tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17845250226658123482024-03-12T19:41:34.583-07:00Come What May And Love It...in NEW ZEALAND :)Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-86281354135820513842011-04-12T05:52:00.000-07:002011-04-13T22:43:45.094-07:00We looked, but we didn't find nemo...<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Day 1, Friday</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b></b></span>I officially left New Zealand today! Nice and early—the taxi man came and got us at 4:10. Woof. It was sad saying goodbye to the Lords, but I was ready for another adventure. The flight was nice, not too long and plenty to do with our individual TVs. It was fun landing, knowing that I was in a completely different country! Five other girls stayed in a hotel in the city, but since my friend McKenna and her family lived in Sydney for three years, they set up our (Jess, Anna, Me) Sydney living arrangements with their friends, the Campbells. They so kindly opened their home to us, and our stay with them really made our Sydney trip SO much better. We really loved getting to know Neil, Cheryl, Tamara (21), Laura (18), and Lachlan (14).</p><p class="MsoNormal">The big challenge today was finding out way from the international airport to the Campbell’s house. We had it all mapped out, but it required us to take two trains and one bus…with two suitcases and two carry-ons each! What a sight we were. I truly wish we could have had someone video recording us as we tried to get on the train (the gap in between the platform and the actual train was tricky!), OR as we tried situating ourselves so that we could sit, not lose our luggage, and still have room for people to walk by, OR walking up a big hill when we accidentally got off the bus one stop too early, and so forth. Such an adventure, but surprisingly, it went much smoother than we could have ever dreamed. We were expecting Auckland public transportation, and were delighted when we soon learned that Sydney transportation is wayyy better, much more consistent and reliable. So, yes we surely looked ridiculous getting on and off the trains and bus, but we saved a ton of money that way, and we shared a whole lot more laughs.</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVq3iTBew_7HOGUa_ug1y7hyphenhyphenHamt_xEBEpqhpWpCSoqkH5n0xQw6aSsRphsjYn-FAvbEXYY7S5VMTkFp6QBl8QWKgCKF-j9s3RomV-dnA8UxksXO0KlXTCxMjH5c6X1wbk-JOjdVex-AQ/s320/DSC03348.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594695545545148050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51tNaOoxTNPeNpiIVW_ysNioPJYswI-5xPOPPNTDb7Tz8G_UcVYP7t_4cpCErWkzUXuGX2tUyoS-qKEfkfek94EXd1zk5TeHqdUqhXUX9QiFphqh7wWBJQPTa9-EWG5-VCN2p8U1BCA0/s320/IMG_4379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594695554650960002" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Since we accidently got off the bus one stop early, we had to climb this hill...whoops!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkD3zXSjG32syIzKjL9maac0yrrqH76RcVazjxP2lgPR_6UZM5ATech4qjUt2F7tS7sMfcEcHLC_TkuDHbNyEQ832_NO-hQmpUP-UCbfh5ekKsGlxv0uW3xbMRNQSxqN429ohffhq6-U/s320/IMG_4380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595303526600434146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Our Sydney adventures started off right away with Featherdale Wildlife Park. One of our goals here was to see the Australian animals, and boy did we see Australian animals!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; ">Lots of pictures with the koalas! We really wanted to hold him, but apparently it's illegal. They were sooo cute and cuddly though!</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBboQMzUSS2bjVbtn6irV9jaoJWFIOx4lTFr1BoRIAHVpToZHkASJMWOOJWg8q6P-ZKfs_jjWofcyJ9kEyGzwGBSFoYjuAth7dRhj9OzLUPQuH_fQmWGMKFTFMHAhHYUVytGlWSQplDI/s320/DSC03402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594695576129241778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Hello Mr. Emu. They were just roaming around with the kangaroos, and were not afraid of us at all...one even pecked my toes!!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3jT8b9sRoIYTCP8J3YlkzZohS9s4XWgSQkCjuohZvNKqwepWnviewoLcdCkQsk1qjrVjJLvrxg54EXUElLXZzWzOPqt-dPSAM7Y7VnHwP_mbubUx314Zwr_7zNDMt3Kw3sncZpIq92g/s1600/DSCN1062.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3jT8b9sRoIYTCP8J3YlkzZohS9s4XWgSQkCjuohZvNKqwepWnviewoLcdCkQsk1qjrVjJLvrxg54EXUElLXZzWzOPqt-dPSAM7Y7VnHwP_mbubUx314Zwr_7zNDMt3Kw3sncZpIq92g/s320/DSCN1062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594695587544795602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">These were beautiful birds--red and gold! This one only had one leg, but I guess Anna only has one leg, too! ;)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBboQMzUSS2bjVbtn6irV9jaoJWFIOx4lTFr1BoRIAHVpToZHkASJMWOOJWg8q6P-ZKfs_jjWofcyJ9kEyGzwGBSFoYjuAth7dRhj9OzLUPQuH_fQmWGMKFTFMHAhHYUVytGlWSQplDI/s1600/DSC03402.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyv7boUYQjeU49TwP-cOFl-SBNAH7qSaY7itsCFPuksPcMcPph-dpIHWVK_OpizTr2i2GaQO6FYvaluu3oOqdLrIECQN-AELv9ZNZ10DObqffeDrYfQfTmUcdpQfV03WDZ36OMh0DbiA/s1600/DSCN1041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyv7boUYQjeU49TwP-cOFl-SBNAH7qSaY7itsCFPuksPcMcPph-dpIHWVK_OpizTr2i2GaQO6FYvaluu3oOqdLrIECQN-AELv9ZNZ10DObqffeDrYfQfTmUcdpQfV03WDZ36OMh0DbiA/s320/DSCN1041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594695565137512514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; "><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">One of my favorite parts was the kangaroos! We were just surrounded by them!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtTvPxqXgH_gq8qLV8s4f4r6dgLOcFJepNSfjAmhkBDOs8N3vm3q2aLLxXsVClHDP7Zzx7a9lcuzNcgrpQT6akSSDlpFhSRJUD42726AZ4OsHH4VGmYcKZ3Vx1Lrzg0qFkp6OWhYo8qk/s320/DSCN1074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595299850590956754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWk6OT9JglZGWYfwqOVGNXYZlgadmql0uDEjHIGVIFPh77J3TpXTKo95WsPXweH9FbhPLRmDqIzpKEx9HdpuWonJUz8yE9kBzYRLxM1BbAdxw4UBh8eMuz_tkiVyB3hbhZWv4cf_ZZ5F4/s320/DSCN1080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595299857866550114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Just chillin'</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMG4vDRDZPeKZEfqmHUUg7xhCcmw1gT5fIw5-m9B9zzse2u35AANJKs2XP9Z0f7pz71spsmlxqYqhqK_9ymAGG2ZVCYyNToId7YctcTA_1zngjSmP2rVDSiK2ReNhnukpxgPjiZJ4t3wc/s320/DSCN1088_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595303541682097490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Funniest looking fluffy chickens!</span></span></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_Rz0sg-mhli-KYFVeVHsQehZFTW-qgZE6Hpw86cw2JErNK4KLk_TFEr7KGtTxMplbUKB_aODnQwFCytgAKhSkcNMk3CPCaeM4nevW24l_JDjjuBbmoq4iWCD1c62I7EP04hILvr4Nx4/s320/DSC03491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595303534275602610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Tons of flying foxes! They are such a strange creature-pretty much like a furry bat with a fox face.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqK889G91741L4_IY4nZGkLTIJfXr_lr5YcqNoZmhhip97p6ilFmmNZJJZtABp8787Qx3YXu7XeNX6_L473Pa2ydTE75XGx1iIq9pX2u8XMlPWthkU6KObMadbWnfC2xkRobXxi1HLxE/s320/DSC03498.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595305799734574786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Wallabies! Most were just wandering around the paths, but these were blending into the rocks.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSqsjb-nSYY-mO7eGXaO95bmsFEuPvbzbRhT2hIcuKYwUKAUXZJex4_eItACjhG7a8cZM_YP0AMBpyhlOirdBIqLjwTyRiMX00LnUKoVGD9UvSRI-zCLCzgYyuUMzwKmIC8kfIL2y3KM/s320/DSCN1110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595305804381997826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Wombat! I don't think I've ever seen a wombat before and we really got a kick of this funny looking, hairy-nosed little guy!</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rDvCXttfvGKtdTjJ_BEZIRj7JHLZew4TM7bkt0xI8ZbUVtlI5gAGQ1sJfN6Ou-04zi6cq6WA80kR9T4WBRO7czuoOi3zkoSC6v-XO4qoTAN-2soF761XnMLzbP-f0PdA4t4ndP3Q4bg/s320/DSC03532.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595305788823139762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 305px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was such a delight to be there and experience so many new and exciting Australian animalic encounters. One thing I learned: a dingo looks just like a normal dog, but the difference is that dingoes don’t’ bark like domestic dogs do. The most eye-opening thing I saw was a real life kangaroo pouch…let me just say that it is NOTHING like a cartoon kangaroo pouch that looks like a cute, little pocket. Instead of a nice little pocket, it is actually a gaping, quite disgusting hole—not at all what I was expecting and honestly a bit disturbing. Good thing I know the truth now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNqHj1tDyCOPAsbR50M-JAOuGbhOq9SC6poTlGjIsltagK3JZlap1EF06LngPRBHVgZHie8vZmQTLxlnry-zTxqmYncvM0HV7nAaVA3RkuHsv099GMN649NuZyuWBzklEj10YCLVBFKA/s1600/DSCN1099.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNqHj1tDyCOPAsbR50M-JAOuGbhOq9SC6poTlGjIsltagK3JZlap1EF06LngPRBHVgZHie8vZmQTLxlnry-zTxqmYncvM0HV7nAaVA3RkuHsv099GMN649NuZyuWBzklEj10YCLVBFKA/s320/DSCN1099.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595303554210568994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We were so lucky to get all the way to the Campbells house with no transportation issues, but we were not as lucky taking the busses home. 2 out of 3 were successfully flawless, but the last bus didn’t show up for almost 1 hour! And then it went down Tuckwell Road the opposite way we were familiar with and we had to completely guess which stop to get off at. So, we guessed, got off, crossed the street, and asked a man if he knew where Applecross Avenue was (good thing I knew the address!). He said he didn’t, but as he started walking away he said, “Oh, did you mean to say Applecross Avenue?” (except you have to imagine him saying it in an accent, which apparently sounds completely different than the unrecognizable American way to say “applecross.”) He gave us simple directions and after a big hill, we made it safe and sound! Phew!</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We also had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Sydney temple. It was such a neat experience, and I’m so glad we were able to make it happen. (big thanks goes to Cheryl Campbell who called ahead and drove us there!!) It was a wonderful first day in Sydney and I can’t wait to see how tomorrow turns out :)</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51tNaOoxTNPeNpiIVW_ysNioPJYswI-5xPOPPNTDb7Tz8G_UcVYP7t_4cpCErWkzUXuGX2tUyoS-qKEfkfek94EXd1zk5TeHqdUqhXUX9QiFphqh7wWBJQPTa9-EWG5-VCN2p8U1BCA0/s1600/IMG_4379.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7UItpPNnPdm522Xq3sXlYihpSPfGMqPPRuHW__Z6iWxA75T31c8upXIEEpCC4xIlZWofc5Z329lCy8sbxbQ_d8K0KoIRMjf6Hq-BK3NuZ2-6FUpFR95ruXtSoZDuK-vQRq6RnSOrl3I/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7UItpPNnPdm522Xq3sXlYihpSPfGMqPPRuHW__Z6iWxA75T31c8upXIEEpCC4xIlZWofc5Z329lCy8sbxbQ_d8K0KoIRMjf6Hq-BK3NuZ2-6FUpFR95ruXtSoZDuK-vQRq6RnSOrl3I/s320/IMG_4425.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595299839805038898" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y0ELS0zz6G9DizGD-R1FA2zHdNH5gKjYyf8yHfQIHHXFRq2W8urmEfQxLFxiNRLQef2pV0T2hEY14iOEqS4hu1_2KZO-vp0g1zq9bxYZx5IARFu3XllND776XJ61tJvrVIuwwQMOgTA/s1600/IMG_4480.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Day 2, Saturday<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was a great day. :) A long day, but a great day.</span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Tamara and Luke took us to a flower market. You can buy beautiful flowers and bouquets at cheap, wholesale prices. It was beautiful, and I want to see where the nearest one in Utah is.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We took a few busses into the city, downtown Sydney. (our MyMulti pass was the best decision!) Tamara, Luke, and Locklan showed us around China Town, Darling Harbour, and just around downtown. It was just fun to be in a new, big city and take it all in.</span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;">It was so fun to see a variety of didgeridoo players. So Aborigine Australian.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI5CYMKRPKyfFXbMFpditQVdlN_re-nF-WI2r2pmMEWS7adZpJ8_V8q4mLdcJcSZUKhxkO1AtdA-_z9DWjoI-z2wNScUQLLeatMUhVnQ9BusSSrzx4aSfVP08YwF7AOAsQK23CGX44cA/s320/DSCN1124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595297075398927938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We decided this was going to be our Finding Nemo trip because we are in Sydney, Australia! And there are tons of seagulls (Mine! Mine! Mine!), the opera house, and a one point in Darling Harbour, part of the water was filled with hundred of white/clear jellyfish. It was quite a sight. Our goal now is to find a clownfish in the harbour and name him Nemo.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">There was a plane in the sky “writing” messages. We have no clue what they were supposed to mean…maybe that was the point? To make everyone on the ground look up and try to figure out what the plane was writing in the sky? Well, it’s been a few hours, and I still have no idea what “LEATHERMAN LED LENSER” means haha.</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We took 2 ferrys today. Not because we needed them to actually go somewhere, but because we just wanted to ride them and see some of the sites. One ended up at Watsons Bay, and one ended up at manly Beach. I loved it!</span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We walked through the botanic gardens. Funny thing is that the most memorable part of the gardens were not the flowers or plants, but the spiders! There were tons of HUGE spiderwebs everywhere with gigantic spiders. Seriously gave me the heebie jeebies!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLU4Z5CL4h5J0WAkZDzmZPrYMNJ4FvVt7RwZMIQLi1P7C7Kb0N8qhLcf0wnso_GGFFla1cU0HHHkFIZ-ASmp_Zhv0xA7Q9Y4g_rDbbLqGWEWBabt608AIpIy5vMjB8FDmB2_0_HVhIEE/s320/DSCN1123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595297080003606194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We saw <i>tons</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> of flying foxes in the wild in the gardens today too. There were literally probably hundreds just in one tree. Oh, and they were SO loud!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiL8W2yMET_Byu7uZSDc_OA1nJ_BmNYO3yM6pukADPtY1wz9cQpyS5yoY46ybegwIW66FellpQyaYyG9ufwvpiPTHoMdW1t9i4CJmyD1ukRPUR75Kjs2waooCokkeGRpAlt2utSnpd5g/s320/DSC03573.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595305812141800866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We saw a guy in the middle of all these white cockatoos, feeding and holding them. As Anna said, “He is one with them.” It was quite a sight to see. They were just perch on this hands and arms and shoulders! I wonder how often he does that.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQdwM2s9fnt-YumRY7EDINpfSp0TJQHht8Wgh5wahku7pZyyLl_3l3jjK0VPJ-69c7pVou9f6B2dzybNP6qvuHk2ZO5MdQbPLy6tQS2fjpLcCWc2BNUNKwq7Umvga2btGQw7KapTnMzo/s320/IMG_4458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595297057898274658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We randomly ran into Nancy, Neeley, and Hannah at Circular Quay today. Out of the whole big city, we ran into them! It was so great though, and we made plans to eat dinner with them. So fun that we were able to meet up and spend a bit more time with them. Then after dinner we all randomly ran into Emily and Nicole. So crazy!!</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">Still can't believe we ran into each other in such a large city!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPZpTz2Dj6pW907jWu46hb1f-5Cuel-h4fN1EVULUODT7mJuuyDmIYheUV96-4BuOQV6JvdZjxnDqsIsTOq3HZt5D7nl1rnlU4pH_DuWccDjIZKxLfruJkIfKxmgtMvmAIOJLuZLm_NA/s320/DSC03592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595295571122350882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sara Strong said we <i>must</i></span><span lang="EN-US"> go to the restaurant Pancake on the Rocks, so we went for dinner! Anna and I split a Mexicana crepe (we have been missing good Mexican food, and this was actually pretty good) and a banana/homemade chocolate sauce/walnut/chocolate ice cream pancake—amazing. Best pancake I have ever eaten, hands underground.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFXKwj-nWXSXOY-dUzdd_2YV_cxxaNW4FKUIibId3c6PlTgHiWPP2-nsi61aMxDGec9DbNrCGU-t2wYkaGe7U_yuRBChyphenhyphenbklrmh8vO_0iXRkeAQc3uha7F98bIxqYowU-husNz-gLMN8/s320/DSC03582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595297066733586946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></li><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Hot n' Troppo. YUM.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTHrngWh-B2DvovpEuEhNXfzbcfYvLCyETUv64IxxaWp_8Pqphg0B_hNMtSLPu8n1DwRi5E-rE-VFeQ82nZJrDMO5rTdZtMT6lkfW1ZzpQPVzDc7hTHlGeCAP79ip6cO4bFRTgCM9UOI/s320/DSC03583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595295580937435650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We walked across the Harbour Bridge. It was neat to walk all the way across, and it was a great place to view the Sydney Opera House and the city.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9Ici6t2GudrfS61gfA04OszEab2EW4snGOvlH1N-S9qDxs8VhYQn6HyvnqR3jV-QmNa1daArTdPs1sAQMmmU8QyObN9dWw2-QeTM-yanHenelrQ7y4ZD64_zi_Kw45HKWqceaJXzx_E/s1600/DSCN1133.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9Ici6t2GudrfS61gfA04OszEab2EW4snGOvlH1N-S9qDxs8VhYQn6HyvnqR3jV-QmNa1daArTdPs1sAQMmmU8QyObN9dWw2-QeTM-yanHenelrQ7y4ZD64_zi_Kw45HKWqceaJXzx_E/s320/DSCN1133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595295567481019922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Opera House is amazing. It is something that when I look at it, I have to remind myself that that’s the real thing! This is not a picture of it that I see often in textbooks, or on Finding Nemo, this is the real deal. It is magnificent.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42vaz7GIF5lNPS37eQlIn-brvVXP-hbXiYM8nqATERWLLLUPzTtdN2TJhKiq9naxotKW5zsL2Wcx0ZK3Qhu56m-8s4sGIAXgpHrxG-Td3G2RYPaEu9_yFC0i5_2niUXsiAg7BJRygELI/s320/DSC03566.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595297084799582018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Laura turned 18 today, and she had a big birthday party. Tons of people came, and there were tons of amazing desserts. Fun night!</span></li></ul></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9Ici6t2GudrfS61gfA04OszEab2EW4snGOvlH1N-S9qDxs8VhYQn6HyvnqR3jV-QmNa1daArTdPs1sAQMmmU8QyObN9dWw2-QeTM-yanHenelrQ7y4ZD64_zi_Kw45HKWqceaJXzx_E/s1600/DSCN1133.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><b><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Day 3, Sunday</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b></b></span></p><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; "><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Sunday Sunday. Slept in a little bit, had a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">delicious</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> breakfast with the Campbells (pancakes, strawberries, caramelized pears, etc.), watched some of General Conference. The Campbells are such a wonderful family. We played Uno Spin with them and just had the chance to get to know them a little more and it was so great! Cheryl, Neil, and Lachlan left for Neil’s business trip this afternoon, and then Tamara and Laura went to a baptism so we had an open afternoon to just relax. Tamara left her computer for us to use and check emails, and then we watched </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Cinderella Man</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">. When Tamara and Laura got back, I had the opportunity to just sit and talk with them, and it was so great to have a big girl chat with them. It is so fun to be here getting to know McKenna’s friends! I have to remind myself often, “I’m in Sydney, Australia!” Yes, life is good :)</span></span></p></b><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Day 4, Monday<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Tamara and Laura woke up early with us to take us to Tamara’s favorite little café, Cafe5. It was a tiny little café right off the beach and I loved it! I had this bacon scrambled eggs on sourdough break with hollandaise sauce and it was so yum. It’s fun that we get the insider’s view of Sydney and get to try these fun little things that we would never even come across otherwise. After breakfast we walked across the street to the beach and saw our first official Australian surfers. We took some great pictures on the beach (and by great I mean ridiculous but so much fun) and then they dropped us off at Manly Beach. </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">All of us at Cafe 5. Anna, Laura, Jessica, Me, Tamara.</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Npz5K7GWGWOyjj9xKBMa3kOiSaz9hC-fXLbxla45pd1t5Q4_6jp4zrO5lFDuZ_2JgqDNAJrQBTokDyVXr2Z58zDeaoKoKYQMmLAbovsRBNmMKqCkzeSBUI8hD4LxH9q1czdhMx7_S8M/s320/DSC03594.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595295589883409938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">Beginning of our beach photo shoot. Love these girls!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3cxRXB4doAaRPBcqYAwWkmZVeDd0MJNhdGf-LIubuQjvpSrtdY5bZoVThnexrmL7VdmN-y28LKh9aDCDmnc4DHNG5RzhsnlQGjyyoVRRXCU60mAnDX-VgYCN5OKLOC5Mu2ZF5v4KoH4/s1600/DSC03601.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3cxRXB4doAaRPBcqYAwWkmZVeDd0MJNhdGf-LIubuQjvpSrtdY5bZoVThnexrmL7VdmN-y28LKh9aDCDmnc4DHNG5RzhsnlQGjyyoVRRXCU60mAnDX-VgYCN5OKLOC5Mu2ZF5v4KoH4/s320/DSC03601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595295563224333522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>Hand stands!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWohKDi0J22mBjFrHfBmTwzPCYUmuzi57DMYQOwrboEPn9wFo4hv5b2tSrBYv1St7OvD7MtbQA0J3IVjym0MsleDcpJEQRTnN3bN4OihmPaISKFndcJXd8VhUkiB1QtmYIk2df3W2y30/s1600/DSC03602.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWohKDi0J22mBjFrHfBmTwzPCYUmuzi57DMYQOwrboEPn9wFo4hv5b2tSrBYv1St7OvD7MtbQA0J3IVjym0MsleDcpJEQRTnN3bN4OihmPaISKFndcJXd8VhUkiB1QtmYIk2df3W2y30/s320/DSC03602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595293573544380482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>Australian Animals: Laura=Cockatoo, Me=Koala (wrapped in a tree), Anna=Crocodile, Tamara=Kangaroo<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCNEUxxP4wpcr6i5iWFuYRI4hg-MRc-4hePHGY9vwvbZNqWvshX28-kEHnMDrwlnENcyG1ppWmj_lnIzFQOfXiIAhpYR2L04vxXkQsARfuCm4GkzKYksBrKIi2b7qo-GwMjqIhPCkDMI/s1600/DSC03603.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCNEUxxP4wpcr6i5iWFuYRI4hg-MRc-4hePHGY9vwvbZNqWvshX28-kEHnMDrwlnENcyG1ppWmj_lnIzFQOfXiIAhpYR2L04vxXkQsARfuCm4GkzKYksBrKIi2b7qo-GwMjqIhPCkDMI/s320/DSC03603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595293571612988946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>Boy Band Cover!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrYNk3hLezpSBk6koNMsh1zrk2bzZtrXlV9DHAmkvM9951ksRPbcobfoWKlKXg35wtYUBYLSEkmrTO42dZjewh6Py069WQLRPUoFeUUrr2YzYAPeccWw5SK3V-P8X8bTFVasKNDnI8Xo/s1600/DSC03604.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrYNk3hLezpSBk6koNMsh1zrk2bzZtrXlV9DHAmkvM9951ksRPbcobfoWKlKXg35wtYUBYLSEkmrTO42dZjewh6Py069WQLRPUoFeUUrr2YzYAPeccWw5SK3V-P8X8bTFVasKNDnI8Xo/s320/DSC03604.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595293563529781650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We discovered the Manly Scenic Walkway and made our way 9km along the coast, actually starting at Spit Bridge (where we of course had to spit off the bridge) and ending up at Manly Beach. It was a beautiful hike and we loved being active. When we got back to Manly, we tried a Lemon Lime Bitters Slurpee (Tamara has been raving about them and they definitely lived up to her hype…I loved it!) and took a nap on the beach. We were hoping it would be warm enough to get some sun and enjoy the warmth, but we more shivered under our jackets Bummer it wasn’t hotter, but it was still a great day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US">The hike started here at Spit Bridge. We wondered why it was called Spit Bridge, and decided it must be because you have to spit off of it as you cross...</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nCXjLg9mPCKcbOUQpRYbfLKpwkpsgJfjR1q21JgGlPTLGxbHcsth_81m-Q2nMSv54t2AzEIaH1tJ_s6HIXZmnYQuc50L4WHH1Jmz-lMIz_E2u4Fd9MWJnE3mGKL36y3K5SJo-ZyfDgY/s1600/DSC03606.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nCXjLg9mPCKcbOUQpRYbfLKpwkpsgJfjR1q21JgGlPTLGxbHcsth_81m-Q2nMSv54t2AzEIaH1tJ_s6HIXZmnYQuc50L4WHH1Jmz-lMIz_E2u4Fd9MWJnE3mGKL36y3K5SJo-ZyfDgY/s320/DSC03606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595293554593765346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This coastal hike was BE-A-UTIFUL!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi321f2cM_ElCc8HhEXc4MvbQ1Xn8clJhDP2hJUeSGX9vMIN8b5Y756bP5LwErj0E-LFxc780khkdQLeQT7aQ96p9yYr3o1m_4e68BI3-Mo5-phkEZtIr_bmjFxbWNojBYOAt-3hpvt1HY/s1600/DSC03614.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi321f2cM_ElCc8HhEXc4MvbQ1Xn8clJhDP2hJUeSGX9vMIN8b5Y756bP5LwErj0E-LFxc780khkdQLeQT7aQ96p9yYr3o1m_4e68BI3-Mo5-phkEZtIr_bmjFxbWNojBYOAt-3hpvt1HY/s320/DSC03614.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595293543935554386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTlYZmQDgIbohs6QvtyeYxG3W-kBfhhBlO5G2nlEwdM0JypBN4i4oJkhMDc-7jSvflTcuSW-1FqhhcajshAZry5_jUAYOMN1pk4TkwBEmI4VqWuS4zv_PZc02SLpZ4SHdarWKhsBsBYs/s1600/IMG_4481.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTlYZmQDgIbohs6QvtyeYxG3W-kBfhhBlO5G2nlEwdM0JypBN4i4oJkhMDc-7jSvflTcuSW-1FqhhcajshAZry5_jUAYOMN1pk4TkwBEmI4VqWuS4zv_PZc02SLpZ4SHdarWKhsBsBYs/s1600/IMG_4481.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTlYZmQDgIbohs6QvtyeYxG3W-kBfhhBlO5G2nlEwdM0JypBN4i4oJkhMDc-7jSvflTcuSW-1FqhhcajshAZry5_jUAYOMN1pk4TkwBEmI4VqWuS4zv_PZc02SLpZ4SHdarWKhsBsBYs/s1600/IMG_4481.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a> </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">When we got home we used Tamara and Laura’s straightener…the first time we have done anything to our hair in over three months!! It was quite a monumental moment for us—we LOVED our straight, non-frizzy hair night. :) </span></p><div style="text-align: center; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">First straightened hair obviously deserved a mirror photo shoot :)</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTlYZmQDgIbohs6QvtyeYxG3W-kBfhhBlO5G2nlEwdM0JypBN4i4oJkhMDc-7jSvflTcuSW-1FqhhcajshAZry5_jUAYOMN1pk4TkwBEmI4VqWuS4zv_PZc02SLpZ4SHdarWKhsBsBYs/s320/IMG_4481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594697309283293874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y0ELS0zz6G9DizGD-R1FA2zHdNH5gKjYyf8yHfQIHHXFRq2W8urmEfQxLFxiNRLQef2pV0T2hEY14iOEqS4hu1_2KZO-vp0g1zq9bxYZx5IARFu3XllND776XJ61tJvrVIuwwQMOgTA/s320/IMG_4480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595299835872687922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">After a delicious dinner of pasta, we went to Max Brenner, a chocolate café. It was AMAZING. They have so many delicious chocolate-y treats, but I think my favourite was the Chocolate Lick—a small shot of pure, delicious, melted chocolate. We also got hot chocolate and an incredible chocolate soufflé. Good thing we don’t have this back in Utah because I’m pretty sure I would go there way too often!</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8cls6RE5zHOygBUHwWXjcN6Ik4NR7G8dGB869cR67qPrlXlqXR8ofBwMQjM694YHMHrBnFcEFTyP01o0Q-w3oYkf_gCpG7gizi6Qknz1l55ZITiW6xBhlb7iRQ0pBNu7YlIQuwAlKNE/s1600/IMG_4484.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8cls6RE5zHOygBUHwWXjcN6Ik4NR7G8dGB869cR67qPrlXlqXR8ofBwMQjM694YHMHrBnFcEFTyP01o0Q-w3oYkf_gCpG7gizi6Qknz1l55ZITiW6xBhlb7iRQ0pBNu7YlIQuwAlKNE/s320/IMG_4484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594697305181910914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I definitely agree :)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwDkSTXgzT1hAnrY9PXUWrjx684IGP0NILs7B6JLvVWO8eLMBJaXY20anFF8Q_8w5WG1n2PTCic4LjuCpH2ezf3xlBBGyDJRpnWRKce86p4Rq_l2bUMgjZPt477PDfYRQ61ThHFM0E8M/s1600/IMG_4488.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwDkSTXgzT1hAnrY9PXUWrjx684IGP0NILs7B6JLvVWO8eLMBJaXY20anFF8Q_8w5WG1n2PTCic4LjuCpH2ezf3xlBBGyDJRpnWRKce86p4Rq_l2bUMgjZPt477PDfYRQ61ThHFM0E8M/s320/IMG_4488.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594697294174417298" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>Day 5, Tuesday<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was bittersweet day—sad that it was our last day in Sydney, but excited to see my family so soon! We wanted to have one last beach day before we made our way back to the states, so we made our way to the famous Bondi Beach. It was not as sunny as we had hoped, but we still soaked up as much sun as we could and definitely enjoyed it!</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y0Hd7_NFsrCKP0qDCBnJSjxkoH_wqnqNnrcR_kCInLbxwDvo6-87kg_bo1mR7xTAIxCCS5_SQNvNTlNnsYTJfJ6MTytcIXF0GLbaJybeFMcsbKKoHJts14cx0DNJBNN-MPU5JfXBaow/s1600/DSC03625.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y0Hd7_NFsrCKP0qDCBnJSjxkoH_wqnqNnrcR_kCInLbxwDvo6-87kg_bo1mR7xTAIxCCS5_SQNvNTlNnsYTJfJ6MTytcIXF0GLbaJybeFMcsbKKoHJts14cx0DNJBNN-MPU5JfXBaow/s320/DSC03625.