"Why do people move? What makes them uproot and leave everything they've ever known for a great unknown beyond the horizon? Why climb this Mount Everest of formalities that makes you feel like a beggar? Why enter this jungle of foreignness where everything is new, strange and difficult?
The answer is the same the world over: people move in the hope of a better life."
-Yann Martel, The Life of Pi
Reflecting on my time here so far, I am very glad I came to this side of the world. The first few weeks were a bit rough, and there were many things that I felt were very hard to deal with. But the more time I spend here, the more I feel like I'm part of the culture, and the more I start to feel like I actually understand who I am. It feels a bit sappy and cliché to say it, since it's written in just about every "encountering culture shock" book, and said by almost everyone who's been abroad, but it's true. You never really know who you are until you throw yourself into an entirely new situation and give yourself time to acclimate to it. I mean REALLY acclimate to it. Not to the point where you can get by, but to the point that you feel comfortable with who you are and where you are. Every day is a new chance for exciting experiences, and I don't find myself just wishing the days would get by and it would be the weekend already. I am finding myself appreciating every day so much more than I ever did at home. Instead of just going through the motions like a human zombie from Shaun of the Dead (let's see who gets that reference), I actually am actively enjoying almost every day. It's a very refreshing feeling.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
"It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good"
-Muse
Less than a week until spring break! Ashley and 4 of her friends are meeting me in Christchurch. From there we are driving to Queenstown to do all of the fun tourist things there are to do in the surrounding areas of the south island. The list of possibilities includes: bungee jumping, touring milford sound, glacier/rainforest hike, and white water rafting. And it's less than a week away!
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good"
-Muse
Less than a week until spring break! Ashley and 4 of her friends are meeting me in Christchurch. From there we are driving to Queenstown to do all of the fun tourist things there are to do in the surrounding areas of the south island. The list of possibilities includes: bungee jumping, touring milford sound, glacier/rainforest hike, and white water rafting. And it's less than a week away!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
"Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum."
-Baz Luhrmann
Yes, I am still quite alive. I have given up facebook and AIM in hopes I can finally leave all the crap at home behind, and just focus on how great it is to be in New Zealand. Yep, so if you need me, you should have my e-mail address.
Nothing really all that exciting is going on lately, just plugging away and waiting for break to travel down to the south island to bungee jump, hike, maybe swim with dolphins, and all that good stuff with none other than Ms. Ashley Ryall. It should be a fun time, and I'm pretty excited. Not to mention I get to fly. I love flying, probably more than anyone else I know. Kind of strange.
I've been working on my book, sort of. I'm kind of just playing around with different layouts for it at this point. I'm not going to show you any of it just because I think pieces of art lose their impact if they are shown before they are done. But by the end of the semester I'll have a nice custom hard cover book all about triathletes.
I got a fairly bad sunburn from being at the beach for a while the other day. Oh well, I don't mind.
I finally got my eggbeater pedals here, and wouldn't you know it, within 5 mins of getting them on my bike, I got a flat. But the next day I purchased some patches and a new tube, then headed up to Makara Park to fool around for a while. Crashed a couple times, but a wise person once said "if you don't crash on a mountain bike, you're not riding terrain that's difficult enough for you." I may have screwed my knee up on one of those, or it was from running yesterday. Either way, it hurts a lot. I'll see how it feels tomorrow then maybe go see someone for it in the case it doesn't feel better.
That's about all from me. I'm going to get some food then head down to the pool to do some research/networking for my docu project. Take it easy everyone.
-Baz Luhrmann
Yes, I am still quite alive. I have given up facebook and AIM in hopes I can finally leave all the crap at home behind, and just focus on how great it is to be in New Zealand. Yep, so if you need me, you should have my e-mail address.
Nothing really all that exciting is going on lately, just plugging away and waiting for break to travel down to the south island to bungee jump, hike, maybe swim with dolphins, and all that good stuff with none other than Ms. Ashley Ryall. It should be a fun time, and I'm pretty excited. Not to mention I get to fly. I love flying, probably more than anyone else I know. Kind of strange.
