Long distance practice

The day of Rotorua Marathon is coming. The left time to practice for this big event is only a month. Since I don't want to fail this race, I ran long distance today. It might be approximately 10km from Britomart to St Heilers Bay, so I ran total 20km. It was harder to keep running than I expected. I sometimes stopped and took a rest for a second. My objective is not to walk until I finish 42.195km. My leg is, however, not ready to keep running for 42.195km yet. I need to do long distance running once a week to achieve my objective. I always feel anxious about the lack of running, so I tend to overrun. Actually I also need to take a rest effectively not to get more and more fatigue. It's difficult to manage. Originally I had to make a running plan, but I didn't affort to do it. I just ran and ran without thorough thinking. I have to do it when I take part in next race. 

Temporary staying

I was supposed to move to new apartment, but I couldn't because of the one problem. At any rate I had to move out the apartment I was living so far, I am staying in Backpackers' hostel temporarily. I am going to stay the room four people are living in together for two weeks. As other boys are noisy and they keep talking till late, I can't sleep well. It is so tough for me that I have to find another apartment as soon as possible.

The problem was the girls who were supposed to leave the apartment which I was planning to move in. Even though we agreed with that they will move on date and I will move in the room on behalf of them, they couldn't find the new place and they are still living there. They should move out essentially. It's not my fault definitely. I could claim about that, but I didn't want to take it seriously and bring problems any more. In line with this, I decided to stay in Backpackers' hostel until I find new place to live in.

After coming to New Zealand, I am always annoyed with the relationship. I don't know exactly why only I can't get along with foreiners. Are all problems about relationship my fault? Because I don't have good communication skills? It's completely hard enough to take the issues effectively and easily. Indeed I can't believe the foreiners at all now. I want to, but I can't. Recently I am annoyed with everything everyday. I can't help but think about negative things. I always make mistakes. There is nothing enjoyable. I can't find a part-time job. I have nothing to do in holidays. What a boring person I am!! I feel strongly impatient.....

Stimulation

Four months have passed since I came to New Zealand. I have met many other countries students but almost all of them I knew have already gone back to their countries. After my graduation from the general English course, I haven't had so many opportunities to meet new friends. When I was in the English class, new students came everyweek, though some students graduated from the school as well. However now in the new course I have been getting lost passion and curiosity for everything because the classmates are same and the class is so easy that there are not so much stimulation for me. I have to change something definitely. I would waste time if the present situation lasts longer. Fortunately some changes are occurring around me.

First of all, one friend invited me to a free conversation class for international students which is held every Monday. In this conversation class new students are always welcome and I could meet many international friends. It was really good for me. Although I still have the problem with listening and speaking skills, I was stimulated by them.

Second of all, I am looking for a part-time job. It's difficult and I am not sure when I can get a new job. I believe, however, I could be more motivated if I get a job here. I think I should more focus on looking for a job.  

Third of all, I participated in one running community through the Facebook. I haven't met any runners in this community I will try to take part in it intensely from now on. I really want the friends who have same hobby. Actually running is quite popular sport, and needless to say, there are many runners in all around New Zealand. Why don't I look for the running friends? I thought that was a good idea.

And finally I am going to move to new flat because I had a problem with the flat I am living in now. This is also one big change.

I hope these changes give me passion and motivation for everything again. I have to make an effort and lead it by myself as much as possible.

Job interview

I had a job interview today. I applied for the position of salesperson in lighting applications retail shop. It was awful. I couldn't tell about myself at all. I'm still poor at listening and speaking in English. What a difficult they are! I'm listening to podcasts and watching movies, dramas every day. I almost focus on improving listening skills recently, but I don't feel something changed. I think working with using English is the best way to improve English skills. That's why I am looking for a part-time job. However it seems to be very difficult to find a job, especially in New Zealand company. I may get a job in Japanese restaurant or Japanese shops more easily but I want to work in local shops if possible. I must reflect on this failure and I must change myself.

