Birthday Girl!

         

           What a spoiled little birthday brat I am!!! I have just had an amazing day filled with children singing happy birthday, a dinner out with my family away from home, and a major change in school that is going to give me some room to breathe and enjoy the rest of my time here.  Overall this day was incredible!

            I woke up this morning and immediately facetimed Brian.  I knew if I could facetime him before school I could catch him between classes, and then I could facetime my parents at lunch at school because my dad would be home from work by then (is it not crazy how messed up being halfway around the world is?!)  It was the perfect way to start my birthday!! It’s amazing how comforted you feel by talking to your boyfriend and parents. 

            When I walked upstairs for breakfast, my host family immediately shouted happy birthday and began singing to me! It was so so sweet!!  Next they brought out a whole bag of individually wrapped gifts (compliments to Emma who begged Tanya to wrap each gift individually).  I was blown away by all of the meaningful gifts they gave me.  I received two beautiful cards, a stuffed animal Kiwi Bird (one of the national birds of New Zealand), New Zealand magnets, a deck of cards for my two week trip (and to teach my host family how to play euchre since I’ve been blabbing about how much fun it is), key chains, a gorgeous wooden sign that says “Aotearoa” (New Zealand in Maori), and this incredible “love” bead for a Pandora bracelet that is only made in New Zealand.  Oh and of course, my addiction here, CADEBERRY CHOCOLATES!!! I was so touched that it took a lot not to cry on the spot.

            I then headed off to school.  I got to see an ESOL class, and a Reading Recovery class, which was amazing!! I learned so much!  But the best part of my day had to have been the meeting I had with my assistant principal.  I have been having a lot of trouble with my host teacher. Long story short, my time here has been a bit miserable as far as teaching is concerned.  After talking to my assistant principal on Monday (I actually stood up for myself for once!!!) I was told today that I am able to move rooms!  As if Tanya was not already my guardian angel, she is going to be my new host teacher!!!!! I GET TO TEACH A BRAND NEW CLASS OF NEW ENTRANCE KIDDOS (kindergarteners-my favorite age!!!!).  The school system is set up differently here so every child starts school on their 5^th birthday.  So this class will be starting school for the first time EVER after my two week break!!!! I am so beyond excited and blessed!!!  Again I will say TANYA IS MY GUARDIAN ANGEL!

            As if my day wasn’t already perfect, Nick drove the family and I into Takapuna for dinner at an authentic New York Style pizza place called Sal’s!!  I got a little slice of home-pun intended! I ate pizza, drank beer and enjoyed the first night of being 23!!! Every day I am here I know I am so blessed to be in the host family I am in.  I cannot express the love they have shown for me and the support in all of the difficulties I have had abroad.  Although I miss home everyday and wish I could have spent my birthday with Brian and my family, I have a second family here and they made today the perfect day.  I love and miss you all! Today is officially the halfway point of my trip, so be ready because this traveling girl only has 6 weeks left!!!!

Pinch me I must be dreaming...

            

            Today was incredible!! I started off the day FaceTiming my mom and talking on the phone with my dad.  Isn’t it amazing how right the world can feel again just by talking to your parents?  After chatting, Nick drove me to the bus stop to catch a bus into the city.  I got to meet up with Jordan, Cassie and Allison to plan our two week holiday!  After some annoying set backs we finally booked our two week trip! We will officially be going on the Stray Bus Short Willy Bus Trip of the south island! (here it is: http://www.straytravel.com/explore-your-pass-options/stray-hop-on-hop-off/south-island-passes/short-willy-pass/)

            After booking everything we had a quick lunch and then headed off to the museum.  Cassie and I were the only ones that headed to New Market to see the Auckland War Museum (Jordan had something come up and Allison was meeting friends).  So Cassie and I got to explore this incredible museum.  The Auckland Museum is filled with Maori artifacts.  I got to walk inside a sacred Maori house, touch a Waaka (war canoe) and even sit through an earthquake simulator! Such a fun day exploring! I couldn’t have asked for better!

