James Taylor's words of wisdom in his song Mexico is applicable to two categories involving Mexico. The first is the landscape and natural environment in Mexico. Of course, I have not been to Mexico in about six years, and I am not there now (just to clarify). The second is food. Mexican food is on my top three for favorite genres of food.
Because of the reasons listed above, I only felt it appropriate to cook for myself, two nights of delicious Mexican cuisine. On Tuesday evening, after a short day at work (an hour and a half to be exact, but it was a lot of fun...I learned how to make a Weta Hotel, for Giant Tree Weta, huge insects that have become a rarity within the New Zealand bush, and helped kids to make their own hotels) I went to the grocery store. The walk back was enough to make me want to cry...I had five bags filled to the brim with food because I had not gone to the store in a week and a half. I got back home and relaxed on the couch for a bit to overcome the overwhelming feeling combined with a bad cold that I was experiencing.
After recuperating for a while, I gained the energy to dice up my fresh vegetables, and experiment. I attempted to make fajitas. If I must say so myself, I did a kick ass job!
Last night, Wednesday, after a relaxing day of hanging out and trying to get better (no, I did not go to work), I found myself inspired by the show Master Chef Australia to make Quesadillas. The inside was filled with Mozzarella Cheese, onions, peppers, and salsa! It was again, a great success! I should become a famous cook...Kidding...Sort of?
Yesterday, I also managed to drag myself in the pouring rain, the kind of rain that smacks you in the face as you walk even though you are wearing a raincoat, to run some errands. I went to the book store to see if they had The Art of RACING In The Rain...and surprise, surprise, they did! Then I went to mail a letter, and must have been delusional because I forgot to put the "Air Mail" stamp on it...sorry Mom and Dad..it might take a month to get to you! Better late then never though. My excursion ended at the pharmacy. I got some Dayquill to help me make it through the rest of the week. I was so tired and cranky that I took the bus a whole three minutes back home.
Today when I woke up, it was still raining as hard as could be (I guess it is making up for the past week and a half of crystal clear skies). I still felt horrible from this cold of mine, and did not want to go to work. After thinking it over (and asking Dad), I decided to go in for the quick hour and a half of work that I had. Today, I learned how to weave a flower out of a native New Zealand plant, flex. It was a lot of fun, and the group of kids today was great!
In other news (literally), I just heard that there was a head on collision of two trains in the Wellington area. It happened to be the train that I was on the other day. It was because of a slip from all of the rain. I was so happy that I had taken the train trip already, because I would definitely not have gone after I heard that!
More cooking adventures to come!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
This Train?
It was the most beautiful beach I had ever seen. The soft sand under my feet was dampened with the salt of the ocean. The sky was as clear as could be. And for the scenery surrounding the crystal clear sea, I couldn't have asked for anything better. It was well worth the three hour travel adventures to finally make it to Paraparaumu Beach. When we first got off of the train in Paraparaumu, Jeni and I were a bit nervous because all we saw was the normal New Zealand store scenery of KFC and The Warehouse ("Where everyone gets a bargin"). After thinking for a moment, we got onto a bus that said "Beach." We rode the bus to the end of the line, and still no beach. The bus driver was kind enough to mention that we had missed our stop, after the point, but allowed us to get back on in ten minutes, for free, to get to the beach. We walked around a nice street for those ten minutes to get a snack to last us until dinner. The Pringles were gone in an instant, but worth the $5.90. Upon our arrival at the beach, we walked around to look for a place for a better snack, but every single restaurant was closed. Can you believe that? It was four in the afternoon, and every restaurant in this beach town was closed on a school holiday! We finally gave up on our food search, and went onto the beach to take some photographs and explore more. There are pictures to come on Facebook at a later date! One thing we saw that was so adorable was the cutest puppy I have ever seen (excluding Bojangles and Latka) chasing a little girl. He was so cute and even came over to Jeni and myself to say hello!
Our day started in Wellington. When Jeni and I left the apartment at 10:30, we were thrilled at the near perfect weather. We walked to Cuba Street for an awesome chocolate chip pancake brunch at Espressoholic. It was better then I could have possibly imagined. Our stomachs were way too full to walk to the Wellington Rail Station, so we caught the bus. When we arrived, we had no idea where to go. We went to the Customer Service desk, and the woman told us exactly where to go, and the cheap Day Rover ticket to purchase. We got on our first train to Johnsonville. We were so excited when we got off the train, but the Johnsonville was not excited to see us. The Johnsonville Shopping Center greeted us upon arrival. From the instant we got off the train, we had a hunch that we should not be there. We walked around the street to make sure we were right about our gut feelings, and we were. We went into the one Souvenir shop on the one block town, and I asked stupidly, "Is there anything to do in Jacksonville?" First of all, we are not in Jacksonville. Second of all, there is nothing to do in Johnsonville. We walked out of the store, and headed back towards the train station to find a bus to somewhere more excited. We managed to meet some very strange and sketchy people along the way, and I don't think that more needs to be said about that.
When we finally arrived back at the train station, we caught a bus to Porirua, so we could take the train to Paraparuma. On the bus ride, we drove past some amazing farm land and mountains, and my personal favorite, Pirates Cove Adventure Golf. This was not the Pirates Cove I know, but I guess it will do for New Zealand. While I am on this tangent of Cape Cod-like things I saw today, in Paraparumu Beach, they had a restaurant called the Beachcomber! Anyway, the train ride was amazing. Most of it was along the ocean, surrounded by mountains on both sides. It was totally worth the struggles in Johnsonville. I was also thrilled because I managed to see my first New Zealand sheep! Trust me, I saw enough sheep today to last me a lifetime!
Yesterday was another great day! We all went to the Italian Festival at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Although it was way over crowded, they had great food, and I even got a sweet shirt! My Italian day was completed with my ravioli dinner, but don't worry, all I had to do was throw it in boiling water. It was delicious with my special spicy tomato sauce.
