Auckland Trip

From the 7th of December until the 13th I had a great time in Auckland. Franzi, Kurumi and I took the intercity bus from Kerikeri to Auckland. It’s actually a coach and you have to book the tickets in the internet. We started early in the morning and after a 5 hours drive we arrived with our heavy backs in the biggest city of New Zealand.

We looked our bags at the bus station and along the Queen Street and did lots of shopping. Later on we went to the harbor and had a nice coffee. We had sushi for dinner and took then the bus to our accommodation. We first had some problems to find the host family but after a up and down walk the streets we finally found the house. We went directly to bed, because we were so tired from getting up so early and the walking the whole day.

 

The next day we went to New Market, a suburb perfect for shopping! The main point why we went there was the General Issue Shop, which is only selling A&F cloths, a paradise for us.
After 2 hours spending in trying and paying and a few bags more we finally left the shop and took the bus back to town. Franzi met a friend from her organization and Kurumi and I had another look at the harbor. In the evening we all went together to the sky tower to enjoy the sunset high over the ground. We had a iced chocolate in the sky tower café, 240 meters over the streets..



Franzi & Kurumi




Kurumi & Me





Franzi & Me




Kurumi & Me

We took the last bus this night, back to our host family. The next day I said goodbye to my friends to make myself on the way to the meeting of my organization.
Franzi and Kurumi took the bus back to Kerikeri and I had to find the house of my leader. It was quiet complicated and the bus driver weren’t friendly at all!! First I had to drive 40 minutes out of town and there I had to change the bus and drive another 20 minutes.
I struggled to find the right bus and I waited 50 minutes at the second bus station, probably missed about 3 buses until I was finally sure to take the right bus. Another problem was the fact to not know where I had to get off the bus. In New Zealand they don’t have names for the bus stops and there not saying any names of streets or anything..
 It was pretty hopeless, but somehow I found the place to get off the bus and the address of the house. A few people from the Introduction days where day and we had a nice GERMAN barbeque.  It was akward to speak german, I had problems with the grammar and needed a few seconds to find the words in my head.

 The next morning we were blessed with a typical German breakfast. We were so excited about the “real” bread. I didn't have anything like that the last 6 months, only toast!

BREAD!!!

A friend of mine and I spent the day in Auckland at the harbor and walked along the Queen Street and had coffee in a Cafe, which had free Internet on Ipads to offer.
In the evening we met with the others and walked together to a field near New Market. Hundred of people came together to listen to the famous Christmasconcert "Xmas in the park".
In the middle of the park was a enormous stage. The crowd was sitting on picnic blankets distributed on the field.
The music was quiet good and the atmosphare was just brillant. At the end of the concert the lights of a monstrous Christmastree in the middle of the park were switched on, it was a breathtaking moment. The crowd startet to leave the place and we walked with the crowd back to Queens Street. It felt liked carneval, we were so many people!! I was happy to get in the car, because I felt quiet uncomfortable in middle of all those people, probably because I'm not used to this amount of people.. We were all tired and went straight to bed, as soon we arrived home.

On the next day was actually planed to go to the beach and having a BBQ in the evening, but the weather was terrible so we visited the museum in Auckland. It was very intressting to learn something about the Maori culture and the New Zealand\Asian History. The exhibition was also about the geografie and flora of New Zealand. The most exicting part for me were the extinct native animals, because I've never heard of those animals before.

I'm smaller than the pinguin.. =P



Kiwi bird



In the evening we had a delicous dinner, which made me feel a little homesick; Raclette. We had a lovely night and after dinner we watched a movie.

On the following day we went to Muriwai for a surf lesson. I surfed already a few times, but I was used to very small waves. At Muriwai beach were gigantic waves and it was very windy. We had good boards and as soon as I got into the water I got on the board. I first thought it would be difficult with these big waves, but I caugh many waves and enjoyed ever second of it.

 After the surf we had a picnic at the beach and drove to a shopping centre spent the rest of the afternoon there.. After dinner we went to town to walk along a famous street in Auckland. "Franklin street" was illuminated with Christmas decoration and each house could have belonged to Disney land.

I had a great time in Auckland and the time ran so fast, the day came to say goodbye again and I took the bus back to Auckland with my heavy bags and waited 3 hours in Starbucks and took then the coach back to Kerikeri and I was pleased to be back "home".

Farewells

The last month I often spent my time at the beach or at Charlie’s rock. It’s a beautiful spot with waterfalls and high rocks from which you can jump in to the water. December was a warm and nice month but a sad month as well because most of the Internationals were leaving and everything changed.

