Mission 101 Attempt 3

Mission 101 attempt no. 3

by the disappearing blogger

Introduction

Every couple of years I attempt to start a new list. I've not yet been able to successfully complete one. Here's my latest attempt wtf. To help me with this list, I've been doing some research and what have I found? That I'm actually pretty blessed and privileged. For example, in the top 101 things list, things like going camping and sleep under the stars are some things on top. I live in a country where these activities are common and probably taken for granted. It's unusual to live here for so long and have not had the opportunity to do it even once. Of course, this just means that there are many opportunities that don't present itself so readily to me. This is me actively seeking those opportunities, I suppose.

The Mission:

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:

Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?

Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Dates:

My start date is: Thursday, 1st of January, 2015

My end date is: Monday 28th of September, 2017

In progress

Completed

Stuff to do with work

1.     Start doing events/duty

2.     Finish Gold Duke of Edinburgh

3.     Become AYM

4.     Get two kids into Nationals

5.     Get a team to place in District Competitions

6.     Get a job

Education/Learning something new

7.       Go snowboarding and/or skiing

8.       NZ Sign Language

9.       Read 12 books

10.   Learn how to play chess

11.   Start my 2^nd degree

12.   Get 2 A's in class

13.   Drive Manual

14.   Attend a TED event

Travel

15.   Go whale watching

16.   Northland Twin Coast Discovery

17.   Tongariro

18.   Otago Rail Trails

19.   South Island Road Trip

20.   North Island Road Trip

21.   Get a New Zealand passport

22.   Visit Norway/Travel Scandinavia

23.   Visit one new country I've not been to

Something New – Food

24.   Hangi

25.   Kangaroo

26.   Be able to make 12 different things

27.   Open a cookbook to a random page and make whatever is on it

Health

28.   Symbio 14 day challenge

29.   Greenleaf Organics

30.   No fizzy drinks for one month

31.   No deep fried food for one month

32.   No fizzy drinks for one year

33.   Vegetarian for a month

34.   Keep a food-fit diary

35.   Gym twice a week for six months

36.   2.4 km in 12 minutes

37.   Drink at least 2L of water per day

38.   30 day AB Challenge

Something New – Experiences

39.   Watch 26 movies I've never seen starting with each letter of the alphabet

40.   Read a book before I see the movie

41.   Read an entire magazine

42.   Go to a concert

43.   Ask a stranger for a date

44.   Watch a sunrise

45.   Watch a sunset

46.   Gay bar

47.   Make out with a girl

48.   Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

49.   Acting role

50.   Commercial role

51.   Send a secret to PostSecret

52.   Complete a 30 day photo challenge

53.   Complete a 365 day photo challenge

Greed

54.   Buy a MacBook

55.   Buy a complete anime or manga collection

56.   Buy entire set of Flashpoint

57.   Buy a Polaroid camera

58.   Buy a house

59.   Buy Little and Friday

60.   Buy a cook book

61.   Buy a piano

62.   Go one month without buying anything unnecessary

63.   Keep a track of spending for a year

64.   Buy a selfie camera

Fun with friends

65.   Go on a picnic

66.   Tree Adventures

67.   Spookers

68.   Bungee Jumping

69.   Take a train from Auckland to Wellington

70.   Thames trail

71.   Build a sandcastle

72.   Go Snorkeling

Creativity

73.   Build a (city?) model

74.   Complete the 1000 piece LOTR puzzle

75.   Find 12 DIY on Pinterest and try it

Numbers

76.   60

77.   55

78.   50

79.   200,000

80.   5,000

81.   10,000

82.   15,000

83.   20,000

Vanity

84.   10

85.   Stop biting my nails for fuck's sake

86.   Get my fortune told

87.   Try a hot stone massage

88.   Get a manicure

89.   Set up an emergency fund

90.   Buy a homeless person a meal and a drink

91.   Pay for a stranger when they are missing change

92.   Put change in someone's expired parking metre

Generosity

93.   Donate blood

94.   For everything I don't accomplish, donate $1 to a charity

Mission 101

95.   Mission 101 scrap/photobook

96.   Write a letter to myself to open when the 1001 days are over

97.   Start another list on the 1001^st day

98.   Save $5 for everything that I accomplish.

99.   Influence one person to start a Mission 101.

100.Make a list of 101 songs I could listen to forever

101.Identify 101 things that make me happy

Wish me luck? I'll need it since I've not yet been successful at all.

