Holiday with Mom and Grandma

Today I saw them off and now, naturally, I'm a bit sad, realizing that I don't exactly know when I'm going to see them again. We had an amazing time, bonding with eachother over a very relaxing and well needed [for all of us] vacation away. For me, we saw much of the same places I'd been. However, I was still happy to revisit them in a different season, and thoroughly enjoyed being the tour guide. I tried to expose everyone to a bit of kiwi culture by trying out my new accent, pointing out customs, words, and foods. The last night we even had the treat of a home-baked Pavlova, a traditional kiwi dessert made from egg whites and sugar and topped with cream and fresh fruit, such as kiwi or strawberry. Our chefs and hosts were the amazing Rob and Debby, the fantastic kiwi family that so graciously invited me into their Wellington home when I first arrived in NZ.

(Debby's Wonderful Pavlova)

Our holiday started in Queenstown with Grandma and Mom, and Mark and Tim a day before, getting off the plane and making their first steps in the Southern Hemisphere. I introduced them to Queenstown and next we headed to the famous Milford Sound for a boat cruise. The weather was not as desirable as when I was there a few months back, but nonetheless, it was spectacluar. We also make a quick stop to the glow worm caves in Te Anau before heading back to snowy Queenstown.

(Milford with Mom and Grandma, Tim and Mark)

We went out to a few bars as I showed them Skybar and gave them the entire experience by lighting the bar on fire and performing like an deranged idiot.

(Skybar Shananagans)

We parted ways with Mark and Tim the next day as they were planning on going up to Mt. Cook and travel a bit faster to get to the North Island. Our trip continued up the West Coast of the South Island visiting Franz Joeseph Glacier and the reverent Pancake rocks. We were able to meet up with Mark and Tim again in Franz Joseph for a meal and to trade some stories. In Punikaiki, near pancake rocks, we stayed in a private, calming wooden cottage buried in the rainforest.

(Franz Joseph Glacier, Punikaiki Rainforest, Pancake Rocks)

Next, we made a very special visit to one of my old professors from Montana State. Dr. Mike Wells and his wife, Phyllis live on the West Coast 6 months out of the year and spend the other 6 in Montana. After not seeing eachother for 5 years, we caught up in New Zealand, of all places. We had a fantastic visit with Mike and Phyllis and were touched by their hospitality and their beautiful home, 50 yards back from the Tasman waves.

Sunny and warm Nelson capped off our South Island experience, were we made a stop near Abel Tasman National park for some views. We took the Picton Interislander Ferry up to Wellington and had a very pleasant stay with Rob and Debby before we had to say our emotional goodbyes.

(Mom and I near Abel Tasman National Park)

It was great to get out of Queenstown and see NZ again. I think when you're working in QT, you get into this zone that you can't think out of. Being out, I was re-inspired to both travel NZ and to try out some different jobs. I'm not making any moves yet, but now I'm thinking of looking for new jobs elsewhere, possibly returning to engineering. We'll see how it goes for the next few months. I'm coming up on my 6 month mark here. Wow, I've been here that long! *sigh*...Time flies.

My thoughts on a few things

I just have to say that I really enjoy reading so many of your comments and I greatly appreciate all of the compliments. I can't believe how I've inspired so many of you to write to me about how you are now thinking of traveling, or changing they way you live your lives. I've just realized how one person's actions can affect so many other people's lives. I hope everyone can acheive happiness and feel as if they are free in life. All it takes is that first small step.

Back in the US when I was daydreaming at my computer screen, I thought of working in Switzerland, living in Spain, or New Zealand and it all seemed so far fetched, like a dream, like it could only happen to those special people. Now that I've come down here, made that first step, and met people that have traveled the world, the dream has morphed into reality, into reach. It doesn't seem so hard or restricted anymore. I just hope all of you take steps toward dreams in your life, even if it's small steps.

My mom, grandma, and my friend Mark from Helena, MT are going to be here tomorrow and I'm really excited! Two people, Mark and my grandma, have never traveled outside of North America. They are coming half way around the world to visit, traveling outside of their comfort zones. I hope to broaden their view of traveling, and on life.

Recently, I've had car trouble, phone trouble, and a staff member quit all putting me in a bind for my upcoming two week vacation. For some reason, I'm not stressed out about all this. Back home, I would be worried to death and stressed. Here, I just keep believing that somehow things will work out, and I'm still generally happy. I think its just that I still believe that I'm on holiday and things are all ok, as if my 'real' life is still back home in the US. I've just realized that maybe we all should just treat our lives like we are "on holiday." Life works out. Funny how all these cliches are hitting home to me here.

What was is it about being back home [in the US] that some of us can't cut through the crud and see the simple things? Are we feeling that we are always trying to fill someone's expectations? Is there something about American society that stresses us out and puts pressure on performance and induces worry? I wonder.

Until the next mind dump...