It's almost time to leave to Dunedin. How the hell did that happen?! It seems like just a few days ago I was getting off the plane in Auckland and awkwardly trying to carrying all my bags whilst still looking cool in front of my fellow australearners. In case you were wondering, I failed miserably at that, but I'm pretty sure they were all too busy having the same problems to notice me.
As sad as I am to leave Dunedin, and ultimately New Zealand, and of course all of the amazing friends I've made here, I know I'll be back someday. Hopefully within the next couple years! Plus, I'm gonna see so many people I've met here again. I'm already planning a trip to Europe next summer, and I have until I'm 23 to use my mum's passes for free, so that means lots of quick weekend vacations to people in the states!! Of course, I need to get some money for all that first... any one know of a good job back in Denver?!
Of course, y'all are welcome to visit me in Denver any time as well :)
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
What I'll miss most
So, as I mentioned I would a post or two ago, I sat down and made myself a list of everything I'm going to miss about living New Zealand. Yes, there may been some misty eyes, and yes, it may have occurred in the middle of a crowded lecture hall. Writing this list during class may not have been my brightest idea ever... But in no particular order, and by no means conclusive...
Cadbury Chocolate
Need I say more? Though apparently Canada has lots of cadbury...might be time to take a trip north of the border!
Chips/Wedges
The Kiwis know how to do their potatoes. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, maybe a little too much at times! But who said you need to eat healthy whilst studying abroad?!
Pies
Pies are amazing. Steak, chicken, mince, veggie, whatever combo you want, in a pie form, it is always delicious. For those non-Kiwi folks, think chicken pot pie. But better. And not limited to chicken and vegetables.
Rob Roys Ice Cream
So yummy and so cheap, rob roys has always satisfied my ice cream cravings whilst in New Zealand. Limonata cheesecake, ambrosia, hokey pokey, and so many other incredible flavours that just don't seem to exist back in the states.
Rugby
So much fun to watch!! And write awesome marketing proposals for! I am definitely a rugby fan for life after this year.
Clubs
We just don't have good clubs to go dance at during the weekends back home. Plus, there's cover charges. Not so here! Any thursday or saturday night out here is not complete without a trip to Monkey Bar, followed by Metro, Ten, or that one bar on the far side of the octagon I can never remember the name of!
Scarfie Culture
Scarfies are crazy. And I love it. They certainly know how to have a good as well.
Kiwi-speak
So many words and phrases exist in New Zealand english that I have never before heard in my life. They don't always make sense, but they always make me smile!
Accents
Those kiwi accents, get me everytime!
Friends
I've made some super awesome amazing friends here, and I am going to miss them soooooo much!! Thank goodness for skype!
Adventures
Every day seems to be an adventure here in New Zealand. Whether I'm actually exploring the New Zealand bush or just exploring the library, the experience is different from anything back home. But I've been thinking, the adventures don't have to end just because I'm back in my home country. There's a million things to do wherever I go, and New Zealand has inspired me to live everyday I can like it's an adventure! How well I follow through on this sentiment remains to be seen though...
The Ocean
I've grown up on lakes, some of them quite large (Lake Michigan for the win!), but they just can't compare to the ocean, and how jaw-droppingly immense and amazing it is. Blows my mind everytime I get to see it, which is pretty often, and I will miss that feeling you get from sitting on the beach, staring out at the waves and just letting your mind take it all in.
Free Time
I have A LOT of free time here. Not during the end of the semester and finals really, but the rest of the time I do. Once I start taking real classes and have a job again I'm pretty sure that free time won't exist so much anymore...
Landscapes
Everywhere you look in this country it's gorgeous. You can't ever just look out your window and think "meh," because it's always "gosh darn it all that is gorgeous."
Lambs
Those little lambs are so freaking cute! I've never said "aww" so many times as I did during lambing season down here.
Dressing Up
People dress up for everything down here! Yeah, it's a pain when I'm feeling lazy and just want to roll out of bed 15 minutes before class and throw on some sweat pants, but generally I enjoy it! It's fun to wear my nice clothes without everyone asking me why I'm so dressed up.
Pams
I love the Pams brand. It's always cheap, always good, and always pleasantly labelled.
Pineapple Lumps
Those things are so good! Def bringing a family sized bag home with me. Hopefully I finish it in less than a week.
Speights
I love a good speights. So good. Generally cheaper. And you can't get more authentically south island than when you're drinking a speights.
Cider
So good! Like drinking fruit juice! But better!!