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594697292128769842" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We also made our way over for Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s! We got huge scoops of free, amazing ice cream, and they gave out tie-dyed bracelets that say, “Peace, Love, & Ice Cream.” Love it!</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAJq0QTunAkGxT1mnayxGILKJld8QyA0KNVSxOW8wjaowmrJgCiqKmk_TgsEwzwuuKBoX0f_3ttgKaWicB9k6kIvNI6C7ZQWAfk5W359k05MUUlgCGQbrwjqZavRKpuh9KNyF1P84xJo/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAJq0QTunAkGxT1mnayxGILKJld8QyA0KNVSxOW8wjaowmrJgCiqKmk_TgsEwzwuuKBoX0f_3ttgKaWicB9k6kIvNI6C7ZQWAfk5W359k05MUUlgCGQbrwjqZavRKpuh9KNyF1P84xJo/s320/IMG_4495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594697284219175922" /></a>We were really just able to enjoy Sydney today. I absolutely loved New Zealand, but when looking at specific big cities, I definitely liked Sydney over Auckland...so glad I was able to experience both!<br /><!--StartFragment--> <div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7UItpPNnPdm522Xq3sXlYihpSPfGMqPPRuHW__Z6iWxA75T31c8upXIEEpCC4xIlZWofc5Z329lCy8sbxbQ_d8K0KoIRMjf6Hq-BK3NuZ2-6FUpFR95ruXtSoZDuK-vQRq6RnSOrl3I/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-6445639715190326782011-04-06T22:48:00.000-07:002011-04-07T03:23:04.337-07:00Ka Kite Ano Aotearoa! Goodbye New Zealand!<div style="text-align: left;">I don't know if it's really hit me yet, but today is my last day in New Zealand. My <i>last</i> day! I have no idea where the time has gone, but 3 months is up. We were going to celebrate by going to Mission Bay and enjoying a New Zealand beach one last time, but it was cloudy and rainy when we woke up...bummer. Instead we had a lovely lunch at <i>The Brigham</i> with Sheryl, Raewyn and Kodie. It's one of their favourites, and it was fun to spend the afternoon with them. We truly will miss them!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrsJL27XC7f2kSzxxF69Ug2dCQ2_qVQsboIOtcA4aUIZq5cna58C0kGcUdkxXS1uWoaBSglolhmu9FHlIq3Zj11VDEYE9xpgojX1amfjORzSfIGxopDRpLKcisXLfH7Igx9nmxkadodg/s320/IMG_4360.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592716466448806594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>Apparently, Alexis has always been photogenic, but it is oh so difficult to get a good picture of Kodie. We have tried multiple times, and rarely succeed. We had three cameras out during lunch trying to snap one, and it was quite a challenge. Here's some of the photo shoot :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We have several like this...</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMS1b6Ef_JY780boI4n60WjHiZcOG14DR5ZRRhYI0tBLpqcyJ36yuAqQ7H7AXQnIe8ffjqDXOW2NapLX7nfLhL6V1Qv9qILUOHaIgbqguynsjHW1XKOpVUNmubklflH5boyz4E2skbzI/s320/IMG_4362.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592716468113691138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">...and several of these "almosts."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtSX__4nhZ_I5qyG28qYfsi6usPecesgh4n1RoFSHKvPI0sUxGbiNGz4jHItCnbXqdS6bdTM7aZWUwDP71ohbSbEWZz7A-ZE4D5CKAwl3wulq1waIbC0ETcAkdPhDbVn4p1ut8V_TUk4/s320/IMG_4363.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592716476070613842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One strategy: Kodie LOVES spiders, aka "bi-duhs." So to get him to look at the camera, we would ask him if he could see the spider on Sheryl's head. The problem with this is that then he really wanted to look on her head for a spider!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOHukzCNbptaOfYuQcX6b_XIxtgVAjZZTxyM_ipjx6ceEf2gp3eKAjMB18BCDXAX7ZNbDR9zvSDz0ewLT9bbL36Xqjf-Nbm1j6xxzmUEMiSqJaNBvsOTvA3iwUXs6AmpNFnQ6MTy1fdo/s320/IMG_4366.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592716476845254610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After lots and lots of attempts, this is the best we got...sure is a cutie!!</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jw3f_XZUZhTpPqHPcImXdG93_EOOEfBdMMF1o5-QI4Z9gJVIWNdAfZBxS5_ibVRI34os6p8UDfrGfevgrwfYN5D8_pziM0-AV8sc4TsJ7IBig6987RxBGx5EoawCyMkcfye1XuoBQ0A/s1600/IMG_4367.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jw3f_XZUZhTpPqHPcImXdG93_EOOEfBdMMF1o5-QI4Z9gJVIWNdAfZBxS5_ibVRI34os6p8UDfrGfevgrwfYN5D8_pziM0-AV8sc4TsJ7IBig6987RxBGx5EoawCyMkcfye1XuoBQ0A/s320/IMG_4367.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592716481899275890" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrsJL27XC7f2kSzxxF69Ug2dCQ2_qVQsboIOtcA4aUIZq5cna58C0kGcUdkxXS1uWoaBSglolhmu9FHlIq3Zj11VDEYE9xpgojX1amfjORzSfIGxopDRpLKcisXLfH7Igx9nmxkadodg/s1600/IMG_4360.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><div>We've been talking a lot about what our last meal in New Zealand would be, and we realized that the majority of things we needed to have "one last time" were all desserts. So, instead of having dinner tonight, we had dessert! Literally. (well, I guess Kerry did roast a sausage for everyone as an appetizer haha) Here was the menu:</div><div><ol><li>Pavlova: How could we leave without making one more pavlova?! We didn't have any kiwis, but we used their feijoas from the backyard. We have become true NZ kiwis :)</li><li>Steamed Pudding: One of Raewyn's specialties. We failed when we tried to make it last time, but she made a beautiful one tonight.</li><li>Banoffee Cake: This is another one of Raewyn's specialties. It has a cookie crust, covered with layers of caramel, bananas, and whipped cream. SO delicious.</li><li>Fanta Floats: Raewyn made these for us one day after school, and it had been just what we needed. They were just as good tonight!</li><li>Marshmallows: We had so much fun roasting marshmallows with chocolate in the middle of them before, we just had to do it one more time. We only made one s'more this time because we were so full of sweets already, but it was still yum!</li></ol><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Raewyn getting our Fanta floats ready.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_Lq2I2-JViNsBWfUhnUkBg-K3rsY0lhgKxKct2SwJA2MByYVoGoz5Wuenjk9ZxcjR4MjrxFP-Vvlxjz149-8UFzccyCLyHfAdKlaD3gwCZRScD5y8BhBDQKP1vDRTaE0gp8kPRorN3s/s320/IMG_4371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592767815201064562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Making the steamed pudding!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QcZjxw76D2AK8RH-NuQhGU0rAr4PhEvdUvKaSlm76rdgkOWdP7P9dzJIEdb5-UGm6QU3VUvgVt-tEOEqSNfpfU_qmJV7YQF-B_vRXrORyRAmUD9rIxpin8QsQT73KIQrJLLMhTLG-cg/s320/IMG_4372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592767822101923074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;"><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Here is part of "The Last Supper" as we called it: pavlova on the left, banoffee on the right.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uEx4OnCquy4en0Z0JT3EyZCoFiLo8uL1tN3z7zaH_6vILhphcdP1nuNGEjKd3raJFxZanGmNwk8NmJWPXquAtigKvelnyM8tBuhti-BrJuEDmo9Scq5DNaeTUHrpt7AJ3L8AQk72e6o/s320/IMG_4370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592767813437379682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We made it through the pavlova, banaoffee, and floats, and were ready for the steamed pudding!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEV8C7tT3MkYYcfZzBGc5ns6lFyZTeRuiS6QaEgtkY7hSorxm9IM_LyNyf06ZCgeOmTFRWzpXSd-Kghz8N2xm7ZFtKnVdr1V_-jStEmxNo_DzGTptBtb4qQnjx1vCUMf-3PdTSHRqWrc/s320/IMG_4373.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592767824352280850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It was raining a bit, but we still made it work :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdSzp_5FwyREGw7a1zg_p0GwmOSxzTxgnrxjUvKrxzV8wGN95BGTdHQHrgGmoPJR7FKfxbs52bmCs6RO2QsV0Psn6ba_KPVBPANWcUskgJCC-aQMivKhLJh82qQ3eSYD5khwd99DJ6go/s320/IMG_4377.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592770180647643378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div>So, I'm done with New Zealand. We fly to Australia tomorrow, and then I'll be back in the states on Wednesday, April 13! Looking back, it is amazing to me how much I have done during these past 3 months. It really was the opportunity of a lifetime, something I will never forget. Cheers!</div><div><br /></div><div>One more thing: My dad asked me the very first week I was here if the water really did drain the opposite direction. You can't tell in the toilets, but here's the sink draining...enjoy! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyzK0ti0Fr3ari_WfXBRPyuzBl3FWKdM2S8vu1uIwZT9bx1g6kyGlMENboELqmWOY39OouFYOwDtDZNhgnbOA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-30708124707660739412011-04-06T02:51:00.000-07:002011-04-06T03:28:38.044-07:00Cruising in the Convertible<div>New Zealand schools are labeled according to the SES of its area. The higher the decile, the more money; the lower the decile, the less money. Colwill Primary was a decile 3 school, so definitely one of the lowest. They send us to these lower decile schools on purpose because JJ said that if we can successfully teach the lower decile students (who are notably difficult) we can easily transition to teach the higher decile, but it doesn't work vice versa. One of the teachers at Colwill, however, suggested that we should at least go observe a higher decile school. So, our principal set it up for us to visit Hobsonville Primary School today, which is a decile 9 school. It ended up being such a wonderful day! The principal and deputy principal were SO nice and welcoming; they had scheduled out a whole day of events for us. We were able to observe all of the different levels in either maths or literacy, and I loved it. It was so refreshing to actually see well-behaved students, teachers who didn't yell at the students, and well-planned and well executed lessons. We had heard so much about New Zealand's wonderful literacy program, and while we saw some of it at Colwill, these classes were thriving off of its implementation. We also had heard great things about their maths groups, but we didn't ever see them at Colwill. It was great to actually see these maths groupings being successfully carried out. The staff was all so friendly, coming up to us and asking questions (something that only happened occasionally from a few of the teachers at Colwill). We learned so much, and we weren't even there for the whole day! I'm so grateful we were able to go, probably most importantly because it gave me lots of hope for the success of my own classroom this fall :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Today was a big day: I cleaned out my drawers and the closet. I haven't fully packed everything (we still need to do laundry tomorrow), but by this time tomorrow I will be! I still can't believe it's all coming to an end. We started talking about all the "lasts" we have to do tomorrow, but Kerry surprised us with a "first" today instead of a last...a drive through New Zealand in his rental convertible Volkswagen! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBahbo-Nx8ItJ9y4fyq7G-Q_Umc4wWMEwAJDp7Ryh8X5spZ4YYcpeWnknmYxJBl3iL5aQ5KDHTepZxg1FXHRDjmN7KZkmoOBDepIsVZ8ChMzgIic1t7mH9PShI2I_Dok7sM8ViQFCHfw/s1600/IMG_4357.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBahbo-Nx8ItJ9y4fyq7G-Q_Umc4wWMEwAJDp7Ryh8X5spZ4YYcpeWnknmYxJBl3iL5aQ5KDHTepZxg1FXHRDjmN7KZkmoOBDepIsVZ8ChMzgIic1t7mH9PShI2I_Dok7sM8ViQFCHfw/s400/IMG_4357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592406601921837074" /></a><div>Jess was going to come over for our last bowl of Hokey-pokey ice cream, and instead of letting her walk over like usual, Kerry suggested we go pick her in the convertible! His car is getting fixed, and he LOVES any excuse to drive this one around with the roof down. It wasn't the warmest of nights (we are definitely starting to feel the chill of autumn!), but with the heat blasting and the seat heaters on, it was wonderful. We even took the scenic route home to make our convertible adventure last a bit longer. SO much fun!</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-1880282046138081122011-04-04T22:11:00.000-07:002011-04-05T04:38:09.232-07:00Bay of Islands<div style="text-align: left;">Well, after spending only one day in Auckland, we made our way up to the top of New Zealand--the Bay of Islands. I was so excited for this because Auckland has started cooling off, but Bay of Islands is summer all year round :)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Day 1, Thursday:</b></div><div>We didn't start too early today (thank goodness! 9am is much better than 6am!), which helped us enjoy several stops along the way, instead of sleeping through them. Our first stop was at a famous Kauri tree. The Kauri tree is special to New Zealand, known for it's MASSIVE size, but unfortunately being killed off by kauri disease. They are protected in this area, and James always stops to show the BYU girls this tree. As we got out of the vans, he presented each one of us with our very own, matching lava lavas. They match our outfits perfectly, don't they? ;)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJfBIst4I7gmM-ns6wesGl8xLCuoapEoaD0if0jljzQ0QalzwDP0dmdD0smJZPQ7YVECdLgvtH9xSKVGdmklTSa7V3WhlibUGRjSTiqrW9u9IiG7EfuhLjRtnnt8rG1_p7olKjfoFfLM/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-43.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJfBIst4I7gmM-ns6wesGl8xLCuoapEoaD0if0jljzQ0QalzwDP0dmdD0smJZPQ7YVECdLgvtH9xSKVGdmklTSa7V3WhlibUGRjSTiqrW9u9IiG7EfuhLjRtnnt8rG1_p7olKjfoFfLM/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-43.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592030580171078722" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV5pxOVukfhIz14yuFA8qaf5FDxO5qp6q78SN6Md-M2s4e0Z8q__4XM2JrOJTjrm7ilguSBdjSs67TvXi196Fqi1hVeiQooUPDpjYsmbb02WPCRAy5nI-IblafFKzrgZhnMPCSQR5T7c/s320/IMG_0500.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591963768050339634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: left;">Our next stop was in a little town that supposedly serves the best meat pies. New Zealand is big on the meat pies, but I think I prefer to just stick with America's fruit pies. Stop #3 was in a little town famous for their mosaic toilets. This was also the location that Nicole, Neeley, and Christine were offered internships in the Jordan School District! Today was the day we were all supposed to find out about our internships. Since we were all antsy to know, this was the first stop of MANY internet cafe stops.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ5UUwg5XCqI0M55JTFj2vy_6jtQWXkYOFrfYCcDcaKLafllEvK-MzLWH7U8lBjECLD8PLWSt0a3HWBVs8AdiaC3SsHLAr_MFuSrrqSpc5cCx4E03kpwWCVLD30lyi2YkBbrYA_W26Us/s320/IMG_0505.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591963772682470098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">We finally made it to Pahia and our little yellow motel. This motel was definitely not as nice as the one we stayed at in Christchurch, but it was right next to the beach, meaning we LOVED it! We first explored the Waitangi Treaty grounds, where the Waitangi Treaty was signed, bonding the Maori and the Pakeha (Englishmen) together. We made a group trip to the store, made dinner, watched a BEAUTIFUL sunset, and began our new nightly ritual: watching Gillmore Girls. Whitney brought the last season with her, and it ended up being a great way to spend our nice, relaxing nights at the Motel. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Day 2, Friday:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have seen countless picturesque views and sights while here in New Zealand, but today was definitely one of my favourites: Cape Raigna, the northernmost tip of New Zealand. This is the spot where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, and it is absolutely beautiful. Words and pictures cannot adequately describe the beauty we beheld.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zD-XjSXnQgTQkNDxWbp_wETTVBCdrqwgDoNX-s-oEYD9t61i12IEjbP2kOSI7EVGtvqRINiKvZhQd6E8lxWMxNdOZCOKrXkfwKnkKWn6j3Jk0DuXTWGDpRDQqXOXwL18EQCCV9OxEes/s320/DSCN1017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591963784970455218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">This was the breaking point between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It was so cool because you could even tell a difference in color between the two bodies of water.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2AyrNID9rDMwZBBLKm1nhRHUOk8TX5Av0mx5y8F_dt0fkpUEA6RrusBYDROE3O2XdeMW90Bc5vSIZdgvjJMUXxyJ5NrCi1zmFSfMnK1KzSuednF-6ZgDxFg_6yKe8o7PaqodJc60YpM/s320/DSCN1040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591963804026512306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">That rock out there is the absolute northernmost point in New Zealand, but this was as close as we could get.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSasFuJ3swrSoOAt9mgh1DX-AEOhryYHntVdWadmJbHXCpywAcgP03UZBmIIlr9fVBWc0e3WqQNqGoI_qwbNBOSk9q3CZ1hDuYLgAvfByE8wUsIGjJchjLVyA07xKC1GhpGPd1G2EE6bw/s320/DSCN1050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591965530759526530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxRdt-iFb1xP_iwy_FKSUq-v3socQOP92Jc69vry-3slCGBBLpnkbADO_e2n-pORZl0ecgWvZs7A_RbFSc979uj4uE2U95uCjZ6ky0MPQOOveDKEBYIE2320S3L-Uyt3rw7SzMC_8bs8/s320/IMG_0675.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591963777262365362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">There was one lookout where all you could was miles and miles and miles of the ocean and sky, never ending. Jess and I had this vision of a picture of only the us, the ocean, and the sky. The lighting is a little strange, but this picture caught our vision :)</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Y8HWIGFLZpzjHOTMCvZN6FSfyOve0Ne6v0-nGYadmgkxM1TaLBqyNPp3az5T3ysNMw4GNztgn5kKIwoMuO7gElODvOrS8dwCGnqNYInkzaDOeT7RVL3u13XN-MniIgc8tMczvT-oPG4/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-39.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592038682696648194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Before leaving Cape Rainga, we all sent off a few postcards from the northernmost New Zealand mailbox, and JJ bought five NZ plants from some local Maoris to plant on top of Cape Rainga to help preserve it and keep it looking beautiful for years to come. We even got certificates for doing it.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div>Our next exciting adventure was boarding down the sand dunes! James was real excited for this, and led the vans through a shallow river and around these huge sand dunes to find the secret, hidden, best stop for boarding. We just used his boogie boards, and we all only had time for one run, but it was fun! The video doesn't look too exciting, but you can see my big plop at the end.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwSrSOfpAzl5hz6P4_0fDsjEre5-8vCc6NObbPt4Bt6x12EZmZjz9af09Vv_ri7P233GouJjfLmN4HZEB49Ww' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>We couldn't spend too much time boarding because we had to get to 90-Mile Beach before the tide started coming in again. 90-Mile Beach was INCREDIBLE. The best part of it was that we drove on it. All the way down. Well, not quite all 90 miles, but for more than an hour. For the most part it was deserted, which made it even more pristine and beautiful.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNjW27pUhDMU-nPbin91VZHMN8z8m5wa-2Jfr4XRBfnS2frT0jkSe0FB8W1NDq4vCuKZxd4sBV_osIBt0D1tjVQzTJdHSxAmw5Ea7XSSyn8gMJ98lBroRW4lPN-wweKDGqOhz9KYPUWo/s320/DSCN1057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591965534523899474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">It was so cool because we literally just drove all the way down the beach. This picture of Anna almost captures our excitement of it all :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT98lZak-XX7Z47De5GU2p76c3NCegbavhNBZfsATYY5Gd0ivgrHs7tLOuUfG5rKGCEda-lwYVAWBkjJdY2xSryVnqHHGCu3PcUTaQRqhyphenhyphen6GSNC4jgJn4MnNnqadgljs4yEQzJD59jvk/s320/DSCN1062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591965539418516898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">At one point James realized he missed the turn off to get us off the beach before the tide came back in, which could have been disastrous because apparently many cars have just been swept away because they didn't drive off the beach in time. Fortunately, we came found some people to ask for direction, but unfortunately the van started to sink into some soft sand when he stopped to ask! The ten girls in his van quickly got and had to push him out. I was safe in the other van, but it was quite entertaining to watch!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhPratkAoygj762pDFNrGTZ6sT1Ci5aunB9xEdalp8ZyAJ32lNsxal-jnC0zK0wFg1QcoFE6q61704vn6K1-THLiCbHBy8AKr6iQIRq6fqMwy1sI6XcrU4i62ee5u0Qj8bHZhVquYfmo/s320/IMG_4313.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591965542804834482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Before we left for Cape Rainga this morning, JJ drove us to another internet cafe. Nancy, Janet, Whitney, and Ali had all received internship offers, but the rest of us still had nada. A few hours into the trip, we made a pit stop in another little town, and quickly found yet another internet cafe. This time, I was elated to find an email in my inbox offering me an internship at Amelia Earhart Elementary School in the Provo School District starting this fall! I will most likely be teaching 2nd grade and I am THRILLED!! This is the school that I did my first practicum at last semester, and I absolutely love the facilitator, CFA, and liason--the three people who I'll be most closely working with during the internship. It's kind of crazy that this is all happening, and that I'm old enough to already have my own class, but there's no turning back now! Jessica, Diana, and Anna also were offered internships for the fall. Such an exciting day!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><b>Day 3, Saturday:</b></div><div>Our science professor from the beginning of this semester, Ian Milne, owns a beach house up in the Bay of Islands in a little town called Russell. When he found out we were going to be traveling up there, he insisted we stop by and have lunch at his beach house with him and his wife. The house was beautiful...</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5KsfRQ3Twp5dScm2_FCn-CJnxJelrAgAOgBBMJxa51gNq6A6dS_QcGhgC5I_CTJTV-jffHrdrg27hlyStIek-K885gVfTzJw_wXEmT5gytCHPHX8AK_dvljoTpuSNBgtDqGhbkRFHIE/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-41.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592026544725851650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">...especially because those big windows looked out to this:</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIqqA4GzXcbapmFKk_4CMyx-YoIHfJXv-MbTAmuU7ILxj4yOFxIYr9AI1rThU9arvs_8CzfqwRbGwoVegaJZGZ1rVyVqV5SE4U6TxhK1sO9scI0_N6V98rw8t8xGyj3VZiWKZhbYqavA/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIqqA4GzXcbapmFKk_4CMyx-YoIHfJXv-MbTAmuU7ILxj4yOFxIYr9AI1rThU9arvs_8CzfqwRbGwoVegaJZGZ1rVyVqV5SE4U6TxhK1sO9scI0_N6V98rw8t8xGyj3VZiWKZhbYqavA/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592046437840521202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We loved our lunch with Professor Milne, looking out at this amazing beach, and then enjoying the afternoon laying out and swimming on this practically private beach. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaRtSPrXZTf0vixv5-J3Virw2TFakSnB2Pt_CVwESRRnm6vnpbttvZ1Cg2IhWIWKDDR12xT-ZjT702TClvks2DMPBcIVjbsPWaGnm25LVM9e4KQjJh-nqy3a-KwJzR3h_i2ioWJkcqpU/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaRtSPrXZTf0vixv5-J3Virw2TFakSnB2Pt_CVwESRRnm6vnpbttvZ1Cg2IhWIWKDDR12xT-ZjT702TClvks2DMPBcIVjbsPWaGnm25LVM9e4KQjJh-nqy3a-KwJzR3h_i2ioWJkcqpU/s320/IMG_0858.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591967313036896642" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></a> </div></div><div style="text-align: left;">We also had the chance to explore Russell a bit today. It used to be known for all the drunkards and gamblers and thieves that lived there, but it has been transformed into a well kept, cute little town. It was fun to explore all their little shops, and find this beautiful lookout over the city: (I was enjoying the view, when Anna told me to turn around so she could take this picture. Unfortunately I slipped a little before I made it all the way around. Whoops!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsf36RX64S0lyqtmV77y_7luKJP_8_xzKyNaVIgyl7P1oKnkM3gXRDBQHt3I82md136CrI9TyF70VKlzkkoCyaJRUweGEyBE6VBOYKak0aojmifZQ0qs96bVpYOmBHjxzIELD2PNb448w/s1600/DSCN1071.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsf36RX64S0lyqtmV77y_7luKJP_8_xzKyNaVIgyl7P1oKnkM3gXRDBQHt3I82md136CrI9TyF70VKlzkkoCyaJRUweGEyBE6VBOYKak0aojmifZQ0qs96bVpYOmBHjxzIELD2PNb448w/s200/DSCN1071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592048343562247650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincIPKSsbBz7IFM4jVm6QsaVrtyl_vXMMZQMvttZ9ndYOyik8TwZgduFYqUkqZmrYUzD9LZA9y7bfFBwe4zq3jiwaQSqCIgW68XbmZfGHs5S3zFjFw1KRdMYaDDoJZvflzNYgu9R2CKko/s1600/DSCN1073.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincIPKSsbBz7IFM4jVm6QsaVrtyl_vXMMZQMvttZ9ndYOyik8TwZgduFYqUkqZmrYUzD9LZA9y7bfFBwe4zq3jiwaQSqCIgW68XbmZfGHs5S3zFjFw1KRdMYaDDoJZvflzNYgu9R2CKko/s200/DSCN1073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592048356077572354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincIPKSsbBz7IFM4jVm6QsaVrtyl_vXMMZQMvttZ9ndYOyik8TwZgduFYqUkqZmrYUzD9LZA9y7bfFBwe4zq3jiwaQSqCIgW68XbmZfGHs5S3zFjFw1KRdMYaDDoJZvflzNYgu9R2CKko/s1600/DSCN1073.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>One of the funniest things we found in the stores was this weather rock. If only we all one of these... :)</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k6NZOt1vqBQKWWYfVw6fndE49mVrY_R9rWg5IhAe6QGMorz-NLOHcv34p1jLf3k3G8SXJ3lfBEYBfA9_TPNWMfm1kKmc6toy5NvD0XpqaHGmwOI3_KkXL59NCupjnqvjSJ00h_7w_HA/s1600/DSCN1074.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k6NZOt1vqBQKWWYfVw6fndE49mVrY_R9rWg5IhAe6QGMorz-NLOHcv34p1jLf3k3G8SXJ3lfBEYBfA9_TPNWMfm1kKmc6toy5NvD0XpqaHGmwOI3_KkXL59NCupjnqvjSJ00h_7w_HA/s320/DSCN1074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591967317596342450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Day 4, Sunday:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today was a wonderful day of relaxation. We all went to church with James' son and daughter, who both live up in Bay of Islands. It was fun to be able to meet them, and see James with some of his cute grandkids. James is one of a kind, and we all feel so blessed to have him be part of our trip. He is always so kind and patient with us, making sure we have the best time possible. We have spent a lot of time with him in the car, and when he isn't telling us stories, he loves it when we "sing." He even joins in sometimes:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy0ynTpIptlZjYhnhFi9ZJvuyrIdT9QZXXrw0sP-7Z79SKDgmutDywr3wK8mzrHqRSp1RBMvsfW5cY33lv9ng' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you couldn't really understand James, he said, "My name is James. I fly with the cranes. I feel so tame. Such a pain." He came up with this all on his own. At least this one almost rhymes; another time he did it without even attempting to rhyme: My name is James. I drive the BYU girls...and so forth. Even if he didn't grasp the rhyming concept, we will always look back fondly on our time with James. And his laugh! He has the funniest little laugh that we'll never forget. "He hee."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We loved having the day to all be together, take a walk, nap, eat good food, watch the sunset and enjoy our last few days together in New Zealand.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ9zVhr2BdCVbsqLAycguC4RY_KJhcfyKEaV38aB_LWTubcrKVtK5PrVKRELspGdSXvAm81J5qDvD14KW2MWMKUWFNJWCeTmK8-k4J6AppV4dsPA78x8V6eUDGF4IGtL9o-3i9P7pCyc/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ9zVhr2BdCVbsqLAycguC4RY_KJhcfyKEaV38aB_LWTubcrKVtK5PrVKRELspGdSXvAm81J5qDvD14KW2MWMKUWFNJWCeTmK8-k4J6AppV4dsPA78x8V6eUDGF4IGtL9o-3i9P7pCyc/s320/IMG_0942.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591967319415991746" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pictures don't ever do these sunsets justice, but we really have seen some beautiful sunsets while we've been here. I love that I was able to see this only a hop, skip, and a jump away from our motel!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxBq5E5twohGO9l2DiaUk5FKCoT6CaYFrZ2MZkqHjTscqv4v270wyZcb59liga6ZTaJ32bFyRhn0CtIlonPUw9n-fyLg_H9hm5TcUdLVyQjb3BUNYCA2fQF_EqvF7_CFfXrkKmgGgkzU/s1600/IMG_0957.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxBq5E5twohGO9l2DiaUk5FKCoT6CaYFrZ2MZkqHjTscqv4v270wyZcb59liga6ZTaJ32bFyRhn0CtIlonPUw9n-fyLg_H9hm5TcUdLVyQjb3BUNYCA2fQF_EqvF7_CFfXrkKmgGgkzU/s320/IMG_0957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591974836125439762" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had lots of fun waiting for the sun to set...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhariseOU4seEZowdiOqSJWkNePxaEsEDcjJwcXPbBrQIWFRUqReSrX1ZP2VR1QSgGHLduNTO1WYAgv7LuirB15jGJxFhtNXIAj8kRaH9K0LU-EyNwNgk9tfMOEFhTOr-ld_zMfyBx0nj4/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhariseOU4seEZowdiOqSJWkNePxaEsEDcjJwcXPbBrQIWFRUqReSrX1ZP2VR1QSgGHLduNTO1WYAgv7LuirB15jGJxFhtNXIAj8kRaH9K0LU-EyNwNgk9tfMOEFhTOr-ld_zMfyBx0nj4/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591974833254405986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That fun included seeing what we look like with each other's hair. Example, Anna with Whitney's curly brown hair. It was <i>hilarious</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1u44B0mnIll-MYrcU7tCxIk_iQG9m_SR-HP8RuTM8RfFm0i_JICAUw-Mg0iJB9oQE1ZzD1vNyQaus_hpEpN9kuiUMwDYpgdtB3iLZ62jM4MMERN8wkWJo7tiuRQPmnM9yYTmYN1R3t0/s1600/IMG_4342.