"this is my message to you,ou,oo"

"If you are stuck in the past you are depressed
If you are thinking of the future you are anxious
If you are living in the present you are at peace"

When I was 17 my high school guidance counselor asked me to write an essay about something or someone that inspired me or made an impact on my life.  This essay was to be submitted to college for acceptance into their university as if it was a complete judge of my character and who I was.  As I travel around another country ten years later (almost to date) I recalled again the event and person in which I wrote that essay about.  I realize how accurate the words I wrote back then really were and how much my essay was about a life lesson, and not just an acceptance plea. 

Days first sunrise 7:03 a.m. March 8, 2013 East Cape NZ

On Friday March 8, 2013 I woke at 4 a.m. with a thumbnail moon hanging low in the sky and cold still clinging to the night air.  I had stayed the night at Marae Haku, a small and very quiet grounds next to the Sea on the North East Cape of New Zealand's North Island.  I usually do not wake up early, and when I do wake I prefer to do so in my own time...slowly with no rush to be anywhere.  Well this morning was an exception that my body was just going to have to handle, I could have very easily snuggled down into my borrowed green sleeping bag and drifted back to sleep, but thinking of that life lesson, the one I based my entire college essay on, I crawled out of the tent.  Today I was driving to Te Aroha about an hour East.  After packing all I own back into the car, strapping the now 3 surfboards across the top, and assuring my Uruguay-en passenger was sleepily in the seat next to me, I wound around the uneven narrow gravel roads while still rubbing sleepies from my eyes.  Coming to an end at a remote farm plot I parked the car, and climbed 749 stairs to the top of the hill.  Upon arrival there were 7 others sitting on cliffs edge waiting in near silence, in the minutes that followed 4 others arrived.  The sky began to lighten and although the clouds were thick, 12 people of the 7 billion of us on Earth watched as the sun rose on a brand new day.  (Although there is no "technical" first point where the sun first rises and is seen each day and depending on how you look at the question there are a few different locations and answers, but to the best of my knowledge this point in NZ is one of the first spots on Earth that is inhabited and can be easily viewed where the sun rises on a new day.) 

For me this sunrise symbolized life, breath, and freedom, something that my dad showed me some 20 years ago.  Even back then I was not a morning person, but one Easter morning he dragged Justin and I out to Lake Ontario to watch the sunrise.  This he said is what life's about and although my dad is not "religious" I took it as this is what we are thanking God for.  The sunrise on each new day is all we need to know that we are alive and fortunate to be where we are.   In 2003 that was the moment that I described in my "essay" of life altering experiences and it is a moment that I thought of yet again as I sat watching the sky change color, the clouds become lined with pink and bright rays of light pushed their way through through the dark gray sky.  It might not seem like much, but once in awhile sit in the presence and enjoy that your life has another sunrise.

Free....Free Falllllllllling

One Minute free fall from 15,000 ft. Wicked.  The scariest part was being pushed off the side of the plane while your instructor still sits on the edge, you are just dangling there and then whoooosh.  You are falling fast and it’s incredibly free and scary and beautiful all at the same time.  And then the ‘chute is released and you just kinda float and spin down.  JP (my instructor) asked me to yell real loud at one point, I guess he thought I was sick or passed out I didn’t realize how quiet I was being, but it was so much to take in and I was just enjoying it.   Skydiving with skydiveTaupo is a must do.  Everyone was excited and helpful and the whole experience was epic!

                                         

A little over a week ago some friends  (thanks Fran, Roz, LT, Chris, farmstay guys) threw the best going away party at the Stable.  Every person showed up dressed in full on Cowboy or Indian costume: guns, handcrafted bow and arrows, facepaint included.  If you want a good party leave it to Raglan.   The last few days there flew by.  I said bye to not only all of my friends but to Dan, Leanna, and little ‘Belle.  We had a feast of Salmon and Udon Noodles and with lots of hugs, and well wishes, and see you laters, I hugged my “family” bye.  Three people that changed my life, gave me a home, and 5 of the best months of my life.  Now we just have to get them to come visit the States 
 
