Author Archives: juliamenn

About juliamenn

Performer. Artist. Author. Lover of food and travel. Animal enthusiast. Avid reader. Globe-trotter.

2018: The Year of Positivity

Posted on February 2, 2018 by juliamenn

My word for 2018 is Positivity, and I’ve learned quickly that this year needs to be approached differently than years past if I want to see any growth and self-improvement.

Posted in Musings, Uncategorized | Tagged 2018, complain, emotions, feelings, gratitude, gretchin rubin, happiness, inspirational, Meditation, opportunity, positivity, self care, should, suicide, susan david, ted talk, the happiness project, therapist, want, wish, word | 2 Comments

A Brief Service Announcement

Posted on December 16, 2017 by juliamenn

It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure I proudly present my latest itinerary on this crazy crash-bang, whirlwind adventure of mine…

Posted in china, Ireland, Thailand, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged Adventure, chengdu, china, hangzhou, Ireland, levitate, maglev, new year's eve, nye, opportunity, seal, seal rescue ireland, shanghai, Thailand, train, Travel, volunteer | Leave a comment

A Brief Sojourn in Wanaka

Posted on December 14, 2017 by juliamenn

Maybe it’s because the weather cleared up, maybe it’s because the Fall colours were on full display, maybe it’s because I FINALLY got to do some adventure sports – but I freaking LOVED Wanaka!

Posted in new zealand, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged aerobatics, aeronautics, aeroplane, airplane, anxiety, church, cocktail, comfort zone, easter, empath, fall, fly, flying, nature, new zealand, snoopy, soul, south island, that wanaka tree, trick flying, u-fly, wanaka, wine tasting | Leave a comment

What’s the first thing that springs to mind when I say West Coast? Ok, probably California. But, unlike that warm, sunny, American expanse, the West Coast in New Zealand is generally referring to the section on the South Island along … Continue reading →

Posted in new zealand, Uncategorized | Tagged aoraki, fish and chips, fox glacier, franz josef, glacier, haast, hiking, hokitika, lake mathieson, mt cook, mt tasman, new zealand, rain, rainbow, south island, the craypot, walk, weather, West Coast, wet | Leave a comment

Let Me Count the Ways

Posted on October 22, 2017 by juliamenn

As I’ve mentioned, unfortunately my work visa for New Zealand didn’t pan out, and the past month and a half has been an utter whirlwind as I tried to sort out my path forward. I was waking up every morning … Continue reading →

Posted in new zealand, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged air asia, airport, auckland, Change, china, currency, flights, fly, hong kong, insurance, life, lifestyle, moving, new zealand, nz, passport, plan, question, sell, solo female travel, transferwise, Travel, visa, wellington, work | 2 Comments

Christchurch and Arthur’s Pass

Posted on October 15, 2017 by juliamenn

The day after seal watching was dedicated to soaking at Hanmer Springs – a hot springs facility outside of Christchurch. I got an $11 ticket from a deals website (either grabone or bookme, I think) and spent the entire, rainy … Continue reading →

Posted in new zealand, Uncategorized | Tagged 185 white chairs, akaroa, arthurs pass, butterflies, cardboard cathedral, castle hill, cathedral, christchurch, earthquake, hanmer springs, hot springs, limestone, loss, lyttelton, memorial, monarch, Mountains, road trip, rock climbing, rocks, Sheep, simpsons, springfield, tragedy, wine | Leave a comment

South Island Road Trip: Part 1

Posted on October 7, 2017 by juliamenn

There was a lot of driving done on South Island, and I’d say half of it was because, “Well, I have time, so I’m going to take this several hour long side trek to see whatever’s there.” I zig-zagged back … Continue reading →

Posted in new zealand, Uncategorized | Tagged beach, cape foulwind, colony, drive, iphone, lake, lake rotoiti, lake rotoroa, new zealand, pictures, road trip, sand flies, seal, south island, st arnaud, sunset, walk, West Coast, wildlife | 1 Comment

Farewell Spit

Posted on October 2, 2017 by juliamenn

No, it’s not the name of some strange leaving ritual (though now that you mention it…) – it’s the stretch of land right at the tippy top of the South Island. Weather was inclement, but I wasn’t going to let … Continue reading →

Posted in new zealand, Uncategorized | Tagged anxiety, beach, cove, depression, elements, farewell spit, life, living, nature, new zealand, pilot whale, sand, seal, skeleton, south island, struggle, whale, wharariki beach | Leave a comment

Plot Twist!

Posted on September 26, 2017 by juliamenn

Well, in an unpleasant turn of events, my New Zealand work visa has fallen through. I had been so hopeful that somehow things would work out so I’d get to stay here in this beautiful city I’ve made my home, … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, new zealand, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged action, america, beach, china, clouds, comfort, difficult, fight, fish and chips, hard, hurt, love, new zealand, paths, persevere, perspective, stability, Travel, usa, visa, wellington, weta, wisconsin, working | 1 Comment

Exploring Abel Tasman

Posted on August 20, 2017 by juliamenn

On what turned out to be the last day of good weather for quite some time, I did my first proper tramp – a chunk of the Abel Tasman Track; from Torrent Bay back down to Sandy Bay I drove … Continue reading →

Posted in new zealand, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged abel tasman, beach, cleopatra's pool, golden sand, new zealand, pool, queen charlotte sound, sand, sandy bay, south island, tasman bay, torrent bay, tramp, trek, walk | 1 Comment