New Zealand at Last

Hello!  Here I am in Auckland!  It certainly feels like a different country, but not uncomfortable.  I can still find my way around.  Today we had a tour of the area from a Maori perspective.  I saw plenty of sheep already!  We went for a hike in the rainforest, and we all got the chance to play traditional Maori instruments.  I especially enjoyed the introduction to local trees and birds.  We also saw the black sand beaches, which were pretty cool.  Again, I'll try to get some pictures up once I get settled, but I have lots more adventures coming up, and blogspot tends to be confusing, so please be patient!  Talk to you again soon!

Once in a Lifetime!

Hello, everyone!  I'm here on the main island of Fiji after four days at the Botaira Resort on Naviti.  I had so much fun, and I got the chance to do so many things that are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences.  I chased eight-foot manta rays in the currents that run between islands, I visited a tiny Fijian island village, I went snorkeling and found Nemo, I saw a shark and an octopus in the wild, I hiked straight up a mountain to watch a sunrise from the ridge of the Fijian island, I tried all sorts of new foods, I saw traditional Fijian song and dance, I napped in a hammock under a palm tree, I shook hands with a starfish and re-enacted historical scenes with hermit crabs, I stargazed at constellations I had never seen before, I climbed a coconut tree and tried green and brown coconut, and I made some great friends that I am excited to be going to school with next semester!
These are just some of my many adventures, and I'll fill you in with pictures later.  It's still go, go, go, so I don't have time to figure it all out!  By the time orientation is over, I'm sure I'll have plenty of great shots to show you guys.
Keep me in your prayers as I travel!  I miss you guys a lot, so keep in touch, too.  I'll be thinking of you!

I'm going on an adventure!

Hello, everyone!  I'm in Los Angeles right now, waiting for my flight to Fiji.  I've already met some kids from the program, and they are super excited and outgoing!  I'll be off the grid for a few days, since there won't be wifi in Fiji, but afterward I'll have all sorts of adventures to share.  Certainly pictures, and I'm playing with videos, too, so we'll see!

A Long-Expected Journey

In one week I'll be heading off to New Zealand (with a brief stop in Fiji along the way) for my semester abroad!  It's a little scary, but pretty exciting, and I'll miss you guys while I'm away.  I'll try to keep you updated with pictures and stories of my adventures, and I hope you keep me updated on your adventures at home, too!