Caroline, Seba, and I left Raglan (a little sad) and headed to Taupo.  Upon pulling into Taupo we came across Reid’s Farm, a nice camp on the side of the River, where you can camp for free.  It is safe, and close to town, but far enough to hike up to Huka falls and hot water springs.  Taupo is a lake located in the central North Island, it is known for sailing, parasailing, skydiving, and mountain biking.  It is a healthy and clean city, and I would go back.  The skydive (see first paragraph) was unreal.   Spent some time wandering the town, chilling and hiking at camp, sitting in hot springs, and paddeling (with surfboard) in Acacia Bay on Lake Taupo.  I was fortunate enough to meet with David and sail on Fearless with him and Lindsey.  We took a 2 and a half hour trip around the lake, stopping to see Maori carivings, and go for a swim.  Thanks Dave and Lindsey see you both again!  Here is where I said goodbye to Caro, as she went back to Rags and Seba and I continued our North Island adventure. 

                                    

 Mt. Maunganui was the next stop.  This city is located on the West Coast, known for its surf.  There was ok surf, but the city was not a favorite.  If you want to go out for a night life or shop you might like it, but there was nowhere to camp or park, and it was not convenient for travelers.  However I needed my board fixed and the recommendation of Mike Meldon(spl?) came by.  He was one of the nicest men I’ve met, he was accommodating, and helpful, he fixed my board real quick and he is a well known long board shaper.  Thanks Mike wherever you may be, you were my favorite part of the Mont.

The Loveliest Places of all are those that look as if there is nothing there to those still learning to look –Turner-

Drive to Coromandel was nice, full of small towns including Paeroa (Lemon&Paeroa a local NZ bottled drink) which I loved.   All the small towns were gentle and sweet.  New Zealand is all about small towns with easy going people and spectacular beauty each different in their own right.   You must zigzag around them, enjoy the locals and the sites, taking your time otherwise you will pass by some of the best things.   In Thames Valley on a twisty road with a steep rock wall to one side and a river the to other I pulled over a one-way bridge in the middle of no where to use a bathroom.  There was a small Maori run farm and Caravan stay and if I’d had the time (or caravan) would have loved to stay and get to know the family and their land more than just the restroom.   We headed up the West Coast of the Peninsula and stopped off at “The Cheese Barn” and had a picnic of homemade icecream, brie cheese, blue cheese, chutney and crackers, and of course took some time to visit the farm animals.  Up the coast another couple hours we pulled into Te Mata Bay for a swim, and lunch, and it was so relaxing I pulled out my yoga cards Ani made for me and put on the relaxtion cd for an improptu 20 minute yoga and meditation.  Once in Coromandel town we got fishing gear from Top Catch (thanks for helping me out again TopCatch) ice, fuel, and water.  Then took the dirt roads winding up and around the North Point and stayed at Port Jackson beach for two nights.  Ahhhh Coromandel.  Gorgeous, calm, peaceful Coromandel.  Love it here.  Coromandel is a Peninsular that looks like it came out of scenes from Jurassic Park.  It is also known as the Puhutekawa Coast Line as the roads, beaches, and hills, are covered in this exotic NZ tree.  We drove all the way up to the North Point where the beaches are desolate and the water is crystal blue.  I took more pictures here then my camera could hold, so if you want to see beauty, see some of my albums.  I tried fishing (this is the Coromandel pastime) but without a boat/kayak I did not have much luck.  On day two I took the Coromandel Coastal Walkway by myself for a 7 hour hike around the coast to Stony Bay.   7 hours of walking, praying, and bird watching.  It clears your mind and your soul, no matter who you are you cannot resist saying Thanks to God that created such beauty and allows us to walk on it. On the way back South again we swerved around and made way down the East Coast of the Peninsular to Waikawau, and New Chums Beach.  New Chums is off the main road and once you “arrive” you have to wait for outgoing tide and walk the rocks and a small path to an oasis.  If you can find this unmarked beach you will not be disappointed.  White Sand, teal blue clear water, small waves, (good surf on a swell) and ¾ surrounded by tall rock and cliff.   It’s what I imagine the small islands of Hawaii, or Fiji to look like. 

