THE FLAMING LIPS NEW YEARS EVE FREAKOUT: 2010 BECOMES 2011

Should I start by giving it all away? Or should I pretend like you don't already know that this was one of the best days of my life?

I mean obviously, you guys know that The Flaming Lips are my all-time favorite band. And you know when it gets around Christmas time that my Facebook is being blown to shreds with posts and pictures of my various Flaming Lips experiences and hopes for the future.This year, for Christmas, my mom got me three tickets to see the New Years Eve Freakout in Oklahoma City. This was the second time I've driven 16 hours total in a less than 48 hour time frame just to see my boys. And, the truth is...that's nothing. Some fans came from Florida, Michigan, Chicago, California, Australia, and supposedly Italy. This concert is a huge deal to die-hard FL fans. It's my favorite day of the year.
After a surprisingly pleasant 8 hour drive to the city, Derek, Jordan, and I checked into our cheap hotel room to begin the night with quick runs to the local liquor store and Sonic for dinner. By the way, Oklahoma has the most elaborate and psychedelic X-mas trees I have ever seen. I can't even begin to fathom how many car accidents they cause. When we returned to our room we began our festivities. Sparkly face masks, yellow dresses, pink tutus, sparkly blue-balls bouncing around my face (HAHAH). I went as Yoshimi and my costume (planned less than 24 hours in advance) turned out to be pretty epic. Derek went as a New Year Baby (wearing only Depends and a top hat). Jordan came as our experienced and creative photographer for the evening. I even convinced him to put on a sparkly mask and antennas!Needless to say, Derek was pretty hammered by the time we left the room. I was getting there; but sadly put way more effort into putting my costume together than downing booze. Jordan, our fabulous DD, found free parking under a massive expressway bridge and we were off, singing She Don't Use Jelly the entire way to the convention center. Even better, when we arrived at the security check our StubHub tickets worked flawlessly and Jordan had no problem getting his camera and two lenses in. We were almost immediately greeted by people wanting to take our picture. Lovely fans with Free Hugs signs stood around the merch table and the beer stand. Aliens, pink hair, sparkles everywhere. So much love.


After taking a walk or two around the arena to show off our costumes, getting various stoner high-fives of approval, we found our seats and the show eventually began!

I read, I think it was on Billboard, that Wayne said that his shows are normally like a typical New Years Eve show, so when they do an actual NYE show they have to go all out. Tons (probably literally) of confetti, explosions of color, dancing butterflies, inch worms, and flowers. This is just the beginning. Steven, Kliph, and Michael all, of course, entered the stage through a giant pulsating vagina. Quickly following was Wayne in his famous ball, crowd surfing on screaming fans. Balloons filled the entire arena behind the stage, but at least 30 of them had made their way into the pit by the time the show started, bouncing gleefully across the stage. Wayne, ever so often, shot his confetti gun into the crowd. Giant hands with green lasers shooting from their palms. Smoke smoke smoke! The giant arch LED screen constantly portrayed images of naked women dancing, wolves howling, smiling baby suns, girls in bathtubs, sunrises, telletubbies, and some extreme close-ups of Wayne's face as he sang to the crowd. The world's biggest mirror ball reflected the stage lights and laser beams from the crowd. Giant, and I mean giant, balloons hung from the ceiling by string. Wayne even married a couple, Sandy & Andy, on stage at the beginning of the concert! The first Flaming Lips wedding ever!


They played an array of songs from all their albums. I wasn't disappointed for a second. They played all their best songs; See the Leaves, Silver Trembling Hands, I Can Be A Frog, The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song, Do you Realize?, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and so many more.

Setlist:

The Birth
Worm Mountain
Silver Trembling Hands
She Don’t Use Jelly
Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
In The Morning of the Magicians
I Can Be a Frog
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt.1
See the Leaves
The Ego’s Last Stand
Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung
Do You Realize??

Balloon Drop/NYE Countdown

Race for the Price
A Spoonful Weighs a Ton
The Spark That Bled
The Spiderbite Song
Slow Motion
Buggin’
What Is The Light?
The Observer
Waitin’ for a Superman
Suddenly Everything Has Changed
The Gash
Feeling Yourself Disintegrate
Sleeping on the Roof

Just before midnight the band played their most famous and heart-warming song, Do You Realize? and quickly followed the finale of the first half of their show with an elaborate count down to the new year! At midnight hundreds and hundreds of colorful balloons stampeded the crowd. The lights were turned on in the arena so fans could look around and see the extent of their experience. I'll say it again: so much love. I've never seen an audience so in love with a moment, or each other. Every single person was smiling, hugging, kissing. Even the people tripping out of their minds had something to smile about. I found myself hugging total strangers and wishing them the best new year possible.
But this new year had only begun. For the first time in the history of The Flaming Lips; the band decided to play their best album, The Soft Bulletin, in its entirety. Wayne mentioned that some of the songs they had never played lived before, ever. I was ecstatic. It was more than perfect. My favorite album, my favorite band, my favorite man. All in one room with confetti and balloons. AH. So good. Derek told he teared up a little during Teaspoon Weighs a Ton. I was especially moved when Wayne was signing The Spiderbite Song and explaining to the audience how much he loves Stephen and Michael. He is such a heart-felt man. The night was finished off with Feeling Yourself Disintegrate, where Wayne explained how the song was about really realizing that everyone you know and love, even strangers and people you can't stand, will all eventually die. How important it is to understand the impermanence and beauty of life. My heart nearly exploded. I was in heaven.

This is why I love the Flaming Lips. This is why I dedicate hundreds of statuses and blog entries to this band. This is why I have driven over a 1000 miles in 2010 going to various Flaming Lips concerts. Because they are a band of people who are not afraid to express love. Who express it openly, with confetti and megaphones. Their music is about the essence of life and love and the beauty of our experiences with one another. I've never seen a show, or heard a band, with such an outstanding record of pure love and compassion. It fills my soul to the brim.

The show ended around 2:30 a.m. Needless to say, I was exhausted. Standing and dancing like a maniac for 5 hours straight has it's repercussions. Plus, I was completely worn out from being on an overload of happiness. Not to mention the lingering thought that I had to be up at 10 am to drive back home another 8 hours. I was absolutely content, and ready for sleep.

On the way out of the show Derek, being in a giant diaper, was in desperate need to change into normal clothes before going out into the freezing wind of OKC. We couldn't find a fucking mens bathroom anywhere. On on search to find a changing space, we turned our route a little out of the way and stumbled upon the greatest moment of my entire life. We were standing right in front of the ramp the lead straight to the top of the stage. And at the top of the ramp....was Wayne. Standing right there. Talking to fans. Right. In. Front. Of. Me.

I simultaneously died and was electrocuted into life in the same moment. I wind-shield wiped my eyes. Hello? Is this really happening? Me and Derek just looked at each other, like: oh my god...this is real. I quickly turned to Derek and claimed that we needed to keep it totally cool, and just try walking up on stage like we had backstage passes or something. I think my mind instantly clicked into "concentrate on not freaking the fuck out" mode. I have literally no idea how I didn't faint. Took a deep breath...and starting walking up the ramp.

No one stopped me. No one did anything. But smiled as we passed. I reached the top of the ramp and was standing 2 feet from my favorite person in the universe. I'll repeat myself, I have no idea how I didn't pass out. I tried to start causal conversation with other fans on stage, to try and remain cool, or at least look cool. This was the most insane tunnel-vision, fluid, dream-like moment of my entire life. I had no control of my mind or my body. I was just in absolute shock. Jordan looked over at me and said "Rachael, you're going to meet Wayne Coyne....". I immediately followed with a quick "SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!" I was trying immensely hard to detach my mind from the fact that this was really happening. Derek was literally shaking. When Wayne saw him he started laughing and said "Look at this guy, comin' right for me!" I just stood there, in total amazement as Derek introduced himself and told him he was a big fan.A few other fans made their way up to Wayne and started different conversations with him. Wayne is so down to earth, I mean I had always heard that he was...but seeing it in person was so much more than I could of expected. He was in no hurry to get away, to go home, or to ignore his fans. Any person who came up to him with something say got his attention. He asked their names, where they were from, and talked about whatever they wanted to talk about. He hugged a younger girl for at least a minute straight. Wayne will never be the first person to release from a hug. He'll hold on tight until you feel satisfied. I think she was just as happy, if not happier, than I was.

