Mt. Ruapehu / Ohakune picture post!

Another picture post for my friends and family back home! My weekend at Mt. Ruapehu and Ohakune was awesome -beautiful scenery, and lots of fun with great people. Here are some photo highlights:

(Our first glimpse of Mt. Ruapehu on our way up the mountain)

(Just outside the cafe at the top of the first chairlift)

(Sam and me on the way up Mt. Ruapehu)

(Sam sliding on a big plastic bag)

(Me getting ready to do a headfirst dive onto the plastic sheet)

(Sam and me on the Waitonga Falls walk - Tongariro National Park)

(This waterfall was filmed in one of the "Lord of the Rings" movies)

(Group shot at Powderkeg restaurant in Ohakune - I'm holding my $13 paralyzer!)

(Mangawhero Forest walk)

(Monument honouring the 151 lives lost in the Christmas Eve 1953 lahar train bridge disaster)

(Kiwi sign! I really AM in New Zealand!)

(Thermal area just outside the hot pools near Lake Taupo)

(Hot pool near Lake Taupo)

(Just outside the hot pool area)

(Winding road sign)

I had a fantastic weekend - beautiful, exciting, relaxing, scenic, reflective, memorable, and exhausting!!!! I didn't end up skiing (by our Canadian standards, the snow conditions were not great), but as you can see by a few of these pictures, I did a lot of hiking. Tongariro National Park has some beautiful walking trails, so we did a couple of those - 2 were an hour or longer, and then a few were just tiny little short walks, like the one to the Lord of the Rings waterfall. I would have loved to have skiied, but I had a fantastic weekend nonetheless!

Things at school are still just peachy. I have my first Wellington Youth Choir rehearsal tomorrow evening, so I'm pretty excited about that. I'll be taking the train into Wellington, which could potentially be quite the adventure, but I'm arranging to take it with one of my students who sings in the choir as well. He knows his way around, so that's good - I would hate to get lost and arrive late (or not at all!) to my first rehearsal with WYC!

And as a follow-up to my post about the first blues lesson, the second lesson was a blast too! We had 2 groups composing their own original 12-bar blues, and they performed them at the end of the class. Both of them chose humorous lyrics (one group sang about how Penny, who wasn't in their group, was sad because she didn't get to be in the group with Andrew and Hannah: "I got Andrew and Hannah, and Penny, she be sad. Ohhhh I got Andrew and Hannah, and Penny she be sad. And because of this.... your blues might sound real bad!" The other group sang about Barbie losing her cell phone, and thus her ability to text Ken. It was inspired by Penny's pencil case, which featured Barbie talking on her cell phone. These are the things you come up with when you're lacking inspiration. Hahaha). I'll be following up with this class later in the week, teaching a lesson that will likely include B.B. King and Louis Armstrong, and the progression of blues, jazz styles, etc. Should be a good time!

It's now after 11pm and I really need to get to bed. I hope you're enjoying the pictures and updates - I'm trying to keep up! I know you're curious at home. Until next time!

I'm home!

Back from a beautiful weekend in Ohakune and Mt. Ruapehu with staff (and friends) from Upper Hutt College. It was an absolute blast! The scenery was gorgeous, the weather was nice, the 2-hour spa pool stint made me nice and wrinkly, and the $13 paralyzer (which I had to describe to the bartender... can you believe they've never heard of a paralyzer here?!) at the Powderkeg restaurant last night was well worth it! Haha. Highlights to come in picture form soon. :o)

Off I go!

I'm heading out the door in about 5 minutes to go on a weekend ski trip to Mt. Ruapehu with Sam. Bring on the beautiful New Zealand slopes!!! Back on Sunday. :o)

First lesson = SUCCESS!!!

My first lesson went smashingly! I taught a lesson to the Year 13s (grade 12) on the roots of blues music today, and although I was a bit nervous for it, it went over REALLY well. I couldn't have asked for a better first lesson, really. I had a very small group today - the year 13 class is only 10 people, and of those 10 people, only 6 were there today. I had planned a lesson that could have gone one of two ways, depending on the enthusiasm of the students: it could have been amazing, or it could have fallen flat on its face. We were studying 2 pre-blues songs - one was a work song or field holler (actually sung by a group of prisoners) called "Berta, Berta," and the other one was a spiritual called "Sheep, Sheep, Don'tcha Know the Road." We did some discussion and a question sheet about the historical context of those songs and how they relate to a unit on the blues, the characteristics of the music, the significance of the lyrics, etc. Then I had the students stand up and stomp their feet on beats 1 and 3, and clap on 2 and 4, just like in the recording of "Sheep, Sheep." The piece was call-and-response, so I sang the lead part and I had the students sing the chorus part. When we got to the last verse I had them improvise a clapping rhythm while the rest of us sang and kept time. It was actually really fun - "Sheep, sheep, don'tcha know the road?" "Yes my Lord, I know the road!" "Don'tcha know the road by the clappin' of his hands?" "Yes my Lord, I know the road!" "Don'tcha know the road by the prayin' of the prayer?" "Yes my Lord, I know the road!" We actually had so much fun with it that when I thanked the students for being such good sports, they were all asking if we could do it again. I am going to have them compose their own 12-bar blues tomorrow though, so they will definitely be getting more performance opportunities. :o)

