Why am I in New Zealand?

WHY:

4 years ago today, I was traveling around New Zealand because it was my dream destination. I had been studying for 6 months in Fiji and had a month between my flight back tot he US and my last final. With $2800 left in my US bank account, I debated if I should either go home and have money or if I should go travel to Australia and New Zealand and spend it all. I chose to spend it all because who knows when I will be able to return? I spent $1200 on 7 plane tickets connecting Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. This left me with $1600 to spend for the month of travels between New Zealand and Australia. So I decided I had $800 for each location and when I ran out of money, if I did, I had to improvise and make it work. So I did, I made it work. I ran out of money in Australia and spent a night in a friends car while they slept at the hostel, then I found somebody to hitchhike with from Byron Bay to Sydney and it worked, I didn't overspend and I did what I had too on the budget I had. #travelbug

When I arrived in New Zealand, it was exactly as I pictured it, a dream come true. I knew as soon as I arrived that I must return here and I hoped I could bring my boyfriend at the time with me. This place is amazing and it's too good, too amazing to not share with someone unless you have too, in which case, it's still absolutely amazing by yourself. I was with that boyfriend for over six years and had every intention of dragging him back to NZ with me, but things didn't work out and we broke up. Two weeks later, I bought a plane ticket back to NZ and 6 weeks after that, I have arrived in New Zealand. I am exactly where I need to be. 

After turning 18, I managed to start transforming into what society calls "an adult." Throughout that transformation, I graduated college, got a grown up job in marketing and public relations for a ski resort, and got in a serious relationship. After almost 3 years in my "grown up job," I chose to leave. I absolutely loved my job, but the cons were outweighing the pros after that long and I left. I bought a house with my boyfriend at the time and still needed to work to pay the bills, so I started working at a coffee shop, teaching dance, and donating plasma throughout the spring, summer and fall. As soon as fall came, things started to fall, and my relationship ended and I moved back in with my mom (thanks mom) Everything I had been investing my life in over the past couple years seemed to fall apart this year. So, 2014, you suck! #suckadick2014 #shithappens

A LITTLE DRAMATIC

Okay, I don't really hate you 2014, you don't suck, but you sure threw some daggers at my soul and I'm just glad I have been able to dodge them (a little). Plus, I'm in NZ meow and it's still 2014... so you're okay.. I guess. I miss my cat -- shout out to Ziggy Zigmond Zigmeister (the best cat in the world). #catmom

HERE AND NOW: 

Some people say the best way to heal a broken heart is chocolate and ice cream, but I disagree, the best way to heal from a break up is to go to one of your favorite places in the world (and then die and come back to life #dramatic). For me, that is Lake Tekapo in December. The flowers are blooming, the water is as blue as the sky and the water is ice cold (it's glacial). It's the perfect place to do a polar dip, lay in the sun, cleanse your soul and run through the wild flowers. It was the perfect place for me to gain clarity and satisfy this travel bug thats been trapped in me the past couple years. #feelingcleansed

Coming to New Zealand has a series of meanings. It's about starting over, finding myself again, doing what makes me happy, doing what scares me, learning about new cultures, embracing other cultures, and living life to the fullest. I didn't plan this out, I didn't save money for this because I didn't know it was coming. I didn't know I would be back here in 2014, but I am and I'm happy about that. 

Some people ask me how I was able to afford doing this, as well as past travels. The truth, I wasn't able to afford this, I just bought a plane ticket and started selling as many big materialistic things as I could before I moved here. I said goodbye to my car (The Ice Box, also known as The Foxy Boxy #scionxb), my pole (Lola), and my X-Stage (Plumeria). It was sad for me to sell all those things, but they were just materials. Although materialistic things can be nice sometimes, they don't matter, life experiences matter. I have no regrets and I am happy to be here. It was unexpected, but what a beautiful thing to be out here in New Zealand. I love this place. 

Every day I try to do something that scares me. 

Every day I try to do something that makes me happy.

Every day I do my best.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

New Zealand

I am here.. 

in Lake Tekapo...

 New Zealand

 and it makes me happy...

Update coming...

xoxoxoxo

Hawaii. I got Leid.

Nov. 27th - Got leid in Hawaii?

I arrived in Hawaii and shortly after got lied by my bestie Lizzy with a beautiful purple floral lei. I don't know about you, but getting a beautiful plumeria lei when entering Hawaii is pretty awesome! Thanks for the wonderful welcome Lizzy!

November 28th - Wake up! Wake up!

Slept in, we were so tired. After this we went to the each and relaxed. we did a hike on the west side of the island to a cave that had a spectacular view! We limbed a bit further than necessary and got altitude lost but it was well worth the trip! My water bottle fell twice on the way down and, well, so did I. 

