I’m sitting in bed, tipsy from wine and full from a lovely meal Tasha cooked tonight. Tasha is the teacher here in the Kindergarten-4th grade classroom here in Mitimiti, and she cooked a lovely meal of chicken drumsticks, mashed potatoes, a veggie medly and some hard boiled eggs. Yum and hearty! We had a nice time catching up about life and the what not while drinking wine….. where we went to school, how we grew up, partners, etc. I had a great time!
I also had a great day at school today. ERO came to visit on Monday and Tuesday this week, so it was nice to come in and not have to be on my tippy toes. (ERO are the people who conduct school inspections here. They look through your plans, ask questions to you and the students and give feedback in the end). Today, I taught the students how to make exquisite corpses and they turned out quite nice! ☺ Then, we worked on our artwork we had started on Monday. We had begun drawing birds and sea life that are Native here, and they really are looking beautiful!!! ☺ I will post pics soon.
After art, we played games all afternoon. Dodgeball, statues and more dodgeball! The kids were into it and I needed a break, so it was totally awesome!!!
Now, I’m sleepy and wined. Gnite.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
21st June, 2011
Just re-reading my entry from yesterday while eating dinner here in Mitimiti. MMMMMMMMmmmm….. I had leftovers from last night, which consisted of rice, swiss chard, a baby butternut squash, onions and garlic. Not as much food as I may usually eat, but I have to ration because I was asked to work an extra day, but I only brought enough food for one night. Either way, stretching it wasn’t too bad and I will have a paid day tomorrow to work in the resource room and get it organized. Sweet as.
ERO is coming to visit the school this coming week. ERO is the group that conducts school inspections. Our school is quite a mess and I’m sure everyone is on edge about their visit. The classroom I’m teaching in was the library, the original classroom was condemned in the first term of school and the class had to relocate. Hence the reason I have to organize all library materials in the resource room tomorrow. I hope their visit goes smoothly and they don’t ask me too many questions. (They will ask what you are teaching, how you are implementing the intended learning outcome and how that is shown in both you planning/ curriculum and in the students work. Yikes).
Anywho…. That’s all I got really. I wish I had some cheese and crackers to eat. Ha! Oh well. G-nite!
30th June 2011
ERO is coming to visit the school this coming week. ERO is the group that conducts school inspections. Our school is quite a mess and I’m sure everyone is on edge about their visit. The classroom I’m teaching in was the library, the original classroom was condemned in the first term of school and the class had to relocate. Hence the reason I have to organize all library materials in the resource room tomorrow. I hope their visit goes smoothly and they don’t ask me too many questions. (They will ask what you are teaching, how you are implementing the intended learning outcome and how that is shown in both you planning/ curriculum and in the students work. Yikes).
Anywho…. That’s all I got really. I wish I had some cheese and crackers to eat. Ha! Oh well. G-nite!
30th June 2011
20th June, 2011
Has it really been 3 weeks since my last entry? Jeez. It reminds me of when I was growing up and I would try to keep a diary. I would write something in it involving my friends and what boy I had a crush on, and then POOF! 6 months later or sometimes even a year later, I would open that diary and start writing again, having different friends or different crushes and say that I promised to write everyday, or week. Oh well, at least I’m writing when I can.
Lately, I have been writing mostly when I stay over at the school house after teaching in Mitimiti. I’m not really sure why I didn’t write 2 weeks ago when I was here, but last week I came down with the stomach flu while I was here and that’s why I didn’t write then. It was brutal!!! I have not had a flu for years, and this one kicked my butt and made my stomach shrink. I’ve been trying to keep it that way, so I am eating less and loosing weight. Woo-hoo!
