Plot Twist!

I realized it has been a year since I bought the car in New Zealand and that I have been neglecting my adoring fans and blog!

These past months post travel have been the toughest of my life. Yes, I am going to be open and honest with ya'll. I had worked so hard and saved so much money for the ‘Trip’. I came home earlier than expected with very little money from that ‘Trip’. Plot Twist! I had not planned for life after the trip and I was faced with a big,

My favorite motto has become:

"When something goes wrong in your life or (not how you expected). Just yell, "Plot Twist!" and move on."

Yes, keep moving forward, always. The Earth keeps moving, the sun will rise and set regardless of your participation in the world; which is a sobering thought. You choose to participate. As my former classmate so aptly put, “You can only see ten feet in from of you, chose a path and walk down it for a while, if it does not work, try a different path.” That is life, you move forward try something new, progress, and if it does not work, try again.


Here is the synopsis of my past year trying things:

Well first, let's talk about my epic homecoming. I came home a week earlier that I told my parents and surprised my Dad on Father's Day with a bottle of Woodford (his favorite type of Bourbon). I will never be able to top myself for Father's Day ever again.

I got back together with the man I left, Danny. We stayed friends during the time we were broken up and he was a big support on my trip. He even picked me up from the airport and helped with the surprise homecoming.

I did visit Gould Farm (the therapeutic farm in western Massachusetts) and even though I am still in awe of what they do there, I realized it was not the right next step for me.

I found a short-term job right away in the field I was working in before the trip, environmental education at a different non-profit in Newark, NJ.  Last summer, I was an Urban Gardening Enrichment Specialist (such a fancy title for playing with kids in dirt).

In August, I applied to a LOT of jobs, had a few bites but nothing seemed to work out.  I ended up working at the same restaurant I worked at in college but at a different location.

I went to Florida for a few weeks in September for some salt water therapy and to celebrate my Nana's Birthday with family (the first one after her passing in January 2016).

I had the crazy idea of teaching English abroad and started a TEFL course online.  As part of the student teaching for the class, I volunteered at Unity Square in New Brunswick, NJ with their ESL class.

I ended up walking out of the restaurant during server training- that location ended up closing a few months later. Maybe my subconscious somehow knew?

I started teaching again, helping with an EPA grant, at the job I quit to travel, the Greater Newark Conservancy.

I traveled to my family cabin in Nova Scotia, Canada in January with my Dad, to live on the edge as he puts it.

February, I applied to a LOT of jobs.

February is also my birthday month so, Happy 26th Birthday to me!!! Is this real life, am I really 26, first age I feel old. Last year, I experienced my birthday on a plane. This year Danny and I went to a paint night.

I decided to apply to grad school for a Masters in Counseling, Higher Education, and Student Affairs; becoming that person who I needed when I took that leave of absence years ago, from college. Applying to graduate school meant: visiting recommenders, attending open houses, sitting in on classes, writing personal statements, and studying for the GRE’s.

My college roommate came to visit too! Hey, Somyi :)

Some of the jobs I applied to in February stuck, I got a side hustle at an all online job, Pioneer Academics. I facilitate students in China and  the USA working on scholarly research papers with US College Professors. It is a way to get my foot in the door with Higher/International Education.

My Dad had knee replacement surgery and I have been his certified nursing assistant; I am happy to be home to help.

AND I GOT A FULL-TIME JOB this March, well its seasonal, but it feels good to put down roots till Christmas. I got a job at City Green in Clifton, the food journey continues with adults, it starts this upcoming Monday.

I will miss my lazy work for myself days, oh it is beautiful out, let’s go to the beach, park or for a bike ride days, when I am working all day again.

Lord, only knows where I will my next birthday? BUT I am very excited to get paid to play in the dirt for one more growing season in NJ.

And it is finally Spring, yay!

Coming Full Circle

Hello again...it's me

A lot has happened since my last post in April. I bought and sold the car, her name became Olive or Ollie (I do miss her so.)  I road tripped around the whole South Island in that beautiful little car. I made it to the North Island of New Zealand traveling with a hop on/off bus called the Kiwi Experience.

Cape Reinga Top of the North Island New Zealand

According to Maori Legend this is where Souls Depart into the Next World

Nugget Point Basically the Bottom of the South Island New Zealand

And I think I am cutting the trip short, partly due to money, partly because I miss home (it is summer at home and I want to eat BBQ on my back porch in good ole New Jersey), and partly because I want to take on a year long apprenticeship at a farm in Massachusetts. I feel like I am open to life right now and all these wonderufl options/oppportunites lay before (thank you God for allowing me to have choice in this crazy world).

