I'm turning into a Kiwi!

Well, not only am I becoming a JAFA, but lots of people are telling me that I’m fast becoming a Kiwi too.

Here are the main two reasons:

1 Going to bed really early and getting up early (6am)
2 I’m addicted to Milo

Now, in England, I also got up around 6, but managed to stay up until 10, 11 or 12 no probs (pm I mean!). Here, I’m falling asleep at around 8pm!

Milo is loverly – but probably full of sugar or some other rubbish – although it is put across in advertising as being a healthy drink (so I could well be wrong – but it just tastes too nice to be healthy), taken either hot or cold. It’s basically a brown powder that’s similar to hot chocolate and ovaltine mixed together.

I take mine hot with milk!

The school playground and its surrounds are plastered with hairy little caterpillars at the mo which keep finding their way into my classroom – aided by certain little hands no doubt. One of the children had placed about five of the little mites on a windowsill – “ready to play with later”!

I found one crawling up my trouser legs the other day when I got home! Bloomin things!

Last Monday, I somehow found myself entering the 5 at 6 near my home. This is the running, walking or mixture of both of 5 km at 6pm in the evening.

We started at the pub (O’Hagans) and finished there. I was told it’s a rather casual affair…. Hmm

Well – I got there and saw very seriously dressed runners limbering up and stretching all over the place with numbers attached to their t-shirts or shorts etc. Looked rather ominous to me….

I dutifully paid my $2 and pinned on my number. I also helped myself to a free drink of a strange clear solution.

We all gathered together just past the cinema and the horn sounded. Well – everyone just dashed off!

Luckily I had found a friend and proceeded to walk/jog with her, her young daughter (about 7/8) and another friend’s 6 year old daughter. We ambled along at a steady pace and I finished with rather a red face (from exertion mainly) with a time of around 46 mins (told another friend it took me 21 mins! – mainly because they drove past me towards the end of the race when I was ever so slightly knackered, waving and parping their horn gaily at me – you know who you are – going to a barbie when you should have been dieing with me!)

I finished LAST!

Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the run tonight due to rather a long staff meeting – what a shame!

Although – all of the moaning aside – I did actually enjoy it and was slightly miffed I missed it tonight. Hopefully I’ll make it next Monday.

Oh yes – the $2 dollars includes a very welcome soft drink at the bar when you finally stumble in at the end!

This weekend was quite a boring affair really – felt rather like one of Terry Wogan’s TOGs. Went to bed on Friday night at 9pm and 8.30pm on Saturday – what a SADDO!

Managed to stay up until the heady hours of 10pm Sunday night – please don’t faint with shock!

Due to being rather tired, I only managed to get out to the shops for food on Saturday and a pair of school sandals for son on Sunday.

Brown sandals are like gold dust around here. They’d run out of son’s size in Botany, so we tried Howick. They’d run out in the shop in Howick and I rather naively asked when the next lot of sandals would be in?

Was given a rather ‘boy are you stupid look’ and told that’s it until next year! The lady had ordered what she thought she’d need for the new school term and that was that!

We next frantically tried Pakuranga shopping centre – none there. Finally we headed for Manukau City and found a lovely pair in Foot Locker in the sale! Hallelujah.

The weather is now crap and son is in his trousers and black shoes……..

Hopefully, the sun will get its hat on again soon.

The washing machine that I hired for 3 months was taken away from me on Saturday (sob!) - but with a little luck, my UK one should be here very soon.

I hope so - frantically did 5 loads on Saturday morning before machine was taken in order to get as much sorted as possible - but the washing is building up, rearing an ugly head already and beginning to look rather scarey!

Had a call from the shippers today about our container – it’s in Auckland now and will be hurtling its way towards the Bucklands Beach area soon – gulp!

The container man called whilst I was at work (around 5pm) so I missed him – will call back tomorrow. Funny thing is – I called his office earlier (also around 5pm) and was told to call back tomorrow morning. Ships in the night eh!

Am really looking forward to our stuff arriving – but also dreading all the unpacking involved – what with work and everything else going on.

Have put the route that the ship travelled up on a very large world map in the classroom – the kids are really interested in where ‘my ship’ has travelled and whether it has arrived yet!

They now know where England, Holland (aka Netherlands), Germany, Italy, the Suez Canal, Australia and New Zealand are all situated on the map! Have also promised to show them a genuine Dutch clog from Amsterdam – which amazingly they haven’t forgotten about and keep reminding me of!

Tomorrow, we are having to give tests in the morning and there is to be absolutely NO TALKING! Should be very interesting as my class do not seem to understand those two words!
Well – hopefully next weekend I can body board once more in the sun and do some washing!

Bye for now.

X Sue

Sos I'm late.....

Hi all

Sos I’m a bit late this week!

Busy lady now you know.