            After having a quick dinner, Cassie and I caught a bus to Eden Park for the Blues v. Hurricanes (from Wellington, NZ) game! Tanya and Nick offered Cassie one of the family passes, so Cassie and I were able to got into the family room again! I am starting to think I am a very spoiled person.  After that we went to our seats and watched an incredible win against the Hurricanes! It was such a fun game to watch! Then, of course, we went to get autographs from the players! I even got an autograph from an ALL BLACK! The longer I am here the more honored I feel to have had such incredible experiences.  I know I am so lucky and blessed.

            After getting many autographs (I swear I have the whole teams signature basically)  Nick offered to take us into the CEO suite!! Cassie and I entered the suite dumb-struck.  As we grabbed a wine, we settled into the “flash” (gorgeous, beautiful, popular) crowd, Tanya pointed out that we were sharing air with Auckland’s Mayor, the CEO of the Blues, and former All Black’s captains.  I think the look on my face may have given away how star-struck I was.  I got to meet the CEO of the Blues and not only that but stand in a suite that only managers and executives of the team and their families stand.  I felt so honored.

            As if that wasn’t enough, we headed back to the family room to wait for the players arrival.  I got to stand in the same room as the starters of the Blues.  I watched and even talked to some of them!!!! My life is ridiculous and I can’t believe that I am standing on New Zealand soil, let alone rubbing elbows and swapping stories with the most famous rugby players in New Zealand.  Least to say, I feel so blessed and cannot wait to see what is ahead!!!  I hope everyone is doing well! Know that I think about all of you daily! All my love is sent your way!!

            

Hot Air Balloon Festival?

          This weekend was interesting to say the least.  Cassie, Jordan, “The Morgans” and I decided to jet off to Hamilton, New Zealand for a Hot Air Balloon festival.  We rented a car and learned first-hand what driving in a different country is like! I can now say, I successfully drove half of the way to Hamilton! It was weird to not only be on the opposite side of the car, but to drive on the opposite side of the road!!! We giggled the whole way because the turn signal is also on the right and not the left! Every time I hit the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal!   Somehow we made it safely into Hamilton! To preface, according to Jordan's host family Hamilton is the SDT capital of New Zealand. We knew this place was not known for its beauty...just food for thought as you read!

            We got all settled in our hostel which was extremely nice! I am still amazed that I can sleep somewhere for $27! Sweet (or as they say here “sweet as”).  After dropping off our packs, we headed to explore the town! We had lunch at a little pub.  I had the most delicious BLT and of course some incredible beer! We kept wondering through pubs throughout the afternoon.  Around 3:30 we decided to walk to the college where this festival was.  An hour later, after following some high schoolers who took us through some short cuts, we made it to the grounds! Rides and fair food everywhere, but no balloons…curious.  We decided not to stick around and left for another pub to wait until the night where there would be a “glow” festival of the balloons lit up.

            We grabbed the tiniest margarita’s I have ever seen at a local and very expensive Mexican restaurant, and then had dinner and drinks at yet another pub!  Finally it was 8:30 and the festival should be back on, so we caught a cab back to the festival!  We were adventurous and even wondered into a house party! It was just like a frat live out at home and made us laugh a little to be back in the college atmosphere.  Finally making it to the festival……..WE MISSED THE WHOLE THING!!!! We made it barely in time to see a really crappy firework show.  I don’t think I’ve laughed more at myself than I did this weekend!  I mean really?! We drove 2 hours for a festival we didn’t even see?! I didn’t even see ONE BALLOON!!! Still laughing as I write this!

            Having missed the fun, we started heading back with the thousands of people walking in the streets.  We weren’t going to walk all the way back again because it would just add insult to injury to have to walk after seeing NOTHING so we stopped at a pool bar and played some pool and had some drinks to let the traffic clear. 

            Finally we made it back to the city center to hit the town! We had some drink vouchers and ended up doing Hamilton BIG! We laughed and danced and pretended we were just college kids again!  It was such a blast! Our disappointment changed to hilarity and we have chalked this whole weekend up to a “good story for our blogs”.  No we didn’t get to see balloons, yes we did drive 2 hours to go to pubs that we could do at home, BUT we had fun and if the only thing I remember from this weekend is the god-awful breakfast we all had this morning, it was still worth it because I got to see another part of New Zealand!  What a weekend! Now I’m sure you have all laughed at my disappointing blog but I hope it made you smile! Lots of love to you all from New Zealand! 

