Your Questions So Far

First off I would like to thank each of you for your emails, for reading the blog, and for keeping in touch! Keep the emails coming or send your first- it's great hearing from y'all. I've been getting a lot of questions and I wanted to take a second and answer a couple frequently asked ones. You can all thank my good friend Briana for the inspiration behind this post.

1. What exactly am I doing on a day to day basis??

Not an easy question to answer. My pattern so far is to spend about a week at a farm then move on to a more southern city. So- what am I doing on these farms? Well that depends on the location. I've worked at a lovely outdoor setting in a valley, a olive tree orchard, a winery, a lodge, and a dry stock farm. So as you can imagine my answer changes each time I move locations. Mostly given my size and capabilities I've been moving a lot of heavy things, doing a good amount of chainsaw work, splitting wood, and other burly tasks.

2. What is my favorite moment so far?

There is one moment that I knew months before I left- that would be a moment I would remember forever: Stepping out of the airport doors in Auckland. Yes- I know it sounds lame- but I had been looking forward to that moment for months. To have my backpack there and not lost. To get my visa and not be denied. To have all my gear let in. And to be here. The start of a life changing trip. Best single moment so far.

3. What would I have liked to know before I arrived in New Zealand?

I will be the tallest guy around. I'm used to being big in the states. But here it is totally different. EVERYBODY is smaller than me. Twice a week without fail I hit my head on something most people around me just walk under. So tall/burly am I in comparison, random people ask to take their picture with me.

4. What, if anything, gets on my nerves about being in New Zealand?

It's kind of frustrating being the only person on my side of certain debates. Back home I can usually turn to someone close to me and get some back up if I need it. Here I have to be my own back up in cultural, political, religious, or any other type of discussion. I'm glad that I have the knowledge to back up my arguments. But when everybody around you has the opposite- sometimes it's frustrating.

5. What do I miss most about the states?

I could easily say "Well friends and family obviously"- and while yes I really really miss my friends and family that is not the answer you want to read about. The thing I miss second most- is American accents. I had no idea I would miss that. It took me by surprise how much I enjoyed listening to the first American I talked to here in NZ. (The woofer from my first farm Jennie) The people here are great to talk to- but every time I talk to a American it's just the best sound ever. I had no idea I would miss it.

6. What have I learned about myself?

I've been abroad for a month and a half-ish. I've learned one surprising thing about myself: I love being alone. All over my time at college(university for my non American readers) I was social everywhere and loved it. Meeting people, making friends, having get-togethers, going on trips. I've always loved it. But while here I have realized how much I enjoy me time. Waking up on a cold ridge all by myself overlooking a sunrise. Walking down a lonely highway with the wind to keep my company. Sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean at sunset. I had no idea I would like being alone as much as I do. (Don't get me wrong friends and family yes I want to hang out with you dearly.)

So here is the plan. You email me- or write a comment, with a question. If it's a good one- ill include it at the end of my next post with the answer. I'd love to make that a recurring thing!

Take care!
Steve