Merry LATE Christmas! How is everyone doing? I just wanted to put this picture up because I took it on Christmas and had not had the chance to put it on here. So Merry Christmas from Gisborne, NZ.

Ok, update on my life. I signed up for the Wellington Round the Bays Half Marathon!!! I am super excited. I haven't done a road race since the San Diego marathon a year and a half ago. Its great because I will have something to focus on while I am here, and get in shape. Plus, I have a complimentary pass to the Les Mills gym up until race day, and my friend who works there will be my personal trainer for FREE! SWEET AS! My friend, Gareth, said he was going to make me puke though! Haha bring it on I say!
Also, I found out that there is a FULL marathon on June 6th in Christchurch so I might continue training and run that while I am in the South Island. I think it would be sweet to have run a marathon in another country!
It will be cool as well because Kate and Helen said they would be there to cheer me on with signs! It will be good to have people there. I am pretty sure people from the hostel will come too. Its on the 21st of Feb. so be thinking of me! I will post pictures.
Then after the marathon, the day after, we are leaving Wellington! We will head to the South Island to travel for a month. Sweet as!
Also, I am doing the Tongariro Crossing on Monday. It is a big hike that takes about 7 hours! WOW! I am going to be tanked when I am finished, but I hear its beautiful so it will be worth it. Plus, it will be good training for the marathon! I will definitely post pictures.
Other than all that, I am starting to enjoy my time here more and more. I am getting over my homesickness, meeting great people, and just doing as much as I can while here.
Kate and Helen are wonderful. And I think its no coincidence why we are all traveling together. They are great girls, and I am really learning alot from them. For instance, Helen is teaching me the word, "No!" I sometimes am too "nice" and can't say no. I put nice in quotes because being nice isn't really nice if its something that you don't really want to do. Its not a quality I find endearing in myself. But I am getting much better at it! :)
Alright folks, that is all I have for now. I hope everyone is doing well, and staying warm! I miss you all!!! So very much!

Love,
Caroline