Wednesday, April 27

Peru 1-4

Okay, I just got internet, so here's a blog update. I know, what an addict.
Day 1
Day one was technically the day I (we) traveled. At least thats how everyone else is counting it, so I might as well do the same. By the way, I was freakishly excited to see everyone. Really hyper and bouncing around all over the place. They were.. not so much. We'll just chalk it up to the time differences. Met our tour guide too, Daniel, he's pretty much awesome.
Day 2 - Flying high
Random facts about Lima anyone? Well okay, then. Population- 9 million. The second largest desert city in the world. (any guesses on the first...?) We didn't spend very long there though. Everyone showed up, on time thank goodness, around 12:45 (that's AM people). Then we headed off for a couple hours sleep. The next morning we were back at my favorite place in the world, Lima airport, for our early flight to Cusco. 
Cusco, Peru. Smack in the middle of the Andes, population approx.1 million, elevation 3,400 meters (11,200ft). That's really high, by the way. Especially when you have just come from sea level. On the first day we were all wheezing after walking up two flights of stairs. Yeah, I felt like a fat kid.
So we arrived in Cusco around 11am. We got settled, had a power nap (at this point I was basically walking dead, I had given up trying to figure out how behind I was on sleep) and then went for lunch. Daniel showed us around the city, where to eat, where not to eat, where the best markets are, cool stuff to look at and easily landmarks to look out for so we can orient ourselves if we got lost. Then we went to town, literally. There are beautiful cathedrals, stunning inca walls, cobbled side streets and hundreds of street vendors. It's the inca walls and other ruins that fascinate me the most. Massive stone blocks carved to fit together perfectly without any sort of mortar. It's a beautiful city and it would take at least several days to see everything here. Which is good cause we had the next day there as well.
Day 3 - Chillin out in Cusco
Happy Easter! No way we were going to find and LDS church, but we did go to mass. (by the way, I use the term 'we' loosely. As were were given a lot of time to just do our own thing, we often split up into smaller groups or 2s or 3s. I can't be bothered saying who was with me every time. This time though it was only about 5 of us). I like going to different churches in different cultures. Eye opening. I especially liked the part where every one turned to their neighbor and gave them a hug. They also said something in spanish, I think it was something like "God be with you", I'm not sure, but it would be appropriate. After mass we went and sat down on the steps outside the cathedral. It was nice and sunny and looked like a good place to sit. Turned out to be a good decision cause pretty soon more and more people started coming and sitting too. We waited for a bit to see what was going to happen. Turns out it was a parade! The military and some fancy suit guys showed up. They raised the Peru and the Cusco flag (which funnily enough looks like the gay pride flag) then a bunch of people marching past including people representing the universities, local businesses and also some really neat cultural dancers. 
After the parade, we went and checked out the local markets. Lots of cool stuff there. Just avoid the food market, it doesn't smell very nice and I wouldn't dare eat most of what's there. 
Day 4 - Ollantaytambo and other places I don't remember how to spell or pronounce. 
So day 4 we left Cusco, a place called Ollantaytambo being our final destination. On the way we stopped and climbed to some ruins. We had another guide join us for this portion, but don't worry, Daniel was still around. So Percy showed us around these ruins and taught us a lot about how they lived then. Percy is good, but he does like to talk. Talking's good, but I like to look and explore more so Sarah and I kept wandering off. I don't think he liked us very much. 
Next stop, a small village with an unfamiliar name. Gap (the tour company we are with) has a special deal with this them. They bring tourists to their village (which is quite out of the way, we followed a narrow dirt road barely wider than the bus up and down very steep hills for quite a while) the villagers show us a bit about how they live, more specifically, the textiles they make by hand from the alpaca wool. And we help them out by buying the fabrics they make. These fabrics were absolutely beautiful and it was really neat to see how the whole process works. Spinning, dyeing and weaving all by hand with out a hint of modern-ism in it. 
After that place, we continued on to Ollantaytambo. First off, some more awesome ruins. We climbed up a couple terraces to the top where there was a partially completed temple built. Awe inspiring to see the amazing architecture and skills of those Incas. After we settled into our hotel we had some free time. Wandered around the main plaza then started up a game of hacky-sack. We got some local kids to join in and then that turned into a game of tag. Ended up playing with those kids for a couple hours and then got some photos before it got too dark. It was an awesome day. It's been an awesome 4 days (actually today's day 5 but I'm to tired to tell you what happened today so your going to have to wait a bit)

Saturday, April 23

Words words words...