Tomorrow should be another great day! I am headed back to Zealandia for the next two weeks of interning. I will be working with their education department, helping to run their school holiday programs. Since my days will be shorter, I have made plans for myself! After work tomorrow, I am going to go to Borders to try to find The Art of Dancing in the Rain. So far, I have struck out at two book stores! Hopefully, third times a charm. After, I am going to the post office to mail a letter to my parents from my kids at Clyde Quay School and myself! Then I am going to the grocery store for some food to make for dinner. Later in the evening, we are going to the movies to see Despicable Me!
More exciting adventures to come!
P.S. Watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition...it is enough to make you want to cry!
Our day started in Wellington. When Jeni and I left the apartment at 10:30, we were thrilled at the near perfect weather. We walked to Cuba Street for an awesome chocolate chip pancake brunch at Espressoholic. It was better then I could have possibly imagined. Our stomachs were way too full to walk to the Wellington Rail Station, so we caught the bus. When we arrived, we had no idea where to go. We went to the Customer Service desk, and the woman told us exactly where to go, and the cheap Day Rover ticket to purchase. We got on our first train to Johnsonville. We were so excited when we got off the train, but the Johnsonville was not excited to see us. The Johnsonville Shopping Center greeted us upon arrival. From the instant we got off the train, we had a hunch that we should not be there. We walked around the street to make sure we were right about our gut feelings, and we were. We went into the one Souvenir shop on the one block town, and I asked stupidly, "Is there anything to do in Jacksonville?" First of all, we are not in Jacksonville. Second of all, there is nothing to do in Johnsonville. We walked out of the store, and headed back towards the train station to find a bus to somewhere more excited. We managed to meet some very strange and sketchy people along the way, and I don't think that more needs to be said about that.
When we finally arrived back at the train station, we caught a bus to Porirua, so we could take the train to Paraparuma. On the bus ride, we drove past some amazing farm land and mountains, and my personal favorite, Pirates Cove Adventure Golf. This was not the Pirates Cove I know, but I guess it will do for New Zealand. While I am on this tangent of Cape Cod-like things I saw today, in Paraparumu Beach, they had a restaurant called the Beachcomber! Anyway, the train ride was amazing. Most of it was along the ocean, surrounded by mountains on both sides. It was totally worth the struggles in Johnsonville. I was also thrilled because I managed to see my first New Zealand sheep! Trust me, I saw enough sheep today to last me a lifetime!
Yesterday was another great day! We all went to the Italian Festival at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Although it was way over crowded, they had great food, and I even got a sweet shirt! My Italian day was completed with my ravioli dinner, but don't worry, all I had to do was throw it in boiling water. It was delicious with my special spicy tomato sauce.
Tomorrow should be another great day! I am headed back to Zealandia for the next two weeks of interning. I will be working with their education department, helping to run their school holiday programs. Since my days will be shorter, I have made plans for myself! After work tomorrow, I am going to go to Borders to try to find The Art of Dancing in the Rain. So far, I have struck out at two book stores! Hopefully, third times a charm. After, I am going to the post office to mail a letter to my parents from my kids at Clyde Quay School and myself! Then I am going to the grocery store for some food to make for dinner. Later in the evening, we are going to the movies to see Despicable Me!
More exciting adventures to come!
P.S. Watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition...it is enough to make you want to cry!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sick to My Stomach, Literally!
I forgot how much fun 6 year olds are. They have constant energy, even when they are exhausted, to learn and play. They are really cute too! Even when they are crying and wiping their snot on your sleeve, it still manages to be heartwarming.
I know that I shouldn't play favorites, but I do have some kids that are my favorite (don't get me wrong, I treat them all the same)! Siena is just so cute and little that I want to pinch her cheeks. Instead, when she was crying the other day, I told her I would read a book with her at independent reading time. Her face lit up. Next is little Eve. She is fashionable in her brown leather boots, and is just such a sweetheart to everyone. Amy is a little girl who is so intelligent. When Amanda, the teacher, asked the class what 21 + 12 equaled, she threw her hand up, answered correctly, and continued to make me smile by saying she got the answer by adding 10 + 20, and the three leftover. That's how I got the answer, and I am 12 years older than she is! Michael is another great one...he watches Family Guy every night, and talks to me about the episodes from the previous night (that we have both watched). He also serenades me with rap songs. It is quite endearing. The list could go on and on, but there is one more child that I need to tell you about! Piper! She is so mature for her age, a known fact by all, and has a constant smile on her face. Her positive attitude is amazing and I hope that she stays the way she is forever!
This, more or less, summarizes my first week in the classroom! Of course there were a few temper tantrums on the side, but they don't need to be discussed. One event that did occur was on Friday. The entire school, all 200 students (K-8) went to an assembly. We sang songs in Maori! I think I might finally be catching on to the language a little bit! Kia ora means hello (in case you were wondering). I became very amused at the assembly when the teachers and students started to sing Three Little Birds by Bob Marley! YES! Bob! What a great school :)
Wednesday evening, I went out with all of the teachers and got to know them a little bit! Amanda and I hung out most of the night, and got along really well! All of the faculty is extremely kind and even said they would help me plan a trip to the South Island! Amanda made me a fantastic list of things I need to do before I leave! It also helped that the Chinese food we were eating was amazing!
Fast-forward to Friday night. Jenny, the 22 year old intern from the third apartment, came over to meet us! She is very nice and we might even go for a hike or something together next weekend! The restaurant that we wanted to eat at was packed, so we ended up at this little pub (we should have known that it was going to suck because it was empty). Jeni (the other one) and I both got Vegetable Stir Fry. It looked and tasted good, but as soon as we had finished eating it, we looked at each other and knew, this was a terrible idea.
