... to the Bright Side of the Road

Didn't have much to type here the past couple of days because of the stupid cold lingering around the dorms, but I did make it through another Tuesday-Wednesday adventure with my friend Dan and the Van (veronica). This time I just let him make all the calls and plan it all out. I honestly don't care where I go, as long as I get out of this small town and explore somewhere new! This time we ended up driving north to Karangahake gorge, just past Te Aroaha. This place has loads of hiking trails, waterfalls, streams, and tunnels to adventure through and around. We parked the van and took the long 2.5 hr hike (one way) from Karangahake to Waihi. The trail guide pointed out various falls along the way which sounded pretty awesome, but after 2 hours of trekking, and NO falls, we were getting quite worried. The trail ended at a quaint little CAFE (caf) and miniature train station, where we devoured our saran wrapped sandwiches. After having a peek in the cute little place, we agreed to a coffee/cappicino next to the fire. Once we warmed up by the toasty fire place, we began our disappointed walk back, this time paying more attention to the trail signs. What would you know?, about mid-way back, we heard some rough water coming from up the hill. Jackpot...WATERFALL!!! I have to say, this was one of my favorites! So revitalizing. Okay sorry, I sound corny once again, but you really have to be standing next to me and gaze at these massive natural wonders! They just continually flow along, night and day, winter and summer, regardless of the changing world. Our eyes must have been wandering somewhere else on the way out to Waihi, because we also bumped into another trail on the way back that took us to another cool-as waterfall! After our hike, we drove back to Te Aroaha, to find a local market and grab some supplies for dinner later! Te Aroaha is a small little town, similar to many of the ones I have come across in my travels here, however they are marked by one very important trademark: L&P! Lemon and Paeroa is a fizzy (soda), World Famous in New Zealand, that started from some local blokes in the old days who made the genius decision to mix lemon and a little sparkling magic from an underground spring in Paoroa together in a glass! Right in the corner of towns square they have a giant L&P bottle standing about 30 feet high! Of COURSE we took pictures in front of it. Most likely the 80 billionth tourist to do so, but who cares! haha. We agreed on a pasta base for our meal because it was easy and we already had the noodles. So we stopped in the Four Square (market), picked up some tomato sauce, fresh bread, pepper, and onion. Then we skipped across the street to the local butchery to grab some fresh chicken to go along with it! We drove around for a bit, back through Te Aroha, and then made our way to Dickey's Flatt where we parked up for the night. Dinner was Amazing! Well pretty much anything is when you are free from the dining hall on campus! I'm serious. The next morning we packed up the van, and started on our way back home in the rain. Instead of heading back the way we came, we decided it might be interesting to loop down and around the coast bordering the Tauranga Harbour. We followed Rt. 2 and then jumped back on the familiar Hwy 29 West. I was also able to find two more Falls on the way home (Omanawa and I can't remember the name of the other at the moment), but they were also really cool and unique! I was exhausted and nearly fell asleep on the ride back to Hamilton, but had to pull myself together for my exercise/fitness tutorial at 4pm. Class was alright, but the climax of today was the SELF-SERVE dessert bar at dinner! Endless supplies of eskimo pie, ice cream, pudding, sprinkles, apple crumble, and lollies (candy) or every color and form! I'm sitting here at 12pm and I'm still full from my two bowl-fuls! haha Anyways I better get to bed, If I want to be able to function tomorrow! I have to meet with the Accommodation lady about some issues and with my presentation group after my 11am class. Good night world !

Surfing... Attempt #1

So here's the deal! I got out of my only class Tuesday at 9am and drove with my friend Dan over to Raglan beach to check out the west coast swell for the first time.

Just for those who don't know: Raglan Beach is well known to surfers all over the world. The only obstacle for groms is actually making all the way out here to New Zealand. Lucky me, its only a 35 min drive from my university! Not to mention, I am good friends with some kids that purchased a van, making this gnarley beach a convenience to get to! If I wasn't able to van-it out, there is a city bus that runs back in forth for less than $5 a way. There are multiple beach breaks in this town. The one of which we tried out Wainui Beach, which is known to be popular to all sorts of surfers, dragging in anywhere from 2-8ft swell on most days, and less rocks than the other beaches.