I tried my best to let the other people talk to him as well. They were all so cool and collected. Not me. I was freaking the fuck out. Every time Wayne started a new conversation with a fan I felt like I was losing my chance to get to meet him. Derek calmed me down by telling me that we had all night and that he wasn't going anywhere. Derek finally got his attention and we began to talk. Talking about St. Louis, he shows at the Pageant, Forecastle, Snoop Dog, and Derek busting his face open. Derek, being the confident person he is, nonchalantly pointed at me and informed Wayne that I was his biggest fan. He said "Wayne, this girl loves you. You have no idea. She's like you're biggest fan." I looked at him with..."It's so trruuuuuuueeee" eyes. I told him that his band changed my life, that they were my favorite band in the entire world, and that I couldn't believe that I was actually meeting him. I asked him if I could give him a hug, because this was by far the biggest moment of my life. He opened his arms with a huge, genuine smile and pulled me in to a wonderfully heart-felt hug.

I died. I can't believe I didn't cry. Or pass out. Or throw up. He looked me right in the eye and said "Wow, I really love all that shit on your face! That's so cool! You know, anyone could of just showed up but you put a whole lot of effort into that!" In the most pathetic voice known to man kind I said "Yeah, I really tried!". Could I of acted like any more of a loser? I mean really. Well, honestly, I'm totally amazed I didn't faint in the first place....so the fact that I could stay calm and have a semi-decent conversation with the man is a miracle.

Derek, not so gracefully, mentioned the fact that we fully planned on driving by his house the following morning in hopes that he would be home so we could wave at him from our car. I figured Wayne would be totally creeped out. Nope. He fucking invited us over to his house. I'm not kidding. He said " Nah man, just stop by tomorrow! Do it. No big deal. Just don't come over too early, because I'll be here for another few hours". Just like that. Wayne Coyne invited us to his house.

I don't think my mind could of handled any more stimulus. My jaw must of dropped to the floor. This entire moment is sort of a blur.

We must of hung around for at least 45 minutes. Before we left, I went up to him and asked him for just one more hug. He gladly obliged. My life was complete.

But don't think for a second that I was actually able to pull off being that calm. The second I got 30 feet from Wayne on the way out of the convention center, I had a panic attack. I was literally hyperventilating. Deeply. I called my mom. GASP GASP GASP Moo...mooo..mmoooooommm...GASP GASP GASP.... IIIIIII....IIIII.. GAAAASSSSP....IIII jjuu...juuusst....meeee....meettttt....GASP GASP GASP...WAYYNNNNEEE! I cried. I couldn't breathe. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I was hysterically laughing, crying, suffocating, and screaming all at the same time. If any of you received a voicemail from me that night...please save it. Forever. I want to hear it later.

Thank JESUS I have a friend who loves the Flaming Lips almost as much as I do. Chris. I called him as soon as I got off the phone and attempted to explain to him that I met Wayne and got invited over to his house through all the gasps and tears. It was the best feeling on earth knowing that I could explain how I felt to someone who I knew would really understand. He told me that he didn't know a single person the planet who wanted or deserved that moment more than I did. My heart exploded. I have never had such an intense panic attack in my life.

After my hyperventilating subsided, I went into quiet shock. Could barely speak or comprehend what was happened. Then quickly back to screaming and jumping up and down. Then mindlessly giggling like a drunk asshole in the hotel. Every person in the lobby looked at me like I was the most intoxicated person they'd ever seen. I failed in my attempt to convince passing people that I was actually totally sober. I demanded a totem when we got back into the hotel, and begged my brother to tell me that it was real, that I wasn't dreaming, and that I had actually really just met Wayne.

I think I finally fell asleep while giggling to myself in bed around 4:30 am.

We explored the city for a while in the morning. Went to Flaming Lips Alley and IHOP for breakfast. And then decided to stop by Waynes around 1:00 PM. The GPS got us to his house, and it was obvious that he has no shame in hiding who he is or where he lives. I won't go into great detail, but you definitely know a member of the Flaming Lips lives at his house. We went up to his doorstep and knocked on his door. I thought I was going to throw up. I couldn't comprehend what could happen in the following moments. I was entirely too nervous. Plus, because I had no intentions or expectations of meeting him, I only brought my concert costume and PJS. So there I was, on New Years Day, in flannel pajamas and a hoodie...on Wayne's doorstep.
Turns out, he wasn't home. Or was sleeping. I think we just accepted the fact that our new years eve was absolutely perfect and let it be. I couldn't imagine it being any better and I felt a little awkward being at his house in the first place. I left him a short letter I wrote, telling him how his band has changed my life, and the world. All the cliche stuff.
Blew a imaginary kiss into the air and thanked my lucky stars that I was able to experience such a magical moment in my life.

Quick update: It's now January 4th and I still have about 3 panic attacks a day while looking at the pictures from the show.

LOOKING BACK: 2010

Where to begin?

2009 was an incredibly difficult year for me. I was slowly getting readjusted to being home from GeoJourney and living in "normal" society again. It sounds really silly, because GJ was only 3 months long, but it completely changed my life. I saw the world in a new light. It was glowing. GJ opened my eyes to so many indescribable feelings; especially the new-found confidence to become who I wanted to be. But with so many doors and windows opening all around me, I was bound to leave some behind. Discovering my love of Anthropology lead me away from the people I had grown to love with all my heart; my Bowling Green friends. My Bowling Green family.

I remember staying at Corinn's house with her family my last week in Ohio. I don't really remember saying good-bye to my friends. It felt like it wasn't really goodbye. I'm glad it went they way it did. I think about you guys every single day. I still feel like a BG girl. It's been a year and I still feel like I'm going to graduate from BGSU.

I was accepted into the University of South Carolina as an Anthropology student in the Fall semester of 2009. My heart was soaring. I was unbelievably excited to start another new path so shortly after the conclusion of GJ. I felt brave. I felt in control of my life. Ready to take on whatever came in my path. The campus was beautiful. The University was renowned. I felt like I was at the beginning of another life-changing inner movement.

My close friends and family know what happened when I moved to South Carolina. I don't think I have ever really spoken about it out loud to many people.

I think I was so excited to start a new life that I filled my mind with too many false-pretenses. I imagined making friends right off the bat. I imagined walking around campus with a feeling of self-worth and accomplishment. I imagined living my life to it's maximum potential.
Things didn't go to plan.

I reached a new low. I was absolutely miserable. I couldn't understand how people could be so uncaring. I would walk around campus, looking at passing people, and hoping to receive a pair of caring eyes, or even a smile. It never happened. Just coming back from GJ, I couldn't understand why people were so obsessed with money and material items. I felt like I was constantly surrounded by racism, sexism, and homophobia. It tore me down. I became the person who walks while looking at their feet because they couldn't stand another second of being passed by unnoticed.

To top it all off, I was having one of the worst family conflicts of my life. The pressure caused from my Dad on top of the already overbearing sensation of loneliness and depression threw me over the edge. I was lost. I actually reverted to seeing a psychologist. I remember how nervous I was walking to my first appointment and sitting in the waiting room. I couldn't believe that my life had gotten to this point. I was embarrassed.

The worst part of it all: I knew the reasons why I was depressed. I knew how to avoid them. I knew how stupid they were and I knew what caused them. I can't think of a more pathetic feeling. Trina, my shrink, was my savior. I relished each week when we would meet and she would sit and listen while I unraveled my problems. She kept telling me that I was normal; that I was smart and aware of my problems; but the fact that I couldn't solve them made it even harder on me.

But there is always a light in a time of darkness, even if it's barely there. One of the biggest reasons I decided to transfer to USC was because of their study abroad program. In the midst of my first semester of USC, I was also going through the relentless stress of applying to study abroad in New Zealand. I wanted to be excited to go, but the stress was eating any glimpses of hope I had. Deep down, I was terrified that I would go to this new country and have the exact same thing happen all over again. That's one of the biggest reasons I went to see Trina. I wanted to be sure that this would never happen again.

Another source of light during my first semester at USC was the Flaming Lips. I know this sounds completely ridiculous. I realize I sound like one of those sappy thirteen year old girls who love Justin Bieber. It's hard to explain how the Flaming Lips got me through that semester. I remember the first time I ever heard them. It was in September. I even wrote the day down as "The First Time I Heard the Flaming Lips" on a piece of paper somewhere because I knew it was going to be something big. Of course, I lost it. But I know it was mid-September.

I was walking back from one of my Archaeology classes with my headphones on. I had my iPod on random. "Do You Realize" came up. I had always heard this song before. But I usually tuned out after the famous first line: "Do you realize that you have the most beautiful face?". This is when it gets really corny, but I remember this event like it was yesterday. I was walking right past the corner of the BA building, looking at the ground, feeling pathetic like usual. The weather was warm and sunny, there was a light breeze. I swear to Tom Hanks that the second the song came on this huge, electric breeze swarmed through campus and hit me like a ton of bricks. It was like Jesus was fucking singing directly to me through my headphones. "Do You Realize" turned a light bulb on inside of me. It put my life in perspective. It lifted me out of my slump. You know, it's really amazing that music can do something like that.

