New Zealand Book is Finished!

I finally got all of my memories and photos into one semi-consolidated book!!! It's 154 pages, but who's counting. That was after much editing and deleting and re-adding and more editing of photos and fun stories. Understandably, it's just not easy to summarize the incredible year I had! My hard copy arrived very quickly last Friday and every time I look through it, more memories come flooding back.

You can preview my book here. A combination of blog posts, photos, and a few additional memories, I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I hope you like it:

Adventures in Aotearoa by Jessica Martin | Make Your Own Book

Please note: If you really like it, you can purchase a copy for yourself through the site. Although my main goal for posting it here is so you can preview the finished product, I know several people asked about purchasing a copy. Also, there are a lot of pictures so sometimes it takes a minute to load (particularly on slower connections) just be prepared for that.

It really was one of the best years of my life and so I thank you for being a part of that, even if it was just as a supporter through my blog. I look forward to getting back to New Zealand again sometime soon. Until that point comes, I'll have to be satisfied with my new visual reminder instead. And I'll continue to blog when I have new fun memories to share.

No shirt, No Shoes, No Problem

Everywhere I go people are barefoot  in New Zealand.  When I first arrived, I was shocked to see people barefoot in the city, in the shops, in take away restaurants and even in the supermarket.  But I get it now, it's just part of Kiwiana.  It represents the attitude and the carefree life.  I have welcomed this summer more than I've welcomed most and I'm trying to take advantage of it as much as possible. It hasn't taken much time off of work and in the sun for my feet to look like they belong on a New Zealand beach.  Here's a recap of my busy but wonderful holiday break:

- Christmas Eve was spent in my old flat so that I could wake up with people around and was surprised when I actually had something to open on Christmas morning (thanks to my flatmate, Meagan).  Christmas Dinner was a BBQ with my friend, Amanda, and her family where I was treated to some nice dishes that I've never tried before (including Christmas pudding).

Tent in Pauanui, Coromandel

- On Boxing Day Amanda and I packed up the car and drove to the Coromandel peninsula which is about a 2 hour drive east of Auckland.  The peninsula is lined with beautiful beaches and beach communities.  We camped on a plot of land hired out by Amanda's brother and his friends.  It has a small building just large enough to fit a kitchen on one side and bathroom on the other and the rest of the plot has space for tents and a few camper vans which we used to keep our food in.

Daniel, Olivia, Carl, Amanda

- After a few days in the Coromandel we went back north through Auckland to the west coast of the north island.  We met up with our friends in Opononi (which is just south of 90-mile beach).  There were about 13 of us (not including the 7 children) camping outside of a bach (which is basically a rustic cabin on the ocean).  We had did some sandboarding, ate BBQ, set up a campfire, sang songs, drank and played games.  It was a perfect way to bring in the new year. 

- On Jan 2, Amanda and I packed up our tent once again and headed directly east to the other coast to see the Bay of Islands.  We stayed in a hostel that night and after the bars closed we kept it going by ending the night drinking warm Reisling from the bottle, sitting on the beach, with some of the guys we met at the bar.  It tasted disgusting but I enjoyed every minute of it.

- The next day we were heading out to Urupukapuka Island and Amanda tripped and although there was some blood the most damage was to her knee which quickly swelled up and couldn't take any weight.  It was a bad way to start off the most physical part of our trip (we had everything with us for two nights of camping including all of our food and water that we needed to carry up a steep path over a mountain to the other bay where we would camp).  It made things a bit tough but we were fortunate to have beautiful weather for our time there and we caught a concert on the island featuring Jordan Luck, formally a lead singer in a Kiwi band, The Exponents.

Mangawhai Heads tent site

- We got back to the mainland and stayed another night in Paihia at the hostel and had Amanda's knee checked out before heading south to Mangawhai Heads about 2 hours north of Auckland.  Another small beach town, this time we set up our tent at a site directly in front of the beach.  We took in another concert on Friday night (Fat Freddy's Drop, another Kiwi Band) and then lounged around the next morning, slowly coming to terms with the fact that the vacation was over.

Flight around Auckland

- The Sunday after we returned we closed out the vacation with a voucher I purchased to fly around Auckland in a small prop plane.  As we taxied to the runway I nervously asked the pilot how long he had been flying.  With three years under his belt and the plane already lined up to takeoff, I decided I didn't have much of a choice but to stay calm.  I was happy I did.  It was an amazing experience and I even got to fly the plane a few times.  Of course, I noticed he always checked to see that it could basically fly itself before handing over the controls, but I actually appreciated that over the alternative of plummeting to the earth under my control.