I'm going to be conducting the orchestra tomorrow morning, so I'd better go do some score study. I also have to finish a lesson plan on New Zealand composer John Psathas' piano solo called "Waiting for the Aeroplane." It's a BEAUTIFUL work, and it makes me wish I played the piano. Actually, I love it so much that I've decided to learn it. There's lots of rhythmic counterpoint between the right hand and the left hand, which makes it kind of difficult to play accurately (especially for a non-pianist like myself), but it's absolutely beautiful. The left hand plays a C-G ostinato in 16th notes for pretty much ever, while the right hand comes in with a melody in Bb minor, in dotted 16th notes. (Sorry for those of you who aren't musicians and don't know what I'm talking about!) I can play the first few pages, and actually would love to buy a copy of the piece and perform it for Disrobed (Greystones talent show fundraiser) or something when I get home to Saskatoon, just so I can say that I performed on the piano. Haha.

I think I forgot to mention this last time, but I will be singing with the Wellington Youth Choir starting next week!!!! They are AMAZING, and they (we!) are doing a concert in Auckland in the first 2 days of September. I am so excited to be a part of this group! It will be great to meet new people, and to keep my singing chops up for my return to Greystones in term 2!!!!

With that, I'll leave you with some pictures of my bedroom in Fiona and Sam's house. Amazingly enough, my room WAS clean last Saturday morning. I'm pretty sure it was messy again by Sunday, but I managed to take a picture of it in its tidy phase. Haha.

If there was a prize for keeping up with blogging....

..... I certainly would not win it. Sorry about the big gaps in blog entries - I've been busy with internship stuff, and just generally doing some relaxing, sight-seeing, and wandering around Kelson taking pictures (that will eventually go on this blog!). So mom, don't worry, I'm safe and sound, and although I'm FREEEEEZING, I'm doing quite alright. :o)

Anyway, I'm going to go hole up in my toasty warm bedroom with the heater and electric blanket, where I shall remain for the night until having to get up for school tomorrow morning. So, I shall leave you with a few pictures of my kiwi adventure thus far. I will post more later, when I have some time and the patience to sit and wait for pics to load.

Fiona and me on my first night in New Zealand (at a going-away party at a pub in Wellington)

Me having fun with my camera and timer on Friday - I found a little mini playground only a couple blocks from my house on Major Drive, so I spent a bit of time there before heading home for the afternoon.

Lauren Campbell from Canada? That's me! Haha. This is the whiteboard in the music office at Hutt Valley High School.

This is the view from my driveway, looking slightly left. It looks warm, but I promise you that looks can be deceiving. At any rate, it's beautiful, and so unlike the flat landscape of home (which I miss, by the way!).

That's all for now. Good night everyone! I'll try to post sooner than a week from now, promise! (Oh, and you can check out Fiona's blog to see a few more pics of my first night in Wellington!)

Updates from the newest HVHS music intern

Hey everyone! Things are still awesome in New Zealand. I started my internship at Hutt Valley High School yesterday, and as it turns out I have 3 co-op teachers. The HOD (head of department) Stephen Lange just welcomed a new baby boy to the world, so he's off all week. Things are a bit disorganized at the moment, but it's ok - I'm still settling in just fine. I'm adjusting to the weather now... it's winter here of course, being in the southern hemisphere and all, and the houses and other buildings are not equipped with central heating, so often it's colder inside than it is outside. Fortunately I have a heater and electric blanket in my bedroom at Fiona and Sam's house, so I'm sleeping well. Nice and toasty!

I got to New Zealand on Friday morning (which was Thursday afternoon back home in Saskatchewan), and I wasted no time before socializing with the kiwis. I went out on Friday night to 3 parties, which was totally a blast - Fi and Sam and I went to 2 going-away parties, one in Wellington and one in Lower Hutt, then Fi and I went to Upper Hutt to a house party with staff from her school. It was a party in a garage, which was all heated up nice and toasty, and there was lots of karaoke and drunk, happy kiwis and Maori people. The Maori men were especially friendly, kissing all the ladies on the cheek. It was fun though, because it wasn't creepy - it was just a cultural custom. One of them was eating a sandwich as Fiona and I left, and he kissed me on the cheek with a mouthful of food. GROSS. Hahaha. It was funny though. The people here are so friendly. :o)

On Saturday morning I went to a netball game (a sport kind of like basketball, but you can't dribble the ball and the nets have no backboards) to watch Fiona play. It was fun, but SO cold - they play outdoors, and Saturday am was one of the coldest mornings of the winter. I was all bundled up in a t-shirt, hoodie, fleece, winter jacket, 2 hoods, mitts, another jacket over my legs, and 2 blankets. I looked ridiculous, especially next to the netball players who were playing outside in skirts and t-shirts. People were looking at me like I was insane. I was like, "Oh come on, July is supposed to be summer!!!"

