2 nights in a row!?!

I went bowling with my floor on Wednesday night, all 21 of us! It was so much fun! They turned off the lights and had glow-bowling, with fog machines and glowy things and music! Bowling's never been so fun! (it was my first glow bowl...)
Last night I went again with some of my RA friends, it was M's bday. It was fun, but I bowled horribly, probably because my wrist still hurt from Weds, /sigh, definitely not as exciting as glowy bowling though!

Plug inc....
If you like country music and would like to help out an upcoming band, Kane, there is a poll where they are trying to get booked with Brooks and dunn. You can vote for it HERE (the names are in alphabetical order) and you can click to listen to one of their songs,
Sweet Carolina Rain
I originally found out about them early last year. Christian Kane, the lead singer, played Lindsey on Angel and when I heard him sing again (while watching Season 3 on CD) I looked him up. Glad to see they've been doing well for themselves.

I'm working 8-12 today in the computer lab and then I am FREE! Spring Break's here baby!
/jump /bounce /cheer /happy
I'm looking forward to a full week of nothingness - minus Monday noon to Tuesday noon, when I am on duty for Tamarack, Linden, and Birch :/ not looking forward to that. Lots of mail, rounds (22 floors) and being on duty. But! $$$$ is a plus.

Still trying to figure out what I will be doing this summer.
Options:
1. Stay here and be a summer RA -
POSITIVE - have room payed for and get some money for working at front desk 20 hours a week, $8 an hour.
NEGATIVE - be stuck in unairconditioned dorms, have to stay here the ENTIRE summer, not travel or going home.

2. Stay here and work in computer lab -
POSITIVE - not stuck here ENTIRE summer, $8 per hour for 20-30 hours per week, live off campus? or on? = option.
NEGATIVE - have to pay for room, I'd be pretty broke.

3. Go home (TX) for the summer -
POSITIVE - get to see family, friends and critters all summer.
NEGATIVE - hot, hotter and hellishly hot = miserable Aspen, no $, no travel.

4. Go home for part of the summer, and work here in computer lab for other part (living ?) -
POSITIVE - get to see family, friends and critters, get to make a little money, doesn't involve an entire summer of hellish hotness.
NEGATIVE - boring, same old as last few summers, hottness (for a bit).

/sigh
I desperately want to go to Colorado and I can't see a way to afford it. I feel like I need to go to finish what I started last year. It doesn't make sense, not after the huge adventures I had in Aus and NZ, but it's how I feel. I'm not regretting my choice to come to BSU, honest Aya :) But I was totally psyched to be going last Spring Break, it's been 7 or 8 years since I've been there and I miss it. While I was growing up, we went to Colorado every other year (on average) and I always felt... at home. I've never lived there, but my heart is in the mountains I guess. If that makes sense. It's like listening to JD's music, but better. His music makes me sad sometimes because it brings back memories of the mountains and then I miss them even more.
But dude, I saw loads of mountains in NZ... But it isn't the same....
/boggle
Maybe it's the way things wound up last year. I had to abandon my mission, my long awaited return to the Rockies...
hmmmm
Maybe I'm going crazy, slowly but surely.
Maybe I'm just a horribly selfish person.
D all of the above?

So I'm sitting there watching the Matrix...

When a resident (art major) looks over at me and says,
"Aspen! You know you have a Raphael Madonna's face don't you?! You know that, right? Serene and cherub-like. Hold on, I've got a picture!" He ran off to get one of his art books and when he came back the other 7 people in the room, staring at me and then back at the book, concurred... except I 'have eyebrows'.... uhhh huh... and he informed me that I would be sitting for him in the next couple of weeks. He has to do some junior/senior art thingy where he has to draw a Madonna... I dunno I was still stuck on the being embarassed at having 8 people staring at me.
That was a new one.
Apparently I was looking very serene and peaceful while watching Keanu kick a little arse ;)

The Easter Bunny vs St. Patrick

M draws weekly pictures for the front desk and this is this weeks:


When I feel inspired enough I write poems to go with them:

Easter Bunny vs. St. Patrick

St. Patrick thought it funny
To pull the ears
Of the Easter Bunny.

One day the hare said,
Alright! That's enough!
One more time & you're dead!

Now Patty failed to listen.
So the Easter Bunny proceeded
To teach the imp a lesson!

You don't say...

You are Carol Anne, from "Poltergeist."
Bad luck just seems to follow you.


Which Horror Movie Character Are You? (Many Options)
brought to you by Quizilla

Li> My #1 result for the SelectSmart.com selector, Which Disney Movie Character are You?, is Snow White

Apparently, I'd be most likely to marry Rick O'Connell (The Mummy) and we would have a 76% chance of our marriage lasting.

Oh... and my favourite:

Which Hypocritical Hero character are you? By Nna

Yes... I was that bored.... but hey so were the people who come up with the tests :)

Did I do that?

So the rest of Friday pretty much sucked. Misc blah-ness, bummy-ness, etc.
A funny mishap in Walmart with 3 Brits and an American friend (A, but not Aya). We went to Walmart and got separated, as you do. We ran into each other a few times, no problems. 2 Brits were off on their own, 1 with A and me. A and I were helping him pick out some new 'trousers' and we left our cart for .... maybe five minutes. We returned to find it gone. We thought the other two guys were pranking us... but no... an employee had returned the cart to customer service, our goods had been divided, some returned, and the last package of the good biscuits - the ones I was purchasing for my children - busted open! /sigh So... we went shopping again for our goods. When we had finished we went searching for our other two Brits.... and couldn't find them. We looked for 30-45 mins, dividing and conquering the store, out at the car, pondered them catching a ride back with someone else, and yes... we paged them... (most motherly thing I've ever done)... and still no show. So, we opted for one more divide-and conquer... and woot! finally :) but yeesh... there for over 2 hours :P
Fast forwards 20 mins...
We get home, bust out our Nerf guns for a little fun and mine doesn't work :(
Hop back in the car, back to Walmart to exchange, 30 mins later return to dorm and shoot it up.
It's not like it was the worst day of my life, just one where a bunch of little things kept happeneing and add to that sadness about gradaddy and you have a crappy day.
Yesterday, I slept late (felt good) shopped a bit, watched Cursed and uhmm... hehe yeah well it was interesting.
Last night I went with D, C, and R to Green Mill and tried a few interesting drinks... Amaretto Sour, Bahama Mama and something called... I hate to even type it.... a Duck Fart.... /boggle. More drinks than I've ever had in one sitting, especially when you consider I almost never drink.... I liked the Amaretto Sour and the Bahama Mamma, but not so much the DF.
Today... might read something... gonna just lay about and be a bum most likely... still have all of the 5th season of Angel to watch ;) Unless Aya wants to hang out...

New Thought!

My Scooby Doo collection is crazy - out of control - awesome - huge! I couldn't possibly see getting anymore SD stuff.
I've told everyone to not get me SD stuff and now some are at a loss as to what to get me now.
/evil grin
New thought.
Who's furry, cute, TALL, like a giant teddy bear? --- Chewy!
I have an old stuffed Chewy, a 'life' size cut-out, a christmas ornament... but that's all.
I love Chewbacca! I was looking on Ebay at all the cool stuff they have in his likeness and wowsers :) So, my decision is this - my new obsession is Chewbacca!
One day I will meet Peter Mayhew, the man behind the wookie. He lives in Texas, not far from where I used to live... and at 7'3" you'd think he'd stand out in a crowd... ;)

Nope, not crazy... not yet...

I was showing a high school teacher how to blog :) She's wanting to use it in her high school classes. Exciting!

Let's see... What have I been up to?
*Halo
*Texas Hold 'Em - I've been watching it for over a year on Bravo and I got my first chance to play (not for money, though we did have chips) this past Wednesday with some of my RA friends.
*Angel - Just finished watching the 4th season, though I still have the extras to watch, and I bought the 5th season yesterday - my Angel collection is complete! Still need to grab the 7th season Buffy to complete my ENTIRE collection! :) /bounce
*School
*Work - Computer Lab and Cultural Assistant where I am working on the OBLC webpage
*Sleep? I think.
*Remembering and Missing - It's been almost a year now... I've found myself thinking about my grandaddy JB and getting all teary-eyed and I realised this morning it's been almost a year now. I also feel guilty about not going home this Spring Break to see my Granadmothers. I'm being selfish in staying up here, wanting to relax for a week and not have to worry about travel. I'm remembering what happened last year when I was travelling. I met a girl the other day from Miles City, Montana - where I was when I found out about my first gradaddy and had to turn back. All the old daggers are back and stinging as bad as ever. Fresh pains from grandaddy Lou... BAH! Annoying grief.

Teaching a Teacher

I am using this to show blablabla


Google is a great tool.

The Darkness

I've been a busy beaver.
Went to my first (ever) hockey game last Sat. night but could only stay for the first period. I'd seen clips of hockey games on TV, but I'd never seen an entire game - so I don't fully understand all the rules - and I had certainly never seen a live game. Unfortunately, this was the last home game of the year. I really enjoyed the one period I was able to see and I plan on seeing many more... next season!
I left the hocky game early to go celebrate a friend's birthday. We went to the GM and K&C and had loads of fun. I love the people I hang out with and the one's I can call friends... well they make me happier than I can describe. I'm such a lucky person and I don't ever want to lose that knowledge.

My dorm had an Oscar party on Sunday night. I won a prize for trivia (What was the name of the VW in The Love Bug)! and one for getting a certain number of predictions right on who would win at the awards show. Both prizes were water guns and well... I had to test them out... right?! One of my residents and I went over to 2A and ambushed one of our 'honorary' floor members. Unfortunately, his floor is big on the "nerf wars" so before I knew what happened we were being nerfed. We called a truce... well.. yeah like those last. Next thing I know the RA on 2A is 'super soaking' us! It was hilarious and loads of fun :)

We had a 2-room halo competition going last night and D was passing through, got him to join in. Fresh meat! I was actually able to kill him a few times... but he was catching on quick.

No snow.
I wish it would snow.
Maybe it will snow tonight.

