Aotearoa

Yes, in answer to your questions (thanks for asking), we're all good here in New Zealand - as shaky as it may be. In all seriousness though - it was in Christchurch and we didn't even feel it here around Auckland. So, all is well, at least for us.

To be completely honest, there isn't much to say so far about New Zealand - just the good life, as usual. Dad and I are in Tauranga visiting my Nana while my sister and Mum are up in Auckland hanging out there for the week, since Kimbo works. But, it's apparently all worth it since she just got promoted (!!!!!!!!). Sorry Kim, if you stole your thunder - but I'm so happy for you!

So life here is slow, quiet, and uneventful - and for that I am grateful. I have spent the last few days doing laundry and showering regularly. Some clothes were so moldy they still had little green spots on them after two washes and had to be thrown out. My shoes have something green growing on them...

Today's spectacular events included waking up at 8:30 (courtesy of Dad), eating breakfast (toast and Marmite =) ), taking a walk down the beach with Dad, coming back to Nana's and relaxing, eating lunch (carrot soup - yum!), going to buy my Nana a new down duvet (she currently sleeps with 5 blankets on her bed - how long it takes to make and how she hasn't been crushed, I don't know), stopping for a coffee break, going to the driving range (Nana and I were excellent supporters - sorry Bill, I tried, but everything you taught me is out the window), coming home and relaxing (again), going out for dinner (practically my first non-vegetarian meal in two months), and now sitting here and updating my blog.

So, true to New Zealand style - our days revolve around food and tea breaks =).

Kim and Mum arrive on Friday night, and Saturday we celebrate my Nana's birthday. In the meantime, I have big plans to finish laundry, read a book, eat, and shower on a regular basis. Next week, back to Auckland.

=) Hope all is well!

Am I lucky or what?

So now that I am sitting in a comfy bed (yay for down duvets!) with a mac on my lap and a fast wireless connection in the air - I wanted to reflect on how lucky I have been to be able to travel like I did this summer. This will either read like a dedications page of a bad book, or an awards acceptance speech, but oh well.

Mom and Dad - thank you so so much for being so supportive of everything and helping me out in any way you could - including financially. On my trip I met so many people who were traveling to these places against their parents' wishes, because they just didn't understand why someone would want to travel like that. I don't know if I could have done this if you weren't behind me. So, thank you so much for "getting it" and being there every time I called (except that time I messed up the times and called at 3am).

Bill - thanks for updating my life each and every time we talked with normalcy. It was great to chat about what I was doing and where I was - but you have been my link to the real world the whole time. It sounds strange, and I never would have thought about that during my trip - but looking back, it was actually really a nice change to hear about life at work, and to be reminded what I have to come home to. =)

Carly - thanks for continuing to be your wonderful self by tagging and posting ridiculous things on my facebook pictures - this is why I post them =). Actually, this applies to Jenna too - who appeared to check and "like" my pictures after each post.

Kim - we didn't talk much, but my whole trip I was just so excited to come and see you - despite any assaults that may or may not have happened last year =) I'm glad I'm here now! And thanks for dealing with the current smell of mildew and mold that I have brought into your house.

The poor people at OIM to whom my dad has subjected this blog to during treatment - isn't there some insurance law about conflict of interest...? But really, I hope you liked it and know my dad loved giving them to you. Thanks.

Those of you who read my blog voluntarily. On some days I blogged since I had nothing better to do, and on others I really wanted to tell a good story - but either way, it was really nice talking to my mum and hearing that some people were actually reading it (by choice) and enjoying it. I loved logging on and reading your comments. This also applies to all of you who anonymously stalk my blog each day and are not followers and do not comment. I know you're out there.

I would like to thank United Airlines, KLM, Precision Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air India, and Malaysia Airlines for not once having lost my bags. It's a miracle really. After six weeks of traveling, numerous flights, bus rides, train rides, shady hotel rooms, etc., I have arrived in New Zealand with everything present and accounted for. Not once did I stand there at the luggage carousel thinking, "Why me?" Really, it's something to be thankful for.