The Critic
Otago's student magazine has a habit of printing wildly innapropriate things that would make student journalists tremble to even think about writing back home. It's hilarious, in short.
Everyone being super chill
Kiwis are just so chilled out! They hardly ever seem to really worry about much of anything, and make it so easy to just relax.
Top knots
I've become rather fond of this hairstyle. I'll admit, I ridiculed it at first for looking ridiculous. But it is quite convenient, and I've come to think it looks fairly stylish when done right. Plus, it's one of the few hairstyles that keeps my ridiculous amounts of hair out of my face.
Black puffers
These jackets are everywhere! Scarfie as because they are warm and the black ones are cheapest. Plus the style down here isn't exactly huge on colour. It's comforting seeing those jackets wherever I go, and it'll be odd to stop seeing them once I'm back in the states. It'll just be odd to see colourful jackets actually.
Kapiti Ice Cream Bars
Once again, another food item that is absolutely amazing. A bit on the expensive side as far as ice cream goes, but always worth it.
Pass/Fail classes
I'm not sure if I remember how to put the required amount of effort into getting a good grade anymore...next semester might be a little rough.
Satay Houses
They are cheap and have delicious asian food. Enough said.
Kiwis
The people and the bird. The bird is adorable and I want to spend the rest of my life saving them everytime I see one, and the people are just generally all around awesome.
So what will I miss most?
Easy answer, everything. Everything I have experienced in New Zealand has been so incredible, and I can't believe it's been almost a full year already. I've loved every moment, even the ones that were cold and wet and kind of sucked and possibly involved stupid boys, because those moments made New Zealand what New Zealand is to me. And how can I not love every single part of that experience? This has been by far the most incredible year of my life, and I never want it to stop! The incredibleness may have to take a break for awhile so I can be a real person and earn some money and finish college, but I will definitely be coming back to it sooner than I think. Maybe in New Zealand, maybe someplace else in the world, but in the words of Northface, I will "Never stop exploring."
Hopefully in New Zealand a whole bunch more, too!
Miss and love y'all!!
Cadbury Chocolate
Need I say more? Though apparently Canada has lots of cadbury...might be time to take a trip north of the border!
Chips/Wedges
The Kiwis know how to do their potatoes. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, maybe a little too much at times! But who said you need to eat healthy whilst studying abroad?!
Pies
Pies are amazing. Steak, chicken, mince, veggie, whatever combo you want, in a pie form, it is always delicious. For those non-Kiwi folks, think chicken pot pie. But better. And not limited to chicken and vegetables.
Rob Roys Ice Cream
So yummy and so cheap, rob roys has always satisfied my ice cream cravings whilst in New Zealand. Limonata cheesecake, ambrosia, hokey pokey, and so many other incredible flavours that just don't seem to exist back in the states.
Rugby
So much fun to watch!! And write awesome marketing proposals for! I am definitely a rugby fan for life after this year.
Clubs
We just don't have good clubs to go dance at during the weekends back home. Plus, there's cover charges. Not so here! Any thursday or saturday night out here is not complete without a trip to Monkey Bar, followed by Metro, Ten, or that one bar on the far side of the octagon I can never remember the name of!
Scarfie Culture
Scarfies are crazy. And I love it. They certainly know how to have a good as well.
Kiwi-speak
So many words and phrases exist in New Zealand english that I have never before heard in my life. They don't always make sense, but they always make me smile!
Accents
Those kiwi accents, get me everytime!
Friends
I've made some super awesome amazing friends here, and I am going to miss them soooooo much!! Thank goodness for skype!
Adventures
Every day seems to be an adventure here in New Zealand. Whether I'm actually exploring the New Zealand bush or just exploring the library, the experience is different from anything back home. But I've been thinking, the adventures don't have to end just because I'm back in my home country. There's a million things to do wherever I go, and New Zealand has inspired me to live everyday I can like it's an adventure! How well I follow through on this sentiment remains to be seen though...
The Ocean
I've grown up on lakes, some of them quite large (Lake Michigan for the win!), but they just can't compare to the ocean, and how jaw-droppingly immense and amazing it is. Blows my mind everytime I get to see it, which is pretty often, and I will miss that feeling you get from sitting on the beach, staring out at the waves and just letting your mind take it all in.
Free Time
I have A LOT of free time here. Not during the end of the semester and finals really, but the rest of the time I do. Once I start taking real classes and have a job again I'm pretty sure that free time won't exist so much anymore...
Landscapes
Everywhere you look in this country it's gorgeous. You can't ever just look out your window and think "meh," because it's always "gosh darn it all that is gorgeous."