Oh! D directed me to THIS found HERE.
LONG LIVE THE DEATH-TICKLE! and the Giant Hurt Ball!
hehehehehehehe!

hmmmm....
I think that's enough rambling for now :)
Toodles!

Well there you go...

I should have known...
I received an email from my dad today giving me the name of my mystery plant. It is a schefflera, aka umbrella plant. Apparently they grow to be giant trees. In the Amazon their bark is used to paint on, like paper or birch bark.
The crazy thing is I bought mine for $15 at Target and now that I'm looking online they range from $33 - $ 200.
MADNESS!
Think I'll swing by our Home Depot and see if they have any :)

Went to K&C last night to watch E, M's son. M's husband, who works in the records office, told me he just completed the last of my paperwork - it's official - I am graduated. I have graduated from college. I am a college graduate. My diploma is on the way.
!!!!!!!!!!!!
We got there at 9 and the guys started playing around 9:30. It was great for the first hour, then the place started filling up. E & his friends play a wide variety of music and I've heard some songs from him that I love! but had never heard previously. Once the place started filling up it was hard to hear the music and somebody was bugging me for most of the night. M & her friends helped out though... funny story.
Anywho... I had a good time, left around midnight and came back to watch X2 with a couple English guys :)

Any horticulturists out there?

I'm desperate to find out what kind of plant this is:



I left my plant with... well with someone who tried desperately to take good care of it, but unfortunately they were unable to keep it alive while I was in NZ.

Tic Tac Who

Ok... don't ask me why... just go with it.
If you look to the lower right side of my blog you will see two new links, both to Tic Tac Toe games. One you play with NZ against Aus and the other you play with Aus against NZ. I adapted a Scooby Doo Tic Tac Toe game for my own purposes... just playing around :)
And yes, the games are slightly prejudiced.
I can't imagine why.

Reminders...

I need to put a new link on my blog: Scooby Tic Tac Toe
Follow up with S about letters and summer RA.
Follow up with M about letter.
Friday night - K&C

Tetris is evil.

What's the word I'm looking for...

I'm homesick, but not for “home,” because I AM home. Texas stopped being home at some point in the past year. Now, MN really feels like home to me. I have so many friends here. My school, my work, my life is here. (Granted, my family is spread from Alabama to Nevada...) Aya's family kind of adopted me, so I have a surrogate family here.
When I say I'm feeling homesick, it's because I don't have any other word for it.
I miss New Zealand. I miss the people, the NEW-ness, the EXCITEment, the learning, the sights, the adventures, the freedom. I miss who I got to be in New Zealand; relaxed, open, free.
I was just FREE.

My mom is right. Renee is right. G is right. I have changed.
I still fit in here, but I'm a different piece of the puzzle.

I feel like I'm repeating the same sentiment over and over again. Maybe I hope if I keep rewording it I will find the key or everything will just suddenly make sense.
What a feeling... I am happy here. I love being back with my friends. I am glad to be back in school and have my old routines back. There are new people as well, shaking things up a bit, keeping it interesting. I wasn't really ready to leave this part of my life, because I had finally found my niche, I finally felt like I belonged. At the same time, I was terribly excited to be going to NZ and looking forward to my big adventure. Now the adventure is over... maybe it's that I don't have some big exciting adventure, the giant carrot, dangling in front of me. hmmmmm... There's a thought.

I haven't made a list in HOW long?!

1. DONE
2. DONE
3. DONE
4. CANCELLED
5. Call parking and give them my new license number
6. Register to take last part of Praxis 2
7. DONE
8. DONE
9. Turn in applications for GA positions

If life were a musical...

How much fun would that be?!

I've heard we feel differently when we hear things in the form of music.
Music touches us in a way words cannot.
Granted I don't want people to burst into flame from prolonged singing and dancing, but how much fun would it be if we just occasionally busted out with a little ditty?

Besides... If life were a musical I wouldn't feel so odd when I whip out lines from songs. I'll say something like, "I was blinded by the light..." then I feel compelled to continue with, "Revved up like a duece another runner in the night..." or when someone says, "Different strokes for different folks..." I wait for them to finish with, "And so on and so on and Scooby Dooby Doo..."

And music can reflect occurances in our lives (some may need a bit of tweaking) but for example:
"He was born in the summer of his 27th year
coming home to a place he'd never been before
he left yesterday behind him
you might say he was born again
you might say he found a key for every door ...
now he walks in quiet solitude
with the forests and the streams
seeking grace in every step he takes ...
now his life is full of wonder
but his heart still knows some fear
of a simple thing he cannot comprehend ..."

If my life were a musical I'd want John Denver to write all my songs.

Two sticks, two skis, one hill and me...

And the hill won.

I went skiing for the first time last Friday.
Yeah....
Owie is the first word that comes to mind. I put my skis on and was headed for the lift when I fell the first time. I got on the lift and made it off the lift and forward about 6 feet before I feel the second time. I fell at least three more times on the way down the hill. Let me also mention this was not the bunny hill - I've never had a lesson - I'm a giant klutz. At one point I went end over end, flying down the hill and I remember hearing something in my neck pop (thus the excruciating pain all weekend) and then, on that same fall, I skid down on my bare back - resulting in a red, scratched, scraped, sore back.
The sad thing is the skiing part was fun, but as soon as I lost control and went careening down the hill, knowing I was going to fall - all fun was replaced by a massive sense of terror and fear of breaking every bone in my body.
Miraculously, I didn't break anything - physically, though my pride will never be the same.
I'm still quite sore, but I can move without cringing now, which is a big improvement.
It took me almost an hour to get down the hill. Every time I fell I would have to take off both skis, usually one had fallen off, in order to get back up and then put my skis back on, without sliding down the hill or falling over.
I must say, Aya and D and his friend were all quite patient with me. I really was just going to watch my first time… but Aya talked me into trying it. Ugh… Owie… Sigh… It would have been fun if I could have not fallen so much or been in so much pain after that third fall.

To make matters worse, after I had removed my skis, picked up what dignity I had left, and was walking back to my car I fell and busted my left knee in the parking lot.
/SIGH
Oh, it gets better.
I went home, took a shower, changed, felt human again (despite the sore backside), picked up Aya's cousin, H, and was taking her to Aya's dorm… I stepped out of my car and made it (almost) one step onto the sidewalk when BAM, next thing I know I was laying, yes LAYING, on my backside, on the sidewalk, laughing hysterically. H was laughing as well, trying to pull me up and asking if I was alright - laughing… laughing… laughing…
Insult to injury.

Seriously... Friday was a new record, even for me.

February already?

Seriously... that means I've been back in the US for almost 2 months and that's just mind-boggling.

I am having a traumatic experience at the moment - I finally figured out why my plant has been puking dirt onto my counter every-other-day. Indeed, my plant is innocent. Rather the culprit is of the four-legged, furry kind. Cute when you have it as a pet, but rather creepy when it's running around free in your little box-of-a-room. Yes... a mouse... Hopefully, just ONE mouse. I spoke to my Hall Director/boss about it just now and he said they have the sticky traps at the front desk that I could use. I find those cruel and he agreed. He said if I wanted to invest in a snapper-death-trap that he would come and get the little mouse and dispose of it when uhm.. yeah when the time comes. hehehe He's a good man. I don't think I could do it myself. I'll probably cry when I see it dead anyway. But honestly, I simply cannot live with a mouse. *shivers running up and down my spine at the thought*
I guess I've done well to live in the dorms for 3 full years without any signs of mice before.

On a happier note.... Need a Smile?

Tumbleweeds

Lots of things rolling through my head these days.
*The loss of both of my grandfathers last year.
*Missing New Zealand, especially when I look at my pictures.
*Do I really belong in grad school? (when I'm feeling pressured)
*Will I get a grad assistantship?
*Have the people changed so much or is it me and my perspective?

1. I took the loss of my first grandfather very hard - nightmares and big time grief. When I arrived home after my amazing journey to find my other grandfather had passed away I went into denial mode. It's nice in denial land. Unfortunately, you can only stay there so long. I have been making brief trips back to the real world lately - at odd times - and it sucks.
2. I had the most amazing experience of my life in NZ and I can actually say I wouldn't have done it any differently - there are a few things I would have liked to have done, time permitting, but overall I am very pleased with my experience.
3. Yes. I even had a teacher who reassured me at a stressful time. I have as much right to be here as any other grad student - even if I don't have any teaching experience outside of my student teaching. I will receive my diploma soon, complete the Praxis 2 test sometime in the next couple of months and apply for my licensure. Upon completing the requirements for my licensure I will be qualified to sub in the state of MN = more teaching experience.
4. As for my grad assistantship - I plan to apply in the Education Department, Library, and possibly the English Department. The English Department would rock because I could get actual teaching experience and the Ed Dept would rock because it's my department. The Library would give me an insiders view of how a university library works and I used to volunteer at the public library back in TX.
5. I think maybe it is a combination of people growing over 6 months and the experiences I had and the changes I underwent. I've had several people, including my mom :) tell me how grown up I am now. Apparently, I was in the process of becoming a full-fledged adult still when I left and now I am there. It makes me chuckle. I know I am an adult, have been for several years now. Fortunately, I don't feel like one. Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly capable of being mature and handling adult issues, but I love to laugh and have fun and hang out with my friends. Nothing too shocking there. I'm glad I'm not all serious because what fun would life be then? And what are we here for if we can't enjoy SOME aspects of our life?

I am happy here. I don't want you to think I'm not. MN certainly feels more like home than Texas did. I still miss my family and friends back in Texas, but it just isn't my home anymore. This was a hard and somewhat shocking revalation. It took 26 years of my life, 3 years away at college and 4.5 months in NZ to come to the point where TX wasn't home anymore. Must have been a strong bond :0)

House Concert!