So obviously, because I am naturally obsessive, I walked the rest of the way home with "Do You Realize" on repeat. I got on my computer and googled and youtubed everything I could find on The Flaming Lips. They have been my favorite band ever since.

It's something about their absolutely ridiculous songs about pink robots and horny frogs. It's the fact that they can sing a song about an Asian chick fighting robots and make it speak real messages of love and compassion. All their songs are like that. There is always an underlying message of the power of love between humans. It's so moving. And A.D.D, it isn't sappy or whiny. It doesn't focus directly on heartbreak or loneliness. It's happy and upbeat, its psychedelic and funky. But its always about love.

I guess sometimes, when you need it more than ever, something will present itself to you for the taking. I know it sounds silly, but the Flaming Lips really took my mind off my depression and loneliness during that time. Now, I realize that if I would of actually gone out of my room and made friends instead of mindlessly singing along to Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots I probably would of been fine. But I much prefer this. This band is going to be a part of my life for a really long time.

Flash forward. New Years Eve 2009. I am in Oklahoma City with my mom and brother. Why you ask? Because my mom is fucking superwoman and drove 8 hours to see the Flaming Lips New Years Eve Freakout with me. My first Flaming Lips concert was right on the eve of a brand new year. Isn't that beautiful? It was the best concert I had ever been to. I was so touched by the environment of people around me; especially the giant teddy bear on acid sitting in the row in front of me. The music was captivating. I was so overwhelmed with happiness to be in a room full of that many Flaming Lips fans.

When the new year rang in at midnight, I shared it with thousands of people, showered in balloons (the world's biggest balloon drop, FYI) , confetti, and music. 2010 was the beginning of something wonderful.

In February I departed for New Zealand. I was to study at the University of Waikato in Hamilton. I didn't know a single person. I didn't care. I was more than happy to get away from USC for a semester. I envisioned New Zealand as the perfect place to go; mountains, lakes, glaciers, oceans. Like GJ on crack.

I was right. New Zealand was perfect. I met amazing people. I was shown completely selfless hospitality from countless people. I made fantastic friends. I caught myself a real-life Kiwi love interest. I lived with some of the craziest eighteen year olds on the planet.

I slept on the beach the morning of a Tsunami. I went to toga-parties and Beer Fest. I tried surfing. I drank alcohol legally. I white-water rafted over a waterfall. I went spelunking and tubing in a cave where glowworms lit the ceiling like stars. I ate fish n' chips and meat pies for the first time. I saw waterfalls. I went to hot water beaches at midnight where the sky was so clear I could see the milky way reflecting in the sand. I climbed a mountain at night. I spent a month living out of a spray painted van, touring the entire south island, camping on the beach, and meeting people from all over the world. I skydived. I bungy jumped. I got chased by sea lions...again. I went sea-kayaking. I went backpacking for 4 days in the rain forest. I saw my first roller-derby bout. I went to Australia by myself for the weekend.

Honestly, if I were to go into detail about all the experiences I encountered in New Zealand...it would take months. To sum it up, I realized that life is too short to put anything on hold. If you want something, you get it. Yeah I'm in massive amount of debt, but I'm happy. I realized that I could happily live out of a van for the rest of my life. I realized and understood what it takes to make me truly happy.

New Zealand recharged my batteries. My depression flew out the window. It was exactly what I needed. I needed that time to allow myself to get a grip on my life and gain the confidence to take on my final year at USC. I realized that sometimes, you can't always get what you want. But a good attitude can make a world of a difference. I was hesitant to head back home, but positive. I like to categorize my life by the challenges I take on. My first challenge was GeoJourney. My second was New Zealand. My third was getting through USC happily. Sometimes, the challenges you set for yourself are just to make it by. And let me tell you, I made it by.

I came back to South Carolina with a breath of fresh air. I finally appreciated the friends I had in 2009. I went out. I made new friends. I learned to love beer. I went back on air at WUSC. I joined FMLA and made some of the most kick-ass feminist friends on the planet. I enjoyed my classes. And, best of all, I joined Columbia QuadSquad, the local roller derby team.

Roller derby is my soul sport. I look forward to Sundays, Wednesdays, (and now) Mondays more than any other day of the week. I love learning new things. I love improving. I love hanging out with those incredible women. I look forward to getting bruises. I love being so sore it hurts to sneeze. I literally get emotional at bouts because I love it so much. If the count of the word "love" in the paragraph is any constellation of how much I love roller derby....I think you get the idea.

Life is just so good right now. So good.

I learned a lot about myself in 2010. I learned that sometimes the hardest things to overcome don't involve climbing mountains or going through customs, but simply settling down to achieve a painfully normal task. And sometimes the challenges that seem the least intimidating are the hardest, and most rewarding.

It is one thing to climb Mt. St. Helens, it's another thing entirely to put mountains behind you and find happiness in a place without them.

And to wrap it all up into a nice little circle of life, in 20 or so days I'm going to see the Flaming Lips again for New Years Eve in Oklahoma City. I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for me!

ADVENTURES OF THE SILVER FOX: OCTOBER 21 2010 SET LIST

The Reminder- Beachwood Sparks
Leave That Woman Alone- The Bicycles
Northern Lights- Bowerbirds
Wiletta- Dear & The Headlights
Bowling Green- Alela Diane
Get Well Cards- Conor Oberst
I Fell Off My Name- Faded Paper Figures
A Tragic Allegory of Art- Its Elephants
Tickle Me Penguin- Julius Airwave
I'm With The Band- Little Big Town
Body of Years- Mother Mother
Rusty Gold- Or, The Whale
Here Comes A Regular- The Replacements
I Was A Cage- Right Away, Great Captain!
What I Have To Offer- Eels
The Golden Path- The Chemical Brothers ft. The Flaming Lips
Flowers Dont Grow In The Moonlight- American Babies
Monkey Gone To Heaven- The Pixies
What Took So Long- Moondoggies
Eyes Closed- Brad Laner
My Service Isn't Needed Anymore- Brad Stein
The Polaroid Song- Allo Darlin'
Spidereggs- Elf Power
Grass Doe- Ben Weaver
Second Song- Anna Bullard
Five- Boy

ADVENTURES OF THE SILVER FOX: OCTOBER 14 2010 SET LIST

Ezekiel 25: 17- Samuel L. Jackson
I Was Zapped By The Super Lucky Rainbow- The Flaming Lips
Something In The Air- Thunderclap Newman
Hard Sun- Eddie Vedder
Anyone Else But You- The Moldy Peaches
Bad Kids- Black Lips
Always See Your Face- Love
Bang Bang- Nancy Sinatra
Strings That Tie To You- Jon Brion
Lonesome Town- Ricky Nelson
Where Is My Mind? - The Pixies
The Killing Moon- Echo and the Bunnymen
Hold Tight! - Dave Dee, Dozy Beaky, Mitch, and Tich
Worried Shoes- Karen O and the Kids
Can I Kick It?- A Tribe Called Quest
Poi e- Patea Maori Club

ADVENTURES OF THE SILVER FOX: SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 SET LIST

Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes - Edison Lighthouse
Incident on 57th Street- Bruce Springsteen
Overkill- Colin Hay
Cannonball - Brandi Carlile
Beautiful World - Colin Hay
Carry the Zero - Built to Spill
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground - Chris Thile
By Balloon or Sinking Ship - Jordan O'Jordan
Ask Me To Stay- Dan Craig
The Night Starts Here- Stars
Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People
Hotdog in the Hallway- NOFX
Broken Machine- Zowie
Cold Blooded Old Times- Smog
I'll Be Your Mirror - Velvet Underground
No One- Maoli
Bang Bang Bang - Mark Ronson featuring Q-Tip

LETS TALK ABOUT ROLLER DERBY

Remember that time when I was in New Zealand and I went to my first roller derby bout? Remember how I had the overwhelming sensation that it was something I had to do? Remember how I said I was going to give it a go? If I learned anything from the Kiwis in New Zealand, it's that you should always give it a go. If you are thinking about skydiving over mountains, just give it a go. If you are standing on the ledge of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, looking down 40 meters with a bungy attached to your ankles and can't find the strength to lean forward, just give it a go! Feel like going to Australia for the weekend, alone? Give it a go. Want to go camping for 9 weeks, even though the last time you spent any significant amount of time outdoors was when you were 8? GIVE IT A GO! You will be extraordinarily glad you did. You'll get scared, you'll stink, you'll get bruises, and plenty of tears. You're chute may not open and the bungy might break (just kidding) but you'll be glad you tried it! Fact of the matter is, challenging yourself to do things that you never thought you could, or would even want to, do is always worth it.

