Just a radical update

Hey Everybody,

So it's been about two weeks since I've been back from break physically, but mentally I'm pretty much still there. The school system here isn't too much help. Classes are sometimes too relaxed and assignments are really unclear most of the time. And the grading schedule... crap dudes. They only grade 3 major assignments, not what I'm used too. I like American school systems, or at least my awesome teachers back home (BI, GS, JA, and most other comm teachers). My camera is doing well. Sorry I haven't able to put much up on the tube.

This past weekend I was on a volunteer weekend trip to an island near Auckland. There Garrett, myself and Jacob (along with 4 students from U of Auckland) planted trees, weeded, went bird watching and had a pretty large meal that took hours to cook. Not necessarily because we had a lot of food, but because the stove and oven were limited in their capabilities to cook that much. Let me explain further, TWO people live on the island, the park ranger and a helper, who just so happened to have an amazing beard and never take off his helmet, seriously, the dude wore it everywhere. After dinner taking 3 hours to eat and make, David (who came later that afternoon), Jacob and I went for a night hike and as usual with me there it turned into a night swim. I think Zach's favorite quote of mine on the South Trip was "I have to get in the water..." Since we were away from the city the stars were phenomenal. And something to remind me of home- Bio-luminescence or those little things that light up in the ocean water. Seeing this brought me back to Puerto Rico with my buddies Ryan and Bryan. Where we saw the highest concentration of Bio- luminescence in the world. That was incredible. Jacob and Dave had never seen this so they also joined me in the swim. And to be as close to nature as possible, I guess you could say we left some items on the beach, towels, shirts, wallets... you know. The birds were awesome to listen to and made some incredible sounds. Some sounded like robots, others sounded like really cool birds. It's hard to explain unless you're there. That trip was fun and it was nice to work outside and get a little dirt under my fingernails.

My parents are coming down to NZ and AUS in June. I'm really excited to see my bro too. They're gonna see some really cool stuff. I hope all y'all wished your moms a Happy Mother's Day. I know mine deserves it. (I'd also like to wish Barbara a happy mom's day too).

Most of my friends got back from their trips. Michelle spent 3.5 weeks in AUS and got offered a job taking underwater photographs for a dive company, getting paid some cash and going on free dives... I was the first one to show her how to use a camera underwater, I should get some credit although, she has some natural talent too. She's pretty cool.

That's what I've been doing, also writing some papers, and attending a Latin Dance class. July 27th we be here sooner than you think guys... It'll be nice to see your faces again.

Keep it real.

(This is a picture of me on the Milford Sound boat and my waterproof housing and Caitlyn) (And another picture of the night at air guitar with Katelyn)