Anywho, things are going well overall. I’ve been having some major growing pains lately, but all to be expected. I do not have any friends out here and it makes me feel a strong anti-social side in me that has been growing in recent years. I miss having my close friends and family nearby. That being said, on a super-positive note, I paid off one of my small student loans for $1,550 a couple weeks ago. Also I made a $1,700 payment on my student loan today and anticipate making another $2,000 payment when I get paid next week. ***(Since leaving Chicago, I have paid off $8,000 in credit card debt, $27,000 in student loans, from working hard, selling everything I own and collecting some inheritance from my Mother’s parents passing). I need to keep things in perspective. I have a rich life right now, living and doing what many people often do not have the chance to experience in their lifetime; teaching in a beautiful country-side, living in a one-room cabin and caravan with no lighting, cooking on a 2 burner gas-cooker, gardening and growing most of our food. Life is good, I just need to fight my anti-social behavior right now and give our friend Jen a call. She is the sweet eccentric artist we know. I need to push my creative side right now, I’m dying to have a creative release!!!
GOOD NEWS: Just before I came into the house, Doug, (the Principal), asked what my plans were for next term. I told him that I didn’t have any other solid work lined up and I would love to stay, if that was on the table. Doug told me that he would mention to the school board that he would like me to stay for next term and potentially into the 4th term. Wooo-HOOOO!!!! Now, this doesn’t mean I will get the job for sure but it is a step in the right direction!!!
Also, Dave has been commissioned to build 1 ukelele and is building the most beautiful guitar! (He will build 2 ukes at once because there is another woman who is potentially interested). Either way, it is great that he has another sale! Also his guitar that he is working on is so beautiful! It is black walnut, totara, (I think), and some other woods I cannot remember. Either way, he has cut these beautiful inlays in the guitar around the sound hole, the bottom, back and sides which look absolutely amazing!!! Also, the contrast between the walnut (dark brownish- purple) and the totara (almost yellow) are insane! I absolutely love it!!!
Abrupt, sorry, but its 730 and I’m off to re
Lately, I have been writing mostly when I stay over at the school house after teaching in Mitimiti. I’m not really sure why I didn’t write 2 weeks ago when I was here, but last week I came down with the stomach flu while I was here and that’s why I didn’t write then. It was brutal!!! I have not had a flu for years, and this one kicked my butt and made my stomach shrink. I’ve been trying to keep it that way, so I am eating less and loosing weight. Woo-hoo!
Anywho, things are going well overall. I’ve been having some major growing pains lately, but all to be expected. I do not have any friends out here and it makes me feel a strong anti-social side in me that has been growing in recent years. I miss having my close friends and family nearby. That being said, on a super-positive note, I paid off one of my small student loans for $1,550 a couple weeks ago. Also I made a $1,700 payment on my student loan today and anticipate making another $2,000 payment when I get paid next week. ***(Since leaving Chicago, I have paid off $8,000 in credit card debt, $27,000 in student loans, from working hard, selling everything I own and collecting some inheritance from my Mother’s parents passing). I need to keep things in perspective. I have a rich life right now, living and doing what many people often do not have the chance to experience in their lifetime; teaching in a beautiful country-side, living in a one-room cabin and caravan with no lighting, cooking on a 2 burner gas-cooker, gardening and growing most of our food. Life is good, I just need to fight my anti-social behavior right now and give our friend Jen a call. She is the sweet eccentric artist we know. I need to push my creative side right now, I’m dying to have a creative release!!!
GOOD NEWS: Just before I came into the house, Doug, (the Principal), asked what my plans were for next term. I told him that I didn’t have any other solid work lined up and I would love to stay, if that was on the table. Doug told me that he would mention to the school board that he would like me to stay for next term and potentially into the 4th term. Wooo-HOOOO!!!! Now, this doesn’t mean I will get the job for sure but it is a step in the right direction!!!
