Edge of Glory?!

After a long weekend of rain, hail, and pitiful attempts of crystallized snowflakes, I am finally feeling the warmth returning to my body.  I can now say that I have seen the worst weather conditions.  There is something so gruelling about having hail, rain, and snow all at once falling from the sky.  Combined with wind and fog, I played it safe.  It was comforting to listen to it all wrapped in my blanket reading for the weekend.  I finished TWO books!! I was so proud of myself for getting back to my bookish self.  I haven't read a book for pleasure in such a long time, and it is with great honor to state that I have not lost any of my profound reading skills! Lots of movies, friends, and card games also occurred!  Oh, and I also checked out the student gym with some of my neighbors.  It was kind of eerie and old, but I am in no position to complain about anything… I am in New Zealand for goodness sake!

I am glad I do not wait for the weekend to do things.  I went for an early morning walk with some friends to the beach early in the week.  The ocean.  I will never forget the moment when I walked over the sand dune to see the frigid waves and endless water.  It was the kind of thing that took my breath away…as if nothing else mattered in the world except where I was.  I have seen the ocean before, but it has always been crowded with boats or people.  Since it is winter and it was the morning, there was nothing but the waves.  We ran in the sand for a little bit before our feet started to get numb and the tide started to come in.  At the very end of the beach, they have a heated pool that is open in the summer for the surfers to relax in between catching waves, and is literally right in the ocean (I forgot to take a picture of it…but it is there!).  I dropped my camera in the sand when the lense was open, and it stopped working for a little bit.  I am beyond relieved that it started to work again; I do not want to buy another camera!

The sun had just risen a few moments prior...

Old posts from a dock that has seen its days...

I did go in the water if you must know!

Just slightly pretty :)

I also explored the peninsula a bit; there are huge cliffs and little paths that wrap around and above them.  I had to climb up this wall of rocks to get to a muddy path that led to a plateau right on the edge of the cliff.  The rocks were so slippery from the waves that clash against the cliff walls.  Since I was alone, I had to be really careful not to slip, but I could not resist the temptation of edge.  My heart was racing so much but it was worth it to feel   as if I was on the Edge of Glory (as Lady Gaga would sing)!  I couldn’t stay there for too long though…as rational thoughts won over my adventurous spirit.  Ahh one of the coolest things I have ever done!  There was all sorts of paths, and I just kind of followed random ones.  One of them led to the top of the cliff and they had a little bench and lookout area.  It’s funny how you forget how much money you spend to see these things when you see it in person.  Definitely worth it.  I have SO much more to see here, and everywhere else in the world.  I remember my mom telling me that I “got the travel bug” after flying for my first time.  It will not stop here, that is for sure! Why not see it all?!

I hiked around the this cliff...pure beauty!

At the top of the lookout.

This is kind of random, but blog-worthy I guess.  I went for a run on Friday I think, and I ended up in some botanical gardens.  These gardens seriously span a huge area and the hills and beauty provided for a good workout area!  I can’t wait for all the flowers to bloom (glad I don’t have to plant them though…) Check it out:

The entrance area to the gardens.

Just a little duck pond.

Some color!

The whole tree kind of had a painted effect to it...

Yoga anyone?!  I sat here for awhile to ponder...

It's a fat bird!!!

My mid-semester break is coming up in a couple weeks.  On my to-do list is ski or snowboard (it is highly debatable at this point and would love input).  How many people can say that the first place they did either (on a serious level) is in New Zealand?  Exactly why I want to cross that off!!!!  Also on my list is to see Milford Sound, and visit my Kiwi host’s house in the northern part of the southern island.  Sweet as!!!!!  I seriously say that all the time now, sweet as!!!!  Yay, I am morphing into an accidental Kiwi!

Gosh, I feel like I am pouring my heart out, so kudos to you that made it this far in the reading!  If you are exceptionally intrigued, I added some powerful quotations that I live by on the right hand side of this blog to spice it up a lil’ >>>  Other than that, I hope you have enjoyed my endless spew of words and pictures!  Until next time!