So, like I said, roller derby. After watching the girls bout and hearing about practice from my friend Kate, I decided to give it a go. The entire day before my first "practice" I was mortified. I was having nightmares of giant, beautiful, powerful women plummeting me to the ground. I was expecting to look like a complete idiot in front of skilled skaters, having them laugh at me the entire time. I was scared I was going to get hurt. The last time I actively participated in any kind of sport was my freshman year of high school, and I still totally sucked. Even worse, the last time I skated was when I was in middle school and on an all-boys inline hockey team. I mean, even if you don't know anything about roller derby, and you've seen the movie Whip It- you can probably understand my initial fear.

I was so incredibly wrong. Roller girls are the best human beings on the planet. Sure they look scary and beautiful and tattooed and intimidating on the outside. They have to! They have to convince you that they are going to kick your ass! It's in their job description. During practice, these girls are the most supportive women in any sport around. When you fall, they laugh and help you up, probably will clap too because your fall looked so utterly awesome ( and they're glad it wasn't them). They push you to your limits, make you sweat, whine, and so sore you can barely sit on the toilet the next day. BUT IT TOTALLY RULES.

Roller derby is my soul sport. I feel totally connected with these women, like I finally am part of something that I love and enjoy to do. I never feel stupid or inadequate. I always laugh. I always have fun. I always learn something new with each coming practice. For example! The first time I skated with the Hellmilton Roller Ghouls in NZ, I could barely stand up on my skates. Last week, while practicing with my new team, The Columbia QuadSquad, I JUMPED CONES! I can do cross-overs! I can do single, double, and 180 knee slides. I can do a plow and T stops. I can skate backwards and on one foot. I can skate while looking behind me, and even sort of pull of maneuvering between people. I mean, I have an incredibly long way to go, but I look forward to it.

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. On Sundays, for three hours, I get to strap on all my beautiful new gear and my sexy skates and practice doing something I love. I've been doing derby for about 4 months now. Four months ago I couldn't skate. Four months ago I didn't even know what roller derby was! Look at me now! I even have a derby name! "Smack Kerowhack".

Life is just full of so many wonderful surprises. And how are you ever going to find them if you don't suck it up and try something that scares the shit out of you? Lesson. Learned.

ADVENTURES OF THE SILVER FOX: SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 SET LIST

Hey all,
My beautiful cousin Heather thought it'd be a great idea to post all my set lists from my weekly radio show so if you guys are in need of new jams, you can go here for all your musical needs. So here we go! I'll try and update this every week.

These listings are in order of Song/Band or Artist/Album

Pale Blue Eyes- The Velvet Underground- Loaded
She's Not There- The Zombies- The Zombies
Dry the Rain- The Beta Band- The Three EP
Angelika- Devendra Banhart- What Will We Be
Dark Horse- Bowerbirds
Moab- Conor Oberst- Conor Oberst
Africa- Andy Mckee- Dreamcatcher
Blue Eyed Son- Ian Ball- Operation Aloha
So True- The Black Seeds- On the Sun
Androgynous- The Replacements- Let It Be
Let's Stop Calling it Love- MoZella- The Straights EP
Silver Trembling Hands- The Flaming Lips- Embryonic
Trouble With Dreams - Eels- Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Bang Bang Bang- Mark Ronson ft. Q. Tip- Record Collection
I Summon You- Spoon- Gimme Fiction
I Can't Seem To Make You Mine- The Clientele- Strange Geometry
I Don't Blame You- Cat Power- You Are Free
Erica- Christie Mook- Christie Mook
Both Hands- Ani DiFranco- Up Up Up Up Up Up
The Otherside- Break Co Op- The Otherside
Slip Away- Clarence Carter
Toledo Blues- Art Tatum - God is in the Hell
Now Or Never- The Ivy Walls- The Elegant Universe
Thousand Secrets- Sarah Smith- Myth of the Heart
Israeli Caves- Maps and Atlases- Perch Patchwork
Rhinestone River- Limes- Rhinestone River
Digging a Hole- The Chaplin Sisters- Two
I'm A Hummingbird- Eels- Tomorrow Mornings
My Plants Are Dead- Blonde Redhead- Penny Sparkle
Brittanys Back- Love Language- Libraries

MY ADVENTURE TO AUSSIELAND!

Yes, I did it. I embarked on a completely solo adventure to a foreign country! After 4 buses, 4 planes, 2 shuttles, and 2 newly stamped pages in my passport, I successfully went to Sydney Australia! Woo hoo! *Pats self of shoulder. It was such a blast!
The first day of travel went perfect, long, but perfect. I nearly missed my first bus to the airport, but I caught it and all was well except my lung capacity and my lack of self confidence in my personal athletic skill. I only had problems in customs when I tried to sneak in a can of extremely flammable mousse. Whoops. I played the silly American who "forgot it was in her bag" and got away with a few smiles and booby flashes. Just kidding, about the second part at least. I was half expecting my Visa to not have gone through, so the fact that it did was a miracle.
After an extremely long day of traveling, I got to Sydney at about 9:30 pm, and to my hostel, Base Sydney, about about 10:30. I was fully prepared to go to bed. I was exhausted. I went to the computer lounge, told my mamma I was alive and well, and went upstairs to sleep. This didnt happen. The second I opened my 10-person hostel room I was overwhelmed with welcomes and invitations to go out to bars. "No, no, no" I said. I was tired. I value sleep. You're only in Sydney once right? I went out with a group of complete strangers. Two extremely cute guys from the UK, two kick-ass German chicks, and one very very very strange German dude who remains in a category of his own. I also learned an important cultural lesson in Australia, if you want to buy alcohol at a bar, you have to spend at least 25 dollars. AWESOME. I went from wanting one beer to having a fuck-plethora of Jack n' Coke, a pint of beer, a vodka red bull, another pint of beer, and an Smirnoff. I apparently didnt pay attention to my mother when she told me not to mix. Awesome, way to go Rachael. The night was full of great live music, dancing, and amazing conversations with total strangers. I finally made it to bed around 3 am, drunk out of my mind, in my spinning bed with the worst fit of giggles I have ever had in my life. A few drunk texts and a threat that I will "fucking kill the loud, weird German with my black belt karate skills!", and some major hysteria, I went to bed. Successful night, I'd say. I will forever remember my night in the infamous room 107.
I woke up at approximately 9 am the next morning and went to explore the city! Sydney is amazing. Its midly like New York, at least New York sized, but with beautiful brick and clayish architecture. So many stores, buildings, and things to do. You mind is utterly lost trying to figure out what to do first. So naturally, I walked a few blocks down to the Circular Quay! I saw the Opera House and about pissed myself. It was so much bigger than I expected, and it gave me such a confidence boost. I was here! I was in fucking Australia! On my own! My life had taken some major turns up to this point and I was nothing but elated about it. I took a ferry through the Harbour over to the Zoo. The zoo was pretty cool, besides the fact that it was raining 90% of the time and I picked the ONE day where every elementary school in the nation decided to bring ALL their classes to the zoo for a field-trip. I loved it deep down. Hearing 400 little kids, in their Jonas Brother and superhero ponchos screaming "LOOWK! TURWDLES!!!!" at the top of their little lungs... I couldnt help but melt a little.
I took a sky shuttle across and above the zoo. That was the one really unique and cool thing about the Sydney Zoo. I saw all of downtown from across the harbour. It was really cool.
After I got back into the city, I did a little wandering. Went grocery shopping for the usual's. Peanut butter, half a loaf of bread, cookies, and apples. My diet for the next 48 hours. So good. I called it an early night and went into my new room, 105, to sleep.
This did not happen. I was so strategically placed above a French couple in our bunk bed. And we all know the stereotypes about the French, and my-oh-my are they true! While they didnt have hairy armpits, well at least not the chick...I dont think. Boy, did they love to fuck! And boy did they do it, until 3 am, with me and 6 other people in the room. How classy! Not only did I have the worlds squeakiest bed, and not only were their attempts at keeping their gasps and moans an utter FAILURE, the guy was thrusting so hard into his lady friend that the entire bed was shaking, including my bed. My body was LITERALLY moving in tune to his thrusting. Now, I dont know if this is legitimate, but I am positive in some countries that is considered active participation in a threesome. I guess I can scratch another thing off my bucket list. I kid, I kid. This went on for a few hours, and they promptly started again at 8 am where I stormed out of my top-bunk and went out into the city. As much as it pissed me off, its hilarious now and will be even funnier when I warn my baby cousin Gavin about it when he decides to be awesome like his cousin and travel in a few years.
So in my second full day, and last day, in Sydney I decided to get down to business. Headed out early, and went to the Aquarium! YAY! Manatee and sharks and sting rays and blue penguins! It was so much fun. Marine animals are so much cooler than terrestrial ones. Lots of squealing occurred- and I was alone so it made it that much weirder to do it in public. Next up, I went to some Australian Wild World thing, which I had literally no expectations of because-quite frankly-with a name like that corniness is pretty much guaranteed. It was actually really cool. I saw lots of bats and possums and snakes. Saw Aussies biggest Croc, it was so intense. One of the coolest animals I have ever seen. Saw koalas and kangaroos. Butterflies. It was good fun.
I continued to roam the city for a few hours after this. I found The Rocks, which is the best part of Sydney, or at least my favorite. Its a really New Orleans-ish place just to the west of the Circular Quay. Full of markets and delicious smelling foods, and drunk people. Live music, art, candy. Its amazing. I wandered around aimlessly for hours. Went into an art gallery of aboriginal art. By fat the most beautiful art I have ever seen. It is so colorful and eye catching. Its perfectly abstract but has such significant meaning to the people. I can't wait to actually be able to afford some one day. After convincing myself that it was out of my budget to spend $1,400 on a table or $600 on a painting, I roamed even futher. Went into an Irish pub and treated myself to lamb cutlets.
Continuing onward! I went to say goodbye to the Opera House, in the evening. It was even more magnificent at night. Sydney definitely has a vibe that is unforgettable. I walked around the streets some more in the evening, looking at all the people, the stores, taking in all the smells. I finally found the Sydney Tower-thought it would be easy to find one of the tallest buildings in the city-I am convinced I am the only person who got lost trying to find it. After wandering around aimlessly for a while I did indeed find the entrance and went up to look at Sydney from the sky. It was vast and beautiful. I loved every second of it.
I walked back to my hostel feeling successful and exhausted. Did I mention that I didnt shower once during this trip? Yeah- I am that awesome- and that cheap. I couldnt bring myself to buy all new shampoo, conditioner, and mousse just for a 4 day weekend. I smelled like....AWESOME. I crashed in at about 9:30-ahhhhhh rest at last. No wait-whats that? My...bed..is...FUCK!!!! Its squeaking! Luckily I had invested in ear plugs, so I didnt hear any moaning but the force of the french jerk below me shook me out of my slumber.
Up at 4:30 am. Home in my dorm room at 8:00 pm.
The end. By Rachael.

