How Living Outside of Society’s Expectations Changed My Life

I recently read an amazing article that talked about the quarter life crisis. After reading over the symptoms, I wasn’t surprised that I was feeling exactly what they were talking about. Feeling lost, questioning my path and thinking of how I pictured my life at this point when I was in my early 20’s and how it has actually paned out. At 20, I thought by 23 I would be in a serious relationship, pursuing a career and by 26 I would be married and expecting my first child. I am now 27, single, and living life as a nomad, traveling the world to discover and explore what fuels my soul. Do I get lonely and sometimes wish I had met the man God wants for me by this point? Yes. Do I sometimes feel out of the loop when I see all of my friends posting pictures of their babies on Facebook? Yes. Do I question my choices when I realize I had several opportunities for amazing jobs that I choose to put on the back burner? Yes.  Indeed, the path that I have chosen has not been one that many people back home have admired or agreed with. Living outside of society’s definition of “normal” is often seen as rebellion and an escape from something. For me, it is neither of these. It is more about satisfying a deeper desire that has been placed in my soul. The desire to value unique experiences rather than material objects and multiple degrees coupled with heavy loans (don’t get me wrong, I believe in a good education, I even hold a degree and I’m still paying off loans, but I have learned that it isn’t the only pathway to living a successful life). Our society’s way of thinking can sometimes dictate our lives and how we should live them in order to achieve success and happiness. Though I know many people my age who are content with their lives of 9-5 careers, raising a family and owning their own house and car, I am starting to realize that even though I could want these things at some point, right now, I am all about living a life of discovery. As I explore this beautiful world and get to know the wonderful, diverse people who inhabit it, I am inspired and focused on living an extraordinary life. I wasn’t always confident when thinking about a life of travel, but the steps that I have taken have gradually built up a newfound confidence that has allowed me to begin fulfilling my dreams. As I embark on this journey, my hope is to be able to inspire others to discover their true calling. Even if you are unsure what that full picture is, it’s okay. One small step in the direction of that dream can open you up to possibilities you have never imagined.

Now, I want you to take 10 minutes and create a list of your top 3 dreams or goals. Which one is holding the number 1 spot? Now what is keeping you from attacking it? Share here and let’s encourage one another to reach it!

Embracing the Unknown Together,

Erica


Take a minute and check out my website designed to inspire you to set off on that adventure you've always dreamed of!
www.thirtythree.org/projects/discovertheunknown

Bittersweet Emotions

Weddings, 30th Birthday Party of a best friend, Graduations. Sometimes I wonder, "why did I leave THIS year out of all the years to choose?!" I could have never imagined that I would not be able to witness such special events of some of my dear friends and family. My heart has been heavy about this for the past several months and I have had a hard time with accepting that I wouldn't be there to support my loved ones. I considered flying home for the summer/fall to be there, but the expenses made it seem unrealistic and I would never have another chance in my lifetime to work and live in NZ for a year. The bittersweet aspect of this is that I am in beautiful NEW ZEALAND and experiencing one of the most life-changing trips of my life. I am growing in ways that I've never imagined and I am so blessed to be where I am and to have these experiences. Luckily, I have really stellar friends and family and they are all supportive of me staying in NZ even if that means that I can't make it to their event. I think it hurts me more than it hurts them. It has brought many tears. Though this sorrow I feel is real, I am also choosing to feel immense JOY for what they are all about to experience with or without me.

Abbey

I am so happy that my best friend, Abbey, is able to gather her wonderful friends together for a weekend in the woods in Oregon and having kale cook-offs, themed dance parties, jam sessions, and beautiful hikes! 

Nicole

My heart melts at the thought of my great friend Nicole getting married to a man who truly loves and respects her and will make a great lifetime companion for her. I always talked about being at her wedding one day and it has been hard for me to realize that I won't be there to be in pictures of her special day and boogie down on the dance floor with her like the old days, but I will certainly be there in spirit! 

Kiersten

My dear cousin, Kiersten, graduated in May with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and I couldn't be more proud! She has truly proven herself to be a very intelligent, independent and lovely young lady and I am so excited to see where her future takes her. Again, I remember talking about looking forward to witnessing her graduate, and again, another event that I have missed in person, but deeply love her and can't wait to squeeze her!

Jami and Dion

My beautiful cousin, Jami, is someone who I am very close with in my family and have shared many laughs and tears over the years. There has been much struggle, but I am so blessed to have her as a role model in my life. She is one of the strongest, most caring and loving people that I know. She is real. She loves the Lord and she isn't afraid to declare it. God has done some amazing things in her life in recent months and she will be getting married in October! Again, I will not return to the US until November, but I will be praying for my spirit to be present throughout her celebration! 

