(and do things change in that time!)

I guess it, in many ways, is a really good sign that it has taken so long for me to get around to updating my wee journal. It must mean I'm living my life and all (or I'm escaping from it! hah! never!). Well, whichever this lack of information represents, I kind-of feel I'm cheating myself too because after all this is a record for me too of the path of my heart mind and body through this inportant time of transition..

It's all good though!

There have been some times where I've been so wrapped up in the moment that I've forgotten even to take photos of what I've been up to - just as well I'm travelling back up the North Island again! This time I think I'll take it a little more slowly.

Once, when people did their big 'OE' they disappeared into the ether and it was a delight just to recieve a letter from them every month or so from some far-flung exotic location. And I know there are many people who think that an "Overseas Experience" is an essential part of every person's individual personal development - and the more inaccessible and inhospitable the environment, the better it is for you. Well, I guess I seem to be doing mine whilst staying at home. The environment sure isn't inhospitable. but there are some unique lessons to learn all the same. Not how to appreciate something through missing it or losing it perhaps, instead how to appreicate the joy and wonder of your world while you're still in the midst of it. Living life in and for the moment. Not always easy at home where there are always choruses of people asking where you come from and what you do. The answers "New Zealand" and "travelling" just don't cut the mustard when you're still in your home country.

I've been taking the opportunity to also go further into rather than away from some of the important people and relationships in my life. Most importantly my relationship with myself. And I've been gaining an appreciation for who I am and what I have to offer which I possibly would never have achieved while I was still wound up in the day to day pattern of meeting other people's needs and expectations.

I seem to have developed a penchant for travelling up and down the North Island. I do love the desert road and all... To follow is a summary of the people and places I've visited in the past couple of weeks. Just so I don't forget!

Righto!

Chris