We both wanted to ignore the fact that we just had a bad dinner, and enjoy our Friday night. We went out for a while, and managed to find Amanda! I introduced her to my roommates and chatted for a while. After, we managed to get to a Karaoke bar, and signed up Louis, one of our roommates, without telling him! He was surprised to be singing Hit Me With Your Best Shot, but did a decent job with the song. After, we walked around for a while, and found Logan, from the other apartment. We dragged him along with us to Rain, a little dance club. After dancing for a few minutes, I was giving up to the dinner sitting in my stomach. We all went back home. Feeling like absolute crap, I curled up into a little ball, and went to bed.
I was surprised that I slept until 8 A.M., but my wake up could not have been any worse. I was nearly in tears sitting up in my bed, trying to not throw up last nights veggies in my room. I made it to the bathroom and sat on the floor for two hours with tears streaming down my face. But, don't worry! I didn't throw up. You can ask anyone that I know, but it is my least favorite thing to do. I will do just about anything to avoid it, and I did well. I went back to bed, and slept until noon! I was woken up with a text from dad asking to video chat on Skype! I hopped out of bed, and got ready! It was nice to see mom and dad for the first time in about a week!
Yesterday was a relaxing day, despite my disaster of a morning. We relaxed in the house for a while. Later in the afternoon, Jeni and I went to Te Papa, the famous museum in Wellington. It was amazing, but too big to see it all in one day. We managed to get through half of the fourth floor when we realized that we still felt like crap from dinner the night before. We went to New World, the supermarket, got some bagels and cream-cheese (nothing like New York though, even though it says "New York Bagels" on the packaging), and went back home. I had Dominos for dinner, watched She's the Man (a classic Amanda Bynes movie), and went to bed early.
Today, I am feeling a lot better (my stomach is at least)! I am now stuck with a cold, just like my mom! Despite my sickness, we are all going to the Italian Festival today! Jeni and I have been looking forward to good Italian food all week!
Tomorrow's adventure should be a true adventure. I have off from work tomorrow, and Jeni is taking off. We are going to go out for brunch at Espressoholic, a fantastic pancake place, and taking a train to somewhere! We won't know where that somewhere is until we buy the ticket! This method of exploration has been proven (by myself) to be a great way to find and learn about new places without any premises or assumptions.
A train adventure to come!
I know that I shouldn't play favorites, but I do have some kids that are my favorite (don't get me wrong, I treat them all the same)! Siena is just so cute and little that I want to pinch her cheeks. Instead, when she was crying the other day, I told her I would read a book with her at independent reading time. Her face lit up. Next is little Eve. She is fashionable in her brown leather boots, and is just such a sweetheart to everyone. Amy is a little girl who is so intelligent. When Amanda, the teacher, asked the class what 21 + 12 equaled, she threw her hand up, answered correctly, and continued to make me smile by saying she got the answer by adding 10 + 20, and the three leftover. That's how I got the answer, and I am 12 years older than she is! Michael is another great one...he watches Family Guy every night, and talks to me about the episodes from the previous night (that we have both watched). He also serenades me with rap songs. It is quite endearing. The list could go on and on, but there is one more child that I need to tell you about! Piper! She is so mature for her age, a known fact by all, and has a constant smile on her face. Her positive attitude is amazing and I hope that she stays the way she is forever!
This, more or less, summarizes my first week in the classroom! Of course there were a few temper tantrums on the side, but they don't need to be discussed. One event that did occur was on Friday. The entire school, all 200 students (K-8) went to an assembly. We sang songs in Maori! I think I might finally be catching on to the language a little bit! Kia ora means hello (in case you were wondering). I became very amused at the assembly when the teachers and students started to sing Three Little Birds by Bob Marley! YES! Bob! What a great school :)
Wednesday evening, I went out with all of the teachers and got to know them a little bit! Amanda and I hung out most of the night, and got along really well! All of the faculty is extremely kind and even said they would help me plan a trip to the South Island! Amanda made me a fantastic list of things I need to do before I leave! It also helped that the Chinese food we were eating was amazing!
Fast-forward to Friday night. Jenny, the 22 year old intern from the third apartment, came over to meet us! She is very nice and we might even go for a hike or something together next weekend! The restaurant that we wanted to eat at was packed, so we ended up at this little pub (we should have known that it was going to suck because it was empty). Jeni (the other one) and I both got Vegetable Stir Fry. It looked and tasted good, but as soon as we had finished eating it, we looked at each other and knew, this was a terrible idea.
We both wanted to ignore the fact that we just had a bad dinner, and enjoy our Friday night. We went out for a while, and managed to find Amanda! I introduced her to my roommates and chatted for a while. After, we managed to get to a Karaoke bar, and signed up Louis, one of our roommates, without telling him! He was surprised to be singing Hit Me With Your Best Shot, but did a decent job with the song. After, we walked around for a while, and found Logan, from the other apartment. We dragged him along with us to Rain, a little dance club. After dancing for a few minutes, I was giving up to the dinner sitting in my stomach. We all went back home. Feeling like absolute crap, I curled up into a little ball, and went to bed.
I was surprised that I slept until 8 A.M., but my wake up could not have been any worse. I was nearly in tears sitting up in my bed, trying to not throw up last nights veggies in my room. I made it to the bathroom and sat on the floor for two hours with tears streaming down my face. But, don't worry! I didn't throw up. You can ask anyone that I know, but it is my least favorite thing to do. I will do just about anything to avoid it, and I did well. I went back to bed, and slept until noon! I was woken up with a text from dad asking to video chat on Skype! I hopped out of bed, and got ready! It was nice to see mom and dad for the first time in about a week!