We had a farewell barbeque at the stone store. All of the Internationals came and everyone brought heaps of food and we had a lovely evening in the sun, went swimming and played rugby.

I had a few training weekends in December with the sailing team. We sailed every day from 9 a.m until 5 p.m in rain and cold, but I just loved it! I often was very tired after, but friends slept over and we had movie nights. At “Samichlaustag” Franzi and I made Xmas cookies in shorts and t-shirt and listened to Christmas songs. It was a very awkward feeling and it felt so wrong, not like Christmastime at all! But we tried to make the best out of it and our cookies were delicious.

End-of-the-year-programm

Before the summer holidays had started the big NCEA Exam were on. Year 11, 12 and 13 had their final year exams. Fortunately the International students didn’t have to sit them. While the others were studying for their exam we enjoyed an End-of-the-year program, which was organized by the International Department.

For four days we were instructing the other Internationals in sailing. We were split up in groups and taught them the basics of dinghy sailing. We had a lot of fun and it was nice to see how they were improving their knowledge.. We had some windy days, so a few were more in the water than sailing. But after the 4 days all of them passed the theory test and we were able to organize a funny race. I was supporting them on a motor boat and helped and gave the tips while they were sailing.. I really enjoyed those days on the lake with all the others and it was a great experience to be a coach and not the sailor. After 4 days of sailing we were all very tired after this week of sailing and happy to have a break. The next day we got picked up in a huge bus and drove to Whangerei to an Adventure climbing park. We spent the whole day high over the ground in the trees.. All of us just loved it! Some of us were pretty scared so high over the ground. At the end of the day everyone got safely back home and nobody had any hurts, except of sore hands.

In the second week of our program another surf camp was on. We had 3 fabulous days at Taupo Bay! We were 8 participants and enjoyed every second in the water and of course on the board. After the surfing we watched movies, played rugby or went swimming in the sea or just enjoyed the sun. One morning our surf trainer woke us up at 6 a.m and told us to go straight in our wetsuits and in the water. Hardly awake we got in the water and had a great morning of surfing and a delicious breakfast for our early work. The time ran so quickly and the surf camp was already over and we went back to Kerikeri..

Farewell & holidays

On Sunday evening Franzi and me were invited to go out for dinner with Marco's hostfamily.. We ate in a nice, small restaurant next to the Stone Store and we enjoyed the last evening together.
Marco left the next moring. A lot of friends came to the airport to say goodbye.. It was very sad and were all crying.. He was a really close friend to all of us and we'll miss him a lot.. but fortunatley nearly all of us are living in Europe so we can meet each other again, one day.. =)

Marie and I spent the afternoon with Franzi. To animate us, we played Singstar and we ate a lot of chocolate.. We felt much better after, but the weather was terrible so we had to spent to whole day inside..
For a few days Gail's daughter came with her children to visit us.. it was nice to busy with the 3 kids and we had fun.. =)
The first week of the holidays was boring.. We coudn't do much, because the weather was bad, went to the cinema and once we slept over at Franzi's and watched many many DVDs =).
For dinner we bought real bread (no TOAST), Parmesan, Pesto & very expensive prosciutto.. it was delicious!! =) We did a pick-nick on the fields near the Stone Store.
The next day Franzi came to our house and we made crepes, yummy =)....We had so much fun and the weather became finally better.. so we spent the rest of the day outside..

In the second week we went a few day to Mangawhai and visited some beaches and went to Auckland for one night..

While we were in Mangawhai we enjoyed the weather, went to diffrent beaches and we went swimming.. =D The water was freezing!! Marie and I both broke our cameras at this day.. Because of the sand.. Yes, I know we were so stupid.. but it happend..
In Auckland we spent a lot of time in STARBUCKS.. and walked up and down along the Queen's Street.. At lunch time we went back home to Kerikeri..
The rest of the holidays we were at home and a friend of our hostmum stayed at our house. We visited the west coast of Northland and had a small pick-nick.. The weather was beautiful and it was nice and warm..

