Somoa, Tramping, Dragon Boating and Aussie!

Hello everyone! I'm sure no one is surprised that I have again neglected my blog writing duties. So here comes another massively long post. I'll try and keep it interesting so you can actually read the whole thing! But first, I feel I should mention the earthquake in Christchurch. Although it pales in comparison to Japan, the devastation was heartbreaking to NZ. I'm fine though, I was actually in Samoa when the earthquake hit.

So Samoa. I went for 5 days with my counsellor Bob as he was going there on business. It was amazing! It was so so unlike anything, anywhere I'd ever seen before! Beautiful beaches (as you can see in the photo) but also absolute poverty in some places. The beach you can see in that photo is actually the one where the tsunami hit back in 2009. Most of the island lives in huts, with communal meeting houses. It is very bizarre seeing a little thatched roof hut with a sign on it that says "top up your mobile here!", but that's Samoa in a nut shell for you!

Typical Samoan scenery

Just after that I went on a tramping weekend with the students of 9910. We tramped Mount Ruapehu, which in winter time is a ski resort, and the Tongariro Crossing. Mt Ruapehu is a volcano, as are most things in NZ, which means there are absolutely no trees. There are big boulders and not much else, which makes tramping more like rock climbing. To be honest, I did not enjoy myself! But the Tongariro Crossing completely made up for Mt Ruapehu! It was a full day tramp and packed so many different types of scenery into one day- so beautiful!

About to die on Mt Ruapehu

Top of Mt Ruapehu (Lord of the Rings fans... Recognize anything in the background?)

Sulphur Lakes at the Tongariro Crossing

Since school has started back up I've been very busy! Between Peer Support, Stage Challenge (a dance show) and Dragon Boating, I haven't had a dull day! Just recently my Dragon Boating team competed in our first (and only) regatta. My school hasn't even made the finals since 1993 (the year we were all born) so were we ecstatic when we placed 3rd in the overall finals!

Looking pretty professional 

Hard to see, but we're wearing medals!

Most recently I was at the Gold Coast in Australia with my host parents. They have an apartment right on the beach at Surfers Paradise, known for nightlife, theme parks and shopping. We were so busy over the week, but by far the highlight for me was seeing all the weird animals Aussie has to offer! NZ doesn't have any native animals other than some birds and a couple bats, so it was SO cool to hold a koala and pet kangaroos!

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Beyond excited! (They're really soft!)

Eating Emu, Crocodile and Kangaroo (so sad after just petting them!)

That's all for now! Coming up soon, I'll be moving to my final host family, going to Cape Reinga at the top of the North Island and Tahiti for District Conference with the other exchange students. So much to pack into my last few months... I can't believe it's almost time to go back to Canada!

End of Summer, Start of School

Sorry sorry sorry sorry. I know I'm getting terrible at updating, just too busy have a good time!

The school holidays have just ended and school is back in session. (Although it stills feels like summer vacation as the heat is stifling). My last few weeks of summer were fantastic. I spent a week in the Coromandel (the getaway spot for many Aucklanders) with my host family and another exchange student, Solene from France. We spent pretty much all of our time boogy boarding at the beach and attempting to get a tan... Although Solene and I both had to wear SPF 70 to avoid burning!

Cathedral Cove, Cormandel. (Used in the opening scenes of Narnia 2!)

New Chumms, Coromandel. 

I'm pretty much a pro...

I also celebrated my 18th birthday this past week, which felt very strange; I don't feel old enough to be 18! It was a really nice day, although it was raining. I had lunch with the other exchange students in the city and then dinner with my host family. My Rotary Club also gave me a huge chocolate cake!

Thanks Rotary Club of Pakuranga!

Family friends from Canada, Norm and Dianne, were on holidays over the break and I had the opportunity to meet up with them for dinner. It was so crazy seeing people from my Canadian life here in NZ! I talked their ears off about New Zealand and about the differences/similarities between Canada and NZ. Look out everyone I will be talking about my exchange heaps when I get back!

Dinner with Norm & Dianne from Canada!

