Farewell

This will be my last post on kiwi-kathi from New Zealand. The next update might come from Australia, or maybe from back in Germany, before I will then open my new chapter, starting in August in Vancouver. I've thought about it for quite a while, and if someone had asked me a few weeks ago what I might write, the following probably would have been my reply:

Dear Wellington,

please sit down, we need to talk.
I've had a great time with you in the past 2.5 years, with all the ups and downs. However, it is now time for me to move on. But please keep in mind, it's not you - it's me! Also, there's someone else in my life: Vancouver. We only met briefly a few months ago, and please believe me when I tell you that nothing happened back then. Yet I think Vancouver and I might have a thing, so I really need to give it a try. I appreciate what the two of us had, and I hope that we can still be friends. Maybe we'll meet again at some point in the future!
All the best, yours,

Kathi

But the way things always are, in your head and far away from actual actions everything is different, easier. Now, that it's finally the time, I'm not even close to being ready to move on. The past weeks have been super intense in every aspect. Hanging out with all the people here that I love and enjoying my favourite spots in Wellington was simply amazing. Now my life is packed into boxes again. The really important part, however, is a huge collection of awesome memories, fantastic friends, life changing experiences and the certainty that I wouldn't hesitate a single second if I had to make this decision to come here again.
With all this in my mind, here are my actual final words for Wellington:

Dear Wellington,

I committed to you without ever having met you. Yet, that first glance I got at you - from the plane descending down on a warm summer morning in February 2009 - meant love at first sight. I believe we got to know each other quite well over the years, and I'm incredibly sad that I have to leave you now. The other night I was headed home and walked down the hills, getting a good look at you in the moonlight:

small, but with a big heart;
strong and independent;
fascinating and incredibly beautiful;

creative and unique;
finally, most important of all, home.

I will dearly miss you and everything that makes you the coolest little capital in the world. I simply have to come back at some point. Until then, stay the way you are, so long and thanks for everything.
Yours,

Kathi

- sacre coeur -

The final countdown

Here we go, it's my last week in Wellington. This time next week I will be sitting in Melbourne, getting ready for my big Aussie adventure.
How do I feel about this? Well, I'm in a weird head space, that's for sure. I managed to keep myself busy the entire weekend, so for most of it I was feeling fine. After dinner and movie with Aiko on Friday; packing, painting, dinner and movie with Martin on Saturday, Yum Cha with Aiko, Rich and the SAGE crew on Sunday, Martin, Markus and I finally managed to do our long planned sauna trip. Although it definitely wasn't European standard and we had to get used to the slightly more prude Kiwi approach to sauna, it came as close to a Finnish Sauna experience as you can get in Kiwiland. Walking out of it and heading up the hill to Andrew's for dinner I should have been relaxed and at peace - but instead I started to have this weird, diffuse bad feeling. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Usually when that happens I try to find out where it comes from, and within minutes I can go back to being happy. But not this time. What finally made me feel way better was finding a huge spider while walking to Andrew's. Seriously, a huge spider made me feel better? As I got confirmed by Andrew soon, definitely not a sign of sanity... But then again, life would be pretty boring if everyone was sane, so who cares.
The next few days will be pretty intense. Heaps of catching up, lunch, coffee, dinner dates lined up. Also my last chance to satisfy my addiction - I will have to be without my beloved gym exercise until I start at a new gym in September! Sad times indeed.
On the other hand I'm getting more excited about Oz, now that the trip is slowly turning from an abstract idea into a real plan. I hope to get some good fun, sun and warmth, awesome scenery and cool cities, time for myself to think back about my life in Kiwiland and my upcoming, new chapter in Canada.
That's me for now, will have another update before I leave.

Appeal

Seriously, guys. Stop being cowards! This sounds harsh, but it's actually true. Many people these days are simply gutless, and I am sick of it. You might be wondering, what is this all about? Let me tell you. We're not talking about jumping off cliffs or out of airplanes (although I can highly recommend particularly the latter). No, we're talking about everyday things, things that you and I have to do; things that have to be said, dealt with, problems that have to be solved. I find it surprising and sad, how many people simply avoid these tasks. I'm not a saint myself, that's for sure, but I want to believe that at least I am trying. Avoiding doesn't make things better - never! On different occasions in the recent past I've had to realise how hard - basically impossible - it is for most people to simply face what has to be done (Yet: I do want to mention that I've witnessed the opposite end of the spectrum too - just not that often...). Instead everyone just runs away. So please, listen to me, think about it and maybe reconsider your actions - or the lack of action! It may be inconvenient, it may hurt someone in that very moment, it may be painful for yourself, but on the long run it's for the better. I believe that so much could be improved if communication between people was improved. Not just communication in general, but between the very people affected. It's nice telling your friends about what's going on, but even the best friend might get sick of constant whining without actual action. More important, the people concerned by whatever it is need to know if things are supposed to change. If a problem needs solving: do it, things don't usually fix themselves! If some serious conversation has to be done: don't postpone it, do it now! If you feel in a certain way, good or bad: tell whoever it is! Procrastination at work/uni might be successful - procrastination in life won't be.
Apologies for the rant, but I urgently needed to spit this one out.
Accompanied by: Thirteen Senses - Call someone -

Party and more

My last day in NZ is approaching fast, so this weekend it was time for my combined birthday/farewell party. The theme "red socks/stockings" was a huge success, and (hopefully) everyone had a great time celebrating. (Even though Karsten, Aiko and I showed up slightly late - for our own party, yep, doesn't get any better...)
Sunday was mainly for recovery purposes, including ice cream, some great movies and going out for pizza. Now I'm putting all my efforts into making the most of those last days here, now in two weeks I will be hanging out in Melbourne, getting ready for my 1-month Aussie adventure. I still have 17 days from mid June to early July unplanned in Oz - any suggestions for things to do, see, enjoy are much appreciated!
Below something I put together really quickly last week in one of the very few quiet moments I have these days.

- Heatstroke -

Lazy Saturday 2

- smoke on my lips -

- Studie: move -

Lazy Saturday

playing with light effects, digital and with acrylic.

- move -

- friend and enemy-

PS: I had a great week with my 3rd and for now last Kiwi-birthday! Thanks to everyone for good times!

A beautiful morning in Wellington

Wellington surprised us this morning with a fantastic "after-the-storm"-atmosphere. With some fog still hanging between the hills and the trees dripping wet from last night's rain the sun made its way through the steaming streets, creating amazing light patterns and a beautiful rainbow. This must be the day to put up a piece from last week, "Winter in Kabul - After the Storm". Of course accompanied by: Mumford and Sons - After the storm.