My First Rugby Game-The Blues!!

         Tonight I got a real treat! I was able to go to my first Blues rugby game in Eden Park.  My host dad is the high performance manager for the team and they offered for me to come along to the game and sit in the family and friends section.  This means that I was sitting with all of the players families!!! I even got a special pass to sit and go into the family venues!  I felt so cool and so touched that my host family would offer for me to come experience this with them, especially since this is my host dad’s job and career!

            When we first got to Eden Park, which is the Blues home field, we went into the family lounge.  This lounge is made only for players and staff families (how lucky am I?!)  We had a drink and relaxed with some of the other players faimilies before going out and finding our seats.  Tanya and Nick were kind enough to take TONS of pictures for me, so we stopped a few times on the way to our seats for prime photo ops!

            Once we were seated, the game began! The Blues had a rough start but we ended up pulling through in the second half to win! It was such an exciting game and I truly enjoyed every moment! I am starting to learn a little bit more about rugby and actually really enjoy it because in many ways it is like football but the game moves much quicker because they don’t stop between plays but continue to pass the ball! So fun to watch!!

            After the game Nick took us to where we could get autographs and meet the players! I was able to get three different autographs and pictures with three separate players! I was so excited and terrified because I have this awful habit of getting extremely star-struck and being very very shy.  But I managed to pull through and ended up with some great autographs to prove it!

            As if I didn’t already have a big head and think I was cool enough, Nick took us back into the family lounge where we could wait again with the families of the players to congratulate the team.  Unfortunately, after 2 hours of waiting the team still hadn’t finished their locker room chat so we headed home! It was still amazing to be a part of that VIP experience and I am so beyond grateful for such an incredible night! 

           Tomorrow I am off to a hot air balloon festival with all of my girls, so I must head to bed! This week has been a whirlwind of fun and first-times! I cannot wait for what the weekend holds! Goodnight, from New Zealand!

            

Learning to Sail

           

          Today was another incredible day.  I am starting to pinch myself every morning to make sure I am not dreaming! I was able to tag along with the year 5 and 6 classes today for their Waterwise sailing program. Yes I said SAILING!!!!  I boarded the bus with 22 excited 10 year olds and headed off to Torbay! As we drove up to the gorgeous waters, 30 little sailboats lay beached on the sand.  I started to get so excited for what the day was going to hold! 

            I have never been sailing before and didn’t think I would make the best skipper, so I was slightly relieved to find out that I was only going to help man the rescue boat!  With a motor and no need for skill, I was exactly where I fit!  The morning was spent teaching students how to move their sails and rudder to move their little boats.  I was able to get a full lesson on what sailing means simply by listening to the instructors out on the water.  I am surprised daily about the amount of time spent in “outdoor education”.  This idea that learning can be hands-on and often occurs outside of the classroom is refreshing and exactly how I want to teach!

            There were three different sessions of sailing.  The first session went very smoothly, with just the right amount of wind.  The second session had a wonderful start, but ended in chaos because we lost the wind.  The five rescue boats had to then tow 30 different sailboats back into the beach.  With kids screaming and laughing and trying to capsize their boats while tied to the motor, it is a miracle everyone arrived safely to shore! The last group finally got some incredible wind and we ended up far out into the ocean.  I was so impressed by these little people and their innate capability.  They battled huge waves, changing winds and rain and still managed to have a successful trip out and back to shore. Had I been in a sailboat I am sure I would have been lost to sea!

            As the weeks go on, I am being reminded every day how precious a child’s mind is.  So many times I think we forget that 10 year olds are only 10.  They aren’t authors, historians or mathematicians yet.  They are simply kids.   It has been fun to be involved in such an open school philosophy, where kids curious minds are put to test in real life scenarios and inquiry.  I am being challenged and stretched in ways I never imagined and am better for.  I truly hope I can bring back this freedom, inquiry and hands-on learning to my future classroom.  