I am sad not to be using my Working Holiday in New Zealand.  BUT I would rather find a sense of community closer to home in Massachusetts rather that on the otherside of the world. Australia and New Zealand are just so FAR from home.

This trip has taught me so much- taught me to be flexible, to be open- to adventure, to meeting to people, to discovering new cultures, and all the money I have spent was worth it because I followed my dream. The trip did not make it all the way around the world but as a friend of mine once said,
"Travel is not finished yet." And travel for me will never be finished, as you travel more, you find even more interesting places you want to travel too. Travel will always be a priority for me, so when I get home I have to decide what trip I want to save up for next. I honestly think I need to see more of the USA. I was thinking of copying the backpacker culture here in the Land Down Under- buy a cheap car, put a bed in the back, and camp my way across America (watch out Yellowstone here I come!)

I've not been everywhere but it is one my list :)

How shall I say this?!

So I have not posted in a while... and I am not apologizing. First, I have met other travelers who have not posted on their blogs in over 6 months (so like 6 weeks does not look soo bad) and second, not posting means I have been having too much fun traveling (which I have). 

Where to begin...

Well one of the most surprising parts of travel for me, has been the ease of meeting people. You can meet people everywhere- at the hostel, on the bus, at the museum at the coffee shop (it helps that people in both Australia and New Zealand are super friendly). Here are a few friends I have met along the way:

Free Punt (I was corrected when I said gondola ride) with my friend Sarah, who I met at the Sustainable Living Festival and who just so happens to work at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Melbourne

My friend Naomi and I enjoying a night on the town in Melbourne

Naomi is from the Netherlands and we met at my first hostel

Meesha from India who just finished her Masters in Chemistry at the University of Melbourne and who I also met at the Sustainable Living Festival

Fun with Friends at White Night in Melbourne 

Some more highlights from Melbourne...

More Art

Modern Depiction of Melbourne

Displayed at National Victoria Museum

Art Museum at Federation Square

More of Federation Square

And Still More...

 

My Favorite Art Piece of the Trip So Far

Bikes on Bikes on Bikes

While I was in Melbourne, it was Chinese New Year.

There were many decorations around the City for the Holiday.

Museums

 

Indoor Rainforest

Interesting Aboriginal Exhibit

Each Peg represents a Different Aboriginal Dialog Saying the Word Welcome

Super Impressive Animals from Every Continent Exhibit

This Picture is for you Danny :P

Look Amethyst, my Birthstone

A Circle of Beetles (for you Shahira)

Gardens

A Huge Magnolia Flower that is Reminiscent
of the Gigantic Magnolia at the Rutgers Gardens

The Tree I Called you from Mom and Dad!

Doesn't it Look Like the Garden is on Fire?

Tiny Tudor Village

This is an Amazing Environmental Center on the outskirts of Melbourne.

I heard about it while volunteering at the Sustainable Living Festival.

It reminded me of of a combination of 

Greater Newark Conservancy's Outdoor Learning Center and Farms

A Border of Bike Spokes, my Type of Farm

And Sunflowers!

If you Look Closely you can see the Pomegranates Growing :)

Olive Trees, makes me nostalgic for Italy,

Outdoor Classroom, with a Board Full of Information about Worms and Composting.

Oh Conservancy How I Miss you in this Moment!

Chickens

 

 

Sea Pickles

The Succulent Volcano

Kapok Tree

I Could Not Resist

An Explorer in her Natural Element

Bamboo Forest, hello Rutgers Gardens again

Rain don't stop me! That's why I brought such a good rain coat (thanks Aunt Kathy!)

Children's Garden, it is Supposed to Feel like you are on the Ocean Floor

More Succulents (one of my favorites, up close and personal)

  Beautiful Circular Rose Garden (above and below)

near the Fitzroy Gardens

The Roses are for you Lola

A Little Fun Leftover from White Night Melbourne,

King Kong Attacking the Council Building

The Beautiful Carlton Gardens Aglow for White Night 

Carlton Gardens During the Day

You Know Everyone Brings their Pet Goat to the Park

Oh, Only in Australia

Beaches

The Many Views of St. Kilda Beach

Obligatory Traveling Solo Feet Picture

Penguin Team ready with their red flashlights 

to help us tourists see some penguins

Who Needs Phillip Island,

Look at that Cute Tiny Penguin

Enjoying the Sunshine with Naomi

Famous Luna Park

Nice Bar with the Coolest Chairs by the Water

Mhmmm Strawberry Lime Cider,

I Will Miss Cider When I am Back in the States

Now Brighton Beach...

Colorful Beach Sheds

 Selfie with the Rainbow One of Course

Australian Flag

Panorama

Starfish

Feet :)

Reminded Me of Maine, Nova Scotia, and Vigo, Spain.