Also, Dave has been commissioned to build 1 ukelele and is building the most beautiful guitar! (He will build 2 ukes at once because there is another woman who is potentially interested). Either way, it is great that he has another sale! Also his guitar that he is working on is so beautiful! It is black walnut, totara, (I think), and some other woods I cannot remember. Either way, he has cut these beautiful inlays in the guitar around the sound hole, the bottom, back and sides which look absolutely amazing!!! Also, the contrast between the walnut (dark brownish- purple) and the totara (almost yellow) are insane! I absolutely love it!!!
Abrupt, sorry, but its 730 and I’m off to re
Sunday, June 19, 2011
31st May, 2011
It’s 630 in the morning and I woke up from having some bad dreams. I also had bad dreams on Sunday night. I think I’m just having one of those rough patches. I just hope that it goes away before school starts today. Gonna go do some exercises to get my body going. ☺
30th May, 2011
Last week, I ended up only working 2 days, which was unexpected, but nice. ☺ I was really exhausted needed the time off. The reason school was cancelled is because where I teach, there are mountains and it rains quite heavily sometimes and when it does, school is often canceled due to flooding.
Yesterday was a bit of a rough day…. I was trying to do good by mowing the grass. However, the grass was over a foot tall, so I had to push the mower while making it do a wheelie the whole time, it was a bit much and of course, I broke it. Then Dave tried to jump-start the tractor to try getting that thing working so we could mow some of the grass that was out of control. Everything was fine, but then the handles on the jumper cables started melting. Shit! So, we drove into town to buy some new ones because they didn’t belong to us, they were Dave’s step-dad, Matt. Oiiii. The day ended with a nice dinner though. Kathy made a nice pork roast, which was then fried up carnitas style. Yum! Dave and I made guac, homemade tortillas and refried beans. It all was really delicious.
Today, was a grueling day and by the end of it, I was completely gutted. (An expression out here, meaning upset.) The kids were really pushing me, and the day ended with me dismissing them to catch the bus, then I went into the classroom to be alone and shed a few tears. Uhhhhh. They were at the end of their rope by the end of the day, being completely disrespectful. Before dismissing the students, I couldn’t get them to do Karakia, which is the Maori prayer they finish off with. I was trying to get the students to listen and do what I asked, repeatedly, (which is my mistake). Then, the staff members who were having a meeting stepped outside and all the students started doing Karakia. It made me feel so small. All these people have to do is walk and the kids listen. On the other side is me, I put in so much effort, with no avail. I went into the class and the Principal, Doug came in a few minutes later to see how my day went and I couldn’t help but tell him I felt like crying, which I did a little. Oh well. Today is over.
Doug invited me to dinner at their house and his wife cooked up a lovely mutton leg, potatoes, pumpkin, peas, gravy plum sauce and a rhubarb baked custard. Delicious. I’m gonna try to let today go and have a better day tomorrow.
Yesterday was a bit of a rough day…. I was trying to do good by mowing the grass. However, the grass was over a foot tall, so I had to push the mower while making it do a wheelie the whole time, it was a bit much and of course, I broke it. Then Dave tried to jump-start the tractor to try getting that thing working so we could mow some of the grass that was out of control. Everything was fine, but then the handles on the jumper cables started melting. Shit! So, we drove into town to buy some new ones because they didn’t belong to us, they were Dave’s step-dad, Matt. Oiiii. The day ended with a nice dinner though. Kathy made a nice pork roast, which was then fried up carnitas style. Yum! Dave and I made guac, homemade tortillas and refried beans. It all was really delicious.
Today, was a grueling day and by the end of it, I was completely gutted. (An expression out here, meaning upset.) The kids were really pushing me, and the day ended with me dismissing them to catch the bus, then I went into the classroom to be alone and shed a few tears. Uhhhhh. They were at the end of their rope by the end of the day, being completely disrespectful. Before dismissing the students, I couldn’t get them to do Karakia, which is the Maori prayer they finish off with. I was trying to get the students to listen and do what I asked, repeatedly, (which is my mistake). Then, the staff members who were having a meeting stepped outside and all the students started doing Karakia. It made me feel so small. All these people have to do is walk and the kids listen. On the other side is me, I put in so much effort, with no avail. I went into the class and the Principal, Doug came in a few minutes later to see how my day went and I couldn’t help but tell him I felt like crying, which I did a little. Oh well. Today is over.