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1u44B0mnIll-MYrcU7tCxIk_iQG9m_SR-HP8RuTM8RfFm0i_JICAUw-Mg0iJB9oQE1ZzD1vNyQaus_hpEpN9kuiUMwDYpgdtB3iLZ62jM4MMERN8wkWJo7tiuRQPmnM9yYTmYN1R3t0/s320/IMG_4342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591974842719577746" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Day 5, Monday:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had the day open to do whatever we wanted today. Most of us went on a beautiful 10KM hike to Haruru Falls. When we got close, the waterfalls weren't exactly the mountain cascading falls we've been used to seeing, but it was still as we saw it through the trees. Plus there was so much other beautiful scenery and it was so much fun!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-iZ2y59L8IbMeRzHDl7ykJg09Y2aNl5xaZK0FM0CwlWANF8iZ46KoIvagWMDrix3rEGyRNBbp9r8xlgtKHCM6IL5JijujaI_nH_aY-jno5BAY_o6bR3GJdqGtSPAtsqCUNYkrZHu3hw/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-iZ2y59L8IbMeRzHDl7ykJg09Y2aNl5xaZK0FM0CwlWANF8iZ46KoIvagWMDrix3rEGyRNBbp9r8xlgtKHCM6IL5JijujaI_nH_aY-jno5BAY_o6bR3GJdqGtSPAtsqCUNYkrZHu3hw/s320/IMG_0969.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592055433657653218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center; ">This was from one of the lookouts along the way.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7VPhElhjmrCXTydv2AxvcU7OYNugRoRU8nP0KZihDbC8Jn_UewJDmq5vOWjQcvIZdP7IeTIitNl2HmtRnEu50ZSsCoIDUUe0mUvq_4jngmKs2DXx8mS120_gSwYApjGtNQwiRwS6_Ac/s1600/IMG_0973.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7VPhElhjmrCXTydv2AxvcU7OYNugRoRU8nP0KZihDbC8Jn_UewJDmq5vOWjQcvIZdP7IeTIitNl2HmtRnEu50ZSsCoIDUUe0mUvq_4jngmKs2DXx8mS120_gSwYApjGtNQwiRwS6_Ac/s320/IMG_0973.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591974841035777794" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was smaller and kind of dirty when we got close...</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OjcwmEfzknbjDgPLJgPyYuNvJLFS1qpA1jGXY0ja3Oj2472ZXTVdN-Icdlt23W-zDLcV7zxo-Zag5Du4DRqaji32ilQA30EA0N5vU06cNdtiwX5fw57R3n4FoBo-OTKiPZntwaV2f70/s1600/IMG_4353.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OjcwmEfzknbjDgPLJgPyYuNvJLFS1qpA1jGXY0ja3Oj2472ZXTVdN-Icdlt23W-zDLcV7zxo-Zag5Du4DRqaji32ilQA30EA0N5vU06cNdtiwX5fw57R3n4FoBo-OTKiPZntwaV2f70/s320/IMG_4353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592055427549916690" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">but this was one of the first times you could see the falls from the path through the trees. Beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhkjreTfG8a9fRBKi3jtdfk0vMi_fWfXX396pqQ6a2WG1DzfheDsdZ4-sTzStXe3o_lzcnnuXFBe7huIov50Ay08hhYrRzjqC8CTsLV3NfEJYqdiWx6pBtuaN-w4rJB_nxqKq_0epWj8/s1600/IMG_0992.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhkjreTfG8a9fRBKi3jtdfk0vMi_fWfXX396pqQ6a2WG1DzfheDsdZ4-sTzStXe3o_lzcnnuXFBe7huIov50Ay08hhYrRzjqC8CTsLV3NfEJYqdiWx6pBtuaN-w4rJB_nxqKq_0epWj8/s320/IMG_0992.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591974846181496514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the falls, we were able to spend the rest of day on the beach. We don't have too many more beach days, so we were grateful for the sunny day to enjoy the beach! We were also able to have a big family night together tonight. It will most likely be one of the last times all of us will be together. We're planning reunions when we get back, but trying to find a time that works for all 16 is going to be tricky. It was a great time to reminisce, laugh, and cry. We've had a great group. The Jacobs and James often remind us that they've never had a group that is so united, wanting to do big group activities all the time like we have. We are all different, but we have all made the effort to be friends. There has been no big drama, which is a pretty big deal for 16 girls who have spent three months together! We've been to learn a lot from each other, and build some great friendships. Here's to the 2011 New Zealand BYU girls!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Day 6, Tuesday:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before we took off this morning, we all gathered together and presented James with a little thank you since this was the last time we would see him. Since he loves to hear us sing, we sang our Maori song, "Te Aroha," and then also "Lean On Me," while Emily played James' ukulele. We were all crying by the end, knowing this was the last time we'd all be together as a big group in New Zealand. It was the perfect way to end our New Zealand adventure all together.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Front row: Emily, Nancy, Nicole, Hannah</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Middle row: Diana, Jessica, Linda Jacobs, Christine, Ali, Kara, Neeley</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Back row: Me, Katie, Whiteny, Janet, Jim Jacobs, James Amu, Rebecca, Anna</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeS_zQ87dnAABpcR3BRLW4d-1i46bTji2UnSFNcyQrLAL0hQlBIdCxaKOTxq4NgG-00tWXKvQqC1nXgkZxn_CueBZn677mMbBVviHKe1lj3lfXQbN8UNYZQpjmJkQipL65muX6V_NHOw/s1600/DSCN1080.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeS_zQ87dnAABpcR3BRLW4d-1i46bTji2UnSFNcyQrLAL0hQlBIdCxaKOTxq4NgG-00tWXKvQqC1nXgkZxn_CueBZn677mMbBVviHKe1lj3lfXQbN8UNYZQpjmJkQipL65muX6V_NHOw/s320/DSCN1080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592026541786989938" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Linda tried recording "Te Aroha" for us, but somehow she only 2 seconds. At least she was still able to get our tearful version of "Lean On Me."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwlbWeQ0eBDqWytXTeOV9io3sZUtg45wOp_3PEPdKk-7BCLmKi-vnvF7ToCv3LVr3W5eCw9qPyfHI726dcr' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am back in Auckland for 2 more days, then 5 days in Australia, and 2 days of traveling! I will be back in America next week!!!!</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-33469896195514357202011-03-30T00:51:00.000-07:002011-03-30T01:37:24.953-07:00Waitakere Ranges<div style="text-align: left;">For our one day in between trips, we were able to check the last major thing off our wish lists of things to do in Auckland: hike the Waitakere Ranges! Angela Olsen (we've had dinner with her family a few times) has been wanting to take us and we finally made it happen. It was an absolutely beautiful hike, very jungle-y. We went on several different paths, and ended up at the Waitakere Dam. From the top we could see miles and miles of green mountains of the Waitakere Ranges--breathtaking!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">None of the pictures do it justice. There was such a variety of trees and greenery and it made the view appear so <i>textured. </i>Or something. I think textured is the best way to describe it.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1eW23d-zLf-FOJDlvljtvqcuAF5KSIsOKHtWbeTYqKEsNIm9iaQzOey3EeiHOPEU_tMWy9dEOnQE_TAjETAbogEMf03gwcvt4YSRBbCj0L5-WG5g7rjR-fvqdL5JKpRFFDHJ0_txuog/s320/IMG_4252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589781328670540802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Before the hike even started, we had fun with this HUGE picture frame of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. We were just switching off, but a group came up and offered to take one of all of us...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgudxcOBxugZDzBXwhapOMaRNnlW0mg1WAcxE7vsXVRgS-idHGuoWbxWJ-yzkoIaXDWafWAp3o0xZglJyrzt1oDdaUfYrWffq4UKZFhI7kWY-3HG1GAleGsEXn8HrY4AOax2SqiRmiqM/s320/DSCN1010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589779245726556930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">It was Anna's idea for the Egyptian pose...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dKat2RcV-8pwdwtKjI_Su4FVIGv_p9bAyl175tZaKhSfpmtpk2HnOOBYad1oobhpJ_fV0EzDF9lVgsTB95auAzVcHyvAxJ7sZ87ysNjypoqGOlxMs3q3IHAJcTJd-nNDnHwNFdL_e6c/s320/DSCN1012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589779253831658690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">...and then the guy taking the pictures for us thought it would funny to do the same pose the other way. I'm sure they all got a good laugh out of us trying to turn around and keep our balance on the tiny ledge of the frame!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1bzFMusKokfz2HzSiZuFZVeo1oMk4b5-bHS7_vSvfdYRDdYozcLjdlj82qC7iSYsv-zyP4Kz6pzIUzlBAhHm7isBxW_76urVmD5z54XgtdYEjFWh1paeNjLsFjnpDUFXTUTuNgyJLoo/s320/DSCN1013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589783890679357298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The hike was great! Lots of uphills and downhills, and always beautiful scenery.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UqI75m6YzUbq6KxdaNF0fQdzk266S15A_lag3Sh8R5QkiQP5LoWU1gETpxmaFHsEHLk4Mq0Ni2QK7DdUDnYw2bIorl-BtLkZdkItXU0YnySdFhYodLAyUBan-hVuJfzOnIcGtpNb6HQ/s320/IMG_4258.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589780283593194882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">We were especially excited when we had to cross over the river to continue on the path! We all made it across, although some of our shoes were wetter than others.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMkvWE4cTpofJbQVynsGWIwez3z6iRerSdB4BxIIFWcDR_K2FpYV_LpDAsMEYX8hz7A1OiKHqPEb2GMEOjHndksvqAL1hq0qX6GUMEPY5RDfS9lFg_f02MGqD1ZKweDYAvoQ53WqNUu0/s320/IMG_4263.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589779259810410162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">It rained a bunch over the weekend, so a lot of the paths were thick with mud. It was kind of exciting to slip and slid, but we were very grateful for the parts of the trail with wooden pathways!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-8NjlAvR5p9P-vW7QkmxCukLrHk3k_3LtfJ4IwpjE9hyphenhyphen4CSXradQekyNC7dk_G5wYnBXNbjQO517UOuKBkoXWptJkEG5_4QQkVamsgc-UfrzoI7u-VTeubI06AhHs0G5YE9MPLAbCSY/s320/IMG_4253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589780280740023010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Another exciting part of the hike was that we saw a koru in real life. We have seen TONS of pictures of koru and it is a very symbolic part of New Zealand culture, but today was the first real one we've ever seen. I'm surprised I saw it because it was just a little guy (you can just barely see it up against Anna's shirt).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAW4xXaJE8k29L3bkp06AITniRorJ_xyppCB2ll3SM0EM9OmIJxjGMwxm5IBkNNZZlJ9OlrRIe0JjOusc_pxVhzMzjwHU8W7mWvdKXEu1bPUYpzj94RefIZdHEvdQnS2HEWA2EniuHfQ/s1600/IMG_4267.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAW4xXaJE8k29L3bkp06AITniRorJ_xyppCB2ll3SM0EM9OmIJxjGMwxm5IBkNNZZlJ9OlrRIe0JjOusc_pxVhzMzjwHU8W7mWvdKXEu1bPUYpzj94RefIZdHEvdQnS2HEWA2EniuHfQ/s320/IMG_4267.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589781319352264722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a close up view of the koru, thanks to the macro camera setting.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs1ahuFbq-TkXhrhV26rQlyRyZ-OFVK9RSk16xTMaG3im4KHOFLeSYEqieLo3MnEQfUMoT6J0LtfOkNNFZtfpivikYIJAtscJdiJDCuODhKatOFG6lpkwsvuzRWSvWiJL86cUSlwmtrg/s1600/IMG_4269.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs1ahuFbq-TkXhrhV26rQlyRyZ-OFVK9RSk16xTMaG3im4KHOFLeSYEqieLo3MnEQfUMoT6J0LtfOkNNFZtfpivikYIJAtscJdiJDCuODhKatOFG6lpkwsvuzRWSvWiJL86cUSlwmtrg/s320/IMG_4269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589780292408514114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">We had a lovely time, and were so glad to get to know Angela better. She is such a great friend, and I will truly miss her and her wonderful family.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzTKYIGb_hvHpCS6EzlCwkot-gn2DnojAVe2-9ZfDItstWSRUUJP_daxV_itILjV_ob4cGt4DKqwWFSrKB9RY6OW-vNkuzD_QMjRRUvdvnDliz6FoMN5jbiyRWpe2-gll_dtYBLV86n8/s320/DSCN1014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589779239393755234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">After the hike, it was so nice to just go back home and relax. I was able to talk to my parents and a few friends. Shout out to Brooke and Natalie for our successful gchat face to face...finally! :) It is truly amazing that I am able to have such great communication with family and friends even though I am on the other side of the world!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">I will definitely be ready to be home in 2 weeks, but I am still just loving every moment here. Today, Alexis was showing me her cartwheels and I tried to teach her how to do a head stand. It was so much fun and Alexis, Raewyn, and I ended up laughing much more than we ended up standing on our heads. Sure am going to miss them!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">We leave tomorrow for another adventure, this time up North. I probably won't have much internet access, but I'll be back next Tuesday. Until then...</span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzTKYIGb_hvHpCS6EzlCwkot-gn2DnojAVe2-9ZfDItstWSRUUJP_daxV_itILjV_ob4cGt4DKqwWFSrKB9RY6OW-vNkuzD_QMjRRUvdvnDliz6FoMN5jbiyRWpe2-gll_dtYBLV86n8/s1600/DSCN1014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-750848040550895732011-03-28T23:06:00.000-07:002011-03-29T03:44:19.801-07:00Rotorua (aka Rottenrua)<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">Wow. What a trip. We made our way south to the more central part of the North island: Hamilton and Rotorua. It was quite a busy trip, so I'll take it a day at a time, and use all the pictures and videos to tell the story :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Day 1, Friday:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We drove to Hamilton to go to the New Zealand temple. It was beautiful. It was such a neat experience. This was the first temple built outside of the United States. How cool is that?</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn33-GJOcI1k0kcRZy1EEOIHp06x3I1u6lt8l8G-o7q_-Q1R1mujKkha94l1lTtkwG04yYHUUPVi4HCsSrWLfC51VBaaOpu8ysL3S148vaH_jD1-jLw2zDSbqQrOF5QycV6faK5lHqGWQ/s320/IMG_4111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589380299816383378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The whole group :)</span></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4x3KAFffYB9TlQlLUd7VNZ8sIihhEjHR0tZQNuHzqinFZw9k_2LRkyfjduFnbDGvibdVWRA91NyVj1LFCFL7SYDR9k7hoXAYvQRic1J3HSjH3HTVgy4VVDqveho0_7NbfPxx-BFOOQQw/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-27.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589449286628847074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We then made our way to Rotorua. Whenever we would tell people we were going to Rotorua, they ALWAYS commented on how much it smelled so horribly. The whole area smells strongly of sulfur because of all the geothermal activity that has created hot pools and geysers all over. It wasn't so bad when we first arrived, but as we traveled around, we quickly learned why many people refer to it as "Rotten-rua." We stayed with James' close family friends: Tom and Annette Brauns. We all thought it was a little crazy that they were willing to house 18 of us for five days, but they graciously took us in and we all had our own bed or mattress! It was a </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">beautiful</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> home.</span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlZnT-RCaD3JDuNJRVYw_dH5YYELi5PUNiwe3IQ6F6o-H9V66y4FTwDfV47pu86wGFD4IUwmOww8Dp7iMAFhkwW4DT2Y_WJC2ohL-nEwObxf8sycKCuLb-Gi2RvR4brMrbRdaOO0Ho80/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-15.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589405557545765666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of our favorite parts of the house was the hot pool in the backyard! Many people come to Rotorua and spend $$$ for the healing hot pools...we got to enjoy one whenever we wanted! This giant natural hot tub definitely got some good use out of it this weekend!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKMWFHyTL3JKCw7vuzTEJ5wauWMxIARX04l-_NRow6WdbVLzCW56plcA79qeF6yrUx_KYRcQOVUT7ezLDRps-gkQLpoZtNAvoa2MQ3Lynmdtl_g1rp1a4mUP5Z2ZmxPF88V3AlauyxyY/s320/IMG_4150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589398852942181970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Day 2, Saturday:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The excitement for today started at the Agrodome Sheep show.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMZkyq7LRBVe1-MDSYDLUViJS-ngVxvKkYehbPl-rmHLwCqeHaUwVKgQT1N59l91O_adc1XTMS482sHDOdd7MKiUiPvVVYfLzr0Nb-wwoaQQMV4eIOehZHhhoSsqGTEDN2qhx6BhORm8/s320/DSCN0890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589380305135410466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">JJ has been there before and knew we needed to get there early to get good seats. I think we got there early enough... :)</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeDiiSxsYS1qQULykqjAjPYr0lPeGL5JjUVFvLoKEAMVzSDKfuvLsya5MKl8Ubc7x0IcXBBXuDJtNGnwRIzWF8POTXKeseMPaUAE6uW9fOlUsJxV5r-lPzCZUrzetAicLYpsn4WJjCj0/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-5.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589402411277124626" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With all our extra time before the show started, we had lots of fun experiences with the animals, who were also waiting for the show to start.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0T-sUgBTPNf60olrf4MN1d7-ipd-IFR7nlbMk2d2JImhwoOlXF3j78otBQTCLrAhb40DN8bR2g13J93TkCJN2d7qNYv2XJNZIcCyARUQNH90Oe2irD7f4FAvdVl94wqhk6MZ0IfO9OKw/s320/DSCN0893.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589380325232789970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We even got to go up on stage and pretend we were the sheep!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnT3y6a5AsSdEpYHROwXGfjDeZptFkLhtifZXmkh1Sam_33IZlCqNdvMy1caBzS1MfPG2Ow0Mwphv13J9XW_3SWjqViDkBWVz4n8xn-HRfj8OPGs0b3kujJQ23_jgLz86yF8py57QzWo/s320/DSCN0892.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589380314266765522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The room soon filled up, and the Sheep show began. It started off with official introductions to all the sheep found in New Zealand. I never knew there were so many breeds of sheep!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKx9ukBRIx8w42h5GuHqvGq-34c8Xh-AvWDDsN_s9pF0WlCk3ysTz74UiQTqxWrzu7NP5hI6sf9fSl9ZfUXl63UVRLNqvtRr9cezGJcvP5UeudTf1Fs_-1IYNxqBWLlWUIYQMKxYURO8/s320/DSCN0908.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589416621861419266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This was one of the favorites, mainly because his name was Charlie Brown :)</span></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6S4SK9jnhUCy5x14DfGoA8BpzBwMMJAMTJlPGoBY3rV2C8Fr3oNRoNALES6Fdih_704CvvhmONg2rtK1fl2uu5wpx3n9KYIcE0tqqZXLlQ-wmRdyW7vYSIH_YRFBDvR-0zbXV8f68H4/s1600/DSCN0911.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6S4SK9jnhUCy5x14DfGoA8BpzBwMMJAMTJlPGoBY3rV2C8Fr3oNRoNALES6Fdih_704CvvhmONg2rtK1fl2uu5wpx3n9KYIcE0tqqZXLlQ-wmRdyW7vYSIH_YRFBDvR-0zbXV8f68H4/s320/DSCN0911.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589380332933065234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We also got to watch our MC sheer a sheep right in front of us! He did it so fast and made it look so easy. Some audience members were chosen to help feed the baby lambs, including Emily and Rebecca. However, the best part of the show (by far) was when Jess, Christine and I got to milk a cow!!! JJ had told us that was part of the show, and we wanted to volunteer for it so bad. When the MC mentioned volunteers for it, we all wildly raised our hands hoping to be chosen. But then, we had JJ and James behind us telling us to just go run up on stage to make sure we got to do it. So, all three of us darted for the stage. The MC yelled at us to freeze, but then he invited all three of us to go up. Yesss. The first thing we had to do was warm up our hands out of kindness to the cow.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdqTgNiwpnyeyI3CToFKsDUD3n5k477gu0AqCw_FrEOrF_q78brF76ZNXkL6kGHmShy8Eyb0qFy506B49f8D20EtfZa1dQ3v98HdI4vMFTvGaWZb5sXE7XhnbkzQ-KDnbBExxY_iCiZY/s320/DSCN0917.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589393900280416146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And then we all got to milk a real live cow! It was so cool. Kind of gross, but totally worth it! They even all gave us "Certificates of Udderance" for being such awesome milkers :) It really was a big highlight of the trip!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq1XZSGVrmkvaD4V_ykJi6Hgn9b22MoI5WnBlNfv0_fGRQStP8lmMCeVm2XPlCMVtbvfjIkG2N6OM7X49GMvRZkSXNekXRb0n7RbYx-gHDO6qUAlCyoZN5oek9gU0Mf4f_VRWgUialqc/s1600/DSCN0924.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq1XZSGVrmkvaD4V_ykJi6Hgn9b22MoI5WnBlNfv0_fGRQStP8lmMCeVm2XPlCMVtbvfjIkG2N6OM7X49GMvRZkSXNekXRb0n7RbYx-gHDO6qUAlCyoZN5oek9gU0Mf4f_VRWgUialqc/s320/DSCN0924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589393910257794914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYkWu189Ik-939GSvpGMpGhtuLHmkcPjwLOyXF65esPBnX7ncnRfG6SC_Mpj9fpLxQ-X0Iz-rUQneK-kEewoU1l6vETkL2TeXYi_EJhkmozNCjGe7JzA7HeHduexG03oVDFce_87lhQU/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-25.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589449282172097074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And after that, the cow and I were quite good friends :)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_Ja3ELFwBhzw9Lu4bonHq_0pxR0J7_L6w8EUesNRQAH_pOi2iN9gOOUHYzamoDUyBvPVq9bd2kSlY-T3ENd8lDsgCrvIgAD_djpmMA6spLqUhw437vCRZdxiNZSkXBX6IFICiS4fcPM/s1600/DSCN0932.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_Ja3ELFwBhzw9Lu4bonHq_0pxR0J7_L6w8EUesNRQAH_pOi2iN9gOOUHYzamoDUyBvPVq9bd2kSlY-T3ENd8lDsgCrvIgAD_djpmMA6spLqUhw437vCRZdxiNZSkXBX6IFICiS4fcPM/s1600/DSCN0932.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_Ja3ELFwBhzw9Lu4bonHq_0pxR0J7_L6w8EUesNRQAH_pOi2iN9gOOUHYzamoDUyBvPVq9bd2kSlY-T3ENd8lDsgCrvIgAD_djpmMA6spLqUhw437vCRZdxiNZSkXBX6IFICiS4fcPM/s320/DSCN0932.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589393912803548338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After the thrilling sheep show, we made our way to another New Zealand attraction: zorbing. The best way to describe it (according to the workers there) is that it's a mix between a water slide and a roller coaster. I would prefer to describe it as a human hamster ball with water. We were a little skeptical if it was going to be worth it, but the thrill of ride far exceeded our expectations. It was SO fun. The video cannot capture the excitement, but at least it shows what zorbing is:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRso5a1Ux_y-UXx4SOyF77afbbUWsFNXPqnnyX4VCpbeohuK7B7I496IsgdHr0ik0Oxk8aJGjM786fjDyyiQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq1XZSGVrmkvaD4V_ykJi6Hgn9b22MoI5WnBlNfv0_fGRQStP8lmMCeVm2XPlCMVtbvfjIkG2N6OM7X49GMvRZkSXNekXRb0n7RbYx-gHDO6qUAlCyoZN5oek9gU0Mf4f_VRWgUialqc/s1600/DSCN0924.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here's a good picture of my head inside the zorbing ball. This hole it where we dove in head first to get inside, and plopped out feet first to get out. </span></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKve61Fq-y-uoniTLtvxscnsrXzUovsO2E4kZeLAgXaJZPHMIeLICZLI-A_xJHDxeaurOdMek-4EEShepmOFyU_AOLZICJ7IZqtcQ8OYPuoKUhd1dNWsmXK7zoKZDD8-wA50bRukgk-c/s320/DSCN0939.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589393915710633698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq1XZSGVrmkvaD4V_ykJi6Hgn9b22MoI5WnBlNfv0_fGRQStP8lmMCeVm2XPlCMVtbvfjIkG2N6OM7X49GMvRZkSXNekXRb0n7RbYx-gHDO6qUAlCyoZN5oek9gU0Mf4f_VRWgUialqc/s1600/DSCN0924.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was a great group activity because we put three of us in each ball and then raced each one down the hill. We all loved it...</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wg6IMlbZWReZNtAwfsD6oB6jGwINL-gnTrp6QHdIj0sWIG2aR1FZpbIxFJVn-YUli0l3IEQv0yPJ_4HpmwNdnty_OT_mfltRU5a-iyfxsYRLYO6pcQ9kk4dqK7_PDK6JscJM2IVqgqc/s320/DSCN0944.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589393923889989458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So much so that we couldn't help but jump for joy :)</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG68OkzAkzfG7c5Sk3kmwwmzNolVKZpGhUv1KwM3e-HxyTjttm9ycJ_wJQ1PbCgP_NOTgQtOe5UfpfkMXlnzZQMFfnvvgdBcavI2BY_XSa8qRFQ2DUKnyFz9mM9tOwqEMqveyFOkt0UUo/s1600/DSCN0945.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG68OkzAkzfG7c5Sk3kmwwmzNolVKZpGhUv1KwM3e-HxyTjttm9ycJ_wJQ1PbCgP_NOTgQtOe5UfpfkMXlnzZQMFfnvvgdBcavI2BY_XSa8qRFQ2DUKnyFz9mM9tOwqEMqveyFOkt0UUo/s320/DSCN0945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589396923806018258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Day 3, Sunday:</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After attending church in the morning (in the Fairy Springs Ward--probably one of the funniest ward names I've ever heard of, but they were such friendly people!), we went on a beautiful drive to Lake Taupo. It is a MASSIVE lake, and it was fun to walk around it. The drive home took much longer than the trip there, however, because we had a few minor problems with our transportation. The biggest one being that our big white van got a flat tire! Luckily JJ and James were prepared and after finding the right tools they were able to get a new tire back on. Wherever we go, we make quite a sight...just imagine 16 girls and two big vans parked on the side of a two way road. We did make it home eventually and spent the rest of the evening relaxing, eating a baked potatos and chili, and crying as we watched "A Walk to Remember." Good times. </span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaSarahDajAVo7lqD40ZQEPL7sVtZMVtXJ54J0R7oGOBLG6zv7LVPj39dnn7vkFA6UTeHIDUesF4vzBMgwPDV4d70HmAsvu1vEMVkPOsVhu8LmeSlrK5sfkhJFp1RNqdZyHyJbNbt-tc/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-35.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589450671422269938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Day 4, Monday:</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We started today off with an amazing cultural experience at Te Puia, a Maori village. We attended another Powhiri, except this one was different from the one at the school because there were real Maori warriors to perform it for us. It was great because before we went inside the Marae (sacred meeting house), we had to choose a chief from the group. There weren't very many men there yet, so we volunteered JJ, and they quickly made him "Chief Jim."</span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXbdPtII1yvDzHFkSq2Xtdfku86fS1VIKd1-lGzy_DCQ0JB56cJYA3m7Xz-LjDSOAm1EosAf0MOdiVWf_xeTXjIZ2mP4l4MWntYfOPQgApIrd8YvAknCQZg1dyiK600RBiyYf0-V_I-A/s320/DSCN0948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589396928504676050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He led us into the Marae, and since we were part of his group we got to sit right up in front! The first row was only for gentlemen, but we front and center on the second row. After the maori speech, welcome, and hongi (pressing of noses and foreheads), the group put on a show for us with lots of singing and dancing. The best part was when they chose me to go up and learn one of the poi ball dances! They only trusted us with one (probably a good thing!), but it was fun to be up there and try our best to poi like real Maoris!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdLXbs0BKsOw8HjY1lkESJRB_19wVH-r63tW1vTdSIy47FOTMWuOufU9HXjgeDF-PO12KGQ6jc7KlZuqxGeQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My other favorite part of the show was when they taught the Haka to all the gentlemen in the audience (at least the few who weren't too shy). It was sooo entertaining to see JJ up there trying to learn it. As "Cheif Jim," he was required to be up there, and even had to yell a few times. The best was when they had to stick out their tongues and bulge their eyes--he tried so hard and it was hilarious. We told him we had never seen this side of him before, and he just smiled and said he only lets it come out at the very end.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIQyf4kMgGusYrfPVpKQMr1-I7V6zPs-b-3KpnJ5R-NbvOd3BtTpSz1D0UwuGZLiYG22jKa0DR7_NQHSVNWQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After the powhiri and performance, we went on a guided tour around Te Puia, which is actually known for it’s geysers. Their geysers are similar to Old Faithful—more beautiful surroundings, but not as tall. </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I know it just looks like a cloud, but it really a huge geyser!</span></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx8mJ6IYsRhLBrIGm78Jfh3bBcGUjMq6qb2amyVjH_QSQHSmRoc3ME8h6C63SCMrTtwFdkGNoMgXvpF966SfJKpOungtv9nsAAL9LSb3H7I-UbrJkw_WdlhdUeXy8j0ZylODpzWT7rKg/s320/DSCN0977.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589398856000123426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of the smaller geysers from a distance.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVdnShM-PNzq1NjxeFs931LVvdepYYs4u2N3aC0z2oTcqa7LwjRjhJl_XQSryQR-aBkILagFQzfzwswvh65zICth9CFyKzf2HD755vQLtru6_n3uMxbNs_chYpcGX8IJg0nkchEXn_UI/s320/DSCN0983.