halloweeeeeny

Yes halloween is some what celebrated in New Zealand. Although it's not as popular as the states, that was obvious when searching for a costume, it is still used as an excuse to have a party and for girls to play dress up in barley there "costumes."

This year I was not as organized about the big day as I was in the previous year with wonder woman. I had yet to decide what to be and it wasn't till the day of that I decided Hulk Hogan was a genius idea. So when I stumbled across a WWF belt at Warehouse (the New Zealand Wal-Mart) it seemed like fate. It however was not in packaging so I figured a discount could be awarded. Too bad Warehouse isn't Wal-Mart because they wouldn't reward a discount and were still asking the full price of $35, EVEN though it was obviously missing the accessories. Lame.. So moving on to the last resort of what I usually end up choosing. Aaaarg matey. I've found you just can't go wrong with a pirate. It must have been my previous life.

Found this amazing $12 mask at the costume shop we went to. Grabbed a sword and eye patch and I was set.

Now if only I didn't feel like I was suffocating every time I put it on.

Jessica in real life:


I'd like to thank the academy..


Davis, Me, Ben. They were going for insane clown possie meets scary clown pedophile so Davis went around the party saying, "hey little girl/boy would you like some candy." The thought of his voice still creeps me out:


My friend Lawson. Nerd alert.


The halloween party was hosted by Carringtons, the on campus pub/cafe. They had the band Deja Voodoo play which was pretty sweet as so I got to take some shots of them:

exhibition practice

We had our Exhibition Practice gallery show tonight. Hosted by Real Time gallery on K Road.
It was for my class for school where the objective was to create and host a gallery opening of our work. An initial launch for our publication more or less.
The theme for the exhibition was D for Desire in miniatures. As a class we produced a publication book, D for Desire, and the launch of the book would be the gallery opening.
We had a lovely turn out and heaps of people showed to enjoy the work. The gig pretty much went off with a hitch, except for the fact we only had two copies of our publication to show, since the books weren't finished at the printer. Go figure.

I showed two polaroids and a statement about desire.
This was my double page spread in our publication..minus the writing on the left:


Gallery opening:




K Road is full of fabulous galleries, venues, and op shops (thrift stores). I however think it's most known for its abundant sex shops, strip clubs, and transvestites lingering the streets at night. You can catch a glimpse of the glitter and glam, which would make Boy George jealous, with a simple stroll down the k itself.

east side road trip

25 october - 29 october
Chris and I rented a car for the weekend and drove to the east coast of the north island.
For me it was a recap of the Coromandel Peninsula. But we managed to make it to the noted top 10 best beaches in the world by national geographic 'new chums beach.' I climbed the summit that looks over the beach cove this time, which was an amazing sight but terribly windy. A drive down to hot water beach to dig a hole in the sand but the tide was coming in so we weren't able to, but could still feel the hot water that seeped through the surface of the sand and felt as if you were walking on hot coals. Then to Tauranga and Mt. Maunganui and ending at Rotorua for zorbing and rafting. Awoke the next morning ready for our rafting but it was missed due to the only clock we had was in the car and it was an hour off. Bummer but at least we got all the money back on it. I should also mention Rotorua smells like a giant rotten egg. Possible because its a town in the center of a volcano. Not sure who the genius was on that one but its still a beautiful place to see. Then to end the trip we drove to Taupo for a dinner by lake. And back up to Auckland the next morning.

will post photos as soon as i get some wireless. so keep checking back.

sand dune video

Heres a video chris put together that i finally got to upload of the sand dunes we experienced. Very gnarrrrrly!

Labour Day Weekend

20. OCTOBER
IT’S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY!! The big 22. All very exciting, but more exciting that I’m celebrating it in New Zealand with my good friends.

