Saturday June 25
Sitting this morning by the window of my room, looking out at the grapefruit on the tree close to the window and tall trees and magenta magnolia blossoms in the background. Right now the sky is blue in Auckland! I heard it snowed back in Seattle today, so I might as well enjoy the NZ weather as summer (in the 50's & 60's so far..should be a bit cooler, but sunny in Nelson). I will catch a flight to the South Island today, just after noon, and finally meet Jeeta's daughter, Noreen, and her baby son, Boh!
As I was saying about the language barrier here...
I am surprised as you might be by the presence of such a barrier, but believe me, it exists. I thought it would be so easy to start my trip in an English speaking country! It is true that different idioms are in effect, like "pulling hens teeth" meaning something is difficult, and turns of a phrase are different like "took a fright.". By the way, I have got a fright each time I have been on the bus. we are driving on the wrong side of the road and it appears there are no drivers in the other vehicles! Numerous times I have gone momentarily breathless, only to realize that these things are simply turned aroUnd here.
However, the thick NZ accent has caused confusion. For instance, children lunching at the Meadowbank school (please see last blog to fully understand what I will share here). The principal, Peter, was telling how the students are now cooking up lunch with produce from the gardens twice a week. I asked where they do that and where they lunch. He said they lunch in the hole! I asked for him to repeat that and he said very clearly that they lunch in the hole. I asked once more, but then stopped for two reasons.
1- I did not want to annoy him, since I had already had to ask him to clarify his speech many times.
2- I thought that at a school where the children can trek through a bush-gully and routinely haul compost, that they may very well also lunch in a hole! As it turned out, we came upon a large multiple-purpose room (used as the gym And with tables and kitchen) that Peter said was the hole where the students have their lunches...the HALL where they hAve their lunches, that is! so they do not lunch in a hole! similar misunderstandings have occurred daily, but fortunately have not led to any real distress.
ALSO-Arrived in Nelson after a short, gorgeous plane ride. apparently the other two airlines were canceling flights to avoid ash from the Chilean volcano eruption. NZAir flew low to avoid it. Met Noreen and Boh in flesh and blood for the first time. They are absolutely delightful! I feel very at home here. I am also happy to meet Chi, her dog! more language acquisition: to be gob-smacked meAns....? this from Noreen, who had been gob-smacked by the astounding beauty of the South Island! Jeeta and Boon popped in on Skype to say HI too...so looking forward to my visit with them!
Friday, June 24, 2011
A surprise appointment!
June 24:
TodayI had a surprise visit with a school principal in Remuera, at Meadowbank Primary school. Val discovered it for me. I took the bus out there then walked through a lovely neighborhood to what appeared to be a rather small school. I had to wait a bit for recess and the staff meeting to quit, then Peter Ayson came out to greet me. we exchanged some basic information about our schools, then he shared some interesting facts about how NZ schools function financially and ideologically. they get basic funding from the government and some guidelines on what to teach, but are given self-governance. They are free to raise money as they wish. so this school actually is it's own business in order to do all they are able to do for the students (PTA raises $100K annually etc.)
what I was there to see were the gardens and sustainable practices. so we went for a walk...or a hike! It was a much larger campus thAn it appeared to be from the street. There are about 750 students in 2 sections of the campus divided by the "bush-gully."
yes:BUSH-GULLY! Or more like a bush-gully-jungle!!! so we first toured the upper campus with it's light open rooms, compost, recycle and reg. Trash containers everywhere and the wood fired oven on the field for baking pizzas with veggies from the gardens. everywhere they had gardens, tucked into every little nook. the kids tend them with help from three part time staff members. trekking down the far side of the buildings, we started to descend into the bush-gully. A well-built trail took us into a jungle of tree ferns, vines, many species of trees I am unfamiliar with, redwoods, etc. It was raining, but it could hardly be felt under the canopy. Peter gave me a run for my money through the winding trail while he explained how students over the years had planted more than 7000 trees to create this nearly native forest. There was a wonderful jungle amphitheater, a Maori medicinal garden, a stream with fish at the bottom, a suspension bridge over the top! when we hiked up the far side, we came upon the buildings for K-3. I was taken around the far back side to find old bathtubs suspended on wooden frames with wooden, hinged covers. Peter quickly opened one and dug through new half-eaten apples and banana peels to show me the worms in the enormous worm compost trough! the drain allows a rich compost tea to leak into large buckets that can poured into the garden soil. WOW, a garden dreamer's dream! I also saw a portable building that was being turned into a garden kitchen! Two days per week kids already help prepare lunch with food from their gardens! Peter suggested that we may be able to make an online partnership between his school and some elementary school in my district....
