"So, Why Are You Back?"

So, if you’ll recall, I chose to delay writing my official farewell to Sydney until I arrived in New Zealand and had a chance to reflect. As it turns out, it became quite clear not long after I arrived in Wellington that my farewell might not be permanent. Due to circumstances beyond my control, having to do with the New Zealand government’s stricter visa laws and the conservation biology program’s field trips, I was unable to enroll in the second half of my course. It was a frustrating and upsetting realization. But, in the end, I had to remind myself (and all my concerned loved ones) that I’ve always been aiming higher and I came to Australia/New Zealand for the experience, not the degree.

After much debate, questions asked and answered, job searches, and even an excel spreadsheet of options, I decided to return to Sydney. I felt like it had more opportunities for me and a network of amazing friends that I knew I could count on while figuring out what to do. And figuring is definitely what I'm doing. My schedule for the next few months is entirely up in the air. I am waiting to hear back from several PhD programs and, depending on the outcomes, I may travel to Swaziland in May. I am looking into conservation work all over the world (from Samoa to Nicaragua to Croatia) and keeping an eye out for something amazing. In the meantime, I’m enjoying Sydney and looking to grow an experience as much as possible. I’d like to learn to play an instrument and take surfing lessons. I want to read a book a week and volunteer with refugees. I hope to improve my (nonexistent) archery skills and run a half marathon. I am still wildly invigorated by the possibilities in my life and am moving forward with the unbridled optimism I am known for.

And now, since I just spent the last month there, a photographic ode to Wellington.




One of the coolest things about New Zealand is what seems to be a concerted effort to incorporate Maori tradition into mainstream culture. This is from the museum in Wellington.




Wellington is full of beautiful coastlines




Wellington is famous for being home to some of the many filimg sites for Lord of the Rings. It's also home of the production studio. One of many relics from the films.




A duck swimming through an algal bloom in Wellington's Karori Sanctuary



The view of Wellington Harbor from atop Mount Victoria (another site of many scenes from LOTR).