Sean Kelly and Baz was the irish band there. they were good.
-and hitchhiked (but only 30 minutes to get here)
I already have some good stories from this place. but i cant tell you now later. i promise.
i cant post anything or e mail from the pub but i can read comments on the blog and facebook.
Bye.

Last Day in Auckland

2010-01-03T20:02:00.000-08:00

I figured out how to hook my camera up to this computer!
This is one of the trees in Albert Park (which i mentioned yesterday). Such a great climbing tree for someone afraid of heights!

This is the Auckland Ferry building that is just down the road from where i am staying. I think it is just a lovely building.

And this, among other restaurants and cafes, is on the street level of the building. It's as if i never even left.

I am finishing up my last day in Auckland. It has been good here but i am ready to go. The big city is kind of a lonely place when you don't know anyone. I am excited to wake up at 5:20 tomorrow morning to go and catch my ferry to Great Barrier Island.

Did more walking around the city today. I did not stray quite as far today though. I did a walk by tour of a bunch of different backpackers in the city. had lunch down by the water (just down from the ferry building).

Randoms:

I don't know if this is normal for seagulls but i saw one fly by today with another bird in its beak. It was strange.

Another thing, while it is true that "they speak English in New Zealand", they also speak every other language under the sun. In all of this walking I have been doing around the city, I have heard people speaking so many different languages. Auckland must draw a more diverse crowd than Seattle.

Nothing new or super exciting to report really, just keeping you up to speed.

-mb

Day 2

2010-01-02T20:14:00.000-08:00

Today was the walking day.
I woke up at 7 just to see that i could do it then went back to sleep till about 9:30.
Hit the streets at about 10 and walked around the city. I went east and found the Victoria Park market which featured a number of stalls selling mostly souvenirs and other street market things. I then crossed the street to Victoria Park. It is 70% giant open field that was not really being used for anything. It would be a great location for a Sunday pick-up game of soccer. There are awesome trees here. They are very thick branched and kind of sprawling and low to the ground. So there were a bunch of those too. There was also one of the coolest playgrounds i have ever seen. Lots of swiveling and gliding things.
I made my way back to city centre and passed the Sky Tower on my way which my guidebook describes as "a giant hypodermic giving a fix to the heavens." People bungee off of it which the thought of makes me pass out a little.
I passed city centre and went up the hill to Albert park, which is a bit fancier than Victoria Park. There are fountains and statues and groomed ,blooming flower beds. It also has the neat trees. I walked around there for a bit and then hit a road that i followed for a bit too long and got lost. I made it to the international district, not the touristy kind, but the unidentifiable squashed birds for sale in the window, rice warehouse, Arabic graffiti kind. Took a left at the hospital and got out of there. On my way back to knowing where i was, i found a grocery store. I picked up some food and juice to last me my time in Auckland (thought the strawberries did not go as far as i had planned). Went back to the hotel and crashed for a bit. Made lunch and watched the last half of Three men and a baby ( i figured out the electricity).
My ferry for Great Barrier Island leaves at 7 on Tuesday morning and i have yet to figure out how i am going to get there from my hotel. So i set out to find where it was. I again got quite lost but eventually found it. it is right across the street form the Auckland Fish Market. The walk is ok but may be a bit much at 6 in the morning with my big backpack. I don't know what is going to happen so that is all i have to say about that.
In other news,
-upon going to brush my teeth last night, i found that all of my toiletries had gotten a nice shampooing on the flight, including may brand new thing of floss. I am so angry. Really, just furious.
-as i left this place yesterday, i walked out side to find that there were 7 firetrucks on my street. Apparently there was a massive gas leek in one of the buildings on the backside of my block. But all is well. New Zealand fire engines are cutier than American ones.
-The Segway is much more popular west of the US. I saw a bunch in Fiji and have seen a fair few here as well.
That, i think is all for now. i feel like this was a lot of words for little excitement.
Karaoke highlights today include Hotel California and Let it be.
-mb

2010-01-01T19:16:00.000-08:00

I am here! I have made it to my destination of Sweaty Little Basement Computer Room.
I am not going to unload the entire 24 hour airport/air plane travel saga on you but I will give you the key points and a mini timeline.
3 hours at seatac-2 hours to LA- 4 hours at LAX- 11 hours to Fiji- 4 hours at Nadi airport- 3hours to Auckland.
My last two flights were on huge two level, 70 row, 11 seat wide airplanes. It was neat.
I had Window seats on all flights which was good because i had my own space, a view (of clouds or nighttime darkness), a wall to sleep against and limited human interaction.
I took an Ambien for my flight to Fiji and about 15 minutes later i was crying uncontrollably. I don't know why- so that made me laugh, but mostly on the inside; mainly i was crying. Along with the tears came a mini panic attack that had no real foundation, just a feeling of panic. Luckily most everyone around me was sleeping so i could just do my weird little thing alone. After about three hours of dosing off and waking up minutes later crying, i was out for good. Just to be clear here, i was not upset or scared or anything, i just couldn't stop crying. it was weird and i am very skeptical about taking Ambien again. We were woken up at about 3 in the morning Fiji time for breakfast. As i had specified my vegetarianism ahead of time i got a super special vegetarian dish in place of other people's eggs and sausage. I got what was either very soft tofu or diced egg whites drowning in what was either a curry sauce or olive oil with a cloudy yet acid yellow die. So that was good.
After getting off the plane all went smoothly with customs and luggage and i was in my hotel room an hour later.
My room is nice and very"green" as none of the electrical functions work. It is the middle of the day so maybe you get light privalages at night or something. Not too big of a problem but did have to pee in the dark.
But now, the Japanese Karaoke version of Evanescence's greatest hits is getting to me so I am going to head out into the sunny warm city to look around a bit.

I am a blogger

2010-01-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

i made a blog.
for my trip.
i will do my best to keep you up to speed.
-mb