Goat Island, coconuts and more!

Well well. Nice to see you again. Or rather talk to you online on a blog..:) I have been pretty busy lately! But not too busy to drink straight from a coconut..I'm not a huge of coconut, to be honest, never have been. But hey it's cool to say you did it!

On Friday, our day off school, we went to Goat Island! it's a beautiful wildlife reserve there. I went snorkeling! A lot of the other girls though it'd be too cold but I thought it was refreshing! After 20 minutes I was a big cold I'll admit. But it was fun to be there! I like water a lot. I was scared of fish however..

Lately, I've just been doing lots of school. I've seen 2 movies in the theater this week..not a usual thing, but hey I'm in New Zealand, why not!

We got observed for the first time on Thursday. We got observed us teaching in the school. Mine went awful! Just so many things went wrong. She's going to let me try again. I need to implement more things I know in my head, but just don't remember to do when I'm in the class. I know I'm meant to be a teacher, it's the only real thing I'm sure of in my life right now. But sometimes it's hard. I'm learning a lot though! From the good and the bad.

I forgot to say that I went mini-golfing with my host family! It was fun-as. <3

Went to a missionary fireside thing last night and then the dance! it was pretty fun. I was tired and sick today though! For sure!

Miss you all!

Chief Jacobs, naked German men, V day with missionaries?

So we are finally home for good from our long 2 week vacation! That is why there have been no recent updates. But our trip was AMAZING!! Highlights of South Island:

MONDAY:
*skyline gondola
*shotover jet
*luges
most gorgeous place I have ever seen in the world
*Deer Hyde Park-Lord of the Rings sites

TUESDAY:
*Milford Sound

WEDNESDAY:
*shopping
*Beach and reading!

THURSDAY:
*skydiving-NOT EVEN THAT SCARY! I'm glad I did it. I can cross it off my life to do list now. I loved freefalling, though the air pressure was intense! It kinda hurts your face and also your ears! But I survived.
*riverboarding
*Minus Five Bar

FRIDAY:
*8 hr drive to Christchurch

SATURDAY:
*markets
*Christschurch cathedrak
*Michelle rang the bell
*awkward Chinese restaurant

SUNDAY:
*family ward
*fireside
*Bonding night

MONDAY:
*ran to Botanical Gardens
*punting on Avon
*Akararoa Beach-nasty water :)
*shops
*Sumner Beach-fish and chips and Deep South ice cream
*FHE

TUESDAY
*art museum
*Antarctic Center-cute penguins, simulated storm

WEDNESDAY
*home, did laundry, cleaned
*mall, got a library card
*Juliet's birthday! Went swimming with a bunch of people! We went to sleep at2 am and got up at 4 am to go to Rotorua

THURSDAY
*drove to Rotorua
*Waitomo glowworm caves, went on a 5 hr caving expedition! We rappelled, we swam with eels, we did the "flying fox" like a zipline, we climbed up twin waterfalls!
*Dinner Theatre, with a traditional Maori meal and also a Maori play. Two girls from our group were chosen from the audience!

FRIDAY
*Te Puia-a Maori culture center. We got to see a pre-European model of a Maori village. We got to see a performing group perform traditional Maori songs. Our director, Brother Jacobs, was chosen as the chief and got to be on stage with the performing group. As soon as I can download the video, I'll put it up. We got to see them perform the haka! it's so cool.
*Zorbing-you're like a hamster in a big clear ball filled with water. You are rolled down a hill! I'll put up pictures as soon as I can get them from the others.
*Natural spa! We went into a natural hot spring! We took the white clay at the bottom of the spring, put it on our faces, washed it off, then put honey on then washed it off. We gave o urselves a natural spa! There was a naked German man in there with us! lol. When he stood up to pass us the honey, I was a little shocked. We spent awhile trying to get that image out of our heads
*Chinese food and Movie night

SATURDAY (today)
*hike among the Redwood trees
*Flight simulator of Rotorua
*Went on a scenic drive
*Came home, ate dinner with our host family and the missionaries. Who can say they had dinner with the missionaries on V day? haha we can!!


Sorry there's just so much to write. I'll write more when I have time. I love and miss you all!

boo yah

Did I mention we are done with classes? For the rest of the trip. Oh yeah. Here is a picture of us celebrating class being over.





ok so really it's us sleeping because we get no sleep here. Reminds me of EFY in that way. Ah. Good memories. :)

love ya! I'm off to the South Island. See you when I get back!