NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURES

Living The Kiwi Life 25/09/23 Howdy folks!   I have officially been in New Zealand for two weeks! This kind of feels like a big deal? While I have loved being here, it really set in how truly FAR I am from home this past week. There's a lot to take in (good, new, and intriguing) but I have been missing my people. So, to those of you reading this and following along on this journey thank you. It really does make me feel more connected!  Despite the bits of homesickness, I am breaking out of my little bubble and went to a volunteer planting event for World Rivers Day! While the temperature in Christchurch has be fluctuating drastically these last few days, it didn't stop us New Zealand Conservation Volunteers from planting Carex plants at Amelia Rogers Reserve! The Student Volunteer Army also participated in this event, so I got the opportunity to meet some folks around my age. Here's a sweet photo of me in a highlighter vest and some planting photos. Oh, and I got my 25th bi

  Flowers, Birds and a Bank Account What up party people!!!  Today is an exciting blog post because: BIRDS! Prepare yourselves! I'll first start off with the little hike Ian and I did on Monday afternoon. We went up to Huntsbury and wound up doing the Bowenvale Reserve Track. I didn't expect it to feel so familiar, but it felt so much like Missoula's great Waterworks Hill. Missoula folk: do you see the resemblance? With the wind whipping through my hair, I was right at home.  But, sheep seem to be the difference and I'm still getting used to it! It is lambing season here, so all the ewes have the cutest little guys. Peep the baaaaaaaa. After the hike, I celebrated my three new bird species (Australian Magpie, Swamp Harrier and Eurasian Skylark) with some samosas from the Eastgate mall.  19/09/23 BOTANIC GARDENS DAY/ART MUSEUM Before I begin, I LOVE gardens. I am not the most talented plant person (ask Jay Arzate) but I do love looking at plants...especially pretty plant

  Spring in September Hi!!!!! Little condensed life update:  I moved into my new apartment in the beach suburb of Aranui. These past few days have consisted of me getting settled, developing connections with the people in my new home and exploring the city. I went to the grocery store, a fish and chips stand, the beach, a cherry blossom fest, a museum and Taylor's mistake! Christchurch has around 382,000 people living in the city so there's quite a bit to explore! I've also had some of the best Indian food EVER.  Here's little updates from the past view days:  14/09/23  The first thing that I was really captivated by upon my arrival was the ease and reliability of the Christchurch bus system. I was both impressed and amazed by how efficient and inexpensive it was to get around the city without a car. With the success of the bus system, I don't feel the need to learn how to drive on the other side of the road (which also saves me the purchase of a car). My first day

  Flights Are Not My Friend  Yesterday 12/09/23 From the Auckland International Airport (in which I have been for a total of 6 hours)… I have never been so close to missing a flight as I was two days ago in the LAX airport. My flight was from LAX to Fiji, and I was blissfully unprepared for the hellscape that is international travel. For starters, my bag was not 30 kg. Grandma and Grandpa did comment that the bag *might* be a bit overweight when we loaded the truck, but I didn't think it was actually that heavy. It was that heavy.  As I unpacked my suitcase on the airport floor, I had to leave behind some books, my sleeping bag and a few other heavy-ish items. Thankfully, the Fiji airline lady had mercy on me and let me stash my ramekins and tart pans into my carry-on. As I hustled to TSA, I began to feel a bit of concern. Would I actually make my flight?? TSA was a nightmare. I witnessed an Australian couple (who was also on my flight) exclaim "OH NAUR" which relieved so

THE BEGINNING Hey party people! I can't wait to keep you all updated on this travel blog thing! I am suspending my US phone number today, but  I will be available on here, whatsapp , and instagram  if you would like to contact me during these next few transition days. I am working on getting an international phone number once I arrive, but these options will probably be best to avoid incurring those vicious international charges.  I am leaving for New Zealand today at midnight from LAX! I had to repack my bag six different times; the first time it was 90lbs. I finally paired it down to a healthy 62lbs so fingers crossed it's not too heavy! But, I am sure you are wondering... how did you get to LA?? Here's the travel rundown.  31 st  of August - Jasmyn and I drove down to Bozeman to take a gander at the great dinos in the Museum of the Rockies! If you get the chance to check out the cool Da Vinci exhibit over there, that guy was an interesting dude (and also very obsessed wi