So after all is said and done, I am choosing to feel excitement, joy and happiness for all of my friends and family during their times of celebration no matter if I am present or not. You all know I would love to be there, but I appreciate you understanding my circumstances and supporting me through my decisions to continue exploring NZ and my purpose. Most people who I've shared my heart with on this topic have reminded me that I WILL indeed see each of you again when I return and we will celebrate together when that time comes. I cannot wait to be with you and give you all big HUGS! 

Thank you for loving me from afar; for your encouragement and support. It means the world to me. Friends and family, including those not mentioned above, you make my HEART Smile. Til we meet again, enjoy the days to come! :D

Writing a New Chapter

Arrowtown in the Fall

Frustrated. Confused. Hopeful. These are the emotions I have felt over the past 6 weeks as I transition into a new home and community. The last 6 months of my journey in New Zealand have been filled with epic road trips, stimulating island getaways, and sunny beachfront living. Traveling like this is very exhilarating, but there comes a time when you just wish you had a place to call home for a bit and live out of a closet instead of a suitcase. I felt like the next few months of my journey would be well spent settled in a small community where I could build relationships, have a steady job to start saving for Australia, and have a place to unwind and soften into. In my mind, I had a few places to choose from: Queenstown, Arrowtown, and Wanaka. To help make my decision, I decided to do some WWOOFing in Arrowtown at the Poplar Lodge working as one of their housekeepers in exchange for housing. It was such a wonderful experience. I was situated in a very small town of about 2,000 that was known to be the most picturesque town in NZ to view Fall foliage and I had hit Fall right on the nose when I arrived. During my month there, I was able to go on some amazing hikes, enjoyed their week long Autumn Festival, tasted some famous homemade pies, met a wonderful bunch of travelers at the hostel, and was able to experience the vibrant city of Queenstown. Arrowtown was great and filled with lots of character as it was one of the first gold mining towns in NZ, but as I imagined the town in winter, it did not seem to be a place that would have much going on. I also quickly realized that Queenstown was not a place I wanted to settle into because of its city feel and heaps of tourists everywhere all the time! I was looking for a smaller community to be a part of and I knew Q-town was not going to offer that to me.

After much advice and checking out the scene myself, I decided to make a new home in Wanaka. With a population of about 6,000 year round and a ski season population of 25,000, it quickly reminded me of my hometown, Wolfeboro, NH. In addition to the similarities in population, the lake and mountains brought me back to the gorgeous views of Lake Winnipesaukee. The mountains here are much more dominant here and covered halfway with snow which makes it all the more magical. I entered Wanaka on May 7 and moved into a house with a lady named Betty. She’s a 73-year-old spitfire and I love every ounce of her! My other roommate, Amy, was a pleasant surprise from God. We were connected through a local church as we were both looking for housing in the area and it turns out that Amy used to live in Asheville (in 2007) and we have a few mutual friends! Small world eh?! So now we share a room in Betty’s place. College style, baby! I never thought I’d share a room again, but after sharing rooms at the hostel in Arrowtown and with the lack of income, I knew this was the best decision.

Wanaka

The last month and a half has been quite challenging for me because I had no clue how hard it was going to be to get a job in Wanaka straight away. I had heard that it was their slow season, but I truly didn’t think that I wouldn’t get a job for weeks. With May/June being their shoulder season, most businesses were not going to hire anyone until July, which meant I was forced to live off of savings and get creative! I hit the ground running applying at every restaurant, attending networking meetings, and emailing event planners and venues all over town. Through my gift of networking, I have found some cleaning and house/dog/babysitting jobs in the mean time. It was quite the challenge for me not to get frustrated at having to pay rent and bills, buy food and gas, while not having income! I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without having a steady income. It definitely makes you grateful when you have a job! VERY grateful! J I am finally starting my waitressing job this week and I am excited to get a schedule set up for my life here in Wanaka. I do have to admit that having the time off was at first frustrating and boring, but as I got to know people around town, we were able to plan some fun gatherings which all of us have been able to attend. I know this will change once we all start our jobs, so I have really enjoyed the impromptu potluck parties and socializing out on the town. I am really excited to continue to meet more travelers and get settled into this place. I plan to stay here until the beginning of October and then road trip up North to see some sites on the North Island that I haven’t seen yet and then head to Australia! My flight back to North Carolina will have me there on November 18! Woo hoo! Til then, I will continue to discover all of the beauty that NZ has to offer in the form of landscapes, people, food, and recreation. Cheers!