Lambs
Those little lambs are so freaking cute! I've never said "aww" so many times as I did during lambing season down here.
Dressing Up
People dress up for everything down here! Yeah, it's a pain when I'm feeling lazy and just want to roll out of bed 15 minutes before class and throw on some sweat pants, but generally I enjoy it! It's fun to wear my nice clothes without everyone asking me why I'm so dressed up.
Pams
I love the Pams brand. It's always cheap, always good, and always pleasantly labelled.
Pineapple Lumps
Those things are so good! Def bringing a family sized bag home with me. Hopefully I finish it in less than a week.
Speights
I love a good speights. So good. Generally cheaper. And you can't get more authentically south island than when you're drinking a speights.
Cider
So good! Like drinking fruit juice! But better!!
The Critic
Otago's student magazine has a habit of printing wildly innapropriate things that would make student journalists tremble to even think about writing back home. It's hilarious, in short.
Everyone being super chill
Kiwis are just so chilled out! They hardly ever seem to really worry about much of anything, and make it so easy to just relax.
Top knots
I've become rather fond of this hairstyle. I'll admit, I ridiculed it at first for looking ridiculous. But it is quite convenient, and I've come to think it looks fairly stylish when done right. Plus, it's one of the few hairstyles that keeps my ridiculous amounts of hair out of my face.
Black puffers
These jackets are everywhere! Scarfie as because they are warm and the black ones are cheapest. Plus the style down here isn't exactly huge on colour. It's comforting seeing those jackets wherever I go, and it'll be odd to stop seeing them once I'm back in the states. It'll just be odd to see colourful jackets actually.
Kapiti Ice Cream Bars
Once again, another food item that is absolutely amazing. A bit on the expensive side as far as ice cream goes, but always worth it.
Pass/Fail classes
I'm not sure if I remember how to put the required amount of effort into getting a good grade anymore...next semester might be a little rough.
Satay Houses
They are cheap and have delicious asian food. Enough said.
Kiwis
The people and the bird. The bird is adorable and I want to spend the rest of my life saving them everytime I see one, and the people are just generally all around awesome.
So what will I miss most?
Easy answer, everything. Everything I have experienced in New Zealand has been so incredible, and I can't believe it's been almost a full year already. I've loved every moment, even the ones that were cold and wet and kind of sucked and possibly involved stupid boys, because those moments made New Zealand what New Zealand is to me. And how can I not love every single part of that experience? This has been by far the most incredible year of my life, and I never want it to stop! The incredibleness may have to take a break for awhile so I can be a real person and earn some money and finish college, but I will definitely be coming back to it sooner than I think. Maybe in New Zealand, maybe someplace else in the world, but in the words of Northface, I will "Never stop exploring."
Hopefully in New Zealand a whole bunch more, too!
Miss and love y'all!!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Library...
I've spent the majority of my day getting work done in the library, and consequently look like this:
But hiking Silver Peaks on Saturday! Just gotta focus on the positive. Actually I just need to focus on the freshwater issues facing Peru....
 |
| Yes, I've been making that face the entire time too. |
And the next three days will be exactly the same... Uni is rough sometimes.
But hiking Silver Peaks on Saturday! Just gotta focus on the positive. Actually I just need to focus on the freshwater issues facing Peru....
Sunday, May 6, 2012
BEST DAY EVER!!!!!
Reasons today was awesome: (and i thought it was gonna suck...)
1. Gorgeous weather!! Gotta love that sunshine.
2. I WON!!!!!!! THE HIGHLANDERS PICKED MY PROPOSAL!!!!!! And my partner's, and another group's. But still!! They liked mine, and I was worrying that I would get a fail grade on that paper! And I also got a ticket, a rugby ball, a t-shirt (that works better as a dress, but whatever) and a poster! And I get to see the promotional strategy my partner and I came up with in action next week!!! So really, this about 50% of the reason this day is so awesome, but it's a pretty darn good reason if you ask me!
3. Got out of my MART207 class early, which means I had a lunch break and time to...
4. Skype my Dad!!! Always nice to talk to the parents
5. Ecology lab was actually interesting! Our course coordinator talked to us about his research on tapeworms in sharks and giant squids, and I'm a dork so I loved hearing about it!
6. Ecology lab also featured coffee and biscuits!! And who doesn't love free coffee and biscuits?!
7. My flattie just got a years supply of toilet paper! Okay, okay, so not that exciting. But if you can't appreciate the little things what can you appreciate?!
