So Long, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Good Night.

Sunday 3rd May

So here it is... the last day of my New Zealand Adventure! I really can’t believe that the time has gone so quickly, but I’ll come back to that later! Today I got up very early, got a shower, got my things together and then took a Shuttle Bus to the airport.

I was nice and early for my domestic flight to Auckland so I just got some breakfast (chocolate and crisps) and messed around on my laptop for a bit. I put my earphones in and selected a song on my iPod, hit play and then... Mr iPod died. I was distraught. We have been together for almost 3 years and I really do love my iPod. Sure, he’s not tiny, he doesn’t have a touch screen, I can’t use him to make or receive calls, but I still love him, in all his chunky goodness. Realising that there was nothing I could do about the death of my iPod I listened to music on my laptop, well Netbook. I’m so glad I put all my music on this bad boy – life would have been a little worse if I hadn’t. It would also have been a lot worse if I hadn’t bought this little Netbook with me!

Eventualy I got on the flight to Auckland, it was a really small plane – maybe six seats the whole way across, but the flight was fairly short, so I tried to take a nap. When I got to Auckland I had to change terminals – I walked for over a mile and eventually got to the right terminal. I found the check in queue, checked myself in (after a hurried call home to find out where I was staying in the US) and then I proceeded through security to the departure lounge area. I waited around, browsed, ate some food and then slept on the floor. I will never judge the people that do that. I was just so tired, I just needed to nap. I’m not even sure if I was asleep, I think I was half asleep and half awake, but it was still nice to “rest my eyes”. Then, scared that I was going to miss my flight, I got up and found my actual departure gate, waited in line for a bit and then got on the plane. It was one of those really big airplanes – with more than one level, so that was really nice. It was a Qantas flight and I LOVE Qantas – they are just amazing. You even get a menu to choose your meal from! There was also so much complimentary food on this trip, I was in heaven! They gave you the little sleeping kit, with the socks and toothbrush etc, a snack bag with bottled water, chocolate, crisps etc, then they gave out Chocolate Ice Cream Lollies – the good kind! You had dinner, which was really lovely (I got chicken and rice I think) and then they had Cadburys Hot Chocolate and other snacks! It was amazing! You also got free drinks and then there was the breakfast – I got a sausage and egg thing with a yummy muffin, milk and some fruit. I was very happy indeed.

I watched “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” which I didn’t think was all that good. The story wasn’t too bad, but it just didn’t do it for me. Also, the way it ended was so flipping stupid – (if you haven’t seen it then look away for a second) why did he leave her to go die? He grew young anyway and she ended up having to look after him – surely they could have spent that time together. Why didn’t he stick around to meet his daughter? She found out about him in the end – yes the dynamics are off, he gets younger while his daughter gets older, but he’s still her father, he’s just a little different to the other dads. What a stupid movie. The whole “look at me, I’m ageing backwards” thing didn’t bother me – the stupidity of the characters did. After wasting some of my life watching that movie I watched “Marley and Me” and I was so impressed. It was a really beautiful movie, so honest and simple. If you haven’t seen it, then you should really go watch it – there is so much more to that movie than a cute dog. It’s about life - married and family life especially and it deals with how it isn’t always easy – it shows you how difficult life can be, but it also shows you how there is good in everything. The dog, Marley, is obviously fundamental to the movie – but he isn’t just there for comedic value, he adds so much more to the movie. I literally wept during that movie – I didn’t even try to contain myself, I just sat with my little free blanket up at my chin and cried. I love animals but I really do think that dogs are the most amazing creatures. I have my very own little dog, Kelso, and I think he is just the best – that was probably why this movie made me cry like a baby, I was thinking of Marley as Kelso. Aww man, I can’t even explain it, you just need to see the movie and I just need to go home and give my little gentleman a hug :)

Anyway, after “Marley and Me” I just listened to some music, ate some free food, tried to take a nap and eventually arrived in the U-S of A! I landed in L.A airport and I had to make my way from the arrivals terminal to the internal departure terminal – it was a pretty long walk, but I eventually foundt he right place. There was some sort of electronic check in thing going on, so I had to queue up for that and then I had to check myself in, pay for my baggage, print off my boarding pass and find my departure gate. It wasn’t actually too difficult, which amazed me – I am quite challenged when it comes to transport of the public variety. I just don’t get it. Busses and trains are the worst – flying isn’t as bad because I can usually ask someone and I’m always really early. The following events are pretty fuzzy, but I do know that I got an amazing Caesar Salad from California Pizza Kitchen – yikes, I’m turning into my mother, the woman whose memories all involve food... Once I was fed and watered I got on the plane to Tucson. It was seriously small – there were only four seats across the whole plane and there was a funny whistling sound coming from the door. Good times.

