….and it feels absolutely amazing. Despite the school work being loaded on, it can’t get me down. Today, I re-fell in love with New Zealand. Nothing remarkable happened today and yet it was perfect–that’s part of what I think makes NZ so great.

This morning, after losing an hour of sleep to daylight savings, my friend and I made an 8 am grocery run. The streets were absolutely empty. It allowed me to truly appreciate this walk I do so often and all the wonderful stores, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and seating areas that adorn this walk. I am going to miss this walk so much–the surroundings, the company, the struggle and convenience at the same time. Parnell/Newmarket, where I live, has just the perfect mix of city and small town feeling. As I was grocery shopping, I realized how used to this life I have become; I tend to forget it’s just temporary. As I approach the three month mark, and have a bit over a month left to go, it’s hard not to get preemptively sappy and reflective so I’m constantly reminding myself to live in the present but can’t suppress thoughts of things I’ll miss and things I can’t wait to return to.

As the weather gets even more lovely than I thought it already was, everyone starts to come out a bit more, like summer back home. The streets have random markets, festivals, and tents. Families, couples, teenagers, and kids…everyone’s out and about and it makes me incredibly happy. There are hoards of runners and bikers as well, many in groups; I love how active the Kiwis are.

Anyways, my friends had been planning to go to One Tree Hill, not too far from where we live. But with all this uni work and my anything-but-ideal grades, I knew I should be staying in. Nevertheless, I went outside to say hi to everyone. The sun was shining and the air was just perfect. I knew I couldn’t stay inside on a day like this.

After a bit of internal conflict, I ran back to my flat to pack a backpack and change into some shorts for the bit of a trek that lay ahead. I’m so glad I went. The park was absolutely gorgeous and I’m hoping to run there in the future. All the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, and a beautiful fountain greeted us into the park. There were tons of people there, but not in the way that I find annoying. The spirit was just fantastic. A huge band was playing so we went around asking people what the occasion was for–no one knew. It was just happening. We saw a bunch of little kids rolling down hills and some “sledding” on cardboard boxes. My friend and I couldn’t resist and cackled like children as we rolled freely down the hill. It was fun to feel carefree for that time I was spinning wildly down the hill with nothing to do but scream and laugh and be one with the other children.

We alas got to the top of One Tree Hill, not without passing some sheep, of course, and came up to a beautiful view of Auckland, the Tasman Sea, and the Pacific. It was awesome to see in one view, water, sheep, a park, a city, and suburbia. I love this city. I would love to find anything like it back home.

Exhausted from the sun and the walking, we took a bus back and got groceries for a BBQ. As I sit hear blogging, stomach full with a delicious strawberry nut Panera-like salad we made, a grilled potato (friends made grilled chicken too), I feel warmed with the feeling of summer.

And it’s just Sunday: A day at home that would just be an ordinary catch-up-on-homework Sunday. While I still have to do that, I’m so glad I went. It was not an epic trip or must-do in Auckland, but something about this just day was absolutely wonderful and made for a great start to the week.

Location: Auckland, NZ