8. I'm going aqua-jogging again!! Yes, I realise this makes me a bit of a grandma, but wasn't I already? I mean I have the sense of humour of an old man/ my grandpa, and I was voted most likely to be the cool grandma and have a majority holding of Hobby Lobby, so really this love of aqua-jogging is no surprise.
9. Today was just supposed to suck cause I have class from 9 to 5 usually without a break, but it turned out to be awesome. And the fact that I totally wasn't expecting just makes it even better!
As usual, love y'all, and hope your day was as awesome as mine!
1. Gorgeous weather!! Gotta love that sunshine.
2. I WON!!!!!!! THE HIGHLANDERS PICKED MY PROPOSAL!!!!!! And my partner's, and another group's. But still!! They liked mine, and I was worrying that I would get a fail grade on that paper! And I also got a ticket, a rugby ball, a t-shirt (that works better as a dress, but whatever) and a poster! And I get to see the promotional strategy my partner and I came up with in action next week!!! So really, this about 50% of the reason this day is so awesome, but it's a pretty darn good reason if you ask me!
 |
| Highlanders vs Bulls, get ready to see some sweet as promotion Dunedin! |
4. Skype my Dad!!! Always nice to talk to the parents
5. Ecology lab was actually interesting! Our course coordinator talked to us about his research on tapeworms in sharks and giant squids, and I'm a dork so I loved hearing about it!
6. Ecology lab also featured coffee and biscuits!! And who doesn't love free coffee and biscuits?!
7. My flattie just got a years supply of toilet paper! Okay, okay, so not that exciting. But if you can't appreciate the little things what can you appreciate?!
8. I'm going aqua-jogging again!! Yes, I realise this makes me a bit of a grandma, but wasn't I already? I mean I have the sense of humour of an old man/ my grandpa, and I was voted most likely to be the cool grandma and have a majority holding of Hobby Lobby, so really this love of aqua-jogging is no surprise.
9. Today was just supposed to suck cause I have class from 9 to 5 usually without a break, but it turned out to be awesome. And the fact that I totally wasn't expecting just makes it even better!
As usual, love y'all, and hope your day was as awesome as mine!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
June 21st is too soon...
In an effort to stop myself from crying already, I've decided to make a list of the great reasons I have to go back to the states! Of course this will likely lead to me making a list of reasons I want to skip my flight back and stay here forever, which will result in just as many tears in the end, but whatever. Time to focus on the positive! So, in no particular order...
Watching Football.
Damn I miss spending Sunday afternoons in front of the tv watching games. Especially Packers games. And yes I know I could have streamed any game I wanted had I searched the internet well enough, but it's really not the same. Plus, I think the Packers may have figured out their defense issues with their draft picks, so here's to hoping for an even better season than last that won't see us failing quite so bad in the playoffs.
Chipotle.
Really just Mexican food in general. Cause nothing says "awesome meal" quite like a giant burrito filled with yummy deliciousness paired with chips and salsa, or even better queso.
My Bro's wedding.
If you've had one conversation with me in the last year, you know how excited I am about this! Not only will the wedding itself be sick, but my brother's found the PERFECT girl for him, and I get an awesome sister in the deal. Plus I get to be a bridesmaid!!!!
Bacon.
Yes, there is bacon in New Zealand, but it's just not the same. It's not thin, and streaky, and not made of quite the same salty deliciousness as it is back in the states.
Cheese.
Mostly just the availability of good cheese at a cheap price. So I can once again go back to having a fridge with at least three types of cheese in it at all times.
Work.
I miss working and earning my own money. Really I just miss having my own money and not being constantly worried about my budget. Plus, I'm hoping to get a bartending job in Denver this summer and I do love bartending!
Boys not being able to tell me I'm not worth their time because I have a limited amount of time left here.
Yes, that happened. And yes, it really sucked. Plus, what a lame excuse. Can't use that reasoning on me any more when I'm back in Denver boys! Well, at least not until I leave again. Which I probably will. Oh well.
ESPN.
Yes, I know I'm not the sportiest person out there, but heck, I miss having espn on in the background while I do homework. Here I actually have to make an effort to find out what's going on the world of sports, and usually I'm just not that willing to do that.
Fast, unlimited internet.
I literally didn't quite understand that downloading something could take quite so long as it does here before I got here. Now I know, and man I cannot wait to get back to not having to wait 5 minutes for my email to load.
The final instalment of my never-ending summer.
I've already had two summers in one year, and as much as I love winter, I also really love the sun and being out on the beach. Or just being outside and being warm at the same time. I'm excited for this to continue!
