I have arrived!

I have been in New Zealand for 3 days and I am loving every minute of it! We arrived in Auckland at 6 am, local time. I only slept about 4 hours on the plane, but I was so excited I couldn't have slept for anything. We took a bus to Hamilton and stopped in a cemetery along the way. It was so cool because it was the location of a battle between the Europeans and the Maori's. When we arrived in Hamilton, my host mom, Darnie picked me up as her husband, Nga, was teaching primary. Darnie's cousin and her parent's American student were visiting and after a quick shower I joined them at the singles ward. It was so much smaller that a Logan singles ward, but the spirit was the same. We walked up to the Hamilton Temple and it was lovely. We had lamb roast for dinner, it was my first time having lamb, and I don't know how I'll definetely be having it again soon! It was delicious!

The next day I started school and we had the opportunity to participate in a real Maori welcome called a Pauwhiri (powfiry). The students sang to us and we sang the national anthem back to them and it was fabulous. We then learned about the culture and language and I've started working on my Maori. We had morning tea, which is a daily tradition at the schools, with all the teachers. I spent the afternoon in my classroom and went to a planning meeting. Then I spent time at home with Darnie and Nga in the evening.

Today was my first full day in the classroom and it was so much fun. This week is Camp Week at school so we started the day off on a river walk. We walked along the Waikato River with all the students in Level 3/4. Even though we had a few scraped knees, it was a wonderful trip. After the walk was swimming. Students have swimming lessons at school during the summer/fall months--isn't that cool?! In the afternoon, I taught a lesson on constellations and the students made their own constellations by making holes with tacks in black paper. They turned out wondrful!

Some of the things that are different between the U.S. and N.Z. include:
1-Students don't have to wear shoes to school. Interesting isn't it?
2-We spell words differently at times, which isn't the best thing for teachers! color/colour, recognize/recognise. It can be messy.
3-People don't go to the restroom. They go to the toilet. In the U.S., that would be almost crude, but not here.
4-There if fruit everywhere and I LOVE IT!
5-When you are immersed in a place that speaks differently than you, you start to pick it up. Honestly, the students understand you more when you speak with their accent. We'll see if it sticks when I get home.

I know I'll pick up on more things as time goes by, I'll keep you posted! Oh, and I'll post pictures soon too!

I love you all and miss you! I'm going to the beach this weekend, and I'll let everyone kjnow how it goes--I'm starting surfing lessons--YAY!

75 Things About Me

1.I love argyle. However, I only own one argyle sweater.
2.I read dragon books. I am teased incessantly by my family and I try to keep it a secret; but now I’m embracing it.
3.I’m afraid of cottage cheese and refuse to eat it.
4.I’m the only one in my family that hasn’t taken hunter’s safety.
5.I don’t like girls. If I could, I’d always have boy roommates and would only teach boys.
6.Within the past year, my hair has gone curly and I’ve become allergic to tree nuts.
7.I received my middle name for Christmas when I was 17 after years of complaining about not having one.
8.I have always wanted to move to a new place, get a job in a coffee shop and live in a loft above a store.
9.I complain that I don’t look my age, but secretly, I love it.
10.I could be a college student forever.
11.If I had to pick a new career, I would want to become a doctor or a midwife.
12.I don’t do well with young children (less than 6) or elderly people.
13.I have always wanted to be a pop star.
14.I could eat fries every day as long as there was fry sauce with them.
15.I still listen to Hanson, Dream and Hoku. (Often)
16. My rib-cage is three times the size of a normal human being.
17. I’m really not that smart, I just have a great memory.
18.I don’t really like animals. They’re cute, but I don’t want one.
19.I’m attracted to “pretty boys,” as my dad calls them.
20.Dirty counter-tops induce anxiety attacks.
21. The first thing I do in the morning (NO MATTER WHAT!) is brush my teeth.
22.I love old movies like Doctor Zhivago and Gone With the Wind.
23. I HATE BANANAS and tell people I’m allergic to them.
24.I am terrified of failure.
25. I love ghetto reality shows like the ones on VH1 and MTV. It is my guilty pleasure.
26. I love to watch horrible vampire/witch movies with my sister.
27. I do not like soda. The bubbles hurt my mouth.
28.I love to wear thermals. Staying warm is my favorite.
29. Neutrogena Rain Bath body wash is the best—it reminds me of Hawaii.
30. I’ve always wanted to be a pop star.
31. I love garlic—the more the better!
32. I hate birds. Once, my friend’s bird flew in my hair and I have never fully recovered.
33. One of my favorite treats is Tootsie Rolls.
34. I love the smell of books, old or new. The scent of a library is heaven.
35. I could eat a box of Wheat Thins a day.
36.I love sauces and dips—my mom raised me this way! J
37. Funfetti frosting is my favorite. I could eat it with a spoon.
38. I eat peanut butter in my cereal.
39. I leave for New Zealand tomorrow and I’ll be gone for 7 weeks!
40. I have survived without an IPod for almost 21 years. But Blake just got me a pink one—THANK YOU!
41. When I work/study, I have to have music on. My brain must be actively blocking something out or I lose my focus.
42.I love quotes. They’re written on sticky notes throughout my house and I am constantly looking for new ones.
43. People tell me I look like Amanda Seyfried.
44. My nickname throughout junior high was Ducky. Oh, girls camp.
45. I make the best chocolate chip cookies.
46. I write lists incessantly about anything. I often write the same list more than once.
47. I love teaching—it truly is my calling.
48.I have always wanted to be “Cool Aunt McKenzie.” (Not yet though Morgan & Dane!)
49. I’ve known I wanted to be a teacher since 2nd grade. Granted, it’s changed a few times over the year, but I always went back to teaching.
50. The Jordan River Temple is my favorite temple.
51. I’m the 2008-2009 Scholar for the Special Education Department! YAY! I’m so proud of myself!
52. I would rather not wear clothes, thank goodness my roommates agree with me.
53. Most of these things involve food…coincidence, I think not.
54. I am a sucker for jackets. Most girls like shoes, but I would rather have a new jacket.
55. I love to sing loud, even though I do not have a good voice.
56. I am super clumsy. My mom says I’d trip down an empty hallway.
57.I am also a crybaby. I cried watching Toy Story 2. Again, my mom has a thought about this—I’d cry at the opening of a gas station. All I can say in response is, of course I would, it was someone’s dream to open a gas station.
58. I really enjoy movie theatre popcorn.
59. I have the hardest time getting ready and going to work out, but once I’m doing it I really enjoy it.
60. My hands are always covered in white-board marker.
61.I was afraid of using rubber cement for years because in the third grade, I spilled a bottle and the janitor yelled at me. Oh the trauma of my youth.
62.Speaking of traumatic elementary experiences, our elementary school janitor was awful and would wear shirts saying, “I eat kids.” I still have nightmares.
63. I really want to be a mom; but it can wait till the right time.
64.I love my desk organized in right angles.
65. I hate balancing my checkbook so I am extremely grateful for online banking.
66. I think I have cute handwriting.
67. I love thrift stores like Somebody’s Attic.
68. I always dislike math growing up, but now it’s one of my favorite things to teach.
69. I’ve always wanted to work in a library.
70. I have a mole in my belly button and my aunt thought I had a belly button piercing. It made me laugh.
71. My favorite number is 4.
72. Cherry blow pops are the best treat ever. However, the only time you can get a whole bag of cherry blow pops is at valentine’s day, so I stock up.
73. My favorite Easter candy is Peeps-just like Grandpa.
74. I talk to my mom every day.
75. I love the gospel and am so lucky to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I'M DONE WITH MY PORTFOLIO!

