Wow, another blog ! Well, yeah…. Just to write down some last things of 2008, and first things of 2009.... Happy New Year to all, hope it's gonna be a great year for everybody. New year, new chances, new adventures, new good times !

In Picton again....and although New Year's eve started off with rain it cleared and we could enjoy the live band at the beach. Smuggled some alcohol in (beerbottles are very easy to hide in a sleeve...haha). And the first song in 2009 was Viva la Vida from Coldplay...and Vivaldi during fireworks. Cool as ! And thanks for the phonecalls, messages and emails around midnight, loved it ! Wanted to see the first sunrise, but went to bed at 2.30 am, to wake up a quarter to six. Went outside, but realised a sunrise is hard to see if behind mountains and clouds. Chilled out on a very warm and sunny 1st of January. Drizzling now though....

Hopped on a bus in Christchurch bout a week ago...Ricky's bus, which was quite funny because we met him in Abel Tasman as well, he was one day behind us. Just about 6 people in the bus to Kaikoura, and after enjoying real summer weather at the beach we went out for a couple of beers. Mmm, and quite a lot of beers...maybe a bit too many..... Still wondering if Ricky called Karlyn the next day, coz he said he was going to..... grinz. Well, Karlyn didn't mention it anyway. Ow, daar kreeg ik vanmorgen heel vroeg een smsje van dat zijn Nieuwjaar niet zo goed begonnen was. Muiterij in zijn bus, hij werd gister wakker (was blijkbaar stoned naar bed gegaan…what else is new haha) en er bleek een andere chauffeur voor zijn bus geregeld te zijn, omdat zijn passagiers niet wilde dat hij nog reed. Dus hij is 1 dag vooruit geschoven, en het is ff de vraag of ie nog naar het Zuidereiland komt…of dat ie nu echt ontslagen gaat worden. Poor guy…..

Spent one more day in Kaikoura, was thinking about surfing...but was not really feeling like that...little bit hungover I guess. So just chilled. Ow, and downloaded heaps of jobads, so I can write new application letters again. New year, new chances. Socail work jobs, and receptionist jobs at hostels...I'm gonna try anything as long as I think I'll enjoy the job. Noticed I couldn't stop thinking about what to do when not finding a job and having to go home in June...not good. Coz I still have 5 more months..and shoulnd'think about that yet, but the thought of not working for another 5 months scares me. And I should put all my energy in finding that job that's waiting for me in NZ ! And make the best of the time here anyway, because I'm not really enjoying it everyday. I do still enjoy stunning views, but I'm so fed up with gettin'bored in hostels. Really miss doing my thing, doing something that gives me energy and confidence. Just want to BE instead of being busy with "trying to become someone". I already AM, and that's all good !!!! I know....but hey, sometimes life just does funny tricks aye. I realize that just being in NZ is not going to make me happy.....doing something I'm good at and gives me energy will make me happy. (By the way, trying to learn Maori, found a coursebook...)Would be really cool if that's going to be in NZ. Would be so cool to have some kind of base, and build up some kind of social life. I want to do so many things that I can't do right now. I'm just feeling a bit empty.

Really nice to hear from the peops at home though ! And I'm definitely ready for all the new challenges and opportunities that this year will bring ! Like the Foo Fighters sing: "These times wil make you learn to live again, these times will make you learn to love again". And it's true, being alone on the other side of the world makes me realize what I need to feel good about myself. And what makes me happy. So my goal for 2009 is going to be: BE ME, BE TRUE TO MYSELF ! Coz that should be good enough, and if I stay true to myself I'll find the right things. Be it a job, a place to live, people....

Wish that to all of you as well. Will keep u updated what's next, will go South again if my favourite Kiwi is still on the job. Otherwise I might take the ferry North instead (keep the South for more quiet times) and start volunteering at Camp Kaitoke soon, so I can help them out with their summer camps. And I've got the feeling that job will get to me very soon !!!!!

Loads of love and hugs !!!!Marlikiwi