Country Living and the End of My Time as a Corporate Derelict

So, finally back with an update. Going chronological seems to be working for the moment, so let's stick with that (not to worry, I'm sure by the end of the year I'll be updating via abstract creative writing with picture interpretations..get ready)
So some real big news happened last Thursday.
I got a bed!!!


Wow! I'm on a bed!
Let me explain. When I first moved in the second day here, I was jetlagged to the point that a cement block looked eerily comfortable. So I was stoked that the flatmates had any sort of immediate arrangement for me (I was well aware coming in that the room wasn't furnished)
Said arrangement being a worn out as shit mattress from the pull out couch+random sheet+my sleeping bag+couch throw pillow.

And that ended up being my sleeping setup for close to 2 weeks. While I'm aware there is nothing classy in admitting this, it was partly due to being pretty content living like a squatter. (I blame an early indoctrination of punk music) The real delay factor, arose in the difficulties of getting a free flatmate and a free vehicle capable of lugging a bed purchased at a used furniture store.
So it went on for awhile, and I kept my patience over the whole matter, but soon NZ began feeling like home and it was such an oddity to have the place where I slept not feel remotely settled in. Plus it was disorienting as fuck* to wake up in a sleeping bag and put on a tie for work.

*Can I say fuck in here? Does Grandma read this? Does she even care?

So I caved, and one day while killing time in the cubicle, called up a store called BedTraders, and convinced this nice lady on the phone she wanted to help me pick out my furniture. Two days later it arrived and I have not a single ounce of buyers remorse; I'll just sell the thing for $ before I peace Auckland.
Wow. Long winded. Sorry.




Pictures to give you an idea of the room, as requested by mi madre. The reason why the bed isn't fully pushed up against the wall is because that little nook has the best potential for wireless. I've become a master at pirating my neighbors internet; we can thank it for this update.

We've reached that inevitable point where I'm taking more pictures than I can realistically post, so I'm gonna just show my favorites, and when I get home I'll happily bore anyone with interest for the whole experience.
At the top of Mt. Eden in Auckland. The sky tower is pretty easy to pick out. Also, the bridge in the left corner is the one I take from the North Shore to work everyday.

This weekend I went to Coromandel with Jo to stay at her mom's place and check out the area. J and D came as well, which was great because I hadn't seen them since that night of clubbing.
Side stop on the way there

Fun fact! Coromandel has only one police officer.


Jess, one of Jo's best friends and her mom's flatmate.
J, Jo and D

The land was absolutely stunning. It reminded me a lot of Ireland actually. Though the roads were even more narrow if thats possible to believe.

We decided to climb out onto the rocks.





An amazing exhausting weekend. Can't wait for the next.

While googling some research for an instruction manual I'm slowly drafting, I can across this Cali based charity organization that sends volunteers to Tibet. While its obviously not something that should be decided on impulse (like moving to NZ for a year. ha!) and there are quite possibly better ways to get over there, it strikes me on a gut enough level that it might be worth contemplating putting off the photo certification program one more year.



Taken today on the bus ride home.

Cheers! :-)