Starting to settle in

I moved into my flat last weekend. I managed to find a place in Mount-Maunganui, which is the place with the really nice beach. My flat is right above a surf-ship, and is no more than three blocks from the beach. My flatmates are , of course, all very easy-going, or "cruisey" as they say here. The place could stand to be a little cleaner, but then I am probably "unnaturally" clean. The location is amazing, nonetheless, and living like a slob will possibly do me some good.

1 - The start of the walk

I have been sick as hell for the past two weeks, which has made working suck really bad. The weather hasn't helped; storming almost every day while I'm in the field working. Almost done the project though, so then I can sit my ass in front of a computer screen for a while.

2 - Big friggin tree

I have purchased a good pair of running shoes in hopes of getting more active so I can hopefully fit into my boar-shorts by December. I've also planned to stop living off of lollies and cheap beer, but let's take it one step at a time.

The weather here is quite like Vancouver's, maybe more-so. Not a day in the past two and a half weeks has gone by without rain, but there has almost always been blue sky every day as well. A half an hour ago it was pissing rain and now there is not a cloud in the sky.

Several people that I met in Auckland are staying here for the moment and yesterday i went for a hike with them. We wandered through the jungle for five hours. The trails were soaked, and often seemed like no more than a creek. We got back after dark. After getting lost I've vowed to bring a map with me on any subsequent "adventures in the bush". Especially when following Germans.

3 - More civilized walkways

for a while I've come to look at myself as a bit of a failure; the idea was to come here to escape responsibility and stress; no more engineering. I have bought a car. I have an apartment. I have a job following my career. All within a month of landing. I didn't realise it, but my last entry was my one-month "anniversary" of being in New Zealand, and it still hasn't felt like a change; perhaps because it isn't all that much of a change.

I may, of course be cutting myself short here. I may not feel out of place because I can adapt better than most. My original plans were to work overseas as an engineer, back-packing was a backup plan.

4 - And now it starts

5 - Markers

6 - Germans in the forest

7 - Muddy

8 - My Flat

9 - My hood