               Keep your eyes open it’s more beautiful that way

We are the measure of all things and the beauty of our creation

I know it's been ages since writing on here, but the longer I am in NZ the quicker time goes by... too quickly.  It's February 7th and it's a sunnying beautiful day out... again.  I spent my morning in Ani's yoga class and then lunch with Sally at The Shack.  Afterwards we walked to Herbal Dispensary, the holistic health shop in town that owns my minimal pycheck; literally my meager earnings of cafe work might as well be directly desposited into their juice bar/garden/vitamin cabinet.  My purchase today was small and meaningful enough, these special little eyedrops that have kept my saltwalter beaten, sunstroked, blood shot eyes, slightly rejuivanted over the last 4 months.  The ladies know that when I walk in wearing Sunglasses over eyeglasses it's time for a re-fill on liquid eye bliss.  Once the purchase of secret eye juice had been made, we wandered through Raglan Traders, and The Good Book, to see if any hidden treasures were dropped off in the past couple days (thankfully not because I have to save some money).  A quick stop at the Roast provides a coffee break, a game of backgammon, and catch up on latest town news, and how the surfs been.  For afternoon tea we had cheese sandwhiches, and Whitaker's Chocolate over at Sally's place.   With some time to spare before sunset I've stopped home to write to you all and share pasta salad with the family.  Tonight is a sunset paddle to Manu Bay on knee boards and a little game of pirates.  This is not a game we've played before, but my dear Irish friend Grainne and I have decided to pilfer the Surf Saving Club's Boards, the Guard Boys and dressed as pirates anything else we can find left for the taking before we paddle off into sunset. 

This is a perfect day in Rags and a day which will be cherished along with the rest as they become numbered, my time here drawing to an end with new journeys looming in the very near future.  In a short 2 and a half weeks I set off again, this time with two of the most wonderful people (Sally and boyfriend Johnny), my surfboard, and a large piece of my heart left behind. 

Many of you ask "are you still in that same town" and for the time being I say yes, but this town has made an impression in me and I assure you I on it.  It's the kind of place that on a Monday morning after Sunday Session you wake up on the couch of a neighbors house.  Someone is bound to have taken your Sunglasses, most likely to be returned upon exclaming "hey those are my sunnies" in passing down the lane, a stranger is walking around in your flip flops (while you are eating breakfast barefoot), and your outfit from the night before is in a crumpled heap amongst everyone else's, because you decided it was a good idea to take a late night jump off the walking bridge at low tide.

Since last writing I've found a slice of heaven of course it's not too far from Raglan and It's called Ruapuke.  I almost want to be selfish and not share this with a world full of readers, but if it is actually heaven then I can't not share.  Ruapuke is a 40 minute drive around what I like to call Jurassic Park.  Of course no filming of any kind has been done on these gravel roads but not due to lack of scenery.  Winding up and around Mount Karioi and along coastal cliffs of horse riding farmland.  You will, if you are lucky, be one of the few to find Ruapuke.  On a good day it is a surfing dream, and on the worst a stormy sea of raging white waters with power that can take your breath away.

With this update I leave to you some tunes.  Music inspires, it draws thoughts, it creates energy, it makes movement.  This is what has been pumping in my car, on my compter and in my head.  Sonia Dada - Lover / Birdy - Skinny Love /  Annah Mac - Girl in Stilletos / Not so new, but new to meSo Frenchy So Chic Album (try it while cleaning) AND up and coming hot NZ singer, songwriter and person in general Bailey Wiley (baileynz.bandcamp.com)

Til next time.

xoxo
Jess

gaining perspective

"You lose sight of things & when you travel, everything balances out"


 It sucks so much when you pour all your time and mind energy into someone or something that doesn't actually "love" in return.  Have you ever pushed for something, changed for someone or put your own goals/reality aside to get what you [think] you want?  You actually lose sight of yourself (blinded by love i think is what people call it).  Then you wake the f*ck up and realize it wasn't love after all just a very foggy distraction to keep you from doing and being what and who you are.  Eventually you find love in a natural, wasn't looking for it kind of way.  That waking up part, that is the balance that comes while traveling.  You start seeing your life, the life of others, and the world in a larger perspective.  

Recently, I had the great pleasure of  rafting the Mighty Clarence River.  This trip was 10 days long, 8 of which were spent on the river or on the rivers edge.  The trip was hosted by Sanna and Ellis Emmett, 2 people that actually showed me the meaning of quote.  They took 22 people (strangers for the most part), put us in 5 rafts with loads of gear, and we paddled from Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura, which I believe is just over 200 kilometers.  There were parts of this trip that were very VERY new experiences for me, and people of all ages that in a million years I would have never met if it weren't for this.  After 8 days though, I had a new family and my comfort zone was pushed to the edge in more ways than one.  