What an amazing experience!
I went to a friends house last night where they were having a 'house concert.' Apparently this is something they have done every year for the past 25 years. Usually they hire a band to play, but this year it was all familiy & friends and WOW. Such talent!
I had a wonderful time. Didn't make it home until after 2am, but it was so worth it.
/happy grin
Lucky and loving family and friends to do that every year - it's a lot of work. And crazy-lucky me to have been invited!
I went in early to help set up chairs and I was able to watch/listen to the performers practice. So really, I got 2 concerts!
I'm going back today to help them pick up the 70 odd chairs, assorted trash, and put their furniture back in place.
I'm invited to the one next year as well! Wahooo! Lucky, lucky me!

I see white

Everywhere I look there are layers upon layers of snow.
I'm not complaining, mind you. I love the flaky, glittery goodness that is snow.
Texas is sorely lacking in the powdery wonder that is snow.

Feeling sniffly and coughy and cold-ish - which I suppose I could blame on the cold weather, but I prefer to assign blame to the germ-spreading unsanitary people of the world!

I have to teach something in the Creative Expressions class I am ta'ing in and I have decided to do a shadow-box. I'm really excited because for my example I am going to do one about my trip to NZ - I have some pebbles, twigs, pictures, etc to put in there and then I'm going to try and compose something witty to write in there, a poem or something - OR! maybe take excerpts from my journal.... ooooooOOoooooOoooh the mind is turning over the possibilities. I love being crafty.

Things to do:

Talk to Financial Aid
Get License Plates
Make new Bulletin Board for Floor
Read for Education Research
Read for Advanced Ed Psych
Choose topic for Ad Ed Psych
3A Crochet Party tonight
Concert at friends tomorrow 4pm
Finish Letter of Application
Get one more Letter of Rec
Get copy of unofficial transcript
Follow up with Morris
Get Diploma

Easily entertained

I say it's one of the many perks of being an only child.
I'm having way too much fun rearranging my blog - even though it seems to be a never ending process this time around.

May have to kidnap Aya to help me figure out a few things though - since she's the all-knowing blog queen and it is her template I am using.

Yes, yes, I know....

I'm working on my blog still.
I acheived quite a bit last weekend, but got tired of working with it. Will try to get it all spiffy by next weekend.

Things are going well here. I seem to be making friends on my floor - was a bit shy to start with, but I'm working on getting out there. 37 new people = a bit intimidating.

First staff meeting tonight and they've started giving out certificates each week - I got one for my 4.0 gpa last semester which was cool. But the one I was really happy about was the Welcome Back one which read: "We missed you and now you know that the saying really is true, 'The children will play when Momma's away.'" I've heard of some of their antics last semester and I'd say that was true :) But it's good to be back and to have them welcome me back so warmly.

/love Linden/Birch staff

To fix...

*figure out what the heck is going on with my dates... always give me problems when I alter my blog template
*suss out which color texts I want where
*make the text a bit bigger - check on home comp
*find a more appealing layout - not just one box to the side - maybe a bar to seperate two
*create fabulous new header

See anything else I need to do? Any suggestions?

I really like the new font, it just needs to be a bit bigger.

And we're back to purple

Can I help it if my favourite colour is purple?
Possibly, but I kind of doubt it.

After at least 8 months of blue I've decided to return to shades of purple.
Much more pleasing to my eyes.

As always, when I update my blog template, I am having some minor technical problems. Hopefully I will figure it out without having to ask Aya for help ;) though she's very generous with her help!

With any luck I'll have it sussed out before the weekend is over!

PS: I love my new Bucky Link!

Darby Conley

Warning plug incoming

(not that I get anything from it - I'm just sharing the Bucky luv)

Who is that masked man?
Well... he's not exactly masked, just behind the scenes.
He's the writer/illustrator/creator of the comic Get Fuzzy.

I love his sense of humor - I love that the comic is about animals (a cat and a dog) - I love the way he portrays the animals - I love the comic!

Bucky: hilarious, rude, slightly crazy, schemer with what I like to call 'cattitude'
Satchel: sweet, loyal, trusting, forgiving, huggable puppy with a good heart
Rob: patient, witty/sassy/cheeky, human 'guardian' of Bucky and Satchel. But why does he put up with Bucky's shenanigans? Does he really love the cat in spite of all his cattitude? Or is it because he knows no one else could ever put up with him?

Put them together and you get the most dysfunctional human-animal household and a lot of laughs.

I love the one-liners and the quotes of Bucky: "Sweet cracker sandwich" etc...

I remember the first Get Fuzzy I ever saw - my dad showed me a clipping from the newspaper back home: Rob tells Satchel to get Bucky. Satchel replies that Bucky won't come - he's just laying there. Rob tells him to pick him up. There's a picture of Bucky laying on his back, legs in the air, claws out - and Satchel replies, "But he's laying pointy side up."
I'm really not doing the comic justice there - but it was funny enough to capture my interest - lots of giggling and whatnot. I went looking and found a site online (see link to right) where I can check it everyday and I do! I love my Get Fuzzy!

I found an interview with Darby Conley which gave me some insight to the man behind the comic.


/steps off her soap box

But seriously, if you like animals (cats and dogs) and funny pop-culture references then I would highly recommend you check out Get Fuzzy.

Different Strokes

For Different Folks... And so on and so on...

Went to see A Series of Unfortunate Events with Aya, D, Holly, and Jer. I liked it and the others really didn't care for it much. I had read the first book so I had some idea of what to expect and was pleased to see the essence of the books captured on film.

Aya's cousin was with us all weekend. She and I got haircuts and then I dyed her hair purple (was already purple, just needed a refresher) and Aya dyed my hair for me (a bit darker brown with some highlights).

I'm finding it a bit difficult to get back into the student mindset - reading lots and taking notes and such. Oh well, I suppose I'll get the hang of it - hopefully sooner rather than later.

Speaking of... Advanced Ed Psych is calling my name.

Good to be home

For I truely see Bemidji as my home. I feel more at home here. This place, these people, the buildings, even the snow welcome me with open arms.

Was so wonderful to see my friends again! I think they missed me almost as much as I missed them and that's a wonderful feeling. Part of me was a little afraid they'd all forgotten me.

It feels slightly different - but very familiar. Hard to explain. I've been welcomed back and I have fit right back in the Res Life family, but there are subtle changes - hard to pin-point. That's the way life goes - people change all the time and we just notice it more when we haven't seen them in a while.

In any case, WAHOOOOOOO! I'm home!

Safe & Sound

We made it up to MN without any problems - the roads were mostly clear.
I spent the first night in Aya's room, didn't want to have to move all my stuff around to find sheets for my bed so I just made do in her room :) Was fun!
Moved all my stuff into my room today - it's bigger than what I was expecting = a VERY good thing - I was terrified it would be a little box. It's actually not much smaller than my old room.

Saw White Noise tonight - semi-freaky towards the end.
There are still a bunch of movies I want to see. I'm working on it though :) And Aya says she'll go see Series of Unfortunate Events with me!
Woot Woot

Gonna put together my new lamp - had to buy one because this room only has one light and it was crazy-dark.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

List time

I have so much to do before I leave and another list of things to do when I get there.

I'm feeling a bit stressed. I'm also at the point I reach before every trip - where I'm ready for it to be over. I don't relish long drives (even with pretty new cars) or long plane rides. But, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Besides, once I am there have settled in it'll be all good :)

I feel really bad because I haven't found time to see my grandmother in East Texas. With everything that happened here and packing and whatnot I simply won't have time :( I promised her though... I must be a sucky grandchild. I have to call her today and tell her I won't make it out to see her. /sigh

Rainy weather the past couple of days has not helped my energy level. All I want to do is curl up in my bed with a kitty or two and pass out. Must say I did do it for a bit yesterday and it felt really good.

Added to my stress and guilt is a sense of loss (grandaddy) and to top it all off a sense of... home-sickness? for lack of a better term. I miss NZ. I miss the people, I miss the atmosphere, the landscapes, the adventures I had. It already feels like a fading dream. Certainly a dream come true for me. Now it is over I feel as if a hole has developed in my heart (another one). I gained all these memories, experiences, etc, but now they've passed and another chapter in my life is ended. It's sort of like grief but on a different level. Hard to explain. I've adjusted back to my home life and soon will have to adjust back to my school life. It makes the past 4 1/2 months seem like this dream vacation and I have to stop occasionaly and remind myself it really did happen.

Hmm...
It really did happen, and I have the pictures and journal to prove it!

Gently breaking it in...

...before the long trek up north on Wednesday.
Yep, I still love my new car! :)

I've spent the past few days hanging out with family and I've started packing up my stuff. I really dislike packing - for any reason. The only thing I like less is unpacking after an awesome trip. Thus the state of chaos which surrounds my room... literally, it's spilling out into the hall.

You never know what you might find on The Onion. I discovered this site when I was in Mass Media in Society. I check it from time to time, but this is typical Onion.

Renee, I hope you are happier now... less stressed. I'd like to see you when I get back up north.

I lost the battle but won the prize

I was just going back through some of my previous posts... found one from March 31st, after my other Grandfather passed away:

I've been lying in bed thinking about grief. It's an odd thing, extremely painful and yet you can't touch it or even point it out. There's no miracle pill to get rid of the pain, no limb to chop off, there's nothing inside of you they can cut out. It's buried deep inside of you, somewhere around the heart-lungs-throat region. In my experience (17 years) it never goes away fully - it's like a chronic scab - it heals over partially, but if it gets bumped hard enough it flows again. An intangible wound. I don't know if that makes sense, but it's the best I can do at 1:20 am.

Yup. That pretty much sums it up.

In other news....
Dad and I had been going round and round about me and my vehicle. He wasn't happy with my Escort, even though I've had it for 8 years and 3 of those have been up north. He wanted something with more room for my long legs, something I didn't hit my head on, something big enough for me, something with 4 wheel-drive for the weather up there... He even threatened to sell my Escort (since it's in his name) before I got back and get me something of his choosing - eek! So I finally said we'd see when I got home... well anywho.. he won the arguement. But I must say, I won the pretty new car! /beam
It's a 2004 Honda Element... and it's ORANGE! hehehe
It's so purrrrrty.





If nothing else it has distracted me from other less desirable things.

