A bit of business, plus updates from the Hutt!

Hey guys at home. I need a bit of help. I keep trying to pay my Sasktel cell phone bill but every time I try to load the e-bill page it times out (this has happened from a few different cities in NZ now). Is there any way that one of you (mom, dad, Karyn, etc?) could sign in to my account for me and pay my bill with my credit card? I can call you and give you the card info. But yeah, I'm still not home for another 3 weeks and I want to get that sorted before I get home.

Also, if you happened to do the calculations on what I just said there ("I'm still not home for another 3 weeks"), you would notice that I changed my flights coming home to August 10th instead of the 16th. Basically I am having an insane fun time here, but I already did the Kiwi Experience tour of the south island 3 years ago so I'm cutting that part short (just flying to Q-town, bussing to Christchurch, Kaikoura, and back up to Wellington rather than doing the whole west coast again), still doing everything else that I had planned, but coming home nearly a week early. Call me crazy for leaving NZ early, but I just really, really miss Jeff. Also, I definitely like the fact that now I will have almost a week extra of ACTUAL summer holidays with (YAY!) warm weather!!!! Anyway, I changed my flights yesterday and am quite happy about the new plan. I also booked a flight to Queenstown so I will still get the ol' bungy and Canyon Swing adventures in.

Yesterday I took the bus to HVHS to pop a surprise visit on the teachers I worked with 3 years ago. It was so fantastic to see them! I had a good catch up with Katriona and said a quick hello to Gary, but tomorrow I'm going back in in the afternoon to say hi to the Year 12 music class, who were my students when they were in Year 9 (grade 8). I saw a couple of them yesterday, and one of them walked in the room and was like, "Miss Campbell?!" Definitely not expecting to see me, that's for sure. It was great to see her, although the students that I saw yesterday looked so grown up - when I had them they were about 13, and now they're 16, so they've definitely changed. It's so neat to see them again, and I'm really looking forward to the visit to the whole class tomorrow!

Last night we had Fish, Sam, Charlotte, and Richard over for pizza and a movie night of "The Muppet Show" (just like the "good old days"). It was SO good to have everyone together again. We Skyped Jeff (it was his birthday yesterday!) and Charlotte was very enthralled with the computer screen and seeing Jeff there. She kept pointing to it saying "What's that?" and at one point she got really excited when she noticed Sam's face in the little video window. She kept pointing at it and saying "DAD!" when Sam was trying to have a conversation about rugby with Jeff. Pretty funny actually. She's so cute!

Anyway, it's 4:46am here and I technically was just getting up from the couch, where I had fallen asleep hours earlier, and was just heading off to bed. So this has been your middle-of-the-night update from NZ. It's quarter to 11am back home, so if you're reading this, good morning! Hope you had a good sleep. :o)

Picture updates to come. :o)

Road trip time!

In about 15 minutes I will be hitting the road with Fish, Sam, Kirsten, and Richard - we're heading up to Wanganui and Waitomo this weekend to check out the glow worm caves and the "bridge to nowhere." It should be a lot of fun - good times with great people!

It's hard to believe that I only have a couple more weekend left in New Zealand. We're doing Wanganui and Waitomo this weekend, then next weekend I'm planning to go camping with Tommy near Palmerston North, and then after that I have my last weekend in the Hutt to pack my stuff up and say some good-byes! Amazing.

The tattoo is doing well. It's a bit tender at times, but that's to be expected while it's healing. It should be just fine in a couple weeks.

I went to Palmerston North today with Katriona and 2 other teachers, and 17 Year 12 and 13 Art History students to check out the Da Vinci Machines exhibition at Te Manawa. It was super interesting - I was amazed at some of the things Da Vinci invented (the parachute, the life buoy, the double-hulled boat, a spring-powered car, the jack, etc.).... it was a really neat exhibition, and mind-boggling to think how far ahead of his time Da Vinci really was.

Must run - time to start road trippin'!!!! Cheers everyone!

Cowboy hats, beautiful beaches, and dead sharks... who could ask for anything more?

