Early tomorrow morning Laura and I will be on a plane returning to the States. As the sadness of leaving New Zealand and the excitement of seeing family and friends rumble in my heart, I become even more grateful for the people and experiences I have had this past year. When I left the Valley I started writing individual emails to people, thanking them and Blah Blah Blah... I realised that this was gonna take longer than I thought, so over the course of the past few weeks I decided to write this letter to all of you:
So it's the early morning after thanksgiving... I feel like I should be having breakfast with Kat and Mollie right about now, but I'm getting used to the idea that it probably won't be like that unless it is planned. But yeah, it's been a few days since we left the valley, and as I become a little more comfortable with the withdrawal from all of you, I decided to write a few words.
By the time this gets posted or sent, we will probably be in separate worlds. Laura and I will probably be in the process of getting ourselves ready to leave NZ, Allissa's south island tour is probably coming to a close, Sara is probably deciding if she should stay in NZ, Kat should be up wwoofing near Auckland, Colin and Nati should be doing the same, Mollie is probably getting in some sort of crazy situation travelling with her sister, Blume, Frank and Claudia are probably hanging off of a rock somewhere, Steve and Ceris might be near Taupo, Shawn and Stace are probably laughing it up travelling around, Rob is wondering if it is worth sticking around the valley, while Tim is probably writing in is journal hoping for the day that Jo shows up so he could get the hell outta the valley.
It's crazy to think that only a short time before we were probably all sitting around a table together. I was probably wondering if the helmet I was wearing was believable, while Laura was dreaming of chook domes. Allisa was probably knitting a hat that was way too small while thinking of baby geese. Sara was thinking what bit of lollie she will have for pudding. Kat was probably wondering why the hell they let a narcoleptic Mexican belay her. Colin was thinking what funny face he should make the next time somebody tries to take a picture of him. Nati was thinking if salt could actually save the world. Mollie, over her eighth cup of tea, was probably wondering if the decision to not have cheese would actually lead to "good" dreams. Blume was probably wondering if he could climb around the table without touching the floor. While Frank was thinking if he could actually learn English in thirty days, Claudia was teaching Shawn, "du ashloe, dude!" Steve was probably wondering, "If I shave my eyebrows, would they grow back before Ceris gets here?" Shawn may have been running around the table with Colin, arms outstretched making airplane noises. Stacey was probably thinking, what the hell are Shawn and Colin doing?! Rob was wondering how he got stuck in such a crazy house. And Tim may have been wondering if he should help the narcoleptic kid asleep in his bowl of food, or just continue his conversation.
The morning Laura and I left was a bit hurried and I didn't get to thank all of you, as a group or individually for the contribution you have made to my life, to each other's, and to the valley, so I am gonna do that here.
Colin and Nati, you guys kick ass. Plain and simple, with all the administrative madness and just plain "valley chaos" you guys were able to keep level heads with smiles.
Colin, I want to acknowledge you for your commitment to all of your sustainable building projects and to the valley in general. Despite any roadblocks, and there were many, you kept focus with humour and always did the best you could with whatever you had. It's nice to see that your work ethic and dedication haven't changed much since school! Thanks for the opportunity to volunteer in such a wonderful place, and for everything you did for all of us. Hope to see you in a few weeks!!!
Nati... Nati.. Nat.. What can I say? Every time you walked in a room I always wanted to crack a joke, or hope that Shawn would, just cause I loved to hear you laugh and see you smile. Your commitment to the valley was so obvious it was inspiring. In the last month, your commitment to making the valley what it was supposed to be showed how strong of a person you are. You could have easily just left, but you wanted to make sure that everyone there experienced the valley the way it was meant to be. Thank you both for everything.
Alyssa, I have to admit that the first few days you were around, I was a bit hesitant to get to know you. You reminded me too much of people I knew back home... chatty. I had a conversation with Kat that ended in her saying, "You might miss out on the chance to get to know somebody that you might not have before." Thanks Kat. Since that conversation I dropped the internal dialogue and really began getting to know you better. I think we got to the point were we were bickering like brother and sister, too much fun! But yeah, thanks for everything, especially for helping me, and everyone else near race day. The hour-plus long stretch session the night before, and the breathing exercises the morning of were sooooooooo helpful. You were a huge reason that we all did so well, so pat yourself on the back!!!
Sarah and I got off on the wrong foot. I'm sure most of you know that I picked up the wrong Sarah at the bus station while our Sarah waited for.... oh... two hours! Oops. Sarah I think you were one of the people I saw grow the most at the valley. When you first showed up you were the quiet proper English girl that loved her lollies. I liked being on a cooking team with you because I liked to try and get you outta your shell, and by the end of our tenure together we would chat it up and laugh. I think one memory I will never forget is you sitting on the bar being serenaded by two men dressed in Octoberfest costumes and then being tricked into kissing one of them while the whole place watched.
It must have been difficult for you, Rob, to jump into the valley, after we all had been there longer, and I acknowledge you for it!!! And by the time we left, it was like you were there from the start. You were always willing to lend a helping hand and never once did you complain. The day of the race, when I had about 1-2k to go, my body was getting real tired, but when I saw you and Steve running out to give me support, I had a huge shot of adrenaline. Thank you so much for that, it was an incredible gesture from a friend that I hope I can someday return.
