Dave and I were excited to have new wheels, so we decided to drive down to Kerikeri to see what their farmers market was like and then head over to the Broadwood A + P Show, (Agriculture and Produce). It was a beautiful day and we wanted to get out and explore. It took an hour or so to get to Kerikeri, but the drive was absolutely beautiful with huge rolling farms and giant rock formations at one point. We stopped a couple times near Mangonui and Coopers Beach to look out at the beautiful shoreline and beaches.
Kerikeri is a somewhat posh town, that has a nice market but we found out that it is held on Sundays. Oops, we were a day early. So we found a place where we could each get something to eat for around $15 per person. It was a little Thai/ Kiwi place, Dave ordered fish and chips and I had the buffet, which I chose salad, spring rolls, rice and pork + potato curry, all the food was delicious. We were full and happy and since it was 1pm, we got back on the road toward Broadwood, this time with Dave driving. The car is really nice, but has a touchy clutch so it was a bit funny with Dave behind the wheel. I felt like we were in Driver’s Ed together, both laughing hysterically.
We got to the A + P Show and it was definitely an experience. We saw huge pieces of wood carved by men with chainsaws, sheep shearing and wood chopping competitions. INSANE. In the sheep shearing competition, the men grab sheep, throw them around and using electric shavers, cut off all their hair super fast. In the wood chopping competition, there was one man in particular who was SO GOOD! This man took maybe 16 swings with his axe at this giant log and the thing was split in half. He was so good actually, that they made him start a full minute behind the rest of the competitors. Nuts!
Since we got to the show late, we were unable to buy any Hangi because it sold out in an hour. Hangi is a Maori tradition where a variety of meat, and vegetables are cooked in the ground. It smelt delicious, but I’m sure there will be another time I can try it. We did manage to drink a couple Stein Lagers and have an ice cream. Super yum! (People out here don’t say yummy, they say yum. Weird, I know.)
After the show, we went to Bry and Meg’s place to hang out for a bit and see the puppies. The pups were so beautiful and humongous!!! Meg came to greet us and all the puppies were running around her feet, it was pretty adorable. We went for a little walk down to eat from the pear and fig trees. Delicious. After Dave and Bry measured some Magna Carpa trees for milling, we headed home; both of us were pooped.
We didn’t arrive home until 9pm at least, and while Dave watered the garden and made a delicious salad, (greens, avocado, cherry tomato and garlic), I threw together a quick curry of zucchini, kumara, onion, garlic, ginger, and lentils with brown rice. We passed out so fast, the only thing motivating me to brush my teeth was the fact that I didn’t want the curry staining them. Lame, yes.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
18 February 2011
Today, I found out that my Grandpa had a stroke the other day and was moved to a hospice house for the last bit of his time. It was really sad to hear this and when I called him, it didn’t make things any easier. He was asleep when I called and we talked very briefly and after he said, ‘good night,’ a couple times I got off the phone with him. Sad.
I decided not to mope around all day, and make the most of it despite the sad situation. First, I stopped by Herekino School and dropped off a CV for relief teaching. The woman behind the counter was very nice and I hope to hear back from them soon! They only have 34 students in the whole school, split between 2 teachers. Sweet! Next, I went into town to do our grocery shopping for the week and pick up a few random things, like a yoga ball and a carboy for brewing beer. I went into the wrong paint shop to purchase the carboy, so that will have to be done another day. This really was an exciting day cause it was the first time I drove my new car, so I was able to do all these things independently. Also, it was good to get used to this new car, (a 1997 Toyota Starlet), driving on the wrong side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right side of the car and use my left hand for shifting gears- very different.
After running around, I stopped by the workshop to say hello to Dave and let him know my Grandpa wasn’t doing well. Then, headed home and started making pickles. We have collected about a dozen pickling cucumbers that I started slicing, sanitizing the jars and making the brine. They ended up turning out great, except for the recipe for the brine had way too much salt in it, so next time I would reduce the brine to ½ what the recipe calls for. Here’s the link: http://www.texascooking.com/recipes/edillpickles.htm They really taste just like Claussen pickles, just make sure you reduce the salt.
Dave came home a bit later and we made a nice dinner. We watched the sunset while we ate our salads: mixed greens, garlic, balsamic vinegar, cherry tomatoes and avocados. The other part of the dinner was some delicious red snapper that Meg had caught, which Dave stuffed with onions and pan-fried and there were potatoes with rosemary, and garlic on the side. We ate this inside cause it was really late and the mozzies (what they call mosquitoes out here), were eating us alive.
