Adventure of a Lifetime

I never thought I would see the day where I started writing a blog. But the time has come and my intention is that I write a blog semi regularly so people in my life can been in the loop of whats going on in my world. So here we are, entry number one...

Its 5 days until I go on the Adventure of a Lifetime. And by that I mean it's 5 days until I do something I have wanted to do for my whole life. Not by myself either. No, my parents and siblings will be there too which is so awesome!

I'm going to America.
Not just a few days in LA then coming home about the same time jetlag wears off. No, I'm going for six weeks. In case you weren't aware, I am a citizen of the USA, my mum is from Los Angeles and all her family lives over there. We have dreamed for almost my whole life of the day when we could go as a family to America and visit the relatives over there. And now its happening.

My parents sold their farm earlier this year and realized that this was a chance to do something that they hadn't done before - they could take us over to the US. So, praise God, they are paying for airfares and all that. It's actually too good to be true. I know I wouldn't have been able to go otherwise. I am so thankful for the way things have played out. It's like God had planned it all from start to finish. I don't want to go too much into details here because it would take forever, but if you want some stories, hit me up!

I don't really know my itinerary, these are the details I know for sure, the rest will either be made up as we go along or I simply have no idea.

Wednesday October 1 - Have emotional farewell at the airport. I won't be seeing my amazing girlfriend Holly for six weeks, it's going to be tough and as much as I want to say I'm not going to cry, I'm pretty sure there will be a few tears all round. I am going to miss her sooooooo much.

Christchurch - check in at airport at 5pm ish. Fly out at 7.20pm to Auckland. Arrive at 8.50pm. Depart Auckland for Los Angeles at 10.15pm on a 12 hour flight.

Wednesday October 1 - Arrive in LA at 2.30pm... the time difference means I get there 5 hours before I left Christchurch. Yeya, time travel!!!!
My Aunt Linda and a few of the relatives there are going to meet us, take us out for food and hang with us before dropping us at our hotel.

Thursday October 2 - At some rediculous hour (I think like 6am) we fly out to Nashville, Tennessee. We will be there till Monday when we leave for Washington DC, where my Uncle John and Aunt Anne live. I'm hoping that while we're in Nashville I can adventure to Atlanta and check out C3 Atlanta and maybe even BYFY church (which I hear is pretty much American Primal - so sweet!) but its a fair mish (something like 4 hours drive google tells me), so we'll have to see.

Monday October 6 ish - The dates are now estimates because I really don't know from here if they are correct. But on Monday we drive to Washington DC which according to google is like 11 hours driving. If it was NZ I'm sure we'd just do it in one rush trip, but since we pretty much will be tourists I'd say it will be a couple days travel. Lame for me because I hate not being where I know I need to be, so I will have to pass the time by taking photos, fighting with my little bro and playing sonic the hedgehog and alex the kidd.

Wednesday October 15 ish - Leave Washington and head to NYC where my Aunt Peggy and Uncle Stuart live. I can't wait to go to times square, statue of liberty, empire state building, twin tow.... damn!!!

Wednesday October 22 ish - Fly from NYC to Seattle, WA where my Aunt Cece, Uncle Jerry, and cousins Jenny, Luke and Alex live. Space needle is cool I hear. But meeting some family members around my own age will be cool too. We are going to go into Canada sometime around here, Vancouver Island. I hope my Canadian friend Nate is there it would be cool to catch up with him.

Friday October 24 - MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER + SHOWBREED IN SEATTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Punch me if I miss it ok! Oh and rumor has it that Norma Jean might be playing the same day somewhere close.... again punch me if this is the case and I somehow miss it.

Monday October 27 ish - Start a long drive from Seattle to LA going through Washington, Oregon and California. I'm looking forward to Portland, and Santa Cruz

Saturday November 1 - We will have been in LA for maybe 2 days. November 1 is the date set for the Sanchez family reunion (my mums maiden name is Sanchez...), which is going to be awesome. While being based in LA we are going to visit some sweet stuff around there. I don't really care but we're going to disneyland etc. I'm stoked on going to Grand Canyon, Crossing the border into Mexico, hitting Santa Monica, and I'm secretly hoping my cousin Travis will take me to Las Vegas.

Saturday November 8 - I depart LAX for NZ.

Monday November 10 - after missing a day (time travel again) I arrive in Auckland at 5am, then on to Christchurch where I land at 9.10 am. Holly will be there to pick me up which will be awesome! I have class at 1pm and a test at 5pm which is a great welcome home from CPIT, but nothing compared to the thought of exams the following week.... aaah.

I am stoked to be going, I can't wait. I will miss all my friends here in NZ, but keep in touch. Facebook is always good, and I will try and keep the old blog updated. I get to have some fun keeping up with school work/assignments etc when I'm away but it's a small sacrifice really.

Thats blog number 1!
If you're still reading, you are a champion. I hope you keep checkin up on this, and keep in touch! I'll be posting photo's like crazy and hopefully some sweet stories. I'm no Joe First Gear when it comes to good stories from adventures overseas (you might remember his fiji pig story), but regardless I will endeavor to keep you entertained.

God bless,
Peace,
Roy