BIG RISKS=BIG REWARDS!!!!!!!!!!! EMPLOYMENT=SUCCESS!!!!

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!

After a 3 day, 11 hour a day bus mission, 1500 km, the flu attacking my stomach and being curled up in fetal position for the entire duration of the trip, I arrived in Paihia to have my trial, which turned into a 3 cruise, 75 hour straight complete submersion into this job, which I AM SO FUCKING EXCITED TO SAY THAT I HAVE!!!!!!!! How is this my life???

Apparently, there were 90 applicants for this one position, and only 6 people got invited for trials. And somehow, I managed to knick the spot, and I am now officially part of "the Rock Crew", which i found out last night at the pub, means I am basically a celebrity in the town of Paihia. No joke!!!

As soon as I walked onto the boat, I knew I made the right choice. The rest of the crew (Adam the Kiwi, ben, Donna, and Luke the English folk, and Tommy the Aussie), are all legends- they welcomed me on with open arms and I felt instantly like I had known them for years. I cannot even describe the chemistry that everyone has with each other on the boat- it's like everyone was feeding off of each other's positive energy. I've never been around a more witty, sharp, positive, happy, fun-loving group of people in my life.

So basically, it is a dream job. We go fishing for Snapper and kowai every night at sunset. We go for night kayaks and go star gazing. We have an open fire on board, a guitar, and piano. We eat amazing food. We play with guests. We snorkel with stingrays and dolphins. we wake up to rainbows stretching across the entire bay. We go Kina diving and Mussel diving. We hike up hills. We play beach soccer and rugby and volleyball. We eat fresh shell fish. AND I NOW GET PAID TO DO THIS!!!!!!!

Words cannot express how happy I am for this opportunity. Big things are going to happen from this, I know it. I cannot wait to see where this leads me. But check out our promotional video!!!!! www.rocktheboat.co.nz

WOO!!!

Big Risks=Big Rewards?

Well, here I go. Finally making a move. Deciding to chase after an opportunity instead of just letting it pass by, and then always wondering what would have happened if I had just made the effort and given it a go. I said I was ready for a change here, and well, here I go. Making a big, plan-changing, itinerary-altering, travel-stopping change.

I was on a backpacker job website before I left for Australia, and I stumbled upon a job notice for an "overnight crew member" aboard a small cruise vessel (a backpackers on the water, essentially). The job asked for water savvy individuals who were enthusiastic about traveling, comfortable being on the water and around boats, good with people, and a commitment until mid April. I thought to myself, "Hm. sounds like a pretty sweet job for someone like me." And I applied, thinking nothing of it, definitely not expecting to hear back considering the job posting was from a few days ago and I felt like this vacancy would get about 67854 applications. And then I left for Australia.

Well, currently, I am near the very bottom of the SOuth Island, about an hour North of Dunedin. And a day after I have my "epiphany", about making a change, finding work, getting my dive certifications, really taking advantage of opportunities, I get a phone call from the captain/boss of this boat saying, "Hey Kristi, we'd be really keen to have you come up to Paihia for a trial cruise for the overnight crew position! We're doing them this weekend so if you're still interested, let us know!". BLAMMO! AWESOME! Only problem is- I'm currently 1503 kilometers away from Paihia, and it is currently Thursday. Meanimg I would have had to leave yesterday if I were to make it there by this weekend, which clearly is impossible. And it would be a 3 day journey by bus, including a ferry ride to the North Island again. And I would be leaving the South Island before I got to see the Milford Sound, which was one of the top places to see while I was down here. And I didn't actually have the job- only an offering for a trial cruise, meaning I am competing with others for the position.

