I live here...

So time is passing much too fast -- midterms are this next week and then we have our fall break (over 3 weeks). Can't believe it. This last week I got to go surfing for the first time, and I wasn't a failure. I even managed to get up a few times on some waves... I was mostly just distracted. Kept hanging out on the surfboard, looking around, and thinking "I live here, I'm surfing in New Zealand... not bad" I had a blast and I will definitely be going again!

Later on in the week, we went with some friends to try and find a "secret beach." It turned out to be more secret for our car, because we over-shot it by about 40k! But we asked around, ended up on a gravel road that ended on someone's farmland. We parked and hopped some fences, hiked along a trail, and sure enough-- an amazing beach right at the edge of the property. It was gorgeous, and although we got there when the sun was starting to set, my good friend Caitlin and I flopped around in the waves for awhile.

So the week went on... classes, dinners, nights out on the town, and then came the weekend. We decided to go to Nelson Lakes National Park, which was a lot of driving but we will definitely be back there to do the place justice. Can't wait to spend several days in those mountains. Again, I want to tell you all how beautiful it was... but I can't... and I say it too much anyways. It was lovely, this country has yet to disappoint me.

Here's some more pictures... we did a quick hike up a mountain the next day and headed back to Christchurch. I am so blessed - someone remind me I said that during midterm week next week! :) Love to you all!Two things: 1) Joined a rugby team today -- yee haw

2) I'm going rafting this Saturday!! Can't wait to get on the water!

I love this place.

This last weekend consisted of a quick 2-day tramp on the Banks Peninsula and a celebration of St. Patty's day... which is today for all of you across the international dateline!

We took the scenic route (as if there's one that isn't:) on Summit Road. It was pretty windy and absolutely beautiful. There were countless beautiful bays, one after the other. And in case you can't read that sign... it says the road is not suitable for campervans. We later found out that the road we took (one way gravel) that we took a "four-wheel drive only" road. The mamba held up like a champ, and the driving was fun :) We decided to hike Pigeon Bay, and so we hiked in and set up camp... it was soooo beautiful. I wonder how many different ways I'm going to have to describe beauty in this blog... it seems like NZ is sufficiently stocked in the beauty department.

So after we hiked out in the morning, we had some free time. So we asked some locals about beach access... and we found some. We had a gorgeous beach all to ourselves, and the mamba made it through some pretty thick sand thanks to our fearless driver... yours truly :)

So after a fair amount of time at our own private beach :) we headed back to Christchurch where we all had our first Rugby game awaiting us... on St. Patty's Day no less! I still don't really know the rules but the game was fun, and we had pretty amazing seats even though they were the cheapest!
After the game, it was to the Irish pubs to celebrate St. Patty's! The funniest/coolest part of the night was befriending 6 guys that were visiting from Ireland. I actually asked to see their licences to see if they really were from there... and they were legit. They had the accents to match too! So walking around downtown Christchurch, these Irishmen were teaching us Irish chants and songs... it was so much fun! Great weekend on the overall! Tonight is another one of our flat dinners, but it is also a farewell dinner. Alex from Germany has finished his research, and is all done - heading home! We'll miss him! Oh- and for all of you worried/wondering... yes the Black Mamba is insured... and yes I do go to class. They are all going well :)

It's all happening...

Much has happened in the last week. After much consideration and investigation, two friends and I purchased our very own vehicle. It is a camperized van: '85 Toyota TownAce Super Extra (the official name) however the previous owner told us it's actual name: the black mamba. The Black Mamba is known to be the most dangerous snake in the world :) Proud parents are pictured: David, Laura, and Me.It's a diesel engine, manual 5 speed, with all sorts of decor and character. I absolutely love driving it - although it is weird to drive on the other side of the vehicle, on the other side of the road, shifting with the left hand -- but I'm sure you all could have guessed that I handle it just fine! The previous owner is a member of Green Peace (Robert) and he had to up and leave the country so the price was very low and we got all sorts of accessories with it - like a stove, pots and pans, maps, umbrella, air mattress, a sweet sound system, and an adapter to charge all of our appliances. Our maiden voyage was southwest of Christchurch to a little coast town called Hokitika -- where the Wildfoods festival was. The drive was so beautiful! We had to pull off for a few photo opps. on the way! This picture is one of my flatmate Meghan and I.

So after we arrived, we asked some locals about beach access for camping. There were thousands of people in town for the Wildfoods festival, but all the campsites were about $20 a night -- so we wanted to camp out on the beach for free. We found a spot, set up camp, and hung out for a while under the stars. We made some eggs in the morning for a trial run with the stove :) They turned out delicious, and it was such a beautiful day!

It was finally time for the festival! There was awesome live music all day, and all the random foods you could thing of from all over the world. The list of things I ate: bunny burger, possum pie, ostrich, eel, kangaroo, sheep testicle, and a live grub. I think I'm forgetting a few things though. There was plenty more interesting food, but they charged for food on top of the entrance fee - and so I just chose a few to try. It was a great day!

After a full day at the festival, it was back to the beach for some snacks and some relaxing. We played frisbee while the sun went down, and saw such a beautiful sunset on the Tasman Sea! We had another clear night to look forward to -- which meant plenty of star gazing. There were probably about 20 different bonfires on the beach that night, so it was a sight to see. We hung out with some Kiwis at a bonfire, and watched the stars. A few of us girls were even inspired (once dark enough) to go venture out into the ocean for some skinny dipping! First we had to hike away from all the people... and it was hilarious! Swimming around in the waves of the Tasman Sea under a crystal clear sky on the west coast of New Zealand... not bad :) That night we all slept out under the stars on a tarp on the beach, and it was a beautiful sight to fall asleep/wake up to!

I was a happy camper after our great weekend. So we headed back to Christchurch in the mamba, and when I got back I had to cook dinner for my flat! Nanny, you would be pleased to know that it was a HIT! My German flatmate kept hovering over me, worrying about the noodles. When I broke them up to put in the mix, they were obviously all still stiff -- I told him that's how we were going to eat it. I scared him, as I do many people with my strange humor. It was interesting because I wasn't sure if I should double or triple the recipe, and I don't know what I actually ended up doing anyway. Everything is in grams, kg, and I had to go on a wild goose chase for tomato paste - but I found some! Plus, it doubled as the birthday party for my Italian flatmate Mik, it was his 25th b-day. Don't worry, I made him a cake too! So here are some other pictures of our flat/spaghetti/birthday dinner!




A picture of Mik, the birthday boy... or man :)


And finally, a picture of all of my flatmates! From left to right, there is Callem (kiwi), Alex (German), Mik (Italian), Me, and Meghan (Maine).














Love to you all! I love all of the comments by the way ;)