Kia ora Nora

Thursday January 25, 2018 This week I went to downtown Christchurch for the first time. I attend the busker festival, looked at the container mall and had lunch at one of the many food trucks. The downtown has a lot of construction going on because it is still rebuilding itself after the 2011 earthquake which destroyed buildings and killed 185 people. Downtown Christchurch Red Trousers Performing in Downtown Christchurch  Red Trouser's Performer Juggling with Fire Red Trousers Climbing up a Ladder for a Trick Christchurch Art Gallery Bridge of Remembrance - Dedicated to Those who Died Fighting in WWI Container Mall - Built after the 2011 Earthquake to Help Restore the Downtown    More of the Container Mall  Container Mall Continued Bird Mural  Tram, only used for Tours of the Downtown I was really impressed by the beautiful Avon River that runs through the city. There are lovely big tre...

Monday January 22, 2018 On Friday some of the Canadians and I took a hike up or took a gondola (cable car) up Mount Cavendish located near Port Hills. The majority of the Canadians decided to hike up the steep Bridal Path to the top of Mount Cavendish. I, on the other hand, took one look of the mountain and realized I was not in shape  enough for that and took the gondola for $28.00 NZ (return trip). At the top of the mountain is a viewing deck and café. If you look West you can see Christchurch.  To the South and East there are views of Banks Peninsula, Lake Ellesmere and Lyttelton Harbor. I’m hoping by the end of my year in New Zealand to be able to hike up the mountain. Mount Cavendish Me and Lyttelton Harbour Lyttelton Harbour That night around 12:35 am I felt my first Christchurch earthquake. I was lying in bed looking at my phone and it shook the whole building. It only lasted for a couple of seconds. Michelle (my newest roommate) messaged me, “W...

Thursday, January 18 th 2018 Kia Ora Everyone! Kia Ora means hi, welcome and wishing good health in the language Te Reo. Te Reo is the language the Maori (first people of New Zealand) speak.  It also seems to have been adopted among non-Maori as a general greeting.  So that’s why I have called my blog “Kia Ora Nora” because of the meaning but also because it rhymes with my name. This is day two for me in Christchurch, New Zealand.  I’m here for one year for the teacher’s college primary program. Darn, I fell into the family trap of becoming a teacher. I’m a sellout, is that what you’re thinking? Give me a chance to explain! Over the past year I realized that I really enjoy working with students and thought my gentle, warm and kind nature could support students with their learning. I want to make my future classroom exciting, warm, and welcoming, and I would like for the students to never dread coming to school! In the future, since my background is in coaching,...