First Week As An Actual College Student

Hey Everyone,

So Sunday officially marks a week from when I moved to Central Washington University! I'm so excited to be here and have already made lots of new friends. We (my sister and I) moved into our dorms on Sunday and have been going non stop it seems. There are so many people to meet and things to do that it's hard to keep track of everything. My sister and I don't live in the same room but are in the same compound which is nice, because we live within twenty feet of each other. My roommate's name is Nicole and we get along pretty well. She's a few years older than me, so I feel like my immaturity shows a lot, but I'm trying to be an adult, I swear.

Classes didn't start until Wednesday so we had time to explore and meet people. I was able to reconnect with a friend, her name is Susanne, that I hadn't seen in probably two years, we discovered we both live in the same compound and now hang out on a regular basis. She's a returning student, which is super cool because she knows so much more about the campus and has shown me lots of secret special places for studying and the best places to eat. Susanne and I got certified to use the equipment at the rock climbing wall, which is so much fun. We went climbing Wednesday night and had a blast. Being the clutz that I am, I managed to get injured when my climber unexpectedly fell and I got my hand trapped in the belay device. Thankfully, I am fine, just a little bruised. 

Wednesday was also the first day of classes and the first day of my temporary job. I have an eight o'clock class which I can tell you right now, was a mistake because it gets so cold at night that it really hasn't cooled off by the time I'm out walking to class.

I like all of my classes so far, well mostly, but I'm not going to say anything negative until later in the quarter :)

There's not a whole lot left to say. I love it here. I miss my parents, a lot. But I'm so thankfully that they pushed me to strive for what I want. 

So Your Prince Turned Back Into A Toad?

Recently on Facebook, I made a somewhat bitter post saying "Where's the book titled 'So Your Prince Turned Back Into A Toad'? Because I would like to read it."
The comment went without notice for several hours and just when I was trying to figure out how to delete the comment (I felt guilty for being so bitter), my creative writing teacher from my homeschooling days posted that I should write said book. This created a string of comments with similar responses. I quickly realized I didn't have nearly enough to say on the topic and understood that most people probably wouldn't appreciate relationship advice coming from a nineteen year old girl.

But let me start from the beginning, why I wrote the comment in the first place.
I know some of you probably guessed this, but I did end up dating Alec from the Australia trip. We dated this whole summer and I felt completely blindsided when he broke up with me, three weeks ago.
Now I've never been the type to think that every single relationship I've ever had was meant to last forever. I'm not the sappy romantic type (unless it's romantic comedies, then I'm a mushy mess) but I'm more rational and realistic when it comes to my own love life. However, Alec and I had a relationship that seemed almost possible to last for a long time, or at least longer than one summer.
These past three weeks I let my bitterness take too much control, and I let myself turn into a toad.

I did actually start to write something more along the lines of men being the toads but when I reread it, I realized how pompous and ridiculous I sounded. I don't want to be the girl that tells the world that men are nothing but hypocritical pigs, because in actuality I don't think they are.
In a lot of relationship stories I've heard, it's the women who cause the problems, who bring the relationship to the point where it either boils over and douses the fire or where it reaches a point of calm and happiness.
I know a friend who's sister was in a relationship and her boyfriend had yet to propose after years and years of dating. One evening the girl confronted him about it and it turned into their biggest knock down drag out fight ever, but it ended with them engaged. When I first heard the story I thought 'wow good for her, standing her ground.' but the more I think about it, the more I think, he knew he wanted to marry her and be with her, he just wasn't quite ready to propose. Why did it have to be on her watch and not his?
Or my coworker who was at her breaking point because her boyfriend wasn't proposing, but when he finally got down on his knee, she ran away! Not literally but she backed up and kept telling him to get up and asking him what he was doing. Of course she's happily engaged now but I just think it's a little weird how us girls want something so badly that we demand it and demand it and then when we finally get it, it's either disappointing, not what we expected, or we realize how bratty we maybe were being.