I decided not to mope around all day, and make the most of it despite the sad situation. First, I stopped by Herekino School and dropped off a CV for relief teaching. The woman behind the counter was very nice and I hope to hear back from them soon! They only have 34 students in the whole school, split between 2 teachers. Sweet! Next, I went into town to do our grocery shopping for the week and pick up a few random things, like a yoga ball and a carboy for brewing beer. I went into the wrong paint shop to purchase the carboy, so that will have to be done another day. This really was an exciting day cause it was the first time I drove my new car, so I was able to do all these things independently. Also, it was good to get used to this new car, (a 1997 Toyota Starlet), driving on the wrong side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right side of the car and use my left hand for shifting gears- very different.
After running around, I stopped by the workshop to say hello to Dave and let him know my Grandpa wasn’t doing well. Then, headed home and started making pickles. We have collected about a dozen pickling cucumbers that I started slicing, sanitizing the jars and making the brine. They ended up turning out great, except for the recipe for the brine had way too much salt in it, so next time I would reduce the brine to ½ what the recipe calls for. Here’s the link: http://www.texascooking.com/recipes/edillpickles.htm They really taste just like Claussen pickles, just make sure you reduce the salt.
Dave came home a bit later and we made a nice dinner. We watched the sunset while we ate our salads: mixed greens, garlic, balsamic vinegar, cherry tomatoes and avocados. The other part of the dinner was some delicious red snapper that Meg had caught, which Dave stuffed with onions and pan-fried and there were potatoes with rosemary, and garlic on the side. We ate this inside cause it was really late and the mozzies (what they call mosquitoes out here), were eating us alive.
17 February 2011
The kids were pretty crazy today. I will definitely have a talk with the principal before I teach this group again. However, now it is 4:30, I have gone for a long bikeride, am drinking my 2nd beer and snacking on some cheese and crackers so things aren’t so bad. ALSO, I am going to pick up my car shortly after Dave gets home from work so this is also very exciting. AND, I don’t’ have to work tomorrow!!! Or Saturday!!! Or Sunday!!!
Allgood.
Allgood.
16 February 2011
Similar story today: Worked at the school, but with Hannah’s class (Dave’s sister), which is such a nice group of kids. At school, the classroom teacher Jodi asked me if I would be interested in working 2 days a week for the next 5 weeks in her class. I was super stoked!!! This means that I know I have work to fill the next term and hopefully will be able to pick up some extra days. It is the type of situation where if I am around, they will ask me to fill in more if something comes up, so I hope this continues! Woooo-hoooo!!!!
Was so hungry when I got home though from not having enough food during the day, so for dinner we had a feast with brown rice, cottage cheese, salsa and a cooked mixture with green beans, onions, garlic, tomato, green olives and avocado. Stuffed monkies.
Was so hungry when I got home though from not having enough food during the day, so for dinner we had a feast with brown rice, cottage cheese, salsa and a cooked mixture with green beans, onions, garlic, tomato, green olives and avocado. Stuffed monkies.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
15 February 2011
Today was my first day teaching the ‘rougher’ group of year 7/8 students. Most of these students are Maori, which have a reputation for being a bit more rowdy and ‘cheeky.’ I found them to be quite lovely for the most part and although I was run a bit ragged at times, the day went smoothly and I enjoyed myself. In this particular class, their day starts off with swimming at 9am, which allowed me to see what their personalities may be like the rest of the day. It went pretty well, although some of the boys goofed off a bit. Meh.
The best part of the day was in the afternoon when I was allowed to help the students build a rainforest out of paper on a section of the wall. It turned out quite lovely I thought. :)
After class, I helped staple the rest of the papers up and went for a long bike ride.
Came home and fiddled around on the computer, then rode back to the workshop to see Dave and brought 3 beers for us to drink with Steve. Yum! Cold beer when you are hot is such a nice treat! Dave and I headed to the beach but it was cold, so we headed home to make dinner and rest.
The best part of the day was in the afternoon when I was allowed to help the students build a rainforest out of paper on a section of the wall. It turned out quite lovely I thought. :)
After class, I helped staple the rest of the papers up and went for a long bike ride.
Came home and fiddled around on the computer, then rode back to the workshop to see Dave and brought 3 beers for us to drink with Steve. Yum! Cold beer when you are hot is such a nice treat! Dave and I headed to the beach but it was cold, so we headed home to make dinner and rest.
13 February 2011
We woke up a bit late in the house cause there is only one window in the bedroom as opposed to 4 in the small caravan (which is also closer to the cicadas who start chirping at 6:30 am). It was nice to sleep in, and although it was only until 8am it made the day feel more like Sunday. We started tidying up the kitchen and began getting ready to go window-shop a property.
