Puddle of Posts

In case you were wondering, I had a stash of random thoughts and blogs I wrote and was waiting for the right time to put them up... Well in no particular order, I've posted several posts that I've written over the last year, cause now is as good as time as any.  :)

Random Thoughts

"When I find my cheese again, I'm going to glue it down!"
"Why does my cheese have such quick legs"

I found a memo I wrote to myself it said: "It is written."  If only I could remember what the sticky note fell off of, I'd know what it meant. What is written?

I like to re-invent the wheel, a better wheel, why can't I simply re-write it. I'm ambitious, whats wrong with that?

If it's meant to be it will be, but how do you know? Is it really written? Do we re-write. Its only a few short pages from me being a shy quiet kid to becoming an outspoken fire-spinner wearing a corset dress.
How do I know which destiny is my own. Are you saying I have no say in my own destiny? Perhaps I helped write it?

Ni Hao Singapore!!

WHAT A DAY!!! Oh man, first day in Singapore... intense. So I didn't actually arrive till 10pm NZ time, but I've definitely had my share of fun!! Went to see a Chinese New Years Parade, like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade I always watched on TV as a kid, only bigger, better, and LIVE!! It feels like a dream. I already love the food, the people, everything. I've got some great photos to share! So many people, met a fire spinning crew, had heaps of delicious food. THANK YOU JORDAN for being an awesome tour guide, I'd be Absolutely LOST without you!

It's about 7am New Zealand time now... and the last few nights were spent sleeping on random couches and in airports. Is it tomorrow yet?!?!

PS. I hitchhiked my way out of New Zealand, it took me 9 hitches and a bus into the proper place in Auckland to get where I was going. Thanks Sebastian for a wicked place to crash in AUK, an awesome time spinning poi, and sweet geocashing!!

Kiwiburn

Liberate your soul and renew your mind, refresh your body and become a part of what is greater than ourselves. Share everything you have and want nothing. Be at peace with yourself.

Koru, a spiral fire maze representing new beginnings, the last burn of the festival.

Kiwiburn was an absolute epic adventure that no amount of words nor photos could ever describe. It's a cultural journey in a society where the rules are entirely different to western culture. Where handshaking as a greet is considered rude instead of a hug. Money has no place, what you wear and how much is completely optional, there is no communal religion, and all are accepted as they are. We burn things, the famous burning man, statues of flame throwing cows, and the sacred temple. Its a place to bring all your hopes, dreams, fears, and come to terms with them. Its a place to let go and a place to renew, of understanding and adventure. It's a bit like never never land, grownups aren't allowed, and your imagination is the limits of reality.

  

Burning of "The Temple" last night of Kiwi Burn. They say, "Bring your largest burden, and place that stone in our temple." Tears of joy and pain fill this temple with artwork, notes to friends and family "Dad I miss you" and "I'm sorry for what I did". Notes, letters, and and that are never meant to leave the temple, but let to rest on the final night. 

Ukuleles and ocopella music fills the air after a long silence. A community of people share their deepest fears and sorrows, and give each other the strength to let go. Then after the fire maze, we come together in strength and mind. 

As I said before, no words could possible describe the experience, and so often we simply forget to take photos cause we're too busy living in the moment. In so short of words, here's a brief idea of what it was like:

Day 1: Go down the rabbit hole into "twisted reality" the 2011 theme: Erect a village of tents, bars, lounges, etc. Free kayaks, meeting and hugging random people, exploring the lake, go on a jungle trek, discovered a hidden spa, paint a flame-throwing cow, danced a jig in the paddock,

Day 2: Erect "Burning Man" learn heaps of poi moves all festival, drumming workshop, learned to tighten the head on my drum, temporary tattoos. Pancakes and french toast breakfasts. Sushi rolls made while camping.

Day 3: Hitchhiked with aliens, hula hooping, face painting, swimming. Deliver Kiwiburn post to "Joe, the guy with blond dreads" (Like that narrowed it down), Rain, Rain Rain. Giant flame throwers, music and dancing all night, exchanging items in the treasure boxes.Heaps of rain, try to keep the village from blowing away.

Day 4: Burn the man, hundreds of fire spinners, fawn on stilts, more drumming, poi poi poi, rode on the pirate ship, hashish, free BBQ's, tunnel of mirrors and, stunning costumes, laughter yoga- AMAZING!!

Day 5: fire maze, burn the temple, giant dream weaver, piggy back ride from the human taxi. chai tents, bean bags, large scale art.

I've most certainly left out heaps of amazing unexplainable things, but like I said... you just have to experience it.

Geocashing!!!

Some time ago I discovered this amazing sight called geocashing.com. Basically it's a world wide treasure hunt for adults. Kids can do it too, but don't tell them ;) Today was the first time I've gone to look for a geocash, and well... got a little carried away. With Ty and Rory, my fire spinning mates, we managed to find 7 geocashes today!!! We logged into each, and blogged the treasures we found.

Currently I have two travel bugs, who each have a mission. One, a Shelby 550 will be traveling up towards Auckland with me, while the other is trying to make its way to "Auntie" close to Wellington.

Tomorrow I'm off on the open road, my thumb fully stretched. Wish me luck!!

"THE PLAN"

Did I mention itchy feet got the best of me?  Well, off on my feet again, have heaps to catch you up on already! Tomorrow I'm off again hitchiking with recently found geocash bugs headed north. By next week I'll be touring Southeast Asia for 3 months or so, then making my way around North America again.

Never a boring day!

Holiday Spirit

We can spend our whole lives trying to understand one another, and during that time, we hardly ever even learn ourselves. I've just returned from another epic journey, two weeks of Christmas and new years, making friends for a life time. I've become a part of several families, people who trust and help each other no matter our journey. This holiday season was filled with love, joy, and self-fulfillment. Where the enjoyment is not in what is said, but the thousands of words, thoughts, and ideas that shared and felt, dreamt into reality.

A World of Discovery: Kiwiburn

Exciting Times, I've spent the last two weeks preparing for a cultural experience that may just change my life, Kiwiburn. If you've ever heard of the Burning Man Festival in the USA, it's suppose to be a New Zealand version of it. Week long festival, and money is worthless. You carry everything you need, and you can expect nothing less than fire jams, drumming, musical instruments, epic costumes, and an experience you'll never forget.

This is a place you go to loose who you think you are, and discover the magic you left behind with childhood dreams.

Singapore Here I come!

So as I said in my last post, Itchy feet got the best of me. I just bought a ticket to Singapore for February... then visiting Thailand, Malaysia... uh and whichever countries jump out at me. I just picked up a few books from the library about it. So, any recommendations as to where to go?

Itchy Feet Get the Best of Me

Hey Guys, I need some serious input! 

I'm getting ready to buy my ticket out of New Zealand but I don't have a set route yet. I'm thinking Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Hong Kong... I must leave here by February 19th and be back in the USA by June(ish). Looking for work ideas, places to stay, places I must see, and cheap ways of getting there!!!!

 Also I'm in the market for a great camera/video camera to document my travels, thoughts?