haps 6

can't believe that it's almost the end of summer.. still a few more weeks before classes start but already it's starting to feel like the end of a very wonderful and fulfilling summer.. probably the best summer i've ever had.. and why not call it so, when ya have done so much in over 3 months, and the weather has just been as fine as it has been..

i can now say i've almost been everywhere.. i've certainly been to all of the South Island except Fiordland and Westport.. the former i'll make sure Justin will tick that off when i go tramping with him ;) North Island, still haven't covered Northland, Taranaki - almost did this trip but just couldn't do it, and the King Country, East Coast, Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa.. not too bad considering i've only been in NZ for 4 years..

the most recent trip taught me a lot of things abt the Waikato.. 1) u just can't jump off the bridges like u can in Central Otago.. maybe there's just more control over things there with more ppl and towns there.. 2) u just can't jump off bridges again.. well i guess that's abt it apart from the fact, well that the Waikato has got heaps of towns, and Tokoroa is quite cool.. so is Taupo although that's already King Country..

spent most of last week in Wellington.. it is the coolest city in NZ this side of Dunedin.. and not weather wise.. i guess being in Wellington made it a bit different from the previous experiences this summer.. it was more like being in a big city and doing the usual stuff like window shopping and actual shopping and looking at the sights.. although did do the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary which i highly rate, v well done and it's quite amazing that u can actually see tuataras, wekas and fake Masai warriors and the Flinstones in one single day.. the latter of coz partygoers at the Wellington 7s.. never been in Wellington for 7s weekend, and it's just crazy.. man will miss that this year in Dunners with the All Blacks not coming down.. bum..

it was quite weird being in Wellington this time coz all of the Wellington crew seemed to be working in the day.. i had to find things to do myself for most of the time.. in fact, actually worked with Matt twice, earning myself $40.. never happened before on holiday although it's a good idea for future holidays! anyway i guess there was a sense that perhaps my time with these guys had kinda past and that they'd moved onto another part of their lives.. i'll always be friends with these guys but it's just that life had moved on and it just wasn't the same as things in the past.. in a way, it was kinda surreal i guess.. and it's strange coz that's what i felt at this time of the year last year when i was in Malaysia.. it seemed like i was not as connected as i used to be with the surroundings or the people.. like i said life had kinda moved on..

anyway hoped that dint offend anyone..

so what's up now? well, just look for some jobs at Student Jobs and hopefully the weather will still be nice enough for more surfing.. at least wil have my wetsuit this time unlike when i went snorkelling at Island Bay without it.. think got a bit of cold from the hypothermia yesterday..

what happened at church today? it was quite good service.. back to two.. soon back to four esp with the new International Students service at 2 pm run by Uncle Then.. it was nice to meet two new ppl.. Stefan from Germany who actually works next door to Jian at the Physics Dept, and Jeff, an ABC from Perth who's come to do his PGDipSci in Surgery.. even managed to recruit Jeff for my life group, if it comes to fruition! reminds me got to check Casey's email abt leader's advance.. anyway spent most of the afternoon after church with Jeff, talking abt ourselves at Gloria Jean's - yes they've opened one in the Meridian! - after having lunch with the Cutting Edgers..

finally, shots of summer 05-06 from Cromwell and Parachute on ur right.. make sure u scroll down!