Bay of Islands Pictures

Day One:

Day 2:

Day Three:

Bay of Islands/Bay of Fun (copyright Cassie)

Paihia, Bay of Islands

Kia Ora Everyone!! (hi everyone in Maori)  These last four days have been INCREDIBLE! I took my very first trip with two good friends, Cassie and Allison.  We headed to the far north for our four-day Easter Holiday from school!  On Saturday morning we boarded the Naked Bus, yes I still can’t get over the name! After sitting in hours of traffic leaving Auckland city, we finally arrived in Paihia, which is nestled in the Bay of Islands.  The night we arrived we met up with “The Two Morgan’s” who are also in our program and hit the town to unwind and enjoy!! Here is how this incredible adventure went from here:

Day One:

            We woke up early on Sunday to explore.  We had scheduled tours for Monday and Tuesday but had absolutely no plans for this day.  With thousands of ideas in mind, we headed first to Haruru Falls.  These waterfalls were absolutely stunning and we were even able to stand at the top with our feet in the water! What a rush to feel that water gushing over the cliff and to stand right on the edge (sorry mom and dad)! After taking millions of pictures and contemplating jumping off the cliff into the water (thank god a kayaker below told us there were rocks at the bottom) we headed off for adventure #2!

            We drove a little further than the falls to Kaitomo Glowworm Caves.  New Zealand plays host to some of the only glowworms in the world.  As we hiked deeper into the caves with our lanterns, we were instructed to turn them off (bad time to say I have always been scared of the dark and to this day still sleep with a nightlight on my cell phone)! The cave was filled with little blue “stars” made from the glowworms.  It looked like I stood three feet from the Milky Way.  I was amazed! Our tour guide also pointed out an eel that was swimming under the walkway stream-never thought I would hate something more than a snake until meeting this thing.  What an incredible experience!

            We then left “The Morgan’s” and headed to the beach for some R&R.  There is nothing better than napping on a sandy beach with turquoise water in front of you! Cassie and I decided we needed just a little more adventure in our day and headed out to kayak in the open ocean! We paddled to a nearby island and all around the bay.  I even jumped out of my kayak for the first time!! It was incredible!! Swimming in the deep ocean was electrifying and terrifying all at once! I loved it!!  The rest of the night was spent having dinner out and a movie in, preparing for our extra long tour the next day!

Day Two:

            On Monday Cassie and I woke up early to catch our 7:15am bus for our 90 mile beach, sand dune riding, Cape Reinga and Mangingangina Forest tour!  We boarded the bus and immediately knew this was going to be an amazing day! Our bus driver greeted us and began telling us what to expect as we made our way to the northern most habitable point in New Zealand, Cape Reinga.  This journey would take us on 90 mile beach, which is actually only 64 miles with many legends as to why the discrepancy of name, but I won’t bore you.  As we began our journey our guide warned us that they have lost buses in the past because of rough waters on 90 mile beach.  You see, we have to drive directly on the beach in order to make it to our proper destinations.  At this point I was a little nervous and exhilarated!

            After our morning tea stop (I am getting quite used to this tradition) we made our way through the gorgeous New Zealand landscape and finally to 90 mile beach.  As we entered the sand I didn’t know what to expect! Then we took off!!! We were flying through sand and surf as the MASSIVE waves reached up and under the bus! It was incredible!!! We were even able to get out at one point and take pictures.  I put my feet into the Tasman Sea for the first time!

            Our next stop was Sand boarding! Now this was exhausting. Our bus chose to do the hardest dune, which took nearly 15 minutes straight vertical to climb! But Cassie and I were not going to chicken out of this, especially when seeing old ladies do it.  We huffed and puffed and finally made it to the top for some of the most spectacular views of the Tasman Sea and Dunes.  Then we were off on our boards! WE FLEW!!! I tried to slow down so much that all the nail polish on my toes was burned off…that’s how fast we were going! So much fun and such a thrill, even though I now desperately need a pedicure!!  Our next stop was lunch on the Tasman Sea.  I had never seen such gorgeous waters.