Saturday I went to a festival in Paihia. There was live music, a lot of food and we just had a great day there..  After those 2 weeks the holidays were already over, but I was happy to see all the others again at school.. =)

Cape Reinga Trip & Sky Diving

The weekend was fabulous!! It actually was my best weekend since I'm here.. On Saturday we had to get up very early, because we were meeting us in Waipapa, (very small town, 10 minutes from our house) to take our tour bus.. Marie, Franzi, Marco, Lukas and I did a Trip to the northermost point of New Zealand; Cape Reinga. We took the bus at 8 a.m and first we drove to a forest to walk through it and hug some huge trees.. =)

Then we drove about 1 hour to the 99 Miles Beach and we drove along the beach in the car, it was so amazing! =) We had a lot of fun in the bus, because we were the only teenager and all the others were over 40.. but I'm not sure if the others liked us... =P

On the beach we stopped, to take some photos and to enjoy the sun and after we went to a sand dune to go sandboarding!! It was so cool!! First you have to walk 15 minutes up, (it was so hot) and then you can finally have fun.. You become quiet fast on your board and some of us ended in the river.. =D
We were quiet tired because of walking up all the time, so we were happy that we could take a break on a nice beach.. We ate lunch and took many photos..
After another 40 minutes we arrived at the North Cape of New Zealand.. The view was amazing.. You could see the whole ocean..
Quiet tired after this "" day, we had a 3 hours drive back..

After a nice shower, we went to Marco's farewell Party.. The adults were watching Rugby and we watched a scarry movie.. =) we had delicious food and real bread!! No toast!! =D It was a great evening..!
The next day we meet at 9 a.m at the airport, to do the craziest thing ever.. =D
We went sky diving!!! It was very expensive !! 465 $ with DVD and photos..
Franzi was the first of us.. It took 30 minutes until she was on the ground again.. She loved it.. so our anticipation was even bigger..
Then it was Marie's and my tourn.. We had to wear overalls and gants. We went in a very small plane, we were just 4 people in it, and we were sitting on the floor.. We flew about 15 minutes until we achieved the 12'000 feets.. I actually wasn't scarred at all.. just excited.. =) then it was time to jump out of the plane.. The door opened and I hahd to but me feet out of the plane.. And suddenly we fall.. We twisted and we were flying... It was the best feeling ever!! We flew through a cloud, it was wet and you couldn't see anything.. After a 45 seconds free fall, we opend the parachute and we enjoyed the view over the Bay of Islands.. It was so amazing.. After a few minutes, I was allowed to steer the parachute.. it was so exciting..!The landing was painless and it was a good feeling to be on the surface again..
It was the best experience ever!! Marco and his hostbrother Matt were the last ones of us.. We took pictures and were proud of us, that we did one of the craziest thing you can do.. =)

Optio Bay & Paihia & Beach Day

Monday and Tuesday were still Exams.. But most of us Internationals finished their Exams already.. So we had two days off.. We met some friends and went to a beach for a pick-nick. The weather wasn't very nice, but we played volleyball and had  fun.. =)
Later in the afternoon, we went to a friend's house and we went swimming in his pool!! It was soooo cold, just freezing.. !! About 14 ° C!!
We didn't had our bikinis, so we jumped in our clothes in the water.. We did some videos with a Go Pro camera and after 30 minutes we coundn't stay in the cold water anymore and we changed quickly our clothes.. Nice and warm again, we watched a DVD and ate dinner..

Tuesday we (Marie, Franzi, Marco and me) went to Paihia, a small town near Kerikeri.. We had a look in the souvenir shops and we bought many postcards.. :D For lunch we took the ferry to Russel an island next to Paihia. We enjoyed the sun and wrote our postcards.. I sended 31 !!!! Franzi and Marco stayed in our place for dinner and we prepared our English Exam for the next day.. (We forgot that we had to sit it.. :P) but fortunately we got good marks.. M++ =)=)

This weekend we were quiet busy, because the next day all Internationals went to Matauri Bay for a Beach day which was organiszed by a Year 13 class.. The weather was terrible, it was cold, windy and sometimes raining.. but we had fun.. we played volley ball and rugby.. =P for lunch we had burgers and later in the afternoon some of us went swimming!!!! In the sea!! It was already freezing in jumper and jeans.. Imagine how cold it was in bikini in the water!! We just ran in the water, the whole skin was buring and after a few minutes we couldn't feel the pain anymore.. It was an amazing experience! =) but very very cold!! the water was about 14°C.. but in the wind it was so much colder!! Fortunatley we could take a hot shower at the beach and get dressed.. =) We were quiet tired after, but I went to a friend's place after school and stayed for dinner..

At the weekend we went to a friend's place and watched a horror movie.. it was so funny, because everybody was screaming. :D
After we played rugby and a friend of us came to our house in the evening to stay over.. We watched some DVDs and talked until 2 a.m..
Sunday the weather wasn't very useful so we all met at marco's place to watch some movies and we went swimming agian in the pool =P and it wasn't warm!! :D

The next week we spend a lot of time with Marco, because it was his last week, before he left. We went to town after school to drink a coffee, went to the movies, went swimming and enjoyed the last week..
Tuesday moring Marie and I missed the school bus in the morning.. There is a new bus driver, and she's always 2 minutes earlier than the old bus driver.. but we were at school on time, thanks our hostmum who drove us to school.. =)

Exams..

