Life of a New Zealand teenager

"Up, up, up, the sheep ain't gonna herd themselves" my Grandads aged, yet knowledgeable voice filled my square room. I just lay still under my covers, knowing exactly what he's going to do next. I hear his irregular footsteps, as he hobbles over to my cream coloured curtains. He swings open my curtains, at his attempt to wake me. Light floods my room, and peel back my eyelids.

My Grandad stands by my door, looking at me expectantly. "I'm up" i croaked, sitting up. Satisfied, he leaves the room with no more words said. I swing out of bed, and crack my neck, fingers, and wrists. I carry my sleepy body to my window, and glance out to see what i see almost every morning. I see the snow capped peaks of the mountains in the distance. I see the orange, gold, and coral tinted sky, with a few glowing stars that still litter the sky. I see the native birds swoop low across the yard. I see sheep dotted around lush paddocks, -The same sheep i will help herd in soon-.

I smile as i heave open my rusty window, the window pane getting stuck on its journey up once or twice. I lean out the window, and breath in the air that belongs only to New Zealand. It smells fresh, and unpolluted. The cool air makes my nose twitch, as i breath in the smell of melted snow. I watch a Tui bird swoop onto a tree branch in front of me. It tilts it black head my way, its white ball of feather down under its neck bobble with its movements. It opens its orange beak, and lets out the tune its famous for. I close my eyes, listening to the sound of the bird native to New Zealand.

I open my eyes just in time to see it take flight, its green and purple tinted wings a thing of beauty against the colourful sun.

I quickly turn left, and grabbed my guitar by the neck, and swing the strap over my shoulder. Leaving my window open, i run down stairs. The smell of bacon fills my nose, but i have a more important matter to withhold, instead of eating. I slow to a walk as i reach the kitchen. Mum, Grandad, and 22 year old brother Zach are preparing breakfast, and they turn to me for a quick glance, before turning back to there occupations. I do this some mornings, so its nothing new.

I take a left, and open our large ranch slider door. I step into the fresh air, and breath it in happily. I spy the native forest that stretches for miles behind our house. I dig my toes into the moist dirt under the dewy grass. I walk again, enjoying the sounds of nature. Soon enough, i make it to our old wooden barn, and i grab the cool metal of the lock, pulling back. I blow on my tender fingers as i enter the barn, and switch in the light.

The barn lights up before my eyes, and i see many hay bales ready to be climbed. I hop from bale to bale, stopping to sneeze often, as i upset some of the dust in the bales. I reach the roof, and push in it hard. It creaks as a trap door opens above my head. I climb through, and into the attic part of the barn. The only light coming through, is from a window that the glass was removed from to air the place out.

I make my way over to the ledge, and plonk down, hugging my guitar to my torso. My legs hang over the barns side, and i look down, taking in the risk of falling. Shrugging, i strum the strings of my guitar, trying to warm my numb fingers. I look forward at the rising sun, as it climbs higher above the mountains.

I start to sing softly as i strum at the guitar. My voice mixes with the one of a  Kereru (NZ wood pigeon) making me smile in contentment. I think of all those normal teenagers, who don't get to wake up to this every morning.

I hope i captured the look and feel of New Zealand for you guys.... Let me know what you think of it :)