So it's been a couple of weeks since our last post. I think that's my fault. I was supposed to put something up last weekend after our return from Christchurch. My apologies for taking so long.
Last week we spent 5 days in Christchurch. I was playing in the National Senior No Checking Hockey tournament and Samantha was observing the Inquiry Learning Skills Program at two schools there. Christchurch was probably the most "North American" like city we've been in since we arrived. We went to our first mall in New Zealand - it even had a K-MArt.
Samantha was very impressed with one of the schools that she visited - it was unlike any school she had ever seen. It reminded her of Fame. I wasn't so impressed with the way the hockey tournament went. The Southern Team was older, slower and hadn't ever played together before this tournament. The other two teams had been training for months. The refereeing at the tournament was also horrific. Three of our four games had refs that didn't have a clue what to call or when to call it. They also dispensed 10 minute misconducts at will. When the ref blows his whistle and you have no clue what the call is going to be, it is very tough to enjoy the game. We didn't win a game but the game that we got beat the worst was the most enjoyable because we had a decent ref.
You'll see from the pictures that we also went to a Build-a-Bear store while there. Sammy has been wanting to make a bear for years. We made this part of his birthday present and suggested that this may be his last stuffed animal.
This past weekend we had a quiet weekend at home. It has been beautiful spring weather and we enjoyed most of the day working around the house.
We are counting down the days until our next visitors arrive - Mark, Kris and Emma are here in 3 weeks. We can't wait.
Enjoy the pics.
31 August 2008
17 August 2008
A birthday, some hockey and a bungy swing!
Friday night we celebrated Sam's 11th birthday. After school I picked up Da Vinci's pizza, meatlovers, Sam's favourite. We had a nice dinner and Sam opened presents from Abby, Holly, Scott, Hunter and Lillie and Grandma and Grandpa Horton. Aunt Ida, Uncle Lloyd and Brian and Robyn Cofell had sent cards to Sam as well. Thanks to everyone for sending wishes from home.
The weather forecast was calling for snow so we decided to drive up to QueenstownFriday night for Dano's hockey games and Sammer's birthday bungy jump. We finished our birthday "tea", packed, delivered Abby to Libby's house in exchange for James, Sam's friend. The drive to Q-town was smooth sailing and we arrived at the cabin in time for the boys to play with Sam's new birthday gift, Bakugan and Lego. Snow blanketed Queenstown while we slept and the morning was beautiful. Dan thought we ought to go early to the arena where he was scheduled to play two games of hockey. We got to the arena at 8:20am to find that no one else from Gore could get through, except the Smith family who came up the night before as well. Luckily the women's team needed players so Dano strapped on his bra and played for the women's team for the first game. With 3 games in total played and 7 hours later, we finally left the damn cold arena to head up the Gondola for Sam's birthday bungy jump.
The whole day Sam was in high spirits, ready for his jump. He and James had a wonderful day in the snow, playing outside the arena while I froze in the arena. We headed up the Gondola, Sam smiling the whole way, Dan and I kept waiting for him to change his mind. Sam is not much of a thrill seeker. Sam and James played with snow, drove video game race cars and hung out while we waited for his 6:30pm jump time. The Ledge offers two forms of thrill falling, bungy jumping and bungy swinging. Sam chose bungy jumping, we paid and filled out the paper work. Out at the ledge there is a waiting area where James and I looked on. Dan took Sam out to the jumping pod. Sam walked out looking calm as if the idea of launching himself off a mountain did not phase him. We were stunned at his calmness, this child was afraid to sleep on the top bunk at camp last year. Anyway, Sam got harnessed up, waited his turn. Dan returned to the viewing area so we could get pics and video proof of this milestone. A nice bungy worker named Ren, got Sammer ready to jump, all clicked in and bungied up. We had our cameras ready, waited holding our breaths. Previous jumpers waited to cheer on the Crazy Canadian kid. Then the tears came.