I spent two full weeks on the road.  Have become quite tan for the first time in years.  Cherished spending time with all of my friends here.  And absolutely LOVED spending time in New Zealand without the stress of a job.  Throughout the entire trip I had trouble remembering why I wanted to go back to the United States.  It's such a wonderful country and I have made awesome friends.  I can already feel the melancholy trying to take hold.  It's amazing how my mind changes as soon as the end comes nearer.

Back on the Road

Last February I found myself homeless.  I had packed my bags and was living under the roofs of generous friends.  I left a few weeks later and the trend continued until April when I moved into my own flat in Auckland.  Ten months later I am back on the road again.  I have moved out of my flat and will now be bouncing from place to place... 

December/January:  Our office closes on December 24 and doesn’t open again until January 17 so I’ll have plenty of time to travel around during the holidays.  On the docket…lots of driving:  the Coromandel peninsula, Opononi on the south end of 90 mile beach, and possibly south to Wellington with a hike at Tongariro along the way.  And as a little present for the New Year, I’m going to rustle up some graham crackers and marshmallows from the American store to have some proper s’mores over the holidays.

February:  Look out world, as of February 3, I will be unemployed.  Why would I quit a perfectly good job in a gorgeous country?  Well, I clearly live in a world of denial so what better way to spend that time then on the South Island.  In a land of adventure and beauty with glaciers and mountains galore.  And I get to share it all with my dad and his partner, Debbie, when they come over to meet me in Christchurch

March/April:  On March 8 I will be tearing myself away from New Zealand but since it wasn’t enough to travel straight home I am flying to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where I will start a few more months of living in denial in places I’ve never been.  Along the way I get to spend time with my best friend in Southern Thailand and my mom who will be backpacking with me for the majority of the trip.  And at the end of it all, when the money runs out and I just can’t see another temple or eat any more rice, I’ll be flying back to the US to face reality sometime around the beginning of May.

Only time will tell what’s really in store for me in the next few months, but I do know I have a busy month of planning ahead.  Let the fun begin…

Merry Christmas everyone!

Things to be thankful for:
- Snowy white days
- Cold weather that makes you want to stay in and snuggle up
- White lights on everything making the city light up when the dark falls at 5p
- Christmas carols that start after Thanksgiving
...Christmas just isn't the same without these wonderful things.

Knowing When to Quit

In the past few weeks things have been tough at work.  It's amazing what kind of a toll that can take on a person, particularly when the job is what is restricting me from travelling around the country.  I was frustrated and miserable as I made my way into work for yet another day last week.  I'm a hard worker and I fully expect to experience highs and lows in every position but lately, I started to feel like I had lost the point of my trip to New Zealand.  I've been so busy trying to figure out how to stay longer, I didn't stop to consider if that's still what I wanted. 

New Zealand is a beautiful place with amazing people.  The landscape is diverse and there are endless activities all year long.  I'm a very independent person and I believe I can adjust to just about anything.  I work for an international company with definite possibilities to grow my career.  And I have made so many wonderful friendships here.  But in the end, it's my ability to communicate with my family and friends back home that's been my biggest demise.  I can't just pick up the phone to share stories with them, but more than that I'm not getting in the travelling that I came here for, and mostly I'm afraid I'll wake up in three years and wonder where all the time went.

So what do I do?  Well, if you're me, you quit...or at least make it clear you aren't planning to extend your visa past its expiration in March.  And, you put all of your energy into planning the rest of your time in the country and your return home. Because let's face it, when you are halfway around the world, just jumping on a flight to get back to the States isn't nearly exciting enough.  I think I'll go the long way...

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go."

- Dr. Seuss, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" (1990)  I, like many others, received this book from my mom when I graduated college.  The immortal genius of Dr. Seuss lives on.

I've Clearly Lost the Plot

On Tuesday this week my brain must have stopped working because I signed up for the Auckland Marathon.  So not only have I registered to voluntarily run 26.2 miles, I've decided to do it for the first time in a city built on a dormant volcanic field. Genius.