Lake Hawea

Meet Me at the Crossroads

The choices we make define our life. When at a crossroads, we try to consider all risks and benefits that would be found on either path. There comes a point where you just have to trust your heart and jump! Many of you know that I have found myself at a crossroads and have had quite a struggle trying to decipher which path to take. One path (A) was to return to the USA in May as I had initially booked my ticket home for and the other path (B) was to extend my ticket until November to fully take advantage of my working holiday visa that lasts one year. I had a deep down desire to extend my ticket, but there were lots of challenges that made me second-guess my instincts. After working for 3 months at the resort in a secure job and house and then finishing a 2-week road trip exploring the South Island with my French friend Mathilde, I was again uprooting my life and moving into a new state of the Unknown. 

Sitting in the Basket of Dreams atop Queenstown Hill

With Mathilde gone, I knew no one once again. I was moving to a new place where I had no friends, no job, and no clue what was going to happen. I was entering a transitional period so I knew that there was a lot that I was unsure about and that I would have to FULLY trust God to guide my heart and my mind down the right path. Loneliness and anxious thoughts about what to do next filled my mind with insecurity. I cried out to God for help and guidance on an hourly basis. I felt lost, but I always felt God near me. I could sense Him reassuring me that things would work out, but that I may have to wait longer than I had initially wanted. During this transitional period, I was living in a small town called Arrowtown that had a population of 2,000 and reminded me of my hometown of Wolfeboro, NH. It was a great place to be this time of year because of the gorgeous fall scenery. Absolutely stunning! I knew I would not stay here long, but after searching for jobs in the town of Wanaka where I really wanted to be, I felt I had to reevaluate my “plans.” I began looking for jobs in Arrowtown and didn’t have much luck there either. After much prayer and debate, I decided to take a leap of faith and move to Wanaka. No job secured, expenses to be paid, but hopeful. I felt a pull to go to Wanaka and I thought that I mind as well give it a shot! Most places wouldn’t start hiring until beginning of June, so I could potentially not have a job for weeks and have to carefully watch my budget. Even with all of this uncertainty, I am so grateful that God has allowed me to experience this country and bring me into closer relation with Him. I am grateful for these moments of complete loneliness and fear of the Unknown because it has created an inseparable bond between God and I. I fully believe that He is my provider and will take care of me each step of the way.

Overlooking Wanaka, my new residence!

So here I am about to enter a whole new community once again. I am looking forward to getting to know more locals, engage in fellowship, find a place to dance, enjoy local cuisine, and get lost in the gorgeous outdoors.

During the 3 weeks of the transitional period, I have found a nice house to live in with affordable rent. I have even been connected with a gal named Amy who used to live in Asheville and knows some of my friends from home! We will share a room and begin our journey in Wanaka together. I am very much looking forward to this! As I’ve mentioned before, you have to trust the process and all things will be worked out. My patience and hope has been tested in the process, but I feel more hopeful now.

One key factors in this is that we must remain thankful in each phase of our lives. Give thanks for the hardships and struggles; this is what molds you.

Queenstown Hill, taking it all in.

Be Present. The more we focus on the present and what we DO have, the easier it is to make it through the difficult times. It is so hard for us humans to stick to the present moment. We are always analyzing the past and complicating the future with our fears.

One of the greatest lessons this trip has taught me is that is it exciting to not know what exactly is up ahead and to be open to new ideas that you hadn’t previously considered. By doing this you remain open to people, opportunities and God’s will for your life. We also have a tendency to plan out every detail. I have found that as I have ventured through New Zealand, I barely had a plan and things always worked themselves out and usually better than I expected.

So, Let Go. The right path is just ahead of you waiting for you to begin the trek. Trust it.

Surrender and Trust

Vanuatu: An Unexpected Connection

Last week I experienced one of the most beautiful countries God has ever created. For most Nationalities, Vanuatu is a name that no one seems to recognize. Situated in the South Pacific along side the high school football star, Fiji, the humble jazz band player, Vanuatu, awaits its chance to transform your mind as to what a tropical vacation should be about. 