Later, Lizzy introduced me to San Lorenzo bikini in Waikiki and.... I'm obsessed. Bonus factor of the day, it was Black Friday so the store was having a big sale #winning. We walked along Waikiki, watched the sunset and snagged a table at dukes for dinner and birthday hula pie. Have you ever tried hula pie? It is only one of the most delicious desserts on the island. Oreo crust, ice cream, hot fudge, macadamia nuts... Need I say more. YUM!

 

November 29th - Mermaids diving the deep blue

Today is our dive day, we booked a trip with Hawaiian diving tours and did two dives. Our first one was a wreck dive and it was magical. I Saw a turtle that was my height withy mega huge shell (holy moly) that was neat. There was also a white tip reef shark and 3 spotted eagle rays that came by there k. At 110 feet, I would say this dive was pretty wonderful. We laid on the beach and relaxed after before grabbing a bite to eat at this cool breakfast joint in Waikiki and then headed over to Pearl Harbor. 

What to say about pearl harbor other than wow, if you are in Honolulu, you should stop by and see it. Wow!

Later that night Lizzy and I went to the Top of Waikiki for drinks. It had a beautiful view and happy hour is a must! We went out to some clubs with a group of friends... And the next day I woke up with bite mark bruises on my shoulder. So I suppose it was a good night.....

November 30th - Sunday Bumday
Today we woke up a wee bit later after having a late night or early morning down in Waikiki. We decided to drive to the North Shore, but first, pineapple. We stopped at the dole plantation and rode the train, soaked in the sun and wind and then ate pineapple ice cream (Delicious, by the way). Then we proceeded to drive to the north shore and lizzy crashed for a nap. I attempted, but then suddenly, I started taking creeper photos of lizzy sleeping and of the scenery and then I slipped on my mask and snorkel and scooted over to the fishies in the deep blue. I love the ocean. It soothes my soul.
Later, Lizzy and I went to another beach and watched the sunset and it was worth it, so beautiful and a different kind of sunset than the one we had seen at Waikiki the night before. Love Hawaii, love the ocean and love being with great company.

December 1st - Catch up Day
Today Lizzy had to work and it reminded me that I am moving to New Zealand in 2 days. Oh Shiiiiiiiii. So I had to get my visa paperwork in tact, find a hostel to stay at, etc etc etc. I then walked down to the Honolulu Zoo, talked to the animals and then ended at the beach of Waikiki and snorkeled some more. I randomly got asked to join a little surf boat thing, so I did that and surfed some waves as well, fun stuff.
After Lizzy got off work we went and hiked to a Lighthouse on the East Shore as the sun was setting. We seemed to have good timing with everything, because that sunset was also remarkable!

December 2nd - Downtown Honolulu and Waterfall Madness
Today Lizzy worked and I explored downtown a wee bit. I started by going to the Iolani Palace and walked around the outskirts of it taking photos. Then I decided I was going to go back to Waikiki to relax on the beach before doing a waterfall tour. After a long walk and then deciding to get a ride from the app lyft, I finally made it to Waikiki. I rented a surfboard, layed on the surfboard for an hour, catching no waves (I don't know how to surf, but I tried), then I went to catch my tour.
Manoa Falls was a little slice of heaven and the hike up to it was magical. I encountered a bamboo forest, which in my eyes, is a forest full of poles #poledancerheaven. When I got up to the waterfall, I soaked my soul under the waterfall and spent time pondering what I was about to do the next day (move to New Zealand). Manoa falls was so peaceful and I absolutely loved it.
Later that night, Lizzy and I went to this sweet cafe -- you grab ingredients and cook soup in front of you. It was delicious, and definitely worth trying out. Yummy Yum Yum. 

 

December 3rd - Off to New Zealand #brookeinwanderland

Life got crazy and

Well, the past couple months have been weird...Life got crazy and I'm leaving on a jet plane... don't know when I'll be back again. It's time too heal.

That being said, I am selling some most of my big belongings and moving to New Zealand, but first I must stop in Hawaii to visit my best Friend.

I leave for Hawaii on my birthday November 27th, 2014.

I leave for New Zealand December 3rd, 2014. 

Pole Fall Photoshoot

Explore Utah -- All 5 National Parks!

Growing up in Utah can be interesting and wonderful. I have never been to all 5 National Parks and when my friend (roommate in Fiji- from Canada) Cindy came to visit, we saw and hiked in all 5 National Parks.

Zion National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Capital Reef National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Arches National Park

Bam.

Such a great trip with a great friend. We accomplished a ton while she was here and we spent the night in my car and in my tent. One night, a mouse even joined us in the car... and we got no sleep cause the mouse crawled on both of our heads and wouldn't leave. That was a long night, but we got to catch the sunrise over Canyonlands and that was... wait for it.... Legend...Ary!

Pole Expo

Pole Expo in Vegas for the second time was spectacular. I had a great time with my Kairos Family.... and... I got to meet my pole crush - Carlos.

Also Known as Carlie Hunter :)

 She taught me this cool move.. I forget what she called it, but I call it a starrrrrr fish.... cause baby.. 

I'm a star