i guess it's been well over a couple weeks since i last wrote. blogger has not been very cooperative in the south of the south island. i really did try to write a couple times. well, now that i'm in nelson, there is a speedy internet place where i can fill you in on my travels.
basically, i'm ready to move to this fine country. it truly is thee most beautiful place on earth, i'm convinced of it! last time i wrote i swam with dolphins. since then the adventures continued. in a nutshell, here's the rundown of crazy shit i got up to: white water rafting (total raft capsize in the middle of a class 5 rapid! for some reason i was pumped after it, rather than totally freaked out. another fear conquered, thank you very much), horse trekking through beautiful lake side/farm land/mountainous area, and yes ladies and gentlemen, i got to do my sky dive in queenstown (adventure capitol of nz). that was AMAZING!!! i've been high a few times in my life and this has got to be the best high that there is. i ended up getting strapped up with a hottie danish tandem jumper (bonus!). he was a freak show and was psyched that i was pumped to go (i had no fear what-so-ever since this was my third attempt--weather had been bad all tries). if you really wanted to go for it, you could ask your tandem partner to do flips and stuff in the free fall, so naturally, i did.
i got to go up in the plane with my friend shannon (who i'd met on the bus trip--rad canadian chick) which made it more fun. we were both really psyched up and both our tandem guys were trying to freak us out saying stuff like "hope this is strapped on properly." sitting in that little cockpick was nuts. we just kept climbing higher and higher, way way way past the giant mountains called the remarkables. i knew 12,000 feet sounded high, but i really had no concept just how high it was. it all seemed to happed quite quickly. the door to the cockpit opened and the first guy was gone. shannon was next. my guy held me over the edge so we could see them fall. sooooo fast! holy shit, we were next. i sat on the edge of the doorway, curled my feet under me and held my head back. and in 3, 2, 1 we were falling backwards!
those first few seconds were hard to remember as i think it's quite a shock to your system to be falling out of a plane. but soon enough i could feel what was happening. cold air rushing over my face, my cheeks flapping in the wind. my tandem guy tapped me and gave me the thumbs up and when i gave them back he was ready for some fun. soon enough, the world i was looking down on was above me. we were flipping in free fall. soo sooo soooooo good! my smile was from cheek to cheek and i was screaming with glee. next thing knew, a little jolt happened and i looked up to see the parachute was released. my guy could talk to me then and he pointed to look up. all i could see was a tiny dot in the sky rushing down like a falling rock. that's what we had just been doing (i was looking at the girl behind me in line coming down). i had no idea we were going that fast. it just felt like your kind of hovering in air and the wind is rushing over your face.
the glide down was also really good. my dude was soooo cool. he knew i was loving it and was pointing out all the amazing scenery around us. he did some great spins in the air and then let me have the controls of the chute. i turned left, then right and we were parallel to the ground from the velocity of the spins. LOVED IT!! he pointed out our target area and took back the controls. i was so not ready for this to end. pretty soon we were heading straight for the grassy area, i held my feet up, then ran with him and we landed. i was unstrapped from him and just started jumping up and down from excitement. shannon and i ran towards each other and continued our dorky jumping like game show contestant winners. then i ran over to high five my guy and that was that. my knees were just blubbery and my head felt really full. it was a feeling hard to describe but i was ready to go up again then and there. if it weren't for the cost, i would have instantly. i thought that would be something i would do once in my life, but when the opportunity knocks, i will do it in a heartbeat!
back in queenstown, shannon and i tore it up that night out at the bar. we had a doozy, both meeting boys. her's, a local player. mine a young british traveler. both were crazy. we drank it up and danced it up. at that point we had both left the bus tour behind (was super great while it lasted but was ready for freedom). i was planning on renting a car and driving up the rest of the west coast of the south island. shannon was heading on to auckland. my time was running thin and i still had so much more i wanted to do. so what did i do? extended my trip an extra week. nice one.