We watched as Sam wiped his face, shook his head and retreated away from the edge. Ren kept his arm around him and tried to coax him into doing the deed. Dan couldn"t take it anymore and ran back to offer some support. By the time Dano got to him he was in full cry, very adamant that he was not jumping. As both Sam and Dan made their way back to the viewing deck James was not sure what to think. At that point I took over. Perhaps my approach was not gentle and comforting, but it worked. Phrases like, "I know you are afraid, but get your head around this because you ARE doing this"....and "courage is when you are afraid of something and you fight through the fear and do what scares you"...and perhaps, "stop crying and suck it up!!!" (not proud of that one) After a few minutes Sam announces, "FINE, let's do this!" And with the force of the world behind him, he and I trudge our way out to Ren who is waiting for us. Sam maturely and clearly asked him if he can bungy swing instead of bungy jump. Ren says, "Of course, mate." Sam gets harnessed up, asks 150 questions, gets lowered into position, pleads with Ren to bring him back up to the platform, yells at Ren some more, offers Ren his allowance to bring him back up... and after 4 minutes of failed negotiations Ren tricks Sam into pulling the red cord (to bring yourself back up to the platform...) and Sam launches into full plummet. Everyone, viewers, workers, Ren, Me, Dan and Sam was silent for the first few seconds...the snow was so thick that Sam swung into darkness and blizzard conditions. When he was completely out of view we heard a "Whoo Hoo" and then everyone cheered. HE DID IT!!!!! I felt like crying for the little man, he was enjoying that what scared him. For the next few minutes strangers cheered for him, workers called to him, Dano and I hollered to him, James stood looking with wide eyes. Ren made his peace with Sammer for tricking him into pulling the pin, Sam was cold but glad he did it. He thanked Ren in the end. Dano and I are so proud of our boy! Enjoy the video, it is 7 minutes long but let it load, it is worth it. The audio is from a microphone in the bungy pod so it doesn't catch the negotiating between Ren and Sammer.
Until next time,
Samantha
The weather forecast was calling for snow so we decided to drive up to QueenstownFriday night for Dano's hockey games and Sammer's birthday bungy jump. We finished our birthday "tea", packed, delivered Abby to Libby's house in exchange for James, Sam's friend. The drive to Q-town was smooth sailing and we arrived at the cabin in time for the boys to play with Sam's new birthday gift, Bakugan and Lego. Snow blanketed Queenstown while we slept and the morning was beautiful. Dan thought we ought to go early to the arena where he was scheduled to play two games of hockey. We got to the arena at 8:20am to find that no one else from Gore could get through, except the Smith family who came up the night before as well. Luckily the women's team needed players so Dano strapped on his bra and played for the women's team for the first game. With 3 games in total played and 7 hours later, we finally left the damn cold arena to head up the Gondola for Sam's birthday bungy jump.
The whole day Sam was in high spirits, ready for his jump. He and James had a wonderful day in the snow, playing outside the arena while I froze in the arena. We headed up the Gondola, Sam smiling the whole way, Dan and I kept waiting for him to change his mind. Sam is not much of a thrill seeker. Sam and James played with snow, drove video game race cars and hung out while we waited for his 6:30pm jump time. The Ledge offers two forms of thrill falling, bungy jumping and bungy swinging. Sam chose bungy jumping, we paid and filled out the paper work. Out at the ledge there is a waiting area where James and I looked on. Dan took Sam out to the jumping pod. Sam walked out looking calm as if the idea of launching himself off a mountain did not phase him. We were stunned at his calmness, this child was afraid to sleep on the top bunk at camp last year. Anyway, Sam got harnessed up, waited his turn. Dan returned to the viewing area so we could get pics and video proof of this milestone. A nice bungy worker named Ren, got Sammer ready to jump, all clicked in and bungied up. We had our cameras ready, waited holding our breaths. Previous jumpers waited to cheer on the Crazy Canadian kid. Then the tears came.
We watched as Sam wiped his face, shook his head and retreated away from the edge. Ren kept his arm around him and tried to coax him into doing the deed. Dan couldn"t take it anymore and ran back to offer some support. By the time Dano got to him he was in full cry, very adamant that he was not jumping. As both Sam and Dan made their way back to the viewing deck James was not sure what to think. At that point I took over. Perhaps my approach was not gentle and comforting, but it worked. Phrases like, "I know you are afraid, but get your head around this because you ARE doing this"....and "courage is when you are afraid of something and you fight through the fear and do what scares you"...and perhaps, "stop crying and suck it up!!!" (not proud of that one) After a few minutes Sam announces, "FINE, let's do this!" And with the force of the world behind him, he and I trudge our way out to Ren who is waiting for us. Sam maturely and clearly asked him if he can bungy swing instead of bungy jump. Ren says, "Of course, mate." Sam gets harnessed up, asks 150 questions, gets lowered into position, pleads with Ren to bring him back up to the platform, yells at Ren some more, offers Ren his allowance to bring him back up... and after 4 minutes of failed negotiations Ren tricks Sam into pulling the red cord (to bring yourself back up to the platform...) and Sam launches into full plummet. Everyone, viewers, workers, Ren, Me, Dan and Sam was silent for the first few seconds...the snow was so thick that Sam swung into darkness and blizzard conditions. When he was completely out of view we heard a "Whoo Hoo" and then everyone cheered. HE DID IT!!!!! I felt like crying for the little man, he was enjoying that what scared him. For the next few minutes strangers cheered for him, workers called to him, Dano and I hollered to him, James stood looking with wide eyes. Ren made his peace with Sammer for tricking him into pulling the pin, Sam was cold but glad he did it. He thanked Ren in the end. Dano and I are so proud of our boy! Enjoy the video, it is 7 minutes long but let it load, it is worth it. The audio is from a microphone in the bungy pod so it doesn't catch the negotiating between Ren and Sammer.
