Back Home Again

Somewhere around eight months ago, I was sent off with love from my family, after a Thanksgiving dinner, on a journey to New Zealand. Sana y salva, I am back again and so lucky to be welcomed by that same, loving family. I met a constant stream of kind, interesting, and fun people during my travels and I hope that some of those people will remain lifelong friends. At this moment, I give thanks for my amazing family and the constancy of their support along the way these past months. I am especially grateful for being welcomed back by my 89-year-old grandpa. He survived the Great Depression, World War II, and lost the love of his life a few years ago; somehow, he still maintains his happy soul. He is my inspiration and it’s good to be back and be able to talk with him about blueberries.

“Friendship is precious not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life.” – Thomas Jefferson via Ruby Risso Carpio.
My friend Ruby gave me a card that said this before I had to leave to catch my flight out of Auckland. Reading that line was the final emotional drop needed to release the tears that had been building up from the prospect of leaving a dear friend and beloved place. The sunshine of life. What a sweet phrase and how happy my soul feels as I reflect on the period of sunshine I have experienced these past few months in New Zealand. I embarked on this journey in part to heal and in part to reconnect with living life as a young, 26 year old. At the end of my time traveling (well, in this country) I believe that I have been able to do both of those things. The unexpected friendships and adventures I have encountered along the way have warmed and enlivened my soul beyond measure.
I’ve watched glow worms light a forest path, dived to 20 meters to greet the most intricate anemones, and explored an ancient Kauri forest (all within the past week!). Rather than compile a list of my top ten experiences while traveling or something along those lines, I would just like to express the serene contentment I feel right now.
My felicity is a direct result of the welcoming and kind sea of people I have met along the way of my journey. I send my sincerest thanks to you all!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter familia and amigos!

Hope your day is filled with yummy chocolates and springtime joy. It's strange to be celebrating Easter in autumn here in New Zealand. I'm staying at my friend Ruby's place and we enjoyed a nice Easter breakfast this morning. Ruby, Henning, Christa, and I just returned from our adventure in Samoa a few days ago. It truly was the trip of a lifetime. Here are some pictures.

Missing you all on this holiday. I am looking forward to the next chance I have to see YOU!

Samoa

Pictures!

Queenstown, Dunedin, Palmerston

Leaving Wanaka

Two days ago I said goodbye to Wanaka. I am really sorry to leave and am now having a really hard time coping with the idea of leaving the south island. It really such an amazing place. Right now I'm in Christchurch getting ready to head north through Kaikoura and Blenheim. Teddy drove me to Christchurch and yesterday we visited a town called Akaroa, where we went swimming with the dolphins. They were Hector's dolphins, the world's rarest dolphins and it was amazing. You may be able to check out our picture at this link:
myestory Black Cat Cruises album - www.myestory.com

Updating web albums =)

Fiordland

Making beds and sipping wine

Today was just another day at work with many, many beds to make, bathrooms and kitchens to clean. When I finished, however, Teddy and I trekked out to Rippon Vineyard and enjoyed a free wine tasting. Rippon is located next to beautiful Lake Wanaka and is famous around these parts for the yearly summer music festival that takes place there. They had a nice Riesling and Pinot Noir. Teddy and I opted to bring back a bottle of their Osteiner, a white, hybrid wine... new to me, and enjoyed that with a pasta dinner. All in all, a good day.