Christmas wasn't as bad as I was thinking. Had Friday dinner with my Aunt and Uncle and on Saturday I had Christmas lunch with my Mom's family.
No tears. Just a little sadness in the air - on both sides.

It'll be 2005 in a couple of days. Strange to think. What happened to this year? So much has happened, yet I can't imagine it's over with.
Talk about life being a rollercoaster! This year has been so unpredictable - both good and bad.

Anywho, wishing you all a very Happy New Year.
For my Minnesotan friends - I'll be up there on or by the 8th of Jan. See ya then!

*Hugs*

Not Again

I arrived back in Texas on Sunday night to the news that my Grandaddy had passed away on Saturday night.
Rough re-introduction to the real world.
The service was on Monday afternoon. Short and sweet but rough none-the-less.

In other news...
It feels strange to be home, as I knew it would. Perhaps even more so because of the unexpected shock I received upon my arrival.

This is going to be a really rough Christmas. I've lost both of my Grandfathers this year and my two cousins and their families who have moved away aren't coming back to Texas for Christmas... so my family is shrinking. Anywhoooo.

Looking forward to going back to MN - heading out around Jan 5th or so. Still need to make travel plans.

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.

Very strange indeed...

To be back in the States (or as my Mom says; 'State-side').
At first glance it was very strange to see people in the 'correct' drivers seat again :) And unfortunately I find American accents a bit abbrasive (for lack of a better descriptive word) after 4 1/2 months of the lovely lilting Kiwi accents and assorted English, Scottish, Irish and Aussie accents I've been around.

Left Wellington yesterday (today) at 4:30pm and flew to Auckland (1 hour)
Left Auckland yesterday (today) at 7:30pm and flew to L.A. (12 hours)
Saw the Holywood sign =0)
Waiting here in LAX for my flight, after much hub-a-loo through customs, luggage, and security, but they gotta do what they gotta do.
At this point I AM looking forward to getting home - getting over with all of the travelling and giving the parents big hugs!

Ugh, but am I really back?
Strannnnnnge feeling. Maybe it'll settle once I'm actually back home, in the house and town I grew up in, with my family and! my critters! I need some Jakey luvin! *grins at the thought of snuggling with her puppy tonight)!!! Not nearly enough dog luvin over the past 4 1/2 months, though Anne's kitty was a sweety.

I'll arrive in Texas just under 2 hours after I left Wellington - though I left yesterday... and yesterday is today... hehehe I'm a time traveller!

Sorry for random thought spillage - can you tell I'm bored? And quite happy to have internet access again, after over a week? /addicted
Oh! I decided last night - er Saturday afternoon to buy a lotto ticket, well a couple actually, since I hadn't bought any yet. Well I won $36 bucks! Hehehe what are the chances? I bought myself a 2 disc CD set of CHRISTMAS music, listening to it now, getting the MooooOoOooooood!

Annnnd! What are the chances of this?! I ran into a girl I know from school in MN! at the Auckland airport and we were even on the same flight. She had been just two hours north-east of where I was doing her student teaching. We talked for a bit before boarding about our experiences and exchanged email addys so we can talk more :)

This morning one of my students - who was also a neighbor - came to say goodbye. I had taken him to Te Papa - the national museum on Thursday and then to see the seals at Cape Palliser and the lighthouse there on Friday. He got a big kick out of me and my slight apprehension of being so high up... *cough* anywho... today he brought me a little fishey key chain he painted and a stuffed snowman because I'm going back to snow - something he hasn't seen much of in northern NZ. When you squeeze it's hand it plays It's A Small World - rather fitting I think.

Jer, if I don't call you on Monday, don't take it personally? Might spend it out with Mom - she needs an Aspen-fix :) And I could do with a Mom-fix ;) I'll try to call you Monday evening :) Glad to see you got a room on Aya's floor!

Ok think that's enough for now. Good waste of 35 mins in surfing net and typing!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Denial

Denial (n) A refusal to accept or believe something.
Yep.
That pretty much sums it up. I refuse to count my remaining days. I'm going to enjoy every second of my remaining time and I don't want to spend it frowning about having to leave. Besides! It's almost Christmas and I'll be with my family (well most of them) soon!

I finished my one-week-whirlwind-tour of the North Island. I rented a car and drove over to Napier and Cape Kidnappers and visited the Gannet Colony. Funny little birds! Their take-offs crack me up! They spread their wings, shake their tail feathers (literally), hop to or three times and then they're off. It's hilarious! As Cole put it: "They do the macarena."

I went through Taupo - saw the giant crater-lake, formed a long time ago when a volcano went *KABOOM* a long, long time ago. Big honkin lake with some islands and a backdrop of beautiful mountains and another volcano - Ruapehu. Drove around it and it was steaming on one side. Don't know how people can live near those things - they're creepy.

Spent a couple of days in Rotorua - well known for it's Maori culture and Geothermal activity. Their city park - in the middle of town - has mud pools and steaming ponds. Uhm yeah... seemed very strange to me, but they live with it everyday. Walked through the park and went to a couple of hotspots outside town, checked out some of the local lakes, took the gondola up one of the mountains, and went to a Maroi concert and hangi feast (where they cook the food in the ground) YUM!

Drove up north a bit to Whakatane and over to Tauranga and down to Matamata where I checked out Hobbiton. I hadn't done anything specifically related to LOTR and I've been here almost 4 1/2 months :) I figured I should do something LOTR-y before I left. It was kind of neat. New Line rented this section of farm land from 3 brothers and their father who are sheep ranchers. The studio promised to return the land to it's natural condition and after filming they started tearing down the set. Weather turned icky and they told the brothers they'd be back in 6 months to finish. During that time people started stopping by asking to see it and I guess the familiy saw dollar signs - contacted the studio - and made arrangements. So what you see isn't the full set, but the lake and the party tree and the field are there - MASSIVE old oak tree, probably 120 years old, and I have a picture of me hugging it so you can see how big it is. Bilbo/Frodo's home is still there and so is Sam's first house - along with several other hobbit holes. Was funny to see the sheepies running around Hobbiton - Hobbiton's newest inhabitants!

I drove over to the west coast and saw Mt. Taranaki - CRAZY mountain! Sharp peak - just zooms right out of the land. Hard to describe, but very cool.

Had fun, even if it was a quick trip :)

DOLPHINS

Yup!
I did it, number 2 on my list-of-things-to-do-before-I-die!
I swam with dolphins!
Dusky dolphins here in Kaikoura.
Cold water - 12ft + swells - little sea sickness, but I did get in the water and swim with them :) And managed not to get sick *cough* thank goodness!
No pictures from being in the water with them - too murky - darn storms. Had opportunity to take pictures from the boat though. I'll try to find time to post some dolphin jumping pics - if any come out - so hard with the swell and they're so fast!
But I did it!
/bounces around for joy

Weather turned icky again - cold rainy windy.
Going back to watch the third LOTR - watched the first two - one each of the last two nights. It's such a different experience now - having seen some of the sites where they filmed and even seeing landscape so similar to those in the film. Looking at the movie through a new set of eyes.

I'm sorry, try again...

I made it into the 8:30am swim today and then when I called they said they were cancelling all swims today because of the swells.
I was put back on the waiting list and I was just scheduled for a 12:30pm swim tomorrow... keeping my toes crossed.

I spent about 2 1/2 hours this morning posting pictures to My Photo Blog so I hope you enjoy those - there's lots of 'em.

Spent some time on the beach earlier, but there's a pretty cold wind coming off the ocean so I only stayed out about an hour. Also spent some time out at the seal colony - they had a baby too :) not as small as the one I saw at Cape Foulwind - but a baby still.

Mostly well finally....

Talked on the phone to a cousin yesterday =) and Mary K today =)

One and a half days left in Kaikoura... can you hear the clock? *Tick Tock Tick Tock*

I'm Back!

Back in Kaikoura - love of my life! Well... you know :)

I missed out on Mt. Cook - opted for the West Coast route and saw the glaciers and pancake/blow hole rocks.

I saw both Fox and Franz Josef glaciers - kinda neat. Wasn't swooning over them or anything though.

Spent last night in Nelson and drove into Kaikoura today. Feels good to be back. Staying at same place as last time and guy remembered me and stuff :) Was nice.
I swear the rain is following me though - been nothing but rain, especially the last week - and here in Kaikoura I just got poored on. Hoping it lets up tomorrow - wanna hang out at the beach!
I'm on the waiting list for swimming with the dolphins - REALLY hope I get in on that. If not I could still do it up north.

Feeling much better, just a residual cough - slightly annoying.

Getting excited about Christmas with the family and going back to MN - seeing friends again. Can't beleive I'm leaving the South Island in 3 days - doesn't seem possible. And leaving NZ in two weeks... we won't even go there.

Hmmm.. thought I'd have more to say. Nothing too exciting has happened though - just lots of driving.
Oh! I finally got to see a KIWI! The feathered kind! I spent night before last in Hokitika and they have a little aquarium-zoo-type thing. It was dark, as they're nocturnal - but I did get to see not one, but two kiwis! Very exciting. Unfortunately, the tuatara was in hiding. Also a LOVELY view of the Tasman Sea - gorgeous - from a restraunt there.

LOL oh I stopped at Cape Foulwind - aptly named - Seal Colony there. Needless to say, somebody had a good sense of humor - cute furry critters, but you can smell 'em, that's for sure! And they had BABIES! One that was JUST born - you could tell - it was still wobbly and stuff and not much bigger than a sea gull.

LOADS of pictures to upload and I'm at this awesome internet place in Kaikoura - same place I uploaded whale and dolphin pics - so I'll try to get some more pictures posted in the next day or two - have to go check on my position on waiting list for swimming with the fishies!

/keeping my toes crossed



For my benefit!
Just in case!

Moving on UP

Yesterday I left Te Anau - stopping by the wildlife sanctuary just outside of town. It only has birds, but it has some very cool - very Kiwi - very rare birds. For example, the Takahe - there are only about 200 left in the world. They also had Kea and Kaka and other pretty - colourful birdies.