Doug invited me to dinner at their house and his wife cooked up a lovely mutton leg, potatoes, pumpkin, peas, gravy plum sauce and a rhubarb baked custard. Delicious. I’m gonna try to let today go and have a better day tomorrow.
25th May, 2011
Its 640 AM here in Mitimiti. I woke up at 6am, a minute before my alarm went off and MAN, the wind has started blowing something fierce right now!!! Crazy.
Anywho, I woke up early to do some sit ups and push ups, get ready early and finish typing up a mixed algebra worksheet for the year 8 girls that are in the higher maths at level 7.
I’m a bit tired this week, today will be day 2 of 4 for work for me. I am teaching at Mitimiti again this morning and then I will be at Pawaranga Thursday and Friday. Plus, I am spending the night down there cause I won’t have a car Friday morning. I let the registration on the car expire and you have to get the car inspected and get a current ‘Warrant of Fitness’ before you can re-register the car. So, Dave will bring me to school on Thursday and pick me up Friday afternoon. Sweet.
Next week, Doug, (the Principal and teacher out here in Mitimiti), asked me if I could work on Mondays and Tuesdays starting next week. Which is fine, I only will have 2 days off, then back at work.
I believe that end of next week, Dave and I are going down to Whangerai for him to purchase some finish for one of his guitars. I would just like to get out!!! On the way back, we were going to stop in Paihia, which is supposed to be a cute little town with a place called the ‘Sugarboat’ that we would like to try eating at. Its supposed to be a boat on the water that has live music and Dave would like to try getting some gigs there. Either way, I am excited to get away and have some excitement to ourselves.
Yesterday was Dave’s sister’s 12th birthday. I wasn’t home for the occasion, but she had already celebrated by going for the weekend down to Whangerai, shopping and staying in a hotel for 2 days. What happened to birthday parties? Crazy. Anyhow, we probably will have a sushi dinner for her this weekend as well. AND, I made red velvet cupcakes for her birthday, and her Mom made brownies topped with the leftover cream cheese frosting I made and M&Ms. I think that’s insane. Maybe skip the sushi dinner? Sheesh.
Okay, the sky is turning indigo. Its dusk. I should get ready. Bye!
Anywho, I woke up early to do some sit ups and push ups, get ready early and finish typing up a mixed algebra worksheet for the year 8 girls that are in the higher maths at level 7.
I’m a bit tired this week, today will be day 2 of 4 for work for me. I am teaching at Mitimiti again this morning and then I will be at Pawaranga Thursday and Friday. Plus, I am spending the night down there cause I won’t have a car Friday morning. I let the registration on the car expire and you have to get the car inspected and get a current ‘Warrant of Fitness’ before you can re-register the car. So, Dave will bring me to school on Thursday and pick me up Friday afternoon. Sweet.
Next week, Doug, (the Principal and teacher out here in Mitimiti), asked me if I could work on Mondays and Tuesdays starting next week. Which is fine, I only will have 2 days off, then back at work.
I believe that end of next week, Dave and I are going down to Whangerai for him to purchase some finish for one of his guitars. I would just like to get out!!! On the way back, we were going to stop in Paihia, which is supposed to be a cute little town with a place called the ‘Sugarboat’ that we would like to try eating at. Its supposed to be a boat on the water that has live music and Dave would like to try getting some gigs there. Either way, I am excited to get away and have some excitement to ourselves.
