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