Smiles

Experiences that make me smile happen so often but here are a couple of my favorites from the last month.

Brunch:

A group of us had decided to meet up for a $5 english breakfast so after rounding the troups (except JJ cause I forgot I had his number) we went down to the pub. Arriving at 11:00 on a saturday we were asked for id, to eat breakfast. As we all had been out the night before this was quite confusing and because I only had my Minnesota license (which is really thin and looks kinda fake) I almost didn't get breakfast. The best part of this is that I have never had a problem with my id while actually drinking.

Mikenna had been holding the table so she went to get water...and was also id'd. To continue with the amazingness the menu had stated scrambled eggs and they came out sunnyside up. Than Sebastian did not receive his breakfast. With the grand finale of the amazing breakfast to have a dove fly out of Mikenna's hair...we didn't know that she was a magician! Okay so it just flew right by her head but overall the brunch was great since it was so interesting.

Golf:

During week 8 post arm break, which is when I should have been able to ride my bike the weather was incredibly windy and/or raining. As such I could not try to ride again. This made me unhappy and I started to get in quite a funk.

So when Friday came around and it was raining and JJ suggested the driving range I was super excited. Everyone had to wait until after my physio appointment...where I asked if golfing was okay. She said that if I hit the ground it would be really painful but take it easy and stop when it starts getting tired.

JJ, Jorge, Max, Ester and I all got into the car and were getting a little concerned as lightening and than hail came down. I can only imagine what our motley crew looked like as we dashed from the car through the rain into the range. Jorge and I are both lefthanded golfers so we fought for clubs (okay so we didn't).

I got through about a half bucket of balls before I couldn't hold my club anymore. It felt great to be able to get out aggression through the balls and my 6 iron skills were actually better than normal. The only thing was I couldn't use my woods because the vibrations came back into my arm, which is my favorite part of the game.

Watching JJ, Ester and Max's form

I then watched the others. Everyone has their own style and it's great to watch people. Jorge's is a really fast swing. Max has a short aggressive swing. Ester has a tense/relaxed swing. JJ has a relaxed natural swing. I suppose if I was my normal self I wouldn't have seen any of this but it's interesting to see how people move when doing activities.

We than continued on and drove around the bays...the route I had taken on my bike a couple of months earlier. Luckily the wind was so fierce that there was no way I would've been out on my bike that day. We stopped at the Chocolate Fish cafe and continued to the Bach Cafe. Where Ester had the most amazing Iced Chocolate...it had marshmellow, ice cream, chocolate flakes, chocolate sauce and chocolate milk....in other words it was amazing.

We got back in time to have downtime prior to starting Sarah and Michelle's going away party.

Pirates vs. Gypsies:

I realized that I had been to only one concert since I got to New Zealand and that I needed to dance to a live band. Mikenna in need of a show so we made it our goal to find some on Saturday night. We also convinced a group that they wanted to go.

We were going to wander to a couple of bars hoping for good music but Jack came back talking of Pirates vs. Gypsies. This was all the information that was given to us but did we need more? No, because it was Pirates vs. Gypsies. Going up the stairs to the Mighty Mighty I had no idea what to expect but once getting into the venue I knew this was going to be an amazing night.

The venue was cozy but decent sized with couches and chairs in case you didn't want to dance. Entering the band had eye patches and a washboard player...punkish stylings. It was lively and fun to dance to and even Max got on the floor.

The second band, the gypsies, came out through the crowd with a sax, trumpet, accordian, trombone, and tuba. Generally the evening was exactly what I needed and so much dancing happened. It's crazy how much more fun dancing is when it's to a band and not a DJ. The best $5 I've spent in a long time.

Clean up:

It was National Clean Up week so the hostel adopted the street outside to clean up. Well there is a walking path up to the hostel that is a perfect spot to sit at night and drink....which is evident if you have to clean it up. We had 20 bags full of trash and barely dented the garbage.

After the clean up we decided to go for fish and chips and than a walk. We had a massive amount of fish and chips and continued to the beach. We started up a creek bed and saw a little dam. Continuing on we crossed the creek a couple of times. Since my new hiking boots are waterproof I decided to take my own route across...which ended up with me falling in the creek...yes I am that good at life. My pride has officially died and I buried at sea.

characters in the play that is my life

I realized that I have provided no background on any of the people that are currently my friends...here's a brief description of some of the more prevalent personalities.

Matt - Canadian who left for home and university a couple weeks into my trip. He told me a bunch of little hints and we wandered around wellington together. Also, was a roommate.