We got to the place and the people were a nice, eccentric older pair. The gentleman was bald on top and the bit of white hair he had on the back of his head formed long dreadlocks down the middle of his back. Anyway, we had a nice stroll around the poorly marked and managed 4.5 acre piece of property, which was beautiful nonetheless. There was a small river running through the property, which made the soil nice and loamy. Dave and I both got stung by a brutal wasp and at the last possible moment as I turned around after saying good-bye, I managed to make one of my final steps into a humongous pile of cow shit. My foot was warm, wet and covered with disgusting partially digested grass; I washed it off with the only water we had, our drinking water, laughed and hopped in the van.
Next stop: test-driving a 1997 Toyota Starlet. The car was a mechanic’s car who had passed away last year and was beautifully maintained, drove excellent and since we talked her down 500 dollars, we told her we would take it. This will be nice for independence!!! :)
We got home around 2pm and were starving cause we hadn’t eaten all day….. scarfed down some soup, tuna sandwiches and cheese and crackers. Yum! And then, sleepy…… Dave went to woodshop while I napped a bit.
Dinner- cabbage, cherry tomatoes and stir fry with zucchini, ginger, onion and green pepper, (no rice). Yum!
We got to the place and the people were a nice, eccentric older pair. The gentleman was bald on top and the bit of white hair he had on the back of his head formed long dreadlocks down the middle of his back. Anyway, we had a nice stroll around the poorly marked and managed 4.5 acre piece of property, which was beautiful nonetheless. There was a small river running through the property, which made the soil nice and loamy. Dave and I both got stung by a brutal wasp and at the last possible moment as I turned around after saying good-bye, I managed to make one of my final steps into a humongous pile of cow shit. My foot was warm, wet and covered with disgusting partially digested grass; I washed it off with the only water we had, our drinking water, laughed and hopped in the van.
Next stop: test-driving a 1997 Toyota Starlet. The car was a mechanic’s car who had passed away last year and was beautifully maintained, drove excellent and since we talked her down 500 dollars, we told her we would take it. This will be nice for independence!!! :)
We got home around 2pm and were starving cause we hadn’t eaten all day….. scarfed down some soup, tuna sandwiches and cheese and crackers. Yum! And then, sleepy…… Dave went to woodshop while I napped a bit.
Dinner- cabbage, cherry tomatoes and stir fry with zucchini, ginger, onion and green pepper, (no rice). Yum!
12 February 2011
Parents were gone for the day, so we went up to the house when it was raining. I found a property for sale on the computer and we set up an appointment to look at the place and to test drive a car on Sunday.
Dave recorded music while I putzed around on the computer blogging and what not. Liz was on facebook and we started chatting and I got her phone number again so I could call. It was great!!! To be honest, after not hearing her voice for so long, it made me miss her so much, but I tried not to let myself get too down about it. After having a glorious conversation with her, I called my house cause I saw my Momma on FB also. ☺ We had a nice chat and then I tried to get my things together so that Dave and I could go for a bike ride and a swim in the ocean before it was time to Skype with my fam. It was nice to talk with them as always. :)
Since we had the house to ourselves, we utilized having a kitchen for a night by making a delicious dinner, which consisted of Brown rice with onions, mushrooms, basil pesto on top and a huge salad. So yum!
Dave recorded music while I putzed around on the computer blogging and what not. Liz was on facebook and we started chatting and I got her phone number again so I could call. It was great!!! To be honest, after not hearing her voice for so long, it made me miss her so much, but I tried not to let myself get too down about it. After having a glorious conversation with her, I called my house cause I saw my Momma on FB also. ☺ We had a nice chat and then I tried to get my things together so that Dave and I could go for a bike ride and a swim in the ocean before it was time to Skype with my fam. It was nice to talk with them as always. :)
Since we had the house to ourselves, we utilized having a kitchen for a night by making a delicious dinner, which consisted of Brown rice with onions, mushrooms, basil pesto on top and a huge salad. So yum!
11 February 2011
Dave went to the workshop for a bit on Friday morning to finish the binding on the back of the guitar he is working on. He came home, and ? …….
To be quite honest, I’m writing this the following Tuesday, so I have no real recollection of what we did.
Pretty sure there was a bike ride in the afternoon cause it was so hot and we went for a swim.
To be quite honest, I’m writing this the following Tuesday, so I have no real recollection of what we did.
Pretty sure there was a bike ride in the afternoon cause it was so hot and we went for a swim.