Yesterday was a relaxing day, despite my disaster of a morning. We relaxed in the house for a while. Later in the afternoon, Jeni and I went to Te Papa, the famous museum in Wellington. It was amazing, but too big to see it all in one day. We managed to get through half of the fourth floor when we realized that we still felt like crap from dinner the night before. We went to New World, the supermarket, got some bagels and cream-cheese (nothing like New York though, even though it says "New York Bagels" on the packaging), and went back home. I had Dominos for dinner, watched She's the Man (a classic Amanda Bynes movie), and went to bed early.
Today, I am feeling a lot better (my stomach is at least)! I am now stuck with a cold, just like my mom! Despite my sickness, we are all going to the Italian Festival today! Jeni and I have been looking forward to good Italian food all week!
Tomorrow's adventure should be a true adventure. I have off from work tomorrow, and Jeni is taking off. We are going to go out for brunch at Espressoholic, a fantastic pancake place, and taking a train to somewhere! We won't know where that somewhere is until we buy the ticket! This method of exploration has been proven (by myself) to be a great way to find and learn about new places without any premises or assumptions.
A train adventure to come!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Back to School!
At some point during the thirteen years that a child in in school, they will have a teacher that is either mean, unenthusiastic, or just plain old unhappy. It is a rarity that a child will come across a teacher, nonetheless a person, that portrays all three of these personality traits. When someone is witness to constant shouting and frustration, it becomes extremely apparent as to why some children are or become unenthusiastic about their education. Today was the day that that became clear to me. I finally was able to figure out why children, that have minds like sponges at the ages of 5 and 6 (the children that I am teaching), grow up to hate school and learning. It is not fun.
Today was my first day teaching at the Clyde Quay School. It was a fantastic first day! The teacher that I am working with, Amanda, is great! She is very down to earth and reminds me a lot of Mrs. Murphy/Ludlow from Saddle River Day! The 5/6 year olds share a classroom with the 6 year olds, and a different teacher whose name I can't spell because it is a Maori name. There are two young women that are teacher's aids. One is Tess, who I got along with very well. Coincidently, she is from Brooklyn, so we have a lot to relate to. The other teacher, for the 6 year olds, is the teacher that I was previously describing. It was hard to watch her yell at children for not being able to add or spell. She was perfectly nice outside of the classroom, so maybe today was just one of those frustrating days for her.
Anyways, the kids were adorable! From the moment that I walked into the room, a lot of the gravitated towards me and kept asking me questions. It was fun to help them figure out how to spell certain words. One boy even decided to sing me a famous rap song and quote Peter Griffin from Family Guy...he is five years old. Kids say the darndest things!
Yesterday was my last "normal" day at Zealandia. I was glad to be working with Erin for the whole day! We started by planting in the morning which was fun. The afternoon was spent with Cathy, the teacher who has a fellowship at the Sanctuary, checking Kaka boxes up in the pines. It was quite nerve-racking because it got very very windy while we were up there. A large branch even fell right next to us. I am excited to go back next Tuesday to help out with their school holiday programs!
I know I keep backtracking, but...On Sunday Jeff and I went to the local farmers market in the Harbor in the morning. The rest of the day was spent relaxing. Later in the evening, Jeni, Jeff and myself went to the movies and saw Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. It was a cute movie, but very odd.
Now back to normal time. Last night, I finished a fantastic book! I read it quite quickly for me. I would proudly recommend Cat's Cradle to just about anyone who enjoys a good, complex read. I am hoping to start 1984 shortly!
I am very excited for some events to come! Tomorrow night, I am going out for dinner and drinks with all of the teachers from the school I am interning at! On Sunday, I am going to the Italian Festival with Jeni and possibly my other roommates. Next weekend, I am potentially planning a short three day trip to the South Island (if I can get Monday off from work)! I would start in Moteuka, then travel a short distance to Nelson, and finish where the ferry takes me back to Wellington, Picton. It would be a great way to see some of the South Island (which most New Zealanders would argue is the more beautiful of the two) on a tight budget! I also hope to hike Mt. Victoria again this weekend to watch the sunrise from the summit!
Tonight is also a great night because our favorite show, Daisy of Love, is on television. It is so ridiculous that we all just sit here and laugh. It's mindless...don't judge!
More teaching adventures to come!
Friday, September 17, 2010
A Bird and an Almond
There comes a time in everyones life where you freeze in your tracks and think: Wow...that hard work really paid off for this one moment. I had one of those moments yesterday at work. I was walking up the valley by myself for the first time when I saw Matu, the Conservation Team Member that I look up to. I saw him standing by the Kaka Bird Feeders with a bag of almonds and a cage. Upon inquiring about what he was doing, I found out that there was a Kaka with a foot disease that needed to be brought over to the Wellington Zoo for treatment. I was in awe to see Matu standing inches away from the feeder, with three Kakas standing on it. He extended his arm and began to hand feed the birds almonds. It was the most incredible thing to see because these birds are so large and beautiful. Matu recognized my amazement, and brought me close to the feeder, handed me an almond, and allowed me to feed two Kakas! It was such an amazing and foreign feeling to have a bird eat out of your hand. It was at that moment that I understood his passion for the birds.
That day, I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Zoo with the Kaka. I went with Brian, the director of Conservation Education at the Sanctuary. The people at the Zoo were very kind, and gave us a tour of their new veterinary facility as well as exhibits that pertain to native New Zealand species. I saw my first Kiwi at the Zoo and it was so cool!
Last night was a great night with my four roomates! We went out for dinner at a great Italian restaurant, and then went over to the other intern apartment to meet up with the other guys for a while. We then continued our evening by going to Coyote, the place to be on Courtenay Street, and came back to the apartment to watch the Matrix, for two consecutive weekends in a row.