School is fine – the kids are lovely apart from two little horrors in my class that is! But, hey that’s normal! Had enough of them both on Friday so packed off them to a scary Year 6 teacher for a stern talking to! Sent them both with a note (they had no idea what it said) – they got a bit of a shock upon arrival! What a meanie I am!

Each day after 9am exercise, we have a Maori prayer called the Karakia (I think that’s how it’s spelt).

Had the kids in stitches when I asked them to teach me how to say it.

At first, they were in shock - they couldn’t believe that their teacher didn’t know or understand it – they just assumed that I should.

After a long explanation about how Maori is not spoken in the UK and that it took me a very long time to get here from said country (not ½ an hour as some of them thought), they realised that I am indeed a true foreigner to New Zealand and in need of vital Maori teaching! Hence, we returned to the prayer with renewed vigour.

However – am slow learner and can only remember the last four words! Yes – I know – how pathetic! Although there is some light at the end of the tunnel – the kids reckoned that my pronunciation was fine!

Here is The Lord's Prayer in Maori just to give you an idea (it has the same ending as the one I’m learning – now you know why I’m so useless!E to matou Matua i te rangiKia tapu tou Ingoa.Kia tae mai tou rangatiratanga.Kia meatia tau e pai aiki runga ki te whenua,kia rite ano ki to te rangi.Homai ki a matou aianeihe taro ma matou mo tenei ra.Murua o matou hara,Me matou hoki e muru neiio te hunga e hara ana ki a matou.Aua hoki matou e kawea kia whakawaia;Engari whakaorangia matou i te kino:Nou hoki te rangatiratanga, te kaha,me te kororia,Ake ake ake. Amine.

The karakia used at school sounds lovely when the kids say it.

Hey ho!

Another 2 new Maori words I’ve learnt are Whare Hui (fah ray hoo eee) – it is the name of the meeting house that we use for Kiwi Can and assemblies.

Kiwi Can is great fun and my class have it first thing Monday morning after their exercise. Kiwi Can aims to change children’s attitudes from I can’t to I can. It develops confidence, self- esteem and respect. The children play lots of games and really enjoy it.

The guy that runs it is lovely - he is an ardent rugby fan and had an impressive display of NZ Rugby players on one of the Whare Hui walls. He was most impressed when he heard that my last home was situated in Rugby!

Have been given a very nice and solid wooden chopping board by fellow Kiwi teacher – brand new! She had a clear out and thought of me! It’s lovely and will come in very useful. She also provided me with lots of lovely lemons from her tree – so have been busy producing oodles (common Kiwi word) of yummy lemon squash. Must remember to take some in for her.

New friend also is a member of the Coastguard here and has got me very interested – it sounds really good. They have once a week training meets in the evenings and then you put your name down for a ½ a day every four weeks or so. You get to go out on boats and little aeroplanes! How cool is that! I will learn lots plus give back a little to the society that has been good to me so far! Once I’m settled in school, I will give it a try.

Had a call during the week asking for my help to usher for the Waitakere Brass’ concert on Saturday night – I enjoyed the Chrussy one so much that I readily agreed.

They had a wide and varied programme and the compeer was, as usual, very witty!

Have to say he coped very well whilst having a conversation with a certain male in the audience who, upon hearing about the Band’s up and coming visit to England, Scotland and Switzerland proudly pronounced that he had a relative in Scotland! “Well”, said the compeer (or words to the effect of – I can’t quite remember the exact wordage here) “ you never know, we may see her there”, to which the certain male pointed out in a very loud and clear voice that she was no longer of this world – ie she was dead! Well – the audience was in stitches and the band just about collapsed (reading this through – it sounds rather morbid – but it wasn’t at the time!) – took a few minutes for everyone to recompose themselves for the next part of the concert.

I loved the Pastime With Good Company (Henry VIII), the New Zealand music was beautiful (one of them was the theme tune to Billy Conolly’s NZ Tour programmes – sorry can’t remember the name – can hum it to you, but of course I do realise that it would be of no use whatsoever – therefore, will hum and send to you via ESP – ready – here we go!……..) and the rendition of Hello Dolly – not only played by the band, but sung by them too, was very impressive!

Some very interesting characters were noted by myself and the lady I was helping with ticket selling. Amongst them was a lovely blind lady with a one-eyed guide dog! (The dog was a gorgeous golden lab). There was also a man dressed in a pink suit complete with pink cowboy-type rather high heeled shoes, pink cowboy-type hat and pink metallic case – I was talking to the compeer at the time and he told me in an aside that the man in pink was his uncle (I think he was having me on – but was unsure as to what to say at this point, so just kept shtum and sold pink man 2 adult tickets).