I can't find the words.
Today I left my beloved New Zealand. There are no words to describe how I'm feeling right now. But I will try. Forgive me if it doesn't make sense. (For those who don't know, my travel plans are thus: Fly out of Auckland and to Santiago, Chile. Layover for a couple hours and onto Lima, Peru where I will wait for seven hours and then meet up with Sarah and a bunch of other people from Cardston. 12 days in Peru and then, finally, on to Canada. Home.)
As we rose higher and higher into the sky and I got farther and farther away from the land that I love, I couldn't help feeling a little sorry for myself. But I knew I had to shake off this pity party so I could enjoy my time in peru. As the plane landed in Santiago, I saw the jagged hills and smallish mountains rising out of the flat lowlands. It reminded me of the jagged hills and smallish mountains I had just left behind in NZ. These ones darastically different though, brown and dry instead of green and fertile. Dotted with scraggly bush instead of sheep and cattle. It was beautiful though, even with all it's dead-ness. Funny thing, this was supposedly the wet season. And indeed, it was raining, but I don't think the ground had realized that yet. Santiago airport in one word- wet. Apparently the roof couldn't handle the wet season very well, cause it was leaking all over the place. We were all dodging buckets and puddles walking down the halls. They even had to relocate our gate twice cause they couldn't keep up with the leaks.
The flight from Santiago to Lima was good. The seat next to me was empty (again! How lucky am I?) We had a beautiful view of the coast for most of the flight. Well, the part of the flight I was awake for, which really was only take off and landing. It hasn't quite sunk in that I am no longer in NZ and am now in Peru.
By the way, I sort of wrote this post in several different pieces, typing a bit here and there as I pick up wi-fi spots. Can you tell? Does it sound disjointed and random? If so, sorry. For the past 6 hours I have been sitting in the Lima airport. Joy. One more hour and then everyone else will get here. One . more .. hour...

So here's a small example of how much I have grown, six and a half months ago when I flew to NZ I wouldn't dare talk to anyone. Not unless I really had to. Now however, I'm different. All it takes is one word to start a conversation. Thanks to that one word I have met some pretty awesome people, that have taught me a lot of cool things. Bits of spanish, the best hot spots, and random tidbits about Peru and Machu pichu. Plus, the time goes a lot faster when you have people to talk to. LIke right now, I'm sitting in starbucks chatting to seven or so other people while using the internet that one of the people just happened to know the password for. Ahhhh, life is pretty good.
And voila, just like that, the hour's gone! Time to go meet the plane!!

(haha, I think it's kinda funny that at the beginning of the post i was having trouble finding the words to say.. well I guess I found them)

I will miss you.

(wrote this a couple days ago, just didn't post it for some reason. oh well, here it is.)

I'm struggling here. Trying to take all the emotions that are swirling around in my head and spit them out in a way that makes sense. Although it sounds complicated in my head, I'm sure you understand. The problem is leaving. It seems to be a common theme these days.
Yesterday, I left temple view. In four days I will leave NZ. 
When I left Cardston, I knew, eventually, I would be coming back. This time, I'm not so sure. While I would like to say you'll be seeing me in little while, I know that's just not true. Reality is setting in, I have a lot of poor, university years ahead of me. Then I will be busy with my family. Which is what I want, really. My future is in Canada now, and I am really excited about everything it will bring.  But the truth is I will not likely be back in NZ for a long time, if ever. It's just not in the cards for me. And as I say goodbye to these many, fabulous people it's hard to accept that, unless through some freak coincidence, I will probably never see them again. People that have meant so much to me the past few months will now only be part of the remember when's and the used to's. The friendships that have grown will now be reduced to occasional comments on photos and status likes.
The last time I left somewhere, I knew I would be back. But leaving here, it's so permanent, so final. When I'm gone, I'm gone. 
I will miss New Zealand. No doubt about that. 
I really should stop blabbing on though, cause it's not helping. But first, some of my favorite things.