I know, it's already a long time ago since the last post.. I'm sorry, but I just didn't find time to do it.. ....Anyway, two weeks ago we had exams at school.. Year 11,12 and 13 were tested for one week in their subjects..

In November are going to be the big exams about the whole school year.. Fortunatly the Internationals don't have to sit them.. (because we are not here to get credits) The International Students don't really care about their marks here and we didn't study for the exams.. There was one exam at 9 a.m and one at 1 p.m.. You had 3 hours time and you coudn't leave the first 45 minutes..
(For us Internationals a really stupid rule, because we didn't write anything, so we had to wait 45 minutes.. )

My first day of exams was quiet funny. I went to my PE exam and I actually wanted to try to write something down, but the whole exam was about the first and second term, so I was lost.. I waited 10 minutes, without writing anything, just sitting there and then my teacher told me to leave.. So I did.. But my hostmum was working, so she coudn't pick me up.. I would have had to wait the whole day until the school bus would have come at 3 p.m.. I decided to walk home. (you should know I'm living 20 minutes from town by car!!) Fortunately a friend attended my.. We walked and walked and I wasn't really sure how long it's going to take.. Finally after 3 hours of walking we arrived!!

It was a warm day and the sun here is very strong, we were very tired when we arrived.. Later we noticed that we made a huge detour, but we could laugh about it and we won't do it agian... =)

In the afternoon we made crepes and we played rugby and watched a DVD.. (not football)

On the second day I had math and drama exam. Nearly all of the Internationals had to do the math exam this day. We should have brought a graphics calculator, but actually nobody of us is having one and it's really hard to sit the exam without caculator. We went in the audiotorium without high expectations.. Everyone was sitting on a small table with 36 pages of math exercises.. I gave my best, but it was very difficult.. At home we would do this topics in the next two years.. It was quiet hopeless. Most of the Internationals left after 45 minutes.. I left after 1 h 15 minutes.. =) I was proud of me.. I knew I failed, but I tried everything I could and it's not the end of the world.. I had to wait until 1 p.m for my next exam.. We spend our time in the library.. Before you enter you have to go through a x-ray machine like at the airport and you're not allowed to take your bag into the library!! We read some magazines and after lunchtime I sat my drama exam.. It was difficult for me and Marie because we didn't see any school plays.. and in the exam you had the write about a play you have seen.. so we left after 45 minutes. We took the bus home and had a lazy evening..

On the next day we had our hospitality exam.. I didn't study and we could just copy from each other during the exam.. So we could leave after the 45 minutes with an achived work!! =P Yeaahh!! Some friends and I went to town, now we were allowed, because we finished our exams and don't had to go home for "studying". We drank a nice coffee and took the bus the a friend's house.. We played with water ballons.. at the end we were all wet.. :P especially Marco (the friend we went to) because we threw him into the pool!! It was freezing !!

For dinner we made pizzas and enjoyed our time..



On Saturday we had to get up early, because our hostsiter Suzanne had to catch her plane back to Belgium. She was here for just 2 months, but it was hard to say goodbye and we had all tears in our eyes..

We had a great time together and we miss our big sister.. <3

My hostmum Gail and Suzanne

Drama Performance and a great Weekend in Mangawhai/Auckland

My hostsister Marie and I are in the same Drama class at school. Last week we had rehearsal every day after school for our performance on thirstday. We had a busy week; we were home at 7 p.m each day. But at the end we did a great job.  The audience loved our play. Our play was about a 11 years old autistic boy, who thought he caused 9/11. We used pictures and videos and the atmosphere was amazing. Drama is my favorite subject at the moment. We have a lot of fun, we play games and our teacher is just crazy.