GIRLS WEEKEND TO AUCKLAND

Yes, this event happened nearly 2 weeks ago. I am totally lame and convinced myself that I was too busy doing other more "important" things besides updating my blog. These "important" things consisted of facebooking, sleeping, doing homework, eating asinine amounts of cookies, and hanging out with friends/the boyfriend. You can be the judge to whether or not that is an good excuse or not, but one thing is for sure. I have definitely settled in here and have adopted a routine very similar to one back home, just with more accents and prettier weather.
So! The Auckland weekend: great fun! Woke up at 7:30 am, after going to bed at nearly 3:30 am (dont ask why) and heading out to Auckland with my pal Alana and her kiwi friend Kate! Who is totally awesome by the way. Its probably pretty pathetic, but I almost consider the best part of this weekend away the fact that I actually heard THUNDER in New Zealand. It was so exciting. For those of you who dont know, NZ doesnt ever get thunder storms. Its freakish. And weird.
From the thunder scenario where we got completely soaked running through the city in a down pour of rain, we bought tickets to Avenue Q at the Civic Center! I had no idea what to expect for this show; all I knew was it involved really crude puppets, like Sesame Street for adults. Who doesnt love crude puppets? It was so much more than I expected! For one, it was a musical. It was absolutely hilarious, political, heart-warming, pornographic. It was just perfect. The second half of the show was even more perfect due to the fact that Alana and I bought alcoholic slushie beverages in glowy cups that had a larger alcohol percentage than any of the drinks served in the shit bars in town. I was literally drunk at 3 pm.
From the show we went to, gasp, WENDYS! IN NEW ZEALAND! SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH IN NEW ZEALAND! My life is now complete.
After "lunchinner" we went shopping in overpriced accessory stores. You know, the bright white stores with lots of huge pictures of microscopic models, cleverly placed next to mirrors so when you look in the mirror next to the image of the bedazzled bitch you think: "HOLY SHIT! I need to buy this really expensive makeup to look like this chick!". It was good fun though. I immediately went to the food part of the store, of course. I came back and Alana was literally still in the same place, having the longest orgasm known to man over MAC blush and eyeshadow.
The evening did not end here, actually, sadly, running low on energy, we were only half way through. We were picked up and escorted to a Roller Derby bout. Oh my GOD. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life. All I could think the entire time I was there was "I HAVE TO DO THIS! THIS PERFECTLY COMBINES ALL MY CHILDHOOD SKILLS!". Which were obviously playing inline street/league hockey with boys and winning all the skating races at the local roller rink. So, for some retarded reason, I fell in love with the burly, tattooed, beautiful women in sparkly booty shorts and fishnets, beating the crap out of each other and skating in circles. I have convinced my self I need to do this to such an extent that I am literally going to the Hamilton teams practice tomorrow to see if I can even remember how to skate. This should be interesting, and will be continued.
After derby, went back to Kate's friend David's house, drank a little (well in my case I drank nothing but redbull to try and fathom being awake for nearly 24 hours). And went out to Auckland bars. Great times. Lots of lesbians making out, gays dancing to Lady Gaga, and other fun events. Took a cab back to Alana's friend Sam's house at like 3 am. What a awesome chick, she had the coolest house I have ever seen and definitely, hands down, the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in in my life.
The End. By Rachael.

