Love is in the air…

This past weekend, my aunt and uncle had their marriage recognised by the Catholic Church in a special service. It was so beautiful! They were married in November 1984, and 27 years on, are stronger than ever! It was a lovely family time, and I personally felt humbled to have the opportunity to sing “You raise me up” during the re-signing of the register. I hope you enjoy some of the pictures that were taken. Xo

Eternal promises…

The cute little ring-bearer presenting the rings

My lovely sister, Amz, reading a prayer

The priest preparing for communion

The priest giving a blessing

In full song flight

We all scrub up pretty well, I think!

Mum, Amz, and I

One big, happy family!

I’m singing in the rain…

I love my family very much for a myriad of reasons – one reason is that they provide endless amounts of comic relief seemingly effortlessly!! Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and my family decided that they were going to visit my neck of the woods for lunch, which was very exciting! After a sumptuous feast at a gorgeous country cafe, and a couple of hours of joyous conversation, it was time to part ways…however, this process ended up taking quite some time, because my siblings were having a marvellous time posing with an umbrella in the carpark, despite the pouring rain. Mum, Anthony, my  step-brother Blake, and I were laughing our heads off (whilst trying to all squeeze under the other umbrella) at their quick wit!

Who knew that a heavy downpour of rain, combined with umbrellas, and an isolated carpark, could be so entertaining?!

Dom’s just chilling in the rain

Cute, Amz!

Who are you hiding from?

Why, hello there!

Arrghh! Turn the rotating sprinkler system off already!

A variation of the statue of liberty, perhaps?

Dom, you kind of resemble a human water feature for a garden…just need a fountain of water spurting out of the umbrella handle! ha!

 

 

Tree-houses and Swing Bridges

I went on a field trip today as part of my “Social Sciences” paper for uni – as trainee teachers, we get to have “Education Outside The Classroom” experiences, so that we know how to plan and outwork field trips for our own students in the days ahead.

Today, our adventures took us to the Maungatautari (pronounced “Mor-nga-toe-tar-ree”) Forest/Scenic Reserve, which was a 90-minute bus trip from here. It was one of those stunning autumn days – the sun was out, but provided no warmth whatsoever! Knowing that we were going to be going for a hike through dense bush, I rugged up in jeans, thermal top, coat, scarf and gloves…I’m SO glad that I did have the foresight to do this!!

When we arrived, our class was met by a conservation officer, who told us that the Maungatautari Forest was the largest pest-free sanctuary in NZ  - over 3500 hectares of the mountain-side forest was free of all pests, and rare endangered native birdlife such as Kiwi, Kaka (brown parrot), Takahe, and Hihi (stitchbird) had been re-introduced to this area and were breeding. To give you an idea of the achievement of this pest-free area, the next largest pest-free area in NZ is approximately 250 hectares – less than a tenth of the size of Maungatautari’s area.

After hearing from the conservation officer, we went for a hike through the bush, where we had the opportunity to identify native trees, and to hear and see some of the magnificent bird-life. We stopped for lunch at the halfway mark, which happened to be a massive raised platform that disappeared high into the tree tops – after climbing many flights of very steep stairs, we got to the top of our “treehouse”, and enjoyed some lunch from our lofty position! I was half expecting some monkey or exotic bird to appear – had I been in the Amazon, this probably would have happened!

We completed the remainder of our hike, and hopped back on the bus, so that we could travel to the nearby town of Arapuni (Ah-rah-poo-knee). Arapuni is known for it’s hydro-power station, enormous dam, AND….an enormous suspension/swing bridge that has been erected across the fast-flowing river!!! For those of us who are blessed to not be affected by vertigo, we relished the opportunity to walk across this bridge from one side of the cliff to the other. I LOVED this activity – the inner-adrenalin-junkie within me emerged…I had a ball! (Some of my classmates were not as ecstatic…some did not even begin the trek across, and several others panicked partway and took a lot of support to get back.)

I thoroughly enjoyed this field trip – it was such a refreshing and informative day!! I’ve included some pictures of our escapade – I hope you enjoy them! Xo

View out of the bus window - we are heading for that forest on top of the mountain

Taking in the forest and native trees

The bottom part of the towering platform that we climbed up to eat lunch from

Lunch from a lofty spot among the tree-tops.

Our suspension bridge adventures in Arapuni

Halfway across the bridge (looking back).

The raging torrents below the bridge

Part of the hydro-power station (taken from the bridge).

Moi

Culture, Heritage and Diversity

This past week has been infused with typical Kiwi beach culture, despite it being autumn, a public holiday to commemorate soldiers and events of the past, as well as celebrating the diversity of other people groups.

My time in the sun at the beach last Sunday enabled me to replenish my Vitamin D intake, as well as to people-watch. Beach culture is so much a part of New Zealand’s identity, but it is rare that we are able to enjoy the beach at this time of the year – usually the colder weather has well and truly kicked in by now.

Wednesday’s public holiday to acknowledge the ANZACs was special – I attended a civic service, and enjoyed watching the parade of servicemen and women. Stopping to reflect on the past always makes reflection of the present and future much more pertinent. It also reminds me of my heritage and the sacrifice of those who have gone before me.

I love celebrating the diversity of ethnic groups. This week, I was able to re-connect with some friends who had flown in from Tonga for a graduation ceremony. I love their attire, their smiles, their dancing, and their hugs!