Last Friday we got picked up by our hostmother and we went home to get our bags ready for the weekend. We picked up Franzi (a german girl and a gooooood friend of me <3) and we drove to Mangawhai. Our Hostmum’s daughter has a beach house there, so we could stay near the beach. We had to drive 2 hours to Mangawhai and we had dinner in a noodle take away shop. It was the first time I had Asian food again since my flight to New Zealand. It was very good.
We arrived in the evening and watched a movie before we went to bed. On Saturday we got up early and our hostmum drove us to Auckland. (Another 2 hours.. here it’s normal to drive so long)

Four girls in Auckland, Queen`s street = SHOPPING

It was awkward to be in a big town again, with traffic, shops, noisy streets and the crowd. But it was nice to be back in a city. We went to Star Bucks twice this day, we just couldn’t overcome the temptation.
After 6 hours of shopping we were too tired to walk around, so we ate dinner in a shopping mall and we met our hostmum, who drove us back home to Mangawhai. We spend so much money!! =P

On Sunday we had a lie-in and a lazy morning with a nice breakfast and TV. In the afternoon we went to a big shopping mall, because we still had some money left. Unfortunately we found the Abercrombie and Fitch Shop too late, we just spend our last money in a surf shop.. We were so mad! =D So we left the Shop without any bags!! I know unbelievable!! But the highlight of the day was in the afternoon. Marie, Franzi and I wanted to have a nice souvenir from New Zealand. So we let our ears pierced. :P Marie had already 4 ear wholes and Franzi and me did a third one on the left side. We have exactly the same earring; it’s like a friend bracelet, just in the ear.. :P I thought it would really hurt, but it didn’t! Not at all.. =)

Then we went to Sub Way for dinner and then back home to pack our bags. At 6 p.m we went to a beautiful beach and enjoyed the sunset.

At midnight we were back in Kerikeri and next day we had to go to school.. We were so tired!! =) But we had a great weekend and a lot of fun!!  
I hope it's not a problem for you guys if I write in english, but my german grammar became so bad. I'm sorry.. =P
See ya <3

Neue Gastfamilie, School Bazar und Ponyparty

Am Samstag sind meine Gastschwester Julia aus Amerika und ich umgezogen. Wir haben beide schon länger darüber nachgedacht zu wechseln. Einer der Hauptgründe war die Distanz zur „Town“. Es ist sehr schwierig, denn es gibt keine öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel in Kerikeri.. Dafür darf man in Neuseeland schon mit 16 Auto fahren, da wir aber International Students sind ist dies nicht erlaubt. So sind wir auf unsere Gasteltern angewiesen, die uns immer herumfahren müssen. Unsere Gastmutter war allerdings nicht dazu bereit und da wir ca. 25 Minuten vom Dorfkern entfernt wohnen, war uns immer schnell langweilig nach der Schule, da wir praktisch keine Möglichkeiten hatten  nach der Schule noch etwas zu unternehmen..  