So I spent yesterday morning in turmoil because I wanted to have a go at it SO bad. I sat on the computer for 3 hours trying to figure out how I could possible get there- train, plane, bus...but it was impossible and I was devestated. So I sent a desperate email explaining to them my dilemma, and that the earlies time I could get there would be Tuesday. In which case I would leave today for Christchurch, spend the night in Christchurch, Head to Picton, take the ferry to wellington, stay in wellington, take the bus to Auckland, stay in auckland, and then take the bus to Paihia, arriving there on Monday arvo, exhausted and very very much over taking the Naked Bus. But- it was do-able. And, by some incredible stroke of luck, I acquired 9 free bus passes by my seatmate last time I was on the bus because he was headed to Asia the next day and had bought too many passes. So I essentially can transport myself there for free, it just will cost me loads of time and my sanity. And when I recieved the call yesterday, with the big bossman laughing and impressed that I would make the 1500 km journey, he told me to come on up for a Tuesday Trial cruise. And with that, I all of a sudden am leaving the South Island for a chance of a lifetime job up in the Bay of Islands.

Logic tells me it is ridiculous to do this; there are loads of job opportunities elsewhere, and 3 days travel just for a trial is a bit absurd, I know. But something is pulling me to go. It seemed like it just lined up perfectly- I decided I wanted to find work, make a change, I got those free bus passes, the commitment til april is exactly the time I wanted to head out...it was lining up in some odd, random way that is just screaming to me "GO DO IT!". So, I'm going. And I'm bloody excited about it- so I hope my insane mission will impress the boss-man and he'll hire me.

And it's a big risk, but the biggest risks reap the biggest rewards. And, if I don't get the job, well...that will suck. But I have to keep the ultimate goal in mind: Fiji and diving. I can find work elsewhere, sure, but I know if I don't go up and at least try this, I will wonder what I really missed out on. The opportunity to live on a boat for the next 2 months is just overwhelmingly tempting.

So- wish me luck as I head out today. Don't hate me because I'm leaving the south island before seeing the Milford sound...eek. But heopfully next time you hear from me will be from the middle of the sea.

Epiphany

I have had an epiphany. And yes, I believe my plans will soon me drastically changing.

Although this is hard to admit, and also probably from coming out of the blue if you are reading any of this travel blog and see all of the things I am doing/have done, but I have been in a funk for the past few weeks in New Zealand. Even before I left for Australia, I was feeling a bit down, a bit homesick, and a bit..well, unhappy. And although I would never admit it to anyone, it was eating away at me because I just could not understand why I was feeling unhappy when I am living out the dream of so many people, traveling the world at such a ripe young age, having all of these crazy experiences, seeing all of these incredible things...but I was just getting kind of, well, over it. It's not the living out of a backpack part that was getting to me; I am quite happy with living only with the things on my back. But every day, worrying about how I am spending my money, deciding to go to places SOLEY on the fact that they have free internet, accomodation, and laundry (where I am at now), well I thought to myself, "this isn't why I am here". I love New Zealand, it is a beautiful country. I have seen some of the most amazing scenery that I have ever seen in my life, taken risks and adventures that most people only dream about, but there seems to be a point where you get to the top of a mountain you just hiked 4 hours to get to, and you look around and you say, "well, this is pretty nice. not as nice as Mt. Cook though". and then you snap a photograph, and turn back around for another 3 hour downhill climb. I feel so selfish for saying this, but there is only so much hiking/tramping one can do before the beauty before you becomes almost commonplace. And it finally hit me that feeling this way means I am definitely ready for a change. The part of my trip that was by far the best was when I was working in Raglan at Solscape, surrounded by people who love the ocean, who were creative, musical, open-minded...

I think I am done with New Zealand. I have accomplished nearly everything I have wanted to here, aside from visiting Dunedin for the Uni of Otago, and then seeing the Milford Sound. Aside from that, I was nearly worried the other day when I thought about how I was possibly going to fill another 4 weeks time. Isn't that horrible? And that's why I know I need to make a change. I have been given an opportunity to truly pursue something I really want. No one is going to hand it to me- I have to work my ass off and do it myself. I am sick of just idylly passing the time away at this shitty backpackers and wondering why the fuck I am here, in this shit town where the only thing to do is visit a cheese factory, and pay 25$ to see penguins. PAY TO SEE PENGUINS IN THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. and then, down the road, you can pay 2$ to see rocks. ROCKS for CHRIST SAKE!

