Yinzer in the Shire

Though the main draw of our trip up north was the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, there is another special attraction located just an hour away from the village that we knew couldn't be missed. On the last day of our journey we traveled through more of New Zealand's rolling countryside until we reached our destination, the Alexander Farm. It is a large, sprawling sheep and cattle farm that you might better know as Hobbiton . We began our tour by waiting in a rather long line. We were eligible for a discount and had spoken to the powers-that-be in advance to reserve a space, but there is no way to pay for your ticket ahead of time unless you book online. Save your sanity, if not your money, book online. With online booking you still must claim your ticket, to do this ignore the large line and head straight for the kiosk on the left hand side of the ticketing centre. Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time, we were 10 minutes early and ended up ha...

Over Christmas break we took a short, four day holiday up north to Waitomo. Though we have been here for nearly a year this is was our first real New Zealand adventure. The drive from Wellington to Waitomo took a solid six hours along State Highways 3 and 4. Early on Seth suggested that we simply continue along SH3 and skip 4 altogether, but though it looks shorter on paper it is actually a longer journey. It is important when planning out a trip in New Zealand to take into account winding roads and mountains. Though it is helpful to use a paper map on your actual journey, for timing consult Google.   The road signs in New Zealand can be a bit confusing at times. State Highways aren't listed as being directional, but rather, towards the next largest city. So for instance it's good to know if Hamilton is in the direction of your destination or away from it. This is where that paper map really comes in handy. Many turn-offs sneak up on you as well, with no sig...

On January 15, 2014 I left everything I have ever known for a land of complete uncertainty. I have now been living in New Zealand for exactly a year and, boy, has it been a crazy one. Though I am far from family and friends, in a lot of ways Wellington is more like home than Pittsburgh ever was. It's only been a year, but I feel more welcome here in a lot of ways. Walking down the street or riding the bus it isn't uncommon to run into a familiar face. Which is actually terrible in the grocery store because I am still one of those people who actively avoids a friend in store in order to avoid the dreaded "oh, hello again" that is sure to happen two aisles over. As a person I have grown further then I ever thought possible and realised many of my dreams. This year has been marked, not just by baby steps, but by running leaps. My entire life I have suffered from anxiety towards situations in which I feel I cannot escape, which at it's very worst made it difficu...

American Traditions -------- In the states there is a big lead up to Christmas. Since the late 90s, Christmas music and decorations begin taking over stores long before Halloween. With the holiday season officially beginning the day after Thanksgiving when many American's leave the warmth of their homes to camp out in line for Black Friday bargains. Each family has their own particular traditions, but in my family on Christmas Eve we were allowed to open one gift, which was always pajamas and occasionally an ornament. In the lead up to this time mum would lock herself in the bedroom to complete the annual wrapping of the gifts. Right before bed we would place homemade sugar cookies and milk out for Santa. Sister decorating the tree on Christmas Eve 2013 In recent years we would decorate the tree on Christmas Eve as well, but I seem to recall doing it earlier when I was in primary school. Our tree has always featured a mix of glass bulbs and more whimsical ornamen...