Dolphins, Flying, Volunteering, and more!

Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and had a double take when you realized the reflection was you? It's crazy, aye? It keeps happening to me, but with good reason. These past four weeks since my return from the south island have been a blur. I've done some things I did not know I could do or would even want to do, though with every new experience I feel more and more like me.

Week of April 19th

The week after I returned found me a little lost with university life. My work picked up fast and I had a bust my butt working. Once the crim essay was turned in I had to memorize a short song for Maori 101 as well as take another vocab test the following day, Wednesday. Thursday, the whole city lost power, which was odd. When the power came back on, I tried my hand at chili. Thursday night found me celebrating Jo & Alan's birthday (they're born on the same day) at Jo's with delicious cake. That evening on my way back I made the first of many impulsive decisions and headed to Hannah's to get a hair cut (part of the reason I don't always recognize the reflection...). I got it chopped off and it looks more kiwi and I'm very happy with it. Think it looks more like me. The next day, after dealing with Kathmandu for boot/pack repair and finishing an essay, I went shopping for some kiwi clothes. I purchased two shirts, a belt, and some shorts as well as cheap as shades. Needless to say, I looked quite different when I showed up for the IFSA-Butler Adventure Weekend.


IFSA-Butler took us across the ferry (which has a cinema on it! some of us went to Valentine's Day...not great). We spent Friday night in a hostel in Picton but a very nice hostel. Rebbecca, our student leader split us into two groups for the following two days as only half of us would go DOLPHIN SWIMMING at a time. I was schedules to go Saturday and was put in charge of making sure we all were up and there. We got off okay Saturday. After much trouble getting into a wetsuit, I boarded the boat and we headed out looking for a pod of wild dolphins. After a half hour or so, I spotted the dolphins up ahead and let the captain know. We pulled around and eventually, jumped into the water snorkels on.

Swimming with wild dolphins is amazing! People aren't allowed to touch them...as they are wild. And they don't pose for pictures or anything. As soon as I enter the water I start making crazy noises, as I'd been instructed to do so...thank goodness I had practice with the sheep herding. Then if you can look directly in the eye of a dolphin and hold it, the dolphin may just stay swimming with you. It was a bit of work, especially trying to swim as fast as a dolphin! But very rewarding. Again and again, I would make eye contact and swimming in circles or figure eights keeping the eye contact with such intelligent creatures. We made three different drops, but eventually the dolphins lost interest. Afterward we were told that dolphins actually see through you! They can see the heart beating, the lungs contracting and expanding, etc. through their sonar. Cool, aye?

The boat dropped us off and after a van ride, our group arrived at the accommodations for the evening which included kayaks, motor boats, biking, huge-sized chess, and sand volleyball. I spent the afternoon relaxing, took a quick kayak and then played volleyball with most of the group before and after a nice dinner.

In the morning we got everything packed, while the other group headed to do their swim. We met up with them later in Picton and then took the ferry ride back. Weekend well spent.

Week of April 26th

Sunday -- After trying hard to memorize my maori songs for my big group performance, I decided to make snickerdoodles. I found a recipe, whipped them up but failed big time. The worst cookie to ever pass these lips, no joke. What went wrong? Who really can say. Needless to say I e-mailed my mother and acquired her recipe which I did justice later that week.

On Tuesday night, after my maori performance which went well, i think. I had my second marae stay for Maori 101. We met at the marae and ate dinner, were tested on our introduction, and then made some silly skits before going to bed. The next day was long and exhausting after how much we didn't sleep and how much I'd worked the days before on learning the songs. The break in work gave me time to plan a trip so I texted Hannah and asked if she wanted to go on a hike or jump out of a plane.

Saturday morning, we woke up early and took a bus from Wellington to Palmerston North. From there, we walked through the city to the outskirts to HITCH!!! I convinced Hannah we could do it, but boy did I almost have to eat my words. We had long waits with heavy traffic. Apparently hitching is just better on the south island. Our first hitch, Caleb, i believe, took us only a bit down the road. We next got picked up by three friendly men. At Bulls, I called the YHA in Taupo, where we were hoping to get to, and told them our situation and that we might arrive late...or not at all. They said they'd leave us a key. We got lucky though and drove with a Cambodian chef from Bulls all the way to Taupo! It was a strange ride as Hannah and I had trouble understanding him, but we got there nonetheless in time to check in at the YHA and order a pizza, instead of our original plan to cook. We celebrated our hitching with a bit of wine and then fell asleep.