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589396959878773378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The guided tour also took us into a little house to see real live kiwi birds! I was so excited to actually see the kiwi birds we have heard so much about. We also learned that kiwis are nocturnal, which is probably one of the main reasons we haven’t ever seen them. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Our tour guide was a bit ridiculous; I think he was pretty special for taking around this group of young, American girls. He made comments like, “We’ll go see the kiwi birds now because I can tell that you girls are probably into cuddly things…like me…haha.” He showed us his ta moko. It actually made me have a lot more understanding of the Maori ta moko. It’s all about identity. It is a representation of who they are and where they come from, their genealogy. Every line and pattern and symbol has so much meaning and significance behind it. It was interesting because I have always just thought of them as tattoos, but he said that the Maoris would actually be offended if their ta moko are referred to as tattoos. We also got to see the wood carving school where many Maori men come to learn the skill of wood carving and take it back to their tribes, even still today. They were all working on these incredible carvings. The man below was working on a huge tree trunk that won't be finished until Christmas. Crazy!</span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgXvKMlUt7UOPDa-KUfB1-bK-o-KsveD9xhmJV8J004NfVPL6AU2glpUob-3UkViSNfERMqlF90DK7yDXqGuKbfqD9QR92G1ykpzPBmCkq1Gp014ILatsHeE1T5QekQB5l29IdFsF4g4/s1600/DSCN0981.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgXvKMlUt7UOPDa-KUfB1-bK-o-KsveD9xhmJV8J004NfVPL6AU2glpUob-3UkViSNfERMqlF90DK7yDXqGuKbfqD9QR92G1ykpzPBmCkq1Gp014ILatsHeE1T5QekQB5l29IdFsF4g4/s320/DSCN0981.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589432060536298402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is the name of the area of this Maori village. It is the third longest name for a Maori place. The longest has something like 87 letters!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyDpUADpBLOu-KHxlVw-Ff0uFeMYDPJnVWiYXA34uQ3PLkJUxKjVPn-fJ8X9iBD-p8OdVQtwU430bRq61Fbs9JdNlyKmxEoLypYqWDt-y8_Dkbdot7QFh_3iIjM41ou1B_sc2FItNAp4/s320/DSCN0967.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589396933578100354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After our Te Puia experience, we took a drive to some of the famous lakes around Rotorua: the Blue Lake and the Green Lake. It was so neat because standing from one point on a hill, you could see the green lake to the left and the blue lake to the right. SO beautiful.</span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNR3nY1yhTnoo6ET9OiTaBC_EfhRBFi-hzgY6-mTM0AIy2P7Rredq-Y34MQ-FrQ9EWfyzUdW6tqsAbFgkRiA20Kr1EX7U95dGY4-gAmLkmGgvu6gP5HUE0RyZ_ZYdUEWi0V2yOTLFW9H4/s1600/DSCN0986.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNR3nY1yhTnoo6ET9OiTaBC_EfhRBFi-hzgY6-mTM0AIy2P7Rredq-Y34MQ-FrQ9EWfyzUdW6tqsAbFgkRiA20Kr1EX7U95dGY4-gAmLkmGgvu6gP5HUE0RyZ_ZYdUEWi0V2yOTLFW9H4/s320/DSCN0986.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589398869198225218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is the green lake, surrounded by lots of beautiful green plants.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span> </span></span><!--EndFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo3CM-CoZ4dW0-LTv60d4_tjM2pm7IKe_Q5AxAerPzkV12t4nN-9N05_U3Cx3qGVAvTBfx1Pukn7fKPivNWf1dqBG8L36xFi_JZUJsdJ2Qddp9GgMFfMYQ9LWl6joQe-0_ZjBVFax-1k/s1600/DSCN0985.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo3CM-CoZ4dW0-LTv60d4_tjM2pm7IKe_Q5AxAerPzkV12t4nN-9N05_U3Cx3qGVAvTBfx1Pukn7fKPivNWf1dqBG8L36xFi_JZUJsdJ2Qddp9GgMFfMYQ9LWl6joQe-0_ZjBVFax-1k/s1600/DSCN0985.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo3CM-CoZ4dW0-LTv60d4_tjM2pm7IKe_Q5AxAerPzkV12t4nN-9N05_U3Cx3qGVAvTBfx1Pukn7fKPivNWf1dqBG8L36xFi_JZUJsdJ2Qddp9GgMFfMYQ9LWl6joQe-0_ZjBVFax-1k/s320/DSCN0985.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589398867522512082" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGluJGOJBZ_i3NaXW0eYx5e0cbtg0rs06pZiaVu4UCcKTPjf0kFa3X5rjtecHGdQxudaCpmNCs0RyatxHvLashU991l4omDwdMNB6MUoy8T_b5Id4y9Ce6HB6F0o-VHpAz-Xofocn7LT4/s1600/DW_1_Labyrinth_Group_Floating+under+glowworms.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is the Blue Lake. You can't really tell in this picture, but it really is a sharp contrast from the green lake next to it. </span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmMWAx2FxTZ1I4RSL5dYIp2idc7ZZU7Wp67mka0Cx9mBsxrsDl4w8uskaNIVL-tfKeEQjaXOa2NEZez1T60zpYwSeqDZuBK9nPgDyzw63TJdhYuD4ne45itL2hIxArd24V6SCyXy8RdE/s1600/DSCN0990.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmMWAx2FxTZ1I4RSL5dYIp2idc7ZZU7Wp67mka0Cx9mBsxrsDl4w8uskaNIVL-tfKeEQjaXOa2NEZez1T60zpYwSeqDZuBK9nPgDyzw63TJdhYuD4ne45itL2hIxArd24V6SCyXy8RdE/s320/DSCN0990.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589398876769121202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We also drove to Lake Tarawera. This one was breathtaking as well, especially because we got to go right down to it.</span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96ISbSEA_taY2VDIPSzdZ_jUDyK4aps3q2aYDWWZh-PKZQFR5KnbOv5WJ9otsf4OL_qWg7w7DeiUJZ4VLq0sNenWtoPzodnu8Wel4yI-PFJ2SmaJ8rF4QQe1Lz1QfHH0_1SlVj_fGqV0/s1600/DSCN0992.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96ISbSEA_taY2VDIPSzdZ_jUDyK4aps3q2aYDWWZh-PKZQFR5KnbOv5WJ9otsf4OL_qWg7w7DeiUJZ4VLq0sNenWtoPzodnu8Wel4yI-PFJ2SmaJ8rF4QQe1Lz1QfHH0_1SlVj_fGqV0/s320/DSCN0992.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589400793521664658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO_gCU2pcBAlnPk5V2uX_8fw9YucQOwPjI0WRirT-Kyx8HzmCMpc2kE5Zu3tXQH3sZfP3ybWJOYLDCxDmS5HDyPJQw3kU-ci0UzglEj91MwpGJAC1sRwxvTl6swhwvwGAysyQWhRa8GU/s1600/DSCN0995.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO_gCU2pcBAlnPk5V2uX_8fw9YucQOwPjI0WRirT-Kyx8HzmCMpc2kE5Zu3tXQH3sZfP3ybWJOYLDCxDmS5HDyPJQw3kU-ci0UzglEj91MwpGJAC1sRwxvTl6swhwvwGAysyQWhRa8GU/s320/DSCN0995.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589400789104034690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We sure love taking pictures :)</span></span></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SZsgXEmOl5yM6aSsOJVe8YVwO56Av8n9dD_o5g5_b8Syn_tqc1PvGqaxLYPEJs-iWjEC7_x8BS5IvRSBDoKE0ShXXoWZBrENd9rBJmlq1N64Y6UHo2dbBcgXvOCXJMbYvjtpi9tDZq4/s1600/IMG_4222.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SZsgXEmOl5yM6aSsOJVe8YVwO56Av8n9dD_o5g5_b8Syn_tqc1PvGqaxLYPEJs-iWjEC7_x8BS5IvRSBDoKE0ShXXoWZBrENd9rBJmlq1N64Y6UHo2dbBcgXvOCXJMbYvjtpi9tDZq4/s320/IMG_4222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589402410385588642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After seeing the beautiful lakes, we had some time to walk around Old Rotorua and the lake front right in the city. A few of us decided it would be fun to go paddleboating (we didn't want to spend any more money shopping). It ended up being so much and a great way to spend out short visit to this part of the town.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jess and I working hard to move our boat in the right direction.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhYretcLvvLe7_RpoaGCVkSP2L1iwc1TM8fc3FbwzAx4nsZZ6xARiGeVFxsnuJ6ucI0b-9MmcP_Yqeh1wrEbonRfYOLox0Enz6u5s24bQ2lkPIsDrzxmDmCy2oJuWKuD18QLfDa1egJk/s1600/DSCN1008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhYretcLvvLe7_RpoaGCVkSP2L1iwc1TM8fc3FbwzAx4nsZZ6xARiGeVFxsnuJ6ucI0b-9MmcP_Yqeh1wrEbonRfYOLox0Enz6u5s24bQ2lkPIsDrzxmDmCy2oJuWKuD18QLfDa1egJk/s320/DSCN1008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589400805565577330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jess, me, Kara, Ali, Whitney, Anna, Janet. So much fun!</span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVhDmdgvgpriD0bdolKg7dfRFC1_K6n_d39tGKwDWtjIpgEaqjGIpobaDmSu29kKzsmMCYq80713dlJGFaqqH6YxVT8kP6aWeIDeBPY8Nqdyghnbwv9Uv20ZrBd1XU2frPee_Amu5HCI/s1600/DSCN1003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVhDmdgvgpriD0bdolKg7dfRFC1_K6n_d39tGKwDWtjIpgEaqjGIpobaDmSu29kKzsmMCYq80713dlJGFaqqH6YxVT8kP6aWeIDeBPY8Nqdyghnbwv9Uv20ZrBd1XU2frPee_Amu5HCI/s320/DSCN1003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589400799539540242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Part of the deal to staying at the Brauns house was that we had to attend their dinner theatre tonight, Tribal Lights. It is Annette's pride and joy, and she was so excited for us to see it. It started out with a special dinner. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was fun because they brought out little appetizers and rolls progressively throughout the beginning—the most unique being a plate of cashews to be dipped in salsa. The actual dinner</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> included kumura, ham, shrimp, chicken, veggies, and mussels. We all tried the mussels, and I don't think a single one of liked them! At least we tried, eh?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWqvI9pngZ7EgUwV9iL6pptRkTJRwAumbDTNEw2AgoQvHzaDPl-iDCEUdVw-AFNjSbAFnQNc23rRarxc5dliEX7MhoGLv4DxP5NyXV76mBw60h96Q5TfCzMDWV-iuDAyY5Wsm3DnL58Y/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-11.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589437320626958546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The theatre performance soon started, and, well, it was something else. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t what we saw. I couldn’t really follow the story line, but it was something about the history of Rotorua, and an earthquake, and the village that was buried in mud from a volcano. There was lots of funny little audience participation parts, the best ones being when we got up and all danced across the floor, and when we all had to get under the tables during the earthquake. It was also funny when they picked JJ to be Reverend Humphrey and Christine to be his wife. We all got a good laugh out of that one! We were happy to support Annette, but we're thinking they need a bit more practice before they start performing for the public. It surely was a unique artistic experience for us all. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here are the two who got to start our dancing participation. They were great with the twirls and dips :)</span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh_yaGOWA-duP8OK9eJGVZUteP5barJ3J04QI2caNieuhkUxmOx9SxAn8AaDTUSI86gCu6VjggZUqZ5uYcLJclp5Jm9ZTNmvKXAAk7wkR_3LrtHcdy8puNXW_Qrk-hFiK11WegsFDPIA/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-14.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh_yaGOWA-duP8OK9eJGVZUteP5barJ3J04QI2caNieuhkUxmOx9SxAn8AaDTUSI86gCu6VjggZUqZ5uYcLJclp5Jm9ZTNmvKXAAk7wkR_3LrtHcdy8puNXW_Qrk-hFiK11WegsFDPIA/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-14.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589405550937305042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And here is Reverend Humphrey and Mrs. Humphrey. Ha!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlZnT-RCaD3JDuNJRVYw_dH5YYELi5PUNiwe3IQ6F6o-H9V66y4FTwDfV47pu86wGFD4IUwmOww8Dp7iMAFhkwW4DT2Y_WJC2ohL-nEwObxf8sycKCuLb-Gi2RvR4brMrbRdaOO0Ho80/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-15.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh_yaGOWA-duP8OK9eJGVZUteP5barJ3J04QI2caNieuhkUxmOx9SxAn8AaDTUSI86gCu6VjggZUqZ5uYcLJclp5Jm9ZTNmvKXAAk7wkR_3LrtHcdy8puNXW_Qrk-hFiK11WegsFDPIA/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-14.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUOqMyfgxqa_kvwoWuDq7GGBowra1toDa1jT-HikI9VKhEBR8kY88aOQUmc-239EKOanb_9DpVzypN2nCJxBav3o_bHlj0Yx1y7c2OTQYQldHhMK4SqMuHRrUdtc6O9diBGMZe0ncGG8/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-13.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUOqMyfgxqa_kvwoWuDq7GGBowra1toDa1jT-HikI9VKhEBR8kY88aOQUmc-239EKOanb_9DpVzypN2nCJxBav3o_bHlj0Yx1y7c2OTQYQldHhMK4SqMuHRrUdtc6O9diBGMZe0ncGG8/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-13.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589405549636417298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhYretcLvvLe7_RpoaGCVkSP2L1iwc1TM8fc3FbwzAx4nsZZ6xARiGeVFxsnuJ6ucI0b-9MmcP_Yqeh1wrEbonRfYOLox0Enz6u5s24bQ2lkPIsDrzxmDmCy2oJuWKuD18QLfDa1egJk/s1600/DSCN1008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Day 5, Tuesday:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We have had some pretty amazing experiences while we've been here. Today's adventure is bumping its way up to the top of the list, just under bungy jumping. What could be almost as exciting as bungy jumping? Probably not what you think... The Lengendary Black Water Rafting Company's </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Black Labyrinth.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Here is the best explanation I could give you (from the brochure): "This is the original Waitomo subterranean adventure that will have you climbing, leaping, and floating through Ruakuri Cave. Enjoy the amazing glowworm display on the vaulted limestone galleries above. *Climb down into nature's underground network. *Float serenely down a twisting and turning underground river. *Take a leap of faith over a cascading waterfall (actually we took a leap of faith over 2 cascading waterfalls!!). *Emerge into the sunlit native Waitomo forest. *Your 3 hour adventure includes a hot shower to warm up, soup, and a bagel."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It really was incredible!! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We even got to wear these sa-weet wet suits! It was pretty exciting because I think it was the first time I have ever worn a wet suit...too bad they smelled awful!</span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9YCAiO5a7MC9ynXV8j-9zaa3aHQYyFnEtN7fYGyjpjKm_kpDWtZDL1Av1EMckZlRiTulNHVbNx5p5QVPg87LV3PvSlhlL_vrOzZGPVK5SMUHtK4h0951t9G2ToQMiMDDtUTZNH470Qw/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-18.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9YCAiO5a7MC9ynXV8j-9zaa3aHQYyFnEtN7fYGyjpjKm_kpDWtZDL1Av1EMckZlRiTulNHVbNx5p5QVPg87LV3PvSlhlL_vrOzZGPVK5SMUHtK4h0951t9G2ToQMiMDDtUTZNH470Qw/s320/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-18.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589405555601522498" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is how we picked our tubes: we had to be able to fit our whole backside into them. Notice the lovely padding, there to cushion against any unexpected rocks.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRbqLjo74cXc0wvKDjvqCYIuYXUyz5ADHlaazoZKhz48MclFGOwq1O6jZ_qjkM9qNUTKTbIwGMrc_ZWa0TmZ7TUclXVtrUzs6Fl2FLJ9TN5vpuQesEw-ZJBjvL3dPJbjeLkz3MIN5G6A/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRbqLjo74cXc0wvKDjvqCYIuYXUyz5ADHlaazoZKhz48MclFGOwq1O6jZ_qjkM9qNUTKTbIwGMrc_ZWa0TmZ7TUclXVtrUzs6Fl2FLJ9TN5vpuQesEw-ZJBjvL3dPJbjeLkz3MIN5G6A/s320/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589407299930190978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Don't let this picture deceive you...it was actually pitch black in the caves, but our guides have a sweet camera that somehow has the ability to take pictures in the blackness. I'm the third one from the right in the white(ish) helmet.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu6lrqF24C4ARhx8ltKbn3rYuzQjixEOjEBRcmJYEeGGRJeAAgX_3GfuNWz2SeVqXRNUnSW7c4RbNCzpCmMj1IT2I7mYvso9tQBBpYIXR1VRfClaeTHcMYPBxsQckrz2sEahTgPlUvY4/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+016.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu6lrqF24C4ARhx8ltKbn3rYuzQjixEOjEBRcmJYEeGGRJeAAgX_3GfuNWz2SeVqXRNUnSW7c4RbNCzpCmMj1IT2I7mYvso9tQBBpYIXR1VRfClaeTHcMYPBxsQckrz2sEahTgPlUvY4/s320/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589407304163922018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt45GPvQpn7jlilvhM_X9LueS-iYA6vW8KLtLuvwus-_gJI9z7a8tNELCu9CSe0up279P7PznRin8kc-xdJP_9qnw_wrJi6UFnXzWVIfveGDWahuHtIFvQv_Hz-e7ODK_qNgSOm4RomE/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt45GPvQpn7jlilvhM_X9LueS-iYA6vW8KLtLuvwus-_gJI9z7a8tNELCu9CSe0up279P7PznRin8kc-xdJP_9qnw_wrJi6UFnXzWVIfveGDWahuHtIFvQv_Hz-e7ODK_qNgSOm4RomE/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt45GPvQpn7jlilvhM_X9LueS-iYA6vW8KLtLuvwus-_gJI9z7a8tNELCu9CSe0up279P7PznRin8kc-xdJP_9qnw_wrJi6UFnXzWVIfveGDWahuHtIFvQv_Hz-e7ODK_qNgSOm4RomE/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here I am just coming out of what they call "The Limbo." It was an extremely low part of the cave where you had to lay back and use the roof to move you along. Good thing none of us were claustrophobic!</span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSPNTzAUvus9YEIGv9GbGPHdzQ5ETSKZmqAN-xJvlmBoz-Oxx6FPQwLZ2WPZ2_OS1ln6QHyJ70aCj7MBHoyhUCZvUb6AkTLCEs6B5-Nrqv2hiuE8vHuqT4SL7gO44L1sp08ux63mPORg/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+020.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSPNTzAUvus9YEIGv9GbGPHdzQ5ETSKZmqAN-xJvlmBoz-Oxx6FPQwLZ2WPZ2_OS1ln6QHyJ70aCj7MBHoyhUCZvUb6AkTLCEs6B5-Nrqv2hiuE8vHuqT4SL7gO44L1sp08ux63mPORg/s320/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589408447836509282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is how we took a leap of faith (backwards!) down the cascading waterfall. We all landed with a huge plop and splash. SO fun!</span></span></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEzzFNDirXFxE3moE8bITai3nl8PkA0rGyKGv0uUrb0ytu0Dsi5t51-mP8oortPKe0LgUR8Iw-X4Q10oF9NqEbplAgJXcxEzCE-ZFHKugZZzdhcrTAnyIoNedaKuCaGufqj20fsJYQp0/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEzzFNDirXFxE3moE8bITai3nl8PkA0rGyKGv0uUrb0ytu0Dsi5t51-mP8oortPKe0LgUR8Iw-X4Q10oF9NqEbplAgJXcxEzCE-ZFHKugZZzdhcrTAnyIoNedaKuCaGufqj20fsJYQp0/s320/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589408452669188098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7veT1EiyFlvGQG_sLJLFD_UHo7KGqVhKRD4zoG1D3zWsplyuOiyzfhFQfpZm2onfe_ZDgDlAIEvbvO9ARePeON3fsCuv3Ju3aAGOWCRqxjWHmunxOX7dSGXvoKDq4qfoFldzEVuGEfQ/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7veT1EiyFlvGQG_sLJLFD_UHo7KGqVhKRD4zoG1D3zWsplyuOiyzfhFQfpZm2onfe_ZDgDlAIEvbvO9ARePeON3fsCuv3Ju3aAGOWCRqxjWHmunxOX7dSGXvoKDq4qfoFldzEVuGEfQ/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7veT1EiyFlvGQG_sLJLFD_UHo7KGqVhKRD4zoG1D3zWsplyuOiyzfhFQfpZm2onfe_ZDgDlAIEvbvO9ARePeON3fsCuv3Ju3aAGOWCRqxjWHmunxOX7dSGXvoKDq4qfoFldzEVuGEfQ/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7veT1EiyFlvGQG_sLJLFD_UHo7KGqVhKRD4zoG1D3zWsplyuOiyzfhFQfpZm2onfe_ZDgDlAIEvbvO9ARePeON3fsCuv3Ju3aAGOWCRqxjWHmunxOX7dSGXvoKDq4qfoFldzEVuGEfQ/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7veT1EiyFlvGQG_sLJLFD_UHo7KGqVhKRD4zoG1D3zWsplyuOiyzfhFQfpZm2onfe_ZDgDlAIEvbvO9ARePeON3fsCuv3Ju3aAGOWCRqxjWHmunxOX7dSGXvoKDq4qfoFldzEVuGEfQ/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7veT1EiyFlvGQG_sLJLFD_UHo7KGqVhKRD4zoG1D3zWsplyuOiyzfhFQfpZm2onfe_ZDgDlAIEvbvO9ARePeON3fsCuv3Ju3aAGOWCRqxjWHmunxOX7dSGXvoKDq4qfoFldzEVuGEfQ/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUOqMyfgxqa_kvwoWuDq7GGBowra1toDa1jT-HikI9VKhEBR8kY88aOQUmc-239EKOanb_9DpVzypN2nCJxBav3o_bHlj0Yx1y7c2OTQYQldHhMK4SqMuHRrUdtc6O9diBGMZe0ncGG8/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-13.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUOqMyfgxqa_kvwoWuDq7GGBowra1toDa1jT-HikI9VKhEBR8kY88aOQUmc-239EKOanb_9DpVzypN2nCJxBav3o_bHlj0Yx1y7c2OTQYQldHhMK4SqMuHRrUdtc6O9diBGMZe0ncGG8/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-13.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUOqMyfgxqa_kvwoWuDq7GGBowra1toDa1jT-HikI9VKhEBR8kY88aOQUmc-239EKOanb_9DpVzypN2nCJxBav3o_bHlj0Yx1y7c2OTQYQldHhMK4SqMuHRrUdtc6O9diBGMZe0ncGG8/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-13.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhYretcLvvLe7_RpoaGCVkSP2L1iwc1TM8fc3FbwzAx4nsZZ6xARiGeVFxsnuJ6ucI0b-9MmcP_Yqeh1wrEbonRfYOLox0Enz6u5s24bQ2lkPIsDrzxmDmCy2oJuWKuD18QLfDa1egJk/s1600/DSCN1008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Another group shot inside the cave. There were 8 from our group (me, Anna, Christine, Jess, Rebecca, Katie, Whitney, Emily) and then four random girls. The other 8 went on the adventure an hour and a half after we started. </span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt45GPvQpn7jlilvhM_X9LueS-iYA6vW8KLtLuvwus-_gJI9z7a8tNELCu9CSe0up279P7PznRin8kc-xdJP_9qnw_wrJi6UFnXzWVIfveGDWahuHtIFvQv_Hz-e7ODK_qNgSOm4RomE/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt45GPvQpn7jlilvhM_X9LueS-iYA6vW8KLtLuvwus-_gJI9z7a8tNELCu9CSe0up279P7PznRin8kc-xdJP_9qnw_wrJi6UFnXzWVIfveGDWahuHtIFvQv_Hz-e7ODK_qNgSOm4RomE/s320/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589407291644811266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of my favorite parts was floating serenely through the part of the cave with the most glowworms. I absolutely love stargazing, but this rivals stargazing. There were so many all over the ceiling and it was so cool. Our guides talked about the great acoustics in this part of the caves and jokingly asked us if we knew any songs to sing. I don't think they were expecting all 8 of us BYU girls to start singing the Maori song we learned for our school Powhiri, "Te Aroha." We broke out in two part harmony, and I truly think it was the best we have ever sounded. Maybe it was the acoustics, but it seriously sounded amazing. We all wish we could have recorded it. After the guides were joking how a bunch of Americans put all the New Zealanders to shame by singing such a beautiful Maori song. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> It's hard to describe the glowworms, but here is a promotional picture that came on our picture CD of the glowworms. When I first saw this picture and didn't know they had some promotional photos on the CD, I thought the person in front was me because I had led the group through this part. I was pretty disappointed when I realized it wasn't, but it's still a cool picture to show the glowworms!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhBxoH_VqsAw6EKq0lBUfkEXN3xlunEuPXusuOA3ikOR6zXH4qmPbfHViXS9tQaiy_4tQqRFnQ2mnUSzi-q4wNvWcnSXuFBCq4hTXvUgmb3dA1og79VPe1yViFygAQIpOcYCa8TUrvc/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhBxoH_VqsAw6EKq0lBUfkEXN3xlunEuPXusuOA3ikOR6zXH4qmPbfHViXS9tQaiy_4tQqRFnQ2mnUSzi-q4wNvWcnSXuFBCq4hTXvUgmb3dA1og79VPe1yViFygAQIpOcYCa8TUrvc/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhBxoH_VqsAw6EKq0lBUfkEXN3xlunEuPXusuOA3ikOR6zXH4qmPbfHViXS9tQaiy_4tQqRFnQ2mnUSzi-q4wNvWcnSXuFBCq4hTXvUgmb3dA1og79VPe1yViFygAQIpOcYCa8TUrvc/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGluJGOJBZ_i3NaXW0eYx5e0cbtg0rs06pZiaVu4UCcKTPjf0kFa3X5rjtecHGdQxudaCpmNCs0RyatxHvLashU991l4omDwdMNB6MUoy8T_b5Id4y9Ce6HB6F0o-VHpAz-Xofocn7LT4/s1600/DW_1_Labyrinth_Group_Floating+under+glowworms.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGluJGOJBZ_i3NaXW0eYx5e0cbtg0rs06pZiaVu4UCcKTPjf0kFa3X5rjtecHGdQxudaCpmNCs0RyatxHvLashU991l4omDwdMNB6MUoy8T_b5Id4y9Ce6HB6F0o-VHpAz-Xofocn7LT4/s320/DW_1_Labyrinth_Group_Floating+under+glowworms.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589409639588752130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This was the breathtaking view of the sunlit Waitomo forest as we turned the corner away from the darkness of the cave. The pillar of light on the water was majestic.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhBxoH_VqsAw6EKq0lBUfkEXN3xlunEuPXusuOA3ikOR6zXH4qmPbfHViXS9tQaiy_4tQqRFnQ2mnUSzi-q4wNvWcnSXuFBCq4hTXvUgmb3dA1og79VPe1yViFygAQIpOcYCa8TUrvc/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhBxoH_VqsAw6EKq0lBUfkEXN3xlunEuPXusuOA3ikOR6zXH4qmPbfHViXS9tQaiy_4tQqRFnQ2mnUSzi-q4wNvWcnSXuFBCq4hTXvUgmb3dA1og79VPe1yViFygAQIpOcYCa8TUrvc/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhBxoH_VqsAw6EKq0lBUfkEXN3xlunEuPXusuOA3ikOR6zXH4qmPbfHViXS9tQaiy_4tQqRFnQ2mnUSzi-q4wNvWcnSXuFBCq4hTXvUgmb3dA1og79VPe1yViFygAQIpOcYCa8TUrvc/s320/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589407287484408818" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here we all are, survivors of the Black Labyrinth. It really was, as the brochure says, "AN AWESOME UNDERGROUND ADVENTURE, SIMPLY AMAZING!"</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9YCAiO5a7MC9ynXV8j-9zaa3aHQYyFnEtN7fYGyjpjKm_kpDWtZDL1Av1EMckZlRiTulNHVbNx5p5QVPg87LV3PvSlhlL_vrOzZGPVK5SMUHtK4h0951t9G2ToQMiMDDtUTZNH470Qw/s1600/of%253D50%252C480%252C360-18.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJiyBraJRifeeXJoCfS54FmhXUj1VoUCz-kJMw_bX_ofjMak30M2d7sd2EpF12nZhKOki-edg9pfTlzjl4cgj7b5yfBOUo9oncFGg_wYgUG5qw8kxF7_SHpBl4tVtXRttlD62WQ02GM0/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJiyBraJRifeeXJoCfS54FmhXUj1VoUCz-kJMw_bX_ofjMak30M2d7sd2EpF12nZhKOki-edg9pfTlzjl4cgj7b5yfBOUo9oncFGg_wYgUG5qw8kxF7_SHpBl4tVtXRttlD62WQ02GM0/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJiyBraJRifeeXJoCfS54FmhXUj1VoUCz-kJMw_bX_ofjMak30M2d7sd2EpF12nZhKOki-edg9pfTlzjl4cgj7b5yfBOUo9oncFGg_wYgUG5qw8kxF7_SHpBl4tVtXRttlD62WQ02GM0/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7veT1EiyFlvGQG_sLJLFD_UHo7KGqVhKRD4zoG1D3zWsplyuOiyzfhFQfpZm2onfe_ZDgDlAIEvbvO9ARePeON3fsCuv3Ju3aAGOWCRqxjWHmunxOX7dSGXvoKDq4qfoFldzEVuGEfQ/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7veT1EiyFlvGQG_sLJLFD_UHo7KGqVhKRD4zoG1D3zWsplyuOiyzfhFQfpZm2onfe_ZDgDlAIEvbvO9ARePeON3fsCuv3Ju3aAGOWCRqxjWHmunxOX7dSGXvoKDq4qfoFldzEVuGEfQ/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7veT1EiyFlvGQG_sLJLFD_UHo7KGqVhKRD4zoG1D3zWsplyuOiyzfhFQfpZm2onfe_ZDgDlAIEvbvO9ARePeON3fsCuv3Ju3aAGOWCRqxjWHmunxOX7dSGXvoKDq4qfoFldzEVuGEfQ/s320/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589407308023384818" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt45GPvQpn7jlilvhM_X9LueS-iYA6vW8KLtLuvwus-_gJI9z7a8tNELCu9CSe0up279P7PznRin8kc-xdJP_9qnw_wrJi6UFnXzWVIfveGDWahuHtIFvQv_Hz-e7ODK_qNgSOm4RomE/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>It truly was an amazing weekend excursion. I go to sleep every night in awe of these great things I get to do. It's a wonder life :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhBxoH_VqsAw6EKq0lBUfkEXN3xlunEuPXusuOA3ikOR6zXH4qmPbfHViXS9tQaiy_4tQqRFnQ2mnUSzi-q4wNvWcnSXuFBCq4hTXvUgmb3dA1og79VPe1yViFygAQIpOcYCa8TUrvc/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNhBxoH_VqsAw6EKq0lBUfkEXN3xlunEuPXusuOA3ikOR6zXH4qmPbfHViXS9tQaiy_4tQqRFnQ2mnUSzi-q4wNvWcnSXuFBCq4hTXvUgmb3dA1og79VPe1yViFygAQIpOcYCa8TUrvc/s1600/BWR1-29-03-2011-1030-Elza-Brydie+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJiyBraJRifeeXJoCfS54FmhXUj1VoUCz-kJMw_bX_ofjMak30M2d7sd2EpF12nZhKOki-edg9pfTlzjl4cgj7b5yfBOUo9oncFGg_wYgUG5qw8kxF7_SHpBl4tVtXRttlD62WQ02GM0/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJiyBraJRifeeXJoCfS54FmhXUj1VoUCz-kJMw_bX_ofjMak30M2d7sd2EpF12nZhKOki-edg9pfTlzjl4cgj7b5yfBOUo9oncFGg_wYgUG5qw8kxF7_SHpBl4tVtXRttlD62WQ02GM0/s320/IMG_4201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589400786074834386" /></a></div></div></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-31251955519347893682011-03-24T01:02:00.000-07:002011-03-24T03:47:18.043-07:00Good Bye Colwill! :(<div>Six weeks at Colwill Primary School has come and gone. I cannot believe how fast those six weeks flew by! I cannot believe how fast this semester has flown by! One week from today I will be up north at Cape Raigna/Bay of Islands. Two weeks from today I will be in Sydney, Australia. Three weeks from today I will be back in America! Whoa.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to today. I just feel so loved! Not only were my students clinging on to me and telling me to stay in NZ forever, but random kids I don't even really know came up to me all day to give me a great big hug and tell me how much they were going to miss me. One of the most common mistakes made by kids around us recently was that they were getting Australia and America mixed up. Many would ask, "When do you have to go back to Australia?" One of Anna's students, Levi, would ask us about Australia <i>all</i> the time, but when we asked him where we were from, he would correctly say America. Maybe he thought America was in Australia? I guess the whole America thing was just too much for their narrow views of the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>This morning was funny because after swimming I wasn't allowed to go into our classroom. It was a few of the students job to make sure I didn't go in during morning tea or even lunch! The kids were so funny because they would come up to me and say, "Miss we have a surprise for you in the room, but we're not allowed to tell you about it." Occasionally one of the older students would shh them and remind them that since it was supposed to be a surprise, they weren't supposed to say <i>any</i>thing about it. Even though it wasn't really a surprise, I still loved it:</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_X4daUyp_D7Hj3-cvYBAAEZTp3EtNBwmZ3y4ulV2am1Qgh-3d0Ap4bIwjk0bf5wksfqPPaas_CHYxsWrsYUkLepBC8fWVvC3PbHfHBfDaEX5yyEGTVEe88WJckxqUsWfILb1exx6oeXs/s1600/DSCN0883.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_X4daUyp_D7Hj3-cvYBAAEZTp3EtNBwmZ3y4ulV2am1Qgh-3d0Ap4bIwjk0bf5wksfqPPaas_CHYxsWrsYUkLepBC8fWVvC3PbHfHBfDaEX5yyEGTVEe88WJckxqUsWfILb1exx6oeXs/s320/DSCN0883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587558771259104226" /></a>They made me a giant card! It had a huge "Thank You!!" on the front, and then a little card from each of the students on the inside. They were all pretty similar, all different variations of: "Dear Miss Burnett. Thank you. We will miss you. Good luck. I love you!" etc. So cute, and they were all SO excited for it. They were even more excited when I gave them a little thank you/goodbye treat: lollipops! They are all such sweet, special children, and I have learned so much from them over the past six weeks. My practicum experience here in New Zealand was completely different than anything I would have experienced back in Provo, and even though it was probably a bit more difficult at times here than it would have been there, I wouldn't trade it for anything :)<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's my class, Room 14! And this was before I gave them all the lollies!