Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! I figured it was about time to post up, share the love and let y'all know what's been going on down on the other side of the world. I will say again, having x-mas in mid summer is still a bit odd for me. It is not as bad as my x-mas in Los Angeles (lights on palm trees etc.), but it is still odd. The BIG downer is that EVERYONE is doing family stuff... and that is pretty hard for me.
As of the Friday, december 21st, the tree company shut down until the 14th of January... which meant I was once again able to plan a good x-mas holiday. This year I was fortunate enough to be asked along to a friends house, Craig Martin (the manager of the local climbing shop), who invited a few of us local "ex-pats" around for a feed. First thing x-mas morning, one of the ex-pats and I went for a climb (as that it was neither the dead of winter nor did we have anyone to open presents to open). After that we drove to Craig's place to have a proper x-mas lunch with his whole family (mum, dad, wife and his daughter). After a great feed, we were sitting around feeling lazy (as you do), so I reminded Craig that he had mentioned seeing a cliff somewhere around his neighborhood a few years back. This perked up the ears of all the climbers in the room (Craig included), so we decided to pile into the car and go for a drive. 6 minutes down the road we were all astounded to see a 100 foot tall cliff in a grassy paddok, a mere 2 minute walk from the road!
As one could easily assume, with a crew of 1st ascent hungry climbers, we quickly piled OUT of the car and crashed out to the base of the cliff. Talk about a COOL x-mas present!!! It was tall, long, mostly clean and full of potential for both bolted lines AND a few sweet trad lines. Although we had not gotten permission to be there, we had a bit of a play on a few of the cleaner lines (bad on us for technically trespassing), but decided not to push our luck and sadly left with no 1st ascents..... but access has since been sorted out and we will soon be returning to take full advantage of all of its loveliness. The day after Christmas was spent climbing on developed routes all day.... not a bad start for my 3 week vacation!
So besides the past few days exitement... all's been mostly quite in good ol' New Zealand. The new job is working out great, the flat is still ok and I'm meating new people practically every day. I've (almost) stopped looking for rocks completely, as that I've got to many projects to work on already! I'm still single and still not complaining about it (too much!). I STILL miss everyone back home (especially this time of the year).... but as per usual.... July isn't TOO far away!
Luvs to everyone.

All's well in Taupo.
The job is going a lot smoother these days. They have conceded to the fact that I really do know what I'm doing. I got a raise after 2 weeks and am now making just shy of what I was in Palmy. Considering the money I'm saving in petrol to drive up to Taupo from Palmy every other week.... it all works out. We've been doing a few cool jobs, including the removal of 5 MASSIVE pine trees. The tallest of the lot was easily 150 feet tall! The crew is a bit green, but fast learners and everyone is fun (most of the time) to work with.
The rock climbing scene is also going quite well. I have a great crew in town, who are all keen as mustard to get out and develop stuff. We have "discovered" or RE discovered 7 areas in the past few weeks and are currently heavily stuck in to 1 crag in particular. It is located on Mangamingi road and it is HARD climbing. We have affectionately dubbed it "Man Crag!" The 200 bolts we were originally given are running dangerously low and sadly we will have to pay from here on in, but at least the store will be supplying us with them at cost.
Besides that.... I'm pretty much just plodding along. I've spent WAY too much money at the local Tex-Mex joint in town (yes, there is a Tex-Mex in Taupo of all places), but how can you blam me?!? I spent 2 years in Palmerston North, where "hot" was strictly outlawed and the concept of "Mexican" brought fears of little gun toating men with guns and donkeys! Ah well, I'm obviously in the right spot...... for now!
Luvs you all and hope you are enjoying life. Get out and do something FUN!!!!!