I will miss...
... how fruit comes from a tree, not the supermarket.
... the neighbors that bring stuff over all the time.
... the fish 'n chips, sausage sizzles, and the pies.
... how 'feed' is a noun, not a verb.
... how you is pluralized 'yous'.
...  the words 'egg', 'as', and 'gutted'.
... and of course the 'yeah nah's
... the fobs, the fresh as, and the many much mores.
... the diversity.
... how black is matched with black and accessorized by black.
... how blonde hair is an anomaly.
... the colors. Especially green and brown. 
... the bus rides.
... the early morning fog.
... ham sandwiches. 
... singing while working. And not caring who heard.
... roadtrips.
... driving through the gorge.
... and yes, even dodgy bunkbeds.
... the sheep.
... the rooster that crowed every morning.
... the rain. 
... the hugs and kisses.
... the testimonies in maori.
... the sweet tears shed.
... our relief society.
... the quiet moments at the temple.
... those that truly have gigantic hearts.
... acceptance. They love you, no matter who you are, what you look like or what you wear. 

Tuesday, April 19

I couldn't help it

I am having difficulties putting all my feelings down in words. What with leaving NZ in 3 days, traveling to Peru and then going back home for the first time in 7 months, there is a lot going on in my brain. I have written several posts. They all ended up being the size of a Charles Dickens novel and made even less sense. So I deleted them. And now I'm doing this cause it's cute and doesn't require me to address those troubling emotions.


Age: 19
Bed size: depends on where I am and what is available
Chore you hate: packing. Is that considered a chore? Well it is for me, as I am currently living out of suitcases
Dogs: Love them. Grew up with Jessie, Loosie, Kelly and Gracie. Will have even more when I have my own place.
Favorite color: blue and green, so turquoise
Gold or silver: gold... and silver.
Height: 5'9 &3/4
Instruments I play (or have played): Piano, organ, flute
Job title: currently unemployed
Kids: none
Live: yes I live. oh you want to know where? It varies.
Mom's name: Shelley
Nickname: brit, bb, b, or kiwi
Overnight hospital stays: None so far, let's keep it that way
Pet peeve: bad cell phone coverage
Quote from a movie: "you have beautiful eyes." "get off my face"
Right or left handed: Right
Siblings: 6 kids, I'm the 2nd
Time you wake up: also varies. 
Underwear: I'm not sure I understand this one. yes, I am wearing underwear?
Vegetables you dislike: ummm I honestly can't think of any. Actually I have never had brussel sprouts, but I've heard they are gross.
What makes you run late: Hahaha what doesn't? Pretty sure I've used every single excuse out there.
X-rays you've had done: Teeth, ribs.
Yummy food you make: chocolate pudding
Zoo animal: monkeys


okay enough procrastinating. It's time to address the shocking state of my suitcases.

Friday, April 15

More Epic-ness

Two posts in one day? I think so. Mostly cause my epic fail of a morning turned into something legendary.
There will be pictures to come, as soon as I find someone with a scanner. (Nana??)
So around 11:45 Brock, Brook and I headed up to Auckland. (Awesome people by the way.) We were going bungy jumping!!! I was in charge of booking and all that technical stuff and silly me, didn't get proper directions there! I figured it would be relitively easy to find. You know, just head towards that MASSIVE bridge structure?  Apparently not. But thats okay. We found it eventually. And had the bonus of driving over the bridge twice (that moterway really sucks you in) 
So we payed, harnessed up, took photos and maybe screamed a little bit and then set off. We walked up the bridge to this little 'pod thing' where the whole group waited and watched as people leapt to their death. Brock was second. He did great. I was 5th or 6th? I don't know. I stopped counting. I may or may not have been having a major freak out. When it was my turn, the guide person thingy had to tell me to do everything twice. The hardest part is jumping, the falling part is pretty sweet. And I would DEFINITELY do it again. I would tell you more, buuuut I need to sleep and I will post the video soon so that will be heaps better!
But before I go, the second half of my day. 
Raced back from Auckland to meet up with Jaz and Ruth and some friends of theirs from US (all very awesome people also!) We were going on a night time kayak trip. Ever kayaked in the dark? It's awesome. And it was a beautiful night. The water was so calm, the stars were so bright, it was nice and warm. Seriously, one of the most beautiful nights I have ever seen. It made me miss echo and the peaceful nights sitting out on the dock and staring out at the stars, or our early morning kayak paddles... Anyways, the best part about that trip was when we went through this little gorge/tunnel/cliff thing. We turned off our lights and floated down and there were little glow worms all over the place!! It was so beautiful!
What a great day. And tomorrow, The Hamilton Gardens! Finally!

