Hello There!

Okay.

I am already falling in love. I am more comfortable than I could have ever imagined and everything has gone so smoothly from flight to moving in that I think I may be asleep and dreaming.

JT is just a hop skip and a jump away and the culture so far that I've experienced has been warm, inviting and gloriously patient. I feel so happy and safe being myself here in my new temporary ho me with Su and Mal and, goodness, the scenery doesn't hurt either.


We had the chance to go to a mahrae and it was good to bond with our small group, go to a local concert, have Fijoua and see JT a bit tipsy (he's adorable tipsy, fyi). I barely put on shoes all weekend, donned shorts and kayaked, tramped (hiked), flax wove and loved life in all its glory.

Auckland has split personalities, it really does but with all of its facets, it just is that much more appealing. From water, sailing, restaurants, volcanoes to beaches...it's got everything. I don't think I could not ask for a better place.


It's so different than Barca in so many ways and I love it for that. It will be an adventure. More later.

Love,

Jza

Example of host mother awesomeness: I've been feeling a bit unwell so she comes up and brings me tea with honey and lemon. her response to my thanks - my pleasure. what a sweetie!

Again, But Much Different

I feel like this trip is going to definitely be something.

I would love to be wildly excited, but I'm not yet. In fact, I'm a bit cynical. A bit anxious. I go into this experience with a better idea of what lay ahead, but also moreso about what is left behind. The fact that I came back to America and felt like a stranger to people I used to love so much, that things inside of me changed so gently and slowly and gradually and irreversibly. I have a better idea about who will keep in touch...who will not...what I will miss...what I will delight to be free from.

With relief, the ones I am leaving behind and pining for this time around are few and far between, mainly family in the easy way that loving your kin and missing them sets your mind at ease -- because they will always be there. Nothing about their declarations of "I will miss you." or "I love you." is false. They will be there.

But, on the bright side. I am excited to see something my mind has no context for. A land that looks like it was made from dreams! I will be glad to explore. To breathe pacific air. To relax. To pick up a slight accent. To kiss JT on mountaintops and laugh as we race bikes like five year olds. To let go of the seriousness that finds its way into my soul here...the weight of grades, of money, of jobs, friendships, and worries, of school...to just cast it off and wade in sparkling water and smile more and more every day.

It's a singular opportunity.

I delight in the chane.

I savour the adventure.

I'm ready for it,

Janelle