Here are just a couple photographic highlights of my weekend. It has been a great weekend - hoedown party at Liz's place on Friday, Castlepoint with Grace, Fi, Sam, Richard, and Kirsten on Saturday, movie night with Grace and Aidyn last night, and then a productive Sunday (today). So far I've cleaned my room, done laundry, finished and e-mailed my Week 8 reflection to my Global Student Teaching supervisor, re-booked my flights to Australia and Vancouver for November, and now I'm updating the blog. Will do some lesson planning today as well. But for now, here are the pictures (oh, and if you somehow missed my massive post from yesterday, do check that one out too! Tons of pictures!)!:

Julia, Jude and I sporting our fabulously sparkly and matching cowboy hats at Liz's hoedown party. The matching freckles are courtesy of Julia and her eyeliner pencil.

The view of the lighthouse in the distance at Castlepoint

Me and Grace at Castlepoint

This rock was HEAVY!

Nice view of the water on a beach at Castlepoint

Yeah, that's a dead shark. Don't worry, I washed my hands. Haha. EWW.

Another section of the beach at Castlepoint

3 weeks down, 11 to go!

My 3rd week of teaching at HVHS has been a growth experience for me. I had a mini-meltdown on Thursday when I was feeling particularly overwhelmed with lesson planning, adjusting to a new culture, climate, new geographical surroundings, being away from my friends and family, etc. and I let it all out through my eyeballs. My co-op teacher was fantastically supportive and understanding, and my little cry lasted only about 5 minutes. I took a breath of fresh air outside, then went in to teach my next lesson on Louis Armstrong and "West End Blues" (what a great tune!). It went really well, and I think I just needed to have that little moment of overwhelmth (which isn't a word but I will choose to use it anyway). So, all is still well with the Kiwinadian in Lower Hutt!

I finally met Grace on Friday night! We had SO much fun in Wellington - we met at the train station, and walked to a restaurant called Calzone for lattes and garlic bread (mmm!), and her friend Brett met us there. We then walked to a karaoke bar called Club K, and Grace and I busted out an amazing duet of "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" by Culture Club, complete with fabulous dance moves during every instrumental break. The audience was getting a kick out of us too, which made it even more fun. Then we went to a dance club called The Establishment, which we quickly learned was more geared towards 30-somethings, so we didn't stay long. We ended the night at Subway restaurant, where Sam met us for a visit and then drove me back to the Hutt. All in all it was a fabulous night! Grace and I are planning on meeting up in Wellington every Tuesday now, as I will be there anyway for WYC rehearsal. Yay! :o)

Thanks to mom and dad for the card - I got it in the mail a few days ago. Karyn, I still haven't received your package, but I'm super excited! I didn't realize how much I would miss my headbands until I forgot to pack even one of them. Haha. I also have received a card from Bronwyn, so I am feeling loved here in NZ. :o) It's so nice to get mail! I promise if anyone writes to me, I will write back! Promise, promise!

So now I will post some more pics of our weekend in Ohakune and Mt. Ruapehu - you can click on any of them to view full-size. Sam and Cassie have also posted some pics, and they are linked on the right-hand side of my blog if you'd like to check it out.

(This one was too funny NOT to post. I bought these purple pants when I first got here because I was always cold, but they're quite long on me. So we were outside looking at Mt. Ruapehu from our hotel in Ohakune, and the grass was wet. I needed to lift my pant legs up, but instead of using 2 hands, I just pulled them both up with 1 hand. Sam snapped a picture. I realize that it looks like I'm grabbing my crotch. I am also making a stupid face and eating a piece of toast, just to top it all off. Oh well, you can't win 'em all.)

(This was in Waiouru, on the way to Ohakune - I am quite proud of the fact that Sam and I managed to pack his tiny 2-seater Miata convertable so efficiently! I am also looking quite tired, as I had just woken up from an hour-long nap about 5 minutes before this pic was taken.)

