My last week at New Zealand consisted of a mini trip heading farther north on the northern island. Each part of my trip represented a bit of my personality. These small “bits” were a highlight to my experience in the land of Kiwis. A Bit of Culture While traveling across the New Zealand country side, […]
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On my third day in New Zealand, I thought it would be a great idea to get back into running again. Running had gotten away from me due to school, work, clubs and everything else a busy college student is doing. Along my first run, I came across a sign announcing the Pelorus Trust Run […]
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Zealandia is a sanctuary for native animals of New Zealand. It is located within Wellington, but you would not suspect you were anywhere near civilization when you arrive. Upon arrival, Zealandia looks like a beautiful, abundant forest that stretches for miles and miles. Around the sanctuary though your eyes are drawn to the Fort Knox-style […]
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Jane. Grant. Thomas. Isobel. Ripley. What the bunch! From day one, the Murrays made me feel welcomed, and after a single week I felt like part of the family. The mornings are groggy and our evenings are laughter filled. And as “hunky-dory” as it all sounds, I must say their spunkiness and craziness keeps me […]
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The week of Aug. 10 began my first week of teaching solo. The experience was astonishing. With my sole teaching, I had the opportunity to teach content areas that are common, and not so common, in the United States for the classroom teacher. I felt myself step up as I was the one who was […]
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Sunday, Aug. 23 was my birthday, and for the first time since arriving to New Zealand, I felt the horrible emotions of homesickness. Birthdays are to be happy celebrations, but I was down in the dumps. I had not expected how sad I would be on my birthday. Over the years, I had been lucky […]
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“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” Only a month ago I was in Namibia teaching and playing with the learners at the School for the Visually Impaired with my fellow education students from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point School of Education. Now I found myself traveling to […]
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I suppose it has taken me so long to write my final blog because it saddens me that my New Zealand journey has come to an end. At least for now. Leaving New Zealand was so hard for me and I felt that I wasn’t ready to leave just yet. I had met so many […]
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New Zealand rests above an active fault line where two fragments of the earth’s surface collide. In the south island the earth is forced upward, creating the beautiful Southern Alps, and in the north island one of the pieces is pushed under the other resulting in a great deal of geothermal and volcanic activity. On […]
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I’ve always been a die-hard Harry Potter fan, but when I came to New Zealand I figured it was finally time to read the Lord of the Rings series and watch all of the movies. I quickly became addicted to the story and not much longer after that I booked my first LOTR tour. Peter […]
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