Drove up to Queenstown - very Aspen-like (Aspen, Colorado that is). It's a ski-town, located in the mountains. However, Queenstown has had quite a bit of room to spread - around a lake - a few differences from Aspen. But it was a very busy little town, good feeling, pretty scenery. Also, home to the Lord of the Rings Shop.

Never been skiing... odd? A girl with the same name as one of the most well-known ski resorts in the --- world... might have something to do with my extreme klutzyness and aversion to pain and broken limbs.

Uhm back on track... lessee...
Oh yes. Spent the night in QT and then headed up to Glenorchy - drove around into Asipring National Park - towards Paradise - yes it's a name of a place - and the woods were mossy and green and gorgeous - very elfy. As in Lothlorien elfy - where they filmed part of Lothlorien!
The mountains around there are in the opening shots of the first two movies.

I took my first jet-boat ride up the river. AWESOME! Twisty - Swirley - Coldy - Rainy - but FUN FUN FUN! Also saw where they set up and filmed Isengard - right next to the river.
Took a couple of short tramps through the woods - good to make you extra cold and wet, what with the mountain rains. But really, honestly LOTS of fun. Very glad I did it. Was lucky too - group of only 6 of us and the driver - not the usual 14.

In Wanaka, another pretty little town, nestled in the mountains, wrapped around a lake. Nice little drive, LOTS of photo-ops - which you KNOW I took advantage of.

Spending the night here and then heading up north... somewhere... wherever I feel like!

/likes being an independent woman who can change her mind whenever she darn well pleases!

I know I would like to see Mt. Cook - New Zealand's tallest mountain. And my final destination before flying back up north is Kaikoura - again ;)
But we'll see which way I take to get there :)

Good News!

1. I have a job! I just found out I will be the new Open Borders Cultural Assistant. Sounds important, eh? Basically, Open Borders is a new program - just opened this year - where one floor of one hall is devoted to international students. The floor houses both international and American students - as room-mates. They learn about each other's cultures and countries. My position involves helping people to adjust to their new environment, a bit of programming (planning fun activities), and possibly a bit of web design. I'm REALLY EXCITED to be returning to my RA family!

2. I just received my grade in Standards of Effective Practice - the class where I've been writing papers related to what I've learne during my student teaching - and I got an A.

3. Dare I say it? I'm feeling a bit better today!

4. DOLPHINS! Bottle-nose to be exact, about 20 of them in Doubtful Sound. The trip was good, different from the Milford one. For Milford they drive you two hours, with a few sight-seeing stops, over a mountain pass to the boat and then you go for a cruise. The Doubtful Sound trip you start on a boat - get a tour as you cross Lake Manapouri. When you get to the other side they take you 2000 metres beneath a mountain for a look at the Manapouri Power Station. Then you go an hour over a mountain pass to another boat and this is the one which you cruise on through Doubtful Sounds. Doubtful Sounds is much bigger than Milford - so you can't see the entire thing - and it was really rainy and windy and the water was choppy so they didn't take us all the way out to the Tasman Sea this time - but we got to see it. We also saw some Fiordland Crested Penguins (same as I saw in Milford - the rarest penguins in the world) and my love of loves DOLPHINS! They were so much bigger than the Dusky one's I saw up in Kaikoura. The skipper started the boat and ran for about 30 seconds then stopped and the dolphins road the waves - jumping all around! AMAZING - I got one ok pic and one that could have been great if I had pointed the camera a bit to the left! DARN! I'm debating which is harder - taking pictures of bouncing kangaroos as you drift silently through the air in a hot air balloon - or - taking pictures of leaping dolphins as you bounce about the water in a boat.

Unbelievable

I really wish I was a poet or a great writer or something - so that I could wow you with words, to share with you the unbelievable beauty of Milford Sound.
I went on the Milford Wanderer, a sailing/motor ship (so I'm not big on boat types) but anyways - we're drifting through this river-like area - super clear water. On either side of us are towering mountains - climbing strait out of the water. We saw Fijordland Penguins and New Zealand fur seals.
So many waterfalls. On the drive up and in the sounds - More waterfalls than I've ever seen in my entire life.
Glaciers. I saw my first glacier! Hanging onto the side of a mountain for dear life - looks blue-ish - instead of white snow it's blue ice! Coooooooool!
The bus I went on - only 10 of us - a cozy group of people from England, India, Germany, one lady from NZ and myself. They all chatted with me and were very friendly. One group invited me to eat lunch with them :)

We were quite lucky - weather-wise - while it wasn't a bright sunshiney day it wasn't raining (until we were driving back). And it wasn't too windy or too cold either. Very lucky - smooth waters.

On the way back we saw a Kea. Hilarious. I totally get why they say, "Cheeky as a Kea." They love shiney things and aren't afraid of people. Hopped right onto the side mirror of a car and was checking the driver out through the window.

Still sniffling and sneezing and coughing - got almost no sleep last night. Gonna call it a day - early. Gotta shake this thing.

Glow Worms

Went up Lake Tanau yesterday - New Zealand's second largest lake. Out in the middle of nowhere we pulled into a little dock and headed down a trail to this very modern building. Inside we were educated about glow worms and the area. They took several small groups, mine was the last - least crowded ;) group to go. I was practically on my hands and knees to get in through the first part of the cave - felt a bit of panicy - claustrophobia for a second - especially when I thought about the size of the mountain that was on top of me at that exact moment... got over it with some deep breathing and trying to convince myself that even if another earthquake happened and even if I was under the mountain and even if it chose that exact moment to collapse - it'd be my time and at least I'd die in the most beautiful place on earth. All those if's helped ease my nerves :)

Anywho, glow worms. Icky slimey looking things from the video they showed us - in the light. But at night - or in the dark rather - awesome. You know you're in a boat, you know you're drifting up an underground river - but they look so much like little twinkly stars - sort of a blue hint - and you feel like it's the sky you're looking at and if you could just reach up you know you could touch the stars. An amazing feeling.
Also - waterfalls and the cave itself. And as the guide said, "Do you want to see my little Percy?" A tiny, 3 cm stalagtite :) Crazy old already - by human terms, but very young by earth terms.

Next up - Milford Sound.

Made it...

Finally made it to the mountains!
I'm in Te Anau atm - GORGEOUS little town - spread along the lake-front and surrounded by mountains.

Have quite a few pictures I'd like to upload, but can't upload them from this computer - will keep looking for a place where I can and I'll post here when I've added pics to My Photo Blog.

Drooooool

So I just read Renee's Post and yum! Making me drool :)
This is the first time I've ever missed Thanksgiving entirely. Kinda suxors.
More so because I'm sick.
I delayed my trip into Doubtful Sounds for a few days and have decided to spend another night here in Invercargill. Trying to shake this nasty cold/flu/sore throat thing I picked up.
/sniffles
I want my mommy! I'm such a baby when I'm sick :P
Mostly just my throat hurting - especially when I cough. I'll survive though. It's almost 4pm and this is my first venture out of my room since yesterday evening.
Going ahead with the Glow Worm Caves tomorrow and then Milford Sound the next day - then picking up with DS.
No plans after that.
Except I absolutely HAVE to finish that paper for Standards of Effective Practice.
Bah gonna grab an early dinner/late lunch and crash out in my room.

Happy Thanksgiving - again :)

Way down SOUTH

Writing to you from Stewart Island, New Zealand's third largest island and pretty much the furthest South I'm likely to ever go. Chilly and rainy here - coming straight from the Antartic :)

About to catch a ferry back to Bluff - spending the night in Invercargill and then up to Manipouri.
Feeling a bit sick atm - stuffy head, sore throat - BAH! Being sick and travelling - not my favourite combination.

Tomorrow I'm headed to Doubtful Sound for an over-night trip and then on to the Glow Worm caves in Te Anau and then to Milford Sound.

Looking forward to being in the mountains. I think I'll swing up by the glaciers - maybe a day or two - then head back east to Kaikoura. Really fell in love with that place.

Kind of looking forward to Christmas with the family - will still miss New Zealand and all my new friends here - love the family, don't get me wrong. It'll just be kind of bitter-sweet I guess. Hard to explain.

Uhm yum! Found some good stuff - Bundaberg Ginger Beer. It's a dry ginger ale type drink - it bites back, but it's super nummy :) Can really taste the ginger!
Sipping on one while I type and wait for the ferry.

Oh yeah! Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Enjoy the turkey for me too!

Rushing through the country-side

I wondered around Dunedin.
Checked out a real-life Castle before I left.

Headed South today - went to Slope Point - the Southern-most point of the South Island.
I'm in Invercargill at the moment. Getting up bright-n-early to catch the ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island. New Zealand's third main Island. Then I'll have visited all three main Islands! I'm hoping to go to a bird sanctuary down there - maybe even catch a glimpse of a Kiwi! Then spending the night and coming back to Bluff on Thursday afternoon. Spending another night somewhere around here - then heading up for an overnight trip to Doubtful Sounds - the Glow Worm caves in Te Aunau and then over for a day in Milford Sound. Then the glaciers....
I really should find some links for these - but I'm a bit rushed at the moment.

If I have time at the end of the two weeks I'm going to head back up to Kaikoura - LOVED Kaikoura - in case you couldn't tell :)

Gotta run, they're going to kick me out of here, closing time ;)

Plans?

Was hard saying goodbye to all the kids - and the teachers, though I know I'll see them one more time. I've been invited back for the big barby on the last day of school.

Flew to Christchurch yesterday and drove down through Ashburton - stopped at the Ashford Homestead - saw lotsa fiber and lotsa wheels, drooled a bit. Lovely little building - great feel to it and a small room filled with all sorts of old Ashford wheels. They had an old steam train blowing away as I drove out of town - thought of Grandaddy JB.
Went on to Oamaru - GORGEOUS little old town. Spent the night there - saw a penguin colony - only one penguin. Tons of old buildings to see and a good-feeling town.

I still need to do that one last paper, but I'll manage.


