"When you're happy like a fool, let it take you over..."

It is Wednesday at approximately 10:45 am and I have just completed my FIRST final! That's right... 1 class down, 3 to go! I thought I would blog while I had a free moment because tonight/the rest of the week I will be extremely busy! With a presentation tomorrow, a final paper due Friday and 2 final papers due next week- the library and I will become the best of friends over the next few days. Victoria's library is no Herman B. Wells, but I guess it'll have to do!

My View.

As I was walking home from my exam today, the clouds parted and the sun came out (which was a good thing because it was a little chilly walking to my 9am class!) The views that I have walking to and from class are astonishing and they still never get old. (Definitely something I will miss!) On the way back home, I found myself day dreaming about this city as well as all of the cities that I will soon see! With 28 days left, I have A LOT to jam pack in that short amount of time.  Starting next week, Brenda, Hillary and I will be heading to Dunedin where we will spend a night there and visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory (fat, I know!) for a tour! We will also be visiting The Speight's Ale House for dinner and a tour of the brewery! 

We will also be heading to Lake Wanaka for a few days for fun activities, not to mention we will be driving (nervous!). But the playlists for the burned CDs are being compiled as I write!

Grandma Georgia.

I am so excited for a little get away and I think it is definitely necessary with all the work that we have been putting in. Don't get me wrong I LOVE Wellington, but I need that traveling fix! I definitely made the right decision to come and study here. This city has given me so much, I will forever be grateful. As my time is dwindling, I am really trying to take in as much as I can and appreciate this experience for what it has been. I will be so sad to leave, but also excited to be reunited with my friends and family back home. There have been reminders of them everywhere and I feel like they are always with me. This past weekend in particular, walking around the waterfront, there was a docked boat with the words "Sweet Georgia" which instantly reminded me of Grandma Georgia and got me so excited to see her and all of my extended family at the annual Ackermann/Mullins 4th of July family beach trip!

Artwork @ City and Sea Museum.

I know I need to focus on this experience because with less than a month left, I am distraught over the idea of leaving this place. I have truly come to call it my second home and feel so content here. Wish me luck on my finals! Ready to have them over with! 

Musical choice for today?

      "We Walk in Circles" by Computers Want Me Dead.

Until next time.. XOXO,

                 Ams

P.S. Check out my friend Claire Shirley's blog. She is one of my best friends from high school/ back home and has been a HUGE support system while I have been abroad! She spent the semester at IU, however has been chosen (as 1 of 11!) to partake in an IU research program in Eldoret, Kenya. She will be researching and reporting on the HIV/AIDS epidemic there. She has truly done some amazing things and has traveled quite a bit in her short life. I am so very proud of her and cannot wait to be reunited in the fall!!! 

Claire and I. She's the best.

"Don't you go and let the world weigh you down..."

This week marked a significant time in my study-abroad experience. This past week was my LAST full week of classes... that's right.. next week is FINALS, people!!! Where has the time gone?!
I cannot believe it.. tomorrow (Sunday for me) marks the 1 month countdown until heading back home (that's right, Maggie- ONE MONTH.. I remember when you had a 4 month countdown..)..., I am shocked with how fast the time has gone by (truly, tragic!!) and the experiences that I have had along the way have definitely been memorable!
 I have had my ups and my downs... but boy, has it been worth it!!!!! I have learned so much about myself, what I value and the appreciation I have for people and for life!!! I have had moments of peace, serenity, sadness, tranquility, anger, frustration, loneliness, and moments when I have laughed so hard that I have cried... it's all just a part of the experience, right?

Brenda and I with the birthday girl!

This week has consisted of studying and beginning to gather resources & ideas for final assessments... as well as Yoga and city-walks w/ Lauren, outings w/ Brenda, a friend's birthday and more! On Friday, our friend Kristen turned 21 so we headed out for her birthday! It was nice to see her and some old familiar faces!

Saturday consisted of going out to breakfast w/ Brenda, the City and Sea Museum w/ Brenda and Hillary and just walking around Wellington--taking yet another day to admire and appreciate this city we have come to call our second home. Here are a few highlights from this weekend!

Obviously had to check this out.

Sleeping Kiwi :)

Mermaid. 

Boyfriend Wall.

I like yo' China! 

Sapphire Ball? 

Kappa? 

One of the most significant parts of my experience has been meeting the people that I have met here. With some help from TEAN, Victoria University and the city of Wellington- I have met some pretty incredible people on my journey thus far! They have been my support system while I am here and have provided much love, support and entertainment for me! (I have also had the unfortunate experience of meeting some 'duds' that have brought drama & negativity into my life and tried to taint this experience for me.) It only took me 3 1/2 months, but I have finally realized that you cannot please everyone and sometimes you just need to do what is best for you and avoid those types of people. Should have listened to mama because like she always says, 'Trust your gut!' Well  momma, you have been right from the beginning! Thanks for the advice and clarity! :)

Brenda and I by the water front!

I have met some truly amazing people here who have introduced me to some awesome music, culture and more of NZ!! Some things that I love here and will miss terribly:

-Kumera Chips (NZ version of sweet potato fries--order them as often as I can-nom!)
-Walking everywhere-soo skinny! (although honesty day- do miss the Cam baby somedays!)
-Wellington nightlife. It is just fun. Period.
-Kiwi accent (especially when you hear a nugget kiwi speak!)
-The Creche by my house... I get to hear babies and young children yelling, laughing and screaming everyday.. music to my ears! (Not to mention it reminds me of volunteering at the YMCA in the Play N' Learn area!)

