Final Vocational Day

Today marked our last day in New Zealand. I was fortunate enough to spend mine with Peddle Thorp Architects in downtown. I got to tour several projects throughout the city, all at different stages of completion. Peddle Thorp is a great firm because of the passionate and driven people who work there. I will definitely stay in touch with the friends I have made there.

Another big thanks to everyone who made my vocational days such a wonderful experience:

Sylvie (my vocational coordinator)
Alec and Bren at Warren & Mahoney Architects
Chris at Woodhams Meikle Architects
Rebecca at the NZ Green Building Council
David at One to One Hundred
Micheal and Patrick at the University of Auckland School of Architecture
Richard, Brad, Brian, Wade, and Gilda at Peddle Thorp

Schools and Science

Yea! We got our kid fix today as we visited two level one docile schools near Auckland. The first school, Panmure Bridge School had a wonderful assembly where the children performed a Haka to welcome us. Then two students took each member of the GSE team for a tour of the school. That was a really endearing touch. Our time was focused on the students and was precious. I (Melanie) was toured by Leila and Suliasi, both year 6. One more quiet, the other a total ham and both as sweet as can be. They showed off their desks, blog and creative videos, favorite art, and then we explored this blog and the Mixbook.com site together. They were so excited to see new things and love all that Internet and blogging offers to express themselves.

The second school, Tamaki Primary, was an equally great experience. After learning about the school's curriculum and teaching techniques, we visited classrooms to observe. I was in a grade 6 class watching as student's worked on essays about marae and then how to post them to a blog.

After lunch at the Grange Golf Club with our Remuera hosts Tony, Richard, David and Gus, we visited Living Cell Technologies who are doing amazing and life-changing work to reduce insulin usage in diabetics. It is in the early phases, but they are having great success with their clinical trials and announced today that they have entered into an agreement to raise $3 million through a placement of shares to Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc., the research and manufacturing arm of the Otsuka group of companies.

The future is looking very bright!!

Curled fern - new beginnings

During our tramp up Rangitoto today, saw two curled silver ferns know as Koru, which is the sign for new beginnings, as well as peace, tranquility and spirituality along with a strong sense of regrowth. The symbol is everywhere - greenstone, necklaces, sculptures, paper weights, t-shirts.... and now we have a picture of an actual one! Beautiful sight to see. Good eye Jennifer and Miguel to find this with all the bush around us.

Climbed new heights and said farewell

What a day. After seeing Rangitoto from every angle and part of Auckland and surrounding areas, we finally climbed/tramped her today. She is the youngest volcano of the 48/52 (debatable) volcanic cones in Auckland, at 600 years. Up was a nice workout - bit strenuous as neared top as pretty steep. It took about 45 minutes - but we veered off and went to the Lava Caves first. Loved those! Once up top - views amazing. We did a loop around the top after lunch and then ventured down another way. This one was 20 minutes built walkway comprised of mostly steps and then a dirt path for another hour. Much easier, but not as much to see. Volcanic rock on sides of path and crumbles of it in the path - so bumpy. It's amazing to now look at Rangitoto and think 'Did that' and 'Been at the top of that - and hiked to get there.' Really cool.

After working on it all day yesterday and bits and pieces as could today, the team gave our farewell presentation tonight. We leave for Tahiti Thursday and the return just to jump back on a plane home on the 19th. So hard to believe the farewell is already here. There were a great number of people there and many faces we were so so happy to see again. We've really fallen for these wonderful people and it was great to see them tonight and for them to support us and hear about our experience. The evening, after dinner, began with an amazing performance by uni students locally. It was absolutely amazing. I will post on youtube hopefully tomorrow and then post the link. A few nice words and then our presentation which the team did smashing! As team leader - I can say they did fantastic and give them big kudos. It was very well received.

Rotary at work

It's wonderful to spot Rotary's community ties. During one of my vocational experiences at Howick Baptist Hospital (equivalent to the U.S. nursing home), I found that Somerville Howick Rotary Club had made a significant contribution to the new building. They provided the furnishings for a family room in which family members can visit with residents. This space is especially helpful when families need time and privacy. Another example of how Rotary is doing great things around the world and in our local communities.