Last February I signed up for my first half marathon and as I was training for that run, I decided that I would never want to run more than 13.1 miles.  Apparently pain has no memory because by the time the Chicago Marathon came in October, I was actually convincing myself that I could do a marathon if I put my mind to it.  The excitement as I watched a friend qualify for the Boston Marathon with only seconds to spare was contagious.  I did a bit of research, you know, just in case I thought I might want to sign up for the Chicago marathon.  It was scheduled for October 10, 2010...or 10-10-10.  All of a sudden this wasn't just an idea, it seemed possible (it's incredible what your mind can convince you of).  If I was going to complete a marathon I couldn't think of a better day to do it.  But, it wasn't to be, because I moved to New Zealand instead.  My goal of a marathon would have to wait...or would it?

When I arrived I resolutely decided to continue my running...which I did for about two weeks. Then there were foods to try and socialising to do (which involved alcohol, of course), and more food to try and wine to taste...and one thing lead to another and all of sudden my clothes weren't fitting like they should.

This past Monday I was at my limit.  I bit the bullet and joined the gym (which is $23/week as opposed to the $23/month I was paying at home).  With my membership (which is at the YMCA, one of the cheaper gyms in the city) came a personal trainer.  I dragged myself out of bed to make it in for my first appointment on Tuesday morning, at which point I had to admit out loud my horrible habits.  The culminating point was when I was asked to step on the scale.  Disaster.  I hesitated, I closed my eyes, I stood up tall and held my breath.  As the numbers flipped around to their final resting place, I chanced a glance down.  I didn't like what I saw, even in Kilograms I knew I didn't like it.

Well, all I can figure out is that when those numbers came up on the scale I must have gone into some sort of trance.  Who knows, maybe it was temporary insanity.  Within the hour I registered for the Auckland marathon.  If I needed something to work towards in order to get myself back in shape - I now had it.

That night I drove part of the course over the Harbour Bridge.  As my car climbed up over the bridge, my mind was trying to block out the fact that even in the car it seemed like a long way. Shit. (Pictured above is the Auckland Harbour Bridge)

I no longer need to worry about filling my days with distractions.  As of the end of June I will start training for what I can only assume will be a glimpse of a small bit of my own personal Hell.  What I can say is that barring any volcanic eruptions, I'll finish and I'll have something crossed off my bucket list to boot.

To give you an idea of what the course looks like, I've plotted it out on MapMyRun.com.  To see the elevation use the "View Elevation" button below the map.  You will get an idea of what the organisers call "rolling hills" during the first half of the course.  At least I can say I am looking forward to the views and getting back into shape as I work toward this goal.



Things to be thankful for:
- Good advice and encouragement from friends who are accomplished marathoners
- Two legs and feet that, as of today, seem to work quite well
- A ridiculous need for achievements
- Bucket lists, even if I do make it up as I go along

Just A Drifter in Chicago

I am now officially a vagabond, living on the streets of Chicago with my suitcases in tow.  I have a new appreciation for the homeless people with shopping carts - genius. I may just have to tackle one and run off with it. Dragging a menagerie of bags around as I move from place to place, isn't easy.

Fortunately, I'm not actually homeless. I'm staying with friends until I leave next week.  I turned in the keys to my apartment on Sunday. All of my furniture and belongings have been somewhat carefully packed away in storage. Unbelievably I fit almost everything I own in a 5x8 foot storage unit. There was much cajoling and manuevering involved, plenty of help, and more than one swear word, and a complete break down...but it's done.

I lived in my tiny studio for 3 years and 7 months of my life - the longest I've lived at a single address address since I moved to college almost 12 years ago. It was definitely bittersweet as I left. (My former studio apartment is pictured above. Note: the objects you see are not larger than they seem - it really is the size of a postage stamp, but I liked it.)

I'm now losing a lot more sleep, between not having my own bed to sleep on and trying to figure out questions that don't have answers (Am I doing the right thing? Will I make friends there? What if I hate it? What if I don't and I don't want to come back?).  Can I just start the trip already?  I want to get to the part where I'm having fun and not so tormented.  My only consolation is that the next blog I write will be from the other side of the world!!!

Personal Goals:
- Avoid tears on my last night out in Chicago this Saturday
- Get to Auckland safely and with some sense of sanity left
- Get some sleep!