We were schedule to jump at 2:00pm but Hannah woke up and called them and got us an earlier spot, which was great as we were attempting to get all the way back to Wellington that night via hitch. After buying a few groceries which became breakfast and getting some subway for lunch later we went back to the YHA to await our pick up. A white stretch limo took us from the YHA to the airport. Hannah and I were pretty quiet as we signed our lives away. The skydive team was very friendly and after showing us a video fitted us out in gear. We boarded a very small plane and took off. After what seemed like forever, we were high up over Taupo on a beautiful blue day. At 12,000 ft after Hannah, I fell out of a plane. It's not really a jump, it's really a fall. The first couple seconds were intense as I insticivelly clawed for something to hold on to. Then I laughed at my instincts and took in the stunning views. It's hard to explain the feeling of skydiving, but it's wonderful. It's a rush and it's also peaceful. They told us that often people forget the dive as they are too overloaded with adrenaline so Hannah and I remained calm right up to the jump. 45 secs or so after falling out of a small plane, the man strapped to my back yanked on the chord and the parachute opened successfully! YES! Now we could take off the goggles and chat, still at 5,000 ft. From there it was gentle or so ride down. Hannah and I were so proud and decided to buy the ground photos for only 30; whereas the DVD and skydive photos were 150. Thank you very much, but I do possess a memory.

After our jump we were beaming, accomplished, and--oh no! We still need to get back to Welly. We ate lunch on some rocks and went back to the road. After a wait of only fifteen minutes we got picked up by two buds: maori and pakeha. They took us a ways towards Welly, then dropped us off before they went shopping. They picked us up again after their shopping trip and we went right along the dessert road which has stunning views of the volcanoes. We parted ways south of National Park and then got a ride with an electrician who though I was older than him. We chatted a bit and he dropped us off near Bulls, where we got a ride from an electrical engineer who had just been out mountain biking for the weekend. He took us all the way into Wellington area to Johnsonville, where we caught a train for 2.50 to Wellington City. Then we walked back to our flats. Quite a good adventure for less than 36 hours duration!

Week of May 3

The week flew by. I spent a lot of time with my neighbor Dan just hanging out as the work was little and I had the time. Don't remember much else from the week. The weekend found me volunteering on Somes/Matiu Island in Wellington Harbor with Butler. Nine of us were going to spend the night to volunteer more the next day. After only getting a few hours of sleep, I was surprised how well I held up. The island is a preserve and has no mice or other rodents to encourage New Zealand fauna as it was before Europeans. We split up for work and my group's task was keeping a trail in line by digging a better water catch. We finished work in the early afternoon and after the students not staying left, took a walk around and hung in our accommodations: a house that has electricity three times a day. We made a lovely veggie stir-fry with heaps and heaps of rice. Afterward we relaxed with some drinks.

In the morning, we were up early and hauling cement blocks, pieces of wood, and firewood. The guys had the fun challenge of destroying a huge piece of cement with sledge hammers! Reminded me a lot of habitat for humanity demolition. Once finished we took a boat back to the harbor.

Week of May 10th

Not too much to report. Got my ear pierced on Tuesday and roasted my first chicken that evening. Took a while but I produced a pretty decent spread of food. The stuffing needs some help. Thursday came and Nicole, an IFSA student who studies in Christchurch came to visit. I stopped to say hello after Briar and I had gone to see some New Town music acts at a nice venue in Wellington. New Town is where the most artsy live, which for Wellington, means very very very artsy. I ended up watching Shutter Island that night with Dan. We had watched Ponyo earlier in the week.

Friday found me shopping around again and I picked up a pair of black skinny jeans, and some shirts. Yes it's a risk and it was a bit impulsive, but Hannah was there to guide and I'd quite happy with my purchase. Afterward Briar and Hannah decided to bake B's famous chocolate cake in dresses. Shane popped over as did Tan & Ryan and we have a wonderful night relaxing.

Saturday I woke up late and took an hour run through Wellington. It was very nice. I headed over to Landcross, where most of the IFSA butler students live and hung there for the afternoon before returning home to get ready for the University Hall/Everton Hall BALL! My flat, some friends, and I were shuttled to the venue: the Chicago Bar! (kinda eerie being inside there). There was a live swing band, that provided me the opportunity to show kiwis that yes, americans can dance :) Then the music switched to club music. It was a very nice dance and afterward I headed out with some friends to Electric Avenue: Wellington's 80's Bar. It's nice knowing almost ever song!

Sunday found me not doing much of anything. Shane organized a potluck at his house as he owed briar a dinner. I made some french toast which followed Shane + Allison's butter chicken. It was a yummy meal. Tan came as well and I headed back to her house. We talked throughout the night about all the big questions that we both liked to ponder.

Today (can you believe I just said today??) I was a bit tired from last night and had to finish an assignment for Maori. Then I cleaned up the kitchen, as it was my turn to do so. not much else to report here either. Except: I CAUGHT UP AGAIN!!!

Now to try to figure out what to do about my almost full hard drive and picture storage..

peace!