If anything I want to insure I don’t fall into autopilot and realize that a year has past that feels like a month. I always prefer months that feel like years.
So what has happened in Trey’s life? (By the way I hope this day-to-day journal isn’t nearly as dull as it feels writing; I am also hoping I’ll appreciate having it one day)
My office rugby team has had their first, second, third, and now eight game. Despite having only triumphed in one, we have had a ball and I must say I might have a new favourite (spelling I have to get used to for work) team sport – well at least to watch. Granted I have never really enjoyed watching any sports, rugby doesn’t have to do much to come out as my “favourite”.
I revert back to my notes to see the ups and downs of the month….
• I spent an entire weekend at work, yet thanks to the Kiwi work/life balance I’ve been given an extra two days of holiday to take for the effort.
• I’m still on my first tank of gas in my scooter – since July!
• I listen to NPR and Austin’s KUT on podcasts still and was impressed again with one of our countries strengths when the KKK led a protest in support of Proposition 2 in Texas. I couldn’t possibly disagree more with their views, but am so impressed with a country that tolerates those views and allows them to be broadcast. Yet, I was then utterly ashamed when Texas passed prop 2 – how can this place I call home, that I love so much, be so hatefully bigoted? How can the great state of Texas represent blatant prejudice, not in the back room of a farmhouse with the former generation that is often tolerated with the “they were brain washed” argument? But in our polls with landslide figures! What is happening to my home while I am away?
• Went to the Toast Martinborough Wine & Food Festival last weekend, which had the perfect combination of great wine, food, music, and friends.
• Like having a pet die, I had to take my camera into the shop. We’ll see if I have to purchase “the next one”, until then (possibly 6 weeks) I won’t be shooting. Damn this kills me!
• A wonderful English couple I befriended in Tonga have hired me to shoot their wedding in July - in the UK! So Europe for my annual month long holiday (thank you Kiwi holidays) in Europe! I plan to be in the UK for about a week then head south by train… not to much planned after that other than to insist on not moving around that much – afteral I’ll be back plenty I’m sure. Looks like I may not get back to the States for possibly another year, but anyone that misses me should just come to New Zealand or meet me in Europe – tell me that doesn’t sound like more fun?!
• I have been accepted to apply for residency in New Zealand after submitting my “Expression of Interest”. I realized I may not have laid out my plan so well before so here is the very rough version (I don’t intend it to ever be very concrete): Stay here for at least 2 summers saving money, then fly to Malaysia for a year long over land trip taking me into Africa (obviously I’ll get on a boat here and there). I hope to go through Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, India, Iran (maybe), Israel, Libya, Egypt, Kenya, (other African nations) – at the end of which I want to go to Europe and work in a non-English speaking country. This is about as rough as plans get. I have also considered taking off in two summers to work in South America as a volunteer and get my Spanish is good shape. The one thing that is certain is that nothing is certain. In that vein I am applying for residency in order to start the clock on my New Zealand citizenship. If I happen to be here for three years I’ll have it to go along with my US citizenship which would allow me to live here or Australia if/when I wanted to – not to mention travel on a Common Wealth passport and possibly less inflammatory one.
• I’ve actually caught myself getting nostalgic for the US watching West Wing DVDs from the Library (I have a Library card as of yesterday). I know I’m away when upon seeing the Chilean embassy walking today I realized I have not idea where the US embassy is – but there is one within a mile of my flat.
• I’m so ashamed to admit this…. Yet, having the unbelievably orderly British way here is rubbing off on me. I ironed my pillow cases today (I know pelt me with rocks – it’s ridiculous)
New Zealand celebrated Guy Fawks Day a few weeks back, a day celebrating some guy who attempted to blow up the king in 1605 (in England as there were no Europeans here then). The whole premise of this day cracks me up, as the guy was basically a terrorist. So one must wonder what all the fireworks represent? Apparently, the night started out with bonfires to celebrate the safety of the King, but now the Brits and Kiwis celebrate Guy Fawks in a way to “stick it to the man”.
