Spring has officially arrived in my yard. The crab apple tree is in full bloom and it looks beautiful. Tonight I did some weeding in my small flower garden...I admit it's been neglected this spring with all that's going on. But everything looks neat and tidy now and the plants/flowers are popping up and happy as ever.

My host, Eckhard, in New Zealand mentioned that he thought it would be nice if they could get their veggie garden up and running again. Since I have no experience with vegetables I thought I'd do some quick studying before I leave. I picked up a book called The Vegetable Gardener's Bible by Edward C. Smith. It's received great reviews, and 67 pages into it, I have to agree. It's really informative and has lots of helpful charts. I can't wait to get started...

Check out the book here

The beginning of the end...

So Tuesday morning I gave notice. I had been waivering back and forth for awhile between giving 5, 4 and 3 weeks...what was best, and how I would do it. A conversation with a friend the night before kind of pushed my decision to 4 weeks. I felt like it was enough time for them to start looking and maybe even find a replacement for me before I leave. I was extremely nervous, being the first time I've had to do this and I was trying not to laugh (out of nervousness). It was probably the funniest resignation my boss has ever had. He was completely understanding and not upset like I imagined he would be. He told me that New Zealand is beautiful and I'll love it there!

So now that it's done, it feels a little weird knowing I won't be working there anymore. I don't think it's hit me completely yet. Six years is a long time to work somewhere...but I keep reminding myself that change is good.

On a funny note, anyone who is close to Kayde (my sister) and I know about our fear of spiders. So today we had a lovely little exchange about what kind of spiders I will find in New Zealand. I think the winner was the avondale spider, which "frightens people with it's speed when startled" and it can be up to 8" wide with the legs stretched out. Can't wait to see that....

A long day...

I got home from Salt hill about an hour ago after doing an 11:30-long shift. I'm beat but it was a great day! I wondered how I would be able to peel myself up off of my comfy chair after I sat down, but decided to spend some time online checking out different things related to my trip. I think tomorrow I'm going to go shopping for some of the stuff on my "master NZ list"...and this thing is huge. I hope that I can fit everything into the two bags I'm planning to bring, because I don't want to bring more than that. I have almost all of this stuff already... there are just a few little things here and there I need to pick up. What am I forgetting? What should I leave behind? Advice please! :)

• Hiking boots
• Merrell cross trainers
• Wellies (? haven't decided for sure yet)
• Socks: 4 pairs smartwool, 1 cotton
• 7 pairs underwear
• Shorts: 2 pair
• Shirts: 2 hiking (polypropylene), 5 cotton
• 2 tank tops
• Longjohns (polypropylene)
• 1 pair jeans, 3 pairs hiking pants
• Dressy cotton skirt/shirt/shoes
• EMS polar fleece jacket
• Gloves
• EMS Raincoat
• Hat
• Duffel bag
• Sleeping bag/pink blanket (the blankie is going. non-negotiable)
• Bathing suit
• towel


Hiking gear:

• Backpack
• Matches/lighter: in waterproof container
• Headleamp
• Jetboil, spork
• First Aid Kit
• water bottle

Miscellaneous:

• Sunglasses
• eyeshades/earplugs
• Camera/charger/memory cards/bag (?)
• Laptop/sleeve/necessary wires & plugs
• iPod/charger
• swiss army knife
• alarm clock
• Adapters/converter
• money belt
• padlock w/key
• Watch
• Heavy duty ziplocks (large)

Toiletries:

• Comb
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush/paste
• Sunscreen
• Advil
• shampoo/conditioner
• Hair clip
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers
• Pepto bismal
• Dramamine

A new start...

It seems that every time a big change happens in my life, I start a new diary. While this won't be like a traditional diary, it will be a great way for everyone to follow my travels and read/see the day to day things I experience! This will give me something to look back at. I'm so excited for this experience, and I've never felt like something was more 'right'. Thanks to everyone who is supporting me!

The reality of moving thousands of miles away gets clearer every day. I'm excited and sad at the same time. It's funny how you take things for granted sometimes. I was telling my mom the other day how I decided to take a walk through Woodstock, on a particular route I had never done before. It was beautiful outside and I couldn't help but feel sentimental about it. I wondered why in the 5 and a half years I've worked in that town, I hadn't done that before. I'll miss it. There is no place like Vermont.

The hardest part about leaving is going to be leaving family and friends. Although most family lives hours away, it will be weird to be in different time zones...no more mass email from Mom and Kayde in my work inbox in the morning! haha But thanks to Jim, I'll have my iChat camera set up and I'll be able to see and talk to them!

I'm going to miss Salt hill terribly but I'm sure I will keep in touch. I'm soaking in every moment I spend with my friends. Maybe I'll be back... if Joe has his way I'll be training to be a manager! hahaha

Ok... so enough of the mushy stuff. It's out of my system (almost). Time to talk about details. I give notice at my day job on the 14th. I'm nervous and hoping it goes well. I've learned a lot in working there and overall it's been a great experience. It's just time to move on. My last day is on June 15th (the 19th at the pub), then Mom, Kayde and Brian are flying up to NH on the 20th to help around the house and pack things up.

I'll be flying from Baltimore (at the crack of dawn I might add) to LA, only to be stuck in LA for somewhere around 8 hours. Now I know why the tickets were so cheap at Expedia. :) Can anyone suggest a fun pastime? Then from LA to Auckland to Christchurch. I'll probably spend the night there and grab a bus down to Akaroa the next day.

So much to do, so little time!