I picked Chris up at the airport this morning. As we left the airport we got to watch the sunrise on the drive back into Auckland. I realized how much I love watching people greet each other as they venture off the plane and meet there loved ones on the other side. Kinda brings a little tear to my eye. You have the wanna be rock star dressed as the average joe waving to everyone as if he’s the front page of people’s magazine (but with no one watching but me), then you have the dad and the kids running to greet him in open arms, the native islanders dressed accordingly in matching native attire, but my personal favorite has to be all the old ladies with their duty free liquor bottles in tow. After the airport fun and the $6 dollar parking fee later we were hustling around to repack so we could catch our bus down in sky city. Last ones on of course, wishing we could call it running fashionably late but instead just late because of the city bus. We were on the road and headed towards Whangarei to meet Jessica and Samantha, who had done scuba diving at the Poor Knights Islands the previous day, thus the reason Chris and I had to take the bus to meet them. Arrived and drove on to Bay of Islands where we eventually found a place to stay in Paihia for the night. Booked our Dolphin Experience Boat for the next day and headed down to the waters edge to indulge in some food and must needed birthday fun. Funny thing is I think we lasted till dinner and once we ended up back at the hotel I’m pretty sure we all fell asleep at 7pm. We must be catching the old people disease.

21. OCTOBER
Woke up early to meet our boat ride of bay of islands and crossing our fingers we’d see wild dolphins. Partly cloudy, but ending in sunshine. However the wind had a mind of its own. We passed through the famous hole in the rock and were toured around a sea of islands, 143 in total. The last twenty minutes before heading to shore and not a dolphin in sight, we were going to be issued vouchers. AND THEN. A whole group of them appeared, with a little baby who jumped out of the water for us. I think if I see some whales now, my life will be complete. Wild dolphins are such beautiful creatures. Being wild they live up to 40 years, compared to that of dolphins kept in captivity who live for less then 5 years. Sad if you think about it. Brings real thought into the life of animals kept in captivity.











After the dolphin fun we ended up driving all the way up to the largest sand dunes ever in Te Paki. Rented some body boards for a few hours and started the trek of a wall we called the sands dunes. Chris and I climbed it three times and every time you get to the top you have to sit to catch your breath for what seems like days. Then the most absolute funnest thing happens and you soar down the dune for what’s probably only 3 seconds of amazing. The videos I have explain it perfectly. We finished off the day covered in sand and a drive up to Cape Reigna, which in Maori legends is the place of the departing spirits and where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea. A truly breath taking sight to see! But of course what part of New Zealand isn’t.










22. OCTOBER
A night in a backpacker, which we were so fortunate to get being it Labour day weekend and all. That and we never plan far enough ahead to actually make a booking. We drove down the west coast and stopped at 90 mile beach. You’re allowed to drive your car on it but take warning that your car might get stuck and they say, “You will see hoods of cars buried in the sand.” Thus said there was no way we were going to risk Amileo’s life, plus Davis would have a cow if we got the car lost in a pit of sand.

Took the ferry across the Hokianga Harbour from Rangiora to Rawene. Stopped in Rawene to have a bite to eat. It still irritates the shit out of me how when I order fish I ask if they have lemon wedges or vinegar. They then have this puzzled look on their face like why would you want that or I’ve never even heard of such a thing. But then they reply with oh well we have tartar sauce. Then I agree to that and they say 60 cents. I can’t wait to go back to the states where condiments are free like they should be when you order food.







We pulled up on the top of a hill to what was an amazing view. In the mean time Samantha spots this hitchhiker who needs a ride. After much debate we invite the French kid into our car being the nice people we are. Unfortunately it was probably his worst decision of his journey yet and I should note that you just had to be in the car and inhale the drama for the next thirty minutes, its no wonder French people don’t like Americans. First off the car started to over heat a bit and I end up checking the oil and then we don’t know how to read the foreign cars dipstick, so then there’s yelling and texting to Davis to freak him out and mean while the poor little French kid sitting in the back witnessing this mayhem. It’s all ean while the poor little French kid sitting in the back witnessing this mayhem. It’s all very humorous looking back on it now, at least it is to me…

