Day 26

I joined a running group today and went for a 10k run around the town. I'm a little sore because I haven't been running in a while. School was really boring today. But I did meet some new people and am becoming more social with people. So I think that I ate something not good, so I'm going to bed feeling sick! I'll tell more, but that was basically my day!

Day 25

Today was average. Not much happened today that was note worthy. I had homework for the first time, which I cant believe I'm saying this, is a good thing. I had a New Zealand cooking class today and we made Afghans, ANZACs, and this brittle. But it wasn't brittle, it was sweeter. If that is even possible! But I am going on this North Island tour and I'm really excited! Then for the holiday I'm going to be going to Morrinsville to see my dad's/mom's friends here in New Zealand. Then I have Orienteering NAtionals in Auckland! I'm really excited for this week to be over but I want to enjoy it! Meeting new people and talking to my family! I miss running in Colorado and smelling the pine! I miss Courtney Shaw, Grace Gatto, Emily (_______) Lundquist, Hannah Linheart, Morgan McCurdy, MARGARET BARTON, Julia Beebe, Emma Brachtenbach, Cat Steinbach, and everyone that I didn't mention! My coaches, my family, my dogs, and America. Just know that I miss you and I hope that you are ok!

Day 24

I'm really sad now! I made a lot of German friends when I was on all of the International Student trips and this is their last week! It makes me sad that I have to say goodbye to great friends that I made over the past three weeks! But today was good! I talked to my family on ichat and they seem to be really stressed out! I worry about them sometimes! (Most of the time) It must be hard for them! I'm here for seven months and my sister is at camp for a week, so I understand if they are stressed out. I hope that they know that I love them so much! I wish I was running for my amazing track coach back in Colorado, but I'm not! I'm doing my core while I'm here though so I should be good for the next season that I run for him! School is going good, but It is easy. I've grown since being here and I've also put on some weight(Nine pounds). So now I weight 125, so that's good and getting better! I miss home but I love it here too!

Day 23

Today was a pretty nice day! I set my alarm for 8 in the morning because of my competition that I was going to go compete in, and I figured that I should start my computer to check my facebook. But when I opened ichat I noticed that my family was on. So I ran to the Lounge with my computer in hand and had an ichat with them! My sister has camp for five days starting tomorrow and I am really excited for her and I can't wait to hear how horse camp went! I talked to my family for about a quarter hour! The time flies when you aren't at home with them! But I tried orienteering today because that is the only running sport that the school has at the moment, so I figured that I'd try it. I didn't like it all too much because I sucked! But it's good to suck at something, it gives you something to work at. I don't really like the stop and go aspect of it. I like straight up running more! But it wasn't too bad I guess and I'm going to the nationals in Auckland in two weeks, so wish me luck. I got in touch with the Thompson's and they seem to be very nice people. I can't wait to see them over holidays. I got a phone today so people can get in contact with me here. But then I settled down and prepared for the next three weeks to be very busy, and at times very exhausting!

Day 22

So after a restless night of sleeping on a couch smaller than me, I woke up and took a shower in the tiniest shower! But that's ok, the day turned out to be great. After stopping in Masterton for lunch and Mark's orthodontics appointment, we went to the Tui beer factory. It was really interesting, but I didn't have a beer; so don't worry! It is supposably one of the best beers in New Zealand because the water in the beer is taken from a stream just 150 feet from the factory. After that we headed back to Havelock North. Once here we unpacked the car, and enjoyed some soccer for the evening. I'm getting up to watch the USA play Ghana at 6:30 in the morning here. I have to get up anyway because it's my first Orienteering race tomorrow! Wish me luck! I can't believe that I have almost been here a month! Where does the time go? I seems like yesterday I was getting teary eyed saying good bye to my family! I miss them, but my homesickness is subsiding! And I am beginning to enjoy my experience!

Day 21 (WEEK 3)

Slept in today and got up to go to Wellington! So we left Havelock North and headed south on the state highway 2 towards Wellington. Alan, Callum, and I stopped in Shannon for lunch! I got a pie and it was good! Another hour and a half we were in the city. It was such a beautiful city! We went to the national museum and drove around the capital. It is smaller in population than Colorado Springs, but looks like Denver! Maybe even San Francisco. We then got lost trying to get to Mark's ( college age host brother) flat in the city. Then once we found it we went out to eat at a pub. That was rustic and reminded me of Colorado! I had fish and chips and it was good! Then we drove back and slept!