Zeke - Scottish roommate every time I came back to wellington till Sept, which ended up being way more than expected. The "yes" man of what would be three people. Just as stubborn as me.

Kiet - Malaysian roommate who told me the weather by singing U2's 'Beutiful Day' on nice days. Had broke his wrist twice so understood my frustration and helped me see the big picture.

Mikenna - American and my New Zealand counterpoint to Emily. Cook, drink, and explore together. Generally makes the better decisions.

JJ - Frenchman who was the third in Zeke and my drinking party. Always up for something. Great at organizing outings such as golf, tramps and general good times

Jill and Bas - Older couple who adopted me when I broke my arm. Jill is vivacious and a wonderful cook/faux-mom. Bas is a wily farm, quite sarcastic and reminds me of my grandfather...we got along great (but don't tell him that).

Sarah M - Englishwomen with a dry wit and helps me meet my judging quota

Katy - English, has a plan and if greatly organized. Loves the small things as much as me...was roommate first time in Wellington.

Jorge -German who is up for exploring and has great sense of humor...also makes great spatzle

Max - Surly german who has a dry sense of humor and who's soul will be crushed when i can finally play basketball again

Esther - Dutchee who loves to dance and is great fun.

Meg - Kiwi, manager of the backpackers I kept returning to in Wellington...spunky

Phil L - American from Iowa. Also a cyclist who helped me get back on my bike. Understands the awesomeness of hotdishes.

Phil W - Englishman who is "singy". Always brightens everyones day with is upbeat personality and constant singing.

Alessandro - Italian who taught everyone to make pizza....delightful and also my roommate...we had our own language in the mornings since neither of us were morning people

Padraig and Collin - Irish lads, not a couple but homosexual....faaaiirrly certain....Padraig is loud and hilarious and Collin is reserved and funny

Biding time

End of August

August 10th

I arrived back in Wellington in time for a bunch of my friends to also be back. I spent a week with them relaxing and then went to the doctor for an appointment. To my great pleasure he told me that my arm was healing nicely and that I could get a new cast....this one below the elbow. So I chose my beautiful pink color and rejoiced (to all in the hostels annoyance) about being able to bend my elbow again. It is an amazing experience to go from not being able to touch your head/face to being able to. People that have never had the opportunity to discover this really don't understand the freedom that this allows.

August 15

After this I decided to leave Wellington for a couple of weeks as I had no idea the amount of rehab that would be necessary, and as such the next time I would be able to leave. I headed north to New Plymouth to see Mount Taranaki and more importantly up to Waitomo Caves and glow worms.
In one of the Caves at Waitomo

New Plymouth was nice I did get to see Taranaki but did not get pictures. I also got to enjoy the sunset on the beach.

Than I went to the Waitomo Caves with their glow worms....which were amazing. Imagine being on a river in a cave and looking up to a night sky with more stars then you have ever seen. That is the caves. I went on a basic cave tour first, which was a one on one tour, and had a great time discussing caves and everything with the guide. Than I went to the most famous of the caves, which are famous for good reason. Both tours were great for the different atmospheres they presented.

Once I was done with the caves I proceeded to Whitecliff Brewery which is home of Mike's Beer including a double IPA and a Whiskey Porter. The first day I got to go in the beer vat to help clean it out. It was an interesting time as I was helping a guy with a badly injured foot and I had my broken arm that I couldn't get wet. I spent most of my five days there making a sign for Oktoberfest and then hitched a ride back to Wellington since they were going down for Beervana.

Since August 25th I have been in Wellington, some of the highlights of this stay include:

Getting my cast off...only to realize the true journey has just begun. I still can't rotate my arm. Ligaments are not happy with me. Luckily I have friends here to pick me up when I need a hug, encouragement and if necessary a beer.

Making sushi with Zeke and JJ for us, Mikenna and Sarah. We went a little crazy and had enough food for 10 people.

Finding a salsa dancing place. I will convince the world that salsa dancing is amazing, even if you aren't good.

Hiking with JJ and Jorg and seeing this amazing picture. I just hope that bikers and dogs don't get confused!

Finishing a hike with a full out 30 minute run down a hill, to get out of the park 3 minutes prior to the gate locking. I'm not sure how I did not fall down the cliffside and injury myself more. The worst part was the last bit was amazingly beautiful in the sunset but none of us (JJ, Jorg, Mikenna or Phil W) could take photos.

Long Island iced tea night, and everyone at the hostel being crazy. Followed by sangria and potroast night.