WHERE TO BEGIN: THE 18 DAY JOURNEY AROUND THE SOUTH ISLAND

I literally have no idea where to start this post. I realize its been a good month and a half since my last post. The time is simply flying by as fast as it possibly can. I find myself counting how many days I have left in this country almost every single day; and at the same time trying to pretend like I don't really only have 70 something days left. Without going into break at all, I can easily say that going home is going to be a huge challenge. I simply love this country; the varying landscapes, the smells, and especially the people.
Where to begin? Fall break. April 1-18th, 2010. Brittany Ryan, a chick from Pennsylvania, and I rented a Wicked campervan and drove clear across the entire South Island, half a country, in 16 days. I had been wanting to do this my entire life. That trip was the stuff that the movies are made of, or at least my expectations were. My whole life I wanted to live out of a spray-painted van, drive endlessly into a changing horizon every single day. To camp. To see the stars every night. To wake with the sun, sleep with the moon, and throw away my watch. That is what I did for those incredible 18 days. I watched the sunrise while driving through the rolling valleys of Milford Sound, almost tipped my chair backwords from leaning back so far- mouth ajar with amazement-while looking up at the stars in the Cameron Flat. I had everything I needed in the world: music, a sleeping bag, a pillow, my food, and Cody the Adventure Bison in my car. Everything I would ever need to be happy was within an arms reach- always. There is something so unbelievably refreshing about living off nothing but what you need. I use this terminology loosely- merely because I stopped at a bakery or a cookie factory about every 20 minutes on the trip to gorge on delicious- and totally unnecessary food. This consequently lead me to gaining 10 pounds on vacation: but what can you do? I love not caring about what I look like. I love avoiding mirrors. I love washing my hair, body, and doing my laundry with only shampoo. I like eating the same ol' crap (peanut butter sandwiches and pasta) every single day, multiple times a day, and finding it completely delicious and satisfying. I love feeling the wind in my hair. I love being surrounded by seemingly never ending oceans, by mountains that are so big it shakes you to your core, by waterfalls that take your breath away.
I discovered how truly lucky I am on this journey. I learned how rare and wonderful it is to be only 20 years old and to know what you love. I cant explain how I know, or how I am convinced that I know. I just know. Nothing seems more natural to me, nothing makes me happier, than doing exactly what I have been doing for the last two years. I cant be thankful enough to my family for raising me to be confident enough to take on my dreams and to challenge myself to do things I didn't think I could. I cant be thankful enough to Nikki Elkins for creating GeoJourney, the program that started this entire life-changing process. I cant be thankful enough, to life itself, and mostly luck, for the sheer chance that I was born in a place where I am allowed to dream the way I do. I cant be thankful enough to every good and bad person I have met on my path who have truly shaped and molded my existence into the person I am at this moment in time. I like to think that my entire being, mindset, and lifestyle choices are a giant compilation of all the wonderful people I have met in my life who have inspired me to change, improve, love, grow, learn, and teach.
So now that I have completed my formal Oscar acceptance speech, what the hell- that was a tangent- I will get to the juicy stuff! What I did, where I went, who I met, and what I learned during those crazy weeks in South New Zealand. I will most likely spare you the boring details of every moment of the trip, but give a general outline of where I went.
Here we go: Bus from Hamilton to Auckland. Plane from Auckland to Christchurch. Christchurch to Darfield; where we stayed with Brittany's boyfriend's Mom's house- she hooked us up with some amazing camping gear and I cannot be thankful enough for her hospitality and amazing cooking. Darfield through Arthur's Pass- straight to the West coast- to Greymouth. From Greymouth to Frans Josef; where we stayed with Brittany's boyfriend's Mom's Sister's house. Complete strangers in every sense of the word, recommended through Mike's Mom, and they gave us the keys to their house, brought us home chocolate Easter bunnies, cooked us dinner, talked about the essence of life, drank wine, and played Pictionary. Let me remind you, complete stranger. I will remember Cush and Chris for as long as I live- they were truly wonderful people with beautiful outlooks on life. From Frans Josef we went to the Frans Josef glacier-duh-and south towards Fox Glacier. From Fox we continued south through valleys and lakes where we camped for the first night in the Cameron Flat- one of the most beautiful campsites I have ever slept in. The stars, oh my, the stars. Cameron Flat to Wanaka - where we cooked sausages in the sun on the blue lake, read, and enjoyed the day. We also happened to go skydiving over Wanaka, which is also consequently one of the greatest moments of my life to date. Wanaka to Arrowtown- a quaint and overpriced little town. Arrowtown to Queenstown-where I realized I had a UTI and had to pay 200 bucks for a hospital visit. Good times. Queenstown- where we ate delicious Fergburgers and gourmet ice cream. Queenstown to Te Anau- where we camped on another beautiful lake. Te Anau to Milford Sound-where we took a 9 am cruise around the sound on a massive boat-free breakfast, mountains, green water, fur seals, and waterfalls. Milford Sound to Lawrence, where we drove extremely out of our way to get the "BEST ICE CREAM EVER" - which turned out to be ice cream from a gas station that you can get anywhere along the way. Lawrence to Dunedin which is a surprisingly awesome and kind of Americanized city. Dunedin to Oamaru where we got stampeded by an angry fur seal and met some extremely interesting farm boys. Oamaru to Mt Cook National Park- where we camped near the Mountain and did a short 3 hour hike to the base- totally awe-inspiring. Mt. Cook to Akaroa- the peninsula to the East of Christchurch- real fruit ice cream and laundry services! From Akaroa all the way up the east coast to Kaikora-where we camped on the ocean, saw many dolphins and fur seals, had fish n' chips, and did a breath-taking hike on the clifftops. No whales, but hey, I gave it a shot. From Kaikora continuing north into the Picton, Nelson area where we went wine tasting and to a gourmet chocolate factory. From Picton to Abel Tasman National Park-where we went sea kayaking in the crystal clear green water for half a day. From Abel Tasman to Murchison- in the dark- sketchiest and scariest road of the trip. Murchison to Hanmer Springs where we went to another natural spa to relax after sea-kayaking and the trip in general. Finally, from Hanmer back to Darfield to drop off the gear to Trish and Sid- and back to Christchurch to spend the day exploring the city before our departure back to Hamilton. CHEESE AND RICE! That was a lot of adventure time!
Obviously, a lot of awesome things happened between all these stops. Many moments of personal growth and amazement. I was in pure shock for 90% of the trip, because of how beautiful it was-all the time. I met people from all over the world- The Yukon, Israel, Holland, Belgium, Berlin, Spain, Germany, Australia, England, the Canary Islands, and America. They all spoke of their travels around the world- successfully making me realize that I am totally lame in every sense possible and really haven't seen a significant portion of the world. All these people were fascinating and wonderful- they all fed my desire to travel, to converse, to explore, and to grow. They spoke of the emotions felt while traveling and how it changes a part of you so deeply that you can never return to the person you were prior. I feel like I am part of a club of people who just...get it. Those people understand exactly how I feel, and you can express it without saying more than a sentence or two. In all fairness, those two sentences really don't explain anything; but the lack of being able to put the passion into words says enough. They get it. Its unexplainable and drives us to a new sunrise and horizon every single morning.
So here I am, back in Hamilton. After living out of a van. After being surrounded by my mountains and oceans and prairies. I miss it, but I am glad to be back. My vacation from vacation has come to an end and I have successfully closed another chapter of my life.
GREAT SUCCESS.

MAORI HOSPITALITY

Last weekend, Bobby and I went to Tauranga (on the East Coast). There were no real plans, just hit the road and go; winging it again. You would think I would learn not to do that after Raglan, but who cares. It turned out perfectly. Took the NakedBus for the 2 hour drive to the coast; totally got off at the wrong stop and everyone stared at us. This is totally acceptable for me, an American tourist. Bobby really has no excuse. Not embarrassing at all.
I have been in NZ for a little over a month now, and I never fail to be impressed by the people of this country. Everyone really is as friendly as you imagine; strangers saying hi to one another with genuine smiles. But I have never experienced hospitality like I did that weekend. A friend of B's met us up and drove us around all day; giving a personal tour of his town; the beaches, mountains, towns, shops, etc. It was marvelous. The weather was absolutely perfect. The fish n' chips (which is, by the way, my new favorite meal) were orgasmic. I was just loving life.
B's friend took us to his sisters house to introduce us. After being there for a mere 30 seconds she personally offered up her own bedroom for B and I to stay in. After 10 minutes of lounging on their couch, she offered me her own dessert. She figured that since I am an American and had probably never tried steam pudding, that I would enjoy hers. She offered us movies, drinks, her car! And after we returned from our day of adventures we found an entire chicken waiting for us for dinner. AN ENTIRE CHICKEN.
This might not sound like a big deal to any Americans, a lot of people in the States would do things like this. But there is one monumental difference between the Kiwis/Maori and Americans: The Kiwis/Maori do it because they want to. It is literally "no big deal" to them, to offer up their own house, their kitchen, their car and food to complete strangers. I couldn't fathom how little she cared. In the States, if someone were to do that, they would hound you every 4 minutes to make sure you were comfortable. They would do and feel some kind of self-pride for their work; not that this a bad thing, it is just on two completely different levels. The hospitality in NZ is what I have been dreaming what the world would be like my entire life.
I was just sitting in this womans house, on the couch, all the doors and windows open and the warm breeze and sunshine filling up the room, thinking: I cannot believe this is happening. It is exactly everything I have ever wanted to experience in my lifetime.
I know without a doubt that I will remember that day for the rest of my life. I respect these people so much, so honestly and genuinely. I strive to be as carefree and loving as they are. They have forever set an example in my heart; for how the world should be, how I should try to be, and hopefully will one day become.

VOLUNTEERING IN HUNUA

Another exciting, and strenuous, weekend in New Zealand. Callie, my American friend from Minnesota and another awesome American chick I met, Theresa, headed out to Hunua Ranges Regional Park to do some volunteer work for the weekend. Hunua is a little east of Auckland, located on the North Island, and pretty close to the East Coast. It is a beautiful, lush park. A gorgeous waterfall, plenty of tropical trees, amazing tracks, and of course, completely spotless.
We volunteered with Conservation Volunteers with a pretty awesome project that will eventually help boost the numbers of an endangered bird in the park, the Kokako. To sum up why we did what we did: The Kokako is an endangered land bird, not so excellent with flight. Its eggs and species is being killed by the native possums, stoats, and rats. Sort of a problem. The ecologists at the park created a system of poisoning the pests with a sort of pellet that prevents their blood from clotting. Through out the park, every 100 m, there is a bait station used to administer the poison. Our job was to make the paths to the bait stations so the workers on the project can easily maneuver through the land and get their job done quickly and efficiently. Extreme gardening if you will. The three of us girls and our project leader, Dan (who was awesome by the way) trekked through the park, off the trails with lopers and sheers and created minerature paths. It was pretty hard work actually. We spent 4 hours the first day working on a rather long track, and almost 7 hours the next day working on a series of two tracks. There were points where we were down in the deepest part of the bush, tramping through a river, and cutting down overgrown native plants. It was really intense and totally awesome. There were also points where the climb up the ridges were so steep that it was basically climbing straight up, only holding on to roots and whatever stayed still long enough to pull yourself up.
It was great fun. My feet were one giant blister when we got back to our volunteer house. Dan insisted that I show him and told me it was awesome. I am convinced he is the only male ont he planet who looks at brusied and blistered feet and says "AWESOME! YOU DONT GET THAT FROM SITTING ON THE COUCH".
Other fun events included going to the local sheep-shearing contest. Total redneck fest. Totally awesome. We also went to a place that gives you three scoops of the most delicious ice cream for $2.80 NZD. Which means it is basically free in USD. Fantastic!
This weekend, after working on a pretty intense paper and doing really hard things (like laying out in the sun and reading), I'm going to the East Coast! For real this time, finally! To Tauranga with my new pal, Bobby. It should be a good time. The East Coasts of NZ are known for their white sand beaches and clear blue water. We shall see. There is also a mountain there with a 360 view of the town, I know how to say it, but not spell it. And because I am too lazy to open a new window and look it up, or go to the map located 4 feet away from me, I will take a "stab in the dark" (as Kirill would say). Mount Monginui? It's pronounced MONG-A-NEWY.
Ah, I am such an illiterate and stupid American. I'll attempt to keep the updates coming.