Hugging my Dad for the first time in a year.
I miss my dad! I'd include mum in this too, but I just saw her, so it's not quite so exciting. Though still exciting so don't get your undies in a bunch if you're reading this mum.
Seeing my grandparents for the first time in a year.
Miss these two tons as well!
Family in general.
I miss my crazy awesome family back in Wisconsin, and getting to see them all again and celebrating my brother's wedding at the same time is just going to be too perfect.
Seeing Skippy and all my Denver Friends for the first time in a year.
I've missed them all so much!!!!
Being back in Denver and seeing my home mountains.
I miss seeing the Rockies everyday! I miss Denver and how it always seems to be sunny and perfect, even when there's a blizzard. And all that delicious Mexican food, and Tocabe, and the people, and that lovely mountain air, and everything else!
REGIS.
I have truly loved my experience here at Otago, but I'll always be a Ranger. My home uni has taught me so much, and been the reason I have so many awesome friends, and even the reason I ended up here. I don't think I ever would have done quite so much if I went to another school, and it'll be nice to be back for my senior year!
I've still got 2(ish) months!
And a million things can happen in that time, so I really just need to focus on the present, and worry about the future when it happens!
A million other things.
I'm too hungry to think of anything else, even though I'm sure they exist. So that's the end of this post.
Love y'all!
Turkey.
I can't believe I forgot to put this on right away. I miss eating turkey so so so SO much. It's right up there with bacon.
Watching Football.
Damn I miss spending Sunday afternoons in front of the tv watching games. Especially Packers games. And yes I know I could have streamed any game I wanted had I searched the internet well enough, but it's really not the same. Plus, I think the Packers may have figured out their defense issues with their draft picks, so here's to hoping for an even better season than last that won't see us failing quite so bad in the playoffs.
Chipotle.
Really just Mexican food in general. Cause nothing says "awesome meal" quite like a giant burrito filled with yummy deliciousness paired with chips and salsa, or even better queso.
My Bro's wedding.
If you've had one conversation with me in the last year, you know how excited I am about this! Not only will the wedding itself be sick, but my brother's found the PERFECT girl for him, and I get an awesome sister in the deal. Plus I get to be a bridesmaid!!!!
Bacon.
Yes, there is bacon in New Zealand, but it's just not the same. It's not thin, and streaky, and not made of quite the same salty deliciousness as it is back in the states.
Cheese.
Mostly just the availability of good cheese at a cheap price. So I can once again go back to having a fridge with at least three types of cheese in it at all times.
Work.
I miss working and earning my own money. Really I just miss having my own money and not being constantly worried about my budget. Plus, I'm hoping to get a bartending job in Denver this summer and I do love bartending!
Boys not being able to tell me I'm not worth their time because I have a limited amount of time left here.
Yes, that happened. And yes, it really sucked. Plus, what a lame excuse. Can't use that reasoning on me any more when I'm back in Denver boys! Well, at least not until I leave again. Which I probably will. Oh well.
ESPN.
Yes, I know I'm not the sportiest person out there, but heck, I miss having espn on in the background while I do homework. Here I actually have to make an effort to find out what's going on the world of sports, and usually I'm just not that willing to do that.
Fast, unlimited internet.
I literally didn't quite understand that downloading something could take quite so long as it does here before I got here. Now I know, and man I cannot wait to get back to not having to wait 5 minutes for my email to load.
The final instalment of my never-ending summer.
I've already had two summers in one year, and as much as I love winter, I also really love the sun and being out on the beach. Or just being outside and being warm at the same time. I'm excited for this to continue!
Hugging my Dad for the first time in a year.
I miss my dad! I'd include mum in this too, but I just saw her, so it's not quite so exciting. Though still exciting so don't get your undies in a bunch if you're reading this mum.
Seeing my grandparents for the first time in a year.
Miss these two tons as well!
Family in general.
I miss my crazy awesome family back in Wisconsin, and getting to see them all again and celebrating my brother's wedding at the same time is just going to be too perfect.
Seeing Skippy and all my Denver Friends for the first time in a year.
I've missed them all so much!!!!
Being back in Denver and seeing my home mountains.
I miss seeing the Rockies everyday! I miss Denver and how it always seems to be sunny and perfect, even when there's a blizzard. And all that delicious Mexican food, and Tocabe, and the people, and that lovely mountain air, and everything else!
REGIS.