One thing people have asked me about (esp PP!) is the music here in Welly. While American music is very popular in NZ, there are also some pretty awesome NZ bands as well. I have been receiving some pretty great music from a local (inside) Kiwi source (Nick-you are the bomb..keep the links coming!!)

The first song that I would like to share?
 'One' by Shapeshifter

 Enjoy, dolls!! Sending my love from the other side of the world!,

                                 (d)Amy

Cape Palliser & a great ending to the day!

So much happened this day/weekend.. I needed to split the post up into two parts... 

....While eating lunch @ the Pinnacles, we came across a lovely German couple who suggested that we make a trip to Cape Palliser while we were here.  Not too far from our current location we were told so.... Doin' It, we decided. We loaded up into the Silver Bullet and decided to head towards our destination.

The Silver Bullet.

While driving down the highway, I was woken up from my nap (typical) to one of the girls practically yelping to stop. SEALS. EVERYWHERE. One seal was so close to the road, we almost hit it! Danielle stopped the car and we all piled out to get up close and personal with the seals! It was amazing how they all were just hangin' out by the coast. A truly magnificent sight.  Danielle offered to get a picture of me with the seal so I started creeping towards one when all of the sudden it lifted its head and made a sound that I could not imitate if my life depended on it.  I was so scared, I practically sprinted back towards the mini-van.  One thing I have learned here- DO NOT try and pet the seals. I guess Kiwi-seals are not that friendly. I don't know why it did not want to take the picture with me- I even offered to tag him on Facebook... anyways- over it....

No Paparazzi.

We continued on our way towards the Cape Palliser- and then I saw it. THE LIGHTHOUSE. I don't know what it is with me and lighthouses but my heart began to race and I got really jumpy. The sights were absolutely extraordinary. Once we parked the car, we read the sign that talked about the lighthouse and it said that we had to walk up 250 steps to get there! Well here went nothing.. 

250 steps....

(There used to not be any steps.. so back in the day- they had to climb up this mountain.)

...it was exhausting. No matter how many Zumba/Pilates classes I attend, just when I think I am in shape here, nature always has a way of humbling me.  Those stairs were worth the pain and sweat though, the sites were amazing.. take a look for yourself! Even though pictures do not do this country and its sites justice....

Just another day in the life...

....it had been truly an amazing day. It was so nice to meet new people- and any friends of Colleen and Danielle's are sure to be wonderful & they were. It was so nice to spend some time with Colleen and Danielle because they were some of the first people that I met on this trip through TEAN, and for that I am forever indebted to TEAN. Because we go to different universities here in Wellington, it can be really difficult to meet up with the girls. I am so madly obsessed with both of them- they both have huge hearts and are super fun and creative. Danielle is goofy and love-able with such a fun sense of humor. She is always down to have a good time and just really easy to get along with.  Colleen is wild and so entertaining and really has a unique style that is all her own.  When I first met her thru to today, I call her the "next Betsey Johnson" because she is just fun and not afraid to be herself! Danielle and Colleen are best friends from college so it only makes sense that I have the best time when I am with them... not to mention they love and accept the fact that I love babies are more than willing to discuss it with me... 

250 steps.. yet again..

...it was so sad that our trip came to an end, but after Cape Palliser and a quick stop to eat- it was time to head back towards Wellington.  Fun stories in the car and reminiscing on fun memories here made for an eventful and much needed trip.  Although getting a little traveling fix.. I am ready to begin planning my next adventure... why is this such a vicious cycle?!! 

With Danielle and Colleen @ the base of the Pinnacles.

Until next time- much love on this end! XOXO

-(D)Amy

How Very Lord of the Rings of You...

What a weekend!

After the long week of work, it was time for another amazing weekend! On Friday, I went into the city and met with our friend Hillary for some food. She then came back to our house and we planned our trip that we were taking to Dunedin in early June. After that, Hillary and I realized that we have very similar final schedules so we decided on some more traveling that we want to do after finals and before our sad departure at the end of June. It was then off to bed because I had to be up @ 7am for the day trip with the girls!

Colleen had some friends coming into town so she wanted to show them an amazing time. She and Danielle, along with their two flatmates, two friends and I loaded into the Silver Bullet (our amazing minivan) and headed outside of Wellington towards the Puntangirua Pinnacles. (A Lord of the Rings site, I was told) It was ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING. Not only was the drive amazing (although I have yet to find a drive here in NZ that does not leave me in awe...) but once we arrived, I could not believe what was before my eyes... these tall rock formations that looked like an exponentially larger version of sand-drip castles you make at the beach.

Trekking away.

We started our trek on the path that led us to the base of the pinnacles. Using stepping stones to cross rivers and sifting through rocks and rubble, I felt like a kid on a mission to explore the unknown.  Upon reaching the base of the pinnacles, I stopped to look around at the views. Remarkable and all of its synonyms were the only words that came to mind. I was actually speechless- I had never seen anything like it. Avoiding the "Caution, falling rocks" signs, the girls and I decided to march right up to the pinnacles for a photo op- no amount of mud or sweat would stop us.

Magnificent.

Up-close and personal w/ the Pinnacles.

Next, we decided to do the long trek up to the lookout. What an adventure; after walking (and sweating) up at a consistently steep incline for a long time, we made it up to the lookout and boy, was it worth it.  After persuading the lovely Germans (there are TONS of them here!) to take our photo, we decided to plop down and have lunch on the lookout platform. SO fun.  After taking a long break, we decided to head back down the mountain. Talking with the girls about everything from the future and our aspirations to babies (may I point out that Colleen and Danielle were two of the first people here to love and accept the fact that I love babies and everything to do with them? True friendship.) to our experiences here, and GLEE- we were down the mountain and back to our car in no time.

On the way up to the Lookout.

Our view from our Lunch spot :)