Julia hatte des Öfteren kleine Auseinandersetzungen mit unserer Gastmutter. Sie verstanden sich nicht wirklich gut. Ich kam gut aus mit unserer Gastmutter, aber sie war uns trotzdem fremd, denn sie schien nicht besonders interessiert zu sein mit uns etwas zu unternehmen. Sie sprach mit Ausnahme beim Abendessen auch nicht besonders viel mit uns.. Ich kam mir mehr als Gast in einem Motel vor, als in einer Gastfamilie.. Zudem hatten Julia und ich grosse Mühe mit dem Lebensstil unserer Gastmutter. Sie lebt nach ihren eigenen Regeln und Werten und niemand kann daran etwas ändern, man muss es einfach akzeptieren. Beispielsweise kauft sie nur saisonales Gemüse oder Früchte und so assen wir 6 Wochen lang nur Blumenkohl, Äpfel, Orangen und Bananen. Das Haus besteht ganz aus Holz und weil wir auf dem Land lebten, hatten wir viele viele viele kleine Besucher im ganzen Haus.. Überall.. und ihr schien es nichts auszumachen, denn es war allgemein ziemlich schmutzig.. Daher beschlossen wir die Gastfamilie zu wechseln. Wir sprachen mit Ms. Kellsy, der Verantwortlichen im Interantional Departement. Sie hat uns beraten und unsere Gastmutter informiert, daraufhin war es für eine kurze Zeit besser zu Hause. Sie hat Kompromisse gemacht, was das Essen anbelangt und wir haben das Haus geputzt. Nach einer Woche war aber alles wieder beim Alten. Daher konnten wir einige Tage später in eine neue Gastfamilie wechseln. Leider mussten Julia und ich uns aufteilen, aber wir sehen uns ja täglich in der Schule.. Wir sind in der kurzen Zeit schon fast zu richtigen Schwestern geworden.. Jedenfalls haben wir am Freitagabend unsere Sachen gepackt (was sehr lange gedauert hat!) und unsere Zimmer geputzt. Unsere Gastmutter hat sehr entspannt und fast gleichgültig auf unseren Auszug reagiert. Daher viel der Abschied nicht besonders schwer. Dennoch haben wir uns mit einer Dankeskarte und einer Packung (Schweizer!!)Schokolade bedankt. Am Samstag wurden wir um 10 Uhr von Ms. Kellsy abgeholt und zu unserer neuen Gastfamilie gebracht. Julia lebt mit einer japanischer Gastschülerin, einer 7- jährigen Gastschwester und ihrer Gastmutter  zusammen. Ihr gefällt es sehr und sie ist sehr glücklich endlich in einer richtigen Familie zu sein. Ich lebe mit einer belgischen und einer deutschen Austauschschülerin zusammen. Wir haben eine super liebe Gastmama. Wir haben ein grosses, modernes Haus, einen grossen Hund, 4 Ponys und ein Pferd. Ich bin nicht wirklich ein Pferdefan, ehrlich gesagt mag ich keine Pferde, aber ich versuch mein bestes. Meine Gastschwestern wollen mir unbedingt reiten beibringen.. Das kann lustig werden. =P Ich liebe mein neues Zimmer und mein Bett! Es ist zwar kleiner, als mein altes, aber viel gemütlicher eingerichtet. Es ist warm im Haus und ich muss nachts nicht mehr frieren.. Ich habe eine elektrische Heizdecke! Es gibt nichts Schöneres! Ich versteh mich super mit meiner Gastmutter und sie macht alles für uns! Auch wenn meine eine Gastschwester aus Deutschland kommt, wir selbstverständlich nur Englisch gesprochen, denn man merkt langsam, dass man einige Wörter in der Muttersprache vergisst..!! Und schliesslich sind wir hier um Englisch zu lernen..  Am Samstagnachmittag gingen wir zu einer Kindergeburstagsparty, denn meine Gastmutter macht Ponyreiten an Geburtstagen. Wir haben die Pony’s  „dekoriert“ und herausgeputzt und sind dann zur Party gefahren. Dort haben wir die Ponys herumgeführt und die Kinder konnten auf ihnen reiten. Es war sehr lustig, denn es war mein erstes Mal, dass ich mit Pferden Kontakt hatte. Aber es ist trotzdem nicht so mein Ding.. Nach 4 Stunden ging es zurück und wir konnten uns zu Hause von dem ständigen Kindergeschrei erholen.