Stevo!!! What can I say? You were a wealth of knowledge and experience. I think if I could accomplish what you have accomplished and I could go to the places you have been, then I might be as cool as you! You were also a person that I felt like I could go to talk to about anything, your generosity; your commitment to the kids from ConCorps was truly admirable. The last few weeks, your leadership in having all of us do what we can to make a difference, not for ourselves, but for the Valley and for future volunteers was inspiring. Thank you, and if you need a bicycle tour operator in Kenya, let me know, I think I might have somebody that might be interested!!!
Stacey!!! I don't think I ever laughed as hard as when I laugh with you. Maybe because when we laugh together it's usually because of Shawn, or maybe it's because I tell secrets that I am not supposed to say and think that the best way to cover up my mistake is simply by covering my mouth and looking away!!! If it wasn't for you I think I would have gone crazy when I had to do work inside!!! Your commitment to the Valley and all your generosity, hard work and sacrifices were admirable. Thank you.
Claudia, honorary red team member. Dude!!!.. I didn't think that telling you to use the word "dude" would be as successful as it was. The German language is now complete. You always made me laugh and as a result I did whatever I could to make you laugh! We would always have interesting conversations, mostly about weird translations of German to English phrases. Thank you for your constant humour and for putting up with my poor attempts at learning German.
Frank, Red Team! Working with you, on either the winter bubble, or on our cooking team was always and adventure. I now know why German cars are the best in the world. Your commitment to detail and accuracy, even though we were off sometimes, was impressive. I think our meals were by far the best the valley has ever seen. Thanks for being so patient with all my questions about construction, cooking, climbing... basically anything and everything. Despite the fact you spoke little English, and I spoke little German, somehow we made a good team!
Blume.. Red Team!, I think if I lived in Germany I would probably call you to go climbing, or just to hang out all the time. When I found out that you were a serious climber I was a little intimidated for the Wharepapa trip. I figured you would not want to climb with all of us because you would want to climb harder routes. But the opposite occurred, and as a result I learned more from you about climbing than I did on the previous trips. As a result, I ended up increasing my ability dramatically, and also increasing my desire to climb... as much as possible. You are the type of person that makes those around you better or stronger. Hopefully we can climb together again my friend. Thanks for everything.
Kat, if I could kick ass... like you kick ass... I would kick some serious ass! If I lived in West Virginia, I think you find me annoying because I would probably call you to see if you wanted to hang out all the time. I'm gonna miss our early morning breakfast club and being on a meal team together... cleaning dishes and talking about anything and everything. Your amicability, your personality, your values, your presence, your kindness, I find infectious. I enjoyed every conversation I shared with you, be it ridiculous or serious. I especially enjoyed the two climbing trips we went on. I will make you a cup of hot chocolate anytime you like, just bring your own straw! Thank you for always being so open, honest and just downright fun.
Mollie, where to start... RED TEAM!!! You are by far the coolest Canadian from New Hampshire living in New Zealand I know. I loved being around you because you would make me tea almost whenever you had a cup... which was a lot. And because of your excellent music taste, your vibrant spirit, generosity, bright eyed curiosity and wonderfully contagious smile. So many good times from daily breakfast sniffings to those three days climbing. I especially enjoyed the car rides to and from Wharepapa getting to know each other, making playlists, and just laughing it up. A good navigator is not only measured by their route, but more importantly on how good the music in the car is. Thanks for... being you! And for all those cups of tea.. and oh yeah thanks for the pillow real estate.. very grateful!
Timmy the Pretty Britty!!!.. Just for the record I don't think I ever called you that... I probably would have called you a Jackass! Green Team, sorry! Even though I tell Shawn that he is the coolest guy I ever met, I think he might have some competition. I think after the whole "narcoleptic" joke ended our friendship started! We had some serious fun together... from that night that you, Mollie, and I will never speak of, to climbing, to morning meetings, to running, and so much more. So many of my best memories of the Valley include you. Blimey... it's been really weird not having you around... dare I say it I miss you man! I would really like to thank you for your friendship, and can't wait to chill in Thailand this March!!! Cheers Dude!
Shawn, RED TEAM!!! At first I didn't know what to make of you. Is it possible for one human being to be so cool? Apparently.. Yes! I don't think I have met anyone quite like you. I knew that you were gonna be fun when within less than a weeks time you made me laugh so hard that my eyes teared and I had to spit out my drink. "When you get to my age", you start to think that you have probably already met all the people that you consider to be your good friends... Shawn, you have definitely proved that theory wrong. Your personality, energy, perpetual humour, charisma, consideration, loyalty, and knowledge of the Big Lebowski are second to none. You made digging road gutters, shovelling gravel, digging sand, lugging rocks, cleaning dishes, and any other "labour camp" activity oddly... enjoyable. After hanging out almost everyday for the better part of three months it's gonna be tough to adjust to a daily life without Shawn. Thank you Donny, Thank You Shawn, "I can't quit you!"
When I came to the Valley the intention was to learn as much as I could about sustainable living as possible by participating and by being a powerful contribution. I'm leaving with a tiny bit more knowledge of sustainable living and countless captivating memories with my fourteen new friends from the Valley.
Wireless Love.
Christian
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