The inspiration for this week’s post comes from a super vague reference to a New Girl episode. Don’t worry, I understand if you didn’t pick up on that. For those who aren’t familiar—I’m looking at you over 60 crowd (hey parents!)—New Girl is a wonderful feel-good modern sitcom about a group of friends living in LA dealing with life’s and each other’s antics. It’s one of the only shows I laugh out loud at (Psych is the other one), and it features a fantastic story of best friends Nick and Jess realizing they’re in love with each other (my personal favorite type of love story). Anyway, Nick is a shaggy, kind-hearted bloke who isn’t always the best at execution but wins you over anyway. Along with almost finishing law school and becoming a bartender instead, he also writes a novel in his free time. After years spent working on this book, Nick finally gets it done and gives it to his best friend Schmidt to read. Anxiously awaiting feedback, Nick finally receives the verdict from Schmidt: “No notes.” The detective? Zombie? I don’t really remember? book is so good that Schmidt has no negative feedback. No notes.

This week, as I was biking next to a gorgeous lake after a few days of connecting with random friends, I kept thinking, “no notes”… which is pretty frickin sweet.

Of course, nothing can be perfect, and sometimes it’s nice to take note of the superficial niggles (I picked up that word here) just for the sake of noticing the small scale at which those worries exist. So here are 2 of my notes:

1. Things keep breaking. One morning I woke up to a totally flat sleeping pad and a car door that wouldn’t open (and then wouldn’t close). Then, as always, I’m stressed about something being wrong with my bike. Not that entertaining… it’s just annoying to have everything a little bit broken.
2. The birds swoop! I’ve found out (the hard way) that when you bike through Magpie breeding areas here, they feel threatened and swoop you until you exit the area. They’re just doing their familial job, I get it. But, it’s also terrifying. You’re biking along and then you get dive-bombed and pinged on the helmet by this bird. Not just once. Like 6 or 7 times. And, if it’s sunny, you can literally see the shadow of the bird as it’s circling and then descending upon you while also hearing the whoosh of its wings. It’s like the physical manifestation of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Meanwhile you’re peddling fast as hell to get outta there. Yeah, I’m giving NZ some feedback on that one.

Of course, there’s the biggest note of all on this past week… the elephant in the room (G.O.P. pun intended). I don’t think this is the space for me to opine about American politics or society, but it can’t go unaddressed. I will say that I’m extremely thankful for all the people that contribute to causes—however big or small—that make this world a safer, more accepting, and more just place. This time makes me think especially hard about how I want to direct my life after this NZ stint is over, and I’m both excited and determined to find a path that feels important. Your life is ultimately a series of small decisions of how you spend your time. Although I don’t think all of those decisions can (or should) be working towards a purpose, the thoughtful intention behind those choices adds up. I want to feel proud of what mine add up to.

Now, to share some bright spots with all of you and hopefully bring some light to your day. Let’s seeeee….. I’m currently sitting at a cafe in Wānaka with a new friend after getting a flat white and a date scone (what else, am I right). I just viewed some super weird houses, so hopefully dodging some bullets there. Ah now I’m just rambling.

Since we last chatted, I went on a silly ski adventure that will likely be the last of the season. Ended up boot packing up the ridge in an unexpectedly intense way (don’t worry @family I made safe decisions), but it felt nice to hit the adventure side of life. Mm then I went on the most beautiful one night bike trip in which I wanted only pleasure and no Suffer-fest. I succeeded! Met the most dirtbag of dirtbags… funny guy. I had an utterly fantastic roll of ciabatta on that bike trip, as well. I then made my way back to Wānaka, worked on some last minute alterations to my bike, and attended a social climbing night!

Hopefully, by the next time we connect (I like how I’m really acting like we’re just in conversation at this point) I will officially have a job nailed down, a house settled, and be on my bike! At the moment, everything is almost solidified but not quite, so I’m eager to feel secure in all of that. On Monday, I’m heading up to start biking at the Northern tip of the South Island and continue South until I hit the end or my employer says I must begin work. I’m very excited to spend many nights in a tent, get into a daily rhythm, and have lots of time to think. I’ll get back to you when it’s pouring rain and my body hurts. For now, though, I’m feeling psyched.

Well, much love to all of you. I’m just a WhatsApp phone call or text away, so please reach out if it would make you happy!

Yours truly,

Jaquelin