How to fit your entire life into one over-sized pack...

Moving to New Zealand is a great idea for me, but even it comes with a few downfalls.  The first is the packing for the trip (a.k.a. the leaving EVERYTHING behind for the trip), the second is the expensive and not exciting purchases needed to be made prior to departure.  If anyone knows what a "shopping high" is, it's me, but seriously sleeping bags, hiking packs, and mini, super absorbent towels just don't do it for me! (for anyone?)  I guess these 2 downfalls could really be rolled into 1... I'm an avid shopper who had been forced to shop for ONLY boring things AND must leave all of her previous and precious purchases behind.

Needless to say, I have to practice packing now in order to make sure I can fit the few things I can bring with me.  Because we are travelling for the first month we need to pack as light as possible to ensure ease of travel and safety of our belonging.  This would be fine if i could eventually ship my things to New Zealand but it is out of the question with a cost of about $300.  Everyone else is confident that they can fit their things into their packs (except Bethy!), but I'm positive I will need a small suitcase to accompany my pack.  It makes me sad because I hate leaving my things behind, but it makes me even more sad that I care so much about what I will be wearing and how I will look.

I guess this is one of the biggest reasons I wanted to go on the trip in the first place though, to find myself. To identify my weaknesses, big and small, and discover my greatest strengths.  It's a big task, I realize, but I think putting myself into situations which challenge me (like packing apparently) I will then be able to see what is really important to me, and what I have simply grown accustomed to and to expect from life. I was to be able to distinguish things I want and those that I need, and what makes me truly happy. But hey, no pressure New Zealand, I just ask for those few things :)

Now for some logistics, I am expected to pack a years worth of clothing in the following:

Some may laugh, and some may be deeply disturbed by its small, tiny, minuscule size (as am I), but it is in fact what I am supposed to fit all of my things in, hence, the second bag.  Not only is that the confines of my future but it cost me $95, but originally $120 at EMS, but they offer a 20% discount on EMS brand to students!  I had to spend the same amount on a Sierra Designs sleeping bag (woohoo).  If it weren't for Amazon.com and its customer ratings I probably would have bought the cheapest, crappiest, easily broken items in the world.  Its ratings allow for customer's to tell about their experiences, and it absolutely justified paying $50-100 more for what appeared to be the same product.  I've learned more about shopping smart in the past month than in years!  My only other purchase for the trip was an outlet adapter, which was reviewed to have worked well in New Zealand, but honestly voltage adapter is far beyond anything i can understand by reading about online, so be sure to check in on how successful the outlet adapter ACTUALLY was.  

If anyone has any hiking, camping survival tips, please comment.  Between the three guys on the trip I think we'll be safe, but experience only, hiking/travelling life lessons never hurt!  

Preparations

Although all of our plane tickets are dated October 2, this journey really began on March 17, 2011.  An idea that at the time seemed outrageous.  Beth and Adam found themselves wanting to travel after graduation, so when Beth's farrier suggested that they travel around his homeland of New Zealand she found herself suggesting it to Jeff and I as well.  At this point in our lives when we all have college degrees, but all lack serious careers, it was easy to agree that moving to New Zealand for a year simply for the adventure was something we would be interested in. Adam's brother Nick was also very eager to embark on this journey with us.

Now, it is one thing to say you want to move to the other side of the world, and another to actually do something about it. We knew it wouldn't be an easy feat, and I was absolutely sure I knew nothing about New Zealand, let alone how to start a life nearly 10,000 miles away, but I was also absolutely sure there would not be another opportunity like this one.

New Zealand's aging population allows for the vacancy of many jobs for younger adults.  The country actually recognizes this need, and the United States ability to fulfill the need, by offering working visas to US residents that fit this age bracket, among other requirements.  Sooo, after confirming both our good health and good character, we were one step closer to becoming kiwis!

Since March it has basically just been a saving game... working like dogs to have enough money to enter, live, and leave New Zealand, under the impression we will have jobs there.  We have booked a hostel for the first 2 nights, expecting to be tired and somewhat disoriented.  Our flight comes into Auckland, which is NZ's largest city, pop. 1 million, which will be a great place to get started in buying camping equipment, a car, and other essentials.  From here we will travel the North Island in its entirety, and proceed onto the South, where we expect to fall in love with a city there and settle down.

We have most definitely learned a lot in these past couple months, and know there is so much more to come, but I have confidence that between 5 people, we can survive this adventure.
I will spare you the boring details of tax numbers, exchange rates, and choosing the perfect purple sleeping bag, but here are a few facts to better acquaint you with the life of a kiwi:

• Total Population 4.1 million TOTAL
• You can snowboard all day, then go home and surf :)
• NO SNAKES!
• Marlborough region produces some of the finest Sauvignon Blanc
• Inviting neighbors to all our your outdoor BBQs is a must!!
• They produce copious amounts of affordable organic fruits and veggies 
• There are more sheep than humans!!
• In its entirety (North, South, and surrounding islands), it is about the size of Colorado
• Our chances of actually catching a fish in this years are very high

I am writing this blog (along with my fellow travelers) as the most efficient way to communicate back home to my very large, loving family.  I hope to make this the most accurate portrayal of a year in New Zealand as possible.  Please leave any questions and comments you may have, and expect lots of pictures post-Oct 2nd!!