I have truly loved my experience here at Otago, but I'll always be a Ranger. My home uni has taught me so much, and been the reason I have so many awesome friends, and even the reason I ended up here. I don't think I ever would have done quite so much if I went to another school, and it'll be nice to be back for my senior year!
I've still got 2(ish) months!
And a million things can happen in that time, so I really just need to focus on the present, and worry about the future when it happens!
A million other things.
I'm too hungry to think of anything else, even though I'm sure they exist. So that's the end of this post.
Love y'all!
Turkey.
I can't believe I forgot to put this on right away. I miss eating turkey so so so SO much. It's right up there with bacon.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Bravest Person Ever...Kind of not really
Well, turns out I suck at blogging. Fortunately, only three people have pointed this out to me, so I'm not too worried.
Anyways, let's get back to things I'm good at, like being awesome.
(can you tell I've been watching too much How I Met Your Mother recently?)
So in honour of a couple of my friends' birthdays, a bunch of us went to Queenstown for the night! It was a SUPER fun time!
But it also meant the time had come. I couldn't put it off anymore. This would be my last chance.
It was time to go bungy jumping.
And since Calleigh claimed her promise to come with me was invalid and everyone else had already gone or couldn't afford to go (pretty sure they were just too scared), I was own my own.
Knew I should have just gone last semester.
Anyways, let's get back to things I'm good at, like being awesome.
(can you tell I've been watching too much How I Met Your Mother recently?)
So in honour of a couple of my friends' birthdays, a bunch of us went to Queenstown for the night! It was a SUPER fun time!
But it also meant the time had come. I couldn't put it off anymore. This would be my last chance.
It was time to go bungy jumping.
And since Calleigh claimed her promise to come with me was invalid and everyone else had already gone or couldn't afford to go (pretty sure they were just too scared), I was own my own.
Knew I should have just gone last semester.
 |
| It's alright Calleigh, you were still one of many people that made my own birthday super awesome! |
 |
| Can you tell I look terrified? |
Anyways, it was time to man up. I booked my jump, couldn't eat anything the morning of, and made my way up to the gondola in Queenstown. My friends were nice enough to walk with me, but not nice enough to come up with me (jk, jk I really love ya girls!). The views from the gondola were pretty fantastic too, even though the weather wasn't the best. I tried focusing on that to calm me down, but it didn't do much really.
So I some how managed to make myself get out of the gondola car, and find the bungy office to check in. I got there, the lady smiled, I nervously laughed and fidgeted like no other. Then they weighed me. Then they weighed me again. Then they wrote my weight on my hand. Then I accidently smeared the marker and they had to write it again so it was legible. And then they handed me my ticket and told me to walk on out to the platform. So I did. Which meant passing the viewing platform which was absolutely filled with people. I was tempted to say something along the lines of "Hope you enjoy watching me scream like I'm plummeting to my death!" but I thought that might be a bit melodramatic.
And then I got to the platform. And handed the guy my ticket, and stepped over the last remaining rope. And there was no going back.
"How you feeling right now?!" the guy said far too cheerfully as he held out my harness.
"Slightly terrified" I responded.
"Only slightly?! Well we'll have to fix that!"
Thanks guy. Thanks for those kind, reassuring words.
And then they were checking my weight again, tightening my harness, creepily offering to get my visa extended so I could come work with them, and asking me if I wanted to say anything witty and fun for the video before I jumped.
I didn't.
And then they were counting down and then I was running and then "HOLY **** WHY THE **** AM I DOING THIS?????????!!!!!!!!"
Too late. I was already in the air. So of course I started screaming.
And before I knew it, but still far too long, the rope came to its end and I was bouncing back upwards. At which point I just started laughing. Half from relief, half from it actually being kind of fun after that initial fall.
So they brought me up, and asked me how I liked it, and I said "I'll never do that again. But I'm glad I finally did it!" Seriously, so scary. My hands were still shaking a half an hour later.
And that my friends, is the story of how I am the bravest person ever. Okay, okay. Not really. But I'm still pretty impressed I managed to make myself do that all on my own and the guys on the platform didn't even have to push me off.
After that I went and found my friends in town, got a delicious ferg burger, which I ate in about 5 minutes flat (probs more impressive than bungy jumping, eh?), and then had a delightful nap. Then it was time to get ready and we all went out!
Queenstown is quite possibly one of the best places to go out on a Friday night. So much fun! And Isabel and I met some adorable boys from Manitoba and had a great time dancing the night away!
Side-note: apparently most people don't know Manitoba is in Canada.
