Opera in the Ocean

Whew!! What a week it has been! Already it is Monday night and as I reflect back on the week, it feels like we did something every day!

This was the first week that we had full control of the classroom. What a thrill that was! This is what we have been working so hard for. Seeing the expectant faces of each child, every morning proves to be a more overwhelming joy than I could have ever imagined. They do not see me as a student teacher; I am the teacher (if co-teacher was in their vocabulary, I’m sure that’s what I would be too). I am the all knowing, the all loving, and the all-powerful. They pushed the boundaries at first, but we have all fallen into our groove. I cannot wait to have my own classroom and I know that Chris is just as thrilled.

That brings me to our next exciting news; we have been approved for our working holiday scheme visas!!! Yay!! It is a huge weight off our shoulders and now we can plan accordingly (a.k.a. when will we run out of money and have to go back to the US!! ;) ) We are clear to stay and work (anything except “permanent positions”) until November 2013! Wow! It is a lot to process and a lot to plan, but we are up for the challenge and, of course, the adventure. (As a side note, I am so glad that I have my best friend by my side for this <3 )

So, back to the little things- which is really what makes the big things so great!

On Wednesday, we went to the opera with a woman who works with me in the classroom as an aid. It was a Mozart piece that was also a comedy. They did a marvelous job! Luckily, the words that were in Italian (most of them) were projected above the stage so we could understand the story!

I was afraid to use the flash! 

On Thursday, (Thanksgiving apparently!) we had a delectable dinner with my CT and her family. It was actually very funny. I didn’t even remember it was Thanksgiving; obviously, no one celebrates here. The students were all working diligently when my CT gives me this mortified look as she entered the room. Puzzled and a bit scared, I go over to her. She puts her hands on my shoulders and says, “It’s Thanksgiving!” She had invited us to dinner, not considering the holiday. Much to her relief, we had forgotten as well. She was fearful that we assumed she was making us a traditional dinner. I couldn’t have asked for a better dinner that night though. She is quite the cook! Although it does wrench my heart a little to know that our families in the states are feasting on turkey in snowy Montana and delving into pumpkin pie at Uncle B & Aunt T’s in Colorado, we did enjoy our non-traditional (non-existent) holiday. We certainly have so much to be thankful for and this just humbles us into remembering those things every day.

Sunday was spent at the beach!! (After planning for the next week of course!) Our delightful host family lead the way to Waimarama Beach where we met up with a friend of the family and their kids. We didn’t swim- apparently we need to invest in some wetsuits… seriously, that was the norm! But sitting on the hot white sand way exceptionally relaxing. Ahhhhh. After a sit in the sun, we had a lovely barbeque followed by some hokey pokey ice cream. You see, hokey pokey is a flavor here- sort of like toffee. The hokey tokey is the dance!!!

We had fun on the flying fox! 

NZ has the best playground equipment! 

Bare Island in the distance 

The BBQ! 

I have been taking many pictures of the little creatures I find all around. I’ve spent so much time crouched in the bushed snapping hundreds of pictures of these fascinating animals!

Off to another week of full control! I have the Kapa Haka festival to go to tomorrow and I am so excited! What a unique cultural experience! 

Happy (late) Thanksgiving to all of you back home! We are truly appreciative of the support you have all shown. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends, we would not be here without you. We know that there are mixed feelings about the distance separating us, but know our love and gratitude are only amplified by the miles (or kilometers!).

We love you!!