Day 20

Today was my first Mufty(?) day at the school! This is where you wear your normal street clothes to school instead of the uniforms. So that made the day a little better because it reminded me of going to school back at Manitou Springs High. So that made the day a little more bearable. I'm going to Wellington tomorrow until saturday, so not that long. But I'm excited about seeing more of the country! I met a lot more people today just because I said, "Hello," to more people! I really miss home, family, friends, and dogs! But it is getting better with each day. But I'll be talking to my family again soon, which is good! I have my first Orienteering meet on Sunday and I'm a little nervous because it's a relay, so we'll see how it goes! I need to get some more clothes to wear here because I don't want to look the same every weekend! What am I going to do during the holidays? Oh well, I'll just deal with it when I get there! I hope that summer in Colorado and the USA and the Northern Hemisphere is going great!

Day 19

Well today was great! I mean that it really made me happy that I could talk to my family after not seeing them for twelve days. That really made me feel better and my home sickness is getting less and less with each passing day. This is turning out to be a great next couple of weeks! I didn't know if you knew this but it is going to be three weeks here in two days! Can you believe that because I can't! You can't live in the past, because that is your downfall in the end. I can't just sit here and live in Colorado when I'm in New Zealand. That can't happen. Rather I need to face the fact that I'm here and I can't change it! I need to think about making more friends here and worry about making new ones in Colorado later. After all I only have six months here, and two more years in Colorado. I didn't meet as many people today, but I'm working on it! I saw the firls play rugby and some of my friends are on the team and they played really well today (52 to 0)! I am so lost! But when you are blind for awhile you get use to the darkness, and suddenly you aren't afraid anymore. I'm not afraid anymore.

Day 18

Today I met more Americans and New Zealandsers (Kiwi). I'm becoming more social as the homesickness subsides. I really miss my family though! And I am glad to hear that they made it home safely from Aruba. So all in all today was a success! I met a lot of people and a lot of people met me! But I am really tired and that is why this post is so small! I can't wait to talk to my family of ichat tomorrow!

Day 17

Another day of early rising and another two hour bus ride to Waihi to look at the Martha Gold Mine. It was pretty interesting and then we headed back to Rotorua. But we saw a lot of the country and I even saw Kiwi 360! The gigantic Kiwi Fruit that was on the Amazing Race not too long ago! But then we had to go back to stinky Rotorua. It smells because of all of the hot pools that are in the area! Not fun! But it was really nice. I me a lot of people tonight! Hung out in a lot of people's rooms before I had to go to bed!

Day 16

RAIN!!!! This is what I awoke to today! We were planning on going fishing bright and early on the lake, but the rain destroyed that plan! So we took a lazy morning and eventually went fishing after we went to the Turangi visitor information center and the Taupo Trout Hatchery. But because of the rain, the trout were trying to swim up stream to spawn, but they just hadn't got to where we were; se we left empty handed. After this we packed up the house and headed out to the "city" of Taupo. We were let loose for an hour and then we went to Huka Falls. That was pretty amazing! But then I had to say goodbye to my international friends, because it was time for my geography field trip! From Taupo we drove and hour north to Rotorua. Once at the Kiwi Paka Lodge we settled in and had dinner. I met a really pretty girl from Brazil who all the Kiwi boys were afraid to talk to! I guess you shouldn't let fear get the best of you! But I also met two Coloradans and college student from America! The night ended with pool and cards.

Day 15

Today I woke up early and ate breakfast. Then the rest of the international students awoke from their sleep and got dressed for the day. We went to Mt. Ruapehu to look at Lord of the Rings filming sites and to see the ski fields. After a quick lunch we headed oour for a two hour hike to go see this magnificent waterfall. We then went back to Turangi and went on the Bird's boat on Lake Taupo for about forty five minutes. It got really choppy, so we had to go back, but some hot pools awaited us! The pool was hot and you could put your head under it, which was nice! We then returned home and enjoyed some hot chocolate and Sing Star.

Day 14 (WEEK 2)

I woke up and I had Apple Cinnimon Cheerios because I was feeling so homesick and I thought why not! So I went to school, and had a pretty average school day! But then I left with 6 other international students to Turangi near lake Taupo for the weekend. The Napier/Taupo road is windy and not fun, but once I was there it was all good! First I went to the McDonalds and had some Chicken Nuggets and then I went to get a hot chocolate. It was one of the most relaxing evenings that I have had since I got here. Then we went to my English teachers's (Mr. Bird) house and played P's and A's (Presidents and A** Holes). Then the five Germans, the one Dutch, and I battled it out on Sing Star! It is funny trying to here them sing! But then we went to the neighbors house to see Germany be defeated by Serbia. The Germans were furious! And the rest of us didn't care! Then we were off to bed.