This morning, I was so happy to talk to my brother, Brett, for the first time since I got here. Although Skype did not work, we managed to get on the phone with each other and have a nice conversation. After, Jeni and I went on a cleaning rampage, and cleaned the kitchen, which was well needed. That was followed by a trip to the New World supermarket, and a homemade fresh mozzarella sandwich! This afternoon, everyone took a nice hike up to the summit of Mt. Victoria. It was beautiful, and we could see the whole City of Wellington, in addition to some amazing mountains and the ocean.
Today, I also learned that I will be starting a new internship on Tuesday at the Clyde Quay School, a public school in Wellington, working with the 5 and 6 year olds! I am very excited to work there for four weeks! When the kids go on holiday (break) after next week, I will go back to Zealandia to help out the Conservation Education team with their holiday programs!
More hiking adventures to come!
That day, I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Zoo with the Kaka. I went with Brian, the director of Conservation Education at the Sanctuary. The people at the Zoo were very kind, and gave us a tour of their new veterinary facility as well as exhibits that pertain to native New Zealand species. I saw my first Kiwi at the Zoo and it was so cool!
Last night was a great night with my four roomates! We went out for dinner at a great Italian restaurant, and then went over to the other intern apartment to meet up with the other guys for a while. We then continued our evening by going to Coyote, the place to be on Courtenay Street, and came back to the apartment to watch the Matrix, for two consecutive weekends in a row.
This morning, I was so happy to talk to my brother, Brett, for the first time since I got here. Although Skype did not work, we managed to get on the phone with each other and have a nice conversation. After, Jeni and I went on a cleaning rampage, and cleaned the kitchen, which was well needed. That was followed by a trip to the New World supermarket, and a homemade fresh mozzarella sandwich! This afternoon, everyone took a nice hike up to the summit of Mt. Victoria. It was beautiful, and we could see the whole City of Wellington, in addition to some amazing mountains and the ocean.
Today, I also learned that I will be starting a new internship on Tuesday at the Clyde Quay School, a public school in Wellington, working with the 5 and 6 year olds! I am very excited to work there for four weeks! When the kids go on holiday (break) after next week, I will go back to Zealandia to help out the Conservation Education team with their holiday programs!
More hiking adventures to come!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
"Breathe, Breathe in the Air"
As you walk down the crowded city streets rushing to your job that you are already twenty minutes late for, the last thing on your mind is the quality of the air that you are breathing in as your nostrils flare, and you catch your breath at the red stop hand on Broadway. Similarly to the average business person, I have been running around for the past week at my internship doing my job and not thinking about my surroundings for one second. Today was the first day that I sat on the ground and was able to "breathe, breathe in the air, don't be afraid to care (Breathe, Pink Floyd)." As I was watching for bellbirds, hidden in the depth of the forest near a flowing stream, I thought to myself, why have I not taken the opportunity to take a deep breath of true fresh air? That was the best breath I have taken in a while, crystal clear, cold,, beautiful air. Call me crazy, but you will understand when you go off the trails at Zealandia in New Zealand.
In other news, I had a great first weekend here in Wellington! I went shopping on Friday afternoon for some things that I did not bring from home like a cute jacket (but don't worry, it was on sale!) for going out, and a pocketbook! Saturday and Sunday were relaxing days. I went out for long walks with Jeff and Noah, my roomates to explore Wellington and take some photographs. Before I knew it, the weekend was over and I was back on the 7:35 A.M. bus to Zealandia.
On Monday, Erin and I observed Kakariki, a species that was brought into the Sanctuary about three months ago. We saw a good number of them and they seem to be adjusting well! In the afternoon, we were assigned to watch some Bellbirds, and walk along a transect that cut across a barley warn trail that was located on a huge slope. It was quite a challenge to get up it, a rope was required, was even more of a challenge to walk along it, and the worst of it all was getting down to flat ground. My tactic: The Butt Slide (Results!). I managed to slide completely down the hill. It was quick, but resulted in a dirt covered body. I am adjusting slowly but surely to walking through town with a butt covered in mud after work.
Today, I received basic training in the morning about how to use their Google Documents system. A long hour of training was followed by Bellbird monitoring for the remainder of the day. I was with a great group of three other young women. We got along very well and hopefully will become better friends over the next few weeks! We also found a Bellbird nest, which was exciting for the bird-lovers!
Tonight was pretty eventful. I came home, showered, plopped down to watch television, and made Tofu Parm again! This time, I fried it on a frying pan, then put it in the oven to crispin it up, and melt the cheese. It came out even better then last weeks!
More dirty adventures to come!
In other news, I had a great first weekend here in Wellington! I went shopping on Friday afternoon for some things that I did not bring from home like a cute jacket (but don't worry, it was on sale!) for going out, and a pocketbook! Saturday and Sunday were relaxing days. I went out for long walks with Jeff and Noah, my roomates to explore Wellington and take some photographs. Before I knew it, the weekend was over and I was back on the 7:35 A.M. bus to Zealandia.
On Monday, Erin and I observed Kakariki, a species that was brought into the Sanctuary about three months ago. We saw a good number of them and they seem to be adjusting well! In the afternoon, we were assigned to watch some Bellbirds, and walk along a transect that cut across a barley warn trail that was located on a huge slope. It was quite a challenge to get up it, a rope was required, was even more of a challenge to walk along it, and the worst of it all was getting down to flat ground. My tactic: The Butt Slide (Results!). I managed to slide completely down the hill. It was quick, but resulted in a dirt covered body. I am adjusting slowly but surely to walking through town with a butt covered in mud after work.
Today, I received basic training in the morning about how to use their Google Documents system. A long hour of training was followed by Bellbird monitoring for the remainder of the day. I was with a great group of three other young women. We got along very well and hopefully will become better friends over the next few weeks! We also found a Bellbird nest, which was exciting for the bird-lovers!
