Why, hello New Zealand!

Today I woke up bright and early at 6am and finished packing my bags up. My friend Holly was going to the airport to meet her sister who was arriving around the time of my flight, so we decided to take a cab together to Southern Cross Station and then the Skybus together. We arrived at the airport around 8ish, and got some lunch for later and had a coffee and relaxed. I was exhausted, since I went to bed late, around 3am...

My flight took off pretty much ontime, and it was smooth sailing all the way to Auckland where we arrived ontime. I got lucky and sat in row 3 at the window, just the way I like it, and I am pretty sure the seat I was in was premium economy because I had so much leg room. It was uber comfy, thanks Pacific Blue! I sat next to a couple, Dave and Vicky, who were from Auckland coming back from a trip in Bali. They were around my parents age, and were super nice. They own a pool designing company and also work closely with their son who is a car racer. Totally awesome. Anyway, as we landed they asked how I was going to get to the city. I told them by bus and they said, well, we're going that way! We can drop you off at the Ferry Terminal!

So, we walked through the terminal, stopped in duty free, went through customs, and got baggage and left together just like we were a family of three. We had great conversations and they were so friendly and nice. It was almost like they were family! It was really nice that they drove me, and it saved me $16 dollars and a lot of time! What good karma for them. I was so thankful. They dropped me off at the ferry building, where my Mum was waiting for me. We took the ferry back across to Devonport, where my Nana and Granddad live.

I was welcomed to Auckland by a rainbow!

We relaxed the rest of the day, and I ate a super early dinner, considering I am 2 hours behind NZ time. I am still hungry, and can't seem to get full. Oh well, I will just go to sleep.

Tomorrow I am going to visit my granddad who is in the hospital recovering from surgery, and will go see my Uncle, Cathy, and my 2 little cousins for the afternoon and dinner. It should be a great day.

Alex, me and Douglas

I have only been here for the afternoon, but I have to say, my heart is aching for Melbourne. I know its silly, and I am super happy to be here, but I do love Australian culture so much. Even New Zealand feels super different- with its measly 4 million population. I was watching the news and noticed it seemed to be more grim, and there seemed to be a lot more accidents and bad shit going on, whereas in Australia, things never seem too bad. Of course theres always a bunch of crazy stories, but it seems different here. Also, kids on the news seem so much more wreckless and bratty. Don't get me wrong, I love this country; and it is part of who I am. But, I think that the Australian way of life just suits me better.

It will be a great 6 days in New Zealand. I am excited to see the family and continue to see the differences between Australia and New Zealand.

Gorgeous view of Auckland at Dusk

Far too long in between updates..

Wow, it has been a while since I have updated. I guess it has almost been a full month... pretty crazy. Things in Australia have been wonderful. It has been hard to make myself sit down and write a blog since I have been having so much fun. Classes end in about a week, which is kind of ridiculous. I cannot believe how fast time has gone by... So what has been new with my life? Here's a few short updates...

I met a guy a few weeks ago, and I've been seeing him a bunch, which has been really fun. He's really wonderful and we get along super well and he makes me happy. He is also a chef, and cooks amaaaazing food.

Been going out a lot with friends, partying it up, taken advantage of the fact that I am actually legal to drink here. Tried absinthe, which was a cool experience, although contrary to popular belief, it does not make you hallucinate. Went out to Frankston for a night, which is out towards the Mornington Peninsula, to hang out with Stephen and his friends.

Wine tour Reunion Pic #2

Took a few long walks around the Botanical Gardens which is beautiful, as usual. Also, got a chance to go to the Shrine of Remembrance, which is a huge building, that reminds me of the Lincoln Memorial in D.C., that is dedicated to the soldiers of Australia.

Casto and I in the Botanical Gardens

Arnaud from California is here visiting Katie! It has been soo awesome to see someone from back in the U.S. I miss people from Oxy and such, but I wouldn't change a thing right now, cause I'm super happy to be here. Katie and I, also celebrated our half birthdays on May 17th, since we awesomely share a birthday!

1/2 Birthday Girls!

I'm going to New Zealand from the 28th-June 3rd to visit my family and my Mum who has been in New Zealand since she left Australia, staying there to help out Nana since Granddad is sick and has been in the hospital. I am super excited to see everyone.

Finals are coming up soon. Luckily things are spaced out perfectly, so I'm not worried at all.

With the end coming closer, I have made a list of about 15 things I want to do around Melbourne. My last final is on June 21st, and I leave June 30th, so I plan on utilizing those 8 days or so to do the things that I want to, but haven't had the chance to do yet. I am already starting to, see what I will miss about Australia when I am gone. Lots of the little things: i.e. hand sushi rolls on the go, the trams, accents, fun Aussie slang (which I hope I won't lose once I get back to the US... i.e. bogan, how ya going, whinging, good on ya, etc... I must remind myself not to lose this!). Also, I am going to bring Vegemite back home, because even though I haven't had it much here, I really sort of like it...

Laura and I on Absinthe Night

Anyway, I am really sad that in a month and 10 days I will be heading back to NY. But I will be back, since I decided to move here after I graduate early in February. I feel like Australia is where I should be at this point in time. Not necessarily forever, because I do miss home, but just for now, until I can figure out where my life will take me...

I love this city.

Time to go write a paper...