Tuesday 26 July 2016

"I think I'm quite ready for another adventure..."

Written by Amanda White

Friends. I have news. 

People drive on the right side of the roads in the US. There are no switches on the outlets. There aren’t two buttons to flush the toilets. And it’s summer with very little (well, NONE) of that charming Wellington wind.

Yes, friends. I’m home once again. And it is just the strangest. But it is also so, so good. And I’m so grateful to be sitting on my couch writing this, safe and sound.

Madeline, Lyssa and I had a *fantastic* lunch view on our Red Rocks hike.
Our last week in Wellington was full of adventures, large and small. For me, our last weekend in Wellington was the best one, and I can’t recommend (1) hiking the Red Rocks, and (2) Adrenalin Forest enough! Red Rocks were beautiful, and our hike was fun and just so rewarding. The Adrenalin Forest pushed me in so many ways; I’m never felt so weak OR so strong, all at once.
Hannah, killin' it and looking effortlessly lovely at Adrenalin Forest. 

Hanging by a thread #AdrenalinForestHadMeLike

During our last week in Wellington, we all made a big push to finish strong at our internships, completing major tasks and tying up loose ends. We enjoyed a wonderful home-cooked meal at Anna’s apartment (which has an incredible view of the city! We were all so jealous.) for our farewell dinner, and reminisced about our time in Wellington.

My favorite fellow Enspiral intern. 
We did our very best to make the most of our last few days, officially solidifying our “regular” status at the Library Bar, making one last trip to the Night Market, and soaking up our last adventures with our NEIP group.

Early Saturday, we officially said goodbyes and went our separate ways throughout the day, and headed home (or to further New Zealand adventures!).

Heading home! (@4am after technically my first-ever all-nighter. #blessed #tired)
Now at home, unpacking and repacking for my next adventure coming up VERY soon here, I’m not experiencing as much reverse culture shock as I thought I would, but I find myself noting how things are done differently here once or twice a day; constantly referring to New Zealand events or inside jokes; and figuring what time it is in Wellington and wondering what my friends who are still kiwi-ing along are up to these days.

I really don’t have words for how much my time in New Zealand meant to me. But it was SUCH an adventure and I am different in so many ways since my adventure began six weeks ago. I’ve been thankful to get to share my stories and photos with the world here on the NEIP blog; I hope you’ve been enjoying reading along. :) 

If you are Massey faculty or staff, thank you for all you did and do to make this program a success. If you are a kiwi, please know just how much I loved and love your amazing, beautiful home country. And if you haven’t yet been to New Zealand—well, GO! What are you waiting for?!

Till next time, cheers! 

AmanDino









Thursday 14 July 2016

Interning Tables

Written by Amanda White {No significance to the title. Just wanted to pun off an Adele song—it’s always been a dream of mine. ...just kidding.}

FRIENDS. Did you think I had forgotten you?! Well, you thought wrong. For the past THREE weeks (which is pretty unbelievable), we’ve had simultaneous full-time jobs of: 
1. Interning at cool places; 
2. Being students and writing reports about the expedition; 
3. Becoming local Wellingtonians. It’s a hard life. {Just kidding… but it is a busy one!}

I don’t know how to describe in words just how lovely our explorations have been. Some highlights include:
  • Hikes up Mount Victoria to see sunrise and sunset in the same day
  • Many trips to many markets, both day and night  
  • Amazing restaurants, cool cafes and fun bars.
  • Our various internship experiences, which have all had their own unique high points.
  • Feeling like Wellingtonians after MANY trips down Cuba Street 
  • So many more I can’t relate them all!

A highlight for me has been my hunt for the best flat white in Wellington, which is THE question of the century, apparently. I definitely won’t claim that I’ve found it (because that would be a HIGHLY controversial claim and this blog post might get taken down or something), but I CAN publicly say that my personal favorite can be found at Memphis Belle. The vibes there are just so jazzy, and the coffee is creamy and comforting. I never thought I’d describe a flat white as “having personality” but New Zealand has changed me--and this one does. I’ll miss it SO much.


What follows are some of my favorite pictures of various adventures! I hope you enjoy them even a fraction of how much I enjoyed taking them and living them.  
Memphis Belle, the cutest lil coffee shop this side of Cuba Street




Sunset from Mount Victoria

I'm obsessed with collecting city views. 

SUNSET from Mount Victoria

Cutie Erin with her dosa at the Sunday morning market



#artsy

Lyssa and I recorded some voiceovers for a podcast as part of our internship at Enspiral. 

Shannon and I are cute by day AND by night

Lyssa and I helped with a conference at Massey this week!