New Zealand To Do List

I'm starting my to do list for New Zealand and requesting suggestions.  I will have up to 12 months to see as much of the country as possible, so I'm getting it organized. Since I have already been there once I know that there are a few things that I don't need to add.  For example, hurling myself off a bridge (or cliff) into the abyss below, held up only by the hopeful snap of a bungy cord, isn't going to make the cut of fun and entertaining things to do (maybe on a list of death defying acts, but I value my life too much for this one). There are, however, things that I missed during my first visit that I want to include:

1. Go Blackwater Rafting at Waitomo Caves
2. Tour the South Island
3. See a Rugby game 
4. Go camping
5. Ski the slopes on the North and South Islands
6. Figure out what a feijoa is (I can only vouch for its tasty infusion in vodka)

When I shared this small list with my friend who lives there, I was told that I had missed "a mental amount of stuff."  So, with help from someone who clearly loves the country, the ever-evolving list has grown substantially.

1. Eat a feijoa
2. Go fishing on Auckland harbour
3. Catch at least a snapper.
4. Try to see some dolphins or porpoise in the wild
5. Learn to wakeboard (the "teacher" has no idea the patience that will be required on this one)
6. See the Bay of Islands
7. Go to Cathedral Cove
8. Dig a pool at Hot Water Beach
9. Go wine tasting in the Hawkes Bay
10. Go to a cricket game
11. Go to Taupo
12. Check out a farm!!! (these are not my exclamation points considering I've seen several. I'll determine if it's worthy of the excitement)
13. Visit Wellington, and go to Te Papa (the national museum)
14. Play drinking games (I can vouch for the entertainment factor of this one)
15. Attend multiple BBQ's
16. See a kiwi band play at a small town pub
17. Learn the difference between a Mars bar and a Moro bar
    (Considering they are both chocolate bars, I'll volunteer for several taste tests to get this one right)
18. Check out a black sand beach (This is the kind that burns your feet when the sand heats up)
19. Eat a pie - a real one, a.k.a. a meat pie
20. Eat a Pavlova - it's Kiwi not Australian! (Either way, I'm still not sure what it is)
21. Attend the comedy festival
22. Kayak in the Marlborough Sounds
23. Walk the Tongariro Crossing (Rated the best one day walk in the world... apparently... by people who like walking)
24. See Wellington 7's rugby tournament (This may be difficult - all of the tickets for the games in 2010 sold out in 4 minutes)
25. Mountain biking in Rotorua or Woodhill forest in Auckland
26. Snorkeling at Goat Island - and feeding the fish
27. Hike Abel Tasman (a 2-3 day hike along the northern coast of the South Island)
28. Attend a big fancy dress party (a.k.a. costume party)
29. Glacier hiking
30. River sledging

I think this might be one of my favorite (or favourite) lists yet.  It's going to be entertaining trying to get things on this accomplished.  Let the fun begin....(and send my any other suggestions you may have).

About the photos: Top photo - Blackwater Rafting in Waitomo Caves; Second photo - A feijoa; Bottom photo (left) The National Rugby team, the All Blacks, performing the Haka before the game begins

And so it begins

Well, I've done it.  I'm heading to New Zealand in just 28 days.  I have recently decided to make a big (albeit, potentially brief) change in my life.  I have a flight booked for March 9, arriving in Auckland on the 11th (via Los Angeles).  My goal is to stay at least 2 months.  If I can find work, I may stay for up to 12, just to see what it's like to live like a Kiwi.

Since purchasing my ticket, I've been so excited that complete strangers are learning my plans (sometimes before my closest friends and family).  The woman at the bank who changed my address wished me luck, the kid that helped me with phone questions at T-Mobile was stoked, the guy at the Apple store showing me the wonderous benefits of the new iPod Nano thought it was totally cool, and even the Air New Zealand employee who helped me book my plane ticket was keen to hear about my plans.

I have been ridiculously giddy, for lack of a better term,...and just as it builds to near bursting levels, it hits me.  The fear.  The reality of what I am setting out to do brings me crashing back down.  I'm leaving my job, my friends, my family, most of my possessions, my cat, and my apartment to embark on a trip that will take me halfway around the world to who knows what.  My family is fully supportive of this move but that's not completely surprising because, as one friend put it, I come from a family of nomads (and adventurers).  And my friends may think I'm a bit nuts but for the most part they have been supportive, excited, and even at times a bit envious. 

So I continue on my emotional roller coaster ride, careening around the corners, and up and down the hills, silently screaming with excitement and fear the whole way.  All I can hope is that this ride, like the others, will end safely, leaving me with an adrenaline rush, very few bumps and bruises, an awesome experience, and the urge to jump right back in the line to do it all again.

Personal goals:
- Celebrate my 30th birthday in New Zealand
- Experience a new country and culture
- Discover what it's like to leave my security behind
- Create the stories to tell when I'm 90