I also went to Big Day Out a couple weeks back with the other exchange students. BDO is an all day concert featuring heaps of different artists on 7 stages. I went to see Wolfmother, Lupe Fiasco, Naked and Famous, Phoenix Foundation, M.IA, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and even Rammstien! It was such a fun day and amazing to see so many different bands in one day!

Through a Rotarian at my club, I was also able to spend 24 hours at a fire station, riding along in the truck to calls, day and night! Although I did miss a few calls during the night, even though lights and bells go on when there is a call! Guess I'm a deep sleeper... The firemen were all super nice (and some of them super cute as well!).

Decked out in fire gear. Looking totally legit.

School has started back up; I'm in Year 13 (Grade 12) which means that I'm now in mufti (regular people clothes-- not uniform). I also get the privilege to leave the campus during lunch and just generally be a lot cooler than younger years! That being said I'm involved in the 'Peer Support' program at school. Year 13's hang out with Year 9's and help them adjust to high school. We also go to camp for a couple days to bond and build self confidence. Camp is next week and I'm very excited!

The week after camp I will be heading off to Samoa for a week with my counsellor! I'm really keen to see Samoa and see their completely different way of life. I will also be the speaker at one of the local Rotary clubs there! Should be amazing, although it'll be very very humid! (It's been crazy humid in NZ lately as well!)

I'm with my 3rd host family now and I have just over 4 months left. I actually can not believe how quickly time has gone by! I'll be coming back home before I know it... Next week is Selection Weekend back home, where Rotary will choose a new exchange student to come to NZ and I will officially be replaced! Sad!

Christmas and New Years

Christmas in New Zealand is rather bizarre. The carols are the same ("I'm dreaming of a white Christmas"... no joke), the cookies and treats are all the same, and children/ exchange students still go to department stores to sit on Santa's knee. Despite all this I often forgot that it was the holidays season. If I came across lights or decorations while wearing shorts I would think that someone had been lazy and left them up all year!

Yes I am wearing shorts in a Christmas card photo!

(Hallie a visitor from the States, Greg, Kelsie the dog, Myself, Sue and Graham)

Although it felt nothing like Christmas I spent a wonderful day with my host family. They surprised me with so many prezzies! Many of which to help me remember my time here, which I loved and I think they liked their presents as well! My host mother Sue has spent the entire previous day cooking a delicious Christmas lunch to which I contributed a pumpkin pie (my new speciality) which my host brother and dad had never tried! Unfortunately, they didn't like it...

Domestic Bliss

Putting on a brave face

After stuffing myself with lunch I then proceeded to my counsellor Bob's daughter's house to stuff myself full of dinner! It was lovely to be able to spend the day with my counsellor's family as well as my host family. 

Although I still believe Christmas should stay in winter, New Year's is another story completely! On New Year's eve I was on the beach dancing under the stars with thousands of other people. It was the most fun New Year's possible and a swim in the ocean definitely started off 2011 right!

South Island Tour

It is going to be extremely difficult to keep this post short. I have just returned from a 3 week tour of the South Island with 16 other exchange students (from my district and another close by). This has definitely been the highlight of my exchange so far! We traveled by bus all over the South Island, sleeping in backpackers.... well we put our stuff there at least. It all started in Wellington, the nations capital... (this would be a good time to pull up Google Maps and find New Zealand)

Solene (France) and Oriane (Belgium) with 'The Beehive' Parliament Building

We then took a ferry from the North to the South Island and arrived in Picton. From here we went on a 2 day kayak trip.

First view of the South Island from the Ferry

Yves (Argentina), my kayaking partner

We then drove down to Christchurch where we visited the Antarctic Centre, the Christchurch Cathedral and all the amazing parks/gardens. (Christchurch is the garden city!) Despite enduring a devastating earthquake back in September, Christchurch was as beautiful as ever and showed hardly any signs of damage.

The A-team enjoying a Hagglund ride at the Antarctic Centre

So sad I'm going to miss it...

We then continued down to the Catlins where we went on 2 practise tramps (or hikes if you're Canadian) in preparation for the Milford Track which we would be tramping later in the trip.