Tonight was pretty eventful. I came home, showered, plopped down to watch television, and made Tofu Parm again! This time, I fried it on a frying pan, then put it in the oven to crispin it up, and melt the cheese. It came out even better then last weeks!
More dirty adventures to come!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Mud Will Always Get the Best In You...And Your Pants
For those of you who are still curious as to what this blog is, here is an update of my life in New Zealand! Much of thursday was spent in the Valley (A.K.A. the Bush), trudging through mud off trails to reach the many Hihi boxes (Click Here to see a Hihi!) that are conveniently located on the top of the steepest parts of the mountains as possible. Yes, even some of the nest sites had ropes tied to trees to assist people in getting up the hill. Una and Lauren were great company to check the boxes with, and we enjoyed a serene few minutes sitting in the woods at each hidden site. The mud seemed to get the best of me and my pants. I might as well have been wearing no pants at all (it is what it looked like from my many slips)! Some of the slopes were so steep, that it was easier to just sit down, and create a natural mud slide to make your way down.
After checking those boxes, I was sent out with Una and an older man to check Kaka boxes! Although these nests were not so difficult to get to, the trek up to the boxes was quite strenuous but well worth it! We took the "Steep Trail" up to the fence (yes, we walked all the way up, as far as you can go). And believe me was it steep! I was able to do it with a smile, and actually enjoyed it as well! It was a great little stroll through the park.
I spent the afternoon with a man named Mark (a little crazy if you ask me). It was his first time setting up food for the Hihi birds, and liked to "talk himself through it." He asked me to help him as an excuse to allow his socially unaccepted habit of talking to himself, become accepted.
After a long Thursday, I was in no means psychologically fit to cook myself a meal. The next best option? Order two large pies from Dominos, and have two people eat both of them, as well as the Chocolate Molten Lava Cake (which I highly recommend).
Friday morning was great at the Sanctuary. I was trained how to read the bird's bands and how to record sightings for bellbirds (Bellbirds!). I went off with a high school exchange student from Germany to different trails and we got to sit and watch the birds feed! It was very cool to see. One of the female birds was quite curious and came pretty close to us! The afternoon was spent cleaning out the shed by sweeping (and trust me it had not been swept in a while). It's a good thing that I am good at cleaning! I then continued to do the dirty jobs by getting lucky enough to be assigned to sand all of the tools, and oil them! Woooooooooh! I made it fun for myself though by counting the cracks in the wood. Strange, but hey, it made the time fly by, especially because my iPod died on me before I even finished walking to the bus.
When I got home, I was looking very cute in my work boots, mud, and sweat, to meet my two new roomates, Noah and Jeff. The two guys, Jeni and I went out for an early dinner to JJ's Irish Pub, where I devoured more pizza! We went out to a nice bar after and met up with the guys from the other apartment, Nick and Mack.
I have no idea what Saturdays explorations may bring but more adventures to come!
After checking those boxes, I was sent out with Una and an older man to check Kaka boxes! Although these nests were not so difficult to get to, the trek up to the boxes was quite strenuous but well worth it! We took the "Steep Trail" up to the fence (yes, we walked all the way up, as far as you can go). And believe me was it steep! I was able to do it with a smile, and actually enjoyed it as well! It was a great little stroll through the park.
I spent the afternoon with a man named Mark (a little crazy if you ask me). It was his first time setting up food for the Hihi birds, and liked to "talk himself through it." He asked me to help him as an excuse to allow his socially unaccepted habit of talking to himself, become accepted.
After a long Thursday, I was in no means psychologically fit to cook myself a meal. The next best option? Order two large pies from Dominos, and have two people eat both of them, as well as the Chocolate Molten Lava Cake (which I highly recommend).
Friday morning was great at the Sanctuary. I was trained how to read the bird's bands and how to record sightings for bellbirds (Bellbirds!). I went off with a high school exchange student from Germany to different trails and we got to sit and watch the birds feed! It was very cool to see. One of the female birds was quite curious and came pretty close to us! The afternoon was spent cleaning out the shed by sweeping (and trust me it had not been swept in a while). It's a good thing that I am good at cleaning! I then continued to do the dirty jobs by getting lucky enough to be assigned to sand all of the tools, and oil them! Woooooooooh! I made it fun for myself though by counting the cracks in the wood. Strange, but hey, it made the time fly by, especially because my iPod died on me before I even finished walking to the bus.
When I got home, I was looking very cute in my work boots, mud, and sweat, to meet my two new roomates, Noah and Jeff. The two guys, Jeni and I went out for an early dinner to JJ's Irish Pub, where I devoured more pizza! We went out to a nice bar after and met up with the guys from the other apartment, Nick and Mack.
I have no idea what Saturdays explorations may bring but more adventures to come!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
New Zealand's Next Top Chef
After four nights of either unsuccessful or microwavable dinners, I finally made a fantastic HOMEMADE meal! I had tofu parmesan (but I didn't make the tofu for obvious reasons) with pasta! It was excellent, especially because it was topped off with hot sauce! This dinner was exactly what I needed after a long day at the Sanctuary cleaning benches. While that wasn't all that exciting, I was lucky enough to have a great partner. Jane was an older woman, but I could tell that she was enjoying the company of a young person! We had great conversations throughout the 8-4 work day.
Yesterday was another tough day in the office, but was well worth the sweat and back pains. I was working with a group of about seven people, four women and three young guys (they were still in high school...so don't get too excited). Two of the women and myself got along really well! One of them, Erin, has just started volunteering at the Sanctuary like myself, and we get along really well! I am looking forward to working with her again. So back to my job...we were planting! We walked all along the main path of Zealandia to plant the variety of tall grasses waiting to be submerged into the earth. We also got to plant in the Wetlands, which is a beautiful grassy area surrounded by water. How could I forget the best part of my first day taking the bus to work...I took the wrong bus and managed to be 15 minutes late! But hey, you live and learn! My city skills came into good use though because I was wise enough to think to walk down the street to find the correct bus stop to get me to Karori (where the Sanctuary is)!