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTb6CCOkN3iyOMusB6sGV9W4Fc7tOAejeAOJHBnKPed0w3GwX5nyGBvdOyCFRr57QUNQqyiqFNcG-h74TdGfAFcmCLbKbTNlVy3Hg6Od5x7K4n2aP4kscltpdNlpefGvBRNoFsp9x3X4/s1600/DSCN0881.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTb6CCOkN3iyOMusB6sGV9W4Fc7tOAejeAOJHBnKPed0w3GwX5nyGBvdOyCFRr57QUNQqyiqFNcG-h74TdGfAFcmCLbKbTNlVy3Hg6Od5x7K4n2aP4kscltpdNlpefGvBRNoFsp9x3X4/s320/DSCN0881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587558765556111170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I kept saying, "Ok, everyone give me a big smile!" but Mrs. Eka was taking the pictures and kept telling them to say things like, "Miss Burnett is awesome!" or "We love Miss Burnett!" It was a sweet gesture, but none of the kids are smiling in any of the pictures because they're still repeating Mrs. Eka. Haha. Oh well, at least I can look at their wide open mouths and imagine them telling me how much they love me :)</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxn536H9SCLQaUfc9oU150SGMFkp_3uZIn2RN2HZY1SBlrsgrT-Q2MTJP1OhlhMN3Pmee-S_aYPGdc7pvzbcB9DvtGfxAI2hQODpHlYmoBfifeH0EGuQwZDCWP3Zo_GteZZD43GkaT8c/s1600/DSCN0878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxn536H9SCLQaUfc9oU150SGMFkp_3uZIn2RN2HZY1SBlrsgrT-Q2MTJP1OhlhMN3Pmee-S_aYPGdc7pvzbcB9DvtGfxAI2hQODpHlYmoBfifeH0EGuQwZDCWP3Zo_GteZZD43GkaT8c/s320/DSCN0878.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587558757664963986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They really were great at these silly faces!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1IQJIXk9Fzl1o40AFr2NElYuO4dcOf6nmTUgSvdWL-ODSkQAMDmCAKxkwoIPAeq6DtZhv-8u6KWemCfFXLfQdEoAuxcyb2RmGg-roAZ59hjxN4AUBjr-PcxqywqvTcjQns3kaEaRu64/s1600/DSCN0876.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1IQJIXk9Fzl1o40AFr2NElYuO4dcOf6nmTUgSvdWL-ODSkQAMDmCAKxkwoIPAeq6DtZhv-8u6KWemCfFXLfQdEoAuxcyb2RmGg-roAZ59hjxN4AUBjr-PcxqywqvTcjQns3kaEaRu64/s320/DSCN0876.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587558756260485922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here are some of the older girls at Colwill. The two girls on either side of me, Rosealee on my right and Riana on my left, were always so much fun to talk to. They always had lots of questions for us, and made me feel like a superstar when they found out I had met Taylor Swift. We are now officially facebook friends and they have promised that they would keep in touch with us every day. </span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF07fTjj2f4iRSFPU_aT7G6vZWkzikBc6GvkVAokvSgzwAQx_Wn4TeDpC0-P5B0QigdDdrQRODFjwYHDy4iAMAlOl63pQQKWcQgbEJahccLF3ArhgndoR4Evc5ZA2AgEPxy84a-NWdAQ/s1600/DSCN0871.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF07fTjj2f4iRSFPU_aT7G6vZWkzikBc6GvkVAokvSgzwAQx_Wn4TeDpC0-P5B0QigdDdrQRODFjwYHDy4iAMAlOl63pQQKWcQgbEJahccLF3ArhgndoR4Evc5ZA2AgEPxy84a-NWdAQ/s320/DSCN0871.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587558749572388466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Riana already has a head start because she emailed us yesterday: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hi Awesome American Teachers,</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Its Riana,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Im really going to miss you when you leave to go to Rotorua.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I hope you will never foget about me because il never forget yous.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">You never growl and are so kind and pretty.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">When you leave il have noone to have as much fun with you guys.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">My expeience with you people was so amazing your funny nice & taleneted.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Highlights.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Miss Bringhurst: Tech was so cool how Mr Parker had the hots for you, your answer (HE WAS SO OLD !)xxx gonna miss you Heaps ! xxx :) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Miss Wirthlin:Our funny times were so cool your so awesome and fun hope you've had fun with us gonna be sad to see you leave! xxxx :(</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Miss Goode:You were cool at the NorthWest swimming thanks for the awesome compliment btw about my swimming skills ! xxxx :L you are so fun to hang out with</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Miss Burnett:OMG what to say about you WOW ! you standout I thourght you were a NZ teacher for a second you stand out in the Colwill Crowd !xoxoxoxoxoxoxox :P </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">WOW this is making me wanna cry typing this hahahaha but it was so cool to meet you im really gonna miss you out of the whole entire school you were my favourite student teachers still are but i dont know what to say i guess.Maybe just Bye and Il miss yous heaps .</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Beyond the past few weeks ive learnt alot about you American people there are alot on different things about us but the same thing that we have in common is the passion and friendshop we have and I hope it will never end between us ! Thanx for being great friends with me! IM GONNA MISS YOU HEAPS ANDI LOVE YOU LIKE BIG SISTERS ! </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">btw Miss Burnett i love the Taylor Swift shirt i wish i could have it your so lucky and i wish you the best for the future !</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> xxxx ! PLZ never forget about ME !!!!!! xxxxxx xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xxx oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo<wbr>ooo Ever lasting kisses and hugs !"'</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here are a few more of the older girls. The one hugging me is Szahn. She was always so sweet and helpful to me.</span></span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-qR7BVhcXKFRKAlnnea3IykOXfmbIMomnQIkBmLanakmO9ksJ7e8ZfCWWHE7VYghMHonQzKVf0oCHqAjOs5oBbz5w-8Gzt6j2ntB3EKDovvf4fAMYxbFAvsMPCrFYzJbryWLU6QGyT0/s1600/DSCN0870.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-qR7BVhcXKFRKAlnnea3IykOXfmbIMomnQIkBmLanakmO9ksJ7e8ZfCWWHE7VYghMHonQzKVf0oCHqAjOs5oBbz5w-8Gzt6j2ntB3EKDovvf4fAMYxbFAvsMPCrFYzJbryWLU6QGyT0/s320/DSCN0870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587557206138165234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here are some more of my Room 14 students! Sonya and Zia being cool as!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaS2CKZQCZUJ0wDZTGCKYdRh_6eZ0TZ50oOXKOjQ8qKdSV-XjlcoI94GehIiYPgk3_PPJwq7Cqh9b1kDJz1U3AyzmGfvneByNf5e9su8pyCceIjgfn9VSTP42trFo6Nvuk-6VVPuI-zw/s1600/DSCN0867.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaS2CKZQCZUJ0wDZTGCKYdRh_6eZ0TZ50oOXKOjQ8qKdSV-XjlcoI94GehIiYPgk3_PPJwq7Cqh9b1kDJz1U3AyzmGfvneByNf5e9su8pyCceIjgfn9VSTP42trFo6Nvuk-6VVPuI-zw/s320/DSCN0867.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587557196778700978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Santos and Joel having so much fun playing on the Senior Playground. (They are usually only allowed to play on the junior playground, but Mrs. Eka gave them an extra five minutes on the senior playground today. They LOVED it!)</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3yrvBzdP2ZrwSg-Jb8wET91l24OUS3cHAo31-N4xV_vF2imyZYxJXrh5Txn30xhf13SD_MI1ahaT49vtnjGK1faNu4hjugoAwxcXuUOzPggnypGXEqNEffvVWEoSfU06mtgHhAuJvSc/s1600/DSCN0857.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3yrvBzdP2ZrwSg-Jb8wET91l24OUS3cHAo31-N4xV_vF2imyZYxJXrh5Txn30xhf13SD_MI1ahaT49vtnjGK1faNu4hjugoAwxcXuUOzPggnypGXEqNEffvVWEoSfU06mtgHhAuJvSc/s320/DSCN0857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587557192133321938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Laine looked more like a girl today than ever before...she wore a skirt for the first time! :)</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxLiiB56W31RqIZgJEb4CvO4ohSV2WB59qke9RBGnZRtsqn6BY4hRETugN8a8-69FmpsJyEiLAsajn0EMnZM7sZTOzN_Kp0hK9C0ogjw4xo_jptyrIm0bnpo0w_-GfmpqT7enDtIBgHM/s1600/DSCN0854.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxLiiB56W31RqIZgJEb4CvO4ohSV2WB59qke9RBGnZRtsqn6BY4hRETugN8a8-69FmpsJyEiLAsajn0EMnZM7sZTOzN_Kp0hK9C0ogjw4xo_jptyrIm0bnpo0w_-GfmpqT7enDtIBgHM/s320/DSCN0854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587557184757061458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but Lavenda is definitely one of my favorites. She actually reminded me of lot of myself :) (Before I saw her name on the roll, I thought her name was "Lavender" pronounced "Lavenda" with the NZ accent. Good thing I hadn't actually called her "LavenDER" before I realized this!) </span></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJOWxVhBcZuWrp3TnISMXPju-f_m8xEdqkjBanrdVYHHiNTKKusVdwmXahBIS11dTn85vLkunGn33Hyn04Igb6Bp58idv96_MYpWbz4o88kEbywHlOm83BVgoZERQ5kc1Itpg7aKr5us/s1600/DSCN0865.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJOWxVhBcZuWrp3TnISMXPju-f_m8xEdqkjBanrdVYHHiNTKKusVdwmXahBIS11dTn85vLkunGn33Hyn04Igb6Bp58idv96_MYpWbz4o88kEbywHlOm83BVgoZERQ5kc1Itpg7aKr5us/s320/DSCN0865.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587557199115682434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJOWxVhBcZuWrp3TnISMXPju-f_m8xEdqkjBanrdVYHHiNTKKusVdwmXahBIS11dTn85vLkunGn33Hyn04Igb6Bp58idv96_MYpWbz4o88kEbywHlOm83BVgoZERQ5kc1Itpg7aKr5us/s1600/DSCN0865.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;">Oh Hilton. He is another one of my favorites. One of the other students told me today, "Miss, Hilton is going to really miss you when you're gone, eh. You're his best friend, eh. He's your little buddy, eh." Couldn't have said it better myself. Here is a little play-by-play of one of my most recent favorite moments with Hilton:</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hilton: Do you know me in 100 days? (figured out that he meant, "will you remember me in 100 days?")</div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Of course!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hilton: Knock, knock!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Who's there?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hilton: Oh! You don't even know me, Miss!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Ok, now it's my turn. Will you remember me in a week?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hilton: Yes.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Will you remember me in a month?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hilton: Yes.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Will you remember me in 100 days?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hilton: Yes!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: Knock, knock!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hilton: *big dramatic pause* Come in Miss Burnett!! (in his cute little Samoan accent and big gestures welcoming me towards him)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This video is a little re-enactment. It's not as good as the actual event, but you get the idea :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzW-L4vmqjehcbwa3-dJLf625r16lsIFKaO-xATyPeupKxoFrLx1sUWkma7lb_jLPx9FBFj1rkmR8_dNBDA6A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Life is wonderful :) We leave tomorrow morning to go to the temple in Hamilton and then Rotorua until Tuesday. We're staying in a house in Rotorua, but I don't know if I'll have internet, so as of now, farewell until Tuesday!</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-3324380919230885712011-03-23T02:01:00.000-07:002011-03-23T02:47:19.250-07:00Magic Trees<div style="text-align: left;">My second to last day at Colwill Primary was filled with fun. Here are some highlights:</div><div><ul><li>My class spent pretty much the entire day on one project. They read a book about a magic tree that grew whatever you wanted on it. So, the kids brainstormed ideas of what their magic trees would grow if they had one. Then, they wrote about it: 1) what grew on the tree, and 2) who could eat/play/use it. After revising it over and over with their peers and me, we typed it up for publishing. Next they created the magic trees with 3-D objects for whatever grew on the trees. It was so fun when they included me in their list of people who could eat/play/use it. Many of them were pretty detailed, but one of my favorites was: "I have a chocolate tree. It is for Miss Burnett." How did he know I love chocolate so much? ;)</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJL961vv1BOXLfd1jjB5f01-DPDQbvL7bQH78jSKMnDTVX6_xe3DINQU3AsWYR2Y-yBz7KAP_VW6vWwMpAmJmGUNo-RPYaKBjLrQZWKuhaTIFXhWcusStahJ4rfGcxX8pKglNLeDVed0/s1600/DSCN0836.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJL961vv1BOXLfd1jjB5f01-DPDQbvL7bQH78jSKMnDTVX6_xe3DINQU3AsWYR2Y-yBz7KAP_VW6vWwMpAmJmGUNo-RPYaKBjLrQZWKuhaTIFXhWcusStahJ4rfGcxX8pKglNLeDVed0/s320/DSCN0836.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587199002637519266" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUCIOaeSh7zDK4tf-qT7yiLE0G9wSRrEighHV7I6ACEPzF4MRp2MN3AubAhwDi7vjU1BlpXz73cWQ-gcgXyStIhtzneOzLQ73Nhss72y7SNBNJ7L1WbbkkM81C76-JD4VTMQqCJCy-nE/s1600/DSCN0833.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUCIOaeSh7zDK4tf-qT7yiLE0G9wSRrEighHV7I6ACEPzF4MRp2MN3AubAhwDi7vjU1BlpXz73cWQ-gcgXyStIhtzneOzLQ73Nhss72y7SNBNJ7L1WbbkkM81C76-JD4VTMQqCJCy-nE/s1600/DSCN0833.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUCIOaeSh7zDK4tf-qT7yiLE0G9wSRrEighHV7I6ACEPzF4MRp2MN3AubAhwDi7vjU1BlpXz73cWQ-gcgXyStIhtzneOzLQ73Nhss72y7SNBNJ7L1WbbkkM81C76-JD4VTMQqCJCy-nE/s320/DSCN0833.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587199000619413346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">More pictures of the magic trees tomorrow :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>Sonya and I both wore our hair in braids (or plaits as they call them here). She was SO excited that we were twinners and could not focus on anything until we finally took a picture of our matching hair.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh26sBsAkPD40nf1ZFQuXgbnMth1DmrjeXTEzyGCaqe7RVk1kn_VZDnlE8dOJuY9xVlrDV_hPpP2qxoTbLtC6vfBcN9lrSpRs5OVfYEGQ3hVioDJqG-u8OYaEgDYy-wze4bzVgrGiZB94/s1600/DSCN0843.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh26sBsAkPD40nf1ZFQuXgbnMth1DmrjeXTEzyGCaqe7RVk1kn_VZDnlE8dOJuY9xVlrDV_hPpP2qxoTbLtC6vfBcN9lrSpRs5OVfYEGQ3hVioDJqG-u8OYaEgDYy-wze4bzVgrGiZB94/s1600/DSCN0843.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh26sBsAkPD40nf1ZFQuXgbnMth1DmrjeXTEzyGCaqe7RVk1kn_VZDnlE8dOJuY9xVlrDV_hPpP2qxoTbLtC6vfBcN9lrSpRs5OVfYEGQ3hVioDJqG-u8OYaEgDYy-wze4bzVgrGiZB94/s200/DSCN0843.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587208741557296482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfwzYfSpKyF9PoSl6HOOzAjQG7dFT49g2ac8h-dv9_U_uyvk2GyYfUNPmgCffiRu0wT5zfCbjdKN5F-hTYS9fQVUvLlmH0NSbFe8Y6vaxxlfwEMZKs7FFTHxCZC3gZbWlLlsarR7DKak/s1600/DSCN0844.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfwzYfSpKyF9PoSl6HOOzAjQG7dFT49g2ac8h-dv9_U_uyvk2GyYfUNPmgCffiRu0wT5zfCbjdKN5F-hTYS9fQVUvLlmH0NSbFe8Y6vaxxlfwEMZKs7FFTHxCZC3gZbWlLlsarR7DKak/s200/DSCN0844.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587208747670077986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div></div><div><ul><li>Filoi wrote me a cute little goodbye card today because she isn't going to be at school tomorrow. It said: "Dear Miss Burnett. I am really sorry for been rood and been cheeky to you when you said to me to do what you said. I am sorry. I am going to Miss you forever and ever and ever. Say Hi to Everyone at America and my Friend cool Johnny. From filoi in room 14. Burnett love you Miss." Pretty impressive for a girl who didn't speak any English a year ago, eh?</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF6QqF3Eyyf2XKvn1wiZo8i7DB4FOrRZtcxQeqxQX5OFVRcmY8AFUaFesaPW6QQr5yab5IVfoc0BSyLV3C9ACdK5_m3grVwmZP0gcQzqwZfL-CIc6EKAuoEN8ZReFRofcQg7SD7-x0yY/s1600/DSCN0845.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdF6QqF3Eyyf2XKvn1wiZo8i7DB4FOrRZtcxQeqxQX5OFVRcmY8AFUaFesaPW6QQr5yab5IVfoc0BSyLV3C9ACdK5_m3grVwmZP0gcQzqwZfL-CIc6EKAuoEN8ZReFRofcQg7SD7-x0yY/s320/DSCN0845.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587199030689426578" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>When the other students saw Filoi give me a letter and picture, I was soon bombarded with the cutest drawings and notes from the rest of the class. One little boy, Lyric, had folded his paper and cut out hearts all over it. He gave it to and said, "Here Miss. These are my love hearts for you." Another girl, Laine, wrote, "I love you because you make me happy and you are cool because you are so cool." I'm excited because I know they're giving me "real" goodbye letters tomorrow. Life is so good :)</li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsKVHB0Qs-ckru3I7hcOeKBx_HcQrcdFaGS1YXUrKI5gDpHDQ4acELDMCQXarGfZDaLzHZ204EwBk2zURJEyiCYNBKFfiIh-1v2GotwglcWJO0F1-OhPTS7qR-MY4FXCXmrwBRbnUn-Q/s320/DSCN0837.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587203799185190290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div></div><div><ul><li>My good day continued on after school, too. We had told the Lords about s'mores and they wanted to try it out. Sheryl's brilliant idea, however, was to stick M&M's inside of the marshmallows to get melt the chocolate, but not get it everywhere. Kerry built us a little fire before dinner and by the time we were ready to roast our mallows the embers were perfect! They don't have graham crackers over here either, so we tried it with malt biscuits instead. They definitely weren't the s'mores we're used to, but they were still yum as and we had so much fun making them :)</li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Out in the Lord's backyard enjoying our NZ s'mores.</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oq-74dpy3JUah3tFumiI_bUEd3CgwFgJQZBOCb148rPdO4L7JXzdDRHdEt6238riFku9Ma4y4uJ7eq_6yCe_gQzyq2OYi45uPgZ8w3ZPl5XRei5lrBg2sfK1hFJnWJh6kT1yOEGTixg/s320/DSCN0847.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587199865344588850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Our action shot! Too bad I had already finished my s'more at this point.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ARv68VrO68uSbDvntxftCsHSQdw6e8LLUztyMylqc10ZfRhcIDEIV2eUAZ8POu9HY_FOugTq5M11h9WJqh7Gbh8fA43skW2CbXs2An2Oe9TTr-MSJxzT8ykBODx724Kuo55hdnOhBdM/s320/DSCN0849.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587199869023572626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Alexis LOVED roasting the marshmallows. I think she roasted and ate more marshmallows than all of us combined!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoJcXi4E7f7H5ExgC3YxMG1r7quwdgISPLmtxgjGmMFMRNWeZW8Hc0syujXzKcPd-X1YQYT4LnwPolyZW3UECCgGPTDKCVOYT8GBujOAhaEtTKoVzURvr7jkpfFtbB7YZmd5UwixD9-0/s1600/DSCN0850.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoJcXi4E7f7H5ExgC3YxMG1r7quwdgISPLmtxgjGmMFMRNWeZW8Hc0syujXzKcPd-X1YQYT4LnwPolyZW3UECCgGPTDKCVOYT8GBujOAhaEtTKoVzURvr7jkpfFtbB7YZmd5UwixD9-0/s320/DSCN0850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587199886894519170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>With today being so good, I'm excited to see what tomorrow has in store. I know it'll be so sad to goodbye, but I know it will also be filled with lots of little moments of joy :)</span></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-70993262945946798282011-03-22T00:38:00.000-07:002011-03-22T01:58:01.154-07:00America, What's Your Favourite Colour?<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The days are flying by. There was an all-school assembly at Colwill today. In these assemblies, the teachers hand out one or two awards of merit to students in their classes who they think deserve them. This week, our mentor teachers surprised us by giving each one of us awards for all we've done these past six weeks. The deputy principal (assistant principal) gave a little thank you speech, emphasizing how much they'll miss us because we have become such an integral part of Colwill. It was difficult to keep it together and not tear in front of all these kids I have come to love so much. Goodbyes on Thursday are going to be tough!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here we are with our Colwill awards of merit :)</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN6ovA4CvWsEukAiCnzhwhmmtc5L-GQfSOWlUOkXCE4Me-7noYS4c8dCFGRX5SagxnmFmESL-g6puQKXn4TZyGfEkRW8VupwHu1B9kzQm3WbWXdaF1mdIFrlcxwdMDzWi2qNWSTc9_Q8/s1600/CIMG3488.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN6ovA4CvWsEukAiCnzhwhmmtc5L-GQfSOWlUOkXCE4Me-7noYS4c8dCFGRX5SagxnmFmESL-g6puQKXn4TZyGfEkRW8VupwHu1B9kzQm3WbWXdaF1mdIFrlcxwdMDzWi2qNWSTc9_Q8/s320/CIMG3488.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586809266292587490" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After the assembly, I really just tried to enjoy all my time with the students. Even though I've had my challenges with some of them, I can't imagine not seeing them every day. I want to be able to see them grow up. I want to see what they do with their lives, all their accomplishments. But I guess this is something teachers struggle with every year. You usually have your class only for one year, and then you say goodbye, wishing them the best as they continue growing up and living their lives. It's interesting to be on the teacher side of things rather than the student side!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92v_OTSiZ3UecTBgokn9bh8507OXC022UqhsPEEfrJtwFHT_f80hZ10AEX1XCxTCRiIkR5YiyVcfhBHhNry3fDrwsSxt49-z-TWUDS7_KqBBstRZgVSjYSb9x5_PKyxl2UNtuT6y95_w/s320/DSCN0821.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586808253303958978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Crazy boys! You can almost tell from this picture what I deal with on daily basis. Haha. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mW9Z0RUTwQ3r1o-3BiMpgS1aUmBu9kiykvJbCorbjNxgTShTEsT_fW3N0yY42W22-GMrvm141bH_A7oiOq59yQEdBcRqB4qFS-mv9-SVnaFFY9jq9TYt-pdQzh8JSPFEuM9XDheqIsA/s1600/DSCN0803.JPG"></a></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq_RUgrU2lI7oXc6b0JqBCMkRKFE_Uqia6fzG07rr_0B2a6yh-Kon3RqGNmMXvY0uQ_XdZ4MsBJd8OMmPE2fcNWETw5Bwk11e3pxEM0w2cnN4wZP1jJyB3o6WQgrLyISITGiIIAjAXO0/s1600/DSCN0826.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq_RUgrU2lI7oXc6b0JqBCMkRKFE_Uqia6fzG07rr_0B2a6yh-Kon3RqGNmMXvY0uQ_XdZ4MsBJd8OMmPE2fcNWETw5Bwk11e3pxEM0w2cnN4wZP1jJyB3o6WQgrLyISITGiIIAjAXO0/s320/DSCN0826.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586808263229804274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Filoi amazes me. She came to NZ from Samoa one year ago speaking NO English. She is already speaking English fluently, has the best handwriting in the class, and progresses leaps and bounds every day. She really is amazing.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYrDL_IdSsxeTpQqpNx5VLc0-MBsdbqUtsdTCQF-Skyj1x7AetvMtA8bxVXFAXS6FyJkzOk0OaGRD7SyXaqxiWF3wzHExXH7U4xmR_Vj6zSeWVaUtPu6ay7bAlhHX_bf-acUJkWmQX00/s1600/DSCN0830.JPG"></a></span></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYrDL_IdSsxeTpQqpNx5VLc0-MBsdbqUtsdTCQF-Skyj1x7AetvMtA8bxVXFAXS6FyJkzOk0OaGRD7SyXaqxiWF3wzHExXH7U4xmR_Vj6zSeWVaUtPu6ay7bAlhHX_bf-acUJkWmQX00/s1600/DSCN0830.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYrDL_IdSsxeTpQqpNx5VLc0-MBsdbqUtsdTCQF-Skyj1x7AetvMtA8bxVXFAXS6FyJkzOk0OaGRD7SyXaqxiWF3wzHExXH7U4xmR_Vj6zSeWVaUtPu6ay7bAlhHX_bf-acUJkWmQX00/s320/DSCN0830.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586808259075464274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Aren't they just so cute?!</span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-caWomorUlY8ApuXsG7GuUHjPmcRI-mUE069c-myvlPrXJjRFBKxgZuh4o4jsM7eve-cm23NeD86Vr0Z2QI3QXKMEXEYAtsdfA88Gaf6KCMPX1IQJS_M6teQYiNok0kwl2s3RTintYY/s1600/DSCN0818.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-caWomorUlY8ApuXsG7GuUHjPmcRI-mUE069c-myvlPrXJjRFBKxgZuh4o4jsM7eve-cm23NeD86Vr0Z2QI3QXKMEXEYAtsdfA88Gaf6KCMPX1IQJS_M6teQYiNok0kwl2s3RTintYY/s320/DSCN0818.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586808246108224386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm hoping to continue adding to this video as I get more and more clips. While I was taking pictures with them, I thought it might be fun to get a few clips to hear what they have to say. They didn't know what to say at first, so I started asking them, "What would you like to say to America?" You can tell that they had a hard time coming up with their own ideas because there is a common theme of asking America, "What's your favourite colour?" Regardless of the repetition, they are still adorable :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy6wNQDglkAa-LnkcPzZKxr2YbD3lZgmajGGRgEEZptpFOLF2h0wNpaD1cRv4GGguUTh1FWBSqoedGGKCuLRQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-43162939649008147572011-03-21T01:47:00.000-07:002011-03-21T02:57:04.020-07:00Oh Happy Day<div style="text-align: left;">It is a wonderful thing that every night as I sit and reflect on the day, I always think, "Today was a great day." There were two great parts to my day:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Part I: Tech Class with Year 7/8</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Every Monday morning, the year 7/8 classes get on a bus and go to Bruce McLaren Intermediate School for what they call "tech." There are five classes they will take throughout the year: 1) Clay Craft, 2) Woodworks, 3) Metal Shop/Electronics, 4) Sewing, and 5) Cooking. It was so neat to go with them this morning and sit in on a bit of each of these classes. They were making jewelry in Clay Craft, Maori weapons (paddles) or flying mobiles in Woodworks, keychains in Metal, bags in sewing, and rolled oat squares (that tasted like Nature Valley granola bars) and butterscotch rolls in cooking. Since the year 7/8 classes (which is like America's 6th and 7th grades) are still in the Primary school, they don't get the opportunity at Colwill to take these fun classes. I know they were some of my favorite classes in middle school, so I'm so glad they still get to take them, even if it is only once a week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It was neat to see how much these kids could do on the sewing machines. There were wayy more designs and cool stitches than I remember our sewing machines having!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NuAKY_r-ROGND4DZ7sBTuNpMk9ImKuEaRScBISshHjfStXa8Ew1EWp-ljNaO2S4uZLhLwGzNR1JYYrQbk4gBOPNIYlDVBIVsDSiwFPumZ29J6WbHIUL4Ycp7syInt2IEVDpqaxtDOq8/s1600/IMG_4006.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NuAKY_r-ROGND4DZ7sBTuNpMk9ImKuEaRScBISshHjfStXa8Ew1EWp-ljNaO2S4uZLhLwGzNR1JYYrQbk4gBOPNIYlDVBIVsDSiwFPumZ29J6WbHIUL4Ycp7syInt2IEVDpqaxtDOq8/s320/IMG_4006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586457445002998802" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This was the metals class. It was loud with all the students banging their hammers to imprint the letters of their names on their metal keychains.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlnhJ-bxeIdp2_PozV1pYd2RfpgiiArhInOP4GDL8hOo-1ssW5c4pIoMzi-T1a465P5fKw7kEUJUEd0VLowJxaOxauiqDfe_lbI4g2Eotl1X5RXHmyNqw4HHeYRsa7XYyKRxazBkBhYc/s1600/IMG_4008.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlnhJ-bxeIdp2_PozV1pYd2RfpgiiArhInOP4GDL8hOo-1ssW5c4pIoMzi-T1a465P5fKw7kEUJUEd0VLowJxaOxauiqDfe_lbI4g2Eotl1X5RXHmyNqw4HHeYRsa7XYyKRxazBkBhYc/s320/IMG_4008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586455835534884514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It was cool to see all the machines they were learning to use. This one was a huge drill to make a hole in the metal for the keychain ring. Min Gneong was entertaining to watch as she tried to figure everything out :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9qdVsb-gVby-_91DdnDtphRzwrMYLtW3MgiDnhSDjwamIK_EoQDKFSmoCSO2VKah1_t7IXoW6XLZs7mVvhXL7rBvh1CJ_zrTRsZxOpqXgFPtq35jCQR5JpumBlL_5qyA0Avca3vcZpY/s1600/IMG_4007.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9qdVsb-gVby-_91DdnDtphRzwrMYLtW3MgiDnhSDjwamIK_EoQDKFSmoCSO2VKah1_t7IXoW6XLZs7mVvhXL7rBvh1CJ_zrTRsZxOpqXgFPtq35jCQR5JpumBlL_5qyA0Avca3vcZpY/s320/IMG_4007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586457439772297874" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here is part of the cooking class. They were so nice and let me try their creations. The rolled oat squares were delicious! (the butterscotch rolls weren't my fav...) It reminded me of all my fun times cooking at Holmes Middle School in Home Economics. I will never forget my excitement when we first made Orange Julius's. haha</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3y3gpirwVV9ybEc4_TKubzEva6tldgmHgFOKELj2_9VHxEEOKjndc-KZkkN7O9JWwI04Ddq2GAn8JHsRBPKKmRZHUJMajwFzwX7vMb2DnfS2IKUluW6AQq9kDa3GJETr2Q4y3fMO1YE/s1600/IMG_4009.