I LOVE MY LIFE.

I have everything I have ever wanted.

THINGS ARE SETTLING DOWN.

Ah, the impossible has happened. Things in New Zealand are finally settling down after 2 weeks of madness. And I must admit, I am relieved.
For those of you back in the States, the Kiwis at Uni have this wondrous event called O-WEEK. Freaking fantastic excuse to go to the bars, every night of the week, and dress or act for a certain theme. A few of the ones I went to include: BOCS (Costume party for all the students living in the residence halls), Toga at Bar 101, and Beer Fest at Outback. All I have to say is that I LOVE the way Kiwis party. It isn't about looking the best, it isn't about going out soley to get laid (on most occasions), and it isn't about sitting awkwardly in the corner feeling sorry for yourself. People here know how to have a fantastic time, no matter what the occasion. People celebrate having a good day here, people are genuinely interested in one another, people really take a piss on someone they like. (Not literally for those back in the States). People dance! People drink! People dress up as ships and showers and go out in public! This fact alone is something I have come to really love about New Zealand. I would never consider myself a big drinker or a big partier, and I definitely feel uncomfortable drinking in uncomfortable situations where people are trying too hard. NZ has none of that, and I LOVE IT.
But now, thank god, O-Week is over. I can finally sit down, study, and do "what I came here to do" as my mother so often reminds me. Yes people, I actually came here for an education. Classes are good so far, mildly boring but that could be because I was severely hungover and the thought of talking about "the art of food" for 2 hours was a little painful. Other than that I couldnt be happier.
I already feel at home in this country, completely, 100%. I am already significantly happier here in the 2 or 3 weeks I have been here than the entire semester I was in South Carolina. Yes, it has to do with the fact that I am in a beautiful country, but it also has to do with the fact that the people are so kind. I am going to have an extraordinarily hard time going home in a few months. I'm not even prepared to face it yet. But who needs to right? At least not now.
Now if the damn first-years would shut the fuck up, stop running down the hallway, and resist playing Miley Cyrus for TEN MINUTES I could get some well-deserved sleep. Ha. A girl can dream.
TO BE CONTINUED.

LETS JUST TALK ABOUT YESTERDAY

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. I realize I keep saying that ____ was the best day of my life but seriously, they keep stacking up. I am such a lucky person. What did I do you ask? Let me extrapolate.
Yesterday, I went backpacking-ish to Raglan. I consider this backpacking because I walked for well over 5 hours with a pack that contained some mediocre camping gear. Which really means some warm clothes, a 15 dollar sleeping bag I bought at a pawn shop, and some snacks.
Woke up at 7:00 a.m, after staying up til 1:30 at the BOCS party downtown, and headed to the bus stop. Drove to Raglan with some of the AustraLearn kids and arrive at about, well...I suppose 11. I tried my luck with surfing! I am pathetic and useless on a surf board, but it will not stop me from trying. I didnt actually stand up; I got on my knees though...uh....ignore your need to make a sexual pun. Its actually a really hard workout. And because I am completely unbalanced and ungraceful it was a bit of a challenge. I also have no upper body strength so I need to work on that one. Going back soon to try again.
Spent the day on the beach til' four when we got a ride back to town with a guy from Virginia. 7 people packed in a stationwagon with 4 huge packs. Great times. Got pissed when we got to a campsite that charges $15 a PERSON to sleep on the ground; said fuck it and went into town. Spent the next two or so hours, barefoot, downtown watching crazy gypsie chicks hoola-hoop dance with their hairy armpits. It was seriously awesome.
We thought we found a cheap campsite and started the hike to find it. See, our original plan was to sleep on the beach but we wanted to avoid the risk of getting a $200 fine and find a campsite. We hiked along the beach for a good hour, watching the sunset. Chris, Heidi, and I ended up leaving the group for a bit to try and find the mystery campsite on our own. Failed miserably, but we got to hike on the road, see some beautiful scenery and a beautiful sunset. Heidi and I figured that since our chances of finding the lost campsite would most likely end in a $200 no matter what we did; we thought it was in our best interest to jump a fence and chase after some good ol' New Zealand sheep. That was fun; midly scary. Sheep give some mean death stares.
After giving up on finding a $5 dollar campsite, we ended up crashing on the beach. Watched the sunset, for real this time. Ate snacks, and talked all night. I find it humorous that people pay for the sound of waves to help them sleep, and there I was. Sleeping out on the beach, listening to the waves crash and watching the stars. I'll say it again: magical.
In the morning we all woke up and watched the sunrise, packed our shit, and headed out. Because we are retarded, we didnt pay attention to the tide and had to walk back to town during high tide. All was well though, it was actually sort of fun.
The reason yesterday was so fun, was because not a single person we were with had ANY idea what we were doing. We all got the bright idea to go into Raglan and figure it out when we got there. It turned out pretty terribly in one sense, but in another it was completely perfect in every way possible. At least for me. I love not having a plan, walking on the open road, the beach, the whatever and just soaking in the scenery. You can't ever get that sensation while driving anywhere in your car.
So despite the fact that I am 80% sure I have third degree burns on my entire body, I am feeling fantastic!

HOT WATER BEACH AT MIDNIGHT

Let's just talk about last night. Never in my life have I experienced something so cool, I mean it was probably at par with some of the things I saw on GeoJourney; but this was so much more unique.
Last night, around 10 o'clock I left Hamilton with Kirill, Alana, and Sadie and went on an hour or so roadtrip to a hot water beach in Kawhia . Moderately spontaneous, in the fact that I had no idea where we were going or what to expect. See, back home you have curfews on beaches, and even if you didnt, they are so inhabited by crabs that you can't stand on the beach for more than 30 minutes without getting pinched or at least scared. Last night was nothing like this.
One we arrived at the beach we walked, in the dark, up a giant sand dune that basically took the life out of me. Not only because it was extremely steep and I'm hella out of shape, but also added on top of the fact that the roads to the beach we're curvy enough for me to relive my memories of puking in the car as a child.
Continuing, once we got down the the beach it was complete darkness; only the stars and the moon; which was probably the brightest moon I have ever seen in my life, reflecting off the water. You could literally see the reflection of the stars on the sand and on the water. You could barely see the dark outline of the sand dunes and cliffs in the distance, and the clouds covering the sky. We we're the only ones there. The way you can see the Milky Way down here is unbelievable. To top it all off, there was little bits of phosphorous in the water that lit up to a light green color and sparked on the sand and quickly extinguished. It was completely unreal, I felt like I was on another planet.
The idea of the hot water beaches here is that you search around for a hot spot in the sand, dig a giant hole and sit in the hot water. The sand and water is located on top of some geothermal phenomenon; or something like that, where hot water comes from under the sand. Unfortunately, the tide was too high for us to dig a hole, but we actually got to sink our feet into the sand and feel the, sometimes boiling hot, water on our feet. All surrounded by great conversation. We didnt leave until almost 2:30 in the morning, getting back to Hamilton at about 3:45. Needless to say I am exhausted, but every second of last night was totally worth feeling like this today.

LIFE IS A ROLLERCOASTER

And in this case, my days are a rollercoaster. The strange thing about studying abroad is you are on a constant emotional rollercoaster. One second I feel really depressed and bored, and then I feel guilty for feeling bored while I am here. Then the next second I am meeting people from all over the world, going to beaches, soaking up the sun and enjoying life.
For example, yesterday was just sort of an off day. I felt sort of sad in general, for no particular reason. The campus was a ghost-town the last week and all the realizations of the culture here were sinking in. So I met up with my couchsurfing friend, Kirill and his two friends from Minnesota and drove to Raglan again to go surfing. Well, I didnt surf, I watched. But it was still a fantastic time. I had such a great day, and then I came home, became bored again and got depressed. The best advice I have for myself and for anyone else who wants to study abroad, is force yourself to socialize. It is one of the hardest things I have come to terms with, because being peppy and excited about knowing new people 24 hours a day is something really hard to do; at least for me. Sometimes I just want to kick back and relax.
I have no idea what I have to complain about. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And the locals have no ideas. My pal was making fun of me for taking pictures of hills, because "they were just raised pieces of ground". HA. I have done something exciting almost every day since I have been here and I somehow feel like I am not doing enough. Tonight I am going to a hot water beach with a few of my newfound friends. The freshman also moved into the dorm today. I am the only American on my floor, and some of the girls approached me; totally fascinated with the fact that I am from America. It's a really amusing and awkward thing to realize that you actually an international student here. I really like the mixture of people from all over the world that live in my building. I was chatting with a fellow from South Africa today; nice guy. (FYI MOM: South Africans are white. Don't get your hopes up just yet.)
In even more exciting news, about 11 of us booked our flights to Christchurch on the South Island for spring break. I am SO FUCKING EXCITED. I cant wait to see where this adventure takes us. It's almost guaranteed to be a fantastic time.