Friday, February 11, 2011
10 February 2011
Today at school, I was in room 9 with the year 5/6 students. They were definitely more of a handful than the class from yesterday. One student in particular was driving me absolutely insane by the end of the day. I feel bad for her because of her social awkwardness, but she is such a sore looser and cries whenever a student makes fun of her so she is an easy target. I found out at the end of the day that next time if I want to calm her down, let her walk around the playground by herself. Good to know! Anyhow, it was a fun day. We did art all day!!! The students are studying rainforests, so they made paper animals. In the morning, they used tissue paper to collage on top of photocopied macaws, parrots, and butterflies. In the afternoon, they did the same thing, but with colored paper and they drew whatever animal they liked. They had fun and so did I. :)
After school, I rode my bike to the workshop, said hi to Dave , then headed home so Kathy could run some errands. I looked in the paper for used cars and ate some cheese and crackers cause I was starving. After Kathy got back I rode to the workshop and had a couple beers with Steve and Dave. It was nice to relax and have a few laughs.
I ate so much cheese and crackers for an afterschool snack that I wasn’t hungry for dinner, but after a while I had some salad and went to bed pretty early.
After school, I rode my bike to the workshop, said hi to Dave , then headed home so Kathy could run some errands. I looked in the paper for used cars and ate some cheese and crackers cause I was starving. After Kathy got back I rode to the workshop and had a couple beers with Steve and Dave. It was nice to relax and have a few laughs.
I ate so much cheese and crackers for an afterschool snack that I wasn’t hungry for dinner, but after a while I had some salad and went to bed pretty early.
9 February 2011
Today was the 2nd day working at Ahipara Elementary, and it was better than the first. I was in room 3, which is the year 7 and 8 students. (Same as 7th and 8th grade in the U.S.) Hannah, Dave’s sister was in the class and had assured me that her class was a really good, smart group of kids and that I shouldn’t have a problem. I was still weary, but the day went very smoothly and there were no major issues. Sweet!!!
Stopped by the workshop afterschool to see Dave, then rode my bike the back way, turned around before I got to the gnarly dog and rode back home. This added some kilometers and huge hills for exercise. I needed it. Dave said I was grinding my teeth in my sleep the night before. Stress is no good!
At home, I looked on the computer for information on getting a Tax Id number. I was told at school that until I have one, I will be heavily taxed; possibly up to 50 percent, so I definitely need to get that taken care of ASAP.
At home, we had some beer, relaxed and made dinner. Green beans with rice, salsa, beans….? I can’t remember what we ate…..
Here's an image of the front of the school with some small mountain in the background.
Here's and image of the front of the classrooms looking down toward the office.
Stopped by the workshop afterschool to see Dave, then rode my bike the back way, turned around before I got to the gnarly dog and rode back home. This added some kilometers and huge hills for exercise. I needed it. Dave said I was grinding my teeth in my sleep the night before. Stress is no good!
At home, I looked on the computer for information on getting a Tax Id number. I was told at school that until I have one, I will be heavily taxed; possibly up to 50 percent, so I definitely need to get that taken care of ASAP.
At home, we had some beer, relaxed and made dinner. Green beans with rice, salsa, beans….? I can’t remember what we ate…..
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
8 February 2011
Today was my first day relief teaching at the school. It was a good day, but happy it was over to be honest. I was a bit rusty on teaching after being out of practice since June and the students are still getting used to their routines and discipline. No one got hurt, so that's a good day to me.
I rode to the workshop to meet up with Dave, brought a couple beers by and we went to the beach for a swim. Clouds were rolling in when we got there, so we just hung out on the sand, caught up on our day and sipped our beers.
At home, I started drinking wine after a long day and we started trying to make something to eat. We haven’t had water for a couple days since the pump has been broken; making dinner with dirty dishes was a challenge. Anyhow, we had a good time and a delicious meal of zucchini fritters, kale salad, cabbage and salsa. Yum! Went to bed early after to make sure I had enough sleep for the little ones in the morning. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I rode to the workshop to meet up with Dave, brought a couple beers by and we went to the beach for a swim. Clouds were rolling in when we got there, so we just hung out on the sand, caught up on our day and sipped our beers.
At home, I started drinking wine after a long day and we started trying to make something to eat. We haven’t had water for a couple days since the pump has been broken; making dinner with dirty dishes was a challenge. Anyhow, we had a good time and a delicious meal of zucchini fritters, kale salad, cabbage and salsa. Yum! Went to bed early after to make sure I had enough sleep for the little ones in the morning. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Monday, February 7, 2011
7 February 2011
Today was my first day at the schools, which was an awesome experience. The teaching style out here is so much more relaxed, yet expectant of the student to be responsible for their education, which is nice and VERY different. Also, the students and teachers have numerous breaks during the day, which is nice and allows their brains to stay focused. School starts at 8:45 and at 10:30 there is a tea break for 20 minutes, 11:50-12:30 is lunch break, 1:30-1:50 is another break. Also, students have swimming for 30 minutes for some point in the day. Pretty great! They're so lucky compared to kids in the U.S., who oftentimes don't have recess or any breaks really.