Last but certainly not least, I want to thank all the students at EST. I know I've said it before and I hope you've each had a chance to read the memory book, but I had such a wonderful time there with you guys. You taught me many things - how to shower and wash my clothes at the spring, how to make momos and rip off noddles, how to slurp... You came with me to see the Dalai Lama. You put eye drops in my infectious eyes when I was sick (double thanks for that). You are all so welcoming and charming and I can't stop thinking about how I can see you guys again. I wish you would stay at EST so I would know where to come back to find you all, but for your sakes know that that isn't going to happen. For those of you who want to return to Tibet - I hope that you can soon (and that it's a better Tibet than the one you left), and for those of you who want to continue your studies at University - I wish you luck. For everyone else, I hope that you are able and free to do whatever it is you decide to do. If there is ever anything I can do to help anyone - from and English question to whatever, please please let me know. So, please stay in touch, and if I ever have the opportunity to return the hospitality - please let me know! Miss you guys!

Hello from Kuala Lumpur! (REDO)

This is the second time I have done this blog - I did it earlier from my iPhone and courtesy of Starbucks free wi-fi, but there were so many typos that I became ashamed and rushed to the nearest actual computer to restore my honor.

I arrived in Kuala Lumpur this morning at 7:00 am. Despite my tiredness I was determined to conquer Kuala Lumpur in a day. Let me tell you - this city is awesome and insanely easy to navigate (no Lonely Planet necessary)! To get around I had a choice of a monorail, multiple trains, buses, taxis, etc. This city is impressively developed and efficient.

So I got off my flight and booked it to customs where they issued me a "visitors visa" without a hassle - and my bags are checked all the way through to Auckland - so what a breeze! Within 30 minutes of landing I was getting a bus ticket for the airport/city shuttle. So I hopped on and it took me straight to KL Central. KL Central is the equivalent of Union Station - the main hub off taxis, monorail, trains, commuter trains, and whatever other transportation your heart desires. So I did the most important things first - strapped my money belt in my pants and headed to the first coffee shop I saw.

After being sufficiently caffeinated, I took the LRT (an acronym meaning some sort of train) to KLCC (an acronym meaning some important area of downtown). I got off and was in the middle of the nicest mall I've ever seen - it puts King of Prussia to shame. So I wandered outside away from the expensive clothing to find the Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur's big landmark. I walked around the mall twice before I looked up and realized I was IN one of the towers already. =) . So naturally I crossed the street to take a picture. Then I realized that everyone was actually dressed nicely and that I looked like I'd just spent 6 weeks in the outback....so I got my haircut.

BEST HAIRCUT EVER. I have no idea how it looks, nor do I care, but I may fly here every 6 weeks just so they can shampoo my hair and massage my scalp while talking in soothing voices with Michael Buble playing overhead. Mmmmm.

Once they woke me up, I headed for some food - what else - sushi. As soon as I saw one of those places where the sushi tempts you from cute little colored plates on a conveyor belt I knew I had to eat there. I had four mystery plates of goodness but I already miss the dirt-cheap prices I've become accustomed to. I haven't spent more than $3.00 on a meal since I left home!

Next, I got a taxi to China Town where there is a big market - Mum I looked high and low for some fabric but came up short - so I got you a knock-off Louis Vuitton instead. =). In the market they had a little spa where you can stick your feet in a little pool of water for a "fishicure" where these little fish eat the dead skin off your feet. I was really embarrassed when I stuck my feet in and all the fish ditched everyone else's tootsies and began a frenzy on my 6-week dirty feet. Afterwards, I fruit from a roadside stand (not the one with the dead chickens) and got the train back to KL Central.

I then sat at Starbucks for a while waiting for the bus and attempting to blog from my iPhone.

Which brings me to the Plaza Premium Lounge - a nice little lounge inside the Kuala Lumpur Airport where you pay a flat fee to get in and it has showers, free internet, massaging chairs, and all your food and drink is included - as well as a 15-minute massage. What could be better?

Only 5 hours to wait...

See you soon Kimbo!