So I am making a change. I have this wonderful working holiday visa which allows me to work and make money here in New Zealand, and I have not used it yet. And...I want Fiji. Yes. Fiji. Why? Because I desperatly want to get my Advanced Diving certifications. It's written down as one of my life goals- and what better time than now to go to Fiji, which is on the way home from New Zealand, and pursue one of my biggest life goals? Why have I not thought about this earlier? What was I THINKING?! Now, I don't have the money to take the courses now, but working in New Zealand for the next 7 weeks or so...yes Mom, I said 7 weeks...meaning I will stay here longer, will allow me to save enough to get me to Fiji and dive certified, providing I can find a job. What an accomplishment than will be. And the feeling of working towards something...well, I miss that.

Please, do not judge me harshly when you read this and thing. "wow, Kristi, you are such a selfish Bitch who will never be satisfied..you're in New Zealand for god's sake". And yes, I know how lucky I am to be here, TRUST ME. And I have enjoyed it SO, SO MUCH, but I really do think it's time to move on, to take advantage of this time a little bit more. Because who knows when I'll be in the South Pacific ever again.

Thoughts?

Couch Surfing

So I set a number of goals I wanted to accomplish while I was in New Zealand, and many of them have to do with opening my mind to new experiences that may defy the standards of "normalcy". Don't worry family, I'm not talking anything supremely dangerous or out there, and for all you pervs out there, get your mind out of the gutter...I'm talking about things like busking on the streets for fun, or going on road trips with people you meet the day before. I also really wanted to try out couch surfing, which I am proud to say that I am currently doing in Wanaka.

So what is couch surfing? Well, it's a website set up for travelers, sort of like wwoofing, where you can post an online profile detailing who you are, what you do, your philosophies on life, interests, pictures, whatever...and then you can search for "hosts", people who are willing to let them come and sleep on their couch for free, in the places you are traveling. It's no strings attached- you don't have to work in exchange for the couch, so it's free accommodation usually with locals who live in the town. Awesome idea, because everyone is trying to travel on a budget, so the words "free" and "accomodation" are clearly alluring. And bonus: people who are willing to open up their homes to complete strangers usually are pretty keen on traveling themselves, so they know what it feels like to be a backpacker. Of course there are risks involved: you're literally walking into someone's house who you only have communicated once or twice with via internet, and I will tell you that if I walked into this situation and saw a myriad of weapons dangling from the walls and was greeted by a man with a hunchback and a little hand, I would have turned straight around. However, fortunately for me, I was greeted with a beer and 3 new friends.

Hayley, Taylor, and Kira are the girls I am couch surfing with, and they are all American Working holiday makers in Wanaka. I know, I know...why couch surf wtih Americans while in New Zealand? Well, they were 1 of 3 hosts in Wanaka, and when I read Hayley's profile (beach bum, plays guitar, soccer, music, running, traveling..) I figured this would be a pretty risk-free couch surf session with a girl who sounds a lot like me. So I messaged them, and amongst the 10 otherr couch surfing requests they had for these days, they invited me to come stay. Now these chicks are awesome: they have been hosting couch surfers every day for like, 4 weeks straight...one after another after another, letting travelers crash on their mattress on the floor, inviting them to go rock climbing and do Yoga, sharing their kitchen and food and home with people...and I'll tell you what,I've been here for 3 days and I already feel like this place is my home.