The water wasn't as cold as I had imagined, especially during the peak of their winter. I surfed barefoot with merely a 3/2 suit and was fine for about an hour. I was really disappointed though, because the waves were shitty. I hate saying this, but they were terrible. Very inconsistent, westward winds (best for raglan: south east), and lacking any wave length whatsover. Well, lets just say it was a white wash day! I stayed in until my patience was drained. When I got out I realized that the ocean ate my rainbow sandals. Lovely, just lovely. haha. But anyways we dried off and dan tried starting the van while I attempted to gain feeling in my toes. Van wouldn't even budgeeee.. battery was completely dead. A local Maori lent us a hand and helped us push the vehicle and toaster it (you know how they got it going in Little Miss Sunshine, where the family pushed it and quickly turned it on in third gear) down the hill. And after 3 attempts it WORKED! thank gosh. We then drove along the coast and quickly stopped to check the swell at Manu Bay! Rumor has it that Manu Bay has the longest, most accessible and consistent left-hand break in the world. This beach was much more rugged and the waves broke on a constant left and bent around this coastal peninsula. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

I really don't want to state any more negative aspects of this trip, but all in all, let me just say that the van stalled out completely. Engine shutting off, WHILE DRIVING, a good 8 times the rest of the day, one of which we were in the middle of nowhere, checking out Bridal Veil Falls, just south of Raglan. Eventually, after it seemed like hundreds of van pushing and pulling, we made it to a local mechanic who figured out Veronica's (the van) problem. People here are so nice here! We had a man see us struggling, pull over on the side and lend us a hand, a farmer run back to his house for a set of jumper cables, and a construction worker stop what he was doing and tow us by chain to the mechanic 3k's up a hill. Man were we lucky..

REGARDLESS of our obstacles, Raglan was beautiful!! The Bridal Veil Falls was unlike anything I had seen before, thick water rushing down and gathering in a narrow gully (just like the movies). And again, these pictures I have barely show what they look like in actuality. It is unreal! Really! Not trying to be cheesy!

Well we camped the night at this lookout, and woke up with a glass of hot tea that we warmed up on the camp stove (that came with the van) and the sunrise over the mountain. We explored around Whale Bay and then back around the city again, stopping once to make some scrambled eggs and toast. After, we got Veronica on the way again down highway 29, back to Hamilton and our university. After all, it was Wednesday, and I did have a tutorial at 4pm! haha

But we made it back safe and sound and I talked to Kristi and Dylan and looks like we are headed back out there for the weekend!! And the waves are supposed to pick up as well! :)

Until later,
JiLL

City Livin'

So yesterday I hopped on a bus with other international students for a day trip to Auckland. We stopped a long the way to explore "one tree hill", no not the tv show, but a large hill that is made up of multiple volcanic cones. It was rainy and windy (whats new) and we were barely able to hold our footing at the top. But the view was amazing. I don't know why, but it reminded me of Ireland even though I haven't been there before (just from the movies and friends' pictures i guess). Then we headed into the city and made it there at about 1 o clock. And the tour was retarded because the bus planned on leaving at 3pm back to little old Hamilton. My good friends Dylan, Dan, and Kristi were up here as well for the All Blacks (New Zealand's pro rugby team) game just outside of the city, but I didn't get a ticket in time, nor did i have the money to try to scalp one at the entrance. Luckily i met some pretty sweet kids to hang out with and stay for the remainder of the day. Their names were Grant, Alex (Germany), and Simone (Netherlands). They too were trying to stay the night in the city. Well from then on, everything fell into place. I got up with Kristi and they said they had enough room for me to camp out with them in the van and hang out after the game, Grant and Alex also had tickets to the game, but Simone had the same intentions as me and just wanted to explore and hang out in the city! Throughout the day, we wandered up and down Weseley and Queen Street, around the harbour, through Victoria Park (hung out in the trees, literally), went to see Harry Potter 6 in the IMAX theatre, and grab a few beers at some sweet-as pubs! Later on, Simone met back up with Alex and Grant, as for I met up with my friends! There seems to be a lot of irish pubs everywhere, because thats all we managed to find, with live music, guiness on draft, and tons of adults deckked out in black celebrating the All Black's victory. I spent my first official night in veronica (the van). And it wasn't bad AT all, minus the fact that I didn't come prepared with a sleeping bag. But i just ordered one off of Trademe.co.az which is like thier ebay for mad cheap! It will definately come in handy these next couple of months. Ew.. back to school tomorrow. Actually managed to go to the library and do all my reading today, so I should be set. But we are heading over to Raglan beach on Tuesday after my class and staying the night I suppose bc we don't have class until the afternoon on Wednesday, which is super convenient! Surf is supposed to be good too! And I'll get to take out my new boardd! woop woop! :) Nite yall!