The flight was just over an hour, I think, and I arrived in Tucson, which was great because I obviously got on the right plane. I went to collect my luggage and I was met by Alison, Kieran and all four kids – the whole family was there, except for Stitch! Alison is a McKenna and the McCune’s and McKenna’s are tight. When my dad joined our church (the Mormon church) he became really friendly with Molly and Fred and their five kids who are around the same age as my dad. Since then we have always been really friendly, which is really great because the McKenna’s are amazing cooks and really great people! So we have this whole, family friendship thing going on – when I stayed in Utah before Christmas I stayed with Patricia, Molly and Fred’s daughter and now I’m staying with their daughter Alison and her family in Tucson. It’s pretty cool, having friends in sunny places...

Once we got my massive suitcase into their massive American car we drove back to their house, I got the grand tour, had some pancakes, unpacked some things and then went for a swim in the pool! I think I’m going to like Arizona!

So there we go – I’ve officially left New Zealand. In all honesty I got really lazy and stopped writing my Blog, so I’m writing this entry in June instead of May, so now I can say that I really do miss New Zealand. It was a really great trip – I saw the most amazing places, did the most amazing things and met the most amazing people. It was nice to just take some time to think. There is nothing better than sitting on a beach or a mountain or even the kitchen floor of your Hostel and just thinking – “I’m O.K.” Before I left I didn’t really know what I was capable of. I have never had to work for anything. I’ve never pushed myself and yes, New Zealand wasn’t a hard place to travel through. The Kiwi Experience really does hold your hand through the whole process, but still, there were days when I was totally alone and I just knew that everything would be fine. In fact, being alone was something I really enjoyed. Spending the entire day with yourself is actually quite fun. Sometimes I would just walk, I wasn’t going anywhere in particular, but I was thinking, making sense of all the stupid things I think about – I was (to be all Buddhist about it) living in the present. You should try it, you might be surprised at how nice it is to be living in the present, totally happy in the knowledge that you are exactly where you want to be and more importantly, who you want to be. Two months may not seem like a very long time, but it has really made a difference to me – I still have a very long way to go, but for those two months at least, I found myself and that was really quite nice. I also found some really great people and I realised that I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by good people at home – sometimes you have to leave to realise what you have. Happiness doesn’t mean a thing unless you can share it and I feel that I shared my trip with some great people and when I’m 80 years old, living in a nursing home with a bunch of cats, I’ll be able to tell my grandkids about my Great New Zealand Adventure. Maybe they will read this Blog and realise just how freaking cool my life actually was.

Xx

One of The Boys.

Saturday 2nd May

Today I bought a suitcase. I’m one of those people that likes to be well informed when making a decision or a purchase, so I informed myself. Can you do that, inform yourself? Anyway, I did my research, went to loads of different shops, measured and weighed dozens of bags and eventually bought a suitcase. It’s about the same size as my big, broken bag and its lighter! I then went back to the Hostel and met up with Mike and Shane. The plan was to have a quick lunch, but that didn’t happen. Instead we sat in the kitchen for about 3 hours, just talking. I gave them some stuff that I was leaving behind and we consumed vast amounts of tea and hot chocolate. It was actually really fun to just hang out with boys. I really do love boys. I love boy humour and I love that there isn’t any bitchyness. Obviously there are a lot of stupid boys out there, but I love when you find a nice, down to earth guy that you can just be yourself with. I found two of those, in the one place! Hanging out with Mike and Shane was just like hanging out with boys at home – I could just be myself, I didn’t have to worry about what I said or how stupid I sounded and I we had the funniest flirty banter. Poor Mike, he thought I was joking, but I really do plan on marrying him. Mike, if you are reading this, you did agree to marry me and I’m using Shane as a witness!

