O-week, and oh what a week it was.

 After getting all situated in my new humble abode it was time to have some fun. The week before classes started the school put on a whole bunch of events to go to which were actually pretty good. Opposite of America and our lame orientation parties, new zealand likes to start the semester off right with live bands, themed parties, and encouragement of alcohol consumption on the daily. Monday I had international orientation which I got to meet all the other kids studying here. It was cool to meet everyone and they took us to the top of Mt. Victoria and the botanical gardens which both were really pretty. The next night was the jungle party which I didn't actually make it to ha. Vodka was not my friend this night and I spent more time in my bed than actually going out, however i did come out with a collection of photos of random things in Sarah's room, apparently I was really interested by it.

Wednesday night we opted out of the foam party and went to a ministry of sound concert instead at Vic University, which might I add is at the top of the hill. Sneaking in the sound door got me in free and I knew it would be a good night after that. The concert was really good it was a dj mix kinda feel and pretty fun. After that we spent the night in town and I found a BIKE!..By found I probably mean steal, but it was lying in the middle of the sidewalk and so I took it. I have never enjoyed a walk back home more than that one. I was riding it all over waiting for everyone else, which the next day I decided riding in car lots with range rovers probably wasn't my best idea ever. The best night of the week however was when Minuit played at Bodega Bar. It was an awesome concert and really fun. Her last song she dedicated to Christchurch and everyone lost it, it was really cool to see how much everyone supports their country. On the way home we stopped at mcdonalds when I felt the second earthquake since i've been here. The whole place was shaking and glass was banging, pretty scary after everything that had happened in chch but no worries all was good. all in all it was a great week, amuricca take some notes.

Getting Settled

So I wasn't too good about setting this blog up when I first got here, so I have a lot to write about and im sure I will leave out a million details. So here we go..I arrived in Wellington, New Zealand on the 19th of March after probably the worst traveling experience of my life. I thought tricking the airport company by cramming everything into my carryon, which they don't check the weight, was the sneakiest idea. Needless to say the real joke was on me who had to lug a 33lb bag around the world along with the 3 coats that wouldn't fit in my luggage and my "small" personal item that really was not so small. Seeing that I was short on space I also had to wear my boots which later on decided to give me blisters which only added to this splendid flight. On my first flight to LA Venus Williams was on it which hey was pretty cool. On the other hand the obnoxious man behind me that only talked about how he can't sleep on planes had well that same effect on me, not sleeping.Thanks man. After many hours, 26 to be exact, of carrying my life around I finally made it to the land of the kiwi! I got to my flat which is pretty nice but nothing spectacular and got situated. The rest of the week I spent exploring Wellington and getting settled in. Such a cool city I love all the shops and cafes that clutter the streets. By far my favorite place though is down by the water. You can see all the surrounding mountains, water for miles, and the coolest houses that clutter the sides of the hill which are so impressive. 

One day, one day I will have a house like one of those. A girl can dream. I love living in the city, but I do miss my car ha, walking the hilly streets can get pretty annoying, but after awhile you get used to it. All in all I am loving it here! 

cause im leaving on a jet plane...

So after much delay I have decided to start a blog about my travels in New Zealand, hopefully not to be my last stop. I made the decision to come last August, and it is so surreal that I am actually writing this very post from halfway across the world. It seemed to be just a really great idea when I first planned to come, kinda a vacation from life. Turns out it was the best decision I could have made. I had a lot of anxiety and excitement to come and now that I am finally here I couldn't be more happy with were im at. There is really something thrilling about putting yourself way past your comfort zone and realizing how much the world has to offer if you just make the leap. I have already met many amazing people and seen so many beautiful places, and I know there is only more to come.

"If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting and set out on a truth-seeking journey; if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue; if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher; if you are prepared-most of all-to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then truth will not be withheld from you." 

E. Gilbert