To give a very quick overview of trip:  white water, fresh water fishing, fire dancing (yes, uncoordinated jessica), participating in dance competitions, and non-talent shows, cliff jumping, outdoors cooking, sleeping in bush and broom (a very unfortunate pricklery weed), bathing in the stream, sharing the most intimate stories, eating LOADS of chocolate, waking up in the most beautiful and serene settings, sharing my tent with lying cheating englishmen, hanging with Aussies, eating stew in at least 12 different forms, learning photography, participating in and watching photo shoots, waxing (enough said), learning from beautiful spirits, oh God the list does go on and on.  22 very different people, taken from their natural lives (losing sight) and put together for a trip (travel) every personality working together (balance) to create once in a life time experiences.

Life, Travel, Love, and um.... rafting?  

Steve, Jose, Jarmo, Ellis, Hans, Kayla, Toby, Brent, Shirley, Daryl, Kirsti, Victoria, Bernie, Harry, Brendan, Jojo, Colin, Tim, Babbet, Stefan, and Royce gave meaning to the words above.  

you and me, we are living

"In the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." - Max Ehrmann

My heart and head are finding a way.  It makes me feel very special to have this journey and these travels in my life, but it makes me feel even special-er knowing I have you back home supporting me, praying for me, and sending your love every day.  It is with this energy, I am able to live the freedom I am living, because you are always there, you have always been there, and will always be there to share with, and to count on.  I hope you will always feel the same about my love for you, my support for you, and my thoughts that are always with you.

Today I got in the car with a new friend.   She picked me up; we had 2 surfboards in the car, Jack Johnson playing on the ipod, with windows down we were driving to a beautiful sunset surf session.  This was around 6 p.m.

Nine hours previous I was practicing Yoga from one of the most beautiful Yogi's I have the privilege of learning from and in between Yoga and Sunset Surf ~beach, surf, coffee, 4 mile walk, and a moderate Spanish Lesson.~

Driving home at 9:30 p.m. and completely knackered from the day I was beneath a vibrant Pink and Purple sky smiling for you.

Life moves so so very fast.  Can you believe it is Christmas in just 10 days?  Can you stop for a moment and just breathe, take in where you are in your own life and say Thank You for what you are doing.

Feeling absolutely loved and blessed, I pray you do to!

xx
j

celebrate

“Don't Gain The World & Lose Your Soul, Wisdom Is Better Than Silver Or Gold.” 
― Bob Marley

Poop Shoe & Glow Worm

Around 1 a.m. as I looked around at the sorts dancing about me, I realized that 2 months into this venture of New Zealand, I have committed to the promise to “never stop moving my feet”

I am so grateful for so many people even on the other side.  Tuesday the 6^th was my birthday, but I stopped counting years a few years ago.  And for that I am glad because I’ve never felt younger, fresher, or happier.  It’s definitely true that you are only as old as you feel, and I feel better than I did at 24.

November 5^th is the English Holiday bonfire night.  It is in celebration of a man who tried to blow up Parliament, they stopped him and burned him on a stake.  Kind of gruesome, but it allows New Zealanders to purchase fireworks for 3 days.  Since I’m a huge fan birthday weekend started great with fireworks, pizza, beer, and chocolate.  Waking up Tuesday morning, my “family” made a pancake, bacon and icecream breakfast and Tuesday afternoon I set off on a tramp to Mt. Pirongia.

