From New Zealand

Hello.

It has been one month since I have arrived on the South Island of NZ. I have been staying in a small town called Oxford which is about a 45 minute drive outside of Christchurch. It is a small town. There is a main st., a butcher, a dairy, one super market, a handful of homes, a church or two and good number of farms. There is maybe a couple thousand people in Oxford and quite possibly tens of thousands of sheep. It's difficult to find a view without mountains towering in the background. Some lush and green and some snowcapped rock. A river runs along the side of town. Oxford seems to be the safest place in the world.

During the week I am subjected to very lengthy, and sometimes quite dull lectures given by some of the sharpest, most interesting people I've ever met. Conflicting, maybe but there is alot to be learned from the lives of others. There is also work to be done, dishes to be washed, lawns to mow and clothes to be washed. I am living on a base with around 30 people. Many are from America but, Holland, Germany, Finland, South Korea and Canada are represented here. Not to mention the Kiwis.

The weekends have been spent bouldering in Castle Hill, kayaking in Akaroa, playing with seals in Kaikura, confronting the icy cold water of the South Pacific ocean on body boards and climbing through the mountains. Every friday night is spent in the city of Christchurch. When I'm not exploring the familiar yet intriguing culture of the city I go to the skate park.

I miss my family, girlfriend, friends, sweet tea and sour patch kids the most. But I am very happy here. Everyday is a new adventure. Please keep me in your prayers. I'll keep you posted.

Love Adam