Oh wait, one more thing: I ran out of memory on my camera, so I put my other card in. The one that I haven't had to use for ages cause I am usually pretty good at uploading my pics straight away. Anyways, when I put the second memory card in I found out it was also full! With pictures from almost 2 years ago!! It was crazy, I had totally forgotten about those pics! But they certainly did bring back a lot of memories!

Thursday, April 14

This morning = epic fail.

This morning I had planned to go on an early morning run, do some laundry, clean up a bit, continue my scholarship research, and do a bit more packing. All before 11am. That was the plan.
What actually happened: I slept in till 9, ate breakfast, skyped sarah, facebooked, and blogged. There was no packing, cleaning, scholarship researching or laundry-ing. I fail. 
BUT there was one thing I did do. I called up 0800 BUNGY JUMP and arranged for my death at 1:30 today. If you are in Cardston or Utah, the time change would make it 6:30. So think of me as you are sitting down for dinner, send a prayer my way. It would be appreciated.

Wednesday, April 13

Don't freak out.

Yeah, it's a bit different. Things are changing a bit around here. Right now, I am loving the color green. Green every where outside, green shirt today, I bought a really cool green stone necklace yesterday, and now.. green on my blog! While I'm on the subject check out this song by Brendan James--> green. Love it.
PS: I'm also loving that back ground picture. hmmm I wonder who that fabulous photographer was...

Okay now I've got to get back to work. So much to do, so little time (9 days, gulp). And now I've just wasted 30 minutes trying to decide between #132600 and #132609.

Tuesday, April 12

Two things I love(d) about my (ex) job

The people. The people I worked with are seriously some of the best people ever. Which is pretty amazing when you consider the kind of people they are. None of them are members. Standards are not only non-existent but completely unheard of. In every single aspect I was in the minority there. It was challenging to say the least. When I first realized how many great missionary opportunities this could possibly bring, I couldn't help thinking that that was what I was there for. Perhaps the He put me in this job, so I could help someone find the gospel. Did I? Well, I did my best. I set a good example, I was very open about my religion and didn't try and hide the fact that I would not drink or smoke. But at times I wondered if anyone even noticed. I didn't bring anyone to church. I didn't get anyone to start taking the discussions. None of them were baptized. So what was I there for?
To be honest, I don't really know. And I don't think I ever will fully understand.
But,
I did have a beautiful experience, when I was able to testify of His eternal plan of happiness to someone who was feeling completely lost and alone. I was able to comfort someone by sharing what I have been so blessed to know my whole life. 
I was able be an instrument in His hands. 
 I didn't bring anyone to church. I didn't get anyone to start taking the discussions. None of them were baptized.
Yet. 
Maybe, hopefully, when the missionaries knock on their door, they will remember a girl they once knew. A mormon girl, different, but happy, so so happy, and just plain good. And maybe, hopefully, they will let those missionaries in. They will let the spirit in. They will let Christ in.



Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the 2nd thing..

The (other) people.  The most important ones, the customers. Like I have already said, I talk to a lot of people each day. The first 4 months in NZ was awesome, but if you really want to get to know about a place, talk to the people. Spend all your time sitting outside supermarkets, hardware stores and warehouses (a store that is similiar to wal-mart for those who are wondering) and you get a really good feel a country. For example people in Gisborne are so awesome. So layed back, mostly quite poor, but very generous, and every other person is either stoned or drunk, no matter what time of day it is. Hilarious. I have had a lot of really funny conversations. And met a lot of rude people. But you learn to laugh at both. For example...