Day 13

So today was actually not that bad! I woke up and ate some cheerios.... I am thinking about opening one of my American cereals tomorrow just to have a little more taste of home! My wrist hurts because when I went orienteering i slipped and fell on barbed wire and cut my wrist! No fun! But I have my first orienteering competition in two weeks! I'm so excited and wish me luck! I won't be posting until my tuesday because I will be out exploring the country. I am really excited! I leave for Turangi and the central mountains tomorrow, and I'll be staying there until sunday. Then on sunday a class geography trip will be picking me up in Taupo (a city on a lake) to go to Rotorua and Waihi to look at the gold mine. But today I talked to Molly on ichat and my friend emily on skype! I really didn't know that I had a lot of people like me! I love that feeling of being loved! But any way, I met a lot of new people today at school and saw my first Maori Haka today which was pretty awesome! I hope that my family are enjoying themselves in Aruba! It was really warm here today...15 so times it by two, 30 and then add thirty-two to it and it was 64 degrees Fahrenheit. That's pretty warm for their, "Winter." Buurrr that is so cold! But in all seriousness, it's hard being away from everything that you have known and loved! But that just makes you appreciate what you have and what you HAD! And that's the important thing...appreciating what you are given so you don't spend so much time worrying about what you had or could have!

Day 12

I had the chance to talk to one of my best friends on skype today! It was great talking to Grace Gatto, and I am so thankful that I got to see her! She means a lot to me and I don't think she knows all that she has done for me as a person! I miss Manitou, the school, my friends, my family, track, and most of all my dogs! I miss their lovings after a hard day, or their consistency of being there to lean on! Oh man...it is hard being so far away from home! But today was just...egh! There is no better word than egh, because egh is what today was like! I mean I met really cool people, sat in such exciting classes(wink wink), and at least it was sunny! I am trying new food, like tonight for desert my host mum made chocolate pudding! But its not like the kind in America, it's more strange! But I ate it and loved every minute of it! I got an email from my family and they are safe and sound in Aruba and that made me feel so much better. Just to think that I was with them two weeks ago, and now I won't see them for 6 months is crazy! I miss them like crazy, I miss HOME like crazy! But I'm excited for my trip up north in 2 days! It should get my mind off things until I get to ichat with my parents again!

Day 11

Today was good, except the fact that I can't talk to my family! But that will soon be done with because next wednesday here I'll be ichating with them. So I just have to make it through the next week and I'll be good! I hope that they are having a blast in Aruba, but that they are being really safe! Today was good! Woke up, ate cereal, took a shower, went to school, met more people, came home, had an ichat with my soccer wife (molly), ate dinner, had DESERT!!!!, and am now about to go to bed. People here call me a lot of interesting things: Gary, Garrett, Garage, Colorado, The American, Beast, and more recently New Guy! It's hard not knowing everyone like I do at Manitou, but it is just the way it is, and I have to accept it for the way that it is. That's the thing I think, when you leave everything that you know that you just live "ideally." But then again, I could be completely wrong and have no idea what I'm talking about! But seriously, something changes when you leave home for something never done before, something new. I still really don't believe that I am here! I know that my family could tell you that I have been wanting to do this ever since Petra (our foreign exchange student in 2001). But I think that I have been thinking or even TALKING about this before that?! I miss my HOME, but that is a funny word, because home is where and what you make it! Sure, I'm not with my family, but I am! Home... I'm home, even though I'm 14,000 miles from it!

Day 10

After the hot pools, I went to bed and slept great until the girls woke me up in the morning! Then I made Oatmeal and had Milo Hot Chocolate. It was a great morning, but we had to hike back for 3 hours to the car park. After that the 10 of us went to the springs on that side of the hike. It was so hot, but you can't but your head under the water or you'd get meningitis, which I didn't want to get. But it was all good! Then a 2 hour car ride back, where we stopped and saw one of New Zealand's Lowland Forests which was absolutely gorgeous! Then, us boys, went to a really good ice cream parlor that has been in New Zealand for almost 100 years! It was great, but then I had Orienteering practice after that! It sucked and I practically got last, but that's because my foot got caught on a vine and I biffed it down the hill! And I didn't get up, so I just laid there for like 10 minutes. But it was great, and I really didn't care! I miss my family a lot though!!!

Day 9

Today I woke up early and hiked for 3 hours into the hills of New Zealand. But before that I went to the Slump Orienteering course. That was really fun! But the hike was long and beautiful, but it helped get my mind off things! I miss my family dearly, but I am meeting more and more great people everyday! I met 5 Germans on this tramp and 4 New Zealanders. I MADE sausages and baked beans to go along with it with spaghetti. I'm good...hungh??? After that we played a New Zealand card game for 2 hours, and then tried to go to bed. But you know how girls just can't go to bed right away. So Mr. Kitchin, Armond, Julianne, and myself went to the hot pools around 10. But it took us an hour to get there! But it was beautiful! I could see the spiral of the Milky Way and saw the Southern Cross! I heard a Kiwi and crossed a suspension bridge! It was great, but I didn't get back until the next day! Specifically, 2:02 in the morning! But it was a great day!

