It's official! I'm a Humboldt State graduate with a bachelor of science! I imagined more elation and joy, but the last week has left me thinking more and more about the future and the pressure to "do something". A lot of the let-down came because others graduating with me didn't seem nearly as excited to be done; most of them are either heading straight off to jobs or have to move back in with their parents and find a real job soon. Unlike other semesters, many people took off the same day they finished finals. Luckily, two of my favorite people (Sarah and Al) who also just finished school will be heading off to New Zealand with me, and I know that we will be able to finally let loose and relish the freedom!
Speaking of New Zealand, today was spent preparing for the adventure. I now have a brand-new backpack (my first that isn't secondhand!) and a new pair of hiking boots that will likely tear my feet up on our first hike. However, shopping all day has heightened my anticipation of the trip and also triggered my memory of how I can't stand shopping for more than an hour. Here is a list of items to be packed to (a) help me remember everything I need to pack and (b) to remind me in the future of things I packed for traveling overseas since I've seemed to have forgotten what I packed last time.
*Backpack
*2-person tent
*Sleeping bag
*Passport & ID
*Trekking pants - can be pants, capris, and shorts
*Other clothes - shirts, dress, sweater, undergarments, socks
*Rain jacket
*Camera & charging cable
*Travel towel
*Bathing suit and board shorts for possible surfing opportunities and definite swimming opportunities
*Shoes - hiking boots, flip-flops, nice shoes for polite company
*iPod & charging cable
*Books - Freakanomics and assorted New Zealand outdoor adventure guides
*Sunglasses
*Toothbrush, toothpaste, fro-pick (aka Kate's comb), asthma meds, Neosporin, mole skin, razor, lotion
More will be amended to this list as I think of things I've forgotten or overlooked.
I have a few items I plan on buying once I land in Auckland, such as sunscreen, shampoo, pre-paid international cell phone, etc. I don't feel like taking up space in my bag on the flight over and I figure Sarah and I will split the cost of the disposable items. The one thing I am NOT packing that I am worried I might regret is a sleeping pad. Sarah and I have settled on the idea of renting or purchasing a camper van while we're in the country so that we can get around easily and plus, who hasn't always wanted to live out of a van for three weeks?? From the sources I've heard/read, the price should come out the same as if we stayed in hostels every night. Al and I will be flying in a day ahead of Sarah and we will confirm if this rumor is true and also check out available vans; stay tuned to see how this idea pans out. In any case! If we're in the van, I don't want to cart around a sleeping pad the whole time and if we're not in a van and instead in hostels, I have no need for one. After a month of sleeping in the dirt out in New Mexico, I've realized that I can sleep almost anywhere if I'm tired enough.
I'm flying out in 6 days (and 1 hour), so I've got time to figure the rest out. And on the bright side, it's only 3 weeks. Short time to do many things...including but not limited to!: hiking, swimming, skydiving, pub-crawling, tree-hugging, fjording, dancing, singing, and sight-seeing.
In the meantime, I'm back in Davis for the holidays and will be spending the time with my parents, my hilarious 92 year-old grandfather, my mom's step-nephew Chris and his family. Chris is bringing his two kids, a 1 year-old baby boy and a 3 year-old girl. Psyched to have kids around for the holidays! First time since I was a kid myself. Mom and I shopped today and I convinced her to get a small tent with an attached tunnel that we can set up on Christmas morning to convince the little girl that Santa came. Mom is also sewing a baby blanket for the baby boy; his gifts are monkey themed! I am ridiculously excited to have a real Christmas this year, complete with family and holiday spirit!
Until send-off, take care of yourself and happy holidays!
Kate
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