I've been working on my book, sort of. I'm kind of just playing around with different layouts for it at this point. I'm not going to show you any of it just because I think pieces of art lose their impact if they are shown before they are done. But by the end of the semester I'll have a nice custom hard cover book all about triathletes.
I got a fairly bad sunburn from being at the beach for a while the other day. Oh well, I don't mind.
I finally got my eggbeater pedals here, and wouldn't you know it, within 5 mins of getting them on my bike, I got a flat. But the next day I purchased some patches and a new tube, then headed up to Makara Park to fool around for a while. Crashed a couple times, but a wise person once said "if you don't crash on a mountain bike, you're not riding terrain that's difficult enough for you." I may have screwed my knee up on one of those, or it was from running yesterday. Either way, it hurts a lot. I'll see how it feels tomorrow then maybe go see someone for it in the case it doesn't feel better.
That's about all from me. I'm going to get some food then head down to the pool to do some research/networking for my docu project. Take it easy everyone.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Wairapa and Gravity Defiance
Today we took a journey to the wine-loving land of Wairapa. After an early wake-up, we were greeted by a nice coach bus, which brought us through the narrow and winding mountain roads to Wairapa for a day of wine tasting.
The first destination was Te Kairanga where we were debriefed on how to taste wine and given a good collection of wines to try. After a little while there, we headed out and into Martinborough to get some lunch in our stomachs.
Katie, Chris, and I ate at a nice place called Saluté. While we were worried about timing since we only had 30 minutes to order, get our food, and eat it, we decided to order anyways, and what a great decision. The steak sandwich I got was absolutely incredible. Tender steak topped with aioli and garlic bread crusts, stacked on a salad with spinach, green beans, and peppers. It was so good I was sorry I had to eat it so quickly. Besides the lasagna at Scopa, it’s the best food I’ve had here so far.
But then since we were running late we had to get to the bus. I lost my eyepiece on my camera as well. Not the end of the world.
After we got on the bus we headed out to the next vineyard Evan Estates, where we were actually given a quick tour. Katie and I snagged a couple grapes and were convinced they should sell vineyard grapes in the supermarket. We then headed down to the main office area where we were able to try a few more kinds of wine – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Then it was into some other small town for another quick break. I got an ice cream. It wasn’t very good, but I didn’t expect much from a frozen supermarket cone.
Then it was back onto the bus to head home. I started reading some more of The Life of Pi, then passed out.
Once we got home, I uploaded photos and edited them. Then I made myself some nachos for dinner, was still starving, so ate two sandwiches. Then we decided to go down to the free show in Civic Square, Gravity and Other Myths which turned out to be a great idea. Very impressive aerial stuff, including a finale with lots of fire and a guy spinning around about 15 feet in the air on a burning rope. See the pictures below.
Now it’s 11, and I have to be up at 6:30 to photograph the triathlon championships on the waterfront. I’ll probably head to bed pretty soon. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story of my day.
The first destination was Te Kairanga where we were debriefed on how to taste wine and given a good collection of wines to try. After a little while there, we headed out and into Martinborough to get some lunch in our stomachs.
Katie, Chris, and I ate at a nice place called Saluté. While we were worried about timing since we only had 30 minutes to order, get our food, and eat it, we decided to order anyways, and what a great decision. The steak sandwich I got was absolutely incredible. Tender steak topped with aioli and garlic bread crusts, stacked on a salad with spinach, green beans, and peppers. It was so good I was sorry I had to eat it so quickly. Besides the lasagna at Scopa, it’s the best food I’ve had here so far.
But then since we were running late we had to get to the bus. I lost my eyepiece on my camera as well. Not the end of the world.
After we got on the bus we headed out to the next vineyard Evan Estates, where we were actually given a quick tour. Katie and I snagged a couple grapes and were convinced they should sell vineyard grapes in the supermarket. We then headed down to the main office area where we were able to try a few more kinds of wine – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Then it was into some other small town for another quick break. I got an ice cream. It wasn’t very good, but I didn’t expect much from a frozen supermarket cone.
Then it was back onto the bus to head home. I started reading some more of The Life of Pi, then passed out.