I'M DONE WITH MY PORTFOLIO! (except for the ELED stuff I have to do in New Zealand) Everyone needs to celebrate with me! :)

2 days to go!

I'm sitting in my classroom listening to my students giggle, and I can't help but think that I am really going to miss them. My last day is on Tuesday and I only hope that I have influenced their lives in some small way because they have influenced mine so much.

Last night I spent the night at Janalyn's working on portfolio. Her husband, Wade is so kind and made us dinner and cleaned up so we could keep working. It is going to be so hard to be away from her for 7 weeks! But at least we are almost done with our portfolios! :)

Packing

Let me tell you, I cannot wait until I live in one place for longer than a year. Because I'm going to be gone until right before graduation, I've decided to start packing my apartment to relieve the stress of moving when I get back. Looking back, I've moved 7 times in the last 3 years. That is way too much!

Not only am I starting to pack my apartment, but I'm starting to pack for my trip. I'm a little lost on what I should bring. I don't want to pack too light and need things over there, but I don't want to pack too much. If anyone has packing tips or travel tips, please let me know. One thing that is helping me is that I know if I really need something, I can get it over there. :)

17 Days and Counting Down

I finally have my placement! YAY! I'm teaching Year 3/4 which is the 7 and 8 year olds! I'm so excited. I also found out who I am living with! They are a very nice couple and just bought a new house. They are remodeling right now and hopefully it will be finished by the time I get there. They have a "sleep-out," which I'm assuming is like a pool house that will be all mine! It's nice that I will have my own space when I need it! Nga (pronounced 'nah') is a roofer and he is Maori. Darnie is caucasion and teaches the same grade I'll be working with, however, I'll be teaching with a different teacher. I think that this was smart of the coordinators so we don't get sick of each other. :) They do not have any kids yet and have been married for only a few years. Darnie said they love to get out and they are excited to show me New Zealand! She also told me that they are LDS and that the church is right across the street from their house. They are also only 1 km away from the Hamilton Temple! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders now that I know where I'm staying. Only 17 days till I leave!

Updates...

It's been a while since I've updated the blog, so I figured I'd better do it while I have a spare minute. My computer is broken (thanks again for looking at it Wade), so I'm resolved to only getting on the computer at school. I'll be honest, I don't know how I survived not having a laptop before!

My weekend was pretty blah, except for lunch with the girls. I woke up Friday with the worst sore throat and I thought I had strep. I taught all day, and with it being parent day I had to pretend I was filling super great. Honestly, but would you ever go to school with your kid all day long? I never would! I've already done middle school, I wouldn't want to do it again! Anyway, after school I went to Chili's with Janalyn and Stephanie for Steph's belated birthday celebration. It was so good to see them! I had to leave early to go to the doctor and get a strep test. It came back negative. So I went home and got in bed.

I spent all Friday night and all day Saturday in bed. Well, except for the 7 am run to Walmart for medicine, hot cocoa, and popsicles. There are the oddest people at Walmart that early on a Saturday morning! I also took an hour in the evening to practice accompanying my sister while she sang.

Sunday I had my church, I went to accompany Morgan at her church, took a quick nap, went to Stake Choir chilled at home, had a meeting with my Bishop (I got my temple recommend! YAY!), went to ward prayer and then to a fondue party. Talk about a busy Sunday.

I'm still feeling a little blah, but about 100 times better than Saturday. I can't afford to be sick since I leave in 17 DAYS! As soon as I know my placement, I'll let everyone know! One thing I can't wait to do when I get there is to go to the Hamilton Temple. I can't wait!