I wonder what type of work I will be doing tomorrow, hopefully I will be working with the birds! Tomorrow is also when people will start to move into the apartment! One guy comes tomorrow, and another on Friday. The last guy comes next week! I am very excited because they are other gap year students like myself so we will have something to relate to!
More hardworking adventures to come!
Yesterday was another tough day in the office, but was well worth the sweat and back pains. I was working with a group of about seven people, four women and three young guys (they were still in high school...so don't get too excited). Two of the women and myself got along really well! One of them, Erin, has just started volunteering at the Sanctuary like myself, and we get along really well! I am looking forward to working with her again. So back to my job...we were planting! We walked all along the main path of Zealandia to plant the variety of tall grasses waiting to be submerged into the earth. We also got to plant in the Wetlands, which is a beautiful grassy area surrounded by water. How could I forget the best part of my first day taking the bus to work...I took the wrong bus and managed to be 15 minutes late! But hey, you live and learn! My city skills came into good use though because I was wise enough to think to walk down the street to find the correct bus stop to get me to Karori (where the Sanctuary is)!
I wonder what type of work I will be doing tomorrow, hopefully I will be working with the birds! Tomorrow is also when people will start to move into the apartment! One guy comes tomorrow, and another on Friday. The last guy comes next week! I am very excited because they are other gap year students like myself so we will have something to relate to!
More hardworking adventures to come!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
A Hard Day's Day And I've Been Working Like a Dog!
There is nothing better then a hot shower after a long day in the cold, wet, and windy New Zealand Bush! Today I started my internship at a wildlife sanctuary called Zealandia...I recommend you look it up it is SO COOL!!!! (www.visitzealandia.com)I had an early start this morning, earlier then I will have in the many days to come. It started with a lot of tossing and turning at about 5:30 AM, followed by a great morning text message from my Dad ten minutes later. I finally got out of bed at 6:30, got geared up in my warm hiking clothes, and made myself a nutritious breakfast while watching the news. I also had a special treat this morning and was driven to work by Angela, who set me up with the internship and apartment! She helped me figure out where the bus is so I can get to work tomorrow!
When I finally got to the sanctuary, I went with Richard, a man who works there, and we went on a nice ATV ride along the trails that just barely fit the bike. I loved every second of it. We went around to different places throughout the sanctuary and put food out for some of the Kakariki birds (http://www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/Fauna/Kakariki.htm).
After a few hours of that, I went off with a volunteer who has been with Zealandia for three years, volunteering once a week. We took a nice three hour hike deep into the steep and beautifully vegetated woods. We went off of the trails into the pathless woods to find Kaka (http://www.birdingnz.co.nz/directory.php?op=42). I only slipped on mud twice, but I did it with grace. One of the nests has chicks in it, which was amazing to see! Once we spotted the mother Kaka fly away from the nest, we quickly ran from our camouflaged spot behind some tree branches, and opened the door to the man-made wooden nest.
http://www.visitzealandia.com/Site/Zealandia_Home/Inside/News/Media_Release_2010/kaka_chick.aspx
Aren't they precious!!!
A great few hours and a brainful of new knowledge later, I met up with Matt to inspect the fences that go twelve miles around the perimeter of the sanctuary. The truck ride was very bumpy, but was well worth slight nausea for a great conversation and spectacular views of Zealandia as well as Wellington.
I am officially happy to say that I cannot wait for the adventures to come tomorrow!!
When I finally got to the sanctuary, I went with Richard, a man who works there, and we went on a nice ATV ride along the trails that just barely fit the bike. I loved every second of it. We went around to different places throughout the sanctuary and put food out for some of the Kakariki birds (http://www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/Fauna/Kakariki.htm).
After a few hours of that, I went off with a volunteer who has been with Zealandia for three years, volunteering once a week. We took a nice three hour hike deep into the steep and beautifully vegetated woods. We went off of the trails into the pathless woods to find Kaka (http://www.birdingnz.co.nz/directory.php?op=42). I only slipped on mud twice, but I did it with grace. One of the nests has chicks in it, which was amazing to see! Once we spotted the mother Kaka fly away from the nest, we quickly ran from our camouflaged spot behind some tree branches, and opened the door to the man-made wooden nest.
http://www.visitzealandia.com/Site/Zealandia_Home/Inside/News/Media_Release_2010/kaka_chick.aspx
Aren't they precious!!!
A great few hours and a brainful of new knowledge later, I met up with Matt to inspect the fences that go twelve miles around the perimeter of the sanctuary. The truck ride was very bumpy, but was well worth slight nausea for a great conversation and spectacular views of Zealandia as well as Wellington.
I am officially happy to say that I cannot wait for the adventures to come tomorrow!!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
New Zealand...At Last!
As my final plane touched down in Wellington, New Zealand, I felt as if everything froze, and my life had become surreal. Looking out of the plane from the awkward middle seat, I saw snow covered mountains that would make just about anybody stop and stare. The combination of the crystal clear white tip of the plane's wing, and the hazy Wellington skyline, was surreal.
Now let's go back about...20 hours. I am sitting on Air New Zealand flight 1. The LAX runway is covered in a layer of fog, as usual. My plane is sitting on a runway of its own, saved for the "broken planes," or the ones that can't get their third engine to work for three hours so the passengers need to sit on the plane for three extra hours and sweat because the air conditioning doesn't go completely on until the plane is airborne. I just have the best luck flying to the Pacific (Note: I had a very very very long journey to Fiji in 2008).