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3y3gpirwVV9ybEc4_TKubzEva6tldgmHgFOKELj2_9VHxEEOKjndc-KZkkN7O9JWwI04Ddq2GAn8JHsRBPKKmRZHUJMajwFzwX7vMb2DnfS2IKUluW6AQq9kDa3GJETr2Q4y3fMO1YE/s320/IMG_4009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586455827035763698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><b>Part II: Family Night with the Olsen Family</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I love this family. They are all so sweet to us, and it is such a joy to just be in their home with them. I love how it feels so similar to my own family. Tonight we enjoyed dinner prepared by Dallas' father. He was a little hard to understand sometimes with his thick accent, but it was fun to listen to him because he was FULL of stories from his life, especially experiences he's had in America. We did some role play with a couple scripture stories, played Duck Duck Goose, ate some No Bake Cookies and ice cream, and, of course, took lots of pictures :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Izrael, 3, was my other half tonight. She always wanted to sit by me or jump on me or be held by me. She is FULL of energy and giggles, and absolutely adorable :) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagm1IRP5EhgBbUA5e7oMRLP6DakZ37SoP1GIgJXtzbrbLXwvGBHDYwJ2hIAjnZTJZ0HchpNpjTVGFpToCwfzdtC-965WeofXX0nSui1gkeonWoGcoFPn1k-aT5xAAUHDhQymEcVlzlUY/s320/IMG_4018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586453447991474386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is Aiden, 13 (almost 14), and such a sweetheart. She kept reminding us how excited she is to come visit us in America. She wrote us the sweetest letter about how she wants to be just like us when she grows up :)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05wW1gZOl4x2n_QdhBHaBDDWHUU3M-5gyUsXp8hK5MZc3szs3QxB4XC391B3BghPT31SDD864q5RfrFJm2xp0sKhe-QtFnedDFEOUb3cNKvoj5HpS0J-QKrdpGB1BbO48jx9d4i0rO5Q/s320/IMG_4024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586453453916231554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Faust, 15, is so great. He is a little more quiet than the other kids, but I think we helped him get a little more crazy tonight :)</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i1Z2S1m5bjfFjIYL1Xt5CjjIjteCSJljd9KW70O5A8PWH0avI-jHWSWbbvCDmj9O2wAKBziXgWr9iHdFUtA0hhYURoqq2QsWc8LqC5t60aUuZ1DyP5Mu-oK7ZufGaxua8a4cw_27aPg/s320/IMG_4030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586453471480576242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Vanz just turned 5 yesterday, and he got these sweet nerf guns. He thought they were the coolest things ever, and this was the one picture he really wanted taken tonight. "Heidi! Heidi! Take a picture of me like this!" So cute.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvfFQMVJBpS_Px2-5Qzqbmz5pz83N6zbio4nGdkPuNeqHnvrTqPfK4vCh9cxIIRZTyNaCvnAMBnldcFV5zYBj4JNP8qKZWMAdtquxqIBu_9qlucaladU6eKn0xclyGoxv6Kxar5mPOe4/s320/IMG_4025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586453456803984930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We were so hard core with our nerf guns. Well, at least Vanz was :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOt0oUgmVuvKdNyCl4wli6HjO9ryvvU143sFFVqBxJN6_LSd51Y2sKhdcbiQlxPb6jCtUeLQged2R9VeVVGMutrs9UPjiFWq9F4dVRhMv4inQEqHEEe4bkuGnumlIl5UUFBvQhV7zkGJM/s320/IMG_4028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586468157883573154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cute little Zion, 6. :) She looked like she had just gotten back from ballet, but when I asked she said, "No, I just love to dress up."</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZJkeiG6wCBZQ2ay3HYyHuom5YR9sSgp5whvGqkFaDAyL0-mSHUoJagkOnthhsVPngkykw94z-3MQ3nqcJg3JcelmbRFJwv8XyAvFuc-oreN86Do6xJwJ04WFuRNcP9hyqPq0Iv5hvOc/s320/IMG_4031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586455811063705714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They all loved making funny faces!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLdjA-mNL2BhhZKVsVXtRvpgtuv_PPT3r93KHO56fx2iJveIT_Up6zNtJLlrmfrvHCbse9p_9XNNJWvp6xfYeC-f24yHDhBHXVO9ldLpYdEubLXpoC1-Xv1NhcGR4nCtHaS9k-2ObUzs/s320/IMG_4033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586455819434533122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We didn't get as many pictures of Izrael because she was fascinated by the cameras. This was one picture in a series of about ten. Instead of moving the camera up to get my face, she kept wanting me to bend down lower and lower to be at her level.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMwtfwFIv08Q9oLOmmpN0t9aKcRtfwJhQhkAyMcUODtRX02pq_rabSWV8AAOtQrLy9bdAH5Uw8Z2OVutB9Vxu0ahQENBS288JZt_1-eKcQk7r34H4RjKcL7veq-TC_bFEynjtrA3VcSs/s1600/IMG_4039.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMwtfwFIv08Q9oLOmmpN0t9aKcRtfwJhQhkAyMcUODtRX02pq_rabSWV8AAOtQrLy9bdAH5Uw8Z2OVutB9Vxu0ahQENBS288JZt_1-eKcQk7r34H4RjKcL7veq-TC_bFEynjtrA3VcSs/s320/IMG_4039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586455814515597554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was the first picture Izrael tried to take of us...she hadn't quite figured out that she was supposed to point the camera the other way :)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH6uLn0vVXVTpPSvDGoC9WfdWBk5ziUfuF3UlRujI4n-vosxhuqFNlgaChupKQjiX7lsGj6OPojLPYi7n9r27LqXrVDO8aTCRi6vetUiElaqrMP2Q4HZiDvizLMtZ5_VTVb6WufOiJao/s1600/IMG_4036.JPG"></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH6uLn0vVXVTpPSvDGoC9WfdWBk5ziUfuF3UlRujI4n-vosxhuqFNlgaChupKQjiX7lsGj6OPojLPYi7n9r27LqXrVDO8aTCRi6vetUiElaqrMP2Q4HZiDvizLMtZ5_VTVb6WufOiJao/s1600/IMG_4036.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH6uLn0vVXVTpPSvDGoC9WfdWBk5ziUfuF3UlRujI4n-vosxhuqFNlgaChupKQjiX7lsGj6OPojLPYi7n9r27LqXrVDO8aTCRi6vetUiElaqrMP2Q4HZiDvizLMtZ5_VTVb6WufOiJao/s320/IMG_4036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586468151386035858" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kayla was MIA for our photo shoot, but when she reappeared she said she was doing something "much better." As we were leaving, she whipped out the cutest cards with the sweetest individualized notes to each of us--so thoughtful. Between Kayla's cards, Aiden's letter, and the rest of the kids fun and spunky personalities, we left all smiles and so happy. We hope the Olsen's will make another trip to the states so we can see them again soon!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZJkeiG6wCBZQ2ay3HYyHuom5YR9sSgp5whvGqkFaDAyL0-mSHUoJagkOnthhsVPngkykw94z-3MQ3nqcJg3JcelmbRFJwv8XyAvFuc-oreN86Do6xJwJ04WFuRNcP9hyqPq0Iv5hvOc/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG"></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-59917070749277823702011-03-19T20:07:00.000-07:002011-03-19T23:57:14.346-07:00Yum Cha<div>My last Sunday in Auckland. Wow. I'm having a hard time believing it is all dwindling down to the end. We went to church for the last time in the West Harbour ward today. Everyone was so kind and appreciative to us. Many people expressed their gratitude and spoke many kind and encouraging words to us. We felt very loved. :) We'll definitely miss these wonderful people!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here is the primary class we've been teaching. Kayla, Adeeva, and Braun. Yes, we realize this picture is quite obviously self-timed, but we really wanted to get a picture of all us. :) They are just so great!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_ERvf4sp2Kre8oPtphicd04KrkCNOUdu9g7FE09mva-BU90e2KgudqzCZ9qx0iLMq8SE1mNr0mb7hXbWSbxEu425B_hT5FSvW4XKP8-aJp_slCZ3rmjZDHnZS5Blnfwr_3gFzK4Tdl0/s320/DSCN0798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585994219410671394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Adeeva and Braun were quite a comical pair in class, always giggling and trying to impress each other. Too bad we won't be here to see what happens when Braun has a growth spurt ;)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeflLxFmBLAK14fxJE6Kwf1tV4FdPh8XRofefidAP4MFFOUv1d5KXrn7mkotZLamlhGb0OUAYOCjrg4t3JLyiizpZiSEhyJfwQf-Gfv4Pf4Q3MnwOrV89xZf8yyDucohyScDAP560wY1Y/s320/DSCN0799.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585994226700662946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sweet, sweet Kayla was always so willing to participate and tell fun stories and ideas. I was glad we didn't have to say goodbye to her today because we get to have dinner with her family (the Olson's) again tomorrow night!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyj3vBF6WV6xfEulk_HfFpbrpgGVOTPVgnkqn-PPosSDa00HjsrbhDgdLWguhO94DZw01T-m-KNTEemh3y4UQz9YtWvsQXWI5uLpiAb1KZ8fyuue6Oj6UW2RTqrrVz3g6zv49w59TqkM/s320/DSCN0800.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585994232759024162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Ever since we first got here, the Lords have wanted to take us to Yum Cha. Whenever they talked about it I thought they were saying Yum <i>Chow</i>, but today I realized it is actually Yum <i>Cha</i>. Funny how accents can make words sound so different than what I'm used to. Anyway, it is one of their favorites and one of those things we just HAD to experience. When we realized our time in Auckland was quickly coming to an end, we figured out that today was the only day the whole family would be able to go. I'm so glad we figured it out, because it was such a fun experience! We sat down at the table, and lots of Asian waiters and waitresses constantly walked by with trays and trolleys of new foods: pork or prawn or cabbage or spinach dumplings, pork buns, duck, chicken, pork, veggies, sesame balls, etc. Whenever we saw something we wanted we pointed and they put it on our table for everyone to enjoy. Even though I've never been, I would compare it to those Brazilian steakhouses like Tucanos or Rodizio Grill. It was fast paced with little time for talking. My favorite part was the ice cream balls that we ended with. They were literally balls of ice cream wrapped in a semi-sweet rice dough or something like that--kind of hard to explain, but absolutely delicious. My least favorite part (really the only thing I didn't like) were the chicken feet. Bleh. Yes, I tried chicken feet. They were cold and slimy and boney--SO gross. Kerry said they are much nicer hot, but I'm not too convinced...</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yuck. It looks like we're eating fingers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13OZWWRgh5htVNYA52BZXoyHKsOsmhGrQZaTk7ETN1-mXa6XVy4ZkkcxETRsnJuG2rXSGDFu7ypVwrZqdx9qkSSTpu3RSQqE6IifM5s08UJk5kmmDTWyv6sKV8vRrY9J9phbk7SWvlVk/s320/IMG_3995.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585994236016605938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My face may be a little deceiving, but I had not yet fully tasted it. Even though it was not necessarily enjoyable, at least I tried it and can say I've eaten chicken feet, right?</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZB6wTVPgDIsRHBLE22_rqyVH6e_fuLum7VSQsWY_FvpVNXfzuHgwlUl8YiwpfpBDKPVFhKQmN3S1jUDjvF67Civ2vUoDxE4rAGOLQu7boqndDws5ixzIs5a2bjV7XlhtGm4ZscbHZCs/s320/IMG_3996.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585994238673244066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">After such a lovely meal, we finally got a picture of the whole family! From the left: Raewyn, me, Anna, Sheryl, Alexis, Kodie, and Kerry. They are just some of the kindest people, and I feel so blessed to have gotten to know them!</span></span></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6yPloczRGCBrNCHuyH1zTOdEI1L7GPwCV9wSTo-XNjrcR33AMf92pTcEqY6F7NfI0G6BGGgSn3-BJz7IkUOgkGW1sJMzCgm5EzAOgjBCaGpHpiGppdrrOlj9b23Zwe6Kb3Zk7vny-Ws/s1600/IMG_3999.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6yPloczRGCBrNCHuyH1zTOdEI1L7GPwCV9wSTo-XNjrcR33AMf92pTcEqY6F7NfI0G6BGGgSn3-BJz7IkUOgkGW1sJMzCgm5EzAOgjBCaGpHpiGppdrrOlj9b23Zwe6Kb3Zk7vny-Ws/s320/IMG_3999.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585995089362770818" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_ERvf4sp2Kre8oPtphicd04KrkCNOUdu9g7FE09mva-BU90e2KgudqzCZ9qx0iLMq8SE1mNr0mb7hXbWSbxEu425B_hT5FSvW4XKP8-aJp_slCZ3rmjZDHnZS5Blnfwr_3gFzK4Tdl0/s1600/DSCN0798.JPG"></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-1565930352709422652011-03-19T03:49:00.000-07:002011-03-19T04:52:14.712-07:00Last Saturday in Auckland...<div style="text-align: left;">Today was a great day. It was one of those days you can't help but smile about. :) It all started with a group luncheon on the top of the Sky Tower. We enjoyed amazing views from the observation deck:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jess, Christine, me, Nicole, Emily</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0EAG-NcEt2nVOATU-6YBaJQclWmVkobFMezp6ra5cZMr-7Afjx2dvR95bATxUFr2P_qUNUoiz6O0y1_KGnQGgpQEJDESvIvP49dHAQcbv6gkD2nJRv_OYV1cGUixm3YhKGmUk91t4w8/s320/DSCN0748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585742523924970290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We had a great view of Rangitoto Island, where we hiked last weekend. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZjo9kZW6qotOSj0a79BuyKtiETg2uNQz3dPNIMK46H0lFh9mJhGW52vEcVh5Va2K1QldpsJe7ujr6LLsyWDBAVeR5Q6JQjNBvFFFKwHcCuqeyfVHpr3G7iaYU4EyBambhRM6GNPbJz8/s320/DSCN0744_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585742520979803154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They had these windows in the floor all around the observation deck. It was actually kind of scary standing on top of them because it looked like you weren't standing on anything!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKRkgTyUQjbWXPE4PWNRMQQJG-PI30rq28YSPX6tICy8rCwn3XICvfsowjKUQ0GqI0IQKEurUgVpTX3nT4K3tjmIWrbS87pK5flCYdh6nYhoolcYPsLXYvHvZkzvn-J-HTOQ10B9j9zA/s320/DSCN0738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585742514224671810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The group decided to dress up for our Sky Tower luncheon. As much as it looks like Anna and I planned this opposite coordination, it actually happened by accident. Apparently, we were just both feeling the black and white stripes when we woke up this morning :)</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuhdnG6HulwOTmZEQwlihwCj2KNAkQeIpfAp5UcDmld2inbYNcUe2s80w6w-fqHfl33lhuqPHzvL5N2SHCsJA23k0wCINfxRQ8XvgF0A4rQR_36oV_fjKse89AdX3Ki4VWnLl7tZBq90/s320/DSCN0740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585742518813905250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span><div>The Sky Tower is equivalent to the Seattle Space Needle. They even both have the 360-degree rotating restaurants at the top. The biggest difference with that is that I just walked around the rotating restaurant in the Space Needle, but we ate lunch at Orbitz, the rotating restaurant at the Sky Tower. It was one of those fancy five course kind of places and it was SO fun. We were not expecting it to take over 2 hours like it did, but it was YUM AS!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here was our fabulous Sky Tower table. From left to right: Jess, Me, Janet, and Whitney. It was the perfect set up because we all got to try everyone's different courses. We ate soooo much food...</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHi56Q8WY1bAHgWGUYW969vPKgD20zf5hMk1xyNwQFG1lueGxJlkkyXNYtSsjhiU7q1aO9Y-255obNc1D7nYrdw3abmANRGjYvH78jODVOdu_LtU7UZdzrcVq48h98pFKtarq4eyJPSE/s1600/DSCN0750.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHi56Q8WY1bAHgWGUYW969vPKgD20zf5hMk1xyNwQFG1lueGxJlkkyXNYtSsjhiU7q1aO9Y-255obNc1D7nYrdw3abmANRGjYvH78jODVOdu_LtU7UZdzrcVq48h98pFKtarq4eyJPSE/s320/DSCN0750.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585742529278868658" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: left;">Funny story: in between taking the picture above, and the picture below, I lost my camera. When I reached for it in my bag, it wasn't there. I looked everywhere and did not understand how I suddenly did not have my camera. Then I realized that I had set my bag close to the separation of the revolving and non-revolving part of the restaurant...my camera had fallen off and stopped moving as we continued to rotate. Luckily one of the waiters had picked it up. Phew.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It all started with pineapple juice and an assortment of pastries and manuka honey to dip them in. It was some delicious flaky goodness! Then came our appetizers. Jess and I split calamari and a fun fruit plate with lime syrup and cream. I also tried Janet's baked goat cheese and Whitney's ciabatta bread. By this point we were already pretty full, but there was still so much more to come! Next we had the main course: Smoked Salmon Florentine, or in other words, eggs benedict. I've always wanted to try eggs benedict, and the waiter said it was his favorite, so I decided today was a great day to give it a try. When it came out, Jess and I were a little hesitant with the look of the poached eggs and smoked salmon, but it ended up being delicious! Along with the main course we also had salad and baby potatoes. </div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKE7df4bPxB-mJQL2xbjdQFhu8Q4CURt1X6pcMDLrBiNwxTPZmLYjYGlWgGtM33c_TreghaK7Tmdw-_PlIYERcqmNiLi4AG8j5fYzQEballW9G6WNkkP-QhB0xSgfokiorC7Ngnm4kOg/s320/DSCN0752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585743380965416850" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">At this point we really were all about to burst, but we couldn't say no to dessert! Jess and I again asked the waiter what his favorites were. #2 was the Peanut and Cherry Parfait. He described it as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but not really, but really. Ha! I'd say it was MUCH better than a PB&J.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pmd6cjHNaC6enmLmeHV-m4GAM4AQVX7ny7T-NJZ3bFRGs-X02la5JmEHBv5hsfXmWFGR-Xog_h32u9RTD_VQsbQuPVL5TdV3iM7TxTNaeCOaNbdhJ_XbKUI28esMvzRB1xK_bijPHj0/s1600/DSCN0756.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pmd6cjHNaC6enmLmeHV-m4GAM4AQVX7ny7T-NJZ3bFRGs-X02la5JmEHBv5hsfXmWFGR-Xog_h32u9RTD_VQsbQuPVL5TdV3iM7TxTNaeCOaNbdhJ_XbKUI28esMvzRB1xK_bijPHj0/s320/DSCN0756.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585743387110032770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>#1 ended up being "The Chocolate. A chocolate biscuit base with a chocolate mousse dome filled with chocolate sauce and served with hazelnut ice cream. A lot of the girls didn't like this one because it was more dark and bitter chocolate, but I LOVED it. It was the perfect way to end such a delicious meal.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ysCEbZOZEw9zQta-dRnvElN_-VXoZuJGuWig37mF7ZpbJk_svRzaO-82xcFpk_byCxupfmUKKpiex7cb95bCWSLW-VOGmZRtxtN_U1Sgoi184BuQXlhvNnlP193_rZXDS9qIypZpfuM/s1600/DSCN0754.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ysCEbZOZEw9zQta-dRnvElN_-VXoZuJGuWig37mF7ZpbJk_svRzaO-82xcFpk_byCxupfmUKKpiex7cb95bCWSLW-VOGmZRtxtN_U1Sgoi184BuQXlhvNnlP193_rZXDS9qIypZpfuM/s320/DSCN0754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585743388743067778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">...and these sheep hat/mitten combos were the perfect way to end our Sky Tower adventure. :) Christine and I were cracking up about these.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWR_8UkgInzcw0ztIGHHfV-HHDZGy4MDeaw3fNDjx1Csz87_R9efPZYdDGpG1pE8ead55G-HCi0qnzFcY7_vrhD6xMxsvMUg5y4z2DLiCvT9GK_2_Brx3GCilHLdn06xjK25Mj9Fr9oaE/s320/DSCN0757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585743400905078642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">After the Sky Tower, Anna and I stayed in the city, and ended up taking a bus to Mission Bay. It was the ideal afternoon at the beach. The sun was out, but it wasn't too hot. The sail boats and cityscape in the distance. And there was no one around us. We had a quiet little section all to ourselves. So quiet that I fell asleep. I wish I could take all my afternoon naps on the beach :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dxt_1JGSewNpuFPPoMGZON002AqSeyS0MkaznFqI3ZL1ecO1c0nSLvN6kayLRDZ0c-54_Ill53pilqeJCUZiLtgHDxmifXia_X3yVQOo6fe1LvKh_P7enMhaP8eshDBGwBEzACjbm_g/s1600/DSCN0767.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dxt_1JGSewNpuFPPoMGZON002AqSeyS0MkaznFqI3ZL1ecO1c0nSLvN6kayLRDZ0c-54_Ill53pilqeJCUZiLtgHDxmifXia_X3yVQOo6fe1LvKh_P7enMhaP8eshDBGwBEzACjbm_g/s320/DSCN0767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585743405320708818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">After the beach, we made our way over to Eden Park for Rugby Game #2. Today the Auckland Blues played the Wellington Hurricanes. It was not as close of a game as the Blues vs. Crusaders game last month, but it was still a high energy, exciting game.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5rFnWkTH_eo1Chx7cPoaqwjKkPL-UzkJJFoPXc6239xrlePcn-1OKoIU1EbyVdX1lZ1RkJR99CrxhU3Y3q-0StlwX2rkQOFOL0zgVTfTOLj4G2lpS3NC3ubn5jdeu_WmCB5_FBbu5lY/s320/DSCN0787.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585744417570066258" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One of the best parts of the game: the sky! I know that this looks fake, but this is what the sky looked like at the beginning of the game. It was sweet as.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7yOWJhheDj0OF1BnPBAHWzd0RFw_xHKnaWoIE52ABHz-1iOkRLkrDeadHM0SwCxKWJNER_MIUudLgxamdBfAhisBWBIyyjX0biWFnItfZKfKH8PwcklrrZLa2XhFAa-5IgrM8OWyc-c/s320/DSCN0768.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585744412386198050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I couldn't believe how red the sky was! Especially in contrast to the green field. I know I look photoshopped in, but I promise it's real!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzD-6jqXyTE0zJwkAWX5GgTV4pBEcOV8hPitrEcIYOXcEhiKMshvYM3vhfbNadLnNN2rbsXGFPWDGIZTySPWHBpsSArkY9q75LKhlSBO82eieI_svkyD-ZOoDsOxt8J4TziZkHdDb90I/s320/DSCN0770.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585744415879688514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The blues played a great game--all the tries, scrumping, fast pace, everything. I still can't get over how tough these guys are, especially when we're close enough to the plays to see how brutal and rough they treat each other to get that ball. Good thing that when the kids teach us how to play this week it will only be touch rugby! The final score of the game tonight was BLUES 34, HURRICANES 17. Go Blues! Woot woot!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69I5jTjvM1aKisReVNhZA9Gh4D3q-dOBg0f_aRryfwTbn-4swKdl_NojmOAJLmWCw-w84fpa1Qce4QzdfNgLUWnN9t9dF0iwx-OrJjGyxNLTZQjDl_bDeWL3eY2lEhVsWT7tgLjrLUPc/s320/DSCN0790.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585744405496113490" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Today was the last Saturday that I'll be in Auckland. Next Saturday I'll be in Rotorua. The next Saturday I'll be up north at Bay of Islands. The next Saturday I'll be in Australia. And then the next Saturday I'll be in AMERICA. It is absolutely crazy how time flies.</span></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKRkgTyUQjbWXPE4PWNRMQQJG-PI30rq28YSPX6tICy8rCwn3XICvfsowjKUQ0GqI0IQKEurUgVpTX3nT4K3tjmIWrbS87pK5flCYdh6nYhoolcYPsLXYvHvZkzvn-J-HTOQ10B9j9zA/s1600/DSCN0738.JPG"></a></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-18755049396156663212011-03-18T04:26:00.000-07:002011-03-18T04:40:08.637-07:00No School on Fridays!<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">No school today! Seriously, this is the best schedule—three-day weekends every week! Too bad this is not how real life is…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Before I say anything else, I'd like to give a big shoutout to my BYU basketball team. We won a second-round NCAA tournament game for the first time since 1981. Way to go cougs! And all the Jimmer excitement this season is even more exciting because he has been my favorite since he started his BYU basketball career!<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://7AA99BFE-3B59-4C32-990E-28E062B5F780/20110312195959.jpg" alt="20110312195959.jpg" /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We didn’t have any big plans for today, so the Colwill girls went on a looooong walk to Pak n’ Sav. It is kind of like a smaller version of Costco except you don’t need a membership. Since next Thursday is our last day in the schools, we picked up some lollies (they call all candy “lollies”) for our students. We also started to build up our stock of New Zealand food to bring home :)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Today, March 18, was dedicated as the national day of mourning for the Christchurch earthquake. They televised the memorial live from Christchurch and I was able to watch it with Sheryl and Raewyn. It was a very touching memorial, especially because I sat there with Raewyn crying through most of it. There were lots of unique cultural things and it was neat to hear Sheryl and Raewyn explain them. Prince William was there in place of his mother, the Queen. So he spoke, as did NZ prime minister John Key, and a representative from almost every religion. It was quite an interesting (and quite a long) memorial. I still can’t believe how blessed we were to have not been down in Christchurch when the earthquake happened—so blessed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Anna and I were quite productive the rest of the day: we almost finished a big final project/paper for our online class, went shopping with Sheryl, and made the family hamburgers and kumura fries (pretty much like sweet potatoes) for dinner. Dinner was a hit—I especially LOVED our kumura fries. As they say in NZ, they were YUM AS!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The last exciting news from the day was that we had a big girls night at Nicole and Neeley’s homestay’s house. It was so fun to get together and chat and eat Emily’s AMAZING toffee cheesecake and chat some more. With all of us being in such interesting New Zealand classrooms everyday, we have LOTS to talk about. :) It was supposed to be a “spend-the-night” but most of us ended up just going home to sleep in our own beds. It was great because we just got a taxi home: it was about the same price as the bus would have been, but we could choose the time we wanted to leaven and it got us home in a fraction of the time (like 10 minutes instead of an hour!). What a steal of a deal—and for those of you who know what I’m talking about, it really was “a still of a dill” :)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-37756168058354882552011-03-16T23:40:00.000-07:002011-03-17T02:51:51.461-07:00Why are you wearing green??Happy St. Patrick's Day! One thing I have learned here is that Americans take every single holiday more seriously than anyone else. While I've been here, Valentines Day was almost nonexistent, and today, none of the kids even knew what St. Patrick's Day was. A few of the teachers got into it and wore green (one even wore ALL green), but it wasn't ever talked about unless one of us brought it up.<div><br /><div>Earlier this week I had worn green, and all the students chastised me because they thought I was supporting the Harakeke team. At Colwill, all of the classes are divided into three teams: Harakeke (green), Kowhai (yellow), and Pohutukawa (red). So, when I wore green earlier this week, they kept reminding me that I should only wear red. When I came to school today wearing green again, I think they were pretty disappointed that I was "supporting the Harakeke team" again. They kept asking me, "Miss, why are you wearing green? Why are you wearing green again, miss??" Luckily, when I explained to them that today was St. Patrick's Day and if you don't wear green on St. Patrick's Day anyone can pinch you, they decided it was ok for me to wear green, but ONLY today. They are so funny.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>One neat thing about today was that I was able to sit in on the Rainbow Program, a weekly class/meeting for all the refugee students. There are actually a lot of refugees at Colwill, and around 15 of them came today. Three girls from Iraq, and one girl from Congo spent the first little bit explaining some key aspects of their culture. Each one dressed up in their traditional outfits and it was neat to hear them talk about their significance. I think the most intriguing thing to me was when the girl from Congo, Linda, (and a woman who interpreted for Linda) talked about the importance of the drum in their African culture. They use the drums as a means of communication from village to village. They used the example of a death. If someone dies in one village, they start beating their drums a certain way to let the other villages know there has been a death. It was very interesting to learn about. It is so intriguing to me the different ways people live all around the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>To celebrate our own St. Patrick's Day, Jess and Christine came over to make a green treat. Anna and I thought it might be fun to make the steamed pudding that Raewyn taught us how to make because we could so easily die it green, but it didn't turn out as good as Raewyn's. Ours was a lot denser than hers was, and looked more like play-dough with the green food coloring. Whoops! At least we tried to be festive :)</div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-17127223365238675332011-03-15T20:17:00.000-07:002011-03-16T02:16:08.287-07:00Norwest Swimming<div>We had the great opportunity to go to the Norwest Auckland Intermediate Swimming Meet. Eleven Colwill students (our attempt at a swim team) competed, and although we did not come in first, they all swam their hardest. They used us as official timers, and often reminded us that we were one of the most important parts to the success of the day. It was kind of a lot of pressure making sure we were getting accurate times, but it was fun to be in the middle of all the action!