Until next time,
Samantha
10 August 2008
Having less and doing more....
When we were in the deciding stages of leaving our Canadian life (for a while) the idea of having less and doing more rolled off our tongues daily. We really felt like we needed to rid ourselves of the "stuff" as it seemed to bog us down. Now that we are here and living the Kiwi life we deliberately make choices not to accumulate stuff. It has been going well. There are a few things that we have bought, things we have needed. The days of wandering through WalMart and loading the cart with things that we liked, not needed, are long gone. It feels good.
Last week Dan came home with a 5 litre slow cooker, new, because a used slow cooker made me gag. We had been watching the sale prices and my sweet groom thought that $60 was the right price, so along with his weekly grocery shopping trip he returned with an appreciated surprise. The slow cooker makes our Tuesday and Thursday nights simpler with dance/hockey/rubgy/pottery. It is really nice that it is only two nights a week that we are busy.
Back home I was all about the way my house looked. I thought about matching plates, cutlery, sheets and bedding, a set of towels that matched the bathroom, sofas that looked good together, and the list goes on. I can say that that part of me has shut itself off here in NZ. Our house is tidy, uncluttered and very cottagy, which I am okay with. I do not feel the need to redecorate, paint or buy furniture that all matches. Our second hand furniture is functional, not hideous, but not pretty either.
Living with less is freeing. People ask mostly about living with no clothes dryer. It is good. When it is wet and cold, we use two drying racks that we have set up in front of large windows, one in Abby's room, one in our room. On beautiful days like today, we carry them to the porch and use our clothes line. Laundry rarely becomes an overwhelming mountain in the laundry room as we do a load each day so that we can hang it out in the morning. It feels kinda good not to be using all the energy as well.
The "doing more" part of our experience is not extreme, but certainly satisfying. During our week we play cards as a family (Phase 10 is our fav.), we build rabbit cages, weed gardens, bike, walk, hike and do the mundane jobs as a family. On weekends we tend to travel and explore new things together. Dan and I have been out together once while the kids were at school camp when we first got here. Back home, we felt like we needed "date night"...time away from the kids. It is different here, maybe because we do not feel rushed, tired and stressed here. Rather, we go and see new things and do new things together. Next weekend is Sammer's 11th birthday. Sam has asked a friend to go with us, he plans to bungy jump for his birthday. I hope he does, this is the kid that is afraid to swallow a pill and sleep on the top bunk....we'll see. If this new life has affected anyone of us in a positive way, it has been Sam. He has grown physically and emotionally here. I hope he does do the jump as it represent his new found self here.
My school is sending me to Christchurch to observe a new program that is being implemented in schools in NZ. Inquiry learning is the latest thing in education here, the Head of English and the Senior Management Team asked me to go and observe, learn and start the program at Gore High. So we get to go and see Christchurch where Dan will be playing for the Southern Men's Ice Hockey team at the national tournament that same weekend. (The Kiwi NHL..hee hee) We leave Tuesday Aug. 19 and return Sunday Aug. 24. While we are there we plan to do and see a lot. I am particularly looking forward to Hamner Springs, north of CC...soaking in the hot mineral springs for most of the day. The kids really want to go to a Build a Bear store, and we are needing to stock up on Body Shop and LUSH products. Going to a big city will be nice for those 5 days to see some familiar stores and restaurants. There is even three malls in Christchruch! We have not been in anything but small shops in 7 months.
Surgery for my right knee has been booked for September 26th. My knees have been sore and crunchy, making daily pain relief necessary. I am glad to get them done, however Mark, Kris and Emma arrive Sept 23, which might me a less then spectacular hostess. We are looking forward to them coming, counting down the days.
Today, the boys are 3 hours away in Naseby and Abby and I decided to stay home. We have a list of things to accomplish. We have two vegetable gardens that we are getting ready to plant. A bunny run to finish and, of course, laundry to hang out. The slow cooker is a roasting, the sun is a shining, a bike ride is on the list...life is good.
Until next time, Samantha.
Last week Dan came home with a 5 litre slow cooker, new, because a used slow cooker made me gag. We had been watching the sale prices and my sweet groom thought that $60 was the right price, so along with his weekly grocery shopping trip he returned with an appreciated surprise. The slow cooker makes our Tuesday and Thursday nights simpler with dance/hockey/rubgy/pottery. It is really nice that it is only two nights a week that we are busy.
Back home I was all about the way my house looked. I thought about matching plates, cutlery, sheets and bedding, a set of towels that matched the bathroom, sofas that looked good together, and the list goes on. I can say that that part of me has shut itself off here in NZ. Our house is tidy, uncluttered and very cottagy, which I am okay with. I do not feel the need to redecorate, paint or buy furniture that all matches. Our second hand furniture is functional, not hideous, but not pretty either.