After hanging out with the boys I went back to my room to pack. That was a fairly traumatic ordeal. I hate packing so much. It’s even worse when you haven’t got scales – I didn’t know how much my bag weighed, it could have been over or under the weight requirement, so I decided to pack lightly and I got rid of quite a lot of stuff. The only thing that I was really sad to say goodbye to was my Baby Cham Shoes. I got them in TK Maxx for £3 and they are the greatest shoes I have ever had. They were slip on shoes and they were pointed at the front. If you know me then you have definitely seen them – they are black and they have little coloured shapes and pictures on them. They also have holes in the bottom, so my feet always got wet when I was wearing them, which led to a questionable smell. I love those shoes. But I left them behind because I thought my bag was over the limit. It was actually under, so I could have brought them, which makes it even worse, but I have a picture to always remember them by :(

Once I had packed my case I went and got some dinner... I ended up getting a Subway, a good old Chicken and Bacon Ranch foot long. A foot long is the only way to do it really, the six inch subs are just pathetic. I took it back to the Hostel, to the TV room and I sat there and had a munch. Mike, Shane and I (along with a room full of other people) sat in and watched “The Other Boleyn Girl”. I actually really enjoyed it! I do love my movies and I do love Eric Bana, so what could be better? He was such a good looking King – he puts Charles (and if we are being honest, William and Harry) to shame. I also think that Natalie Portman is just beautiful. Scarlet isn’t too bad, but I can see why he picked Anne! Again, the ending was a difficult one for me – I knew what was going to happen (we learnt about Henry in junior school with Mrs Dyer/Mrs Atchison/Miss Trelford, those were the days 8/9D) and yet I didn’t want it to happen. I was hoping for a different ending, but it never happened. Still, it was worth the watch. When the movie finished we had a wee chat and then I had to say goodbye to Mike and Shane. It was quite sad – it’s like the end of an Era. Tomorrow I leave New Zealand and my two month Kiwi Experience is over. Tear tear. After our goodbyes I just went to bed, made sure I had everything packed and fell asleep... My last night in New Zealand was spent in a Base Backpackers Hostel, in a Sanctuary Room – exactly the way it started, but so much has happened in between. I’ve seen some amazing places, done some amazing things, met some amazing people and I think that I’ll leave New Zealand a better person because of it.

Xx

These are a few of my (least) favourite things...

I’m sure you can guess what this blog is going to be about... It’s about some things that I really, really dislike. If you know me then this won’t be a surprise, but maybe, just maybe, you don’t know me as well as you think you do – if that’s the case then consider this a learning opportunity. There may even be a quiz at the end. (There won’t be, but I got your attention, right?)

The first thing that I strongly dislike is, getting up in the mornings. Sure, if you’re lucky enough to encounter an early sighting (normally reserved for delivery men, employers, or my personal favourite, the idiots that ring the house phone at 8.00am), then I will seem perfectly happy. In fact, some might say I’m abnormally happy, the question “why would anyone be happy at this ungodly hour?” usually comes to mind. Confusing I know, how can someone who hates getting up early look so happy? Easy answer; I’m lying. Fact, I hate having to leave my bed.

It’s not just any bed; it’s an M&S bed. Not really, but it might as well be, in fact it is so good that I am going to write an entire paragraph about how fantastic it is. Mr Bed consists of a mattress (a classic “Restmaster” mattress, the label even says, “Rest Assured, Beautiful Beds Since 1898” It also promises “5 fold electric powered action – supports the neck, back, posterior, thigh and lower leg.” I kid you not, I literally sat and the bottom of my bed and directly quoted that from the label on the mattress), sheets (spun from silk, by angels, obviously), a duvet which I sleep on top of, a duvet which I sleep below (Also made by angels), 3 pillows (including a triangle shaped pillow that old ladies use) and a very happy young lady – me! I think you get the point – I hate getting up early, I avoid it at all costs, I will reset the alarm clock, pretend I don’t hear the doorbell and phone... Sometimes I even get up, do something important, like driving Esther to work and then I go back to bed and fall asleep until my favourite time of day – lunch time :)

Another thing I really hate is – Packing. Packing to go somewhere is the most stressful thing ever. You have to make sure you have everything you could possibly need, because we all know that other countries don’t sell toothpaste, or underwear, or socks... If any of these essential items are forgotten then your whole holiday is ruined – well not actually, but that’s what I always think will happen when I’m packing for a holiday – I make sure I have anything and everything I could possibly need. Deciding that everything I own is “essential” does create problems... We all know the Boy Scout Motto, “Be Prepared”, but really, is it practical? Mr Baden-Powell obviously never had to meet the baggage allowance for internal and international flights. It’s a risk we run, should we bring everything and “Be Prepared” to pay the charge for excess baggage – or should we pack light, bringing only what we think we will need, not realising that the things we decide not to bring would come in handy if they weren’t half way across the world! Packing to go home isn’t as bad – you don’t need to neatly fold your freshly washed clothes – instead you can throw all your dirty clothes into a suitcase and worry about basic hygiene when your home and your mummy can sort everything out – which is what I plan on doing! Still, packing is horrible and it is one of the reasons why I am writing a Blog – I really will do ANYTHING to avoid packing!