- essenity xx

Rangitoto Adventure

WARNING: Very picture heavy post!


It's been on my to do list ever since Freak invited a whole bunch of us to Rangitoto Island back in 2009. On the morning of the trip, she texted me to tell me everyone pulled out and so the plans were cancelled. I was somewhat relieved but disappointed. Betrayed, when I found out she went there by herself and had an adventure. To get to the island, there are two ferry options there and two back. There's nothing on the island, no shops, no facilities, basically it's a day trip where you climb to the summit, walk around the island then leave before nightfall. So basically, if you miss the last ferry, you're screwed. That is exactly what happened to Freak. She missed the ferry and thought she would have to sleep on the beach for the night. Up until some cops spotted her and took her back to the mainland in their boat.


Over two years later, I've finally gone through with the plan of going to Rangi. I conned Shu into coming with me and in the process, YRK who mentioned it to STM who also wanted to go. We made plans to meet at the ferry building (because I wasn't going to drive anyone around) and catch the ferry over. Since the last ferry off the island is scheduled at 3:30, I decided we should get on the 9:15 ferry over. I doubted we could get to the summit and back down again in 90 minutes (to catch the 12:45 ferry) so best to take the morning ferry - we'd miss the noon ferry back but at least we've got the 3:30 one to fall back on.

The night before, the restaurant had a farewell dinner after work (more like a midnight BBQ feast) for a colleague who was leaving for Japan. I didn't get home till nearly 2 am and didn't get my ass into bed till nearly 3. Had to set my alarm to go off twice in fear I wouldn't make it up in time for my train. Managed to roll out of bed, freshen up, and get changed in about 9 minutes, just in time to leave the house for my 8:15 train. Thankfully I live quite literally across the road from the train station. It only takes about 3 minutes from my living room into the train. As the first picture indicates, yes, every photo in this blog was taken by my iPhone. Too lazy to use a camera. Also, too lazy to use sunscreen... which I hate the feeling of and I regret not buying the Za sunscreen I tried at the warehouse sale. That sunscreen felt great.

Back to the topic at hand. The train arrived just as I approached the platform. That is what Auckland trains look like at the platform - open area. I tagged on with the new AT card and hopped onto the train.

That's me trying to not so flatteringly take a photo of myself and the screen behind me which tells passengers what station they are at.

I was trying to capture the date - 26/11/2012.

Texting Shu on the way to Britomart

Didn't think about it until I was on the train, had to transfer money over so I could buy the ferry ticket.

Auckland's Ferry Building. Beautiful building, isn't it?

I met Shu at Britomart and together, we walked across the road to the Ferry Building. I never look at this building or pay any attention to it when I'm in the CBD but every time I go to catch a ferry, I always get taken by surprise by how pretty this building is! We walked through the building and met YRK and STM in front of the ticket booth.

The boring ticket and a brochure of Rangitoto Island. Thank god I thought to grab one, it had a map. 

While waiting for the ferry, Shu handed us a muesli bar. It's the most disgusting thing I've tried all year. It was half covered in chocolate, which made me want to down a bottle of water after each bite. Nevertheless, I thanked her for her kindness. Only after she tsk'd me about it.

We tried taking a group shot. Fail.

2nd attempt, better but missed Shu out entirely.

Auckland CBD skyline.

Pier of Rangi from a distance, just as we approached the island.

The "pier" or "dock" or whatever when we arrived at Rangi.

Rangi from the ferry.

Arrived alive on Rangitoto Island! From left to right, STM, me and YRK.

Apparently this used to be a public pool - there were bachs (kiwi term for holiday houses) on the island and kids used to learn how to swim here.

Ew, right?

From left to right, shot of Shu, STM and YRK.

I swear, it looked way prettier IRL...

So I stuck two people in front of it. 

Still, you've gotta go there to appreciate the beauty. Sorry about the blur. This was taken on our way to the caves. Which I've neglected to mention... oops. There are these caves you can go explore on Rangitoto Island. We decided to explore them on our way to the summit.

Shu and I in front of the first cave. Trying to look scared. YRK took the picture so sorry about the blur, she doesn't know how to use an iPhone.

STM and YRK posing.

Then we came across REAL caves! This is the hole at the beginning of the cave. You can walk through it! Bring a torch! The light from iPhone isn't strong enough really.