My mental math skills were put to good use that night – especially when asked for 5 adult tickets plus 2 Senior Citizen – lady I was helping and myself froze and looked like rabbit in headlights at this point, but after deep breaths for brain feeding oxygen, we both got there!

Once the concert was finished, we all drove to the Band practise room for a drink and some pizza bought by very nice friend – we were starving – them having had no lunch or tea (therefore hungry with good reason) and me having not had tea (less of a good reason, but still deserving I feel). It was yummy – cheers!

Today, I have been mostly BODY BOARDING!!!!!!! Yay! Went to a new beach due to Piha having lots of boat type activities going on and a fear of oars bashing my head.

Our new beach de la week was Muriwai – and what a lovely beach it is! On the West Coast like Piha and seemingly a little further away than Piha – but it was actually much quicker and easier to get to and is FAB!

We met friends there and had a lovely time. They left a little before us due to imminent nitball trials for their youngest – good luck!

The waves are very big and I was again rolled around within one or two quite a few times – but it was great!

Took my camera – but unfortunately the battery was flat and the spare was left at home in the recharger – DOH! Will take photies for you all next time.

Have to say that I much prefer this beach to Piha.

We passed lots of vineyards (wineries) on the way plus a variety of fruit shops. Bought some lovely juicy Gala apples for son and a huge bag of green seedless grapes – yum – all very fresh and locally grown.

The fruit here tastes sooo good – just like when I was a kid. I feel like I’ve got my taste buds back again!

Am sat here – very tired with red sun-fried cheeks, but happy. Will now proceed to make tea due to son’s subtle hints at hunger. Have also got to finish planning for school – son is now being most annoying by making screeching noises and asking where his I-pod is……

See ya next week.

x Sue

PS - am very aware that I owe a few people in the UK lots of e-mail replies - will get onto it asap!

Back To Work!

Back To Work!

Had a long weekend for Waitangi Day and then it was straight into work!

Weekend

Saturday

Spent Saturday with lovely friend – went to the Botany Shopping area, bought a birthday pressie ready for a party on Sunday, had a good goss and returned home for further womanly natterings.
Later on, son was duly returned by friend’s hubby – they’d had a lovely day at a wave pool and slidey place somewhere in the Henderson area.
It was good to see thewhole family again – must make sure work doesn’t get in the way of friends!

Sunday

Started off very well until, all of a sudden in the afternoon, I found myself throwing up for England and New Zealand!
Son was busy baking cookies for that evening’s party – unfortunately, we couldn’t make it! We now have lots of cookies to eat!
Later on, another lovely friend popped in for a natter - but I was in bed asleep all afternoon! Son gave her some cookies and home-made lemon squash!

Monday

Luckily a Bank Holiday, but unluckily came down with a dreadfully foul cold – just in time for my first day at work with my new class – aaaah! I finished work in the UK last July and have had wonderful health until I start my brand new job – typical!

Tuesday onwards

Well, apart from feeling rotten all week – my first week with the children was a lovely one!

The staff at school are also great. Have had lots of lovely lemons from one colleague’s tree – shall make yummy lemon squash! So refreshing in this hot weather.

Have spent the time getting to know my class and remembering their names – highly unusual names to a Pom! However – it’s really funny how as a teacher, one always gets to know the boys names first! I wonder why that is?!!!!!

We have fitness every morning on the playground – the bell rings at 9 and all the kids stand in their class lines – each child standing on a painted cross marching on the spot ready to start(with their sunhats on). One teacher is at the front and the kids copy the exercises.

Thursday – received a very nice visit from friend – their stuff has arrived from the UK and they have kindly lent me their fridge (was surviving with a camping fridge until this point). Can now have fresh milk instead of powdered and lots of ice-cold drinks! Cheers – you are sooo kind!

Friday was the coolest day at school because the Year 3’s through to Year 6’s all did aerobics together! A great laugh – the kids were great. We strutted our stuff to ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’ and other delights such as ‘Ooh Eee Ooh Ah Ah’! Great fun!

Another new experience for me was the Road Crossing Patrol. Year 6’s are chosen for this job and, along with a teacher, they stand at quite a busy Zebra Crossing holding onto long poles that they swing out into the road in order to stop the traffic. I attended this with the Deputy Principal – one of us on either side of the road next to each child. Very impressed with how well the children carried out their duties!

Son also seemed to have a good week at his new school – although is not impressed with the 1 metre rule – girls and boys to stay 1m apart! I think this is soooo funny!

He’s also extremely unimpressed with the fact that he has to do a 6km run – apparently the whole school does this together – should be interesting!

He’s not allowed to eat anything whilst walking home in his school uniform or to listen to music on his I-Pod - otherwise it is detention for him!

Says he’s going to wear a large placard whilst walking home full of swear words whilst listening to his I-Pod, eating an enormous burger and (sin of sins) having his shirt hanging out! Oh well…….