Yesterday was Dave’s sister’s 12th birthday. I wasn’t home for the occasion, but she had already celebrated by going for the weekend down to Whangerai, shopping and staying in a hotel for 2 days. What happened to birthday parties? Crazy. Anyhow, we probably will have a sushi dinner for her this weekend as well. AND, I made red velvet cupcakes for her birthday, and her Mom made brownies topped with the leftover cream cheese frosting I made and M&Ms. I think that’s insane. Maybe skip the sushi dinner? Sheesh.
Okay, the sky is turning indigo. Its dusk. I should get ready. Bye!
17th March, 2011
Its around 6pm here today and I am in Mitimiti, which is beautiful. The weeks are flying by and I am really enjoying teaching here in NZ. Six of my students were out today doing their film project, but I should have all 19 of them tomorrow. Today all 13 students visited the health caravan, which is run by a lovely woman named Bridget and is a traveling semi-truck completely decked out inside with carpet, video, sound and cool lights. She uses that space to educate kids about their bodies, healthy social behavior, not to smoke, etc. That ate up nearly 2 hours of the day and the other part of the day we worked on reading and writing poetry. Sweet!
I also started using Kari Miharo’s with the students. (Kari Miharo is a Maori phrase that is used like ‘caught being good’ in other classrooms). This motivated the students to focus on their work and be quiet while doing so. Choice! At the end of the day, I drew 3 names out of the box and gave those students a lollie each, (lolli-pop). I will continue doing this cause it is a constant way to remind kids how they are behaving during class. As the week progresses, maybe on Friday, I have stickers to put in the prize bag so kids can get more than just a sucker. Even though I may be aiding in their tooth decay, it’s better than solely giving out detentions. ☺
After work, around 4, I walked down to the beach and spent nearly an hour down there walking against the harsh wind. Whew! (I’m getting stoked about it though cause I don’t have to squeeze into my pants when I put them on!) ☺ When I arrived back at my sweet little house, I showered and took my homebrews out of the freezer. Whoops, slushy beer! Oh well.
This week, I will have 4 days here in Mitimiti and will figure out tomorrow if I will drive back to say hey to Dave and chill at home for a night, or just stay here for 3 nights. Either way it will be good. I can get some work done here and have quiet after being with kids all day, or I can go home and be with my sweet man. Not bad if you ask me.
Oh, and the Ministry of Education adjusted my pay out here, I got a 50% raise and tomorrow will be paid the nearly $3,000 in back-pay they owe me. So nice! That will pay off one of my small student loans I have and makes me sooooooo HAPPY!!!
I’m off to prep for the morning reading activities. G’nite.
I also started using Kari Miharo’s with the students. (Kari Miharo is a Maori phrase that is used like ‘caught being good’ in other classrooms). This motivated the students to focus on their work and be quiet while doing so. Choice! At the end of the day, I drew 3 names out of the box and gave those students a lollie each, (lolli-pop). I will continue doing this cause it is a constant way to remind kids how they are behaving during class. As the week progresses, maybe on Friday, I have stickers to put in the prize bag so kids can get more than just a sucker. Even though I may be aiding in their tooth decay, it’s better than solely giving out detentions. ☺
After work, around 4, I walked down to the beach and spent nearly an hour down there walking against the harsh wind. Whew! (I’m getting stoked about it though cause I don’t have to squeeze into my pants when I put them on!) ☺ When I arrived back at my sweet little house, I showered and took my homebrews out of the freezer. Whoops, slushy beer! Oh well.
This week, I will have 4 days here in Mitimiti and will figure out tomorrow if I will drive back to say hey to Dave and chill at home for a night, or just stay here for 3 nights. Either way it will be good. I can get some work done here and have quiet after being with kids all day, or I can go home and be with my sweet man. Not bad if you ask me.
Oh, and the Ministry of Education adjusted my pay out here, I got a 50% raise and tomorrow will be paid the nearly $3,000 in back-pay they owe me. So nice! That will pay off one of my small student loans I have and makes me sooooooo HAPPY!!!
I’m off to prep for the morning reading activities. G’nite.
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