The third thing I strongly dislike is – finding the correct departure gate at an airport. Some people like this, the thrill of finding out where your plane will be in the not too distant future, maybe even the excitement of rushing to be the first or last ones boarded, some people look forward to mingling in the departure lounge. These people obviously have mental conditions. Personally I hate this part. I hate trying to find the departure gate number on the ticket (nobody really listens to the airline worker who tells you the departure gate – even if you are listening it’s pretty hard to decipher what they are saying – must everyone have an accent different to my own?). Once I finally find the gate number there is the small matter of actually getting there. Confusing signs, idiotic people getting in your way – or my least favourite, the super ignorant airport workers who feel the need to drive about inside the airport, beeping at anyone and everyone – they even shout, which is rude, mean, embarrassing (especially when it’s me they’re shouting at) and totally unnecessary .

Sometimes it’s as if the departure gate doesn’t exist, or maybe it’s just a special platform that us mere Muggles can’t get to (if you have no idea what I’m talking about then you should probably read some Harry Potter, you know, the books that everyone liked before attractive Vampires took over the world/female population). Maybe the next time I ask what departure gate I should head to, I should ask if it’s near Platform 9 and ¾! Once I finally find the departure gate I am back to my pleasant self. I sit in the lounge, go for a walk, listen to music, watch a DVD, get something to eat and now, maybe write a Blog. All these activities are what I love about airports – that and people watching. Don’t judge, you do it too! Airports are one of the best places to watch people – it’s like watching the opening credits of Love Actually, but its real life and obviously not as lovey dovey, oh and Hugh Grant isn’t doing a voice over to tell us that “Love Actually, is, All Around”.

Airports are great places. Over priced shops and fast food restaurants, parents trying to keep an eye on their children, people in revealing tank tops proudly displaying their sunburn, announcements telling you to look after your bags at 30 minute intervals – nothing beats it! Every cloud has a silver lining, I suppose the “Airport Experience” is the much deserved reward for facing your fears and finding the correct departure gate – before the plane leaves!

Now you might be wondering why I chose to talk about these 3 things – getting up early, packing and finding departure gates. Surely these are small, insignificant, petty dislikes. There are better things to dislike – prejudice, racism, bad haircuts, wool toe socks, war and pure orange juice with bits in it. While there are a lot of things that I dislike (and even more things that I like) these three things are particularly relevant tonight – Saturday is getting closer everyday (literally) and I leave for New Zealand on Saturday morning, early. Very early. I still haven’t packed my bags and I have no idea what I should and shouldn’t bring - even when I figure out what to bring, I probably won’t have enough room for everything. I also have to find several departure gates – all by myself. I have to go from Belfast to London, changing from Terminal 1 to Terminal 5. I then have to fly to L.A, where I will have to find another departure gate to take me to New Zealand! So that’s why I wrote this Blog. I wrote it about the 3 things that are currently on my mind – apparently that’s what you do in Blogs – write about yourself, your thoughts and feelings, your friends and family, your ups and downs, what you had for lunch today, all the great and not so great things that happen to you.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, I hated the idea of Blogging. I thought it was self obsessive activity, in which needy, attention seeking people fully participated. While there is an element of self obsession in Blogging (you can’t deny that some people Blog about themselves, hoping that people will take interest), it is actually a pretty good way to keep in contact with friends and family. I find myself enjoying the Blogging process – I get to ramble on about anything and everything I want, maybe someone will read this, maybe they won’t (parents don’t count as people), either way, I find it quite therapeutic. And besides, nothing beats reading other peoples Blogs, it’s the easiest way to be nosey, ever. So in conclusions, Blogs are awesome and you have wasted at least part of your day reading mine! Stay tuned for more self obsessed Blog posts! I promise that the next Blog will be much more exciting... It might even be about my actual, real life, adventures!

xx