Independent of the history the night was awesome. Great BBQ/costume party (the Kiwi’s love their “fancy dress” parties), some American girls I had become aquatinted with through a British Girl I met in Fiji were in for the night and we had ball. The fireworks over the bay were awesome. Yet running late to see them we walked into some folk’s backyard, introduced ourselves, and enjoyed the fireworks from Mt. Victoria. A panoramic view of the city lights horseshoeing around the bay, fireworks going off at eye level that appeared to eclipse the bay in size, in a still cool night extenuated by the bay mirroring the colourful explosions above.
On the subject of holidays, Thanksgiving passed last week. I was curious what it would feel like without family – yet it didn’t really feel like Thanksgiving so I wasn’t so bothered. Of course I had to take the mickey out of my friends by wishing them all a Happy Thanksgiving. My friends John and Sarah planned a huge BBQ for the occasion, with the invitation inviting all to take advantage of the holiday with their “token American”. The weather didn’t cooperate so we resorted to plan B, an awesome night at a fabulous restaurant – which I must say would put up a hard fight to be topped by any BBQ.
This past week my friend Vic from San Francisco visited. Austin dot com, to Standford, to BioTech in Silicon Valley… and now travelling for 6+ months. (see anyone can do this – that’s my prod for the month) We had a ball, I showed him through Wellington in the evenings and despite only travelling for a month he greatly appreciated having access to a “home” for a week.
This last weekend I’ve been a bit sick or “crook” as the Kiwis say. Nonetheless, I had a great weekend, specifically brunch on Saturday. Vic and I hopped up the Cable Car that is below my flat, climbed about 300 feet vertically into the Botanical Gardens where we met my friend Elisabet, a fabulous German girl I’ve met here. Walked through a misty day to the rose gardens where we had coffee and brunch sitting on leather couches in a greenhouse. Natural and bright light shown as we chatted, reclined, read the paper – all the while with views of the fields of roses blurred by the rain on the panes of glass that encased us.
Sunday I wandered to a movie, then Te Papa (the Kiwi version of the Smithsonian). Only visited the café, yet I was again taken aback by the enormity of the architecture. I love to concretely remind myself of the enormity of things external. Similar to my day today, strolling through the gardens again, I renew my amazement with the beauty that surrounds. I notice myself looking up again. This sense of quite literally widening my perspective by looking up reminds me of travelling again. Noticing the rooflines, trees, sky, and mountains – unlike the “rat race” which has me see only my computer, sidewalk, next source of sustenance – a shrinking of my view.
This makes me think about my lifestyle. I wrote about it to my friend George and was curious if I’ve put it down in words here… so out of laziness I’ll just copy it from my email.
Life here is good. I live in a flat in downtown Wellington, a city that feels quite like a miniature San Francisco to me. I really enjoy the lifestyle I'm living now. I have a 4 minute walk to work though 360 degrees of concrete along crowded sidewalks stuffed with clothing boutiques and coffee shops. Work is great as it is truly challenging me and I honestly believe it is moving my career forward as I am working with large organizations and large networks. Nonetheless, the work environment is fantastic. Our Wellington office has the vast majority of the company with about 90 people; it is very young, full of energy, and the company prides its self on its meritocracy and flat, young culture. All the desks are covered with legos, pictures, sports balls, and nerf guns, while the aisles between desks are jammed with mountain bikes and kayak paddles. With no offices or separators, the place is loud and high energy - constantly reminding me of a newsroom.
I have met some lovely people. Lots through my work and unlike my previous work experience I relate exceptionally well with my colleges. With folks from the office: I go running Mondays and Wednesdays, play rugby Tuesday and Thursdays, play soccer on Fridays, race sail boats on the weekends, go hiking in the mountains, road trips around New Zealand wine country, kayaking in sounds, and really enjoy myself.
Well that’s plenty blathering for tonight, yet to give a bit of reading value for my blog I thought I would recommend a couple things I’ve been consuming lately:
New Music:
Melissa Greener (Austin)
Porterdavis (Austin)
Hurts to Purr (Austin) - not on iTunes yet
Andy Guthrie (USA)
Podcasts (if you aren’t listening to these you should check ‘em out):
NPR’s “On The Media”
Fresh Bread from a French bakery! Whoo hoo!
1 comment:
thank you for quenching my thirst - I've really missed your postings and this update is AWESOME!
XOXOXO
Post a Comment