so while in the bar being ridiculous with the young brit, i asked if he wanted to join me for a drive up the west coast. crazy traveler that he was, he agreed. we decided to meet the next day to work out the details. when we did, he convinced me that we should get a camper van. seemed like a good idea to me (save on hostels) and freedom to drive where ever. so that's what we did. me and random young brit (his name was matt) took off the next day and headed straight for lord of the rings land (paradise in glenorchy). it really was LOTR style. so gorgeous. then it was off to this rad mining town called arrowtown. then on to the coast and the glaciers (walked right up to a huge glacier! so random). then up the coast and parked on a side road, which turned out to be a gorgeous beach. as soon as we parked, the clouds parted (had been raining for most of the south), the sun came out and a HUGE rainbow went right over our camper van. heaven!!!
next day was punakaiki and the mysterious pancake rocks, then up thru the beauteous area of the north of the south island, heading towards abel tasman national park (which i hadn't read much about but knew i wanted to go there). when we arrived, i knew why. i found my spot in this world. it was the perfect combination of big hills of alpine and rain forest with gorgeous white sand clear blue/green waters at the foot of the hills! i had found it! we stayed the night at old macdonald's farm in marahau (lovely little village) which was at the start of the park. you see, the park didn't even have a road. you either had to walk into it, or take a boat. that next day was so sunny and beautiful, i decided to take a water taxi to the top of the park and walk back. the girl at the info desk suggested this area saying it wasn't too much of a walk. when i got on the boat with the other passengers they were all going to the mid-section of the park and i was the only one going beyond. the boat captain said to me "feeling energetic today are we?" that had me a little scared, but i wanted to do it.
that boat ride was really nice. got to see the whole lay of the land on the way to the various bays. i finally was the last one to get dropped off and it did look like a very long walk back, but i was up for it. as soon as i stepped on to that white sand beach and up into the rain forest trees, i knew it was going to be the best hike ever. the trek went on and on and on but every view was mind blowing. i hiked way up into the hills and could see for miles, nothing but clear blue water. then back down the hills onto the beaches. when i got hot, i stripped down and took a swim in the refreshing water--i was the only one on that beach! i couldn't believe how few people were out that day. it was like my own park or something. soon enough though, i caught up with 2 dutch women who i walked with the rest of the way. they were very friendly and had traveled all over the world. after my 4 hours of conversation to myself about what i'm doing on this planet and what i want in life, they were the perfect pair to run into. they got me psyched up to keep traveling the world. i know that's all i want to do now. and i'm perfectly happy to be a nomad. well, a working nomad. i'll figure it out somehow, but i know i have to keep moving. this life and this world is too too good to let it pass us by. we must get out there and see it and live it!
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Thursday, November 11, 2004
if i died right now, i'd be happy
currently in christchurch, the biggest city in the south island. only have a few hours to tool around here... just had a fantastic pub lunch and now writing to you all.
this morning's activity was one theeee most amazing experiences i think i will EVER have. i SWAM WITH WILD DOLPHINS!!!!!!!! i had no idea how cool this was gonna be. was sort of dreading having to get up at 4:30am to go and do it, but i was hoping it'd be worth it. and was it ever! there was a slight chance you might not be able to get in with them (if there were babies in the pack), but luckily we got to. i can officially say i have conquered any sort of fear of the ocean after today. i was fully suited up in a wet suit (water was 12 degrees C), mask, flippers, snorkel, the whole bit. we had to sit at the edge of a the boat and just hop into the open water when it was ok to go. and i had no fear what so ever!
let me set up the back drop first... we were in kaikoura, which happens to be the best place to see marine wildlife. we were out in the middle of the bay and in the distance were big green grass covered hills and beyond that were snow capped mountains (a view beyond description). anyway, the dusky dolphins gather in this certain area because there is always food (there is a huge cavern below the ocean that creates the food resources). we were briefed on how to get the dolphins attention when you're out in the water with them (as sometimes they will take an interest in you and sometimes they will not). well today they sure as hell did! when i first put my face in the water, i started making a rolling sound with my tongue. as soon as i did this, 2 dolphins came right up to me! i couldn't believe how close they came. they also told us if you look them in the eye, they will do circles around you. so as soon as i got comfortable swimming with them, i did that, and sure enough, i would have 2 and 3 dolphins at a time circling around me and literally playing games with me! i was just smiling through my snorkel. couldn't believe how cool it was!
