Bittersweet as...

Hello! Life back in California is... strange? I haven't exactly found an appropriate way to describe it to myself or anyone. People have changed, all in good ways though I'd have to say. The way they should in six months or so. Besides people, not much is different. Everything here is so distant and separated from my time in NZ, it feels possible that all my time spent there could have been a dream. Thankfully it wasn't. Here are some pictures from my last road trip around New Zealand with my family in the beginning of July, the dead of winter.

Lake Rotoiti - Nelson Lakes National Park

The Southern Alps - Driving between Haast and Wanaka

Lake Manapouri - On our way to Doubtful Sound

Happy lad returning from Doubtful Sound!

Just a little reminder, for myself as much anyone else, these places are real. The pictures do nothing justice. The beauty felt while at these places was overwhelming to say the least. Now I'm left in constant pursuit to find equaled beauty, but not through nature. These types of landscapes are not always available. I'm left to create a rivaling beauty where I'm at now, possible only through searching for the truth in everything and not settling, striving for purposeful and difficult conversations amongst friends, observing and enjoying the intricacies of people and relationships and the interactions that take place within, attempting to live every moment and situation to the utmost, and finally, since all the rest of these are pretty romantic sounding, believing that present ideals are a possible future reality. I don't see any reason not to.