Fluro party and semi-normal UNI life

So... everything has been going well. Papers (classes) are very similar to those in America. One thing I've noticed here though is that all of the students have very specific and interesting majors. Unlike the common answers I'm used to at our university's, "oh buisness management and accounting, etc." The kiwis, for the most part, are a little more creative with their career choice. I wish I could give you an example, but can't really remember the responses they had off the top of my head. Another cool thing about their program is that they do not require students to take basic studies classes. That is exactly what they spend their last years of high school completing and by college they are able to spend the complete 4 years in the direction and advancement of their degree. Which is pretty cool. I went to class yesterday and found out that they are changing it to an online course because the only professor apt to teach it, recently moved to the south island and has no other choice but to teach it over the internet. But that frees up my schedule for real. haha it's ridiculous. I have 2 classes monday, one class on tuesdays, wednesdays, and thursdays. And no class friday. So freaking easy. Let me remind you that I'm the girl who normally crams in 16-18 hours a semester, tackles 2-3 jobs, and finds time to go to the gym, go for a run, or get a surf session in, as well as go out at night. Its sweet though. Didn't think I would be able to handle it quite well at first, but my friends dylan and dan bought a sweet-as van so we'll definately take day and over night trips exploring this beautiful place! Not to mention surf!! I am dying to take this baby out!
Back to my stories... Last night tons of kids got dressed up to go into town for the Fluro party (NEON) at Bar 101. There is no doubt I Jumped on that opportunity!! haha, I freakin love bright colors. I have plenty of neon wear and accessories, and man if I had my costume bag back home, I would have been insanely decked out! haha. Anyways it was a blast! My friends Jess and Carl had packs of glow sticks and Hannah and Hayley bought neon face paint so we were all set! We even cut the glow sticks and flicked them all over our shirts. Don't worry its non-toxic! haha, but it was the best nite so far in Hamilton! I'm gonna shower and get ready for our "awesome" dinner! yuck. whatever... Wish Dlo and Jarrod could cook for me here! ahh anyways I'll catch up with you all later! <3

and UNI begins...

First of all, the high schools over here are called college, their college is called 'university', their courses are called 'papers', their soda is called 'fizzy', candy is called 'lollies', jackets- jumper, flip flops- jandles, sunglasses-sunnies, oh and I could go on and on! Some of the terms they use are so weird. Classes started Monday and so far they seem pretty cool and not too strenuous. I've met tons of people and having trouble keeping all their names straight. Just like freshman year all over again. But its still sweet as! I also noticed they add '-as' to everything. cool-as, sweet-as, mean-as, sick-as, and not to be pronounced like ass. Its pretty cool-as, u think?


A few days ago, we watched a New Zealand film called "Eagle vs. Shark"; which is HILARIOUS by the way. Almost resembles a New Zealand version of Napoleon Dynamite. Even Jermaine from Flight of the Concords is in it! If you can find it in the states, you all definitely need to check it out. Anyways one scene reminded some kiwis of this human size hampster wheel that they have at lots of the public playgrounds around the area. So yesterday after classes we drove up there and tested it out. Dude it was sick-as! Haha I'll put up a picture! Man the kiwi children are spoiled thats for sure. They have a million different seesaws and flying foxes (zip lines). Wish I could have grown up with those parks. Not too much is new. Just bought my books today and I'm going up to Aukland for the day Saturday which should be fun! I don't have class until 2pm tomorrow, but im so sleepy so I'm gonna crash! Nite kids xox

Sweet-as!