Day15 Tongariro to Auckland

On 5th January 2013, Tongariro National Park to Auckland
In the last day of the trip, our last destination was Tongariro National Park which is the New Zealand's oldest national park. This park is one of the most popular destination of travellers because it is world heritage area. Alpine Crossing is the most famous activity in this national park which take you across spectacular and unique volcanic terrain, though I didn't do it. We just walked in the short trecking cource. Fortunately it was very fine at last, I could walk with comfort. The sky was vast and clear. It was awesome.

After looking around the national park, we set off to Auckland finally. Although I sometimes felt upset and tired I could enjoy this trip a lot. The nature of South Island was much better than North Island. I strongly recommend to go to South Island if you have an opportunity to visit New Zealand. There were many things I've never experienced. I would like to thank all the persons who were involved in this trip. I have a lot of time until going back to Japan, I want to go to South Island again.

Day14 Wellington to Tongariro

On 4th January 2013, Wellington to Tongariro
This day was also only moving from Wellington to an accommodation near Tongariro National Park. I had a lot of time, but I was really tired because the trip lasted 14 days! I just took a rest and drunk a lot in dinner. My friends seemed to see stars at night. They said it was amazing. However I couldn't see them because I absolutely passed out after drinking beer and 2 glasses of wine.That was the last opportunity to see the stars, so I was depressed. I shouldn't have drunk so much.

Anyway, it got closer to the end of the trip. I felt a little bit sad and I thought each day, each time was the important moment.

One tree hill

I was off today because I already finished all tasks of this week in the class. As I had nothing to do, I ran to one tree hill that is famous attraction in Auckland city. One tree hill is very similar to Mt Eden, so you can see whole of the city from the summit. It took about one hour from my flat. There were so many signals on the way and I had to stop for many times. It was not suitable course for running, so I may not run again with this course.

By the way, I found the LED-world on the way to one tree hill. I was very curious about it because I rarely see the "LED" in New Zealand. There were some kind of LED modules for home bulb, down light, spot light etc.

Day13 Kaikoura to Wellington

On 3rd January 2013, Kaikoura to Wellington
At last we went back to Wellington with using Ferry. Crossing Cook Straight reminded me of starting of the trip. The latter half of the trip was a little bit boring because of the bad wether, and I had nothing to do actually. As such, I have nothing to write in this article.

Rotorua Marathon

I registered to participate in Rotorua Marathon which will be held on 4th May. This seems to be the oldest marathon in the south hemisphere (49th in 2013). As I wanted to try overseas marathon at least once, I'm glad to have an opportunity to do it in New Zealand. 

Running is very popular sport in New Zealand. I think it's more popular than Japan even though runner population is increasing intensely in Japan. I can find running races in wide range of regions in New Zealand easily and I often see runners in many places.

I haven't run full marathon for one and a half years. After coming to New Zealand, I didn't afford to run so much. Actually I haven't run for almost 2 months. At last I started to run recently almost everyday, and I'm always running aroud Auckland Domein. Since there are a lot of places to run comfortably, I have many options to choose running courses.

Anyway, I have to prepare well to complete and to break my best record if possible.
http://www.rotoruamarathon.co.nz/

Day12 Kaikoura

On 2nd January 2013, Lake Tekapo to Kaikoura
On this day, it was awful weather including thunder storm. After all I couldn't see the good scenery in Lake Tekapo. That was too bad.
Next destination was Kaikoura which is a town on the east coast, located 180km north of Christchurch. Whale Watching is a main activity in this town.

It got better as we got closer to the north side. It was very long trip because it took approximately 5 hours from Lake Tekapo to Kaikoura. On the way, we dropped in Christchurch to have lunch. It was a little cold and has a strong wind. Christchurch is the 3rd largest city in New Zealand. Though I didn't see the city centre, it was smaller and more quiet than Auckland.

By the way, after arriving at Kaikoura, we saw seals in the seashore.
At first I didn't notice that it was there, so I was supprised a little bit because it was very close to me when I noticed. Since it didn't move, I was not sure whether it was alive or not. But then it started to move and cry. It was the first time for me to see seals in such a close distance.