we were out with them for about 30 minutes. my feet were freezing, but i couldn't get enough of them. most people had gone back to the boat by that time, but i just wanted MORE interaction. i finally got the nerve to dive down with them. when you did this, they really loved it. more circling and playing. the coolest was they would come up from the dark water below and charge straight for you and then do a quick turn to miss you and then swim around and around. oh my god, i don't think i'll ever have an experience like that again. i'm so tired from getting up and swimming around in deep surge-y water, but i'm reeling from my time with wild dolphins!
tomorrow: grade 5 white water rafting!!!!!!!! this trip is too freaking good to be true!
this morning's activity was one theeee most amazing experiences i think i will EVER have. i SWAM WITH WILD DOLPHINS!!!!!!!! i had no idea how cool this was gonna be. was sort of dreading having to get up at 4:30am to go and do it, but i was hoping it'd be worth it. and was it ever! there was a slight chance you might not be able to get in with them (if there were babies in the pack), but luckily we got to. i can officially say i have conquered any sort of fear of the ocean after today. i was fully suited up in a wet suit (water was 12 degrees C), mask, flippers, snorkel, the whole bit. we had to sit at the edge of a the boat and just hop into the open water when it was ok to go. and i had no fear what so ever!
let me set up the back drop first... we were in kaikoura, which happens to be the best place to see marine wildlife. we were out in the middle of the bay and in the distance were big green grass covered hills and beyond that were snow capped mountains (a view beyond description). anyway, the dusky dolphins gather in this certain area because there is always food (there is a huge cavern below the ocean that creates the food resources). we were briefed on how to get the dolphins attention when you're out in the water with them (as sometimes they will take an interest in you and sometimes they will not). well today they sure as hell did! when i first put my face in the water, i started making a rolling sound with my tongue. as soon as i did this, 2 dolphins came right up to me! i couldn't believe how close they came. they also told us if you look them in the eye, they will do circles around you. so as soon as i got comfortable swimming with them, i did that, and sure enough, i would have 2 and 3 dolphins at a time circling around me and literally playing games with me! i was just smiling through my snorkel. couldn't believe how cool it was!
we were out with them for about 30 minutes. my feet were freezing, but i couldn't get enough of them. most people had gone back to the boat by that time, but i just wanted MORE interaction. i finally got the nerve to dive down with them. when you did this, they really loved it. more circling and playing. the coolest was they would come up from the dark water below and charge straight for you and then do a quick turn to miss you and then swim around and around. oh my god, i don't think i'll ever have an experience like that again. i'm so tired from getting up and swimming around in deep surge-y water, but i'm reeling from my time with wild dolphins!
tomorrow: grade 5 white water rafting!!!!!!!! this trip is too freaking good to be true!
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
NZ: day? lost count already
so because there has been so much activity on this trip of mine, i've totally lost track of time. i know it's wednesday, which means i've been in NZ for almost a week. damn, it feels like waaaay longer. i can't remember what i blogged about last time (again, i'm pressed for time), but i think it was just about arrival in auckland and cool amanda and darren and stuff. they continued to be super hospitable and took my out friday night. went to their place then went out to a club for a night of dub music. LOVED IT and had so much fun with them. they are so great (thanks amanda!! miss ya already!).
so joined up with my tour group thing the following day. of course i was a bit nervous to meet all these strangers, to see if i would gel with any of them, etc. it was a bit strange at first as those things are but soon enough everyone was getting along. the bus took us to our first destination straight away... coromandel. so freaking beautiful i could die. the whole drive was awesome. see this was my first time out of auckland, so i hadn't seen any of the countryside and within minutes outside the city, i could tell it was a magical country. went sea kayaking that day as my activity. it was such a gorgeous day and a lovely experience. i could go on all about the beauty of the area, but pressed for time. more later.
i will give a quick rundown of the stuff we've done so far so you can get an idea of what i've been doing. hot water beach (digging holes in the sand to find the hot water springs and sitting in the pools!), a great cycle ride through pretty meadow countryside, camping in the wilderness with an awesome lake that we all swam in, a heated soccer match with the whole group (thought i wasn't gonna like this group thing, but it's turned out to be so fun... so many great people from all over. all walks of life all getting along. so great!), zorbing in rotorua (rolling down a big hill in a giant plastic ball filled with water), checking out the bubbling hot mud pools and thermal wonderland park, as well as seeing a cool geyser (name is slipping me now). tried to go sky diving but the weather was shit. will try that again soon (looks sooooo rad!). and yesterday was pushing myself... a group of us did the tongariro crossing... a 17k, 8 hour hike. it was such a tough climb. never done anything like it. the terrain was amazing and it was so well worth it. really made you feel alive for accomplishing something like that. took a bunch of photos which i'll post later.