Definitely a blessed appointment! More later about my difficulties with the NZ English language :-)
TodayI had a surprise visit with a school principal in Remuera, at Meadowbank Primary school. Val discovered it for me. I took the bus out there then walked through a lovely neighborhood to what appeared to be a rather small school. I had to wait a bit for recess and the staff meeting to quit, then Peter Ayson came out to greet me. we exchanged some basic information about our schools, then he shared some interesting facts about how NZ schools function financially and ideologically. they get basic funding from the government and some guidelines on what to teach, but are given self-governance. They are free to raise money as they wish. so this school actually is it's own business in order to do all they are able to do for the students (PTA raises $100K annually etc.)
what I was there to see were the gardens and sustainable practices. so we went for a walk...or a hike! It was a much larger campus thAn it appeared to be from the street. There are about 750 students in 2 sections of the campus divided by the "bush-gully."
yes:BUSH-GULLY! Or more like a bush-gully-jungle!!! so we first toured the upper campus with it's light open rooms, compost, recycle and reg. Trash containers everywhere and the wood fired oven on the field for baking pizzas with veggies from the gardens. everywhere they had gardens, tucked into every little nook. the kids tend them with help from three part time staff members. trekking down the far side of the buildings, we started to descend into the bush-gully. A well-built trail took us into a jungle of tree ferns, vines, many species of trees I am unfamiliar with, redwoods, etc. It was raining, but it could hardly be felt under the canopy. Peter gave me a run for my money through the winding trail while he explained how students over the years had planted more than 7000 trees to create this nearly native forest. There was a wonderful jungle amphitheater, a Maori medicinal garden, a stream with fish at the bottom, a suspension bridge over the top! when we hiked up the far side, we came upon the buildings for K-3. I was taken around the far back side to find old bathtubs suspended on wooden frames with wooden, hinged covers. Peter quickly opened one and dug through new half-eaten apples and banana peels to show me the worms in the enormous worm compost trough! the drain allows a rich compost tea to leak into large buckets that can poured into the garden soil. WOW, a garden dreamer's dream! I also saw a portable building that was being turned into a garden kitchen! Two days per week kids already help prepare lunch with food from their gardens! Peter suggested that we may be able to make an online partnership between his school and some elementary school in my district....
Definitely a blessed appointment! More later about my difficulties with the NZ English language :-)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Auckland
JUNE 23, 2011
Here I am, nestled in my cozy little room at
The Te Ngakau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre in the Epsom neighborhood of
Auckland New Zealand! I had spoken with the manager, Val, before. She was warm and welcoming. I have found some low cost hidden places to stay by looking into housing provided through monasteries and retreat centers. This place is a lovely little example. The room is maybe 8 by 10 feet, paneled with knotty pine. I have a comfy twin bed, 3pillows, a sink and a space heater.
the heater is needed for it is the middle of winter here...my introduction to my summer vacation! it is mild, however , and I am comfortable with a long-sleeved t-shirt, a fleece and a rain shell. this morning it is dark and pouring rain, so I feel so safe, dry and warm drinking my coffee and watching out the window. the birds sound as if they are having a party out there! I am happy to stay in for a while and journal...
Yesterday was a lovely day, the weather a it warmer and, although it did not rain, it was slightly overcast with some sun breaks. I stepped off the plane,made made way through customs in the dark morning hour and made it to my lodging at about 9a.m. After the check in I hopped a bus to the downtown ferries and decided spur of the moment to take one to Waiheke Is. For a wine tasting tour with short hikes. It was perfect! there were four folks from Thailand and five from Japan and two from Mexico with us. The motor coach was comfortable and the stops were active, outdoors, informative and fun! we tasting great wines and olive oil. at one stop we had a very gingery ginger ale. at the final vineyard we hiked to the top of the hill where we could have a360 deg. View to the water all around the island, see most of the island and see Auckland in the distance! Our tour guide in the bus , Horst, was interesting and amusing too! when I returned on the ferry I had a lovely chat with a retired chemist!
coming up on the bus to my "home" was a bit of an ordeal , I kept getting sent to different bus stops. finally on the right bus, it took a long time due to commuter traffic. Once I was in my neighborhood, I found. Roasted foods "takeaway" place, got some lamb with peas, potatoes and pumpkin and headed to my room. I quickly ate, showered, stretched and cuddled down into a very deep and satisfying sleep. I believe I slept over ten hours!
Two options have come up for tomorrow: I could tour here, or take a one hour flight to Wellington to visit the Eco-School there. I got a last minute email from the director this morning! I am waiting to see if he can tour me tomorrow before I book the flight. I did not count on the fee, Bautista would really like more than the 2Eco-School visit I already have planned. If that cannot happen, I will be happy to save the $ and stay here. Either way I will attend a wonderful concert here tomorrow night!