I remember being so determined to travel to Fiji before I even got to New Zealand. It was known as one of the best islands in the world and renowned for honeymooners. I had it high on my list from all the hype. Soon after arriving in NZ I was presented with the trip to Vanuatu with my Kiwi friends. I initially wasn’t so sure, but decided to go as it was a good deal for a week getaway. As the weeks and months went by, the trip came closer and closer. I wasn’t all that excited about the trip because we were going during their rainiest month and again, my selfish mind was thinking, “well, it’s not Fiji!” Now that I have been on the trip, I couldn’t have been happier with the way things turned out.

The country is much more rustic than what I have heard of Fiji and Vanuatu is a place where you truly experience the culture and the people of the country instead of just lounging around your 5 star hotel as most do on their tropical island vacations. I decided to immerse myself as much as I could in the community while I was there. I wanted to connect with the people and get to know their culture.

Upon my arrival I met a lady named Joy who is friends with Tonya at the Kimi Ora Resort.

We met up a few times that week and I was able to get to know a bit more about the people and had some fun getting to know the locals. Interacting with the local children is one thing that brings me the most joy while I am traveling. They humble my spirit and remind of how simple and joyful life can be with little to nothing. We are given so much in America and have endless opportunities, yet these children are grateful for the ability to go to school, play with their friends, and get a lolly (candy) as a gift.

Before watching a fire dancing show, I was able to connect with some of the local children who were watching from behind a gate. Joy brought me over to the group and I introduced myself and began handing out lollies, giving high fives, and dancing with them. They even sang two songs to me about Jesus! Love love LOVE! They made my heart so full. I cannot ignore that my heart feels like this when I am around children living in this kind of environment. I believe that God has future plans for me in missions working with these children whether it be in Vanuatu or another country.

Another part of their culture that I really enjoyed was browsing their 24 hour market. Women run their own vegetable and fruit stands 24 hours a day for a way to make a living. We got some amazing food and also drank lots of fresh coconut water! Mmm mm! At one end of the market were women and men cooking up a storm! Each cook had their own little “restaurant” with a table dressed in bright colorful fabrics and menus listing beef stews, local fish and chicken curries. The meals came with big portions of rice, vegetables, and meat for only $5. I ate at these markets 3 different nights and got to know one cook named Joanna. She was always happy to see me as I was to see her. J

My trip also included a few touristy excursions including a fantastic trip to Hideaway Island that featured some of the best snorkeling in the world! Beautifully colored tropical fish everywhere! The patterns and colors on these fish make me want to create a fashion line. J There was also an underwater post office, the only one in the world, and I postmarked a waterproof postcard to my mom that I hope she receives!

Towards the end of the week I abseiled the 150 foot Cascades waterfall. It was an adrenaline pumping experience and so amazing. The sensation of hanging down on the rocks and feeling the water falling on your face is unforgettable.

All in all, Vanuatu is a country that should not be ignored. It is a vibrant place with beautiful people and gorgeous scenery. No matter where you travel to, I encourage you to explore outside of your resort. As long as you use common sense when you are traveling, you will be safe. Talk with people about where to venture to and their cultural etiquette. For instance, you may not be able to enter a village unless you have spoken with the chief, which we had to do each time. Get to know the people. Learn about what their struggles are and how they live day to day. Rejoice in their celebrations whether it be attending their church service or watching a traditional performance. We can learn a lot from each other. Expand how you see the world and the people that inhabit it. Taste and see that it is Good!

My First Time: Backpacking the Able Tasman

Whenever something occurs for the “first time” there is always a sense of excitement and anticipation. There are anxious feelings that stem from the steps you are taking into the unknown. It can be quite exhilarating, but also a bit scary. My solo journey to NZ has been filled with these feelings on and off and it will continue to occur as I adventure on. My most recent “first time” experience was backpacking the Able Tasman Coastal Track. It almost surprises me to think that I am 26 and still haven’t gone on a backpacking trip in my life! I love the outdoors and have been an outdoor leader for youth for years, but we mainly did car camping and the one time we were self-sufficient in the wilderness was on our 4 day canoe trip. There is nothing like carrying the weight of your survival on your back. It is such a neat concept. In my 25lb pack, I carried my tent, sleeping bag and pad; food for 3 days, water, clothes, first aid, toothbrush, and flip flops. I initially doubted (there’s our magical evil word!) that I would be able to carry this amount of goods on my back for a length of time while hiking, but I definitely surprised myself! When I initially put it one, it was a bit heavy and my self-doubt starting flooding my mind, but after about 5 minutes of walking around my room in it, I barely noticed it. It’s like it became a part of me. Me and Solveig, a Swedish wwoofer at Kimi Ora, set off down the road and headed towards the sea where the water taxi was scheduled to pick us up. Once on the boat we headed over to Split Apple Rock (the most photographed rock in NZ) and did a mid-sea transfer to another boat. After throwing our bags onto another boat and jumping onboard with a new group of travelers, we set off for our destination: Bark Bay. Once at the bay, we ate a quick lunch and then headed through the inlet towards the track. The tricky thing about the Coastal Track is that you have to pay attention to the tides. There are several places along the track where you can only pass through a couple of hours on either side of low tide. The tides are what dictate where you go and when. It also makes it pretty exciting and different from any other hike I’ve ever done! Traversing through the sea to get to the next leg of the track is quite fun! The water we traversed was ankle to mid-thigh height throughout our journey.