currently in wellington, the bottom of the north island, heading to the south island tonight. apparently the south is even more beautiful than the north which i can't even comprehend. not only have we been doing all these adventure activities, we've been driving across the whole country and the the scenery is just plain fantastic. it's so varied in a such a short amount of time... like you'll go from alpine to lush ferny forest, to volcanic rock to giant mountains in the distance to rolling green meadows to the most gorgeous beaches ever. i still can't get over it.
so as you can probably tell, i've been having the time of my life. really lucked out with the great group of people on the trip. and the guides are fantastic too. i LOVE kiwis. they just have the best sense of humor. cracking us up everywhere we go. i'm also having a good mix of me time and people time. if i want me time, i just go off on my own. i've actually been listening to myself on this trip. haven't been overly extroverted. kinda keep to myself in the big group, but like having one on one time with certain people. i'm mellowing out on having to get people to like me because i'm "cool" or something. i'm just me here. no "cool" clothes to hide behind. no make-up either. it's just megan from america. kinda funny. but like last night, i got a bit drunk and the fun silly megan came out... which a select few got to see. so it's all good like that.
ok, i could reflect forever, but most post before internet cafe shuts me down.
more as soon as i can, but will probably not be too soon. i'm on the road in NZ baby. and LOVING IT!!!
so joined up with my tour group thing the following day. of course i was a bit nervous to meet all these strangers, to see if i would gel with any of them, etc. it was a bit strange at first as those things are but soon enough everyone was getting along. the bus took us to our first destination straight away... coromandel. so freaking beautiful i could die. the whole drive was awesome. see this was my first time out of auckland, so i hadn't seen any of the countryside and within minutes outside the city, i could tell it was a magical country. went sea kayaking that day as my activity. it was such a gorgeous day and a lovely experience. i could go on all about the beauty of the area, but pressed for time. more later.
i will give a quick rundown of the stuff we've done so far so you can get an idea of what i've been doing. hot water beach (digging holes in the sand to find the hot water springs and sitting in the pools!), a great cycle ride through pretty meadow countryside, camping in the wilderness with an awesome lake that we all swam in, a heated soccer match with the whole group (thought i wasn't gonna like this group thing, but it's turned out to be so fun... so many great people from all over. all walks of life all getting along. so great!), zorbing in rotorua (rolling down a big hill in a giant plastic ball filled with water), checking out the bubbling hot mud pools and thermal wonderland park, as well as seeing a cool geyser (name is slipping me now). tried to go sky diving but the weather was shit. will try that again soon (looks sooooo rad!). and yesterday was pushing myself... a group of us did the tongariro crossing... a 17k, 8 hour hike. it was such a tough climb. never done anything like it. the terrain was amazing and it was so well worth it. really made you feel alive for accomplishing something like that. took a bunch of photos which i'll post later.
currently in wellington, the bottom of the north island, heading to the south island tonight. apparently the south is even more beautiful than the north which i can't even comprehend. not only have we been doing all these adventure activities, we've been driving across the whole country and the the scenery is just plain fantastic. it's so varied in a such a short amount of time... like you'll go from alpine to lush ferny forest, to volcanic rock to giant mountains in the distance to rolling green meadows to the most gorgeous beaches ever. i still can't get over it.
so as you can probably tell, i've been having the time of my life. really lucked out with the great group of people on the trip. and the guides are fantastic too. i LOVE kiwis. they just have the best sense of humor. cracking us up everywhere we go. i'm also having a good mix of me time and people time. if i want me time, i just go off on my own. i've actually been listening to myself on this trip. haven't been overly extroverted. kinda keep to myself in the big group, but like having one on one time with certain people. i'm mellowing out on having to get people to like me because i'm "cool" or something. i'm just me here. no "cool" clothes to hide behind. no make-up either. it's just megan from america. kinda funny. but like last night, i got a bit drunk and the fun silly megan came out... which a select few got to see. so it's all good like that.
ok, i could reflect forever, but most post before internet cafe shuts me down.
more as soon as i can, but will probably not be too soon. i'm on the road in NZ baby. and LOVING IT!!!