Drove down to Dunedin today.
Spent the morning in the Otago museum - amazing place.
I saw their Everest exhibit - Did you know the guy who was the first one to climb Everest, Sir Edmund Hilary - is a Kiwi!? If you did you were one step ahead of me, I just learned that today. They had loads of exhibits and I spent about 3 hours strolling around there.
Oh and just outside, as I was going in - I met the biggest freaking dog I've ever seen - a St. Bernard named Avalanche - because he goes straight through things, not around them - and he weighs 85 kilos... BIGGEST freaking dog! Was so lovable, absolutely gorgeous! Let's put it this way - he came up to my belly button and I could just barely reach my arms around his chest. BIG! A leaner too! Like to have knocked me over :)

Strolled around Dunedin this afternoon - drove a bit too.
Just posting and checking emails while guy is making bookings for my tour of the sounds and Stewart Island - Nz's "Third Island" - and the glaciers... maybe - if I have time.

Dunedin has an old Scottish culture - lots of great buildings, including a castle which I'll go see tomorrow.

At this point I'm just hoping I can see everything I want to - without rushing myself too much.
I was going to go unplanned - hey I made it to the second day without planning.... :) But you know me /shrug

Less than a month and I'll be back home... not sure how I feel about that. Happy to see family and friends, sad to leave NZ and friends....
Anywho, I've got another few weeks before I have to think too hard on that one.

Hope all's well with you guys.
See you at the holidays!

I made it!

I actually made it.
It's still sinking in, but I really made it.
I turned in all but one sheet of my paperwork to my advisor in NZ and I have one paper to finish up and send back to MN and I'll be done.
Done.
Finished.
Well as soon as I take the third part of the Praxis II and get my license.

Weeeeeee!

And I had a great birthday to boot!
Got a card from the parents and one from an aunt.
Got beautiful paua earrings from Anne and Kevin.
Lovely dinner with Anne, Kevin, and John.
Amazing handmade rimu box from Cole - he is so talented & a kiwi-pewter-key ring he also made.

Totally surprising.

Happy Birthday to Me

Lots of birthday wishes - 27 kids singing happy birthday to me - a surprise shared-lunch from the kids - my birthday and age posted on the staff message board :)

Good times.

Incoming

Loads of fun at the school gala this past Saturday - got lots of sun, fun, a painting, and dunked by a bunch of kids.

Planning my South Island expedition and trying to finish up all my paperwork to turn in on Friday and my last two papers.

Getting ready to say goodbye to people here in Plimmerton - HARD. Really going to miss everyone. I am glad I'll be able to come back one more time before I go back to the states. I've been invited to the end-of-the-year barby and I'm planning on being here for that - to say goodbye to everyone.

Uhmmm.... looked into tickets for the folks - they're going to ride up with me to MN and then fly back home.

7am 10am 3pm 6pm Which one's best?
Just click on the Comments thing just below here and you can tell me... or wait until I call... or email... Choices!

Did you hear it?

The squeal of delight?

I received an email last night from my Dad informing me of my acceptance to grad school!
MN here I come :)
You just THOUGHT you were rid of me ;)

I'm so happy!
Lots of stuff to plan now. Luckily I've already made a few plans :)

Wahooooo!

1 week and 1 day of student teaching left
4 weeks of travelling around New Zealand
2 weeks at home for the Holidays
And then...
Back to school!

You'll not be rid of me yet NZ!

I've managed to extend my stay in New Zealand until the 19th of December. I had decided early on that two weeks would not be enough time to see everything I wanted to, so I gave Hawaii the boot and will be spending the rest of my vacation time here! How cool is that?
I'll have two weeks and some change to check out the South Island and my tickets for down there and back are flexible. Whenever I'm done down there I will come back to the North Island and check out things up north - I still haven't seen hardly anything of the North Island.

I went to the Guy Forks fireworks display in Wellington on Friday night. 15 minutes to spend $90,000! They began with a helicopter circling around the harbour with a ring of fireworks going off below it - pretty fancy :)

I spent the majority of Saturday and Sunday working on my papers for my Standards of Effective Practice class. I only have two papers left! My mommy must be so proud :)

Oddly enough, that's all the news I have...
Hope all is well with ya'll!

Reaching out...

I was out at two different schools this week; one of the schools I checked out was of a different decile - economic class. I saw their new entrants and year 1 classes, ages 5-6 years old. They were cute but a little more needy than I'm used to - as they are at that age. At the other school I saw a year 7/8, a year 5/6, and a year 3/4. I've also been into a year 3/4 classroom at my school. I am working on going to see some other teachers rooms as well at this school. It's time for me to go outside my little 7/8 world - my 'comfort zone.' Tis a great way to get new ideas and a feel for kids at other ages and what they need. So far it has only confirmed my desire to teach in the year 3 - 6 or grade 3 - 5 (maybe 6). They're a bit more independent than the young ones, but not as 'attitudinal' as the older kids.
I only have two weeks of student teaching left! Eeeeep! and then two weeks to travel around NZ > I've just bought my tickets to fly down to Christchurch and then I'll rent a car and drive around down there for the majority of the two weeks.

Wow, I just realized how many numbers are in this post :)

I'm still waiting to hear about my acceptance to grad school.
I'm also waiting to hear if it is possible to stay here a bit longer - I contacted my travel agent in MN and asked him to look into it.

Phew!

Thank goodness that's over with!
I was just observed by my NZ University Supervisor. She said the school is very happy with me, she liked what she saw, and I won't have to be observed again!
That's a WAHOOOOOO moment!

I am so happy. That's one huge weight off my shoulders.
And thanks to the kids who were so well behaved!

I've been celebrating birthdays, 3 of them; the lady I live with, her boyfriend, and his son.
I went to a photography club meeting the other night with Cole - There was a presenter from the lcoal museum. He showed us an hour and 15 minute slide show from his trip to Burma /grin Alan = I've got lots of questions for you now!

Two weeks of student teaching left.
Four weeks in NZ.

Kaikoura

After a very tiring day on Thursday - tramping from 10:30am - 3:20pm with only a 30 minute break, through the mountains/hills around Winuiomata - I caught the ferry down to Picton. I spent the night at a lovely hostel and then picked up a rental car on Friday morning and drove the 2 hours to Kaikoura. What an awesome drive! I was winding through the hills and thinking to myself "Ah pretty scenery - a bit different from the Wellington area - not bad." Then I came around a curve and up a little hill when *BOOM* there's the most magestic mountain I've ever seen - still snow-capped and glowing in a sunny days radiance. 'Hello Aspen' it says to me and it literally took my breath away. I was so surprised and happy to see it peeking out through the hilles. I've always felt at home in the mountains - that's why I've always seen myself living in Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana. As I drove along further the rest of the range revealed itself. I was enjoying them until they went back behind some hills. I came over a quite steep hill and there - sandwiched between to green hills *BAM* the ocean. Blue and bluey-green, smiling and sparkling. Down the hill and I can see them both - mountains and ocean - both amazingly beautiful - both nature at her finest. Which to look at? Which do I feel pulling me more? Eventually the mountains won out - but the ocean gave it a run for it's money. I still feel a sense of awe and new-ness when I look at the ocean. It's so different from anything I've ever lived by. Even in Wellington the house faces the bay - not the open ocean.

If there is such a place as heaven on earth - I have found it. 'Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the ocean.' And they do.
The scenery is beautiful in itself - but if that wasn't enough to stun my senses, it is also an amazing place to see cetaceans (whales and dolphins). Friday noon I went out on a whale watching boat and we saw an amazing number of sperm whales - usually you only see one or two, but we saw a dozen or so. The coast here always has whales and dolphins and seals. It has something to do with the southern currents and the northern currents meeting, not too far off shore, and the deepest cavern (underwater) closest to the shore. The sperm whales can dive deeper than any other whale and they feed off giant squid, until recently thought to be only a myth. The squid live down in the cavern. The sperm whale is also the largest toothed whale.
See - it was a learning experience as well!

I also took a drive through the country-side where, on a dirt road, I had to stop suddenly as I rounded a curve for a flock of sheep, 5 sheepdogs, and a man on a motorbike to clear the road. They weren't just crossing the street - they were actually running down it. He was a nice guy and I chatted with he and his wife for a bit - saw a baby lamb, only two weeks old - and a litter of kittens who were only a week old!

I went down to Christchurch - though the drive wasn't as spectacular as the one from Picton to Kaikoura.

This morning, Sunday, I went on a dolphin watching boat and there were about 50 Dusky Dolpins out. They were jumping and looking up at us and riding in front of the boat. It was SO cool! This afternoon I took a helicopter ride out and saw two more sperm whales - from the sky you can see their entire bodies, but from the boat you only see about 2/3 rds of their bodies - they dive down for 45 mins or so and are only on the surface for about 7-8 minutes. Before they dive they hunch their backs and then you see the infamous tail shot. Often they leave behind their 'footprints' a smooth circular patch of water - where the air and the water are calm for just a bit.

I have to head back up to Picton tomorrow, but I might find something to do tomorrow morning, and then take my time going back up. I catch the 9:30 pm ferry back to Wellington - get there at 12:30 am and have to drive back to where I'm staying - oh and school on Tuesday morning. I'll be really tired, but it has definitely been worth it!

Update 3.1

I survived my first two weeks of official sole charge. I've completed that portion of my requirements. I'm doing an additional three days this week - one down two to go.

I am SO excited about this weekend. I'm going down to Kaikoura on a whale watching boat - I realllllly hope I get to see some whales. This is something I've wanted to do since I can remember - see a whale and/or dolphin in its natural habitat. How awesome it must be!
I'll take the ferry down Thursday night, a 3 hour trip through the Marlborough Sounds down to the South Island. Haven't been to the South Island yet. That'll be another first!

We're taking the year 7's and 8's (7 and 8 grade) over to a local mountain range for a big tramp - hike. 4 teachers, 1 student teacher, a handfull of parents, and over a 100 kids - It should be interesting.

Cool and teacher, in the same sentence?

"You listen to cool music Miss Easterling."
hehe had to chuckle at that one :)
My kids caught me listening to The Darkness.