Which Direction Shall you Choose?

I chose East and traveled to another great Australian City- Sydney... I visited with my cousin Kevin and was the first American Maguire cousin to meet his two twin seven year old daughters. I fell in love with his daughters instantly and only wished they lived closer to New Jersey so I could babysit them.

Exploring Sydney

Art

For Megan, what we missed in Buenos Aires

O-bar

I got dressed up in my nicest dress and made my way to the 47th floor of this office building. On that floor was a revolving restaurant, after $30 for an appetizer (most delicious duck rolls ever) and a cider... I got to enjoy the 360 degree view of the city from day into night. Thanks Free Tours of Sydney for the Insiders Tip.

Opera House

One of the seven modern wonders of the world, checked off the bucket list.

Ferries and Harbor

Words can't describe how much I loved the ferries. The wind in my face, I was in heaven. And did you know people commute to work by ferry, too cool.

Beaches and Coast

Sydney, I swear, has the most beautiful coastline

Oh and the sunsets in Sydney were impressive too

The Famous Manly Beach

Preparation for the Surf Competition Taking Place Later that Week

ALL Maguire's Make Drip Castles 

Famous Bondi Beach

My Future House Along the Coast in Sydney

Gardens

And then I took a plane to Middle Earth...aka New Zealand

Queenstown

The Start of my 8-hour Hike...

Made it Up to the Top After Some

Encouragement from a Few German Tourists

Two Thumbs Up!

Sunset Over the Lake in Downtown Queenstown

My Bike Touring Friend from New York City,

Met her at the Top of the Ben Lomond Summit and

We Kept One Another Company on the Long Way Down

WWOOFING-Working for Food and Accommodation

Clinton

Why Yes, I think the Sign Says a Population of 401.

Now I Guess Like 415 With the WWOOFers.

My German weed picking friends

Rainbow Chard

Weeding Can Get a Little Dirty

Our Host/Farmer, Shaun

The Station, Where we Cooked our Meals Together

and I Slept in for the Week

Rugby Game Saturday Night in Dunedin

Rugby is Like a Combination of Soccer, Football, and Cheerleading.

I think it is my New Favorite Sport.

Marching Band

Bacon the Pig

He Ate All of Our Kitchen Scraps

Jersey, the cow

And the Bitch, I can't remember her actually name, that is what Shaun called her

Apple and Rhubarb Crumble made by me

Chloe, the sweetest, most cuddly dog EVER

Pea Picking Squad

Peas for Days

Pea Flower, Beautiful

Campfire One Night, With Marshmellows

What a Tough Life Bacon Leads

Homemade Ricotta Cheese,

Thanks Tessa for Teaching me How to Make it

All the Past WWOOFers Signatures inside The Station

Sunrise (had to get up at 4am) to go to the Dunedin Farmers Market with Shaun

I found my Dad in Dunedin

CREPES

Selling All the Veggies we Weeded and Picked

Last Dinner on the Farm,

Fresh Fish, Farm Fresh Salad, and Homemade Bread

Lumsden

The Second WWOOFing spot turned out not to be a farm but a hotel. It was nice to get a completely opposite experience from Clinton. And of course I got to work in the kitchen,

Outside of Hotel

Wandering Around Town,

Row of Gum aka Eucalyptus Trees

Pizza Dough!!!

Pizza Dough Ready for Orders

Craft Store where I bought string to make bracelets for my cousins 

My Future House

Mina Street Lumsden

Fresh and 

Delicious Pizza

Complete with New Zealand's Best Beer, Tui

The Infamous Compost Bin

Woman Power- Compost is Complete.

Silly Selfies By the River With Celine

The One Thing to do in Lumsden, is going to the River

Diane, a Local Artist's Workshop

She is a Retired College Professor who Spends

Three Monthes Each Year in New Zealand

And Her House and Garden

Oh Celine, remember the Butchers!

Experimenting with Dough, Mini Calzones

Easter Brunch

Half of Everybody

Left to Right: Ivy from China, Celine from France, Hotel Owners Janel and Tim Hanna, Tash the Cook and Nick from Wales

Compost System Set Up in the Kitchen

The Artist with Her Signs

Blurry but had to include it...Check Out the Apple and Pear Crumble

We had Bags and Bags of Fruit and Needed to Put it to Good Use

Now working on a different type of Visa, so I will be able to stay in New Zealand longer and work- maybe working on some New Zealand vineyards is in my future.

Oh and did I mention I bought a car!!!

Please meet Atakan Wanaka Maguire

Goodbye for Now, Will Post Again Next Month!!!