Once we got home, I uploaded photos and edited them. Then I made myself some nachos for dinner, was still starving, so ate two sandwiches. Then we decided to go down to the free show in Civic Square, Gravity and Other Myths which turned out to be a great idea. Very impressive aerial stuff, including a finale with lots of fire and a guy spinning around about 15 feet in the air on a burning rope. See the pictures below.
Now it’s 11, and I have to be up at 6:30 to photograph the triathlon championships on the waterfront. I’ll probably head to bed pretty soon. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story of my day.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
New Developments
Pictures!
A lot of them up on flickr. I photograph to take my mind off anything that's going on in my life, so I've been photographing a LOT in the past couple days. They're all up on Flickr!
Shoes!
I bought a nice pair of new running shoes. I figure if I'm going to be training all this time, I should have a good pair. Had them fitted specifically for my foot. I'm wearing them now and they are beautiful!
Triathlon!
I'm doing one at the end of the month. Haven't decided what length, short or medium. Medium is sprint length, short is half the distance. Weird.
Photo Class!
Cyanotypes! We did them in class today, and they were pretty cool. As soon as they dry I'll grab them and scan them in.
Internet!
Yes, we finally have it in the apartment. Woohoo.
Australia!
I have purchased a ticket to Australia on June 27th. I currently have no way of getting back from Oz to NZ for my flight home though. Plenty of time, I figure.
A lot of them up on flickr. I photograph to take my mind off anything that's going on in my life, so I've been photographing a LOT in the past couple days. They're all up on Flickr!
Shoes!
I bought a nice pair of new running shoes. I figure if I'm going to be training all this time, I should have a good pair. Had them fitted specifically for my foot. I'm wearing them now and they are beautiful!
Triathlon!
I'm doing one at the end of the month. Haven't decided what length, short or medium. Medium is sprint length, short is half the distance. Weird.
Photo Class!
Cyanotypes! We did them in class today, and they were pretty cool. As soon as they dry I'll grab them and scan them in.
Internet!
Yes, we finally have it in the apartment. Woohoo.
Australia!
I have purchased a ticket to Australia on June 27th. I currently have no way of getting back from Oz to NZ for my flight home though. Plenty of time, I figure.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Flickr Progress
The normal uploader is now working for me, so I was able to upload some recent photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bndphotography
Monday, March 3, 2008
Dareh Meyod
Hmm…what to write? First off, I’ll start by saying that yes, we have another flatmate. Still 1 short of a full apartment, but it’s fine because there’s honestly no more room in the refrigerator anyways. I’m already struggling to find places to put food. And I still need to go to the grocery store tomorrow. Uh oh, that may turn out poorly. I guess I’ll just eat all of the random food I have around here to clear some space out. Grilled cheese and tomato soup it is.
I’ve started with a couple ideas for my documentary photo class. Well, started as in I decided what I am going to do. Not started as in actually taking photos. Still too lazy to do that at this point. One of my main ideas is to follow one person or a couple people who are training for a triathlon. New Zealand and Wellington in particular is very fitness oriented, and there are heaps of people who do triathlons and duathlons. Another idea is kind of still in the works, so I’m not going to let people onto it just yet. Could be interesting if it proves to be enough to photograph.
Speaking of triathlons, I have made it my goal to do a Ironman within 5 years of getting back to the US. Well, let’s say the end of the summer of 5 years. So by the end of the summer when I’m 26, I will have completed an Ironman. Speaking of which, my sister talked me out of buying a NICE bike here, which I’m sure my parents will love to hear. For those who hadn’t heard what the confusion was about, I was considering trading in my mountain bike for a road bike. Since road biking really helps to relieve my stress, I thought it would be a good investment. But I decided if I was going to trade in my mountain bike for a different bike I would go all out and get one I could take home with me. But even after on sale for 20% off and after the NZ to US dollars conversion, it’ll still be a bit cheaper to buy in the US. So I’ll do that at some point after I get back, and I can worry less about theft and all that good stuff. But at least now I know which bike I would like to get. Full carbon frame, carbon fork and stays, Ksyrium Equipe wheelset, and complete 105 component set. Have fun decoding that sentence if you don’t know anything about bikes.