A cowboy welcome

Wednesday, April 6
Visited the Refugee and Migrant Education Center. They do amazing work for those that come from dire situations. Our day was hosted by the Papatoetoe West Rotary Club. Thanks to Glenys and Ray (and Shirley) for a great day. In the evening, we received a warm welcome to their Rotary Club meeting - everyone was wearing a cowboy hat. What great Texas spirit. Night culminated with us announcing the 'best of the best.' Thanks Papatoetoe West and Somerville Howick.

Miguel's Photo Book

http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/travel/group-study-exchange-picture-books-5140787

Melanie's Photo Book

http://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/nature/melanie-hoffman-gse-team-leader-5130746

Jennifer's vocational experiences

Thank you to Procare Health Organization for hosting my first vocational experience and to Carmel for arranging my visit. Procare contracts with Auckland Ministry of Health to administer and deliver "Healthy Village Action Zone (HVAZ)". Through this program, and through vital partnerships, HVAZ presents evidence-based programming to different communities. These programs include the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management program, a fall-prevention program, and a community gardens program, delivered mainly through 42 different Pacific-Islander churches. People of Tongan and Samoan descent represent two of the largest Pacific Islander communities in New Zealand. I have also visited with the Tongan Health Society, which works with Procare to serve Tongan populations. The Tongan Health Society has 100% of their board being of Tongan descent. I visited with their nutritionist and viewed some of their health promotional materials available in Tongan. I also met their Medical Director to learn more about access barriers unique to Pacific Islanders. This was helpful as Christina and Valita showed me different services, including their community gardens, they provide as a Parrish Nurse and Community Health Coordinator. Thank you also to Sam as well! Finally, Mele- I learned so much from your enthusiasm and dedication!

Incredible day!

We got to fly over Auckland this morning with Chris and Phil before landing at Limestone Downs. The views were breathtaking and left us speechless for most of the trip. After a brief tour of the shearing facility at the downs, we headed over to Nikau Caves. The caves were just amazing. Check out their website below.

Nikau Caves & Cafe

Day of Adventure

Monday, April 4 We just came back from an amazing experience. Thanks Drury Rotary club, pilots Phil and Chris, and day hosts John and Trevor!! We flew to the west coast in two little planes. On way, we flew around the city of Auckland and Rangitoto. After visiting Limestone Village which is 8,000 acres of land with 2,500 cows and 8,000 sheep, we went Nikal Caves with Phillip as our tour guide. It was an hour tramp through open and tight spaces and a stream of water, and something we will never forget. It was exhilarating!!! There was one part where we had to sliver down and then crawl on our hands and knees - through the stream that runs throughout the entire cave. And there was another area where we turned off our torches (flashlights) and looked up to see the glow worms. It was like being in a planitarium. An hour to rest and then off we go to present at the Drury Rotary Club. Look forward to meeting the members and thanking them for hosting us this week and a great day! - Pictures soon!

So much to do, limited time to blog...

We have so much to share with everyone, but it seems that we are always running and have not had as many opportunities as we hoped to blog. Hopefully we will have some opportunities this weekend. Photos above are from March 29 during our day hosted by the Harbourside Rotary Club - one from their club meeting and the other during our tramp on the Takapu Refuge Walk that ended with a stroll on the black sand beach.

Check out our YouTube channel to see our daredevil stunts at the ropes course where Rotary Club Botany East Tamaki brought us on March 28, among other great places including Hunua Falls, Clevedon and a coffee stop along the coast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzC7qhPmmnc

Howdy All

We just wanted to let everyone know we are alive and doing well. We have been so busy with activities and events we don’t really have time to write stuff down and blog it all. But we have been meeting some great kiwi folks here in New Zealand. We have been to several great parks in Auckland and got a great history tour today.

Yesterday, we went to southern Auckland state, and toured a small town called Clevedon and did a high ropes course. I will post some videos of that in the next several days.

 

But here is a picture from the bay in Auckland aboard the Maritime museum in vessel. We saw bungee jumpers and other ships sailing around. What a shot!

Can you believe it's only been six days.....

...since we arrived in Auckland? As you can tell from the pictures, we have already enjoyed so many kind people and interesting places. From blue waters to green hiking-- a.k.a 'tramping'- trails, our first week comes to an end with each of us anxious for more!

