Apart from my smaller posts recently, I felt like I had to
give you all an update on the larger things I am working on. Recently, I have
finished my semester at Massey University. The end was actually not that tough.
However, around finals week all the freshman and sophomores in the Cube (my
accommodation), were running around with their heads cut off trying to cram and
catch up from the plague of procrastination that runs rampant at Massey for
their first final hand-ins. It was quite humorous because, as a senior, I have
experienced the goods and bads of finals weeks before and have learned how to
properly prepare for that. If you just work consistently throughout the year
its not hard at all. All my things have been handed in and all the assignments
are done. It is a weird feeling coming to the beginning of the end for my
college career. The notion of being one more semester out from Wheaton is
terrifying. The stress of jobs, internships, applications, relationships, etc.
is weighing pretty heavy on my mind. But, I have done a couple things to deal
with that. I normally go out for runs around Wellington, I read books, and I
work on art.
A
couple days ago, some international friends and I left to hike the Tongariro
Crossing as stated on the previous post. We left early Monday morning and
arrived four hours later to a stunning day at Tongariro National Park. The plan
was looking good. The next morning a storm hit that came a day early that shut
the park down. It was deemed unsafe to do the crossing and we were prohibited
to go due to violent winds on the top. It was a huge bummer. But we decided to
do spend the day in an equally cool fashion. We rented some hard-core mountain
bikes and off-roaded through the Tongariro National Forest for about 5 hours.
It was tough but extremely rewarding. So we ended up leaving satisfied with the
trip. Hopefully when my parents arrive, I can challenge the Crossing once more.
Yesterday,
the same group of internationals left to visit Matiu/Somes Island. It was here
where we ended up walking around the entire island full of exciting plants and
the illustrious home of the giant Weta. We saw a few and they are hideously
remarkable.
Lastly,
I finished a book entitled Sex, Economy,
Freedom, and Community by Wendell Berry. It was a fantastic read! It will
be pretty hard to describe in two paragraphs, 5-8 pages would do better, but
essentially it was the justified ranting of an angry farmer against the present
state of the world and its materialistic cravings. Berry doesn’t end by
accusing the world and not backing anything up with intelligent arguments.
Berry writes in a way that tries to unveil the hidden agendas of the world
while also proving an alternative “way out”. He writes so that the reader should
understand how a community is supposed to be. I am not calling all of his stuff
correct but definitely worth the read.
I
am now a month out from returning to the United States. It has gone rather
quickly. Leaving will be bittersweet. I love the people, land and customs here
but will be very excited to see my family, friends and school once more. The
journey is coming to an end and as this chapter in my life wraps up I await a
new one just around the corner. Yet, still, I will be robserving all the way.
On a side note…I am having my Senior Art Solo Exhibition at
Wheaton College on the 4th of April. While this date is still
pending, you are all invited to my show expressing the talent I have acquired
while studying art at Wheaton College and my journey into becoming a
professional artist. If you are interested please send me an e-mail and I will
get you updated information. I would be honored to have you all at my show. The
date will be anywhere around the 4th of April. Cheers.
Robs
More pics!
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| Tongariro Crossing |
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| Tongariro National Forest |
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| Koru: Young and Old |
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| Wellington City on a Nice Day |