Sunday, November 3^rd, I woke up feeling a little church time… really missing my Seacoast Family.  I walked up to a little church called Surfside and as soon as I walked in Janet, the Pastor’s wife came right up to introduce herself and tell me a little about their church.  Raglan is such a tiny little town, so everyone knows who is new.  It was a small group, but beautiful all the same.  We song worship songs, watched a video about the ‘Sistas’ conference that took place in Auckland, and celebrated the going away of two Surfside members.  One of those people was an 85 year old elderly women who had been attending Surfside since 1986 she was sitting next to me during service, I could feel love, power, and God’s energy all around her.  She was smiling all service despite having to leave this group of people, she accepted some flowers, and a blessing, and gave a Thank You speech despite the fact that she has been serving them for years.   After service the Pastor introduced himself to me and commented on the fact that they don’t have tons of backpackers who just pop in, but today they had two, myself and another American girl from North Carolina.  He introduced Danni & I and we had a good laugh about randomly feeling the draw to Church this morning.   A few things fell into place quite quickly between Surfside, Danni, & I, we had met for a reason.  That reason became apparent almost immediately, eventually leading to new friendships, a wicked week in Raglan, and a (secret) plane ride home for Danni to see her family in December.  Taking a trip to the beach we chatted about travel and life and all those things random travelers have to share.  She is staying at The FarmStay a real cool spot up the road that is turning into an accommodation.  Quite randomly Danni, and I, and a couple of the other FarmStay girls, Sandy, and Fran decided to take the Mt.Pirognia tramp and I could not have asked for a better way to celebrate another year gone by!

Leaving around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, we clearly had no idea the intensity of a “trail” we were about to get into.  Starting what we thought might be a couple hours to the hut, at 5:30, we heaved our proper bags with camping gear up the Mountain.  Three hours in and right at Sunset we came to a huge opening for a perfect view.  Sitting down for a some drinks and a cheers, and after three hours of laughing (poopshoe) losing shoes in the mud, falling, and lots of background story, not to mention climbing over, under, and through trees to get there.  The hut could only be another 20 minutes away and it was time to set camp for the night.  5 meteres later a little yellow arrow pointing to Pirongia hut was labeled 3 hours.  We about died of confusion and exhaustion.  Nothing to do at that point but keep going forward as these tracks aren’t really tracks and the “wide open space” in which we watched sunSET was not large enough or remotely flat enough for a tent or 4 people.  45 minutes in and just about pitch black we ran into a nice flat square space with a little bench, big enough and open enough THANFULLY to set camp.  I called it the idiots camping spot, obviously we weren’t the first to make this mistake.   Pasta & Wine for dinner, and TamTams and Whitakers for desert, the beauty of birthday celebrations.  Waking at 5 a.m. for Sunrise and instant coffee we stayed curl in our individual sleeping bags and hopped outside to take it all.  In light the situation looked a tiny different, this “idiots” camping space was actually a helicopter landing pad something you of course find on top of every mountain.  Thank God for it though because the rest of the hike would have been impossible in the dark.

“It’s not about the destination, but the journey along the way.”   Mt. Pirognia summit is one of the most sought after summits in the North Island.  The view from the top lookout is breathtaking.  However, I can say with no doubt that climbing trees, swinging limbs, Gin&Juice breaks, and making the trip with 3 people I will never forget is worth more than any view will ever offer. 

An (almost) 18 lb. Snapper was my pride and joy this week, (actually weighed in at 17.5).  Dan took me out on his boat in the Raglan Harbor to try a hand at local fishing.  At 6:30 a.m. we set out, and by 1 p.m. the boat was loaded, and I’ve found another new hobby.  Snapper, Gurnards, and Kawaii are the fish we kept.  The 7 small sharks, and one that measured between 1 and 2 meters went right back where they came from.  As we trolled and headed inland, yet another magical thing happened.  4 Maui Dolphins came to play.  They hung out with us and the boat, close enough to dip my legs in and they would come touch them with their fins.  These playful sweet creatures are going extinct very quickly.  An estimated 55 are left lingering around New Zealands West Coast.  Salty, hot, and fishy I felt incredibly blessed to be able to share the water with them.  Sitting on a boat in the Ocean with 4 of the most rare species is a mind freeing experience.  The air becomes that much fresher, the light that much brighter, and life that much sweeter. :):):)

Feeling sore, but ready I along with 5 others finally took the Karioi summit on Saturday Morning.  A much shorter, but still decent tramp, Karioi is the Mountain I watch the Sun Set over every single night here in Raglan.  By Saturday night my birthday week was coming to an end.  Finished it out with a bonfire and party up at Chris’ FarmStay with a large group of locals and travelers.   The mood was something I can’t really tell about, it was good vibes, good people, good dance, and just good to be around. 

Around 1 a.m. as I looked around at the sorts dancing about me, I realized that 2 months into this venture of New Zealand, I have committed to the promise to “never stop moving my feet”