Well, I've done what I thought I would do. Namely, I've chosen to be with friends and conveniently "forgotten" to sit down and write. I struggle with the balance of remaining present while seeking alone time to write and process, as I feel memories are constantly being created and, due to the limited I have with the incredible family I've found here, it's hard to convince myself to sit on my own. This is an entirely new feeling for me. I am someone who is very comfortable spending time by myself and, up until recently, I felt that I needed that time to recharge. But something wonderful has happened in that the people I'm surrounded by fill me a sense of ease where I can at once be with them while also regaining energy. It occurs to me daily how fearcly kind, confident, humble and hilarious the people I live with are and for that I am forever grateful.

*Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, Waiotapu, New Zealand*

Since arriving in New Zealand I have been blown away by how consistently beautiful this country is. In an effort to live out my many Lord of the Rings fantasies, I have hiked mountains, sought out waterfalls, and traversed the North Island - I've even found the perfect Gandalf-style walking stick. Here to help me realize my LOTR dreams are my Kiwi camp friends I made while at Becket Chimney Corners YMCA in the States (I expect they will be thrilled at the prospect of dressing up as elves, dwarfs, hobbits, etc. to go hiking). As the great Galdalf the Grey once said "all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" and with that I will spend my days here exploring, petting Kiwi birds, and shouting "you shall not pass!" whenever the mood catches me.

*Mount Doom (aka Mt. Ngauruhoe) Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand*

*Ngarotopounamu Lake, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand*

As I Predicted

Mount Doom: The Time I Simply Walked into Mordor