Came home after school, and I was starving, so I had some snacks and then it was so hot that I passed out for a while. When I woke up, I got myself together and rode to the woodshop to meet up with Dave when he finished up. We went for a bike ride and headed to the beach for a swim and a couple beers. The water was great and quite refreshing. :)
At home we made pesto and pasta with tomatoes and a raw salad with kale, carrots, onion, avocado and sprouted mung beans. Yum!!!
Dinner!!!
Came home after school, and I was starving, so I had some snacks and then it was so hot that I passed out for a while. When I woke up, I got myself together and rode to the woodshop to meet up with Dave when he finished up. We went for a bike ride and headed to the beach for a swim and a couple beers. The water was great and quite refreshing. :)
At home we made pesto and pasta with tomatoes and a raw salad with kale, carrots, onion, avocado and sprouted mung beans. Yum!!!
6 February 2011
Woke up pretty early, and started with the usual morning chores. Dishes, coffee, watering the garden. The neighbors had started having a party last night apparently, or early this morning and woke me up laughing and singing at 5am. Dave and I were talking about it later in the day and decided that they had to be on P, (which is what they call Meth out here), cause there was no way people could laugh that hard for that long without being on drugs more than alcohol.
I started making some yogurt while Dave played his guitar. There are these cool packets out here that contain dehydrated milk and bacteria that are in yogurt, you add warm water, let it sit for 10 hours and voila! You have yogurt. Sweet as!
After a bit, I started making curtains for the caravan. We bought some turquoise fabric, its beautiful and ironically will match the caravan in some weird way. I finished 2 curtains for the back window while Dave helped Matt haul some dead trees around and then we headed to the beach. It was so hot!!! We rode our bikes there and had a blast!!! The waves were really strong that day and kept knocking me over, literally. Dave would get hit pretty hard, but always seemed to land on his feet. I on the other hand, would get thrown, with the bottoms of my swimsuit ending up around my knees. Dave would laugh and try to help me up, while I was laughing too hard to tell him that my swimsuit was off and I had to pull it up. One time my boob popped out and we decided to move away from groups of people. Whoops!
It was Dave’s parents anniversary today, so they met us at the beach after a while, we hung out in the little pools around the rocks. We gave them a bottle of vodka and some flowers to celebrate. Dave and I headed home soon after cause we were quite hungry. At home, we made a version of nicoise salad, which was cheap and delicious. I think it cost us $3.25 per person and was a great feast. (Free ingredients from the garden: lemon for salad dressing, lettuce, kale, green beans, and potatoes. Bought ingredients: Tomato= 25 cents, onion= 50 cents, eggs= 50 cents for 2, can of tuna= $2, garlic= cheap. It was delicious!!!
I started making some yogurt while Dave played his guitar. There are these cool packets out here that contain dehydrated milk and bacteria that are in yogurt, you add warm water, let it sit for 10 hours and voila! You have yogurt. Sweet as!
After a bit, I started making curtains for the caravan. We bought some turquoise fabric, its beautiful and ironically will match the caravan in some weird way. I finished 2 curtains for the back window while Dave helped Matt haul some dead trees around and then we headed to the beach. It was so hot!!! We rode our bikes there and had a blast!!! The waves were really strong that day and kept knocking me over, literally. Dave would get hit pretty hard, but always seemed to land on his feet. I on the other hand, would get thrown, with the bottoms of my swimsuit ending up around my knees. Dave would laugh and try to help me up, while I was laughing too hard to tell him that my swimsuit was off and I had to pull it up. One time my boob popped out and we decided to move away from groups of people. Whoops!
It was Dave’s parents anniversary today, so they met us at the beach after a while, we hung out in the little pools around the rocks. We gave them a bottle of vodka and some flowers to celebrate. Dave and I headed home soon after cause we were quite hungry. At home, we made a version of nicoise salad, which was cheap and delicious. I think it cost us $3.25 per person and was a great feast. (Free ingredients from the garden: lemon for salad dressing, lettuce, kale, green beans, and potatoes. Bought ingredients: Tomato= 25 cents, onion= 50 cents, eggs= 50 cents for 2, can of tuna= $2, garlic= cheap. It was delicious!!!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
5 February 2011
Woke up round 7, Dave watered the garden while I made coffee and we were off to the farmer’s market. Yipeeee! It wasn’t rainy like it was the week before, so I was excited to see some more vendors. The market definitely was busier than last week. We picked up tomatoes, corn, 2 bags of onions, hot peppers, 3 avocados and some flowers for Dave’s Mom. The guy who sells the avocados is really nice and mentioned how I am going to be substitute teaching for her classroom. It was cute and funny how word gets around and this is such a tight knit community here. Love it!!!
