There’s not a lot to do here in Rotorua when I’m not working or riding, so my main focus this week has been finding ways to fill my days with engaging activities. Without much of a social scene yet, I’ve been going to bed around 10pm after post-dinner TV entertainment with Mike and Kath. All the time I spend sleeping reduces the number of wakeful hours to fill with activity, and I’m better rested for whatever I choose to do during the day. What a concept! If only I had known this during high school.
The best strategy for not getting bored and then stressed is taking away the pressure to be achieving 24/7. Mike and Kath have a quote by Abe Lincoln on their fridge:
do not worry;
eat three square meals a day;
exercise; go slow and easy.
maybe there are other things your special case requires to make you happy;
but these, i reckon, will give you a good lift!
I’ve really taken this advice to heart, especially the part about going slow and easy. All I have is time, so why rush? I know I need to DO things to stay sane, but there’s no reason my day needs a hardened schedule to keep me on track. I’m learning how to be OK with just hanging around when there’s slack time.
Food has become a means for keeping myself engaged. Kath and Mike are very well informed eaters, and their diet has inspired me to reevaluate my own. The process of planning meals, buying ingredients, and cooking them is a healthy way to use time. Also, the house I’m staying at has a shelf full of books with the most up to date information on nutrition, so I’ve learned to escape to reading when there’s nothing else going on. I’ve barely eaten any carbs over the past few days and I’m finding I don’t have to battle hunger between meals.
Saturday I went for a solo ride but was feeling super out of it. I rode two new trails called Hot X Buns and Tumeke. My trail-reading was whacked out and my bike felt foreign underneath me. Sometimes it’s like that. I made friends with another 18 year old on the ride up who happens to be an incredible rider and Transition Bikes ambassador. It’s refreshing when you meet a good rider (especially young ones) who don’t have the ego to match.
Sunday was slaughter at the cafe. It was raining, meaning it was busier than normal, and there it was a nonstop scramble to keep up with the flow of dishes I had to clear, wash, and serve. My FAMB (feta, avocado, mushroom, bacon) lunch was well deserved after that shift.
Monday I took the opportunity to explore some local hot springs at Kerosene Creek. It was raining, but it didn’t matter. The creek flows down the rocks and there are plenty of natural pools to wade around in. The water was the perfect temperature. I should mention it was my first experience with hot springs. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture, so here’s a stolen image to save some work for your imagination.
I worked another shift from 8:30 to 2:30 today, but it was much more relaxed. Even fun.
In other news, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Rotorua tomorrow. It’s the only place on the North Island where the public will be able to view their procession, and the place will be jammed. The community is bracing for their visit, and understandably it’s the talk of the town. In my opinion, who cares. I certainly would not want to live a life so public each moment of every day is planned out for me and broadcast to the world. I guess someones gotta do it.
Finally, as per suggestion of my sister, Annie, I picked up a harmonica today. What better way to pass the time than learn something new? I was pretty limited in my options for an instrument due to space constraints, but I chose the harmonica over the ukulele to honor my family’s bluegrass roots. There’s a music store going out of business between the bike shop and Zippy’s (which are already only a few stores apart on the same street), so I was able to pick up a basic harmonica for 20 bucks. The owner gave me a harmonica in the e key when I told him I’d be mouthing along to my favorite bluegrass jams in the van.
Peace.
My adventure in New Zealand 