Me, "Before you head past, help out our Surf Life Savers?" 
(these are the various responses I get)
Them, "Oh yup, I always help them out." and then they walk away. Okaaaaay, thank you. very much.
Them, "Can you watch my bike?" Yeah sure. Can you buy a pin? No? oh okay then. Don't come after me then if some little punk runs off with your bike.
Them, "Haha I'm trying to save my own life!" ha. 10 points for originality. I've only heard that one 6 times today. 
The best is the nervous laugh, I translate it into "haha oh snap she caught me looking and now she's asking me if I want to stop and I don't know what to say to her because I totally wasn't expecting her to talk to me and now I'm really nervous and don't know what to say.ha.haha oh quickly walk away" Funny. 
Or even better is the prolonged aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh as they quickly walk through the door. No answer required. Excellent.
Them, "I got one last week" And the person walking behind them, "Oh yeah, me too." Yeah, right.
"Oh I already do help them out, my great uncle's step brother's cousin's neices son is a life guard. Right, hunny, that's what timmy does out on the beach right?
Them, "Oh yeah, I'll come back later." Suuuure you will.
Really people, if you don't want to, a simple 'no thanks' would suffice. There's no need to lie and make up dumb excuses. Like..
A middle aged man walking past, "No thanks, I'm late for my photo shoot." True? false? Who cares.
Some random girl asks me, "Did my sister come in this morning? She looks kinda like me..." Yes. Because I remember every single one of the 300 people that have walked in those doors.
An old-ish man, "haha, can't stop and talk, I went out without my teeth!" at least I'm pretty sure thats what he said. It was a little hard to understand.
A guy with a massive bushy white beard, "I'm already a life saver.... In the dark. I'll save anyone out there, I don't need no fancy uniform. And I know how to do mouth to mouth. Yup, I'm the lifesaver in the dark. Like if batman was a lifeguard, he would be me." If I'm ever drowning, I really hope you are not around.

Sometimes I just feel like yelling at them, "If you are not wearing one of these stupid, overpriced pins made in china, the Life Savers WILL NOT SAVE YOU!! They will leave you out there to drown!! So you better make sure you have one of these pins! Oh yeah, you want to give me $100 now huh? I thought so! How much do you value your life? Your son's? Your daughters?? Just buy the stupid pins!! pleeeease.

Sigh. But I don't. I don't say any of that. Why? Cause customer service comes first. Because, no matter what, we can not offend the customer, because every customer must leave with a smile.
By the way, guys. This is a classic example of a negative attitude.We try to avoid that at all costs while working. Which is why I am posting it today, they day I officially quit work. 
But really, it's funny. Did you find it funny? I did. Maybe it is one of those 'you had to be there things'. But I was gigling the whole time I was writing, just as I remembered each experience. Cause that is one thing that this job taught me. Just laugh it off.  Yeah, that guy was a jerk to you, yes that lady accused you of being a fraud, yes you will probably get ignored and rained on and all your stuff might blow away. But you just need to forget about that. Remember the old guy with no teeth. Remember the drunk that sang to you. Remember that guy who walked around with his cat sitting on his head. Remember the funny things, the positive things. Cause at the end of the day, you just gotta laugh it off. 
ha. haha. hahahaha ha.

 See, better now, right?

Sunday, April 10

You might notice

From here on out, you might notice a difference in my writing. You see, lately I have been reading these fantastic blogs. When these people write they boldly, confidently express their testimony. They love the Lord and the gospel, and that is evident in every word, every post that they write. This, combined with experiences that I have had in the last couple weeks have convinced me that I need to change. Don't worry, I won't be preaching in every post. But I will not try and hide my testimony anymore. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I love it. I love the gospel. And I will never try and hide that fact again. I will still post funny experiences. I will still tell about the fantastic places I go and the people I meet. I will still write about my epiphanies and my blonde moments. But don't be surprised if I weave a gospel principle in here and there. So what do you have to look forward to? Well a couple fantastic posts are coming up, first a post about how I was able to share the gospel and of course, what I gained from general conference. And if you are reading this and are not a member of the church, don't worry, I am going to add a button linking you to a site you can check out. And also a page with my own testimony and my beliefs on. In fact, I'm thinking about changing my whole blog around. It's time for a change.