Living with less is freeing. People ask mostly about living with no clothes dryer. It is good. When it is wet and cold, we use two drying racks that we have set up in front of large windows, one in Abby's room, one in our room. On beautiful days like today, we carry them to the porch and use our clothes line. Laundry rarely becomes an overwhelming mountain in the laundry room as we do a load each day so that we can hang it out in the morning. It feels kinda good not to be using all the energy as well.
The "doing more" part of our experience is not extreme, but certainly satisfying. During our week we play cards as a family (Phase 10 is our fav.), we build rabbit cages, weed gardens, bike, walk, hike and do the mundane jobs as a family. On weekends we tend to travel and explore new things together. Dan and I have been out together once while the kids were at school camp when we first got here. Back home, we felt like we needed "date night"...time away from the kids. It is different here, maybe because we do not feel rushed, tired and stressed here. Rather, we go and see new things and do new things together. Next weekend is Sammer's 11th birthday. Sam has asked a friend to go with us, he plans to bungy jump for his birthday. I hope he does, this is the kid that is afraid to swallow a pill and sleep on the top bunk....we'll see. If this new life has affected anyone of us in a positive way, it has been Sam. He has grown physically and emotionally here. I hope he does do the jump as it represent his new found self here.
My school is sending me to Christchurch to observe a new program that is being implemented in schools in NZ. Inquiry learning is the latest thing in education here, the Head of English and the Senior Management Team asked me to go and observe, learn and start the program at Gore High. So we get to go and see Christchurch where Dan will be playing for the Southern Men's Ice Hockey team at the national tournament that same weekend. (The Kiwi NHL..hee hee) We leave Tuesday Aug. 19 and return Sunday Aug. 24. While we are there we plan to do and see a lot. I am particularly looking forward to Hamner Springs, north of CC...soaking in the hot mineral springs for most of the day. The kids really want to go to a Build a Bear store, and we are needing to stock up on Body Shop and LUSH products. Going to a big city will be nice for those 5 days to see some familiar stores and restaurants. There is even three malls in Christchruch! We have not been in anything but small shops in 7 months.
Surgery for my right knee has been booked for September 26th. My knees have been sore and crunchy, making daily pain relief necessary. I am glad to get them done, however Mark, Kris and Emma arrive Sept 23, which might me a less then spectacular hostess. We are looking forward to them coming, counting down the days.
Today, the boys are 3 hours away in Naseby and Abby and I decided to stay home. We have a list of things to accomplish. We have two vegetable gardens that we are getting ready to plant. A bunny run to finish and, of course, laundry to hang out. The slow cooker is a roasting, the sun is a shining, a bike ride is on the list...life is good.
Until next time, Samantha.
03 August 2008
Bungy Jumping
In the summer of 1991 I had two goals. One was to go parachuting the other to go bungy jumping. The last weekend in June of '91 I went parachuting and loved it. Two weeks later I was planning to go bungy jumping but there were a number of accidents and some deaths in the next couple of weeks at bungy jump sites across North America so I decided to wait. I didn't think I would wait 17 years but I did. When we ended up in NZ, the birthplace of bungy jumping, I decided that it was time to finally take the plunge.
On Saturday morning after Sam's rugby match we picked up the Canadian "gap year" student, Amanda - who has been working at Samantha's school for the past six months, and headed off to Queenstown. Amanda received a bungy jump as a parting gift from the school staff, she heads home to B.C. on Wednesday. Sam decided that he wanted to jump and we agreed that we would give that to him for his birthday. I would jump later when we were in Queenstown another time. As you'll notice from the pictures, Sam decided to wait to jump from another spot on his birthday and I jumped instead.
It was an incredible experience. The free fall seemed longer than I had imagined it would. It was definitely worth the wait. Enjoy the pictures and the video.
On Saturday morning after Sam's rugby match we picked up the Canadian "gap year" student, Amanda - who has been working at Samantha's school for the past six months, and headed off to Queenstown. Amanda received a bungy jump as a parting gift from the school staff, she heads home to B.C. on Wednesday. Sam decided that he wanted to jump and we agreed that we would give that to him for his birthday. I would jump later when we were in Queenstown another time. As you'll notice from the pictures, Sam decided to wait to jump from another spot on his birthday and I jumped instead.
It was an incredible experience. The free fall seemed longer than I had imagined it would. It was definitely worth the wait. Enjoy the pictures and the video.
02 August 2008
Pottery
I have always wanted to learn how to use a pottery wheel. When we arrived in NZ I learned of Adult Education classes offered at Gore High School. I signed up. Every Thursday night I go back to the school and spin the wheel. I love it and now I even have my own wheel at home. Here are some of my creations.
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