Tuesday March 22, 2011
At 7AM, we gave our second presentation to the Downtown Rotary at the Northern Club on Princes St. A nice visit at Fisher & Paykel manufacturing plant gave us a chance to see Michael in his engineering element. We had lunch with the New Market Rotary at the Ellerslie Racecourse Convention Centre, the third largest club in the district, with 110-115 members and distributing $200K to local charities annually. Thank you to Colin and Louise and Harry and Rosemary for taking us to an elegant evening at the Sky Tower restaurant.

Wednesday March 23, 2011
Graeme once again dropped some of us off at rendevous point, this time at the stunning Cornwall Park. Peter, Robin and Ann greeted us with a traditional "Kia Ora," the Maori words for "Hello" and "Goodbye". We walked around the park, then to One Tree Hill to see the obelisk and the spot that was once occupied by the great one tree. Mount Eden, another volcanic cone- 58 total in and around Auckland- is closer to the harbour adjacent to a deep crater. A "trig point" was at the summit, a surveyor's tool to measure distances between summit points. We also mused over an old Direction Table.....let's all remember the surveyors, "For their work continueth great beyond their knowing." Auckland Museum had many interesting Maori artifacts, but of great interest were the Goldie paintings and the expressions that made us all wonder. A quick lunch and sailing beneath the Auckland Harbour Bridge (and the line of bungee jumpers), then a tour of the Maritime Museum. We also learned about Peter Blakey's adventures that led to the 1995 America's Cup win and his untimely death.

What a day- but within our busy pursuits, time to reflect on how prevalent Rotary is in the world. While sailing today, we met one of the volunteer crewman who mentioned hosting an exchange student from San Angelo, Texas (Jennifer's hometown), and we quickly made the association-- was she a Rotary exchange student? And from there, an instant friendship was made!

Big Kiwi Welcome in New Zealand

The team was greeted at a wonderful ceremony Sunday night that included a traditional Maori Haka chant. We are very excited and honored to be here and to experience the Kiwi way of life!

A whirlwind beginning...

Saturday, March 19
Our team arrived in the very early hours of Saturday morning in Auckland to a very warm welcome. What an awesome site and greeting. We quickly met our GSE Coordinator and host families for the week and then were brought to our respective homes to visit and for some rest.

A couple hours later, we were invited to go sailing with Graeme, host to Michael, and were joined by Miguel's host Colin. What a wonderful way to unwind from a long trip, see the beauty of the place we will call home for the next few weeks and relax by enjoying the amazing weather of the day. It was really perfect and we were all feeling like the luckiest people on earth and with a start like this, could only imagine all that was to follow. During our time on the boat, Miguel took his first swim ever in sea waters and Michael was the first in and the last one out - enjoying every moment of it. The scenery was breath-taking - every direction you looked.

Sunday, March 20
The next day we went out for tramping. We have been having a lot of fun with that term as it has a different meaning back home. Some Rotarians and others meet every fourth Sunday at a different location for tramping and invited us for this trek. It was a four-hour hike in total - two hours to get to the shore, passing native trees and foliage, a bit of a break for lunch outside a little cottage, and then another hour/hour-and-a-half back to the car shortened by walking the shore due to low tide. Some of us talked later about how we really need to incorporate more of this into our lives back home - scheduling time to enjoy and learn more about nature. We love that they make a point to do this once a month in a different location. Anyone interested when we return?

That night was the official welcome for the team. It was amazing. It began with a Maori ceremony performed by a terrific group of children. There was a point when they presented a message and Miguel from our team responded back with a message in Nahualt, a native language of Mexico. The whole thing was very moving. The District Governor traveled from Tahiti to welcome us. And the entire GSE team from 9920 traveling to Texas was there as well. We met wonderful people, just increasing our excitement, and had a very nice night. The sunset over Rangitoto was incredible that night, making for some great pictures.

Monday, March 21
The next day was orientation at the Price Waterhouse building. Thank you to Ash and Alex who spoke to us about the economy and the vibrancy of the city. Both very intriguing! Alex, CEO from Heart of the City - is infectious with his enthusiasm and love for Auckland. Any one he talks with outside of the area is sure to book a flight straight away! We went to our first Rotary meeting (Rotary Club of Auckland) at lunch time and our second that evening (Auckland East) where we gave our first presentation. They meet at the Boat House right on the water with Harbor views. What a place to meet each week! We are looking forward to seeing these members again on Sunday for the Auckland East Derby Trolley!!

Will upload pictures to follow. More details to post soon!

Introduction

Our Introduction Video About US. More to come from the district.