Thursday, November 04, 2004
NZ: day 1, 2, 3
unfortunately, i don't have too much time to write so this will be the brief overview of my arrival in auckland. the flight was much better than expected. was dreading the 20 hour journey, but it went by like nothing (thanks sara, heh heh). didn't even feel crappy upon arrival in the early am.
hopped on the bus which dropped me off at base backpackers, my hostel. the place was very tidy and well set up, so it looked like my choice was a good one. i was a bit nervous to walk into my "dorm room" full of 8 girls, but as i entered, i noticed they were all passed out. the room was a disaster area... looked as though these girls had a bender the night before. i was sure not to make too much noise as i didn't want them hating me straight away. took a little nap and got up before they did to go see the city. who knew who they were, where they were from, what language they spoke or what. hostel life man.
went down and called amanda, my auckland contact, who told me she'd left a note for me at the front desk. picked it up and had perfect instructions like where to get a good meal close by (typed out with directions from the hostel and a map!). loved her already! took her suggestion to get a kabab round the corner. took my meal up to the lovely albert park and ate happily under the perfect auckland sunny blue sky. ah!
took myself for a wander and ended up at the art gallery where a cool chick at the front desk chatted me up. was wondering if i'd voted and if i was disappointed in the resutls. you see, i hadn't even heard the shitty news yet. she was the one who told me the fucker had won. was pretty bummed, but was sort of expecting it and was happy i wasn't there to be really depressed (sorry guys!).
next stop: the big attraction, the sky tower. paid my $18 (a bit expensive) and went to the top to see the awesome 360 view of the city (actually worth it). even saw a couple jumpers take off from the top (freaks!). met up with amanda a bit later and LOVED her even more in person. funny, sweet chatty girl who was more than happy to take the newbie around. we went to her local irish pub for beers. also met her boyfriend darren and their friends rory, pete and suz... all equally as lovely. we each bought rounds of beers and i got a bit tipsy (light weight that i am). it was like a regular gathering of the locals and i was totally welcome. loving the kiwis already! after more late night kababs, they dropped me off at my hostel (and also invited me to a guy fawks party the following night. love not having to make plans for myself for a friday night. should be a good one of blowing things up and fireworks. looking forward to it).
anyway, went back to the room which was full of the girls, awake this time. they were all brits who'd all gone to uni together in bristol. it had potential to be a bad sorority situation, but they were very friendly. a couple of them had been travelling for a while... thailand, laos, cambodia. heard some interesting stories. they invited me downstairs to the hostel bar. i was pretty tired and already drunk, but i figured, when in rome. hung out and had a nice time.
LOVING being on my own here. i can do whatever the fuck i want. i'm chilling, i'm seeing stuff. i'm meeting people. i talk to strangers if i want to and keep quiet if i don't. today has been another good one of walking all around the city. i'm diggin here for sure. it's super mellow. itdoesn't feel too foreign (starbucks, burger king, dennys--thank you american globalization) but then i remember i'm on the other side of the world. it's ridiculously clean here. almost too clean. haven't had to squat over one toilet yet! pretty diverse population. the coffee is fantastic. even the fashions are good. had a nice walk around the groovy shops today and was well impressed. then happened upon a flea market with tons of good one of kind type stuff. was super tempted to buy about 5 things, but held back. also got my first NZ crush... cute graphic designer boy with art and clothing. mmm... a passing fancy.
well, must rush off to meet amanda again. might not be able to report for a bit. meeting with my camping group tomorrow. praying there will be cool folks (slighty nervous for that). that's all for now. i'm a happy and content travllin' girl.
hopped on the bus which dropped me off at base backpackers, my hostel. the place was very tidy and well set up, so it looked like my choice was a good one. i was a bit nervous to walk into my "dorm room" full of 8 girls, but as i entered, i noticed they were all passed out. the room was a disaster area... looked as though these girls had a bender the night before. i was sure not to make too much noise as i didn't want them hating me straight away. took a little nap and got up before they did to go see the city. who knew who they were, where they were from, what language they spoke or what. hostel life man.