Today is my last day of official 'sole charge' that I am required to do. Which means after I brush up the planning for the last two weeks "she'll be mint" (Kiwi saying). In any case I won't be spending hours every night writing extremely detailed lesson plans. Maybe now I can even finish up those 6 papers I have due by the end of the term *cough*

Uhm hope Alan is feeling better, poor guy!

Uhm yeah... that's pretty much it. Just had 5 minutes to kill before class started.

I'm not a walking curse... I swear...

Since I arrived in New Zealand the following illnesses have befallen those closest to me:
- My first week of student teaching was done with a sub because my cooperating teacher fell ill with tonsillitis.
- Five weeks into my stay the lady I am living with became violently ill and has since had her gallbladder removed. She is now going in about a lump in her thyroid.
- Today, my cooperating teacher was out with a concussion.

I mean honestly people…

I missed three days of class because I was very sick as well… but that was foreign bugs ya know?

I feel horrible about everyone getting sick, but surely it’s not because of me? Hehe yeesh I bring bad vibes or something :(


I’m almost done with my second week of sole charge, and today I was totally by myself! They didn’t call in a reliever because I was here! I didn’t know they could do that!

The planning is a pain, I spend two-three hours a night just typing up lesson plans. They have to be very detailed for my University supervisor – to prove I know how to do them.

Uhm… gotta run, meeting time!

Not so bad...

I made it through my first week of sole charge.
After a very serious lecture on respect on Wednesday afternoon my students chilled a bit. I was exhausted by the end of the week, but an early night on Friday and a late morning on Saturday proved just what I needed.
The kids were well behaved today and I'm actually feeling pretty good about the next week and a half.

So never mind my whining - I was just tired and a bit grumpy :)

I've made plans to go down to Kaikoura - taking a 4 day weekend - from October 22-25th. Whale watching! Wahoo! Working out the details now, but hopefully on Friday I'll be saying 'Thar she blows!'

Went Sunday to an animal sanctuary, will post some pictures soon.

Uhm... that's about it.
*poke Aya* Be home next time I call, would ya?

Would you like some cheese with that whine?

I remember being a pre-teen.
I hated being a pre-teen.
Early teens weren't any better than being a pre-teen.
I never wanted to relive my days as a pre-teen.
I'm in a class with 27 pre-teens.
Why?
Because I have to.

/sigh

I don't wanna!

Sassy and self-centered. That pretty much describes them on a bad day.
Wonderful, funny, smart, hard-working. That describes them on a good day.

Why can't every day be a good day?

I'm finding the load of paperwork involved in being a teacher quite stressful. And I'm not even in charge of ALL the paperwork - there are still some things my supervising teacher must do herself - I'm just in charge of all the planning and teaching for the next two and a half weeks.

It was going to be just two but I bargained to take three extra days of sole charge so I could have a 4-day weekend to go whale-watching on the South Island.

Nevermind me. It's not so bad really, I'm just exhausted and slightly annoyed at having to give 11 - 13 year olds a lecture on respecting me, their teacher - temporary or not. They have so much potential, can be funny, and very well behaved - but they've been pushing me every second for the past three days and quite frankly I'm sick of it. And after today they know it. Hopefully my lecture will have made a difference... if not... I don't know what I'll do.

It's now 5:30pm
I've been here since 8:00am
I need to go make some copies for tomorrow, find a ride home, sit down and do another 2 hours of planning for tomorrow - then probably pass out - wake up at 6:00am ready to go again.

Anyone else in favor of an international mandate for 4-day weekends?

Good Old New Zealand

It's good to be back. I wish I could say home... I would make New Zealand my home, if I could. Maybe one day it will be... you never know!

I enjoyed my night at the Opera! Was awesome! I understood maybe 10 words of the entire thing of course, but the music was beautiful and made me think of the movie Oscar - The Barber of Seville is where the Figaro song came from.

Thursday flew by really, then I was up early on Friday to catch my plane. It boarded 20 minutes late, we sat on the tarmac for an hour and a half before we took off, and then three very bumpy hours later we landed - an hour through customs and I was free!

Saturday I slept in and then got to work on planning for this week at school - my first week of sole charge. Saturday night I went down to Wellington with a few girls and we went club-hopping - another new adventure. I slept in Johnsonville at a friend’s house and was picked up Sunday morning for another new adventure. I went to Ngawi to see the seals! SO INCREDIBLY CUTE! And they're RIGHT THERE > I got within 10 feet of them. You don't want to go right up next to them because they're pretty territorial, but they let you get that close before they start barking at you. Took lots of pictures, which I will post as soon as possible. Had an awesome day – picnic by the beach. It was gorgeous and I loved seeing the seals – LONG drive though.

Today was my first day of sole charge. Just me and 27 kids… It wasn't easy, but it wasn't horrible. I'm glad to have the first day over and done with and I'm looking forward to seeing the kids reactions as they realise that I'm it. I'm what they get.
Their regular teacher is out and about doing other things all day, leaving just me in the classroom. She is wonderful in helping me plan though! I'd be lost without her :) But when it comes to teaching, I'm the one who is in charge - for the next two weeks.

More than I expected

Yesterday I hopped on a bus to Circular Quay and took a ferry around the harbour - it was a little cloudy, so the pictures aren't the best, but it was very interesting and quite enjoyable. I then walked over to the aquarium, where I took lots of pictures - to be found on My Photo Blog. After the aquarium I wandered around the harbour area and then walked up to the Sydney Tower where I did the Sky Tour - an amusement park - like ride that tells you all about Australia - and then I took the ride up to the top (almost) of the tower. Awesome view of Sydney. I then had dinner in the restraunt which goes around and around and around... that was a new one - dinner in the clouds. Literally.
Today I walked around a bit, did a few errands, then headed down to the Opera House. I got tickets for Twelfth Night, which I just got back from. Loved it. They had the actors in modern clothing - with a few other modern changes, but it was pretty true to Shakespeare. And! I didn't know this but Jonathan Hardy, the voice of Rygel from Farscape - mom and I had JUST had a discussion about Farscape! Irony! Was an awesome play - and then... I wound up hopping a bus with one of the lead actors. Uhm who knew actors took buses? *boggle* I kept it on the dl though ;) But it was cool to have a brush with stardom :)
I also have tickets for an opera tomorrow night - The Barber of Seville, an Italian Opera - and I got front row seats!
And now... to bed and to rest - for another days adventures - before I return to New Zealand.

Faking it

I've gotten really good at faking it.
I've adapted the "Don't mess with me kid" - teacher look I've been working on for the classroom – for roaming the streets of Sydney. It seems to work pretty well. Nobody has bothered me yet - except for the Red Cross guy wanting me to donate blood.
I've spent the last couple of days walking around down-town Sydney - amaaaazing the things you see. For example, there is a fettish shop right around the corner from my hotel and next to that is the gay-male strip club. These are things you wouldn't necessarily find in my home town... at least I don't think you would. I’ve certainly never seen them. You need to go into Dallas or Ft. Worth I think.
Sydney is probably a very typical Big City. Though I must admit my encounters with BIG Cities has been limited – much by choice. I was in New York for a week, but I was with my high school, so everywhere we went we were somewhat sheltered.
But yeah, see lots of interesting things here. Keeps me entertained, that’s for sure.

On Sunday evening I saw The Lion King and it was awesome! I love the way they made the puppets become part of the actors. Truly amazing. And the music... /happy sigh
Even had a guy from the new Star Wars movies; JAY LAGA'AIA (Captain Typho) who plays Mufasa. Who knew he could sing? :)

I had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe today.

Other than that I’ve been taking it easy, sleeping in, enjoying not having to do anything. Being able to decide what to do as I go – VERY unlike me. I must admit.... I broke down today and made a list.
/hangs head in shame
I had to do it! I had absolutely no drive to do anything and there are several things here I’d like to do; Aquarium, Opera House, Tower (like Space Needle), Harbour Cruise – Day and Night. That’s the extent of my list... and I have three and a half days to do it in.... soooo... Time to get busy again!

Did you say Pictures?

I've just posted 20 pictures from the past week.
To see the site go to My Photo Blog
Hope you enjoy!

PS I'm in Sydney now. I slept almost 11 hours last night/this morning. Trying to catch up from a wild and crazy week in Cairns. I really don't have any plans for the next week - except for going to see the matinee of The Lion King tomorrow! Otherwise I'm going to go with the flow. I know I want to see the Aquarium and maybe take a tour of the Sydney Opera House. Oh and they have cruises around the harbour. I think after the past couple of weeks I deserve a nice break. So I maybe I'll head down to Bondi Beach, sit around and do absolutely nothing!

I did it!

/pats self on back!
I did it Aya! I went Parasailing over the Great Barrier Reef yesterday! I caught a boat out to Green Island and went snorkling and then Parasailing. The view was amazing - water, island, reef, mountains!
This morning I went up in a hot air balloon, my favorite activity yet... well tied with helicopter... no better than helicopter. I'd say Balloon, Helicopter, Scuba... yeah... It's hard to rate them though, they've all been amazing. But on the balloon I saw Kangaroo hopping about in the wild - which was just awesome.
I met a guy from Switzerland this morning, Andre and a guy from South Africa, Johan. Both worked for the Hot Air Balloon place, both very nice guys. I had a talk with Andre about living so far from home... *cough* for future reference ;)
I've taken loads of pictures this week, but haven't had a way to upload them yet. I'll do it asap.
I have a few hours to kill now before I catch a plane back to Sydney, time to hit the tourist shops downtown and maybe go for one last drive. I still can't believe I've learned to drive on the left side of the road - scaaaary!

Trains, Buses, Koalas, and Kangaroos - Oh My!

Yesterday I took a train ride up a mountain to the town of Kuranda - very touristy place. I went to an aviary and then hopped on a bus which took me to a rainforest area. I petted a Kangaroo, CUTENESS! Through a Boomerang. Had an introduction into Aboriginal culture; didgeredoo, spear throwing, dance, etc. Took a sky-rail back down the mountain. Had dinner at an Indian restraunt where I met a guy from Wyoming and his Aussie wife & their adorable 2 1/2 year old son.