When I was little I wasn't Daddy's little Princess, I was Peaches, I was Puke (yeah there's a story behind that one) and I was Sweet Pea. My parents raised me to be respectful and honest in life and for that I am very grateful. My dad used to tell me that whenever a relationship ends (romantic or otherwise), I should always try to leave on the most positive note so that if that person ever turns up in my life again, we won't have a negative start to a new relationship. The best example he used to give me was what if they end up being my boss someday and I end up being theirs. I feel like in our society now, especially with social medias, it's too easy to hide behind a keyboard and say things you maybe wouldn't say otherwise. To end a relationship with harsh words and simply "block" any further messages from them. But you can't do that in real life. I get this feeling, maybe it's just me, but that in today's world a lot of girls think that guys should spoil them and treat them like royalty just like their dad's did. Instead of "Princess", boyfriends dub their girlfriends "Babe". I know it's not the same exact thing but it's our Dad's job to spoil us a little right? I don't want my boyfriend to spoil me, I would rather be on a team with him. I would rather be in a relationship built on respect, trust and love than one built on getting whatever I want when I want.

Maybe the title of this post should be: When Princess Turn Into Toads, because when I think of how bitter and awful I've been for three weeks, I want to turn myself into one.
I don't think Alec will ever read this, but if he does, I hope he knows how sorry I am.

Catching Up.

Hello!
Originally I had meant to continue posting after Australia, but when I got home things got busy and remembering to post about my life fell to the way side. I picked my computer up about a month ago and considered posting but I couldn't think of a single thing to write that seemed even a little interesting. I decided that obviously it wasn't meant to be. But recently family and friends have been inquiring about new posts and, well, here I am.
 Sadly, I am not traveling anywhere exotic right now, my life is actually pretty normal. So instead of posting beautiful pictures and traveling stories, I'm going to share my personal experiences with college and life. Just to catch you all up, I spent my whole summer working and enjoying the sun with friends and family. Pretty much the average life style for any teenager in America.
Starting next week I'll be moving over to Ellensburg to start my first year at Central Washington.
Though I will be transferring over as a junior, due to my credit status from the Running Start program, I feel very much like a freshman. I don't know a lot of people over there and I have only been to the campus twice. I'm nervous but excited to continue my education and further my way up the ladder of life.

So without further ado.
This is me and I hope you enjoy my thoughts and perspectives on life.

Last Week of My Amazing Adventure

Hey Everyone, so right now I am sitting in my own bed, with my giant sweatpants on…in other words: I got home last night. 

The last time I posted we were heading to a barbecue at Bill and Carol's house. It was really delicious and we all had a good time chatting away the evening. The next morning we had Biology presentations, which I hadn't been too excited about but it was just something we had to do. I think my group did really well, we presented on the Beech Forest ecosystem. Friday night we went to the rugby games which was really really fun, I loved the fast paced ness of the game and the energy of the crowd was seriously amazing. Everyone cheered or booed or something, it was never quiet. 

Saturday morning Hannah, Ella, Jonny and I left for Queenstown. We got there and immediately were frozen, it wasn't as cold as it is at home, but when we were used to sunburn weather, it was cold. Saturday we ended up napping for a few hours because we were all exhausted and then watched a street performer and actually sat down for a delicious meal of salmon and risotto. Sunday we woke up late and got coffee. We visited an underwater observatory which was really cool because the trout and salmon in the lake are ginormous. We also went on a jet boat ride, which was so fun, we got off looking like we had just gotten out of the shower and Hannah and Ella went parasailing while Jonny and I went hiking with some of the other people in our group. A lot of people arrived on Sunday instead of Saturday. Hiking was really fun; we ran into a German couple that we followed around for awhile and ended up on a goat trail that was very steep.

Monday, Hannah, Stephanie, Cassie and Kristin went to bungy jump while Ella went to do a canyon swing, which she did with Cassie at the same place as the bungy jumping. Apparently after Ella did the swing, she decided that the bungy jumping looked like a lot of fun so she decided to jump too. I think she's crazy but apparently she really liked it. I'll try to post the video for you guys. 

While my sister was off being a wild child, Jonny, Kayla and I went hang gliding which was so much fun. It legitimately felt like I was flying!! We went up to Cormorant Peak and jumped off the top near the ski lifts. Apparently in winter, Queenstown is very popular for winter sports. I loved hang gliding, I thought it was a lot of fun - again I'll try to post the video. 