went down and called amanda, my auckland contact, who told me she'd left a note for me at the front desk. picked it up and had perfect instructions like where to get a good meal close by (typed out with directions from the hostel and a map!). loved her already! took her suggestion to get a kabab round the corner. took my meal up to the lovely albert park and ate happily under the perfect auckland sunny blue sky. ah!
took myself for a wander and ended up at the art gallery where a cool chick at the front desk chatted me up. was wondering if i'd voted and if i was disappointed in the resutls. you see, i hadn't even heard the shitty news yet. she was the one who told me the fucker had won. was pretty bummed, but was sort of expecting it and was happy i wasn't there to be really depressed (sorry guys!).
next stop: the big attraction, the sky tower. paid my $18 (a bit expensive) and went to the top to see the awesome 360 view of the city (actually worth it). even saw a couple jumpers take off from the top (freaks!). met up with amanda a bit later and LOVED her even more in person. funny, sweet chatty girl who was more than happy to take the newbie around. we went to her local irish pub for beers. also met her boyfriend darren and their friends rory, pete and suz... all equally as lovely. we each bought rounds of beers and i got a bit tipsy (light weight that i am). it was like a regular gathering of the locals and i was totally welcome. loving the kiwis already! after more late night kababs, they dropped me off at my hostel (and also invited me to a guy fawks party the following night. love not having to make plans for myself for a friday night. should be a good one of blowing things up and fireworks. looking forward to it).
anyway, went back to the room which was full of the girls, awake this time. they were all brits who'd all gone to uni together in bristol. it had potential to be a bad sorority situation, but they were very friendly. a couple of them had been travelling for a while... thailand, laos, cambodia. heard some interesting stories. they invited me downstairs to the hostel bar. i was pretty tired and already drunk, but i figured, when in rome. hung out and had a nice time.
LOVING being on my own here. i can do whatever the fuck i want. i'm chilling, i'm seeing stuff. i'm meeting people. i talk to strangers if i want to and keep quiet if i don't. today has been another good one of walking all around the city. i'm diggin here for sure. it's super mellow. itdoesn't feel too foreign (starbucks, burger king, dennys--thank you american globalization) but then i remember i'm on the other side of the world. it's ridiculously clean here. almost too clean. haven't had to squat over one toilet yet! pretty diverse population. the coffee is fantastic. even the fashions are good. had a nice walk around the groovy shops today and was well impressed. then happened upon a flea market with tons of good one of kind type stuff. was super tempted to buy about 5 things, but held back. also got my first NZ crush... cute graphic designer boy with art and clothing. mmm... a passing fancy.
well, must rush off to meet amanda again. might not be able to report for a bit. meeting with my camping group tomorrow. praying there will be cool folks (slighty nervous for that). that's all for now. i'm a happy and content travllin' girl.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
halloween re-cap, in 15 minutes
only 15 minutes left til i get on the train. all items checked off. this was the last thing to do.
so here you have it, halloween pics. not too many people got my costume. mostly gay men and some film nerds. figures.
close-up, scary baby jane on the train
full body shot. check that creepy dress (costume warehouse sale baby) and my rat prop (must see the film to get it)
the group shot (from left to right: sally as mia from "pulp fiction", zak as frightening teen girl, olia as natasha the russian spy and me as baby jane hudson)
our pumpkins (left to right: mine, jamie's, olia's)
there are about a million more pics of the parade, but that will have to come later. halloween = best holiday ever.
so here you have it, halloween pics. not too many people got my costume. mostly gay men and some film nerds. figures.
close-up, scary baby jane on the train
full body shot. check that creepy dress (costume warehouse sale baby) and my rat prop (must see the film to get it)
the group shot (from left to right: sally as mia from "pulp fiction", zak as frightening teen girl, olia as natasha the russian spy and me as baby jane hudson)
our pumpkins (left to right: mine, jamie's, olia's)
there are about a million more pics of the parade, but that will have to come later. halloween = best holiday ever.
democracy NOW!
i just voted. when i looked around the gymnasium and saw all those people of different colors and ages, the regular working citizens of america, i got choked up. i don't know why, but something about the right to vote, in theory, is very empowering.