Am Abend trafen sich alle International Students, um gemeinsam in einem italienischen Restaurant essen zu gehen. Wir hatten viel Spass  und das Essen war köstlich. Zudem war es ziemlich billig; für ein 3-Gänge-Menu habe ich knapp 40 $ bezahlt (umgerechnet 23 Fr.) und das Essen war wirklich gut!

Am Sonntag fand ein Bazar in der Primarschule statt. Süssigkeiten, Kuchen, Essen wurden angeboten, man konnte alte Bücher und Kleider kaufen und für die Kinder gab es Hüpfburgen und verschiedene Spiele. Es gab Livemusik und Lotterien. Meine Freunde und ich hatten einen schönen Vormittag und am Nachmittag machten wir, wegen dem schlechten Wetter einen DVD- Marathon. Eine Freundin von uns hat bei uns zu Abend gegessen, es gab selbstgemacht Lasagne. =) Danach schauten wir noch ein bisschen TV und packten die Sachen für die Schule.

Ich bin sehr zufrieden und glücklich in meiner neuen Gastfamilie und ich bin mir sicher ich kann meine Zeit hier, nun in vollen Zügen geniessen. Ich fühle mich jetzt wie zu Hause. =)

Kia Ora meine Lieben <3

School Uniform & Rugby World Cup & School Team

Am Freitag beginnt der Rugby World Cup in Neuseeland. Alles dreht sich im Moment um Rugby. In der ganzen Stadt ist mit Flaggen und  roten Schleifen dekoriert. Heute durften wir dem kanadischen Nationalteam beim Training zuschauen. Dass hiess, zwei Periods weniger Schule. =)
Allerdings durften nur die Seniors ( Year 11 - Year 13) zuschauen.. Das Rugbyfeld ist dirket neben unserer Schule, aber für deren Training wurde eine Schutzmauer aufgebaut. Man kann also von aussen nichts sehen. Heute war "Tag der offenen Tür".. Es war lustig das ganze Team trainieren zu sehen. Wir sassen alle im Gras, assen unser Lunch, hörten Musik und genossen die Sonne.
Eininge Schüler gingen in die Stadt, was während der Schlzeit strengstens verboten ist und sie wurden promt erwischt. Sie mussten das ganze Essen, dass sie gekauft haben abgeben (welches danach wegeschmissen wurde) und dürfen wahrscheinlich die nächste Woche täglich nachsitzten.. Die Schulregeln hier sind sehr streng und ganz anderst als bei uns zu Hause..
Man fährt mit dem Schulbus zur Schule, (die einzigen Busse in Kerikeri), man steigt aus und die Schuluniform wird stichprobeweise kontrolliert. Danach geht es um 08.40 Uhr in die From class. Wo die Anwesenheit geprüft wird und wichtige Informationen vorgelesen werden.
Um 09.00 Uhr startet die erste Period, welche jewiels 55 Minuten dauert. (Ziemlich lange!!) Man wechselt jede Period das Fach, die Klasse und den Lehrer.
Dann startet die nächste Period bis um 11.00 Uhr. Danach haben wir eine 20 Minütige Pause, darauf folgen zwi weiter Periods bis zum Lunch. Lunchtime daueret nur 45 Minuten. Die letzte Period endet um 15.00 Uhr. Während der Schulzeit ist es niemandem gestattet, das Schulgelände zu verlassen!! Auch nicht am Mittag. Man muss sein Lunch selber mitnehmen oder in dem kleinen Laden in der Schule kaufen. Aber die Auswahl ist sehr klein!!... Und wirklich gut ist es auch nicht.. Wenn man erwischt wird, im Supermarkt muss man nachsitzen.. Es gibt keine Stundenverschiebungen oder "Ausfall".. Es gibt immer einen Ersatzlehrer.. Man darf das Klassenzimmer vor dem Klingeln nicht verlassen, ansonsten droht nachsitzen..
Was die Schuluniform betrifft, sind sie gar nicht soooo streng wie gedacht. Die Röcke sind oft kürzer als vorgegeben, Ballerinas werden getragen und viele Mädchen tragen Make Up.. Wenn man allerdings erwischt wird bei der Kontrolle vor und nach dem Schulbus, muss man alles wegmachen und nachsitzten.. Mir ist zum Glück noch nichts passiert. =P

Der Unterricht ist ganz anders als bei uns. Er ist generell viel chaotischer und weniger streng als in der Schweiz. In Mathe nehmen wir teilweise Sachen durch die wir schon in der 8. Klasse behandelt haben (hier bin ich umgerechnet in der 12. Klasse) aber die meisten Themen sind neu für mich. Ein wesentlicher Unterschied ist allerdings, dass man hier alles mit Taschenrechner macht, da ich keinen habe (er kostet 130 $ !!), mach ich alles im Kopf und wir Internationals haben alle keinen und sind trotzdem schneller :P Sie haben einen Graphic Calculator der die Graphiken glech vorzeichnet!! Die Lehrer machen oft selber Fehler und wissen nicht immer was sie eigentlich erklären wollen.. In Hospitality (ähnlich wie Hauswirtschaft) kochen wir über 3 Tage, dürfen das Gekochte schlussendlich aber nicht essen, wir kochen nämlich für die Leher.. -_-

Wir machen auch viel Theorie in Hospitality, es ist eine allgemeine Vorberietung für die Gastwirtschaft.. Im Englischunterricht für Speaker ohter Languages lernen wir viel. Wir behandeln gezielt Themen die wir im Alltag verwenden können.. Z.B: Kiwislang.. Der PE (Physical Education) Unterricht ist hauptsaächlich Theorie und seeeeeeeeeeeeehrrr langweilig!! Wir lernen alles über wie und warum Lehrer und Coaches ihre Teams fördern und ihre Ziele erreichen lassen und was ein guter Coach ausmacht. Nicht wirklich empfehlungswert..! 2 Mal in der Woche haben wir zum Glück praktischen Unterricht. Was mit unserem Sportunterricht vergleichbar ist.. Im Französischunterricht sind wir nur International Students, da die Kiwis nicht interessiert sind in Fremdsprachen.. Es ist sehr schwierig, dann alle haben ein anderes Niveau und ich finde es sehr einfach, aber ich repetiere einfach zusätzlcih den Stoff von zu Hause... Das gleiche in Spanisch, da ich hier kein Spanischunterricht habe..



Nächste Woche haben wir die Dramaaufführung. Es macht Spass mitzuspielen auch wenn ich nur eine kleine Rolle habe. Der Unterricht ist super lustig und entspannt. Heute nach der Schule war ich mit einigen Freunden in der Stadt. Hier hat man sehr viel Freizeit und ich geniesse es in jeder Sekunde.. Es gibt ein paar süsse Cafés hier.. =) Aber ich kann mich einfach nicht damit abfinden, dass wir keine öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel haben und immer von unserer Gabgeholt werden müssen.. Das ist ganz schön nervig..