Tramping on the beach in the Catlins

Despite trying out my borrowed boots before the trip, I developed some nasty as blisters half way through our first tramp! They were absolutely disgusting and I wasn't able to wear any shoes except jandals (flip flops) for the next 5 days!

Blisters; what a pain in the... heel...

We didn't have a moment to rest; the next day we were biking the Otago Central Rail Trail. Although I've never seen them, I was told this is Lord of the Rings country. (This is on my list of things to do during the holidays!) 

Solene (France) taking a break, er, I mean posing for a photo

As you can imagine, with 17 exchange students, there was a bit of shenanigans that went on during the trip!

Solene (France) is the target of an attack from the boys

From Otago we went to Te Anau where we did some last minute preparations for the Milford Track. We enjoyed one last real meal, then border the boat that would take us to the start of the track.

Before we were sweaty and disgusting!

Our first day was only a one and a half hour tramp. A bit misleading for the days that followed. We had a swim in the water coming down off the mountains and played cards before hitting the sack to prepare for the day that followed...

Renny (Finland) infront of the beautiful backdrops of Day 1 

Day 2 was sunny and beautiful. We swam under waterfalls and drank from crystal clear streams (sorry for the flowery adjectives). At the end of the day, I realized swimming had maybe not been the best idea; when I took off my red bandana I realized that the red dye had leaked out and had been dying my hair all day! Many Avril Lavigne jokes ensued...

The views of Day 2

Day 3 was straight up the mountain and then straight down again. The views were, again, spectacular. When I was told that the Milford Track was one of the most beautiful tracks in the world, I thought the Kiwis were just being cocky again. But it really is some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen!

Oriane (Belgium) on top of the world!

The last day was bittersweet. We were so sad that that part of our trip was over, but SO looking forward to a shower and food that hadn't been rehydrated!

A very happy moment!

We spent the following day on a boat in the Milford Sound. I'm going to have to let the pictures speak for themselves or this post will NEVER end!

A view from our boat in the Milford

Chile, Belgium, Brazil, Brazil, France

Our next stop was the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown! We had a free night, so the girls decided to go out for a quiet dinner without the boys!

Enjoying a meal with just the girls!

We later met up with the boys at a burger joint called 'Fergburger'. The burgers are huge, so naturally money was bet on how quickly they could be eaten...

Leticia (Brazil) beating the boys in the burger 'eat off'

A view of Queenstown

Of course we had to partake in the thrilling activities Queenstown is famous for; bungy and sky diving! I was way to scared too do a bungy, so I opted for sky diving. I thought I was going to throw up when I was about to get on the airplane, but once I was inside, I was only excited! I jumped from 12 thousand feet, with 45 seconds of free fall. 

A little bit scared...

But then only enjoying it!!

The rest of the trip flew by. We stopped at Mt Cook and looked at some glaciers and icebergs...

Glaciers and icebergs...

But before we knew it, we were back on the ferry to the North Island. I'm so sad it's over, but so glad it happened!

The last glimpse of the South Island

Beginning of Summer

Okay so much for writing more often... In my defense, I've been done school for about a week now! I got some really good news in my last week at school; I got accepted to the Dragon Boating team and to the Peer Support Program. Peer Support is a program helping year 9s transition from intermediate to high school. With Peer Support I will attend year 9 camp and from what my friends have told me, it sounds like a lot of fun!

Other fun things that I've gotten up to lately have been paint balling and kayaking with the other International Students at Pakuranga College. Although I did get some pretty disgusting bruises paint balling was really really fun! The rest of my team were all German and during the heat of the game they all began yelling in German to each other... so most of the time I was shooting blind!

 Getting a little intense...

I also went a tour of Eden Park (home stadium to the All Blacks). My Rotary Club organized a tour of Eden Park as it has just been redone for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

In the All Blacks showers!

 

I'm heading off to the South Island for a 3 week tour with the other Rotary Exchange Students on Sunday. I reckon I'll have heaps of stories to share after that trip!

Yum Cha, 42nd Street and an Improvised Jane Austen Comedy Musical

Well it's definitely been a while since I last posted! I appologize in advance for this ridiculously long post and I will try to make an honest effort to post more frequently.