Tuesday morning we headed back to Auckland and relaxed most of the day - we went back to Mt. Albert to repack and arrange things in our huge bags before heading to our hostel downtown. So basically we went out every night after this because we only had a few nights left. So, sorry Mom and Dad but I went out clubbing four nights in a row :P

Wednesday morning we got up early and took a bus to Waitomo to go black water rafting in the glowworm caves. We had to wear these ridiculous wetsuits that smelled terrible and were extremely hard to get on. And the water, oh my gosh, the cave water was so cold. We jumped off two water falls, backwards so that we'd land in our inner tubes and then floated peacefully down through the caves looking at the green glowing lights of the glow worms. It was really fun and definitely an experience. Basically the green stuff that's glowing is maggot poop, so that was nice to be floating under...

When we got back to Auckland that night, Jonny, Hannah and I went on a bar crawl because the previous night I had met the manager who got us free drinks at the crawl all night.

Thursday morning we caught a bus to Rotorua, so that we could go Zorbing. Zorbing is basically where you sit (or stand) in a giant hamster ball that has a little water in it and roll down a hill. So essentially it's a giant round water slide, that is absolutely hilarious and amazingly fun. Ella and I rolled around down the hill together, laughing the whole way. Rotorua smells like sulfur due to the hot springs in the area, we didn't see the hot springs but you definitely could smell them. 

Friday morning we slept in a little, and I got up and did some souvenir shopping on my own. I ran into the bar manager while out and we ended up getting coffee before I had to meet Ella and Hannah and Cat (the girl from last years trip) at the Greenstone Factory. I ended up meeting them at our hostel and we went together. I bought this really expensive and amazing greenstone necklace that I absolutely love. After that we did a little more shopping in downtown Auckland and in the evening Hannah and Ella went to get dinner while I got dinner with Cassie, Michelle, Jonny, Kim and Stephanie. Hannah and Ella then met up with us in Globe, our favorite bar and we stayed out until four in the morning (that was the latest that I ever stayed out - just saying). 

Saturday morning we went back to the Lodge in Mt. Albert, packed and then went to the Pasifika festival, which was really cool but it was so hot that a few of us got sunburns (including me). We had to be back at the Lodge by three o'clock and then at the airport by four. Our plane left at 7:30. 

It's so weird to be home, I don't think I understood before how different of a person I was before I left. I feel more in tune with myself now and what I want out of life. This experience was probably the best thing that could have happened for me. I loved it, it was my dream come true; I won't ever forget it. 

Last Week Images

Last look at Unitec before the rugby game.

Katherine and Cassie

 at Carrington's Bar on Unitec Campus waiting for free pizza and beer before the game.

I posted all three of these photos because they describe my roommates perfectly. I love them dearly and they both have such fun, awesome personalities. 

Love you guys.

At the Auckland Blues rugby game!!! They ended up winning. 

Really cool stadium - I was surprised how easy it was to follow the game, it was very fast paced.

We did the wave a bunch of times, the crowd was absolutely crazy.

There were so many more players than I had expected. 

Beautiful, cold Queenstown.

Ella, Hannah and Jonny in Queenstown.

Me in Queenstown.

Ella and I in a tree. We found this really cool tree where the branches were practically horizontal so we climbed up and chatted for about an hour.

Could not get over how pretty it was. 

Hannah, Me and Ella before we went on a KJet boat ride. 

The boat did 360 degree spins that absolutely drenched us in cold lake water. It was so much fun.

Again, how pretty is this?

The Remarkables - these mountains were used in the Lord of the Rings movies as Mordor. 

After meeting up with some other people from the group Jonny, Kayla, Kayla, Britha and I went on a hike, it was so cold but felt so refreshing. 

Looks a little like Washington, huh?

A lot of the trails we were on were steep like this and mountain bikes would come barreling down them.

On the way up to hang glide.

Still so pretty.

In Cookie Time - our favorite cookie bar (hot cookies and cold milk served all day every day).

Getting ready to hang glide - the cliff edge behind us is where we jumped off. 

Last look at the Mt. Albert Lodge. 

Rotorua - so pretty yet smelled so bad. 