A QUICK UPDATE

Still loving New Zealand, in case you we're wondering. I'm finding it mildly retarded that I am just now feeling my jet lag. I was fine for the first week but our "SO MANY ACTIVITIES" (think Stepbrothers) kept me really busy. Now that I have to time to relax I'm having a hard time staying awake.

Yesterday a group of us went to the Raglan beach. Which was totally kick ass, and cold. Of course I rolled around on the beach like an idiot and ended up looking like the creature from the black lagoon. I couldn't resist! I got sand in places where one should never get sand. I also got extremely sunburnt, damn New Zealand and it's lack of the ozone layer. A few of us jumped off a bridge a few times, it was pretty fun. It was even more fun when we saw the NO JUMPING sign after we were done. Oops. I have found that the Kiwis are really accepting of Americans; always really friendly and curious about where we are from. We've gotten stopped a few times on the street and people ask us where we are from. I never knew that is was exciting to be from Illinois.

I'lll explain some of the fun cultural differences while I'm here. Well, they drive on the opposite side of the road, and don't yield for pedestrians whatsoever. As our Australearn director so gracefully put it: "You are pretty much worth a 1,000 points each". Also, everything costs money. The interenet, going to the campus pool, you have to pay for a gym membership on campus. If you get anything free here, my friend Brian is pretty much bound to cry of happiness. Everything is also really expensive; like $8 for a 5 subject notebook and $3 for a paper folder. There are also no 1 or 5 cent coins. The toilets don't actually flush in the opposite direction, as the rumor has it, they only flush really loud and violently; using about 10 times as much water as a toilet back home. The drinking age is 18, but that is obvious and you know where that story is going. Uhhh, the crosswalk signs and PED door entries on campus all make really cool noises. Hanson and Nelly still play as cafeteria music on campus, apparently New Zealand is a little behind on the music updates. They are also obsessed with American based musicians, which in itself is sort of shocking. And no one makes phone calls. That's all I can think of at the moment.

Last night was insane. My friend Chris came over to my dorm around 9:45 to borrow my adapter and we saw our friend Brian in the RAs room. Lets just say the RA's really know how to party around here, especially when there is no one in the dorm. Great times. The stars here are also so much better than the States, obviously. I went out into the field by my dorm last night and watched the stars for a while. Totally awesome. I plan on doing it again tonight.

I think I might try my luck at surfing tomorrow. I will definitely fail miserably, but I have decided to take the advice from the awesome chick from Raglan. "Just have fun. You learn the best when you are actually enjoying yourself." She made it sound so easy. We'll see.

TURNING A NEW PAGE

A week ago I departed from the United States and made my way to New Zealand. A week ago I had never left the States and here I am, now, sitting in my new dorm room at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Our first night in New Zealand was spent in Auckland! One of the biggest cities in the world, and its totally breathtaking. As soon as we got off the plane, having only traveled for 26 straight hours, we were whisked away to the top of a dormant volcano with a 360 degree view of the city. Completely awe-inspiring. You could see the city, the famous Sky Tower, turn 180 degrees and see mountains and hills with tiny houses sprawled upon them. I'm not sure if it was from my lack of sleep, or total shock, but I was completely speechless. Everyone was.
The rest of our first night in Auckland consisted of hanging out in ACB, Auckland Central Backpackers, hostel. We went to do the harbor, went out to dinner at a beach-front resteraunt, and walked around the city. It's a perfect combination of Seattle, Hawaii, and San Francisco...with a little extra unique feel. I really loved Auckland.
The next morning we departed to Rotorua where we stayed at an awesome hostel called KiwiPaka. The drive there was stunning; it was nice to get out of the city and see the landscape that New Zealand is famous for. The green is so vivid you can barely stand it. That day we learned the Haka, which is an extremely powerful Maori war dance used to intimidate their enemies. It was really an awesome experience to learn something so unique and important to the Maori culture. We even got to dress in "traditional" outfitting for a performance of it. After dinner, delicious Fish and Chips, a group of us walked down to Rotorua Lake, ate ice cream, and watched the sunset. New Zealand has black swans, they are really gorgeous animals. Of course the night proceeded with excessive drinking of wine and NZ beer. Both are totally delicious by the way.
The next day I went white-water rafting. This was totally bad ass. I can't even explain how awesome it was to be rafting down a Grade 5 river, completely surrounded by trees and brush, and beautiful water. The guides were absolutely hilarious, you could tell they loved their job. Their briefing of what we we're about to do consisted of this: "Well, uh, you sit here, you row like this, and when I tell you to get down, you get down and hold on. Alright? Oh, and we're going over three waterfalls, one of which is 20 feet high." TOTALLY B.A. The guides would throw us out of the raft when we weren't looking. Everyone here has this "give it a go" attitude, where nothing is a big deal and nothing is worked up. Its unlike anything I have ever experienced in the US; and I love it. Going over the falls was totally awesome, I cant even explain what was going through my mind. I was scared shitless and totally loving every second of it. After the rafting we went to a Polynesian spa which consisted of about 15 natural thermal pools that looked out over a wildlife preserve. It was amazing; so relaxing and beautiful.
On the 16th some students went over to the Rotorua Boys High School to help give out some reading tests to the kids. When we arrived the older boys performed a Haka for us in their auditorium. It was the most powerful thing I have ever seen, and felt. The entire floor was literally shaking from their foot stomps, and I'm completely convinced you could of heard their chant 4 blocks away. It was so intimidating, walking into a new school and being greeted by yelling high school boys with bulging eyeballs as they hit their chests and legs. The thing about the Haka is that it is extremely important to the people, its a sign of great respect for another person. The fact that the boys did a Haka for us was really something special. After the opening prayers in the Maori language, we performed a Hangi with all the school's office workers and representatives. This is when you touch noses with another person, while simultaneously breathing out; sharing the breath of life. It was something I had never done before, but it gave me such a warm feeling. The people of New Zealand are so welcoming. Volunteering was a really great opportunity to meet the local kids and get to know them. I loved every second of it. We also played rugby with the boys and got a tour of their school which was really incredible. Four of their students have gone to the Olympics; and its a public school. For dinner we went to a mock Maori Village and witnessed what their tribes used to be like before civilization. I felt really uncomfortable for the majority of this. It made me sad that the people had to explain to the tourists from all over the world that laughing at the performance of the Haka was really discriminatory. I felt sad for the people, whose culture was looked at as entertainment. I wasn't really sure how to take it in, or how to accept it. Yet, after a tour of the village we we're invited inside to eat a Hungi. Holy shit, it was the most delicious food I have ever eaten. A Hungi is a traditional way for the Maori people to have a feast. They cook mass amounts of food in a pit layered with heated rocks. Lamb, chicken, stuffing, potatoes, carrots, and bread. You could literally taste the fire in the food, it was so delicious. This was when I accepted what was going on. I learned that night that the Maori people are extremely proud of their culture and completely willing to share and cherish it with anyone who is willing to listen. I really respect their values and morals, they are a great people. After dinner we all, about 200 people, sang songs, held hands, and danced. It was such a great time. Our bus driver was absolutely hilarious, he could say "Kia Ora" which means well-being, health, and happiness, in over 52 languages and dialects. That night really changed my perspective on the commercialization of the Maori culture.
Finally, yesterday I went spelunking in a cave in Waitomo. This was legitamately one of the coolest things I have ever done in my entire life. We we're down there for 3 hours, in a cave that was over a mile long. Inching in and out of tiny crevasses and cracks. We actually turned our lights off and used only our hands and legs to navigate through a tiny crawl space where we had to belly crawl to move forward. The cave was full of water, so deep that you had to swim through parts of it which trying to fit through small cracks. There were also eels in the cave, totally fucking freaky. I never saw any, but apparently there are two monster eels in the cave that are about 4 feet long and about a foot tall. Gaaaaahhh, so freaky. But the best part of the cave were the glow worms. I cant even explain how magical this experience was. In certain tunnels, the entire ceiling of the cave was splattered with tiny little fluorescent green lights; like the night sky but within reaching distance. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen in my entire life. We actually toobed through a pretty hefty section of the cave, holding on to each others feet and and singing along the way. We even got to do cannon-balls in the cave by jumping off a 6 foot ledge while holding the tube behind us and slamming into the water. Epic fun. When we got back to Rotorua a bunch of us went out to the Lava Bar. That point on what just a blur of dancing, drinking, and laughing.
I think its safe to say I LOVE NEW ZEALAND.