At pack n save we spent a fortune on: 2 yogurt packages, brown rice, cottage cheese, orange juice, veggie bullion, some braeburn apples, a loaf of bread, dish soap, honey roasted peanuts, 6 bottles of wine and 2 cases of beer. The wine was on sale, so I wanted to stock up.
We then stopped in Empire Mart for hinges, a notebook, planner and to look at fabric for photographing Dave’s guitars. Then, we stopped by a car dealership and the gentleman who was working was a really nice guy. He directed us to a woman down the road who just put a for sale sign in a really nice car. We drove by the car and it was super cute!!! It has 55,000 miles on it, 4 door little grayish hatchback Toyota called a starlet, for $5,500. Hmmmmm…. Wondering if I should spend that much money on a car…. But its only around 4000 American dollars. Guess I’ll figure it out.
We came home, made breakfast with leftover rice, beans, some toast, eggs and salsa. It was pretty yummy. Dave finished putting the final bells and whistles on the screen door while I tidied up and then we Skyped with the fam. I loved seeing them again! Next week I will call a bit later though, cause they were just getting back from work. They told me about the blizzard and Thunder Snow. That’s insane!!!
After talking with the fam, Dave and I rode our bikes to the beach and took a quick dip. We were both sweaty, cause it was super hot.
We got home, started making snacks and Dave’s fam invited us up for dinner with them. How could we refuse? They are super sweet, plus, I was craving meat earlier in the day and they were having burritos. Yum!!! After dinner, we watched Chapelle Show and I nearly died! Its been so long since I saw that show, and its so funny!!! Nice way to end the evening.
Making Beet Soup in our 'kitchen'.
At pack n save we spent a fortune on: 2 yogurt packages, brown rice, cottage cheese, orange juice, veggie bullion, some braeburn apples, a loaf of bread, dish soap, honey roasted peanuts, 6 bottles of wine and 2 cases of beer. The wine was on sale, so I wanted to stock up.
We then stopped in Empire Mart for hinges, a notebook, planner and to look at fabric for photographing Dave’s guitars. Then, we stopped by a car dealership and the gentleman who was working was a really nice guy. He directed us to a woman down the road who just put a for sale sign in a really nice car. We drove by the car and it was super cute!!! It has 55,000 miles on it, 4 door little grayish hatchback Toyota called a starlet, for $5,500. Hmmmmm…. Wondering if I should spend that much money on a car…. But its only around 4000 American dollars. Guess I’ll figure it out.
We came home, made breakfast with leftover rice, beans, some toast, eggs and salsa. It was pretty yummy. Dave finished putting the final bells and whistles on the screen door while I tidied up and then we Skyped with the fam. I loved seeing them again! Next week I will call a bit later though, cause they were just getting back from work. They told me about the blizzard and Thunder Snow. That’s insane!!!
After talking with the fam, Dave and I rode our bikes to the beach and took a quick dip. We were both sweaty, cause it was super hot.
We got home, started making snacks and Dave’s fam invited us up for dinner with them. How could we refuse? They are super sweet, plus, I was craving meat earlier in the day and they were having burritos. Yum!!! After dinner, we watched Chapelle Show and I nearly died! Its been so long since I saw that show, and its so funny!!! Nice way to end the evening.
4 Feb 2011
Last day of professional development was awesome! I was a bit sleepy from drinking all that box wine, but it was a nice day.
We had a tea break at 10:30. The spread was unreal: scones with lemon cream, brownies, profiteroles, cheese and crackers, fruit and coffee. Sweet! Now I can go back to sleep. That’s one thing I do not miss about being in school, eating lunch and then sitting through a lecture. That’s why I’m a teacher. :)
The Professional Development was great, and when it ended we left to get back up to Ahipara at 3pm. The drive was beautiful. When we arrived, we stopped by the coast to check waves so Meg could surf later. They weren’t anything special, so we went back and stopped into the woodshop to say hi to Dave and see what he’s been doing with his new guitar. ☺ His guitar looks AMAZING!!! He really is doing such a great job and I am super proud of him. :)
Meg and I drove back to the Orchard, and once we arrived, she smoked a joint and I drank a beer. I really stinky and was locked out of the caravan so I went up to the house to shower. Dave’s family was home and we chatted a bit before I got in the shower. I told them how great the presentations were and they told me they were happy that I am doing so well out here.