Trying to hitchhike with no success.

Hannah, Ella and I before going zorbing.

Ella and Hannah before going black water rafting. 

Lake at the Pasifika festival in Auckland. 

Katherine and I got temporary Maori tattoos. Mine is the sun.

Sunset in Auckland. 

This festival is basically representing all the islands around New Zealand and in the Pacific Ocean with music and food from each of the islands, it was really cool. 

Cool black swam at Pasifika. 

Morning class

I forgot to say that in class today we learned a lot of Maori games and practiced with Taiaha, which were used in battle. Check out our Harlem Shake with our Taiaha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr7So47KaEM

Homeward Bound.

Hey everyone,
It's hard to believe that the time has gone by so quickly! We will be returning in eleven days and though I'm excited to come home and see everyone and start working again, I have to say that I'm really sad to leave, it feels as if I am a part of this country and this is my home. Australia and New Zealand have been my home for the past nine weeks and it's so different from the States that I think when I first get home, it will feel foreign and strange. I found a one dollar bill (U.S.) in my suitcase this morning and just sat there and stared at it for a few minutes, because our money looks so different. New Zealand and Australian money is bright and colorful and America's is so...green. haha.
Rain will be good to see again though.

Anyway, Monday and Tuesday we had classes all day. My movie group's presentation went really well! Our whole group was relaxed and we really had fun with the whole thing, and had the whole group laughing. Jordan's birthday was on Tuesday, so we hiked up Mt. Albert and watched the sunset and had a little party up there. Wednesday morning we had to catch a ferry to Tiritiri Matangi, which is an open bird sanctuary. We split up into groups, (Ella, Maddy and I were all in different groups) and followed our guide around the island, taking in the beautiful scenery and the chatty birds. We saw a variety of birds including: the Stitchbird, Red-crowned Parakeet, Bellbird (I wrote my biology paper on this one), Tui, Saddlebacks and a whole bunch more. It was hard for my camera to capture the birds, so I don't have a lot of pictures that aren't anything but blurry blobs, but I think Ella has some, so I will have to get some from her later. But apparently Hobbs beach on Tiritiri is almost exactly like Fiji, where the sand stretches out forever and you can walk 100 feet out and the water is still only up to your knees. Maddy and some of the other girls saw a stingray while swimming in the area but I unfortunately, was not lucky enough to see it. This morning in Maori culture class we got to participate in the same ceremony that we first viewed when we arrived here. But this time we got to stand on the Maori side and welcome the newcomers, we even performed our Haka (war dance) for them. This is a huge honor and we are the first Greenriver group that has been asked to perform with the Maori for this ceremony. It was a lot of fun and then we shared the breath of life with the newcomers, like the Maori had done for us not so long ago.
It was really amazing.

Climbing on top of Mt. Albert. The guys easily pulled themselves up onto the top of this structure but the girls couldn't do it at first. So I tried and pulled myself up rather quickly and then the other girls followed suit. Have to say I was a little proud that I did it first :)

Sunset on top of Mt. Albert.

Hello Moon :)

Me, Lindsay and Jordan before the sunset on Mt. Albert. Happy 22nd Birthday to Jordan!

Looking out from Tiritiri Matangi.

From the ferry looking at Tiritiri.

Tiritiri - Hobbs Beach.

Tiny little Bellbird on Tiritiri at a feeder. They're nectar eaters like hummingbirds.

Sitichbird and Bellbird feeder.

At the summit of Tiritiri.

Looks very tropical, right?

Tui feeder. 

Lighthouse at the top of the island.

Ella and I on Hobbs beach.

Takahe - Huge bird, there are only about 250 left. 

Looking out from Hobbs beach. 

Tonight we have a goodbye barbecue at some friends of Bruce's house and tomorrow we're going to a rugby game. Saturday morning, Hannah, Ella and I are leaving for Queenstown for a few days and then will be back in Auckland on the 5th. We're hoping to catch up with Ryan while we're here, he promised to show us the night life downtown as well as do a few other day trips that we still want to do.
I'm not sure if I'll get to post anymore before that but I'll try to when we arrive back in Auckland.
I love you all and I'm excited to be able to hug you again!