Sailing

It is a marvelous hobby to be able to build your own boat and then sail the seas for a whole year.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think people like that still exist.  But alas we have encountered such individuals.  It has been quite the gift to have been invited on more than one occasion to embark on a seaside sail in and around some of the surrounding islands on the east side of Auckland harbour and coast. 

The Dragon

The ocean has a greenish tinge on sunny days and is quite darker on the gloomy days.  I haven't seen a shark (I really wanted to...well kind of; out of curiousity) but I did see a penquin and a school of dolphins dodging in and out of the water.  It was fantastic!   I have yet to muster the courage to go swimming in the sea.  I am hoping that will come with time. 

The tides come in and out twice a day.  You definitely have to be an expert seaman to navigate on and off the coast.  During low tide we sometimes come across some unfortunate marine life that got caught on the sand or lime deposits on the shore.  The boys and I came across a jelly fish, the first one we have seen thus far.  It just looked like a purplish blob on the sand.  The shoreline is littered with shells of all sizes, colours and shapes.  The eastern side of New Zealand has white sand and the western side has black (on account of volcanic deposits). 

There are many people in New Zealand who own boats of all kinds as the bay is full of them.  The most cost-effective of all types of boats would be of course a sail boat.  (I now know where Auckland got its nickname, the city of sails.)  It would cost at least $1000.00 in gas to operate a big boat in these waters and trust me you would want a big boat.

Jeremy and Jericho are learning the basics of sailboat operation.  It is a lot of work.  I think they like it though as they are quite willing to help prepare the food and gather supplies on the day of sailing.  It is great!!

We have to this day, managed to see Maratei Beach, Howlick Beach, Karekate Beach, Waiwera (hot springs), the shores of Waiheke Island and Bucklands Beach.  All of which are around Auckland.  I can't wait to start venturing further because what I have seen so far is so breathtaking!  I will keep you posted.

Our Dwellings

First of all, I would like to apologize for my negligence in the upkeep of this blog.  The whirlwind of life's challenges have prevented me of informing all of you of our great adventures.  I will exert more effort in the future of telling our many adventures in this great land of New Zealand.

Frontal view (outside)

 I suppose I should start where I left off.  Many have inquired of our residence while in New Zealand.  There are many fine dwellings in Auckland but it is very costly to afford space when looking for accommodations.  Many houses are small and lack privacy.  Unless you come with money, you will simply have to suffice with a humble two bedroom flat with kitchen, bath and living space.  All rooms are of moderate size (just enough space to accomplish the function at hand).  Oh but all houses seem to come equipped with at least two bathrooms.  This seems to be standard with most homes in New Zealand as I have looked into various magazines, newspapers and internet websites.  We were fortunate enough to get a two bedroom condominium with whiteware (fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer and dryer).   Our lease also includes usage of bbq patio, tennis courts, swimming pool and fully equipped gym. 

kitchen


  

living space



living space - front view

washer & dryer

downstairs bathroom



upstairs bathroom



bedroom (mine)



bedroom (boys')



Our rent is relatively the same rate anywhere in Auckland that you would pay for the size (location is a bonus) of a flat we currently have.   Hold your breath for this one....Are you ready?  A whopping $385 NZ dollars a WEEK.  Yes that's right.  They charge by the week.  That isn't including power, water, telephone and internet.  Let me see....Am I forgetting anything...oh yes and cable.  Wait a minute, we can't afford cable so that's right, my boys have to start the hobby of reading. Cross your fingers and hope that works!  Wink, wink!  



Jericho just finished bar tending school.  It was only two weeks and thank god because I was beginning to worry that he would become an alcoholic.  He was able to drink in class.  Where did I go wrong?  Anyway, now he can make awesome drinks.  The next step, get a job!!  Please oh please.....After that, get his license.  Nah, it's all good.  Jericho will get a job and I am glad to be here to help him along.  Things are so much more different now than they were when I was his age.  It is more challenging to obtain employment and discouraging to compete against so many.  He helps out a great deal around the house and it is so nice sometimes to come home to a clean house and cooked supper. 

 Jeremy has started school in Year 10 (Grade 9, last term).  He had to cut his hair, shoulder length and wear a uniform.  I have been trying to obtain a suitable photograph but alas he has managed to dodge every effort.  He helps around the house with chores and seems to enjoy viewing the sights when we manage to find time to do so.   A friend of ours, who is also HOD, Maths, has offered to tutor Jeremy once a week to prepare him for Year 11.  From Year 11 - 13 in New Zealand, accreditation of courses becomes very important for future educational opportunities.  Thanks to our friend, Jeremy will be well prepared.  At least in the subject of Math.

In case you were wondering.  Yes we do have furniture.  There have been some very supportive co-workers who have lent us beds, bedding, dishes, a couch, chairs, table etc.  I don't know what we would have done if not for the generous support of some very outstanding individuals.  I have found a new hope in the humanity of men/women.

Untill the next post folks, Take Care!!

First Week in New Zealand

Settling In


As part of our adventure, we had to endure a 20 hour flight in which we remained in a very confined space. Needless to say, it was the worst sleep I have ever had. I am grateful that I didn’t awake with a kinked neck or worse a protruding pain that would not go away.