            Finally we made it to my favorite spot, Cape Reinga.  This is the most sacred place in New Zealand.  The Maori people believe that Cape Reinga is where the spirits of loved ones journey to to depart into the afterlife.  Our guide gave us such a moving explanation that both Cassie and I teared up thinking about our recently departed loved ones.  As we entered into Cape Reinga our guide gave a prayer in Maori to invite our loved ones with us on our journey.  It was beautiful and made me think of my grandma.  As we hiked to the top hill and stood over the cliff looking into the Tasman Sea and the gorgeous landscape 150 meters below, Cassie and I were silent.  I could feel the presence of my grandma with me, and although I don’t believe in Maori Gods, I prayed to my God and thanked him for my beautiful grandmother. It was really a powerful moment. Although grandma barely got to see the parking lot of Canada (thanks to grandpa haha) I know she was with me in the most beautiful place on earth, seeing the sights that literally took my breath away.

            We finally made it to the northern most point at Cape Reinga.  Did you know I was closer to the South Pole than I was to LA?! If that doesn’t make me feel far from home I don’t know what does! We ended our journey with fish and chips at a local restaurant and a final hike to the Mangingangina Forest.  This forest holds trees that live for 3,000 years.  They don’t even mature until they are 800 years old.  Legend has it that hugging this tree with gives you energy.  Having spent nearly 10 hours traveling, Cassie and I thought a hug was just what we needed! I got to hug a tree that is 800 years old and HUGE!! It was actually a lot of fun and very sappy, pun intended.

            We ended the day exhausted and yet knew we had another full day ahead so we went to bed early again and ready for our next adventures!

Day Three:

            We woke up on Tuesday and packed before heading off for our Dolphin Cruise on the notorious Dolphin Seeker Yacht!  I was so excited I couldn’t contain myself! I warned the girls that I would live up to the “loud and annoying American tourist” stereotype today because I LOVE dolphins!  As we set off we took a journey among the 144 different islands in the Bay of Islands.  The views were absolutely stunning and I’m pretty sure my jaw was on the floor as my camera was pressed to my face the whole time.  We started sitting on the top of the boat, but Allison and I grew adventurous and decided we wanted more action.  We moved to the front deck where every move the boat made you could feel and the ocean was just a foot from you!  We ended up riding the rest of the day in this spot, which was thrilling! The wind and the speed nearly knocked you off balance, but I still say we had the best spot in the house!

            After being at the front only a few minutes we came across a pod of dolphins.  Usually a pod out here is only 10-15 dolphins.  We came across a pod that had over 50 dolphins or more!!! Everywhere you looked you could see them! I was so excited I screamed, literally and everyone stared but I didn’t care because I finally got to see WILD DOLPHINS!!! They were beautiful and so majestic! It made my day just to ride on the boat, let alone come across one of the biggest pods of dolphins our skipper had ever seen! Such a cool experience. I’ve learned just how beautiful our world is.

            We then went to the hole in the rock, which is the largest hole in a rock in the Southern Hemisphere! We even got to drive the boat through it! This was so interesting and actually really cool.  I want to know how there is such beauty here.  Our last stop on our tour was at a little island where we were able to get off, have some carrot cake and put our feet in the clearest water I have ever see.  You could see for meters down into the water! Cassie and I got our feet wet and picked up gorgeous shells to bring home!

            After our tour we went across the bay to Russell, which is the first settled place in New Zealand.  It holds the first church and many more firsts for this country.  We shopped for souvenirs and relaxed.  As we were sitting near the dock we watched kids jumping off the dock into the water.  It looked like a lot of fun so  Allison and I decided, “when in Rome” and climbed on top high wooden pillars on the dock.  If we were going to jump off the dock, we were going to do it in the most adventurous way possible!  It took a lot of convincing and Allison going first to test the waters before I jumped off the 8 foot pillar into the ocean! We did it twice and it was such a fun way to end our trip.  With the sea salt clinging to me on the ferry ride back to Paihia, our trip came to an end.  We changed, had lunch and loaded our Naked Bus for home.

             I am so blessed to have gotten to be in such a gorgeous place with some great friends.  I cannot wait for our next adventure together!  I’m going to sleep tonight with a light heart and a mild sunburn.  Sweetest Dreams from New Zealand!! xoxoxox