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

(Waitonga Falls walk)

(Mt. Ruapehu)

(Mt. Ruapehu from Ohakune)

(Believe it or not, I'm actually HAPPY about winter in July!)

(On the way back down the chairlift)

(Beautiful sunrise in Ohakune)

(Ohakune sunset - this one reminds me of one of Bobby's paintings or something! Beautiful.)

(The stream at the base of Waitonga Falls)

(Tahurangi from Turoa)

(This one's for Karyn - here's the completed engagement proposal in the snow!..... SHE SAID YES!)

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)

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!)

Why not?

This post serves only the purpose of informing Sam that, yes, they do indeed say "Why not Minot?" in Minot, North Dakota. Who knew?

- Lauren :o)

My first kiwi phone call

I talked to Fiona and Sam last night for the first time over the phone! It was great to talk to them, and to hear that fabulous kiwi accent (which only served to get me even more excited to venture on over to New Zealand in a month and a half). When I called at 6:30pm Saskatchewan time it was 12:30pm on Saturday there, and Sam was just on his way out to see Fiona play netball. It's funny how many differences I noticed, even before Sam picked up the phone - like the sound of the phone ringing, for example. It's a totally different pitch, timbre, length, etc. than it is in North America. Then when he picked up the phone and said "hello?" in his kiwi accent (that isn't noticeable to them at all), I just about stumbled over my words because I was so surprised to hear such a heavy accent! Hahahaha. I will get used to it in no time, and I'm sure I will even pick up some of the inflections and definitely some of the slang while I'm there. I called back again at 8:30pm Saskatchewan time, and Fiona was home so I got to talk to both of them at the same time. The funny thing about actually hearing their voices over the phone, I've determined, is that when I read their blogs or e-mails that they've sent me and stuff like that, I automatically read it in my head in a Canadian "accent." I'm going to have to start reading everything in a kiwi accent to get myself prepared! Hahaha. I've already forewarned them that I will be attempting to imitate their accent, just to see if I can do it. :op

My parents changed our long distance plan at the condo to one that allows us to call New Zealand for something crazy like 6 cents a minute or something, so I figured I had better take advantage of that. 1 hour and 15 minutes later, I found myself wondering if this plan is, in fact, as cheap as I remembered. Here's to hoping that it is. I suppose my parents will find out when the phone bill is sent to them in PA! Hahahaha, sorry mom and dad! Oh well, it was worth it to get to talk to my fabulous new kiwi friends!

I'm so excited for everything that's coming up in my near future - IMC, New Zealand.... it's all going to be great! My mind is going in a million directions right now though, getting everything ready and set to go. There's a lot to make sure is in place before I head off, but the to-do list is getting shorter by the day so that's reassuring!

Last night after I got off the phone with Fiona and Sam, Quenton came over unannounced, wanting to see me considering I had just gotten home after 3 weeks in Yorkton. I was fully intending to have a quiet night alone with my thoughts, but he showed up and so we went for a walk and I spilled everything that I was (and am) feeling. To make a long story short, I really care for him deeply, but I'm finding that it's on more of a friends level than anything. I know that he feels differently about me, and it was getting increasingly more serious on his part while getting increasingly less serious in a romantic sense on my part. And especially considering that we've only been seeing each other for just over a month (and I was in Yorkton for 3 weeks of it), I figured that if he was getting too attached this fast, it's in both of our best interests to call it off sooner vs. later. When I met him I was not intending to get into anything before I went to IMC and New Zealand, but I thought I would give it a chance. As it turns out, I'm not ready for a relationship at all right now - I just got out of one that lasted nearly 3 years, and I think what it comes down to is that I need time to be selfish, to focus on my professional life, to be free from any sort of romantic relationship until I'm truly ready for it. I feel much better about the fact that we talked about it and that I did what I needed to do, but I feel awful knowing that I hurt him. He was, and still is, one of the most amazing people I've ever met in my whole life, and because of that I hope that we can still have a relationship, just on a different level. The ball is in his court now - I'm ready to start building a friendship whenever he is.

And there's the update for now. Cheers.

- Lauren