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was fun to get to know some of the older kids at Colwill since I'm surrounded by the little ones for the majority of my days. On the car ride over to the meet, there was not a single moment of silence because the students kept asking me all kinds of questions about America. "Have you done this?" or "Have you seen this?" or "Have you met this person?" It was fun to hear the different things they know about America. They were disappointed that I hadn't seen Taylor Lautner's Hollywood star (werewolf in Twilight), but sooo excited that I've met Taylor Swift. Here are a few girls before the races began!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WbjtwgRmNmeonA39JU_EUKlKcISoJ23TeIUnYNIi_9u8pcc8qMAkZT1QzWVvavpnlL1eyfV_J9kx0sBPmluu_v4Mh-LNWgaCFOIFikyOWMg8Fc-8aqf3ym5BdXKsJrs1Gmj6LT9xods/s320/DSCN0719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584520249717332306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">Our students swam freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and the freestyle relay. For not having practiced as much as the other teams, and for not having matching swimming togs (suits) like some of the other teams, they really did great :)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ix1_JAGUGQTBSu-ZwfS707qT7hNtWssj-Pu6Sn6ERjcbrYDvxLzVrwG25Wlv_acAJaYtrC-5q92R40nrDDz3piJh1e4rOKWCYUuLfQEnPmL7oAUryKFcaAybphNsdS5Am5A2UTQWZ1g/s1600/DSCN0725.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ix1_JAGUGQTBSu-ZwfS707qT7hNtWssj-Pu6Sn6ERjcbrYDvxLzVrwG25Wlv_acAJaYtrC-5q92R40nrDDz3piJh1e4rOKWCYUuLfQEnPmL7oAUryKFcaAybphNsdS5Am5A2UTQWZ1g/s320/DSCN0725.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584520262030565042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We all took our job as timers very seriously, making sure we stopped it right when they touched the wall. Here is Jess and I trying to be as exact as possible as the swimmer in our lane is just finishing his race.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5YUIjRi8QGMqZjBkf9q89K4-z6qpFnthTIuI8zZ8ddgIFmk9ECNvwziKjH5xvj39oRiUQxfqDivOmkrNl7ZVdTCeG4yZxF6LY_VroaMuqSvKNo2JMnaen_KYJYomXS_rmp5MXj810qw/s1600/DSCN0731.JPG"></a></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5YUIjRi8QGMqZjBkf9q89K4-z6qpFnthTIuI8zZ8ddgIFmk9ECNvwziKjH5xvj39oRiUQxfqDivOmkrNl7ZVdTCeG4yZxF6LY_VroaMuqSvKNo2JMnaen_KYJYomXS_rmp5MXj810qw/s1600/DSCN0731.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5YUIjRi8QGMqZjBkf9q89K4-z6qpFnthTIuI8zZ8ddgIFmk9ECNvwziKjH5xvj39oRiUQxfqDivOmkrNl7ZVdTCeG4yZxF6LY_VroaMuqSvKNo2JMnaen_KYJYomXS_rmp5MXj810qw/s320/DSCN0731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584520256324384114" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;">This is Braun. He is one of the kids in the Primary class we teach every week at church. It was so fun to see him at the meet and cheer him on. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He is such a stud :)</div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UjAN0rpep65adchn4hoP4mXO3OuHzdANq3VfCMxzDtEyVx36Mr1wCsSO8nsXRE3I0Lyo_x01PjjWIsFO5ADVDj52zFDP13wuYs_rUe3-0H2Cu9xOqHs4xAVzRuDa5cfAgjyF95cqzAM/s320/DSCN0727.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584520246391209634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are the four Colwill girls with all our wonderful Colwill swimmers. We were all pretty exhausted after a long day in the sun! (i think we were able to cover our exhaustion with smiles a bit better than they were haha). Just another day in the life of a BYU teacher at Colwill :) </div><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBed4kf1aB-aEc2MJ6goMyESm8pYZ45rv70aLQ2m-F4GdWksrW-T5HdvdPosh9OedF3nXtep0NcZWg39nzyHCiAmT1X9GvOuCQBuG7ong58QAvQbIga6r9a37XALSGAJLwJIOAmi36ddM/s1600/DSCN0737.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBed4kf1aB-aEc2MJ6goMyESm8pYZ45rv70aLQ2m-F4GdWksrW-T5HdvdPosh9OedF3nXtep0NcZWg39nzyHCiAmT1X9GvOuCQBuG7ong58QAvQbIga6r9a37XALSGAJLwJIOAmi36ddM/s320/DSCN0737.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584520257442852642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></u><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I had two other highlights of my day:</div><div><ul><li style="text-align: left;">I got to skype with the fam after school :) We didn't have a great connection, but it was great to see and hear from them!</li><li style="text-align: left;">One of the teachers at Colwill teaches a class at one of the local gyms called, "Everyone Flex." She took us with her today and it was SO good. It was a weights/aerobic class, and I am already sore. We haven't done a lot of weights since we've been here (due to the fact we have no access to weights or a gym), so it was fun to add some variety to our work out. Mom, get ready to go to some classes at the gym with me when I get home :)</li></ul></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBed4kf1aB-aEc2MJ6goMyESm8pYZ45rv70aLQ2m-F4GdWksrW-T5HdvdPosh9OedF3nXtep0NcZWg39nzyHCiAmT1X9GvOuCQBuG7ong58QAvQbIga6r9a37XALSGAJLwJIOAmi36ddM/s1600/DSCN0737.JPG"><br /></a></span></u></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UjAN0rpep65adchn4hoP4mXO3OuHzdANq3VfCMxzDtEyVx36Mr1wCsSO8nsXRE3I0Lyo_x01PjjWIsFO5ADVDj52zFDP13wuYs_rUe3-0H2Cu9xOqHs4xAVzRuDa5cfAgjyF95cqzAM/s1600/DSCN0727.JPG"></a></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-83881389268868057182011-03-14T22:07:00.000-07:002011-03-15T02:41:08.079-07:00Softball: Students vs. Teachers<div style="text-align: center;">Today was SO much fun! During morning tea (the morning break) there was a huge softball game, all teachers versus Colwill's softball team of year 7/8 students. Most of the other kids came to watch--some cheering for the students, but most cheering for the teachers. It was fun (and kinda strange) to be playing as a teacher and not as a student!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxfrKTXrLJShA6CFB27DRW21p4VJOdKbmbe7ugXmtcHnKPJon1iiLcU_jUU3HW7RPa6n3cZFP5wYXIWsURuZrBbdm6MlYpPM0oNwzNqK0aJGjiWm5Ewj75on3x9bZbvh0Livkto_8mpE/s320/IMG_3904.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584170224468260194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">We were so excited to play! We each went to bat a couple of times, and were all key players in out on the field--mostly outfield, but Jess played some 2nd base, too. The best part was that all of us made a run for the team. There was always a lot of cheering when one of the teachers made it back to home base! Woot woot!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMJMZvpq_id5hGgLxVydGqX3ahELQa7ucerX3E6194CzkeyS-G-r5xTdnD-0S6TcGRFBZnkjm6GOGGKD0iWc-Geqo8HrFVYEWXcRq23VbCB2oZqrT6brtdxPUCThL2IFQMsSzwnf-j0Q/s1600/IMG_3924.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMJMZvpq_id5hGgLxVydGqX3ahELQa7ucerX3E6194CzkeyS-G-r5xTdnD-0S6TcGRFBZnkjm6GOGGKD0iWc-Geqo8HrFVYEWXcRq23VbCB2oZqrT6brtdxPUCThL2IFQMsSzwnf-j0Q/s320/IMG_3924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584178977265997186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is Santi Vega. He is a Spaniard from Australia, and one of the year 7/8 teachers. He was the most competitive out of everyone, and made sure the teachers came out on top. One of the students was in charge of taking all these pictures while we played and she captured this one, which accurately depicts what Mr. Vega's face looked like 99% of the game.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-0htmR6Nlp9eFZwcZPcSBbOPczfRqirSzCivf0rSpWgmm2FFK5W2S3nVUIFvnyPC89raSpkYpp9EGObRSsLjoVg3AWz9gTts7gi0FRLJzVD809_bezBKA_anhXnrpzKGaJBx6X7EGnY/s1600/IMG_3913.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-0htmR6Nlp9eFZwcZPcSBbOPczfRqirSzCivf0rSpWgmm2FFK5W2S3nVUIFvnyPC89raSpkYpp9EGObRSsLjoVg3AWz9gTts7gi0FRLJzVD809_bezBKA_anhXnrpzKGaJBx6X7EGnY/s320/IMG_3913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584178971883771810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Our student photographer caught some good ones of Jess in action on the field...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXs8uXx0KYCTbDT5yylab52sCLOFgGwMdGmNA4wjp-ro2iBqdbJV0DXb_vP2PvzjUEr-N47KmBopB6BJ89B4lGDdemNSjWyUtodhRTkRU_sADn2VaBM-ScNFS3pxDJHShSK50UojaaTvw/s1600/IMG_3937.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXs8uXx0KYCTbDT5yylab52sCLOFgGwMdGmNA4wjp-ro2iBqdbJV0DXb_vP2PvzjUEr-N47KmBopB6BJ89B4lGDdemNSjWyUtodhRTkRU_sADn2VaBM-ScNFS3pxDJHShSK50UojaaTvw/s320/IMG_3937.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584178967776544130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...and she also caught some not so good ones of me on the field. ha! But I'm pretty sure this picture was taken right before I caught a fly ball and then proceeded to get everyone out that was on a base. Triple! ...or at least that's what I wish this was a picture of :)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CsPLkd4xHO-RZpeUHakQgST7Qb0lQZ-4IIzKzurGj_4RvZZ5PqoJ731crC1RuAoMDO9Y7DzqYzhjGlZVp5okOXI9Rrx2O6LevBdxqOE5A-21wdejDSJnR9qJ_fxooJQ0U4p6dfTfUrA/s1600/IMG_3958.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CsPLkd4xHO-RZpeUHakQgST7Qb0lQZ-4IIzKzurGj_4RvZZ5PqoJ731crC1RuAoMDO9Y7DzqYzhjGlZVp5okOXI9Rrx2O6LevBdxqOE5A-21wdejDSJnR9qJ_fxooJQ0U4p6dfTfUrA/s320/IMG_3958.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584170226979764370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was one of the best action shots of the day...DeNiro whacked the ball and might have been able to make it home. That is, if the teachers hadn't been so good :)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxfrKTXrLJShA6CFB27DRW21p4VJOdKbmbe7ugXmtcHnKPJon1iiLcU_jUU3HW7RPa6n3cZFP5wYXIWsURuZrBbdm6MlYpPM0oNwzNqK0aJGjiWm5Ewj75on3x9bZbvh0Livkto_8mpE/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG"></a></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKnTbP-mbb8WQpOC3mnjK1VqDiYV2zB6S49YWknmlzhfLs8ONhck3m6PDg4T8tHcS15V2Pg_Nuk0f9leOrt4R8RY9YGVTLRTDWeuVBYVvPVU7SCVvZaGIFfr0pzVtJ_a1mCOCiVpPQcs/s1600/IMG_3967.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKnTbP-mbb8WQpOC3mnjK1VqDiYV2zB6S49YWknmlzhfLs8ONhck3m6PDg4T8tHcS15V2Pg_Nuk0f9leOrt4R8RY9YGVTLRTDWeuVBYVvPVU7SCVvZaGIFfr0pzVtJ_a1mCOCiVpPQcs/s320/IMG_3967.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584170221058423698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The game ended with the glorious score of 11-2. Teachers-11, Students-2. Woot woot! The best part was all the kids who came up to us the rest of the day: "You played good as!" </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had another almost full day of full control today. Nothing too exciting happened, but it went well. I did have a sweet moment of success with one of my Korean students, Jessika. She doesn't speak very good English, but I've been working with her since I've been here. At the beginning her writing book was filled half written sentences or unreadable words. Today, with only some help to get her started, she wrote five whole sentences! It was quite exciting :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Eka had release time to do some assessment, so a reliever teacher came and we played some fun games with the students after lunch. Here is one called electric snakes. The goal was to get from one end to the other without touching the "electric snakes" aka the jump ropes (which they call skipping ropes). It was pretty entertaining to watch them try to jump over the ropes!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHBhukPVWt92XvnHTDDqzQJl8zQ85Vrpb1ouaChzhza8p0cSQVt8iBOMO7ohFDLgj_OK8aWSq21YHbSJc6bjW26RMlkEIL9ruVhtx3fNghdc5Jf0WFniZG-bEuOpz7PqMaE9DXxOlxb0/s1600/DSCN0715.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHBhukPVWt92XvnHTDDqzQJl8zQ85Vrpb1ouaChzhza8p0cSQVt8iBOMO7ohFDLgj_OK8aWSq21YHbSJc6bjW26RMlkEIL9ruVhtx3fNghdc5Jf0WFniZG-bEuOpz7PqMaE9DXxOlxb0/s320/DSCN0715.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584170216832725618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is Hilton, one of my other favorite Samoan students, and brother of Philipi. He is one of the youngest students, and usually one of the worst behaved. But, for some reason he was so good for me today. He just wanted to do everything to help me, and he did more work than I've ever seen him do. His cute little voice and Samoan accent along with his sweet smile get me every time :)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms2_3hTL22s-SF74XhcMccTaAXw9bm1bL12UCFK1oSGKODgPkh6nOkrf2KLVuieJ6mcbFzA8vJE9vwPbekCWUkvuMZDGXXHCQ4-ihABtpugfGS2B1HhkN72KQ3y_TCaHII63mEW7ZIts/s1600/DSCN0709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms2_3hTL22s-SF74XhcMccTaAXw9bm1bL12UCFK1oSGKODgPkh6nOkrf2KLVuieJ6mcbFzA8vJE9vwPbekCWUkvuMZDGXXHCQ4-ihABtpugfGS2B1HhkN72KQ3y_TCaHII63mEW7ZIts/s320/DSCN0709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584170205513384210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-77638014318683407462011-03-13T21:47:00.001-07:002011-03-14T02:24:50.922-07:00Full Control<div>Today was kind of a big deal for me. I had total, complete control of the class ALL DAY. It was kind of intimidating when Nikola first brought it up last week, but I just kept reminding myself that I will be in total, complete control <i>all</i> day <i>every</i> day when I'm a teacher. Looking back at it now that it's over, I actually feel great about it. Granted, there were a few kids who weren't good--in fact there were a few that were awful--but unfortunately that's not rare at all here at Colwill Primary School. But, here were some of the highlights of my day:</div><div><ul><li>I took the class on an Autumn nature walk before our writing block so that they would be able to write about the five senses of Autumn. (Autumn looks like...Autumn sounds like...Autumn smells like...Autumn tastes like...Autumn feels like...) They were pretty excited about our walk, and they had some pretty unique and entertaining observations. We went back and wrote about our experience, and it was fun hearing all their ideas. I wanted to do something more exciting than the weekend recounts that they do every single week, and it was a success! Thanks for the idea, Mom :)</li><li>I taught a maths lesson about odd and even numbers, and they actually got it this time. Well, most of them got it. Mrs. Eka has taught them a few other mini lessons, but things finally started clicking today. We used thinking groups (groups of four students who think individually and then each person has to share their ideas) and I was so impressed with some of the explanations some of the students came up with. They were things and strategies I never would have never would have thought of, but they seemed to help a lot of the other students. Another successful lesson :)</li><li>During fitness time, I had the joy of watching<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.jumpjam.co.nz/assets/videogeneral/videogeneral.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">JUMP JAM</span></span></a> for the first time. (click on the link to see some video clips and find out exactly what jump jam is). It is a popular school activity here in New Zealand, and I LOVED it! It was so entertaining to see the kids dancing, and they really seemed to enjoy it. This just might be one of those things I use with my future students!</li><li>I wore my glasses today because my eye was bothering me this morning, and the kids just had the funniest reactions. The most common reaction was asking me if I was blind. One boy said I looked ugly in glasses (so sad, I know), but before I could say anything, all the kids around were telling him how rude, disrespectful, and wrong he was. They all reassured me that they liked my glasses and that I looked pretty with or without them. Haha. Thank goodness I have those kids to stand up for me ;) </li></ul></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-67291585664441635652011-03-12T22:50:00.000-08:002011-03-12T23:41:24.993-08:00Hearts<div style="text-align: left;">Another great Sunday here in kiwiland. Church was wonderful, as always. Our West Harbour ward got its very own set of missionaries (instead of sharing with another ward) and I know one of them from freshman year!! Elder Everett is from Hawaii and he was in my ward freshman year. We didn't ever really hang out, but I knew him. So crazy to see him here.</div><div><br /></div><div>A relaxing afternoon turned competitive when Jess and Christine taught Anna and I how to play hearts. I have never played before, but I love card games and it was fun to learn a new one. The unfortunate part, is that I did not do so hot. I feel like I'm pretty good at card games, especially our family's favorite-Pounce. I really did try, but to say I did ok would be a big overstatement. You want to get the least amount of points possible (ideally zero), and when we finished the loser (me) had 89, and the winner (Jess) had around 20. Bummer. Well, you can't win 'em all, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>Raewyn, Sheryl's mother, taught us how to make steamed pudding tonight. By "taught" I mean "showed" because I know I would never be able to replicate it since she didn't measure anything. I always feel much better following a recipe and measuring everything, but maybe this will help me be a little more adventurous because it was SO good. I was skeptical at first, but it ended up being more like a pancake rather than pudding. The key ingredient is golden syrup, and it was delicious. Another reason why I'm hoping a bottle of golden syrup will make it through customs :)</div><div><br /></div><div>And here are some pictures to catch up on a few of my Colwill kids...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Philipi, one of my favorite Samoan students. He is actually in the class next door, but he is always around...</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPwFA2oOZscCPWkwpHhVRlZk0aupQB-AdCyCLE8JAQSqdUw2ox7BUuxWrri1z_WHLx9y8dB3CRAOY_hKzuEWYiAdImy7Mk5JJrB1FivytlufBTdsqOcTdAIarTAmRExCU8XDqgKxWSCk/s1600/DSCN0657.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPwFA2oOZscCPWkwpHhVRlZk0aupQB-AdCyCLE8JAQSqdUw2ox7BUuxWrri1z_WHLx9y8dB3CRAOY_hKzuEWYiAdImy7Mk5JJrB1FivytlufBTdsqOcTdAIarTAmRExCU8XDqgKxWSCk/s320/DSCN0657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583455014975851282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">...and always wants to take pictures!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63Zbi59SiUjr1ZYyondVq_VXp6cV029ZnF8EyFy_ney2IycBJxP0ILFJ2wj3djR3LcfthgB9zwv47wLx2QUoFlyBKpb1uvO8Asf3MYaCiaeG-nauJn2FhPhyh2lWwBfKB5JJydWXLs10/s1600/DSCN0656.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63Zbi59SiUjr1ZYyondVq_VXp6cV029ZnF8EyFy_ney2IycBJxP0ILFJ2wj3djR3LcfthgB9zwv47wLx2QUoFlyBKpb1uvO8Asf3MYaCiaeG-nauJn2FhPhyh2lWwBfKB5JJydWXLs10/s320/DSCN0656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583455009394878866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tapaea, on the left, wanted me to take a picture of her great, big, beautiful smile because she just lost her two front teeth. We tried to get Jessica, on the right, to show a big, toothy grin too, but she just kept giggling and closing her mouth. They are just so cute. Oh, and don't you just love their required school hats? :)</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbns6FyayFUdPsg0M1p4g9s_HdmnS0rMbGBQGsXPMqzuWooq-PXkTqsWp59dhmdVCWlMo6vhmd-9Amt1AfakX1lxd1mds727FxSQxkV9WAx1Wi8E_kxneeyZP6nro2M3fNyT-DywG29w/s1600/DSCN0650.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbns6FyayFUdPsg0M1p4g9s_HdmnS0rMbGBQGsXPMqzuWooq-PXkTqsWp59dhmdVCWlMo6vhmd-9Amt1AfakX1lxd1mds727FxSQxkV9WAx1Wi8E_kxneeyZP6nro2M3fNyT-DywG29w/s320/DSCN0650.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583454999260824498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-8062481536518228862011-03-12T01:49:00.000-08:002011-03-12T03:09:24.188-08:00Otara and Pasifika<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lots of markets with lots of people today!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT447vtafPGC_R_MvdoY07zk9KlAtRZLZHqGfn6QJ58-g6Ck2ee_KnV6zySiCKSNDSCpQXe5scEiVYKbetA0sv-38is_4cgkRG-BEP8AspOs1B4Sg_rIQsTbxzrYI-yzknSNN4xG8NTc/s1600/Pacifica+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT447vtafPGC_R_MvdoY07zk9KlAtRZLZHqGfn6QJ58-g6Ck2ee_KnV6zySiCKSNDSCpQXe5scEiVYKbetA0sv-38is_4cgkRG-BEP8AspOs1B4Sg_rIQsTbxzrYI-yzknSNN4xG8NTc/s320/Pacifica+008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583138278836226562" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0yhyjQ30rCKQqDZpB5JlFnJ-85Wis_3BSyvDDmtHOOekrNttvqHOvbqyhm_68QKCJux43JjHvQAw96BwoSiCqBWV3mv3bDvcl5N8oi361FGmkFiPP-0EmOM1l7YrO2kBgmr_lxe2lXg/s1600/Pacifica+003.JPG"></a></span><div style="text-align: left;">We had an early start to our day today. JJ came and picked us up at 7:15 to go to Otara Market. Otara is an outdoor market, but not your typical outdoor market. It has a fruit and vegetable section, lots of jewelry, clothing, food stands, etc., but then it is also home to many unique stands: some that are filled with socks (i truly have never seen so many socks), or some that are jampacked with old, used appliances, or even a few stands you could buy contact lenses out of the back of an old, sketchy van. And if those are the kind of stands at the market, you can only imagine the kinds of people at the market. It was quite an interesting cultural experience.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To continue on in the cultural experience category, we made our way over to the Auckland Pasifika Festival. We went to the opening concert on Thursday night, but today was the day of the festival. The park was divided into sections, referred to as villages, for all the different islands. Within each village, there was a stage for performing, traditional food of their region, and lots of stands set up with items of their island. There was Tahiti, Tokelau, Fiji, Tuvalu, Samoa, Kiribati, Niue, Aotearoa (NZ), Cook Islands, and Tonga. It was neat to see the people and their traditional clothing/dances/music/jewelry/souvenirs. One of my favorite villages was Tahiti because of their highly entertaining performances. We're even thinking of adding one of their dances to our list of things to learn!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0yhyjQ30rCKQqDZpB5JlFnJ-85Wis_3BSyvDDmtHOOekrNttvqHOvbqyhm_68QKCJux43JjHvQAw96BwoSiCqBWV3mv3bDvcl5N8oi361FGmkFiPP-0EmOM1l7YrO2kBgmr_lxe2lXg/s320/Pacifica+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583138271904094354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: left;">In addition to the village stages, there were a couple big stages set up. One of these was called the "Emerging Artist Stage" for all the up and coming local artists--singers and dancers. We were fortunate enough to see a few groups, one being an RnB/Acapella group, "The Talent." These four guys were so entertaining, and they actually sounded really good, too. They sang some original songs, and then they did a few covers. The last one was the best: they started off saying how they were going to end with a really special song to all them, one that has helped them get through all the trials and tribulations in life. With such a serious and solemn introduction, we were not expecting what came next...they sang, "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus! It was hilarious. They really got into it, adding their own harmonies, echoes, and dance moves; we realized that there may have been quite a few people who didn't know it was a Miley Cyrus song and just listened to it thinking, "What a nice and inspirational song." So funny. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We spent the rest of the day taking it easy, trying to get homework done. With less than 2 weeks left in the schools, and only a little over that to get all our assignments done, I'm definitely feeling the symptoms of senioritis, or something. It's hard to sit and have the motivation to just get it done. I think I have 2 2-page papers, 2 more lessons, a detailed log of 12 hours spent with one of my students, a case study final, and a huge paper summing up everything before I am home free. Crazy, crazy. To "take a break" from homework, Anna, Jess, Christine, and I enjoyed a night at the park, watching the sun set and the stars appear as we enjoyed some peanut butter M&Ms. Even though we definitely don't have the fun and crazy social life we have back home, life sure is good :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-84468018856166847312011-03-11T02:31:00.000-08:002011-03-11T03:13:04.392-08:00Rangitoto<div style="text-align: left;">What did I do today? Oh nothing much, just hiked to the top of a VOLCANO!!! Today, we finally made it over to Rangitoto Island. It is one of those sites I was told I HAD to visit, and it was well worth it. Rangitoto is famous because it erupted "only" 900 years ago, making it the most recently erupted volcano in the Auckland Volcanic Field. It was quite exciting because we got to take a ferry over to the volcano, completing our list of Auckland transportation:</div><div><ul><li>Bus? Check. We have had both good and not-so-good bus experiences, but the good are now outweighing the bad.</li><li>Train? Check. Rode it home from the rugby game.</li><li>Car? Check. Unfortunately we haven't driven one, but we are grateful to the Lords and JJ for the many car rides.</li><li>Taxi? Check. Last night we ended up taking a taxi home so that we wouldn't have to wait an hour for the next bus. It ended up being the same price as the bus would've been for all four of us, and it was wayyy faster.</li><li>Ferry? Check. We rode the ferry to Rangitoto.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There's Anna, the ferry, and Rangitoto in the background. </span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXe5cbp5kGXpb4XwcXimZNzDOkN-Obgg7ypj_ZX_BhffOTBhUT5EZtLLZkYn8wDpsHy-Gg1PCoa7QsFmXo14McIVEDk-1vivXGN08WQSdNyyeMnfCHRbai0ZIN1d0rQ9FyURqKZgIgiE/s320/DSCN0706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582771054716171698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " />I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from Rangitoto, but it ended up being a uniquely beautiful experience. Since it has so "recently" erupted, the island is covered with lava rocks. But, it's so cool because there has been so much growth since then the island is also covered with a variety of green. I was intrigued, and I loved it.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZwIdbfr38nhJaOPm47c4ZAhkJr8bmxx6Oh6IrGh5UkHiSAReMP5Tnze9ckj2OVK0Qquguu7uqylt5EmZ6f_SbWfRQR7UxDj8okTH7lLYbyFwXAve77a41TCL1HmZubLL_EYi3a8S_qA/s320/DSCN0704.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582769399525633778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCva45VxTZuQfqUNoyNdH-enikZfwHUCZZi_fU3jVhBof5Zv5ge4EcwO96cdwK0EZuqA-4u4Pyn3SGXaZhLRPN7UgDjoYoQMvmvUNmJipenT0iXzx_5U51P9DagXese-zuvbaBbbgydIo/s320/IMG_3867.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582769383599076482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">On our way to the summit, we explored some lava caves. It was neat to actually crawl into a few of them and imagine how they were formed by the hot, hot lava.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomPIR0W2pzdZA_iX6mEm6QgvBC86QBpn6kF3Wsv4yuX4zgcYRVIPi1eQV3gB1K4lxWuo9_RxUhOqmrV8z7R8eOXM1J2xEtg9bqeVVuN5gTp1t1oBspZm1zmMotIi2R016bu_1IsYsTFk/s320/IMG_3870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582769385158639586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>On our way back from the lava caves trail, we walked past a group and I overheard them talking about handcarts and then saw one of the women wearing a Nauvoo shirt. So, I asked them if they were LDS, and they were! Visiting here for a family reunion from Wyoming, Washington, and Utah. One of the women is a teacher in the Jordan School District and works with an intern who did the New Zealand study abroad last year. SUCH a small world!</div><div><br /></div><div>The summit was breathtaking. Partially because we were out of breath from the steep slope, but mostly because the scenery was stunning. It was so cool to stand there and think, "I'm standing on the very top of a volcano right now."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One side looked pristine, completely untouched by humans.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7wFhUsQ0scRSX9R_eVrl0jzZGnMkLoUzlBR_rssSK7TrfqQAIMPuMmSwZFbOIIbr_9clyl1a2elrsJxTqzeWZ9dIXnRnX0pi5oBsvK6JRXEwuJK017OKGGxrKCXAMM8mWq-cSfneHXA/s1600/IMG_3883.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7wFhUsQ0scRSX9R_eVrl0jzZGnMkLoUzlBR_rssSK7TrfqQAIMPuMmSwZFbOIIbr_9clyl1a2elrsJxTqzeWZ9dIXnRnX0pi5oBsvK6JRXEwuJK017OKGGxrKCXAMM8mWq-cSfneHXA/s320/IMG_3883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582771032680953874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And from the other side you could see the entire spread of Auckland.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSle8Ljc9X15zyJmrWTqZeMDpBDVJQZulcVy_fxRsRJXNqXfZclH9LVMpQ3iWtcVFwLVjgKGs8icC6ymadol5rknumS0ovg36I9C9YyuP0DdFRuQ384defVl6KJ8arnMYevTYREd6rVg/s320/IMG_3887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582771041811800242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">There was a trail that led us around the rim of the crater. It was cool to see the crater, which is now entirely covered with dense foliage. