Catch a Wave!

Well I wasn't able to update last week or yesterday so hopefully it isn't too long!

We were able to celebrate Thanksgiving here and I also had the opportunity to teach my students a little  about my family traditions. We read a book about Thanksgiving and I talked about what it means to be thankful for something. It was really nice to have the conversation because so many wanted to be thankful for material things they owned so we took a deeper look into our lives and they really came up with some wonderful things to be thankful for. Elizabeth and I made a turkey for our hallway that that the students were going to trace their hands and then write what they were thankful for on the hands. They had never really traced their hands so they thought it was funny that we did it all the time around Thanksgiving to make turkeys. They loved it though and some even wanted to keep making more. I also showed them clips of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade which is one of my favorite parts about the holiday. They thought it was really awesome!

Our Thankful Turkey!

On Thanksgiving we were able to have a beautiful dinner with our host families. It was delicious and even though we weren't able to be home it definitely felt like Thanksgiving. We had a beautiful turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing (my favorite), green beans, and pumpkin pie. Elizabeth and Rachel made the pumpkin pie and boy was it tasty they did a fabulous job. My host mum made pavlova which is a desert here made like a meringue with fresh kiwi fruit and chocolate on top. It was sooooo goood and I was so stuffed by the end of it just like at home! I was also to wear a Thanksgiving crown and be a queen. They had christmas poppers which you open up and a present comes out so we all wore our crowns on our heads for the dinner how fabulous!

Thanksgiving Queens!

Pavlova YUMM

 On Friday we had the opportunity to meet up with Amanda's (Elizabeth's Cooperating teacher) parents again for a lovely meal at their home. They live up in the hills of Waitekere and have the best view of Auckland right from their deck! It was really amazing. We had a wonderful dinner from the grill and lots of laughter. It was so nice of them to invite us into their home and we really appreciate their hospitality.

On Saturday we made our way into Auckland to venture up to the Sky Tower which is a lot like the space needle. And if I recall as my mom pointed out on an episode of Jon and Kate Plus Eight they were in Auckland and walked around the outside panel. It was a really awesome view and we were glad we made it to a different area of Auckland and explored a new area.

Look out below!!!!

We also got an opportunity to eat and walk through the casino! Pretty neat.

"Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world...Don't be afraid to try the greatest sport around."
-Beach Boys

I feel like it is only right to quote the great Beach Boys at this time because i am now a surfer girl! On Tuesday we walked around the beach and we got the brilliant idea that we need to go surfing. So we got in contact with Matt a reliever at our school and the plans were set for Sunday late afternoon. I was a mix of nerves and excitement! Thoughts were going through my head like what if I got eaten by a shark! Well don't worry I am still here and have all of my limbs. Once we got to our surf school in lovely Piha we got our wetsuits and were set to go. There were about 11 people in our group and first thing we talked about were rips which made me nervous because they seemed to think that I should know how to see one which I can't do. We then made our way to the beach and was taught three ways to get up in the water. We practiced and had a little warm up that was exhausting and we were in the water that quick! The waves were pretty big but I was able to get up quite a few times which I was really excited about it was just so hard to get back out with the waves crashing into you. I kept having flashbacks of the movie Blue Crush but I know I didn't look like them but in my mind I was. It was such an amazing feeling standing up and getting the energy from the water it really is a very addicting feeling. We hope to go back again if time allows.

And I'm Up!! Almost

Look at that determination!

I am a very sore but happy person from my day of surfing I used muscles I didn't even know I had!  We have a very busy week at school with Wellington this weekend which we can't wait for!! Until next time.


Cheers.

Only 4 Weeks Left?!?!

It is hard to believe that I have already been here for four weeks time is going way too fast! We have been so busy we just keep going and going and going a lot like the energizer bunny. We have os much to see and o and then not to mention that I am teaching all day on top of that. We are busy girls and this week was not any different!

This week in school we have continuing with our Communications unit and poetry. This week we talked about Mail, Television, and also the telephone. I had gotten letters from my kindergarten students in the mail and I thought this was a perfect way to incorporate communication between both classes that I have taught. Before I left I also had my kindergarten students draw a picture that I would give to one of the older students to write back to them. So this week I matched my older class up with my kindergartners and my older students were so excited to get a little buddy. Every time I said a name and who their buddy was they would clap and cheer! The letters have been coming along and they have made them so nice and have really been putting time into making their cards perfect for their little buddies. They also got into groups and are making their own advertisements for the class that we are going to record on Monday. They were coming up with some great ads about the Packers, their school, and a pencil case. We will see what they come up with but it should be really fun to watch!