I sent YRK in first but she didn't have a torch so I took this picture before handing her my phone. She looked much calmer after that.

Midway through the caves, we saw light! A hole in the roof!

When we reached the end of the caves, it came out to this. They are called the Lava Caves because Rangitoto is a volcanic island and everything was basically built by lava.

YRK and STM coming out from the caves.

Group shot of us conquering the Lava Caves!

We decided to head back through ground while STM and Shu headed back through the caves. I regretted it because although going through the dark caves was very difficult and quite dangerous, walking in the light was actually more tiring and difficult due to the terrain.

On our way back from the lava caves, Shu decided to climb a tree... a tree in which I believe a strong spirit resides in. True story. It's the look of the tree. Looks alive.

Posers. Taken just before we started our climb to the summit.

Road up to the summit. What a workout! Seriously tiring. Shu and I started running up it because we both got the idea that running up it wouldn't be as tiring. We were exhausted. Next time, just walk up it.

At the summit, picture of the crater. LOOK AT ALL THAT FOLIAGE!

We plopped down on the benches and for a rest, had a long debate about whether or not to start running down towards the pier so we could catch the 12:45 ferry back to civilization. Some tourists overheard us and joined in our discussion. In the end, we decided we were too tired, too lazy and were enjoying this view too much to leave.

Not sure who took this photo, I think STM?

So we had lunch to that beautiful view. Left to right, Shu, me (with binoculars lol) and YRK. Oh, a warning to future tourists... there's absolutely no reception (or hardly any, depending on which company and what phone you have). You'll be relying on the good will of other tourists if you get hurt. It's probably a good place to kill someone. Haha, just kidding. There are many tourists that go through the island.

Dead bird on the way down. =S

Our path down from the summit.

Can't really see it here, but the tips of this was a beautiful purple.

Black lava rocks. 

Shu talked about how she should grab one, stuff it in her back and take it back as a souvenir. Later, she was glad she didn't because the hike back was a very long one as we decided to take the route that goes around the island so we could enjoy the seaside.

Along the way, there were these posts and every time we saw one, it felt like a checkpoint in a game. Graphics of this game? Brilliant. =)

We were exhausted by this point. Actually, a lot of time passed but I was too exhausted to bother taking photos. Also, my phone was dying. You might recall from the first picture of this post, I started the trip with 50% battery life. Shu and I basically spent the entire trek complaining about walking and claiming we'd never be adventurous again. That and how we could only see MORE ROAD ahead of us.

Upturned boat

MORE ROAD

Then we got so close.................................... and to our dismay, we were greeted by this sign. We had to go through the Kowhai Grove - which was actually a mini adventure in itself. If you run through it, it feels like you're some survivor on Lost and you're running away from something sinister. So thank you, Department of Conservation, without your detour, we would never have bothered with the Kowhai Grove.

Victory! YRK and STM emerging from the Kowhai Grove... proof of our conquering of  Rangitoto Island!

Yes, as the sign would suggest, this was supposed to be the starting point of the Grove, but whatever, we like to do things differently!

I would definitely recommend this adventure to any future tourists - local or foreign! However, you're going to have to be prepared to face a tough hike. New Zealand sun stings and I recommend you take more than one bottle of water. I only took one 750ml, not nearly enough. I'll know better for next time. Physically, it's not actually a tough hike if you're quite fit, mostly flat ground although very rocky so you'll have to be careful. After our return, Shu and I ached for weeks. Although that could be due to my not having had a break from working for over 14 days straight... but whatever, it's not like we're fit to begin with. I heard many people go to the Island and train for marathons (Rangitoto and Motutapu - the adjoining island). One day, we'll run it instead. Ok, that's not likely but come on, dream big.


Quick end of day - after Rangi, Shu and I went to the Australian Visa Office. Shu had to drop off her paperwork as she's going to Sydney for a holiday at the end of year. Coincidentally, I'm going to Australia as well, but to Melbourne. Some of the full time staff are going to Australia as well but it's by total coincidence and none of us will meet up.

From downtown CBD, we walked up Queen St, I stopped by Moustache and grabbed a M&M + Peanut Butter cookie, a drink from Starbucks and Shu bought food from the food court - worst decision ever. No matter how hungry and exhausted she was, she still agreed with me. It was disgusting. After that disappointing meal, we walked back down to Britomart to catch our trains home.