Our next stopping point was at Awaroa Bay and it took us about 4 hours to get there. We summited some pretty step hills and carefully made our way down slippery slopes. The pack seemed 10lbs lighter on even ground, but gained about 20lbs on hills. J I am not going to lie, there were definitely times where I thought I would never do something like this again. I was definitely being pushed physically and mentally! 

The last 20 minutes of the hike was along the Awaroa Bay inlet and the views of the sun setting over the sea was breathtaking. Once at the campsite, we met some nice guys named James and Danny and proceeded to set up camp. It was nice to meet some new people on the trail and it doesn’t hurt to have extra players for card games J. After the boys headed to bed, another two gents were playing the guitar so I joined in with them and sang some good tunes while gazing up at some of the brightest stars I have ever seen.

The next morning, we had to wait until 11am until we could cross the inlet. Danny decided to join us for the next leg of our trip and it was fun to have him around. We walked in thigh high water for about 15 minutes, put our shoes back on and proceeded on. Again, hills were my challenge for the day, but little by little, I made it! Our next destination was to Mutton Cove, a small beach campsite on the very northern point of the Abel Tasman. We passed Totaranui where we had lunch and made the low tide crossing. We crossed over a few beaches, which is always a fun change from walking through the bush. The bush here is amazing! It feels like you’re in a jungle and the fern trees are everywhere! Streams, bridges, mosses, ferns, palms, and lots of different kinds of trees live in the National Park. It’s magical. The wildlife here is beautiful! Lots of birds chirping, hedgehogs passing over the trail, blue penguins in the water and seals swimming and sunbathing! Oh and I did mention the ORCAS!? I’ll get to that later.

After about 4.5 hours of hiking on our 2^nd day, we made it to Mutton Cove where we set up camp on an amazing beach with very little people. Between the tree swing and the wild grasses that sat between the front door of my tent and the beach, I was in a very happy place. That night, I suggested to Danny and Solveig that we watch the stars on the beach in our sleeping bags. They were up for it! We huddled together to stay warm as we watched the majestic night sky. We headed to bed around 11pm and for the 2^nd night in a row, I could not fall asleep! I don’t know if it was the discomfort or just the stimulation of everything around me, but I found it hard to sleep. Luckily, my body performed beyond what I expected and it didn’t really affect my ability to hike and carry the weight.

The next morning we woke up to watch the unbelievable sunrise. It was slow and every few seconds the red, pink, yellow and orange colors would change their hues. Remarkable. I think we should all watch a few more sunrises! They really start your day of right. In that moment, I felt at complete peace and thanked God for all that He has blessed me with on the trip. It was in His strength that I could accomplish this challenge on such little sleep.

That morning, we decided to hike up to Seperation Point which is the most Northern point in the Tasman. We witnessed seals swimming and sunning and enjoyed the view from the lighthouse.

After returning to our campsite to pack, we began talking with the DOC ranger about Orcas in the Tasman. He said they only come 2-3 times a year and it would be a rare chance for us to see them. Well 5 seconds after talking to him, I turned around and guess what!! I saw 4 orca fins come up out of the water!! AMAZING!!!! On our trek back to Totaranui to catch the water taxi, we kept spotting them in the blue waters coming up for air. So special.

We finally made it back to Kaiteriteri beach where we had started and were so pleased with the journey we had just completed. I will definitely backpack again in the future and have learned a few things about what to pack. I find that weight is the most crucial part of the trek and in order to streamline it, proper backpacking gear is helpful as well as pre-cooked food like pasta that is lighter to carry along with your mini camp stove. All in all, this trip was unforgettable.

What are some places that you’ve been backpacking?

What was the most challenging part of the journey for you?

What three tips would you offer me and others who want to get into the backpacking world?

Cheers!