Kia Ora

The following pictures summarize Christmas in New Zealand! It's the day everyone goes to the beach for a holiday. I'm most certain I could get used to a summer Christmas.




Jason and I have really made an effort to see the north island. We traveled to the very northern tip (Cape Reinga) The yellow markers show Los Angeles being over 10000 km North from New Zealand! That makes me feel pretty far away.
We have gone sea kayaking, ate fantastic Thai food, caught a ferry to Russel and many other things!

Merry Christmas from New Zealand!

december top 3

I showed my students this link today in class.... Top Ten photos of 2008 //http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/12/photogalleries/top-ten-photos/index.html

Top 3 reasons why December has been fantastic

1. I love teaching. Okay, five weeks isn't an enormous amount of time to be sure that you love or hate something but I am flabbergasted at how much I love teaching. The particular position is a perfect fit for me. I'm looking forward to teaching next semester and coaching track.

2. Christmas. need I say more?

3. New Zealand. I fly to Auckland on Monday! I'm so sad to be missing the talent show and opening presents with my familia but I know Christmas with Jason will be great too.

NEW ZEALAND FOR CHRISTMAS

I just booked a flight to Auckland, New Zealand for the duration of Christmas break! I've missed that place every day since I left in April. There's probably not a better time to visit then during the WARM SUMMER MONTH OF DECEMBER in the southern hemisphere! Pretty sure I'll be laying on the beach, working on the tan, after opening presents from Santa! Of course I'm going because I loved everything about the country. More importantly, I'm going to see Jason again too. I'm very happy to be spending the Christmas break with him. I depart on December 22 and arrive on Christmas Eve. This was a huge random risk for me... and I'm so glad I just went ahead and booked the ticket. 2 weeks and I'll be flying over the Pacific... yahoo for New Zealand!!!!!!

First week as the Teacher

Here's the thing, I love my job. Who would've thought that teaching junior and senior English a week after I graduate was an amazingly great choice for me. With just one week under my belt I feel like I've learned invaluable truths about teaching that are not fully disclosed in college. I respect my parents MUCH more, now that I know what they do day in and day out so that I could graduate too.
I also need to brag about teaching in the fantastic city of Winslow. I am supported by basically the entire city and have resources galore from the many teachers that have been close friends since before I was even in school. From a teacher's perspective, I am interacting, cultivating, and learning about many culture's in the classroom setting. Also, I feel good at the end of the day for helping people. Teaching is service. Honestly, I'm much wiser and more humble post-first week of teaching down.