Found out this morning I have a new baby cousin! Marshall Thomas! Woot woot! Can't wait to see pictures!

Today I'm going to hang out at the beach. Tomorrow is another reef cruise to Green Island - they have sea turtles! Really hope I see some :) Friday morning I have a hot-air balloon ride and then I fly back to Sydney on Friday evening.

Traveling a Land Down Under...

Starting my 4th day in Australia, or Oz as the Kiwi's say.
I spent one day walking around Sydney and then flew up to Cairns. Yesterday I was a major tourist - I went on a bus ride up to Port Douglas, then a boat ride out to the reef, out on the ocean they have this floaty thing with stuff to do. I did a helicopter ride for 15 mins over the reef - front seat! - and then into a semi-submersable submarine, then scuba for an hour! Was far out! My fave would have to be the heli, followed closely by scuba.
Today I'm off to see the rainforest, with a train ride and a sky tram thingy.
Gotta run!

So much to blog, so little time

Almost 6 full weeks in New Zealand, with almost 5 full weeks of Student Teaching under my belt.

What an experience. All sorts of things have been happening; good, bad, and in between. I was sick last week and missed three days of class, Tues-Thurs.
Our school is doing a production this week, well half the school, with over 230 kids involved. I'm working backstage, doing microphones and trying to keep the kids in order, on stage at the right time, and whatnot. It's a lot of fun, excellent experience, but so incredibly tiring. I am always at school around 8 am and home by 6 ish, but with production I have to go back at 6:50 and am not home until after 9:30pm. Makes for a very long day. But! Really and truely, a good experience. I am enjoying it.

The lady I am staying with, Anne, went into the hospital on Sunday morning. She'd been sick all night and was having terrible tummy pains. Turns out she had gallstones and an infection in her galbladder. She's been in the hospital since, it's Weds afternoon here. They may let her out tomorrow night/evening.

I've had several more firsts... Don't think I'll tell about all of them *cough* most have been good though. I've been hanging out with Andrew a lot, but he's going back down to the South Island next Saturday, and I will only see him for two more days.
I leave Saturday morning to go to Sydney for a night - then fly to Cairns for a week, then back to Sydney for the rest of my holiday. I fly back to New Zealand on Friday, October 1st. I'm looking forward to a one-day cruise of the Great Barrier Reef, a rainforest walk, and who knows what else!
I'm sad he's going. We keep each other entertained :) It will be quiet when I get back from my trip. But! I do have several short trips planned around New Zealand. John is taking me to Taupo, a crater lake north of here, to go camping. He also took me out fishing again, last Saturday, on the rocks. A new experience, lots of standing and dodging the spray, but good. I saw dive-bombing seagulls! It's cool to watch them go under, you think they'd need to come up for air soon, but they keep after their prey until the emerge with a juicy fish of some sort.

So many incredible experiences, in such a seemingly short time. All the people, the place, the entire feeling of the last six weeks - and I'm sure the next nine. I don't want to leave. I won't want to leave. I must find a way to come back.
I'm hoping that after I have my masters, in two years (please?), I will be back in New Zealand, teaching. A lot can happen between now and then, and who knows if I will ever return. But honestly, I can't imagine not coming back. I could really see myself living here. And I've only been around Wellington. Wait til I hit the South Island, Whales, Penguins, Dolphins, Mountains, Fiordland... /sigh... I wanna go now!

Hope everyone at home is doing well. I managed to sneak a peek at Aya's blog just now. Sounds like all is going well for her! Makes me happy :) I need to talk to you chicky... I'll try to find time to call you during my Aussie trip.
Renee, good to hear from you :) will try to sneak a peek at your blog soon.
Thanks for the bagpipe link too Aya.
Gotta run. Need to eat lunch before the bell!

Week 3

Its crazy being so far from home - so out of touch with the world as you know it.
New Zealand is such a small country, and it seems so very far from home at times. Yet it has an admirable quality about it. It seems younger and more innocent than America. I'm living in a suburb of Wellington and everyone here is so laid back. Many of the daily stressors which affect us in the states simply do not exist here.

How many states are there in America/The United States?
I challenge you to ask this question of every person in every foreign country (outside Canada and Mexico) and see what they say. Every person, except one, has answered 52. Craaaaaaaaaazy!

I've been doing quite a bit of teaching. Some of it has been my own planning and some has been just gradually taking the lead when my cooperating teacher has been tied up with something else. I have just completed my third week of student teaching and I can see an enormous change in the way the students relate to me. I have gone from being the cool foreigner to the cool foreigner who is respected by the students. I love that I have been developing my own teaching style. I am INCREDIBLY lucky that the structure, set in place by my cooperating teacher, fits me so well. She is very strict/stern with the kids, expects respectful behavior at all times, and likes a quiet classroom. She's done all the hard work, in setting the standard of what is expected. All I had to do was come in and learn her cues. The kids have decided that I am someone to be reckoned with! But they also can have fun with me and often ask me about America. Their favorite question is "Do you know (insert name of someone famous)?" Not "Have you heard of __?" but do I know them... they crack me up!

In short, I'm really enjoying my time here. I've started researching what it would take for me to get a job here. It's looking like a real possibility.

Week 2 is Over

Yes! I've made it through my second week of student teaching.

I had my first evaluation, by my cooperating/supervising teacher, and it went quite well. She pointed out a lot of positive things I did and gave me some very helpful recommendations for things I can work on in the future. She's been SO incredibly supportive and because of her I haven't been nervous about teaching or lesson planning. I'm learning a great deal from her.

I'm going to a party tonight. The Deputy Principal of the school is throwing a shin-dig at her new home and she's invited all the staff. I'm excited about that, it should be a blast.

You'd think I'd have loads to write about. Maybe my poor brain is just tired of processing information. I can't think of anything terribly exciting to tell you.

I can say that I'm having the time of my life. I'm usually tired by the end of the school day, but it is a good tired. I think the constant energy of the kids and having to always look around and see & hear all, is the main drain on my energy. But! The kids are good and the other teachers are good. I've had lots of invitations to see other classrooms, though I've only made it to one other so far. There has also been a recommendation that I go see some of the other schools in the area.

I might go fishing again tomorrow night, depending on the weather. I'm definitely going over to J's place to watch a movie - Star Wars Return of the Jedi is on.

The most excitement I have outside of school is a guy I'm living with. Let me rephrase - I'm boarding in the same place as him - the one who loves to give me a hard time. We keep each other entertained.

I finally had time to read Aya's blog. WOOT Metallica & WOOT sleep-overs on the farm :) Sounds like you're having all sorts of fun. Hopefully you find time to sleep during training - as I recall that was a bit difficult last year.

Hope all my American friends & family are doing well. I miss you guys.

Greetings from New Zealand

The last two weeks have FLOWN by and I've been drowning in new experiences.

I spent the first week getting settled in and accustomed to the time difference. i explored the area a bit and learned the train system - since it's my only means of independent travel. I've finally adjusted to driving on the left side of the road... that took longer to get used to than I expected. I bought a New Zealand Oxford Dictionary so I could learn the slang words - there's hundreds of them. I told the lady I'm living with I appreciated her patience in answering my questions... they seemed endless there for a while. There's also another teacher from the school living their and a younger (21) guy who's sole purpose in life since I arrived is to give me a hard time. I think I'm finally getting the idea of what it must be like to have a little brother! His favorite thing is to turn the light off when I'm in the shower - the light switch is just outside the bathroom door. /sigh... He's a boy.

I've posted some pictures of my surroundings on My Photo Blog so feel free to have a good look.

The people have been very welcoming and I've made myself at home.

My first week of student teaching proved to be a bit more adventuresome than I had counted on. My cooperating teacher was out sick Monday - Thursday, leaving me with a sub. At one point, on Thursday morning, I was left alone with the kids for 45 minutes. THAT was interesting! The kids were a bit rowdy, as kids are when their teacher is away... but that's alright. I think they're really a good bunch and I'm looking forward to the next 11 weeks.

Today we're off for a field trip to a local "college," which is like their high school. The kids are getting their first look at a science laboratory. Speaking of, I need to get ready for the day.

I hope all of you are well, enjoy your day!

Today is the day...

Ten hours to go...

To all my friends and family I won't be in contact with for the next four months, farewell! You can always reach me by email.

Take care & enjoy your concerts and what-not ;)

Sleepless in Texas

Ugh! I'm so excited about my trip I can hardly sleep... literally!

Three days left and I'm averaging 4 hours of sleep a night. Not quite the 8-9 my body desires. I have a feeling I'll sleep on the plane and then for a day when I get there.

I called the Graduate Studies office to ask if they received my application online and the lady said they had. She also told me I should be receiving something in a day or two... does that mean by mail or internet? I should have asked but I was shocked to hear her say I would find out so soon. So I might actually know whether I'm accepted in the next day or so... before I leave! Woot!

I just finished a book by Hilari Bell called Flame. It is the first in a new series she is writing called The Book of Sorahb and I rather enjoyed it. It starts out kind of slow but midway through the book it gets going and then she leaves you hanging - big time at the end. I can't wait for the next one to come out! I checked Amazon and they say the next one, Wheel, doesn't come out until next May and apparently it's a trilogy. I'm still waiting for the 6th book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince which they have not set a release date for. Series books are evil! They get you wrapped in and then keep you waiting for the next installment! Hmmm... evil but soooo good!

Check out my About Aspen page for updates :)

Movies, Movies, Movies

I just got back from an advanced screening of the movie Without A Paddle and it was freaking hilarious. Best part was it was free!

I also saw The Village the other day and it was really good also.

Bought Hidalgo but haven't watched it yet, on account of the free movie thing.

4 days left.

Pssst Aya... there are signs all around...

5 days and 1 til Hidalgo

5 days left til I leave.

A list of things to do before I go, though the list is dwindling.

Hidalgo comes out tomorrow and I will definitely be buying that one! Loved it.

Getting nervous about the trip and beginning my student teaching. I think everything will work out but it's a big-important-step, the last in getting my bachelors degree.

Nothing else to report. Just wanted to update the countdown :)