Gestern hab ich dass erste Mal mit dem School Sailing Team trainiert. Ich war das einzige Mädchen und die Jungs haben erst ganz schön skeptisch geschaut.. Aber nach dem Training waren sie glaub ich ganz schön erstaunt :P.. Wir sind 420er gesegelt. Das Kerikeri School Team ist das beste Schulteam in ganz Neuseeland.. =) Sie sgeln Team Race mit 420er. Es macht super Spass!! =) Wir wurden gestern fast von einem Orka gestreift. Er ist direkt vor uns (ca. 1 Meter) abgetaucht. Wir sind sooo erschrocken und wir haben so gelacht über unsere Gesichter. =D

Ich habe begonnen mein neues Leben zu lieben.. Neuseeland ist sooo toll!!

Kia Ora <3

SUUUURFTRIP

Am letzten Donnerstag trafen sich alle vor dem International Departement. Wir waren nur zu fünft, aber wir kennen uns alle schon sehr gut, darum war es sehr lustig. Gleich nach der Schule wurden wir von unserem Surfinstractor abgeholt. Wir fuhren ca. eine Stunde mit dem Mini-Van, bis wir bei unserem Strandhaus angekommen sind. Während der Fahrt, machten wir einen kurzen Zwischenstop in dem letzten Dorf mit Supermarkt. (Das Dorf bestand aus 6 Häuser..) Wir haben für 80 $ Süsses gekauft.. :P  MMMhhhhmmmm. Um 17.00 Uhr kamen wir dann am Strand an. Wir haben uns eingerichtet und die Neoprenanzüge anprobiert. Danach sind wir an den Strand um die letzten Sonnenstrahlen zu geniessen. Später dann haben wir einen Film geschaut und zu Abend gegessen. Das Strandhaus in dem wir untergebracht waren ist ein Anbau zu dem Haus unseres Surfcoaches. Er ist ein Surflehrer, der Backpacker unterbringt und diese zusätzlich auch noch Surfen lernt. Am nächsten Morgen ging es früh los. Nach dem Frühstück ging es gleich an den Strand. Zuerst machten wir ein paar Trockenübungen bevor es ins Wasser ging. Das Wasser war ziemlich kalt, aber man gewöhnt sich mit der Zeit an die Temperatur. Am Anfang war es sehr schwierig eine Welle zu erwischen, mit der Zeit ging es dann immer besser. Nach 2 Stunden machten wir eine Mittagspause, da die Wellen nur noch sehr flach waren. Es gab Sandwiches aus Toastbrot.. (Typisch Kiwi) Am Nachmittag durften wir versuchen aufzustehen. Ich muss sagen, es sieht eindeutig einfacher aus und man bleibt garantiert nicht trocken. Aber es macht suuuppper viel Spass!!!! Ziemlich erschöpft ging es dann gegen 16.00 Uhr zurück ins Strandhaus.

 Am nächsten Tag ging es schon seeehrr früh ins Wasser. Um 07.30 Uhr waren wir bereits im Wasser und wurden von einige grossen Wellen geweckt.. (Pflaaatscchhh) Wir assen früh Lunch und machten eine 2-stündige Pause, lagen in der Sonne und genossen die Erholung. Am Nachmittag hatten wir nochmal tolle Wellen und wir konnten alle stehen. Es hat sooo Spass gemacht. Nach dem Abendessen, schauten wir einen Surffilm und machten uns an die Süssigkeiten.. :P Gegen 10.00 Uhr hatte ich die Idee an den Strand zu gehen, um die Sterne anzuschauen.. Unter Decken und warm angezogen lagen wir am Strand, einige von uns sind eingeschlafen.. :P Aber nach 1 1/2 Stunden gingen wir zurück ins warme Bett. Am nächsten Morgen packten wir unsere Sachen und versuchten unsere Glück nochmal im Wasser. Die Wellen wollten erst nicht kommen. Gegen Mittag war es dann doch noch besser und wir nutzten die letzte Gelegenheit nochmal zu üben. Nach dem aufräumen assen wir Lunch und hatten noch ein wenig Freizeit, bevor es leider schon wieder nach Hause ging. Wir waren alle sehr müde und ich bin kaum zu Hause angekommen im Garten eingeschlafen. Ich hatte ein super tolles Wochenende. Surfen macht echt Spass, auch wenn man am Anfang sehr sehr sehr sehr oft in Wasser fällt.