Another side-note: I've finally just accepted I'm pretty much just Canadian. But seriously, I thought everyone knew Manitoba was a province in Canada. And Canadian's say eh, I say ya. Usually. But there is a distinct difference in my accent whether or not you can hear it!
So all in all, a great get-away to Queenstown, hoping I can go back there or to Wanaka before the end of the semester to get some skiing in!
Less than two months to go. So only one month until I commence constantly crying. Best get some more adventures and blogging in before then. We'll see if I actually get to the blogging part though...
Love y'all!
Monday, January 30, 2012
My Summer...aka an Update!
I'm sure you're all dying to know what's been going on in my life lately, so here's an update!
I'm a bartender!! Thanks to my woofing (sp?) job, I've been able to display my true Wisconsin roots quite well by showing off my beer pouring skills. Who knew not everyone knows to tilt the glass sideways? Here I thought that was common sense...guess not as I've had to teach a couple other people how to do that already. I've also learned how to make a mean lemon, lime, and bitters! And let's not forget about the glass polishing skills I've acquired! And kudos to my brother for teaching me that trick where you twist the wine bottle at the end of the pour to avoid dripping all those years ago when he bartended! If only I'd remembered that my first week before I dripped red wine all over right in front of a customer.
I'm also a waitress!! Not so good at that though...my awkward social skills really shine at times. Especially when I forget to give my table utensils...woops. Or when my awful balance comes into play and makes me spill coke all over a nice family's table. At least I didn't actually spill it on anyone though!
Everyone thinks I'm Canadian!! Which much to the delight of friends from Colorado I'm sure, I've been forced to admit that maybe, just maybe, my accent sounds just a tiny bit Canadian. But in my defense, every actual Canadian I've talked to has told me I don't sound the least bit Canadian. Well except for that one from Toronto...but he doesn't count! And apparently people always ask if I'm Canadian first partly because whenever they mistake a Canadian for an American, the Canadian always gets quite upset. I feel your pain, travelling Canadians, I really do.
My faith in Kiwi boys is almost completely gone!! They seem to like to do this thing where they say you're friends, and would love to hang out, and even go so far as to put it in writing on facebook and offer you a ride back to Dunedin...and then they decide to completely stop talking to you and can't be bothered to respond. That's essentially happened to me twice since I've been in this country. I really don't get it. And would really like an apology, but that's not gonna happen. So I'm venting passive aggressively via blog post! Totes the best way to handle it I think (not).
I'm ridiculously tan!! I didn't even know my skin had it in it to get this tan. I'm not gonna lie, I'm enjoying the fact that I'm at my tannest ever while everyone I knew before I got here is pale as due to winter in the northern hemisphere. But don't worry folks, I'm sure I'll be back to my normal pale shade within a couple weeks of being back in the states. I'm just hoping it lasts until my bro's wedding, gotta look good standing up there as a bridesmaid! And hopefully not too jet-lagged seeing as I'll be getting back only about a week before!
I still hate spiders!! Not a surprise, I know. But I swear the spiders are ten times more awful here than they ever were back home. First off, they're everywhere. Second of all, they are all GIANT. Some more giant than others. There was one a while back that even the locals said was pretty big, and of course I was the one who found it (and subsequently freaked out) behind the bar. I swear that thing was poisonous too, it was too big not to be! I have however, come to a sort of agreement with the daddy long legs in the corners of my bedroom. They stay in their corners, and eat the mosquitos, and I stay as close to the center of the room as possible. The one pictured is my fave. We've gotten pretty tight the last few months, as he's been here as long I have. I didn't even vacuum him up when I had to change rooms! He stayed in his corner of the shelves, and kept the other spiders (I actually saw him take one down once) and bugs away from the other corner where I kept some stuff. Unfortunately I had to move rooms, so I don't know what's happened to him...the best of luck to him though! (And yes, I realise the fact that I've essentially befriended a spider says a lot about my minimal social life)
Beaches are awesome!! People always laugh at me when I'm playing in the waves as I can't stop laughing myself. But I can't help it, they're just so much fun! Definitely did not have waves like that growing up on Lake Michigan. Also didn't have natural bodies of water that felt like bathwater they're so warm! And who doesn't love laying out in the sun and soaking up all those gorgeously warm rays?! Thank goodness the beaches are awesome, otherwise I would have some serious depression about having to miss a ski season.