For dinner, we made black beans and brown rice, with fresh salsa and cheese. Dave and I were both pretty pooped from not sleeping enough the night before, so we were in bed pretty soon.
Gallery at the wood shop where Dave builds guitars.
We had a tea break at 10:30. The spread was unreal: scones with lemon cream, brownies, profiteroles, cheese and crackers, fruit and coffee. Sweet! Now I can go back to sleep. That’s one thing I do not miss about being in school, eating lunch and then sitting through a lecture. That’s why I’m a teacher. :)
The Professional Development was great, and when it ended we left to get back up to Ahipara at 3pm. The drive was beautiful. When we arrived, we stopped by the coast to check waves so Meg could surf later. They weren’t anything special, so we went back and stopped into the woodshop to say hi to Dave and see what he’s been doing with his new guitar. ☺ His guitar looks AMAZING!!! He really is doing such a great job and I am super proud of him. :)
Meg and I drove back to the Orchard, and once we arrived, she smoked a joint and I drank a beer. I really stinky and was locked out of the caravan so I went up to the house to shower. Dave’s family was home and we chatted a bit before I got in the shower. I told them how great the presentations were and they told me they were happy that I am doing so well out here.
For dinner, we made black beans and brown rice, with fresh salsa and cheese. Dave and I were both pretty pooped from not sleeping enough the night before, so we were in bed pretty soon.
3 February 2011
Did not sleep very well, but woke up around 645 without the alarm.
The professional development was awesome! Everyone I was introduced to greeted me with hugs and kisses, which is how people are out here, but still it was really nice. Sheena had great information; I met a few Principals and was offered a 1 day a week position by the end of the day at Meg’s school. Yaaaaaayyy!!!
Before we headed home, Meg and I had a couple beers at a little pub in town around 2:30 and then we headed back to her property to check on her animals. The drive back to Meg’s place was absolutely gorgeous! The hills get much bigger out there and it was super lush. We hit up the little Superet on the way back and got a box of wine. The mountains were so extremely beautiful and I FORGOT MY CAMERA!!! Bah!!! I will have to post pics on these pages later….
First, when we arrived at Meg’s place, I heard the puppies. Her dog Jane had 7 pups 3 weeks ago and they were absolutely fucking adorable!!! Ridiculous. I could hardly stop petting them and always carried one around with me. We set our things down, poured a couple glasses of wine and set out on a walk around the property. First, we went down to the pear trees, ate a few of those. Meg showed me where they have some fig trees growing that are so massive!!! Then, we headed down to a pohuta kola tree, sat on a log and looked down the pasture full of honeybees drinking from Nepeta and onto the mountains below. What a sight.
A few hours later, Bryan pulls up the driveway. I walk out a bit later to meet he and Meg and Dave is with them!!! I thought he was staying at the orchard that night, so I was pleasantly surprised. :)
For dinner, Meg made an awesome smoked fish pie with some sweet corn. The fish pie was similar to a Sheppard’s pie with a creamed smoked fish on the bottom, mashed potatoes and few sprinkled bread crumbs on the top. It was awesome! Yum!
I fell asleep with spiders crawling on me and woke up to a rooster around 5am, but slept well otherwise.
The professional development was awesome! Everyone I was introduced to greeted me with hugs and kisses, which is how people are out here, but still it was really nice. Sheena had great information; I met a few Principals and was offered a 1 day a week position by the end of the day at Meg’s school. Yaaaaaayyy!!!
Before we headed home, Meg and I had a couple beers at a little pub in town around 2:30 and then we headed back to her property to check on her animals. The drive back to Meg’s place was absolutely gorgeous! The hills get much bigger out there and it was super lush. We hit up the little Superet on the way back and got a box of wine. The mountains were so extremely beautiful and I FORGOT MY CAMERA!!! Bah!!! I will have to post pics on these pages later….
First, when we arrived at Meg’s place, I heard the puppies. Her dog Jane had 7 pups 3 weeks ago and they were absolutely fucking adorable!!! Ridiculous. I could hardly stop petting them and always carried one around with me. We set our things down, poured a couple glasses of wine and set out on a walk around the property. First, we went down to the pear trees, ate a few of those. Meg showed me where they have some fig trees growing that are so massive!!! Then, we headed down to a pohuta kola tree, sat on a log and looked down the pasture full of honeybees drinking from Nepeta and onto the mountains below. What a sight.
A few hours later, Bryan pulls up the driveway. I walk out a bit later to meet he and Meg and Dave is with them!!! I thought he was staying at the orchard that night, so I was pleasantly surprised. :)
For dinner, Meg made an awesome smoked fish pie with some sweet corn. The fish pie was similar to a Sheppard’s pie with a creamed smoked fish on the bottom, mashed potatoes and few sprinkled bread crumbs on the top. It was awesome! Yum!