Well – the weather is getting hotter and along with this heat, we are receiving a multitude of insect visitors!

So far, this week, have had visits from:

A vivid green praying mantis – hitched a ride into the house on my washing – very unusual-looking creature.

Further vivid green mayflies.

Tons of cicadas in the garden being VERY NOISY – leaving their golden shells behind when they’ve grown too big! A Kiwi friend that I met last night at friend’s barbie stated that her kids love to collect these empty shells!

Ablurred photo of an empty cicada in my garden near the washing line!



Empty shell - amazing isn't it! How does the creature get out - yet leave it so perfect? Must dampen itself or something.....



Underside of the empty shell! Look at those pincers!

MOSQUITOS – a source of great annoyance to many poor people here – luckily, I seem to have escaped their attacks and have had hardly any bites. Son gets bitten to heck when not sprayed liberally with repellent – they seem to love him!

Son also had some strange white bloodsucking thing attached to his foot after going fushing! YUK!!!

Also, last night at the barbie, I had my first experience of a white tailed spider! Luckily, it was captured by friend’s child in a clear plastic water bottle. Will keep well away from these now that I know what they look like!

I had a lovely time at friend’s barbie – it was good to catch up and see everyone again.

Well – that’s me – another week has flown yet again!

Next week: –

Sorting out our container that is imminent – gulp! But – it will be so nice to sit on a settee again rather than our $9 Warehouse Dick Chairs……

Hello again!

Another beautiful day is beginning and I’m making the most of the cooler part (early morning) to write me blog.

Have been to Piha again! I know yawnie yawn yawn yawn – but honestly it’s so much fun!

This time we managed to break two more boogie boards! As the day moved on I also produced lovely cold sores on my lips just in time to meet lots of new work colleagues! Yay…

The waves were mad again and son bodysurfed most of the time (having broken his board within the first half hour – strong waves!). It’s amazing to watch son and friends body surfing – they just catch the wave and surf in with it by keeping their bodies really straight. They’re all like fish! One minute they’re standing in front of a colossal wave looking so tiny and fragile – the next diving straight into it – leaving me with the image of a pair of feet disappearing into its depths whilst I suddenly realise its coming at me and paddle like fury on my board until I either catch it or it collapses on top of me!


Waves, waves - lovely big waves!!!!

The beach was busy that day due to it being a Bank Holiday Monday (Auckland City Festival) and I spent a lot of time avoiding people whilst careering towards the beach on my board. I actually surfed over the top of one lad and for one panic-stricken moment thought it was a very large fush of a certain breed! (Jaws music comes to mind here). Luckily he was fine and laughed it all off – especially when I told him what I thought he was! Great fun was had by all once again!

The days are very warm and swimming in the sea can continue until sunset very comfortably (or beyond if you so wish). In fact, the sun is so strong that my clothes are beginning to fade due to being hung out on the line to dry! Son has got some very fetching lines across t-shirts due to bleaching by the sun where they were hung across the line.

I have spent 3 days at school getting myself and classroom ready for next Tuesday when the children arrive. So far, I’m impressed with the school and staff – very friendly and helpful and a great common sense approach to many things - ie getting on with it without making it all so complicated! Other newbies include 2 Brits, 1 S African and 2 Kiwis – all lovely!

Son has also had a day at his new school and came home in a positive mood having met more kids of his age and his class teacher being a Cockney!

So far so good on the school front then!

We have also been to see the fireworks put on to celebrate the Auckland City Festival. They were fab!

Was chauffeured by lovely friends to the scenic Tamaki Drive area (outside Kelly Tarltons) where we joined the throngs of other sightseers to view the colourful display. We arrived just as the sun was disappearing beyond the horizon and witnessed yet another beautiful Auckland sunset.



Our view encapsulated the Auckland city skyline including the dominating tall and skinny Sky Tower. Lovely.

Here's a piccy of the skyline taken in 'firework' mode:


Quite interesting, eh?

We also enjoyed a Chuppa Chup lolly each whilst waiting – so if anyone walked past a group of people ranging from 12 to late adulthood all sucking on a lolly – yup that was us! (Kept us occupied whilst waiting!)

The fireworks were great and once again were accompanied by lots of “oohs” and “aahs” along with a variety of muffled thumps and bangs.



The final firework was apparently a 24-inch shell, which shot up to a height of around half a kilometre and a width of the same. It was GREAT!!!!!! I love fireworks! At the end, everyone clapped and we all agreed it was well worth seeing.

As usual I have been listening to chat radio and as usual have come across another ad that makes me larf! It’s to do with filling in cracks of windscreens and is accompanied by lots of ribald singing about filling yer crack in etc etc….. Well – I think it’s funny anyway!

Oh well – another fun filled week in the life of Sue!

See yus all soon.

Tara!

x Sue