Finally, two and a half hours after our scheduled departure, we were airborne. I finally fell asleep after watching a movie called The Joneses (I have very mixed emotions about the film...I would possibly recommend it?). I landed smoothly in Auckland, New Zealand. Everything was going well until I was on a big green bus. Two business men were serenely exchanging the stories of their wives at home in Christchurch, New Zealand, and how they dealt with the massive 7.4 earthquake that struck at 4:45 that morning. My thoughts immediately became frozen at the word: EARTHQUAKE. I took a deep breath and continued to listen to their tales. Having no clue where Christchurch was in relation to Wellington, I ran into the Domestic Terminal after the bus pulled over, and glued myself to a television. The news broadcaster had worried eyes, but was reassuring that there were no deaths, and only a few injuries. I was relieved at that statement, but even more so when I realized that Wellington is on the North Island, and Christchurch on the Southern Island.
Anyway, my first day in Wellington was great! The weather was nearly perfect. 55 degrees Celsius, no wind, and 100% sun. My roommates and I had a delicious lunch after walking around at a great Indian place. We then went to the area by the water to a craft fair. We were pleasantly surprised by a basketball street performer. We finally arrived back to the apartment (which is quite nice, actually), with bags of groceries occupying our hands. I made dinner after relaxing in my room for a while and unpacking. Let me tell you, I failed miserably. I bought Tomato Paste, thinking they used a different word for sauce in New Zealand. EW!!!!!! See Mom and Dad, you can screw up pasta!!! I went to bed at about 8:30 to the movie Along Came Polly. I slept for about 12 hours and now here we are! Today, I think I am going to go out and explore a little on my own with my camera!
More adventures to come!
Now let's go back about...20 hours. I am sitting on Air New Zealand flight 1. The LAX runway is covered in a layer of fog, as usual. My plane is sitting on a runway of its own, saved for the "broken planes," or the ones that can't get their third engine to work for three hours so the passengers need to sit on the plane for three extra hours and sweat because the air conditioning doesn't go completely on until the plane is airborne. I just have the best luck flying to the Pacific (Note: I had a very very very long journey to Fiji in 2008).
Finally, two and a half hours after our scheduled departure, we were airborne. I finally fell asleep after watching a movie called The Joneses (I have very mixed emotions about the film...I would possibly recommend it?). I landed smoothly in Auckland, New Zealand. Everything was going well until I was on a big green bus. Two business men were serenely exchanging the stories of their wives at home in Christchurch, New Zealand, and how they dealt with the massive 7.4 earthquake that struck at 4:45 that morning. My thoughts immediately became frozen at the word: EARTHQUAKE. I took a deep breath and continued to listen to their tales. Having no clue where Christchurch was in relation to Wellington, I ran into the Domestic Terminal after the bus pulled over, and glued myself to a television. The news broadcaster had worried eyes, but was reassuring that there were no deaths, and only a few injuries. I was relieved at that statement, but even more so when I realized that Wellington is on the North Island, and Christchurch on the Southern Island.
Anyway, my first day in Wellington was great! The weather was nearly perfect. 55 degrees Celsius, no wind, and 100% sun. My roommates and I had a delicious lunch after walking around at a great Indian place. We then went to the area by the water to a craft fair. We were pleasantly surprised by a basketball street performer. We finally arrived back to the apartment (which is quite nice, actually), with bags of groceries occupying our hands. I made dinner after relaxing in my room for a while and unpacking. Let me tell you, I failed miserably. I bought Tomato Paste, thinking they used a different word for sauce in New Zealand. EW!!!!!! See Mom and Dad, you can screw up pasta!!! I went to bed at about 8:30 to the movie Along Came Polly. I slept for about 12 hours and now here we are! Today, I think I am going to go out and explore a little on my own with my camera!
More adventures to come!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Palos Hair-des
Here I am...sitting on a bed next to Lindsay Szper! After a long five hour flight, I finally made it to Palos Hair-des (AKA Palos Verdes). On the plane ride, I couldn't help myself but think about change, and how strange it feels to go into something, my gap year, knowing that I will come out changed. I know I am about to encounter things that I have no idea how to handle, but conquering those experiences will help me to grow up from a child to an adult. Although I am now an "adult," I am so happy that Lindsay gave me a little stuffed animal upon my arrival to LA. I left my teddy bear at home...a comfort object that comes just about anywhere (that is overnight) with me. Something that will stick with me through the rest of my life that I remembered this summer is the following quote from Peter Pan (it was also on the back of the old Leoj): "If growing up means that it is beneath my dignity to climb a tree, then I'll never grow up!" As adult as my temporary new life in New Zealand will be, I will never forget that being a child deep down is one of the most important aspects in life. As the Little Prince once said, "Grown-ups are strange." (Especially the really serious ones.)
Anyways, LA with Lindsay! Last night, we went to a great vegetarian restaurant in El Segundo called the Veggie Grill! I met two of her friends who were both very nice! After, we went over to Jennifer's house, another CITYterm friend! It was great to see her considering we have been separated ever since we left CITYterm last December. This morning, we went for an early breakfast at the Pancake House. My Chocolate Chip Pancakes were mouthwatering. Our breakfast adventure was followed with a trip to the park to lay out in the sun and talk about life, as we tend to do. We then came back to her house to play basketball and softball...we are so athletic.
More adventures to come...
Anyways, LA with Lindsay! Last night, we went to a great vegetarian restaurant in El Segundo called the Veggie Grill! I met two of her friends who were both very nice! After, we went over to Jennifer's house, another CITYterm friend! It was great to see her considering we have been separated ever since we left CITYterm last December. This morning, we went for an early breakfast at the Pancake House. My Chocolate Chip Pancakes were mouthwatering. Our breakfast adventure was followed with a trip to the park to lay out in the sun and talk about life, as we tend to do. We then came back to her house to play basketball and softball...we are so athletic.
More adventures to come...
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