Saturday, April 9

bullets

Gisborne. G-town. Gissy. East as. First to see the sun.

That's where I was all this week. Don't get to excited, it was for work. But you can get excited over this.... It was my LAST week of work!!!! Today was my last day of work. The fact that I still have to go to the office monday doesn't count cause that's just to sign papers, hand stuff in, and make my boss give me all the money he owes me!!

(Please forgive me if this post is all over the place. Thats what my mind is doing right now. I will use bullets in an attempt to separate all the random thoughts)



  • All in all, it was a good week. My last week. Last day. Ooops, did I already mention this? Passed all my criteria to get into a leadership position...except for the fact I won't be sticking around to lead anyone. Hit my target. Rang the bell, Smashed the gong. Reached two-five. Whammy. Pow. (don't ask) 
  • You know the feeling when you finally figure out why? When you finally understand why you were put where you are. Why you had to be there. When you begin to get a small understanding of your purpose in life. When all the things that have happened in the past finally make sense? Yeah, that feeling. I love. I may talk more about this in another post. Maybe.

  • The guys at work all thought I was at least 23. Very funny. I had to whip out my drivers license (yes the one that I got when I was 16 and still had braces on in) before they believed I was 19.
  • This week I had a small huge wake up call. I'm still trying to figure out if it's a good thing or not. Not sure how to write about it though. Basically, I opened my eyes. I had a good look at where I am. Not physically, but mentally, spiritually and all the other things that aren't really tangible. I realized how much I have grown, how much I have changed.  And it got me thinking, how am I going to adjust to life back at home? Am I different? For sure. Am I a different person? I hope not. Or do I? I don't know. All I know is that I have changed, grown, and I don't know if I will fit back into where I came from.
  • The place we stayed at had free internet. For one day. The rest of the week it was broken. Pretty upsetting.
  • The thing I looked forward to most about getting back from Gissy... my computer. internet. emails. facebook. and blogs. So that was the first thing I did. 
  • The best part. Settling down with my dinner of cheese and crackers and reading everyones blog posts of the last week. Even better, it took a good two hours. Haha, I am almost as bad as you, Janeen!
  • I was able to direct someone around Hamilton tonight. Did you hear that? Me, giving directions! I haven't done that since I worked at reddi mart and people would come in and ask how to get the the hockey rink! It feels good to know where I am and how to get to where I need to be. Pity I'm going to be leaving soon.
  • On monday I will officially quit work. Oh wait, I already covered that point :)

Saturday, April 2

Stupid little heart

Here's a thought that I have been thinking about lately but for some reason have never really thought about before...
Heart vs mind.
When your making a decision, who has the final call? Do you always go after each and every fancy your heart takes on? or do you analyze every aspect and then make a careful, informed decision based on facts?
What do I do? Well I have quite recently figured it out. And I'm going to have to say, I am not very pleased with myself.
Usually, my stubborn little heart gets fixated upon something. Sometimes, if it is being a good little heart, it asks the brain it's opinion. But very rarely does the heart actually listen to the brain's opinion. More often than not it just ignores it. But most of the time, the heart avoids asking at all costs. The heart is scared of what the brain will say. The heart is scared that if it asks the brain, the brain will say no. Not only that, but the heart is scared that the brain will be right. Stupid little heart.
For example, right now I really should be compiling a pros/cons list about the 3 different schools I am trying to decide on. I cleaned my room, vacuumed, washed the dishes, did laundry, and dusted. and now, I'm blogging/facebooking/listening to music. aka. wasting time. But still have not done that list.
And so here's another thought.
Time.
20 days.
I wish it was sooner. It's so far away! But now that I think about it, I have SO much to do!!
Now I just have to get to work and do it.
Stupid little heart, just be quiet.