My sister also pointed out to me that now is the time to train for the other events, to start really running and learning how to swim (ugh!). But who knows, maybe swimming will prove to be a new release. And I know running is, but I just have to invest in a nice light pair of running shoes. Plenty of time to train here while I have no real worries or any responsibilities. Watch out Tom and Kyle, when I get back I’ll be pumped up and ready to go!
Back to the first subject, I’m also trying to dream up ideas for my second practical photography paper, photo technologies. I originally wanted to do some stop motion animation, but I think it’s pretty overdone in the class. So instead, I’ll be trying to go along the lines of my “study in body movement” set. Yes, hopefully it will creep people out, but hopefully I can do it in a much more seamless and surrealistic way this time, instead of stylizing the images to the point where they aren’t as complete as they could be. Oh, I also had this absolutely incredible idea that would be absolutely incredible, but I really feel like I’m limited in my Photoshop ability. I keep dreaming up what these images could look like, but I’ve done this same thing before where I imagine a photo and just can’t produce the image the way I want to and it ends up frustrating me and leaves me hating the whole idea. I’ll leave it in the back of my mind for a time where my PS skills have developed to a point where I feel I can confidently pull it off without getting frustrated with it.
Alright, that’s about it. Still no internet in the apartment and the wireless at Massey U quite frankly sucks. Write me a facebook message or e-mail if you feel like getting in touch with me. Or you can even leave a comment on this blog post!
I’ve started with a couple ideas for my documentary photo class. Well, started as in I decided what I am going to do. Not started as in actually taking photos. Still too lazy to do that at this point. One of my main ideas is to follow one person or a couple people who are training for a triathlon. New Zealand and Wellington in particular is very fitness oriented, and there are heaps of people who do triathlons and duathlons. Another idea is kind of still in the works, so I’m not going to let people onto it just yet. Could be interesting if it proves to be enough to photograph.
Speaking of triathlons, I have made it my goal to do a Ironman within 5 years of getting back to the US. Well, let’s say the end of the summer of 5 years. So by the end of the summer when I’m 26, I will have completed an Ironman. Speaking of which, my sister talked me out of buying a NICE bike here, which I’m sure my parents will love to hear. For those who hadn’t heard what the confusion was about, I was considering trading in my mountain bike for a road bike. Since road biking really helps to relieve my stress, I thought it would be a good investment. But I decided if I was going to trade in my mountain bike for a different bike I would go all out and get one I could take home with me. But even after on sale for 20% off and after the NZ to US dollars conversion, it’ll still be a bit cheaper to buy in the US. So I’ll do that at some point after I get back, and I can worry less about theft and all that good stuff. But at least now I know which bike I would like to get. Full carbon frame, carbon fork and stays, Ksyrium Equipe wheelset, and complete 105 component set. Have fun decoding that sentence if you don’t know anything about bikes.
My sister also pointed out to me that now is the time to train for the other events, to start really running and learning how to swim (ugh!). But who knows, maybe swimming will prove to be a new release. And I know running is, but I just have to invest in a nice light pair of running shoes. Plenty of time to train here while I have no real worries or any responsibilities. Watch out Tom and Kyle, when I get back I’ll be pumped up and ready to go!
Back to the first subject, I’m also trying to dream up ideas for my second practical photography paper, photo technologies. I originally wanted to do some stop motion animation, but I think it’s pretty overdone in the class. So instead, I’ll be trying to go along the lines of my “study in body movement” set. Yes, hopefully it will creep people out, but hopefully I can do it in a much more seamless and surrealistic way this time, instead of stylizing the images to the point where they aren’t as complete as they could be. Oh, I also had this absolutely incredible idea that would be absolutely incredible, but I really feel like I’m limited in my Photoshop ability. I keep dreaming up what these images could look like, but I’ve done this same thing before where I imagine a photo and just can’t produce the image the way I want to and it ends up frustrating me and leaves me hating the whole idea. I’ll leave it in the back of my mind for a time where my PS skills have developed to a point where I feel I can confidently pull it off without getting frustrated with it.
Alright, that’s about it. Still no internet in the apartment and the wireless at Massey U quite frankly sucks. Write me a facebook message or e-mail if you feel like getting in touch with me. Or you can even leave a comment on this blog post!
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