Our stop-over was in Vancouver, a deliberate plan to divert the pain-staking experience of going through American customs. However, we did almost miss our flight as they would not let us on the plane until we purchased return tickets to Sydney, Australia. The flight attendant anticipated problems with New Zealand immigration had we not. I scrambled to come up with a big chunk of cash at a moment’s notice. Jericho, at this point, was getting a little cranky. He gave me this disappointing look that said, “I knew this was too good to be true.” Alas, we did get on the plane and proceeded on our way.

I have to say that I do like riding on bigger planes than a 9-seater Thunder Airline plane as you get to watch documentaries, movies, news, sports, and listen to music. The best feature I liked was that you can track the altitude, distance, location and speed of the plane during the whole trip. It even gave you an estimated time of arrival to your destination. The take-off, flight and landing were the smoothest experiences I have ever experienced. I have never done well with any of these things when flying so I was quite impressed. The flight attendants served us wine, supper and then after coffee, juice and breakfast without charge. I highly recommend Air New Zealand if ever anyone wants to fly.

When we landed in New Zealand we went right through customs. I anticipated a two hour long search and a gruelling questioning period but instead it took maybe ½ hour at most. On the flight, we had to fill out an immigration survey, which then was handed into the customs agent. We proceeded to get our luggage (all luggage was accounted for), then we passed it through the x-ray station and then we were through. It was a piece of cake.

At this point, we had no idea what Auckland would look like. The pictures do not do Auckland justice. Even in their winter, Auckland, the city of sails, is paradise. I didn’t even mind that it was raining when we arrived. I might add too that it has been raining every day since we have arrived. Auckland’s winter has a substantial amount of rain during the season. I have been told that it has been raining everyday for the last three weeks. With less than one week of winter this is subject to change very soon.

Everyday since our arrival, I have been gathering all the documents needed to apply for my work permit and Jeremy's school permit.  This includes getting a medical that included x-rays, blood work and examinations.  New Zealanders are privy to who they let in their country.  I guess all of us passed their test as we were granted our permits that very same day. 
 
It takes us over an hour to get to downtown Auckland from where we live by bus and if traffic is good approximately 1/2 hour by car.  Oh yeah, I am driver worthy in New Zealand!  I purchased a 1996 Honda Orthia, which will suit our needs when we explore the North Island of New Zealand (One island at a time).  That also took some doing but surprisingly it is amazingly easy to purchase a car and insurance.  I am not too sure the government made the right decision to license me to drive especially when they drive on the opposite side of the road.  I am not even going to mention the fact that I have to study maps for a lengthy amount of time before I decide to go anywhere.  I am learning how to navigate quickly though.  I was a little intimidated at first but I am now getting used to it.  Driving in New Zealand isn't as hard as I made it out to be.  Anyway, needless to say it has been a busy week.
 

The school I work at is only 15 minutes away from where I live (Bonus!).  I have to say that I have a big workload ahead of me as I am Head of Department of Physical Education and Health for Secondary Students.  I am in store to embark on a huge learning curve.  I never dreamed that the job I found in New Zealand would be a promotion from the job I had in Canada.  I am very thankful and I will not take the job lightly.

That's all for now folks!!  Until the next blog, take care.

Interlude

This is a blog to highlight the wonderful adventures that my family, Jericho, Jeremy and I (Fawn Pettifer) have started. This all started with a dream that has flowered into a lifetime opportunity that I am still trying to realize. I set my sights on the wonderful Islands of New Zealand, mostly because I wanted to familiarize myself with Maori culture as they have had very similar experiences to the First Nations of Canada. I yearn to experience their way of life and learn the many different facets of their existence in New Zealand. I am captivated with their history and surroundings that have made them unique and distinct. In New Zealand, English is the dominant language, the atmosphere, people and scenery are amazing and websites were provided to help make the move into New Zealand possible.


It has taken me a year to successfully plan and integrate all that would be needed to live in New Zealand for a period of possibly three years. Much was needed to be done; Save money by working three jobs, Teacher Qualifications evaluated, Application to Teacher's Council, Passport Applications, Travel Permission Letter formalized, International Driver's Permit Papers, Accommodation Set-up, Research (New Zealand governance, curricullum, laws, Maori culture), etc. With each step, I drew closer to my dream and now I am here (in New Zealand!!).

I have already had experience teaching in a remote community on the James Bay Coast called Fort Albany, First Nation. Those experiences are ones that have not only prepared me for the adventure I have embraced but have also enabled me to become the person I need to be. I will forever value the relationships fostered, the land discovered and the culture that was realized. I am thankful to those that were willing to share their stories, homes and experiences. To the students, you will never know how much you have changed my life. I have never been so enlightened by so many faces. You have all given me a teaching that I will forever embrace. These experiences I will hold sacred.

My New Zealand adventure is an unique experience because I come from a very humble background. I am a First Nation woman from Wahnapitae First Nation, single mother of two beautiful boys, Jericho and Jeremy, very educated and determined to fulfill my dreams and aspirations (not just for me but also my boys). I have experienced the trauma that comes from social injustices, the biases that come from being a recipient of social welfare systems and the healing that comes from determination and will power.

My boys have always been my inspiration. After nearly two decades of hardship, I now can give them an opportunity of a lifetime.

Follow along as we will share our experiences with you. Enjoy.