In the meantime, today is for rest, prayer and walking up One Tree Hill (if the rain slows down). I may poke around in some shops to see what that is like, but intend to take it pretty easy, As it turned out I was inspired to hike much more than One Tree Hill! I also hiked Mt. Eden! It was about a 10-12 Km circuit! (6 - 7 miles?) I am happily tired and sore. beautiful day! For the beauty of the earth...Lord above to You we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise was my song today!
Here I am, nestled in my cozy little room at
The Te Ngakau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre in the Epsom neighborhood of
Auckland New Zealand! I had spoken with the manager, Val, before. She was warm and welcoming. I have found some low cost hidden places to stay by looking into housing provided through monasteries and retreat centers. This place is a lovely little example. The room is maybe 8 by 10 feet, paneled with knotty pine. I have a comfy twin bed, 3pillows, a sink and a space heater.
the heater is needed for it is the middle of winter here...my introduction to my summer vacation! it is mild, however , and I am comfortable with a long-sleeved t-shirt, a fleece and a rain shell. this morning it is dark and pouring rain, so I feel so safe, dry and warm drinking my coffee and watching out the window. the birds sound as if they are having a party out there! I am happy to stay in for a while and journal...
Yesterday was a lovely day, the weather a it warmer and, although it did not rain, it was slightly overcast with some sun breaks. I stepped off the plane,made made way through customs in the dark morning hour and made it to my lodging at about 9a.m. After the check in I hopped a bus to the downtown ferries and decided spur of the moment to take one to Waiheke Is. For a wine tasting tour with short hikes. It was perfect! there were four folks from Thailand and five from Japan and two from Mexico with us. The motor coach was comfortable and the stops were active, outdoors, informative and fun! we tasting great wines and olive oil. at one stop we had a very gingery ginger ale. at the final vineyard we hiked to the top of the hill where we could have a360 deg. View to the water all around the island, see most of the island and see Auckland in the distance! Our tour guide in the bus , Horst, was interesting and amusing too! when I returned on the ferry I had a lovely chat with a retired chemist!
coming up on the bus to my "home" was a bit of an ordeal , I kept getting sent to different bus stops. finally on the right bus, it took a long time due to commuter traffic. Once I was in my neighborhood, I found. Roasted foods "takeaway" place, got some lamb with peas, potatoes and pumpkin and headed to my room. I quickly ate, showered, stretched and cuddled down into a very deep and satisfying sleep. I believe I slept over ten hours!
Two options have come up for tomorrow: I could tour here, or take a one hour flight to Wellington to visit the Eco-School there. I got a last minute email from the director this morning! I am waiting to see if he can tour me tomorrow before I book the flight. I did not count on the fee, Bautista would really like more than the 2Eco-School visit I already have planned. If that cannot happen, I will be happy to save the $ and stay here. Either way I will attend a wonderful concert here tomorrow night!
In the meantime, today is for rest, prayer and walking up One Tree Hill (if the rain slows down). I may poke around in some shops to see what that is like, but intend to take it pretty easy, As it turned out I was inspired to hike much more than One Tree Hill! I also hiked Mt. Eden! It was about a 10-12 Km circuit! (6 - 7 miles?) I am happily tired and sore. beautiful day! For the beauty of the earth...Lord above to You we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise was my song today!
EDIT June 2022: I looked up the centre and discovered this bit of sad news. “ The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed another victim with the permanent closure of Te Ngakau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre in Epsom, Auckland, from July 31.”
Monday, June 20, 2011
Today is the DAY!
Yes, I woke up spontaneously at 6:10 a.m. Didn't need to. I set the alarm for 7. I have much to do this morning before my sister Wanda picks me up at noon: wash my sheets, wash the dog, clean the bathrooms & floors, file papers and
do the last bit of packing
for both me & the dog.
I cried when I took Augie to visit his summer Homestay, but was much relieved to find that he remembered the place even before we entered. He obviously loved it by the time we left this time (playing with Fiona was probably the main reason!).
He has the whole world in His hands!
Here we go!
do the last bit of packing
for both me & the dog.
I cried when I took Augie to visit his summer Homestay, but was much relieved to find that he remembered the place even before we entered. He obviously loved it by the time we left this time (playing with Fiona was probably the main reason!).
He has the whole world in His hands!
Here we go!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Tired last night here...
Well--Last night at home for 2 months. Moving slow & tired. More to do, tho. Good day: church, visit with Karen Kirkman, mani-pedi with the pup ;-) visit with grandkids, daughter & her man, Pho for supper. Need to do more stuff, but maybe I can put it off till morning. I leave from my place at noon, so I have some morning time....
REMEMBER-I may be changing this blog to a different location---be ready for a change!
REMEMBER-I may be changing this blog to a different location---be ready for a change!
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