We eventually get to the Waipoua where we drop the French kid off. It’s home to Tane Mahuta (Giant Kauri) Tree. And the most enormous tree you will probably see in your whole life, not even kidding! The entire drive through Waipoua Forest is lush, green, and really takes your breath away because of how well the conservation of New Zealand is maintained. Even looking at the farmland and the pastures. Perfect fences all uniform. It’s like a Sim City in real life. Then we headed back to Auckland and arrived just for dinnertime. Alls well that end well I guess.

winding down

It’s winding down to the last month of my existence in good ol’ New Zealand. Quite sad actually, but greater adventures are to come. I finish up school on November 14th and travel plans to Singapore for Thanksgiving with Carrie, Bob, Teddy and Josie (aunt uncle and cousins) are in the making, that and a venture down under to see what Australia has to offer before I head back home to the states in December. It’s all very exciting and a bit overwhelming. Being young and able to travel the world, finally see and experience what I’ve read about in books. I couldn’t wish for anything more. It’s what life’s all about right?

My birthday is on Saturday! We’re going up north for the Labour Day weekend. The icing on the cake is I pick Chris up at the airport in the morning. I’m very excited since we haven’t seen each other since I left in July. Definitely a keeper if he’s willing to fly halfway across the world to see me. I miss him sooo…

Some pretty flowers I picked on my walk home from class today.

3.OCTOBER.2007

Wellington is known as the windiest city and I’m not even kidding when they say that. We woke up in the van to what we thought was an earthquake of sorts. Like a giant had picked up our van and was shaking it.

Stopped in Taupo for lunch.


We eventually arrived in Auckland at 9 pm. And boy am I glad to get the hell out of that van. Had some good times and an amazing adventure in it, but I never want to see that thing again!
Plus it definitely will be nice to sleep in my own bed and not in my sleeping bag in the back of the van!

2.OCTOBER.2007

Finish of the day by driving to our destination of Picton where we would catch the 1 pm ferry to Wellington. I will mention the drive along the east coast was less hilling and not as beautiful as we were so avidly told. However the constant view of the Southern Alps on our left made up for it all.

The ferry was really ruff and I thought I was seriously going to blow away when I went out on the sun deck.
Arrived in Wellington and sent a text to the Germans so we could meet up. Headed over to the Te Papa Museum before it closed to kill some time. Jeremiah and Duga didn’t want to stay in Wellington for the night (CAUSE THEY JUST HAD TO GET BACK TO AUCKLAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!) and with no text back from the Germans we decided just leave Wellington.
As the story goes from there...

Where sitting at the gas station just outside town and finally receive a text saying to meet at 11pm. Jessica and I feeling devilish and with the thought in our heads “its our trip too” decide to scheme against the boys. I was driving and Jessica up front, the boys pretty much passed out from too much ice cream in the back, we closed the divider curtain. And yes well off to Auckland we go, BUT in reality I was really driving back into Wellington. We waited for the yelling from the back of the van, and new it would happen at anytime considering we kept passing all these signs for Wellington and how far ahead it was, but nothing. That is nothing until we actually get in the city and we hear a lot of cussing and ranting coming from the back. Our plan pretty much worked. And a night in Wellington made since. There was no reason to be driving roads we don’t know at god for saken hours of the night just to get back to Auckland to just do what, sit in your stupid flat and facebook it up. We had a good reason to take the ropes and turn the van around!

I then drove in circles for the next two hours looking for a place to park the van that wouldn’t cost us the usual pay and park fee. A parking garage miss hap (not my fault it said 8ft) crunch later and we arrived at the perfect spot. Just next to the water in a lot that was also occupied by some other travel vans such as ours. PERFECTO!..and it only took two stupid hours to find.
Well of course when you want to meet up with someone, especially the Germans Joe and Chris it’s usually never just 11. Its more like midnight and we’re still sitting at the bar waiting for them to show up. The night did however end up be heaps of fun and no regrets. As for Duga, he was still so pissed from our little trick that he stayed in the van the entire night.