But what's awesome about couch surfing besides that it is free, is that you become a part of someone else's life for a little while. The first day I was there, hayley took me rock climbing. Now, the only rock climbing I have ever really done has been at North Penn high School on the rock wall. pretty safe. Hayley took me to legitimate rocks...30 foot cliffs that you literally climb like spider man, trusting your bah-lay-er with your life to make sure that if you fall, they will not let go of the rope. So as I am dangling off the endge of this rock face that overlooks lake wanaka, i decide that I really like couch surfing. And it's been like that since I got here: these girls have been more than awesome hosts and I am happy to say that I am still alive and kicking after this adventure into the unknown. Next time I couch surf, i am going to do it with Kiwis. But the only problem is, you need to request couches a week or so in advance because so many fucking people are in New Zealand traveling at the moment. And because I am really being blown around the island like the wind, I have no idea where I am going to be in a week's time. But- onwards to Oamuru today. Who knows what this next week will bring.

There's Something About Sydney...

I'm not a city person. I hate the noise, the fashion, the hustle and bustle, the busy-ness...I hate feeling like a random number, I hate not knowing where I'm going, I hate the tourists, the honking, the endless amounts of people, the buses, the whole impersonable-ness of it all...but I fucking love Sydney. Perhaps it is because it was the first city I arrived in at an international airport by myself, or perhaps it symbolizes the place where I had stepped out of the plane on a warm, balmy, February day and realized that I was FINALLY in Australia, or perhaps it is the place where so many of my stories began but never really ended... but there is something about that city that has captured my heart forever. And yet again, I found myself sobbing the 3 hours back to Christchurch as my plane flew out of Sydney, and I waved goodbye to the Opera house and the Harbor Bridge once again.

Now there are a number of tangible reasons why I love Sydney, and the first and foremost is because it is just a beautifully stunning city. Within a 10 minutes walk from anywhere, you can be on the water and in view of the city's iconic opera house. The streets are clean, and there is a certain sunny-ness that the city has about.And i love that Billabong and Rip Curl are next to the Prada and Gucci shops, and that you will see more people in boardies and thongs (flip flops) walking down the street than you will see wearing anything that resembles high fashion. And it is not uncommon to see people carrying surfboards through the streets, on their way home from work in down town Sydney, because they are headed to the beach for a surf. It is a huge city, but Sydney-ians have the ocean close at heart. And I've been told time and time again that Melbourne is "Australia's City" because it has more "culture", but I don't know how else the Aussie spirit can be defined but by seeing business men carrying a breif case in one arm and a short board on the other.

But I also know that I will never look at Sydney the same way ever again. Because when you are guided with your eyes closed, through the streets of the Sydney Suburbs for a "surprise", and when you open them, you are sitting atop a hill overlooking the entire city and the opera house, lit up at night in all of it's glory, and you can hear the Harbor Bridge overhead moving as the cars go past, and you have to take a seat because the feeling of realizing just how far you have come and what you have accomplished hits you in the gut, and then you begin to cry because you know that once again, you are leaving Sydney tomorrow and it is coincidental that you are spending your last night in Sydney on top of this hill with the same person that you spent your last night in Sydney with 1.5 years ago, someone who has taught you about pride, about accomplishing goals, about working towards the seemingly impossible, about relishing in the unexpected, about taking risks...well, I think it's safe to say I won't look at Sydney the same. So thanks, Chris Holliday, because I see the city, and my life, in a completely different way. And thanks also for everything else.

And it was with a heavy heart that I flew out of Sydney...headed back to Christchurch where I knew I would be own my own once again...feeling like I was pretty much back at square one. In a new place, backpacking alone, no friends to speak of. It was weird. And I spent the night on the Christchurch airport floor (as you do) with a community of other backpackers who also were alone and homeless for the night. And then I arrived in lake Tekapo, the smallest little lake town you can think of, where I met 2 Israeli boys who invited me to come along with them to mount cook. So I went. and it was beautiful. And now, I am in Wanaka, couch surfing with 3 girls who, I have to say, have made my first couch surfing experience pretty freaking awesome. Rock climbing, playing music on the shores of lake Wanaka, Bouldering, wine, Shitty movies...it's been real fun. And now I'm headed to Oamuru tomorrow, to spend a week Wwoofing at a creative arts center, where hopefully I can produce something worthy of bringing home. It's been a long, random, story filled few days...but I suppose that's what this is all about.