i'm listening to this, thanks to moveon (which is getting me ever more choked up). power to the people god dammit!!! let's take back our country! PLEASE!
i'm listening to this, thanks to moveon (which is getting me ever more choked up). power to the people god dammit!!! let's take back our country! PLEASE!
t.t.f.n. (ta ta for now)
it's after 1am and i've just finished a mighty hectic day of last minute getting my shit together. i must have packed and re-packed the backpack i borrowed from jessical about 10 times. adding and subtracting various items. thank god for my mom. when i called her and told her i was bringing 7 t-shirts she said "you only need 2!" only 2 t-shirts for a whole month? impossible! i ended up with 4 t-shirts, 1 tank top, 1 mid-sleeve, 1 long sleeve, 1 hoodie, 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of pants-shorts combo (so ugly!), 1 skirt and 1 cute "going out top."
i have to say, this was my most difficult packing job yet. i'm not an overly heavy packer, but i like to have cute things if i'm going to a city and practical things if i'm going to be in nature and i'm usually going somewhere with one kind of climate. this time i had to pack for hot and cold, cities and camping! and for a month! i think i chose wisely. the other thing was when i tried on jessica's pack, it was WAY too heavy. so i tried the stuff in my old shitty pack, which was MUCH lighter and more roomy for some reason (thanks anyway jess!). so my tired old pack will come along with me one more time. seems fitting.
the rest of the to do's on my ever-so-long to do list have been crossed off for the most-part. tomorrow, i have these to take care of:
1. vote
2. finish cleaning (blah!)
3. hide valuables
4. leave notes for my subletter
5. deal with the shit on my desk
6. delete old emails clogging inbox
7. get halloween pics online (time pending)
8. take out trash
9. get on subway, go to JFK
not too bad. i'm just praying the line at my polling place isn't too long. i should have done the absentee thing, but there's just something about actually going in person and punching those chads. ha!
i also got a bunch of lovely bon voyage phone calls and emails today. i'm feeling very loved these days which is a good feeling, especially when embarking on a solo trip. i'm in a very good place right now. i'm happy. i'm not escaping anything. i'm just going to check out a new country, meet some new people, and hopefully learn some new things about myself and the world around me. i have absolutely no expectations. i suppose because i honestly don't know what to expect. and that makes me giddy with excitement. it's a new experiment, jumping in blindly.
wish me luck. and if you don't mind, send some white light and positive energy my way (this is, of course if you have any left after sending all that energy into the universe for a new president elect tomorrow).
i have to say, this was my most difficult packing job yet. i'm not an overly heavy packer, but i like to have cute things if i'm going to a city and practical things if i'm going to be in nature and i'm usually going somewhere with one kind of climate. this time i had to pack for hot and cold, cities and camping! and for a month! i think i chose wisely. the other thing was when i tried on jessica's pack, it was WAY too heavy. so i tried the stuff in my old shitty pack, which was MUCH lighter and more roomy for some reason (thanks anyway jess!). so my tired old pack will come along with me one more time. seems fitting.
the rest of the to do's on my ever-so-long to do list have been crossed off for the most-part. tomorrow, i have these to take care of:
1. vote
2. finish cleaning (blah!)
3. hide valuables
4. leave notes for my subletter
5. deal with the shit on my desk
6. delete old emails clogging inbox
7. get halloween pics online (time pending)
8. take out trash
9. get on subway, go to JFK
not too bad. i'm just praying the line at my polling place isn't too long. i should have done the absentee thing, but there's just something about actually going in person and punching those chads. ha!
i also got a bunch of lovely bon voyage phone calls and emails today. i'm feeling very loved these days which is a good feeling, especially when embarking on a solo trip. i'm in a very good place right now. i'm happy. i'm not escaping anything. i'm just going to check out a new country, meet some new people, and hopefully learn some new things about myself and the world around me. i have absolutely no expectations. i suppose because i honestly don't know what to expect. and that makes me giddy with excitement. it's a new experiment, jumping in blindly.
wish me luck. and if you don't mind, send some white light and positive energy my way (this is, of course if you have any left after sending all that energy into the universe for a new president elect tomorrow).
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