Classes or as they call them 'papers' start tomorrow morning. I'm actually kind of excited to see the difference in teaching strategies over here! Almost all of the kiwis are back which is pretty sweet-as! They are awesome and wickedly nice! haha, sorry I'm trying to add in any slang I pick up. Yesterday, me and my friends Dylan, Dan, and Kristi rented a car and drove to Tauranga cool little town on the east coast. The original intention of the trip was to go to a car auction at this Turner dealership. The guys have been checking out these sweet
hippie/fully-loaded (camp supplies, bed, stove, etc) vans to buy for their time here to take cross country around the island. Unlike most of the Americans and international students, we are the only ones that seem to be attracted more to the beauty of the country: the mountains, endless shores, natural waterfalls, hot springs, rather than the touristy and over rated Rotorua (home of zorbing, bungey jumping, and caving). Don't get me wrong now, these sport(not plural in NZ, don't worry I'm not retarded) seem super bad ass and cool, but I'd rather get out there and travel up and down the coasts, and off-road!
Okay sorry I trailed a bit off topic, however verdict is that neither one of those vans worked or even turned on, which would be a problem! haha. But we made an adventure out of the drive, grabbed lunch in town at this cool local cafe called Gusto's, stopped in a few surf shops, and hiked up Mt. Manunganui. Not to mention I was able to find a surf board!! Ah it is so nice! Brand new, 5'10, tri-fin, slight fish! So excited now! Definitely need to make it up to Raglan Beach, for sure soon to operate a little test shreddage! So excitedd.
The beach there was awesome! Just imagine you walking on the beach, squishing sand between your big and index toe, while effortlessly scooping up pristine conch and clam shells. Although it was a bit rainy and cloudy, it was amazing and definitely great to make it to the coast and get out of Hamilton! I'm actually exhausted and can't keep my eyes open any longer so I've got to go. I'll update you all on the rest tomorrow if I get a chance!

nite..

weather forecast: rain, rain, rain...

In the winter thats all it seems to do here. RAIN! I still only have about half of my clothes so I have been trying to reuse and dry everything I have here. Its also the Kiwi's holiday between semesters so most of them are home right now. The dorms are swarmed with international students, so i can't wait til the locals come back. Dorm is kinda nice and quiet right now, but I can't wait for the crazy kiwis to come back. Food here is gross and barely edible. lol for instance i grabbed the supposively "chicken cordon bleu" and it was nearly impossible to cut through. Should have called it a hockey put. The eggs are made from a powder. They don't have juice. Need I say more. But I'm making it by. Its like freshman year all over again living in the dorms but probably the best way to meet people! Can't complain about the people thou. Everyone here is pretty sweet! I love love love the lingo too. I actually have to run (literally). Just drank 2 cups of coffee so im wired. But I'm organizing a trip to take the bus into town today after lunch so that should be pretty sweet-as! I'll let u know how that goes

laterrr

Goodbye America

Im sitting on the floor in the airport waiting for my name to be called either in French or English. Hopefully they decide to go the American way with this. Good thing is that I’m already exhausted. Marissa tired me out for sure. Today we drove up the coast through Dana, Laguna, Newport, Huntington, and all the way up to Venice Beach. We took a break in Laguna and walked around to an awesome surf shop called Thalia. Also stopped in an art gallery next door and checked out some sweet ocean photographs! Ended up buying the California Surf Tour book with photographs of the swell all the way up the coast. Its also signed which is pretty sweet! We stopped in a smoothie bar and bakery and I tried some coconut water that I had heard about once before and it was delicious! I think it was called VICO?! You all should try it if you get a chance. Then we hopped back on the road again and headed up to Venice Beach to meet up with Jen Magicarpe, one of Marissa’s friend and Thomas’s sister. We grabbed and early dinner at the sweet outdoor Italian restaurant and then walked up the boardwalk to take a look at the constant freakshow. Its like a circus out there, people break dancing with chairs, men running around in tiny speedos, rollerbladers winding through the crouds, medical marijuana prescription diagnosis , and little groms shredding the cement path on their skateboards. It gave us a laugh for sure! People are crazy though. I have to pack this little laptop up because they starting to board the plane! But I love everyone and will see your beautiful faces again in November! Adios America! Happy fourth of July!

A stop along the wayyy

So I'm relaxing on Marissa's porch in San Clemente, California, sipping on a glass of red wine and soaking up the refreshing west coast ocean breeze right now. Couldn't ask for anything more! I mean come on! Already missing all my kids back home! Aka my friends, dont worry guys Im not preg-o. haha. but i'm sure u all know that. Getting ready for a Roxy surf video premiere viewing in about a half an hour and I'm stokked. Food here is amazing and all pretty healthy, which u all know I'm all about! Went surfing today, wasn't too great, but It was sweet to get out and experience the west coastt swell. Its freezing out here, well at least compared to good old wilmington. The water and the air really cool down at night! I gotta run off to my next adventure, but I'll catch up with u later!

much loveee,

Jilllllll