DAY 8

This next week is going to be so hard for me! I won't be able to ichat with my family until the 23 of June! I miss them so much and I am a little nervous about them going to Aruba, because of everything that happened there! Please pray for their safety and that they have a blast! I am really excited about tomorrow because I am going hiking in the woods for an overnight thing with some of the Germans. But today was great! I saw my first REAL (sorry aussi rules) rugby game, went to Clive, Hastings, and Napier today and had a great time! Went to a New Zealand supermarket today and saw a lot of interesting things and people there...! But I am still really homesick and it would be great if you could leave me a comment about giving me some advice! I can't wait until the 23!!! So much will be changed from now to then, but I am just really hoping that if anybody who reads this could pray for them! They mean so much to me, and I don't think that they know that, but they really do! I just really want them to be safe, have fun, and get back so I can see them again on ichat! Thank you so much if you do do that! Mom, Dad, Taylor, Family, and Friends...I miss you and I can't wait to come home!

Day 7 (WEEK 1)

Today was not bad! I got to talk to my family which is always nice! It is great to ichat with them! They make my day when I see them! My soccer wife was with them which made it all the more better! It rained today, YUCK! The rain here... well it POURS! It isn't like in Colorado when it sprinkles, moves off then comes back hard, and moves off. NO, not here! It rains buckets and buckets on you and it isn't fun at all! But school was good today and I met even more interesting people! I think that I'm going to Hastings for the first time tomorrow which would be really cool! All is good right now, even though I'm a little homesick, I'm learning to appreciate and love my family (friends) from half way around the world without all the pain/strain that comes along with it! So it's getting better but there still needs to be some progress before that feeling, as my parents say," In December you won't want to come back," sets in! Because I really want too! I love them so much, and it is good to know that they are looking out for me from half way around the world!

Day 6

TODAY WAS AWESOME....! I woke up and went to school and met so many amazing people! I played soccer for sports and recreation class, and that was so much fun! I think that I could be good at it, but my sister laughed at me when I said that! So I came home and chated to my family on ichat, which by the way is one of the best inventions on earth! It is so nice to talk to them from half way around the world! I miss them insanely, but my homesickness is slowly going away with each passing day that I go to school. So I actually want to go to school, because it gets my mind of things! My relationship with God has become so much stronger over this past week than it has in the past year. I pray when I get up and when I go to bed! I am looking to the bible for some guidance during this tough time in which I'm away from my family! We made home made pizza tonight, and it reminded me of the time when I did it when I was little with my family! I am slowly but surely getting on New Zealand time, but it takes some time to move back six hours and a day ahead... doesn't it? Maybe I'll post some pictures up here so you all can see what I'm up to!

Day 5

I woke up today and it was great! Hardly a cloud in the sky and I got some emails from the family which sorta made my day! They mean so much to me. School was great, it is easier than American schools, if it is hard to believe! I'm having a good time even though the uniform is hard to believe! I feel British.... with the knee high socks and shorts that don't go below the knees. I joined Adventure Racing today and I have practice on friday! I'm really excited for this experience to get going, and to see my family!

Day 4

Agh... the first day of school in New Zealand. School got my mind off thing a little bit, but I still really am homesick! It rained today... and that made school miserable! But everyone thinks that my accent is funny which I think is funny because it is hard to understand them! I'm counting down the days until my family arrives in Napier...December 19. That is a long ways away, but I hope and bet it goes by fast! I am so thankful that my family let me do this, and I bet that it was really hard to let me go, but I'll be in their arm soon, and there is always ichat!

Day 3

Well...homesickness really set it to me! I miss my family so much, they mean so much to me and it is hard not seeing them everyday, and that is hard to say because when I'm there I don't appreciate them at all! It's the little things like saying "good morning," that I miss saying the most to them. They mean the world to me and I hope that they are safe. We drove up Te Mata Peak today, it was really cold at the top! It reminds me a lot like home, with the wind and the cold! I got the chance to ichat with my family for the first time, and that was great! That made me feel so much better! I start school tomorrow! That is a crazy thing to say, because it was summer last week...That's Crazy!

Day 1-2

I was really excited and nervous for the day June 4th to roll around, but I was more scared than anything. Saying goodbye to my family was one of the hardest things that I had to do in my entire life! Just knowing that I wont be able to see them in person for an entire 6 months makes me cry even now! I miss them so much! the plane ride from Denver to San Francisco was easy compare to the flight that I was about o board to Auckland. But 12 hours later i made it to New Zealand!Then i boarded a plane to Napier where my host family was waiting for me at the airport. We than drove around the country for a little bit, then they took me to the house and i slept for a couple of hours! I woke up and took a shower, walked to school with Callum ( my host families son) and came back and slept until dinner. Then I ate Pork Chops, with Potato, Broccoli, and Pumpkin. After that I got ready for bed and prayed for an hour. I prayed for my families safety, my friends safety, and for my own safety because I knew that I wanted to see these people again. Then I shut off the light and went to bed.