I fell asleep with spiders crawling on me and woke up to a rooster around 5am, but slept well otherwise.
2 February 2011
Today, I called the Principal back at Ahipara and she told me that I got 3 days relief work next week, and 3 days the following week. Awesome!!! This is so great cause they pay $220 per day, it is just down the road and 3 of the 6 days I will be teaching Dave’s sister’s class, so she can help me out. I am very pleased. :)
I called Meg back to let her know that I was really interested in going to this 2 day professional development she had invited me to. The session will be taught by a woman named Sheena Cameron. Everyone out here respects what this woman has to say, and the course will give me some good resources.
Dave came home early from work today cause his Mom told him that my work at Ahipara was definite and we had a few beers. Wooo-hoooooo!!!
I tried to get to bed early cause we don’t have an alarm clock and I had to leave by 730am for the class tomorrow morning.
I called Meg back to let her know that I was really interested in going to this 2 day professional development she had invited me to. The session will be taught by a woman named Sheena Cameron. Everyone out here respects what this woman has to say, and the course will give me some good resources.
Dave came home early from work today cause his Mom told him that my work at Ahipara was definite and we had a few beers. Wooo-hoooooo!!!
I tried to get to bed early cause we don’t have an alarm clock and I had to leave by 730am for the class tomorrow morning.
1 February 2011
Today was a really great day! I woke up and did the usual and Dave headed to the woodshop. I had a really hard time waking up, but after a bit, I headed up to the house to check my email, look for pepper spray online and see what Kathy was up to. Kathy said she and Hannah were going to meet up with Matt for lunch and that they could drop me off in town so I could run some errands and we could visit some schools so I could give them a copy of my CV. Perfect!!! I ran back to the caravan, changed my clothes, brushed my teeth, got my bag together with copies of my CV and Dave’s inhaler and we headed out. First stop was the wood shop to drop off Dave’s inhaler. Then we went to Pukepoto Primary School, which was very cool. I was quite nervous when I came into the school and Principal Murray was in with his colleagues planning for the first day of school and I had a chance to talk with them. I talked for a minute, presented my CV to him and he said, “I will put you on the list straight away, in fact possibly at the top of the list. So we keep things within the community.” That was great! Both of the women teachers he was planning with were very nice, and asked me if I had a partner. I told them yes, and they asked if he worked with Steve. It ended up being that Dave has met this woman, and the other woman asked me if we are always on ‘push-bikes’ together, and I found out that she owns the horses we ride by everyday. Funny. Things couldn’t get much smaller. I like it.
Next stop, town. I got dropped of for a couple hours while Hannah and Kathy had lunch with Matt. It was cool to get to explore a bit on my own. I picked up an extra set of finger picks for Dave, a couple cards, some dried beans from an organic grocer, 2 cute drinking glasses from the Salvation Army and browsed through the sustainable living section in the bookstore. Kath and Hannah picked me up and then we went over to Kaitaia Intermediate School, which is the same as a Junior High in the States. It was really cool! The Principal, Sue was the woman who greeted me. I introduced myself and told her that I was interested in filling in as a relief teacher. She sounded very enthusiastic and told me that they haven’t yet posted it, but they are looking for a teacher 2 days each week with 3 students that have special needs. Sweet!!! I would definitely be interested in doing that. Sure could learn a lot and have a lot of one on one time.
I came home that night, and soon as I came home, Kathy told me that a woman from Ahipara had called and said that she had some work for me!!!
Yaaaaaaay!!! Dave came home and was very happy to hear all my great news.
Next stop, town. I got dropped of for a couple hours while Hannah and Kathy had lunch with Matt. It was cool to get to explore a bit on my own. I picked up an extra set of finger picks for Dave, a couple cards, some dried beans from an organic grocer, 2 cute drinking glasses from the Salvation Army and browsed through the sustainable living section in the bookstore. Kath and Hannah picked me up and then we went over to Kaitaia Intermediate School, which is the same as a Junior High in the States. It was really cool! The Principal, Sue was the woman who greeted me. I introduced myself and told her that I was interested in filling in as a relief teacher. She sounded very enthusiastic and told me that they haven’t yet posted it, but they are looking for a teacher 2 days each week with 3 students that have special needs. Sweet!!! I would definitely be interested in doing that. Sure could learn a lot and have a lot of one on one time.
I came home that night, and soon as I came home, Kathy told me that a woman from Ahipara had called and said that she had some work for me!!!
Yaaaaaaay!!! Dave came home and was very happy to hear all my great news.
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