My students working on their buddy letters!

The students are also working in partners to research and then present on one electronic equipment that has helped in communication over the years. They had to first choose a partner and then had to choose a piece of technology from a list already given. With the information that they have collected they will be taking pictures from the internet and ones that they will take themselves to create a photo story to present to the class. They really have a great knowledge of technology and have been teaching me a lot as we have worked through this project together. Below is a picture of some of my students researching with their partners on iPads from the school.

This week had some really trying times with some of my kids so when it was Friday we knew that we needed a relaxing night. Elizabeth came over to my house to watch Finding Nemo with my host mum and her son Cory. It was a really great night with a movie that is a must see at all times but especially when you are down under! We also had some yummy ice cream but we were so tired and had to get ready for our busy day on Saturday. We also found a Starbucks coffee here and treated ourselves to peppermint mochas to get in the holiday spirit and it was sooo good!

On Saturday morning we decided to get a cup of coffee at a little cafe just down the street. It was delicious they gave us our iced coffee in a nice little milkshake cup which I had never had before. We also had a scary little bird friend that completely scared both of us trying to sit on our table. I think we definitely embarrassed ourselves enough there so we then moved on with our day. We were going to spend the day with amanda who is Elizabeth's cooperating teacher. Our first stop was to pick up our race packets for our 6k on Sunday morning. We got a lot of neat things in our packs along with a race shirt. Our next stop for the day was meeting Amanda's parents for some Chinese food at a place called Yum Cha which is is a Chinese style morning or afternoon tea, which involves drinking tea and eating dim sum dishes. It was such an awesome thing to experience. We sat at a table and the middle piece could be spun so all the food was set there and we could move that to gat to what we wanted. Luckily we were with Amanda and her parents so when the waiters and waitresses came by with all different types of food to choose from they decided what we would like and set it at the table. they would then write it on the bill which we would bring up to pay for later. It all happened so fats but everything was delicious. At first when they would keep getting more and more food I thought we would never finish it but by the end of lunch we ate pretty much everything. They also had ice cream that they brought for dessert that was in a ball. the outside was like a clear wrapper that you could eat and then the ice cream was inside it was very interesting.

Next stop was a place called Kelly Tarlton's which was an underwater shark and penguin encounter in Auckland. When we first got to the place it was only a little building but we then found out that it was underground and the tunnels where the fish swim over were actually used sewer tanks that they fixed up to benefit everyone. Our first stop was going down steps to get underground. We had to get through a spinning ice tunnel to get to the penguins. And when we finally made it to the penguins they were so cute just like in Happy Feet there were penguins everywhere in their own little home. Some were molting and some were taking care of their eggs in their rocks nests.

We then got to walk through the tunnels where the sharks and fish swam all around our heads with just plastic between us. There were so many different sea animals that were so beautiful. Here are just a few pictures that showed the great animals we got to see throughout the day.

After this we drove around town with Amanda to some places that we hadn't been before and got to have some KiwiYo which was delicious and I put some fresh kiwi in mine so I was being very healthy! Then that night I had another easy night with a movie and we were treated to fireworks right in our backyard that was put on for a celebration.


One of the main things that I have wanted to do while here was run in a road race in New Zealand. We searched a little online but couldn't find anything until on Monday Jan found a sculpt 6k run I knew we had to do it! I ran it by Elizabeth and she was all in so this morning we had to be in Auckland in a place called Brittomart (which is like a shopping area) by 7:30 am. We were up and ready to go not sure what to think because I hadn't run much since I did the half-marathon in May so I was just ready to do it for fun and we did have fun. It was an all women's race which was exciting to see all the women bonding together. We started off running and walked a little but we had fun and got fresh fruit ice cream after with Rachel which was soo good and i think we deserved it!

This week we will be talking about Thanksgiving in Room 11 which should be exciting my students have been looking forward to it! I am planning on teaching football which my class will love because they are very competitive and love sports.
A new school week begins tomorrow ready or not.

Cheers.
Miranda

Bethels, Devonport, and the Zoo oh my!

Got my toes in the water...

Friday after school my host mum Jan and Rachel who Elizabeth lives with brought us to the beautiful Bethels beach. We had no idea the beauty that was literally in our back yard. With a short drive from Swanson we made it to Bethels Beach. It was so incredible it is hard to put into words. On the west coast all the beaches have black sand which is completely different than what we are used to at home. It was also very sparkly like glitter was thrown everywhere but the pictures did not turn out so I just took a bunch of mental pictures instead. Rachel said that we were going to be doing a little hike all the way up to a pine tree on the top of a huge mountain. (See picture below) Needless to say we were a little  worried I am not much of hiker but I was excited for the challenge.