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And just in case you can't tell, this is me standing on the edge of the crater--I am the lava exploding out of the volcano ;) Definitely my favorite picture of the day! </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwX3xKS0d9eWDKrSTyzOpXb8NiZYZSUvt_RLxdkssMDVCqk26OVweaNa7lvhiOKEbfaHnlItqUqLtxKl0lCbVIc2Cs1L2HhLmCRTcUUN95drip_xQWv8FBmemF_Q11hGbONxgAXjfrPQ/s320/IMG_3894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582769396510494578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I truly am so grateful that I've had so many encounters with the magnificence of nature. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">**NEWS UPDATE** There was an earthquake tsunami that hit Japan today with a magnitude of 8.8! The earthquake in Christchurch was a 6.4, so this 8.8 is even bigger. I'm not sure of too many details, but we saw a bunch of live footage and it looks devastating. New Zealand is on tsunami watch in case the wave comes down this way, but we shouldn't be affected by it here. Keep everyone affected in your thoughts and prayers!</span></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-76634729904912200512011-03-10T01:37:00.000-08:002011-03-10T02:42:12.777-08:00Body Gardens and Pasifika!<div style="text-align: left;">For one of our math assignments, we had to teach a maths (they always call it "maths" here, never just "math") lesson about measurement. The students had to make a body garden, using measurements from their body. So, for our body garden, the kids chose their lower leg as the stem, their hands for the petals, their eyebrows for leaves, and the length of their nose to make the yellow middle of the flower. While they tried my patience here and there, for the most part it was so cute to see them create this body garden. And I'd say it turned out pretty good for a few 6- and 7-year-olds!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In case you couldn't tell, the red blob looking flower is actually a "fireworks flower" created by cute little Sefa :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9XXbgpMaoVaQnpKqEpauy17x8sSQTSeO6lXVYjbhXRcoDVAGWfQ0oJBVPG-wFmMHZNCAB2B1OXeOqmv2YI2gxVjEFvuaKjJAj8oDnhyiOWevcgX956scjGmjvBts24TlyR9eDmjbLew/s320/DSCN0651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582390659591276274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Colwill girls (me, Anna, Jess, and Christine) were so excited, because we actually had an adventure after school today! Since we usually spend so much time at home doing homework and assignments after school, we were ready for a little more excitement. We rode the bus (another successful bus trip. woot!) to Western Springs Park for the opening concert of Auckland's Pasifika Festival 2011.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Western Springs Park was absolutely picturesque :)</span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizQUALW9Z_iiUUOfAZw1M4oLEK055gMt94xDq1cHPjPkjzpDuEfrQ7Ei5VQ3VPaCNmTAcF1PHF9pN9b9fCji1ivqsNtydKf_a-s-NM7ope26CMUdo-r_4TgZYEsOFGibTG21HyJkcrok/s1600/DSCN0681.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizQUALW9Z_iiUUOfAZw1M4oLEK055gMt94xDq1cHPjPkjzpDuEfrQ7Ei5VQ3VPaCNmTAcF1PHF9pN9b9fCji1ivqsNtydKf_a-s-NM7ope26CMUdo-r_4TgZYEsOFGibTG21HyJkcrok/s320/DSCN0681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582393013072672082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The craziest thing about the park, however, was that it was FILLED with birds, ducks, pukekos, and these scary black swans. These swans had looooong necks, red eyes, and they would just run right up to us. </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-roTiE4j8XBfYHNhFug8gQj4uaUU2nSbFP7MHPGxKiOLzrYL2ntPc0WBlF7yu05cHyIrZ62ypxsPPf3lxo-7FLF9LPehBgUr-ZJo4_iC3XrwnzTJxJRa5dRLvuWjjVDhYGS2fYQzkFw/s1600/DSCN0672.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-roTiE4j8XBfYHNhFug8gQj4uaUU2nSbFP7MHPGxKiOLzrYL2ntPc0WBlF7yu05cHyIrZ62ypxsPPf3lxo-7FLF9LPehBgUr-ZJo4_iC3XrwnzTJxJRa5dRLvuWjjVDhYGS2fYQzkFw/s320/DSCN0672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582390681319184706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The coolest part of the park were all the real life pukekos! We have heard so much about pukekos ("on the first day of christmas my true love gave to me: a pukeko in a pongo tree"--this was one of the first NZ songs we learned here), and it was quite exciting to see so many!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5IjRgzdWmbyqyGIY3ZxuWolVsBWCvVyXKdDHLHy81ex-C20SVeKWUVAmHjTZDXL49XouBwlu3HaElNpbSMdU7G8e-Wpc6B3vib7p8318TBHh1v1xfKZzbcXP3Diou36_Ly-j5tqzTw8/s1600/DSCN0661.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5IjRgzdWmbyqyGIY3ZxuWolVsBWCvVyXKdDHLHy81ex-C20SVeKWUVAmHjTZDXL49XouBwlu3HaElNpbSMdU7G8e-Wpc6B3vib7p8318TBHh1v1xfKZzbcXP3Diou36_Ly-j5tqzTw8/s320/DSCN0661.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582390676223376450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anna had fun trying to sneak up on them :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0uhG2-yAXdSFK2obPzdsVWX33PTh9Y4dVIQ6KvToWM7SkyF8Lk-S91MpkDob3ihwLknHTT5c3cr36INaGRkNPEoDCi6FsvePHXejsbfXCQKnJ4zEIJhWH2LXPgn7DxP21UkFNFGVhuo/s320/DSCN0666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582395792928011778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">But, back to the festival: It is the largest and most significant cultural festival in the South Pacific. Tonight was the Pasifika Festival Opening Night Concert, which featured the best of the Pacific's stories, dances, and songs about this year's theme--the octopus and taro leaf. We saw performances from Tonga, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Tokelau, Tahiti, Tuvalu, and of course Aotearoa (New Zealand). It really was a great cultural experience. I think my favorite performance was Tahiti's--they had just arrived from the airport right before they performed, and they were amazing! It's neat to see so many people take such great pride in their culture and heritage.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We were some of the first people there and got grrreat seats right up in front. </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVCAwAqt5P47PmdPE4ZISxdtzODBEeRVVedFCgfd_cldAW_ZRXqvuqNgA8HeE-hx9dkCVcdXGr0byzkfcv-K2e3UmTchMibAhq2UMSX3nl_1iDL9AhfYscDN_-i_XOazKwXYwQbU_R-4/s1600/DSCN0690.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVCAwAqt5P47PmdPE4ZISxdtzODBEeRVVedFCgfd_cldAW_ZRXqvuqNgA8HeE-hx9dkCVcdXGr0byzkfcv-K2e3UmTchMibAhq2UMSX3nl_1iDL9AhfYscDN_-i_XOazKwXYwQbU_R-4/s320/DSCN0690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582393024401757010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There was a great local Kappa Haka group. It is always so entertaining to watch them as they make their eyes bug out and stick their tongues out crazy.</span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_d5VY5mSzBv7U4zYBedGTJAQhMbkrXV4HV2CyiDyyCW9hO5wn5d5_Lv7_Gaqf9BLKyWZKsIBiYYNKW5OjHyPtlDBOjUIVjPZctPTfc60ULmHbyfli2VkargrParYl4cjtsJqzj7gU-fI/s320/DSCN0692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582393040916010114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This was the group from Tonga. You can't really tell from the picture, but they reminded me of the Polynesian ward I visited in Provo, with all the men in white shirts and ties but lava lavas (those straw skirts) instead of pants. It was like Mormon missionaries +the islands.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJrqfpxe46q02jKIj8UiUWpNkVytoowSmBLnAk8ViP15Y6wNv95j0X6Fidj5CkKSyYpaO_vWQd1isHmtqwyd_dwKsOEB_ee0kUGgIzw7Lt6tqtpsiJ1Khv46LnHZ1offe8Gy9E2OuQDU/s1600/DSCN0694.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJrqfpxe46q02jKIj8UiUWpNkVytoowSmBLnAk8ViP15Y6wNv95j0X6Fidj5CkKSyYpaO_vWQd1isHmtqwyd_dwKsOEB_ee0kUGgIzw7Lt6tqtpsiJ1Khv46LnHZ1offe8Gy9E2OuQDU/s320/DSCN0694.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582393075641007714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>We rode the bus home, but we ended up taking an earlier bus (which ended up being filled with some very interesting people...) and it could only take us halfway. While we were waiting for the next bus, we discovered these futuristic bathrooms. We were quite intrigued...haha</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy39fZSPKJiahfn782f3aOP1BHY_OCL9zNWfZz0OjgYwEKz0byIcmBiruzvr1BAfLSI7shjQWYzyGm8qOeqEw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was my attempt, but for some reason they all closed and we couldn't get back inside. We're wondering if they have security cameras and were trying to keep us away. Ha!</div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy52el_LxbtWnnVq_GJwAB4w-9ifhvXIGIC0wmLE8gyRIeBfJg8HxhAMz7IvA_JoM7rK-3wYyahNsPRJ8PzRA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-43894409449698143852011-03-09T01:56:00.000-08:002011-03-09T02:33:56.079-08:00You're So Cool<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Being with my Colwill kids is such a confidence boost. Everywhere I walk the kids are always complimenting me, trying to get my attention. It's the most ridiculous in my class because if one person says one thing, then everybody else tries to one up the others saying silly things they they really like my pretty black pants. Ha. Makes me laugh. Today, cute little Sefa said, "Miss Burnett, you're so cool. And you're house is so cool, too!" I responded by telling him that I thought he was really cool, too. When I didn't keep going he said, "And my house, too???" When I assured him that I bet his house was cool, he invited me to come visit it because I really needed to see his cool house. I wish everyone could just hear him talk because then you could see why I think this is so cute!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anna has had SO many cute moments with her students. I have asked her permission to share some, because they are so funny.</span></span></div><div> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">During show and tell:</span></span></li> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ana: This is my pterodactyl. Pterodactyls were around ages and ages ago. They are really old. Does anyone have any questions?</span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Levi: Ummmmm, actually they around during the 80s, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">not</span></span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the 50s.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Levi: Did you know they have real baby dragonflies? They only breathe a little bit of fire. But in Australia they have big as dragonflies that breathe heaps and heaps of fire. That’s why I moved to New Zealand. </span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Another show and tell:</span></span></li> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Benjamin: Good morning Room 21. </span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Class: Good morning, Benjamin. (this greeting actually happens ALL the time everywhere you go because it is "good oral language practice". It’s either “Good morning, Miss Burnett,” or “Kia Ora, Miss Burnett,” or “Good afternoon, Miss Burnett.” So polite, eh?)</span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Benjamin: This is my hankie. You go like this. (he proceeds to blow his nose real loud.) Any questions??</span></span></li> </ul> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">An overheard conversation: </span></span></li> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Levi: I had electric shock one time.</span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Benjamin: Did you die?</span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Levi: No, it just hurt.</span></span></li> </ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anna read a book called "When Henry Had Imaginitis" and when she asked if anyone knew what "imagination" was, Levi raised his hand, took a deep breath and said: Katy Perry once said, "If you live within your imagination, you will get everything you want."</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ana: You can't ever see the Easter Bunny, eh?<br />Levi: No, you can't. You have to stay asleep or God will come down and growl at you. You can't see God cause he's in the sky...I saw a picture of God once, so that means he's real.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; font-size: medium;">You can obviously tell from these that this Levi is quite a character :) It reminds me of that Bill Cosby show, "Kids Say the Darndest Things." I think Levi could be the next big star!</span></span></div> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-90192259667785487802011-03-08T00:15:00.000-08:002011-03-08T00:47:17.662-08:00Come what may...<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-left: 0.5in; "><span style=" ;font-family:'Lucida Handwriting';"></span></p><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers. -Khalil Gibran, mystic, poet, and artist (1883-1931)</span></span><p></p></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Dr. Jacobs gave me this quote in the midst of the difficult times with my teacher. I had to read it through a couple of times before I understood exactly what it was saying. To put it into context for me, I think it means that from this situation, I may have to learn how to teach from someone I don’t think is a teacher I can look up to. I can learn patience from the impatient, softness from the loud, gentleness from the harsh, etc. Along with that, not only should I learn from this challenging situation, but I should also be grateful for it. After 3 1/2 weeks in the school, I'm doing my best to stay positive and be grateful for all of my experiences, even if some of them are not ideal. </span><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I think that in life, we have many difficult experiences that we look down upon. It is usually only in hindsight that we are able to see the wonderful lessons that we learned from these experiences. It is also usually only in hindsight that we are able to be grateful for them. I actually feel blessed that I am able to at least try to learn from and be grateful for the lessons I am learning while still in the middle of this interesting teaching experience. I actually just realized that I titled my blog, "Come What May And Love It...in New Zealand." When I titled it, I thought it was going to be real easy to love everything here (and believe me, even though I'm not talking about much of it now, there is SO much that I LOVE here), but now I think it's even more appropriate because I will maintain that outlook on the positive and the not-so-positive experiences: Come what may. And I will love it :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">As a side note, today I was able to observe some Reading Recovery sessions. It is a daily 30-minute individualized lesson used for children under 7 years old that are not reading at their grade level. It usually takes them about 25 weeks to get them reading at level 17. It was really interesting for me because even in the short time I was there I saw so much success and potential progression with the student. It's so rewarding to see a student finally get it, finally have that "a-ha!" moment.</span><br /></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-2595231032394234672011-03-07T00:07:00.000-08:002011-03-07T00:37:40.715-08:00Pavlova #4<div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Today was a lovely day. The highlight was definitely skyping my family...not only my immediate family, but also my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was so fun to say hello to everyone and "see" everyone even though I'm halfway around the world. I also was able to skype our good family friend Margie Reese and her 6 month old, Jay, in Korea for a little bit. I loved being able to catch up with her, and I'm hoping I'll be able to see them during their next trip to the states! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was a long day at school today, but I had some great moments that kept me smiling:<o:p></o:p></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in">Colwill Primary School has 17 different first languages among the students. 17! So they have a pretty big ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program, and I was able to sit in on one of the mini lessons today. They use a program called Talk to Learn and its focus is building up their basic language skills. Today they were talking about growth and the process of planting a seed. One of the little boys, however, kept interrupting with the most random thoughts. For example:<o:p></o:p></li> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in">Nelson: Why do people go to heaven when they die?<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in">Teacher (Deb): Well, would you want to go to hell?<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in">Nelson: No. No. When people do bad things they go to hell.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in">Deb: Have you done any bad things?<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in">Nelson: No, I’m going to heaven.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in">Deb: Good, there you go. Back to planting this seed…<o:p></o:p></li> </ul> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in">Also during my ESOL observation, Deb (teacher) showed them a picture of an elderly gentleman wearing a suit. She asked them if they knew who it was, and one of the girls immediately piped up, “Is that my brother all growed up?” Apparently she thought that Deb somehow had a picture taken in the future! Haha. It was cute.</li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal">Last, but certainly not least, Anna and I successfully made another pavlova. I think we’re up to #4. We doubled the recipe and it turned out delicious, but the crust was a little too thick. We used nectarines to decorate it this time, but I think the kiwis, or rather kiwifruits, are still my favorite :)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Good thing Anna and I had just gotten back from a run to burn all those pavlova calories ;) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9PL9gzcLS7rAdvIE4AgjqVDhm24hMDq0JK2sFABU6RQ44mUDJSq6HF6QTl1NSMsgE-2lD1z9cyUUWvkAbwO2CAfs-EIBgTv20mDx09iJq8q61naSMn-NQjaUlO1TsQ0Z8tYKT0RofLw/s1600/DSCN0649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9PL9gzcLS7rAdvIE4AgjqVDhm24hMDq0JK2sFABU6RQ44mUDJSq6HF6QTl1NSMsgE-2lD1z9cyUUWvkAbwO2CAfs-EIBgTv20mDx09iJq8q61naSMn-NQjaUlO1TsQ0Z8tYKT0RofLw/s320/DSCN0649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581248270550476850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX7oTLAc_T3WJFRd5wR-9LeCDwHgQfUWGehAj4OWJq_O2XGyaO6xSm3bn1oB0Ewg3Q6S4hyphenhyphen0q9lAtGn6jtwCzoEzwKDov7xVMnAoNNku4pxJ-wY8TLwsEom9lmxnDR2Z0Ji29U-NsXN8/s1600/DSCN0648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX7oTLAc_T3WJFRd5wR-9LeCDwHgQfUWGehAj4OWJq_O2XGyaO6xSm3bn1oB0Ewg3Q6S4hyphenhyphen0q9lAtGn6jtwCzoEzwKDov7xVMnAoNNku4pxJ-wY8TLwsEom9lmxnDR2Z0Ji29U-NsXN8/s320/DSCN0648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581248267402579122" /></a>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1784525022665812348.post-33896981451029828912011-03-05T16:16:00.000-08:002011-03-05T17:26:21.635-08:00Hot Water Beach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMoHvT_JINgFcn3yZTu6lfQUInEd7ZlgaPJUmPgKczJGqOIjU0IUNl0jWPv5hYUS_vIcUve8RzdfiP3fT2X9oBSoKikQCxGY5DNxnAFXFgPu57J9x9YwEOMRn5mCfIdr6l88qU6qcBl8/s1600/DSC02581.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We left Thursday after school and drove north to the Coromandel Peninsula. It should taken less than three hours, but somehow we didn't get there until after 9. (we left our house at 3!) I guess we did have to wait a while for all the girls to get to our meeting place, and then they stopped for ice cream, and then we stopped for dinner, and then we had to get groceries for the weekend, but still it was a little hard to believe it took so long. When we got to our beach houses, however, the long trip was definitely worth it.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was the view from our porch. It was less than a five minute walk to be on the beach! </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2EU8oaBNTljhVze4fcPtdVNPc8SmJIXz4pGKumRsTaF_yRwuO8ARGfxvb1zB-FZ0quf0wOiki-Iize64nH_rKuokGKFJ7vO0iY98HeczZwbYtjS72AUGCyzvl7TcwyJC1sieNAmchmw/s320/DSC02476.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580755364033281746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our fun little beach house for the weekend :)</span></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTDYwH1laAdMOuFWkxY0-kwgOJMEfAuRsXzLu1yAixEOSm6ZcVd4BcHFCSS3qLTQOaHIPPI1cfUNzH14ooHCrWwzTgSDVm1Ru6L8dckF_O2ydnYeWAHGkTPKPoADZCHmO2rRU8HjI3Fs/s320/DSC02576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580758834417169906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After a relaxing night watching Tangled, we started the next morning off early with a beautiful morning run/walk on the beach, all the way to the rock on the other side of the bay. Then we were able to just sit on our deck and enjoy the view :)</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi734dSuRpYCfVwfKh2_Ot0sbQpClz_XJS3hbvH8dPjhOJDgtAV8nVJybLdC93hJZ0xB_c0UhSU-ITeUSroFuV6HFiY2R6nGZFiDhmau1K6CkBg_Q0YdDm7H8pFb8fBPQZgJWtFW5wgKnk/s320/DSC02483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580755368471783058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The purpose of our trip was this beach, Hot Water Beach. It looks just like a normal beach, but there is about a 100 meter area where hot water comes up from under the sand. At low tide, you can dig your own hot tub! At some places the water coming up was even too hot, practically scalding you if you stayed in too long. It was unreal! I guess that there is volcanic activity below this area, and so carbon dioxide comes up and that's why it's so hot. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Low tide was 1:52, and we heard that the best time to dig your hot water pots was 2 hours on either side of that. People started staking out their claims early, but we got a nice spot. Some people around us kept making un of all us girls trying to dibs a big circle for us, but we held our ground. Unfortunately, it was kind of windy, and the tide didn’t go very far out. We had quite a hard time actually starting the dig because our walls kept getting washed away. One of the girls started one, and we got it going really well. It was crazy to sit in it and be surrounded by such hot water. It even got TOO hot and we had to abandon it because the water was scalding us. It was crazy! So we went back to our original spot and started digging there again. We got a nice sized hole, and even though it wasn’t reallly hot water, by the end it was nice and warm. It was so relaxing to just sit in it when we finally decided we were done digging. We spent the rest of the day boogie boarding (it was SO much fun because the waves were HUGE!), laying out on the beach, listening to music, eating spaghetti, having M&M slurping contests, playing triangle of death and the couch game, and having so much fun.</span></span></div><!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--> <div style="text-align: center; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is only a small portion of all the people waiting for the tide to go down so that we could start digging. So many people.</span></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxowlPjFy2XgB2fyu0isfaisDZs7nAgsYGQj_2Gi12C0i8bBYul7_hAm_DeblXbJAcNOEqNExIZ2y3Un4QOCwxroL-tP7AyPG0Xlz0Bqbi_E8QDH0g-B-UriJ_BHz88Tindk-QedtX3S4/s320/DSC02515.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580758823087235586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here is our first pool we made. Unfortunately, we were only able to enjoy it for a little while before it got wayy too hot, and we couldn't even stand to stick our feet in. </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAT03VcgVKnW2aZaE5M1huYjs0VE8xYhYnEr-6QVm-OR4au0cMYZnTmy2GZ0tqCLMeF6eqfya_ovZEcJNKp3fXXW-Zx1m69NHhdzDmlsr4xYF65x1v7ewcbLKF8HnSzHYuccknpU22ok/s320/DSC02516.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580755378333422818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here is our second hot pool. It wasn't nearly as hot as the first one, but it was great because we all fit in, sit, and enjoy. Digging the holes was hard work!!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBrRPOtsYXS6MP5TEBVkr_kzis1KjvOEeQ8Xi_FwojDHdDHrzzWd-6PuC86w069QBE62Q__xQHnSbe37jV5_DFSLDpGpBFu-8t7A4kYiylzzPRtkcfm4YASIeVhpDVu5CsU9RdXnBeCU/s320/DSC02526.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580755385962745330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of our favorite parts of this second hole was that we dug it right behind one of the bubbling, boiling areas in the sand. You can't see it very well in the picture, but there really was a small area that was boiling because it was so hot. Hard to believe, I know, but it's true! We had the perfect spot to watch people discover this boiling water and it was SO entertaining. Some people discovered it by accidently walking on top of it and their yelps and squeals brought lots of people over to see what all the commotion was about. It was so funny to see everyone's reactions. A few people even tried to hard boil an egg in it! I think it would have worked, but they didn't wait long enough for the tide to go down and the waves kept coming up and washing it away. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZt4rH9dmwylEpFaQEKbiEjSeQqGgJUeVszt5e9jMeBBd0AHF6OLJRz9eJGFRvlKEvDEdlFd_d9gsBfHrOBcm0arVVTutOGsqKXEtvmguS2e4sP3joWYsQ8uRPAywADtcNwnL1GqzrjY/s1600/DSC02527.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZt4rH9dmwylEpFaQEKbiEjSeQqGgJUeVszt5e9jMeBBd0AHF6OLJRz9eJGFRvlKEvDEdlFd_d9gsBfHrOBcm0arVVTutOGsqKXEtvmguS2e4sP3joWYsQ8uRPAywADtcNwnL1GqzrjY/s320/DSC02527.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580755401418438098" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">James came along as one of the drivers for the trip, and so did another friend of the program, Natalie. She was a lot of fun, and even took us on a little adventure. She took us to see glow worms! It was literally pitch black outside and just a bit scary. She had a head lamp, but that was our only source of light. Oh, and it was raining. And we were all in flip flops, shorts, and t-shirts. Holding onto each other for "protection", and screaming when Natalie turned off the head lamp, we really must have been quite a sight! When we found path, we could see the glow worms, or rather their glowing excrement, all throughout the trees and plants. It was like tiny bright stars all over the forest. So cool! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Saturday morning started off with a beautiful sunrise. It was kind of cloudy, but still amazing. Pictures don't do it justice, but I tried my best to capture the moment. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMoHvT_JINgFcn3yZTu6lfQUInEd7ZlgaPJUmPgKczJGqOIjU0IUNl0jWPv5hYUS_vIcUve8RzdfiP3fT2X9oBSoKikQCxGY5DNxnAFXFgPu57J9x9YwEOMRn5mCfIdr6l88qU6qcBl8/s1600/DSC02581.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLM-eIMv5p1DnJmM0JCqXIHJgT6DaLUNuWELr_iSj5J0EpH-OaX14d0XmLnRdQpl7B06inxNTD7PFXJXmLPY84p9J0F02-8IFXoQLHc4TRlDLHTpwK6Qw4JVU_dm7l4i2sEAUK1PSbAQ/s1600/DSCN0628.JPG"><!--EndFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLM-eIMv5p1DnJmM0JCqXIHJgT6DaLUNuWELr_iSj5J0EpH-OaX14d0XmLnRdQpl7B06inxNTD7PFXJXmLPY84p9J0F02-8IFXoQLHc4TRlDLHTpwK6Qw4JVU_dm7l4i2sEAUK1PSbAQ/s320/DSCN0628.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580758827416352210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTDYwH1laAdMOuFWkxY0-kwgOJMEfAuRsXzLu1yAixEOSm6ZcVd4BcHFCSS3qLTQOaHIPPI1cfUNzH14ooHCrWwzTgSDVm1Ru6L8dckF_O2ydnYeWAHGkTPKPoADZCHmO2rRU8HjI3Fs/s1600/DSC02576.JPG"></a></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUf1PWk1owo9IJiuPPweU9znxBlRx_2dxo92Bj-PdN7AqPQXLpXTmdwpBZ-TsGrzC980WsymlI1MXgi_F-02xkjTS8JnCB0r6Ey7clWFzBYixG4zMQbeMo3i86fmctBa1hYgQkY_zybg/s1600/DSCN0644.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUf1PWk1owo9IJiuPPweU9znxBlRx_2dxo92Bj-PdN7AqPQXLpXTmdwpBZ-TsGrzC980WsymlI1MXgi_F-02xkjTS8JnCB0r6Ey7clWFzBYixG4zMQbeMo3i86fmctBa1hYgQkY_zybg/s320/DSCN0644.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580758830288701970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After checking out of our beach houses, we made our way to Cathedral Cove, one of the filming sites for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie. Unfortunately, they close the path at the end of summer every year, and they closed it early this year! However, we still made it to the two bays right before it--Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay--and it was still neat to see. The paths were suuuuper muddy though, making it quite an exciting adventure as we slipped and slid all the way up and down the trails. Good thing the views were definitely worth how dirty we got!</span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMoHvT_JINgFcn3yZTu6lfQUInEd7ZlgaPJUmPgKczJGqOIjU0IUNl0jWPv5hYUS_vIcUve8RzdfiP3fT2X9oBSoKikQCxGY5DNxnAFXFgPu57J9x9YwEOMRn5mCfIdr6l88qU6qcBl8/s320/DSC02581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580758844657387170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></span></span></span></span></div></div>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01172989986575486330noreply@blogger.com0