It has been quite a weekend! Jackie and I arrived on (NZ time) Saturday morning at 5:40, from flying out on (Chicago time) 4:00 on Thursday! We totally had Friday erased...goodbye Friday! Jan picked me up at the airport and then we headed back to her place to get things situated and upacked! We then took a couple of her friends that were staying with her to do some shopping, they were in town to go to the World Cup the next day! So Jan did everything she could to keep me from falling asleep until at least 8:00, I think I did quite well I ended up falling asleep around 9:00, which only took a matter of 10 seconds from the time my head hit the pillow! Jan truly welcomed me into her home and I feel so happy to be with her and her son! She has given Jackie and I so many great ideas of things to do and see throughout our time in New Zealand! But boy oh boy it has been such a whirlwind here in New Zealand! On Sunday, it was the BIG, HUGE, CRAZY Rugby World Cup Final Day and yes New Zealand was up against an unfavorable team the French. It was so exciting watching my first ever Rugby team and this was their SUPERBOWL equivalncey except picture the Superbowl times 100 where the entire country would be rooting for their team! The team is the ALL BLACKS, and everyone was covered in head to toe black the entire weekend. Jan had gotten some tattoos so we put some on our face and our hands to gear up for the BIG game, we headed to Jan's friends house to watch the game as they were having a big party for lots of friends and their families. It was so AWESOME seeing how excited the kids were as were the parents as they stood biting their nails as the score kept getting closer and closer...and believe me I would not have liked to be in that room if the French would have one hehehe. But NEW ZEALAND WON and it was soooo AMAZING, the party went WILD!!! Everyone was cheering, tearing, laughing, hugging! They were all so passionate for their country and their love of Rugby, it was just very inspiring. So going from an amazing cultural experience of Rugby from which that was AMAZING! Today was my first day at Swanson! My cooperating teacher is amazing and her class seems like they are going to be a lot of fun! It is so crazy working with kids my height, as I just finished up with the kindergarteners but it is a great transition. The school really welcomed us with a traditional Maori event! Jackie and I, were part of the whole event as the entire school and staff welcomed us to their family. It was so amazing! The kids sang traditional Maori songs, and truly made me feel welcome to their school and also New Zealand :) It was a great day, the weather was beautiful and sunny around 72 degrees, ohh yeah the kids are allowed to be barefoot here and that is something I am not used to, but its the Kiwi way, so whatever works, works! :) The school and staff is so welcoming and kind, I am so excited to see the adventures that lye ahead! Next week we have a field trip which I am very excited for! :) and lots of things that I want to have planned! Jackie and I have some big plans to head up to the Bay of Islands this weekend! Which I am SUPER excited for!!! It is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL! :) I cannot wait! We are spending the weekend up there from Friday to Sunday so it should definitely be quite an adventure! I will try and respond hopefully sooner than later :)
E noho ra! (See You Later)
No comments:
Post a Comment