I moved into the Rea's, my second host family, a week and a half ago. My host dad Graham is the Chair of Youth Exchange for my district, so I'll have to be on my best behaviour! I am their seventh consecutive exchange student, so obviously they've had a bit of practice! Their son Greg is finishing up his exams at Uni and will be moving home in a week or so. It'll be so strange to have a sibling again... I was just getting used to this whole only child thing!

Last weekend I went with Rotarian Robyn to see one of her sons Barnie in a very out there musical about a cowboy who's wife is bucked from a horse and bounces between the Earth and the Moon. The cowboy has to shoot his wife to put her out of her misery. There were only two actors and an amazing 3 piece band. The "stage" was set up like a campfire in the dessert; our seats were hay bails covered with checkered blankets. It was really different, but really well done and very entertaining.

A fellow Canadian, Sue, and some idiot with their eyes closed!

The following day I went with Rotarian Ian and his Canadian wife Sue for some Yum Cha (delicous Chinese food). Afterwards we went to a Chinese Buddhist temple for a Cherry Blossom ceremony. The temple was massive! I didn't expect to see something like that in NZ!

This past weekend was Labour Day weekend in NZ (so stange to have it in October). I went to go see 42nd street with Rotarian Bill and his (again) Canadian wife Lynn. These Kiwi guys obviously have very good taste!

My new host parents Graham and Sue at Raglan

The following day I went to a little beach town, Raglan, with my host parents. It was the most amazing day and it was a very cool little town. Up until then I hadn't been to a 'proper' beach; after seeing the surf beach at Raglan, I just can't look at the beaches around here the same way!

Austen Found: The undiscovered musicals of Jane Austen

Yesterday I went to go see an improvised comedy musical loosely based on the works of Jane Austen. It was hilarious. One of the best shows I've ever seen! Lucy, a rebound from Sweden, invited me to go last minute and I'm so glad she did! Although I laughed so hard I got a stitch, I can't see non-Austen fans enjoying... or understanding the show!

Only 10 days left until study leave, which means freaking out about exams for my friends and summer vacation for me!

School Holidays

I've had the last 2 weeks off school AND we've had good weather!! For the first time in 3 months (yes, I've been here for 3 whole months now!) we've had a week without rain! It's been amazing, especially with the beaches so close by.

Getting creative

Thanks to Rotarian Bill and his wife, I've finally seen an official rugby game in NZ.  The match was Auckland vs. Hawks Bay; it ended in a draw. The game was at Eden Park where the Rugby World Cup finals will be played next year (2 months after I leave!). I also participated in the Breast Cancer Walk with another Rotarian Kelvin, his wife and some of their friends. The walk was at night under the stars and had a very festive atmosphere!

I'm in the jumpsuit, the Rotarian's in the tutu. Go figure.

I had quite a few "firsts" these holidays; I made it over to Waiheke island finally, Rainbows End amusement park and the Auckland War Museum.  I went to Waiheke with another Rotarian Robyn. We had lunch at her son's newly acquired cafe and I got to chat with her very colourful family. Robyn herself is a fascinating woman. One of her stories began, "When I lived with the gypsies in India.."

Being a rebel at Rainbows End

Rainbows End was definitely on a smaller scale then say Wonderland back home, but I still had heaps off fun with my friend Laura. The same can be said about the Auckland War Museum. Again, not the largest exhibits but I enjoyed a lovely lunch with my friend Amber as well as some colouring activities that may or may not have been meant for small children...

All glamed up for the NZ Music Awards

The following day Laura and I went to the NZ music awards. It was a really good time, although often I did not understand the cultural references or jokes. I did however know most of the musicians who performed and some of them really deserve to be famous in more than just NZ.

A very successful Thanksgiving dinner!!

As much as I wanted to cook a traditional turkey dinner for my friends, I was extremely nervous something would go wrong! Luckily Laura and her family were super helpful and supportive, even when I was freaking out about taking the giblets out of the bird. Most of my friends had never had turkey or pumpkin pie before, but I think they rather enjoyed it! (Or at least they said they did...)

Back to school next week, I'm dreading it after enjoying these past 2 weeks so much. But only 4 more weeks until summer holidays!!