I also got to make a musical instrument this week for one of my papers at uni – I made a hand bell out of a teracotta pot, beads, a button, and some wool. I have christened her “Isabella Potter”…she clangs beautifully, and will be a fun additional to our class “odds and ends” orchestra! Xo

Could be mistaken for summer at the beach

Mmm...sunshine!!

One of my favourite spots on this planet

Navy officers and cadets on display at the ANZAC celebrations

Flags, traditions, pomp, ceremony, and soldiers...

Returned servicemen who have fought for freedom in days gone by...men of honour; men of valour...ordinary men who did extraordinary things.

I love it when my Tongan friends dance and sing!

Beautiful friends from a small island in the Pacific - huge smiles, huge hearts!

"Isabella Potter" is ready to make her debut performance in our odds 'n' ends orchestra at uni!

 

Simple Beauty

I’ve been looking through some of my photos to remind myself of the beauty within a day. Sometimes when we are in a challenging season, it’s hard to see the hope that is alive all around us…photos can be timely reminders to keep looking ahead. I hope you enjoy the simple beauty that I’ve tried to capture in each shot over the years. X

Sunrise at the beach

Letters from across the world

My friend, "Joey", from up the road.

Lanterns and old buildings

Candles at Christmas

Rainbows on grey days

Creating gingerbread folk to give away

Flying up in the clouds

A couple on honeymoon perhaps?

Umbrellas on a rainy day

Cherry blossoms line the streets in spring

Hot drinks and a chat with a friend

Ducks at the park

Music with a dear friend

My stunning friend soaking up the sun

Reading by lamplight before bed

 

Autumn Days

I don’t usually like Autumn very much, because it’s a moment by moment reminder that winter is sneaking up on me faster than I wish to acknowledge! However, this year, my heart seems to have embraced autumn much more lovingly. I’m still not delighted by the reality that the weather is getting cooler, (mind you, to be fair, we have had a stunning weekend weather-wise) but I am enjoying the vibrant colours that are unashamedly on display at the moment.

Below are a collection of photos of autumn up my street, autumn birthday catch-ups, autumn at Kulim Park (which was kind of looking like summer!), and autumn at McClaren Falls on a couple of different visits there. Hope you enjoy!

Walking home

Proudly vibrant

Precious moments with a loyal friend

A bottlebrush bush captured my attention whilst I was taking a walk

My seat at Kulim Park

The stunning view from my seat - I am in love with Mount Maunganui! I'll never have too many photos of it!

These boys had no cares in the world as they enjoyed their rocky playground.

Shades of burnt orange are taking over McClaren's Falls Park

There's no denying that autumn has arrived

Ta da! Glory and splendour reaches new heights!

The sound of crunching underfoot...

This young girl loved using her net at the pond...I'm wondering if she was trying to score herself a new pet duck?! (or perhaps a swan! At one point, her brother fell in clothes and all!)

Sunday picnickers amidst the beauty

This family really made my heart smile - I loved feeding the ducks when I was young too!

I stopped to say hello to 'Charlotte' on my way past!

NZELS National Conference

Hello friends!

I know it has been an eternity since I last posted an entry! Life just got too busy with teaching, music, studies, work, and what-not, but I’m back!!!

I’d love to tell you about part of my day today, if that’s ok Mid-morning through to early afternoon, I was a guest speaker at a conference!! It was a national conference held right here in Tauranga for the New Zealand Education Leadership Society (NZEALS). They have one annual conference, which attracts high-profile delegates from all over New Zealand, as well as overseas. Today’s conglomerate of people included Tertiary lecturers holding various doctrates of study, deans of education, principals, teachers, early childhood educators, education advisory people, as well as any other education guru.

Here’s little me (a third-year teacher trainee) speaking to a conference of a few hundred people (many of whom have been in the education field for almost twice my lifetime!) alongside a renowned Irish-Australian Professor with 40 years of experience up his sleeve. Gulp! The other guest speakers hailed from the UK, Canada, the US, Australia, as well as some of NZ’s finest.

Professor Duignan and I spoke about Educational Leadership – the pitfalls of present mindsets/practice, and how leadership in the education field could look if there was a paradigm shift (Professor Duignan laid the foundation, and I added to his thoughts with my own thoughts about this subject after he was done).

Wearing the most “official” looking clothes I owned, and feeling quite the corporate power dresser, I toddled my way up onto the stage in my black heels. (*Please don’t trip up! Please don’t trip up!* was all that was running through my head). I approached the podium, which was in the front centre of the stage. I placed down my book, and opened it to the right page. I adjusted the microphone, held on to the sides of the podium (trying to look confident, but mostly to hide my initial shakes) and looked out at whom I was addressing (trying not to be blinded by the lights, and trying to make it look as though my heart was not jumping out of my chest…clearly, it was…it’s quite intimidating being in a room of big-wigs, especially when you’re an undergraduate, and the only person seemingly under the age of at least 45!) Taking a breath, I launched into my presentation, and thanked the Lord that I relaxed relatively quickly. It was very humbling to look out and see people taking notes and looking highly engaged (one or two even smiled – I think!).

So, there you have it – my first conference-speaking engagement! It truly was a privilege, and I secretly enjoyed the adrenalin rush of public-speaking! I’m sorry that I have no pictures to show you of my own, but I have included a video of a song that Professor Duignan included in his part. It’s called “I believe in you”, and is written and sung by Amanda Marshall – I pray it blesses you.