When we started Rachel also said she hoped we weren't afraid of heights which was another great way to get me up a mountain. We continued on stopping for photos now and then. It was a very gradual climb and we sometimes had to go through bushes and wilderness like real adventure girls which is now our new nickname. After a climb I was sweaty but at the top and let me tell you it was definitely worth it.

After our hike we then did a little more exploring and it brought us to a cave and wonderful beach. They told us that many people like to go surfing here because it is away from all the people but it can be very dangerous with the rip tides and when it gets really windy. There were no surfers when we were there and it was a calm night. Here are some pictures to describe everything because it is so hard to put it into words but these pictures can definitely tell the story.

Can you find the fisherman??

Saturday
On Saturday we got to sleep in a little and caught the train to Auckland to explore town a little more and also to go over to Devonport. We accidently went here once when returning home on a ferry and we thought hey this looks like a nice place lets go there. We took a small tour with Rod a really enthusiastic (not really) bus driver who brought us to two inactive volcanoes on Devonport. He told us about their rich history especially with the Navy and shipping industries. It seems like they were always ready for war but nothing ever happened. Our first stop was at North Head which had some underground tunnels and we could see Rangitoto Island which is a volcanic island that is  complete circle. We didn't have much time to explore but we did go in the creepy barrack things which gave me a very weird feeling but it was beautiful and such a warm day filled with sunshine we even got some color. It feels so nice but the kids at school think that it is so hot but we want to soak it all up before we have to come home to snow!

Rangatoto

Mount Victoria-Our second stop

North Head-We were standing on the volcano

Our second stop on the tour was Mount Victoria. This was up some winding roads to the top of a very high mountain. Rod told us that these volcanoes have not gone off for a very very very long time so we had no need to worry. I felt very safe in Rod's hands even though he made us move very fast form place to place. This also had some military things with a huge canon that we got to go under ground to pretend like we were actually there. We also had a really great view of the Auckland skyline. We ended our day by hopping on a ferry back to Auckland for some shopping and gelato a great way to end a wonderfully gorgeous Saturday.

Sunday
It's Sunday Sunday going to the Zoo on Sunday. Well today we got to go to the Auckland Zoo with Jan and Cory. We also met up with some of Jan's friends. We couldn't wait to go to see how similar the zoo was to the zoos we are so familiar with at home. We also had a mission to see a kiwi which is a bird and which the people from New Zealand are named for and also penguins. Everything else that we got to see was a bonus. When we got there we got to take some fun pictures in front os a green screen very funny did not buy but definitely worth a laugh. Our first stop was at Grass City where we saw some zebras, ostriches, and the giraffes were being fed. It was very cool I guess you could say the zoo was very open all outside placed in trees which made it seem like we were still in nature for the animals.

We then say the Asian Elephant Burma. It reminded me a lot of Water for Elephants I was just looking for Robert Pattinson to come out from behind the building but no luck the elephant was still awesome. Burma is all alone and will be getting a mate soon which made me happy for her. It is just so amazing to see these animals and how magnificent they are up close.

The kiwi was really one of the only things we wanted to see however they are very hard to see as they only come out at night and very shy which made our mission nearly impossible. We went to the exhibit which was in a building completely in dark which was something I have never seen. There was a little light in the glass container with a moon and then stars on the ceiling almost like you were outside on a warm night. We did see some kiwi birds however they stayed in the shadows so we didn't get any pictures we could have but people were hogging the space and then tapped the glass moved away and said oh they must be done eating rude no you scared him away for everyone else. It was still very cool to see a    symbol of the New Zealand people.

We also got to see some really cool other animals and here are a few pictures I took of my favorite ones!

Here are the penguins! If you look closely you will see the on on the left is missing its fin it had a little stub so we named him Nemo. He still seemed very happy and we wanted to take him.

We saw the baboons and a baby one he looked like he was just born so cute but the monkeys scare me who knows what they are thinking.....Rise of the Plant of the Apes it could happen. Look closely and see the baby in the middle you can click on the picture to make it bigger.

Finally we have the red panda named Amber and the emus. They were super scary creeping me out with their red eyes. I don't really like birds anyway so I was not feeling these scary guys also there was only a little fence separating us.

Overall it was a really busy weekend with a lot of great fun with great people. Now to start another week with my students we will see what it brings you never know with these crazy kids but it is always fun. Have a great Sunday and week everyone!

Cheers.