I can't wait to get back home!! And by home, I mean Dunedin! Can't believe I actually miss the place, but I really do. However, I still need to figure out how to get back as my original plan seems to have fallen through (see paragraph 4 RE: Kiwi Boys ****ing up). Really don't want to have to take a two day bus odyssey again, but it looks like I'm gonna have to. Gross. Plus, that means I won't be able to buy the $50 guitar I want as I would have too much luggage then. Which sucks as I really wanted to start playing again and could use something to do with my spare time (besides getting to know the spiders).
So overall, I've had a really awesome summer!!! Like probably the best summer of my life! Yeah, I worked a lot and didn't go out much, but I love the people I work with (too many to name) and getting to go to the beach at least once a week if not more and enjoying the sun and learning to play back yard cricket and pouring some deserving customers a nice cold beer and occasionally pouring one for myself as well!! Yep, this summer is definitely one I'll be telling my future kids and grandkids about!
Love and miss you all, and stay warm those of you in the Northern Hemisphere!
I'm a bartender!! Thanks to my woofing (sp?) job, I've been able to display my true Wisconsin roots quite well by showing off my beer pouring skills. Who knew not everyone knows to tilt the glass sideways? Here I thought that was common sense...guess not as I've had to teach a couple other people how to do that already. I've also learned how to make a mean lemon, lime, and bitters! And let's not forget about the glass polishing skills I've acquired! And kudos to my brother for teaching me that trick where you twist the wine bottle at the end of the pour to avoid dripping all those years ago when he bartended! If only I'd remembered that my first week before I dripped red wine all over right in front of a customer.
I'm also a waitress!! Not so good at that though...my awkward social skills really shine at times. Especially when I forget to give my table utensils...woops. Or when my awful balance comes into play and makes me spill coke all over a nice family's table. At least I didn't actually spill it on anyone though!
Everyone thinks I'm Canadian!! Which much to the delight of friends from Colorado I'm sure, I've been forced to admit that maybe, just maybe, my accent sounds just a tiny bit Canadian. But in my defense, every actual Canadian I've talked to has told me I don't sound the least bit Canadian. Well except for that one from Toronto...but he doesn't count! And apparently people always ask if I'm Canadian first partly because whenever they mistake a Canadian for an American, the Canadian always gets quite upset. I feel your pain, travelling Canadians, I really do.
My faith in Kiwi boys is almost completely gone!! They seem to like to do this thing where they say you're friends, and would love to hang out, and even go so far as to put it in writing on facebook and offer you a ride back to Dunedin...and then they decide to completely stop talking to you and can't be bothered to respond. That's essentially happened to me twice since I've been in this country. I really don't get it. And would really like an apology, but that's not gonna happen. So I'm venting passive aggressively via blog post! Totes the best way to handle it I think (not).
I'm ridiculously tan!! I didn't even know my skin had it in it to get this tan. I'm not gonna lie, I'm enjoying the fact that I'm at my tannest ever while everyone I knew before I got here is pale as due to winter in the northern hemisphere. But don't worry folks, I'm sure I'll be back to my normal pale shade within a couple weeks of being back in the states. I'm just hoping it lasts until my bro's wedding, gotta look good standing up there as a bridesmaid! And hopefully not too jet-lagged seeing as I'll be getting back only about a week before!
Beaches are awesome!! People always laugh at me when I'm playing in the waves as I can't stop laughing myself. But I can't help it, they're just so much fun! Definitely did not have waves like that growing up on Lake Michigan. Also didn't have natural bodies of water that felt like bathwater they're so warm! And who doesn't love laying out in the sun and soaking up all those gorgeously warm rays?! Thank goodness the beaches are awesome, otherwise I would have some serious depression about having to miss a ski season.
I can't wait to get back home!! And by home, I mean Dunedin! Can't believe I actually miss the place, but I really do. However, I still need to figure out how to get back as my original plan seems to have fallen through (see paragraph 4 RE: Kiwi Boys ****ing up). Really don't want to have to take a two day bus odyssey again, but it looks like I'm gonna have to. Gross. Plus, that means I won't be able to buy the $50 guitar I want as I would have too much luggage then. Which sucks as I really wanted to start playing again and could use something to do with my spare time (besides getting to know the spiders).
So overall, I've had a really awesome summer!!! Like probably the best summer of my life! Yeah, I worked a lot and didn't go out much, but I love the people I work with (too many to name) and getting to go to the beach at least once a week if not more and enjoying the sun and learning to play back yard cricket and pouring some deserving customers a nice cold beer and occasionally pouring one for myself as well!! Yep, this summer is definitely one I'll be telling my future kids and grandkids about!
Love and miss you all, and stay warm those of you in the Northern Hemisphere!
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