Fiona took me shopping for warm clothes (or "warmies") on Sunday, which I found rather funny. It's not as though I don't have an entire closet full of warm clothes at home... I just neglected to bring most of them. See, mom, I told you I should bring another bunnyhug! Haha. Fi and Sam and I went out for supper with their friends Kirsten and Richard on Sunday (or was it Saturday?), which was really nice - they're very friendly, and very easy to talk to. Kirsten is the niece of my GST supervisor Jill. It's been really nice to meet all these new people - everyone here is awesome so far.

My first day at HVHS was a good one, albeit an overwhelming one. I can't quite describe to you with any accuracy what it feels like to be on the other side of the world, by yourself in a new country, and every single face you see in a day is new to you. It's pretty overwhelming. Everyone has been so friendly though, so I am having very little problem adjusting and settling in. There are a few things to get used to though, like driving on the other side of the road and the car (although Fi and Sam are driving me everywhere, thankfully), the kiwi vocabulary and accent, new brand names for practically everything at the grocery store, the weather, school in July, etc. But, like I said, so far so good!

Funny random story from yesterday: So all the Hutt Valley High School students wear all-black as part of their uniform. I happened to be wearing black pants and shoes yesterday, and I was cold so I kept my black jacket on most of the time. I went to buy a banana during my morning break, since lunch doesn't start until 1:30. So I went to the counter and paid for a banana, then the lady came back and leaned over to me and said "We don't always sell fruit to all the students. Some of the younger ones just throw it around. I trust that you'll be eating this banana." I just about laughed out loud. It was hilarious! I suppose being 5'2 (and a half!) and wearing all black kind of invites comments like that. I got a kick out of it anyway.

And now I shall leave you with a funny random story from today: So this morning I get to school around 8:20am - not too early on the scale of things. I go to the music building and it's locked. That's ok, I've got a key! So I open the door, walk through the corridor, and head into the music office to drop my stuff off at my desk. I unlock the music office, head inside, shut the door, and drop my stuff off. Then comes the absolutely piercing sirens from the corridor. Fabulous! I've set off the alarm. So I locked up and then walked back to the main office, making sure to avoid eye contact with anyone as I snicker to myself all the way back to the admin building. "Hello," I say to the secretary. "I think I just set off the alarm in the music building." What a way to start my 2nd day at HVHS! Hahaha.

I hope everything is going well for you, my family back home in SK and MB, and my friends at IMC, in Saskatoon, and elsewhere. Feel free to write me anytime, or comment on this blog - I've allowed anonymous commenting, so please just leave your name so I know who it came from. :o) My mailing address, in case you're interested, is:

140 Major Drive
Kelson 5010
Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Until next time, cheers!

(PS - I promise to post pictures soon!)

Kia Ora!!!!

Hello from Fiona and Sam's house in Lower Hutt, New Zealand!!!! 35 hours and 6 airports later, I'm here safely. What a trip! It was long, but now that I'm here it's totally worth every penny, and every bit of planning that went into the past 5-ish months. I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M HERE!!!!

We're going out grocery shopping sometime soon, so I should run and shower. I tell you, 35 hours on planes and in airports doesn't really leave you feeling your freshest. I'll get on that soon. Hahaha.

Until next time!

Almost there.

Well I'm back from IMC and I'm getting really excited for New Zealand! In only 1.5 days I will be boarding my flight to kiwi land! I've got lots to do between now and then, but in the meantime here are some pics from IMC (in no particular order, except for the last one, which shows just how I felt leaving my friends!):

Sporting "the bling" with Jeff

Modeling the Haugland/Solberg dorm sign with Nancy and Kelsey

Hanging out on the boat at Lake Metigoshe with Hannah (and Dan, who was driving the boat) on my day off - July 4th

Tim, Ginger, and Christine attacking each other after playing their trio at the staff recital

African drumming ensemble "Batuque" from Winnipeg - Festival of the Arts

Hanging out with Kendall

Some deans on Jeff and Evan's last day at IMC

Teresa and I perfecting the cheesy pose

Ginger and me - Deans in green!

Cory and I are excited to be drinking fabulous Canadian iced capps on our day off!

Teresa, Cory, and me at Student Talent Night

And yes, I was sad to leave Ginger. I miss her already!

So there's the brief update. I had an amazing month at IMC, and I met lots of new friends and caught up with lots of old ones. All in all, it was totally worth it. Now I'm onto my next adventure.

Speaking of which, I'm going to go call Fiona and Sam right now - it's 7:30am in New Zealand and I bet they're up getting ready for work. Cheerio then!

DONE!

Ladies and gentlemen, today was my last official day as an employee of the International Music Camp, summer 2007. I plan to come back next summer, but for now I'm finished and will soon be moving (quite literally) onto bigger and better things! I leave for New Zealand in about 3 1/2 days, which absolutely blows my mind - from the initial idea in October, the application in December, the approval from U of S in January, the acceptance in February, the placement in March, to all the planning through April and May, I am finally almost ready to head out on my kiwi adventure. Amazing!!!!

- Lauren