Taupo!

Hey there. i am totally relaxed! do you wanna know why? it's because we took advantage of Taupo's famous hot springs. we went in those warm waters for around two hours. julie and i were with an english girl who was super nice. we had a great time. we met an older man in the pool from england also who has transplanted to NZ. come to find out his daugher died two years ago. i asked why and he said from a brain tumor. wow. i knew there was purpose to talking to him. well, we had a great time in the pools just all four of us talking. then, we needed a ride back into town to our hostels. well, we hitch hiked. :) trust me, it was totally safe. we just stood in the parking lot and looked for cars exiting. the problem was that it was so cold and there weren't any cars leaving. finally, i saw a minivan with a motherly looking woman in the front seat and two small children in the back. i asked her if she would mind taking the three of us girls down into town. it was so close. she was so sweet and told us to hop in. i absolutely loved talking to her six year old daughter in the back. she had the sweetest new zealand accent. everything about this child was precious! i'm so glad i'm going to be working with kids. oh, the girl from england we were with is actually a pediatric nurse there. she is 28 years old. so, after the ride back, we walked to the grocery store and cooked a meal. it's been a relaxed evening.


let me back up to earlier today. the busdriver for kiwi experience named jason took julie and me to the hostel where we chose to stay. first, he stopped by a hill overlooking the lake and asked me if i wanted to go bungy jumping. i know, mom, you asked me not to go. for some silly reason, it seemed so safe when he asked. so i said sure, why not. i'll try it. well, don't panic yet, b/c i didn't go. i actually found out good stuff. i went inside and julie pointed out the sign of who cannot bungy jump for medical reasons. would you believe that i qualified for three things on the list! so, i feel better now. at least i know i am willing to try to live life to its fullest. i will stop short of medical risks, though. pooh! i was sad. i know there's good reason, though. mom, you totally researched that one well! i know you googled that one. you are right, as usual.

the question i'm researching thoroughly now is can i go sky diving??? seriously, i put my name on a list and called the company today. they said if the weather is okay, i should be able to go. i'm going to talk to the safety instructor tomorrow a.m. first. i would have to go at 7a.m.! what a rude awakening. that would be a morning i would never forget! how fun! we'll see. at least you know that it is in me to totally try for it.
i'll talk to you later! i'm so pumped to see you guys soon! it was awesome at dinner tonight. a friend of ours from NZ got really excited when julie told him we're going to be doctors in 13 days! his excitement just made it that much more real to me. it's unbelievable!