Bungy Jump!!!

OH MY GOSH! The bungy jump is the BEST thing I have EVER done. I may have said that about sky diving but bungy jumping is completely different. I have never been so terrified in my life. Honestly. I have no idea how I got myself to jump. I did the Nevis which is a highwire bungy. You go over in a rail car to this little hub that has a glass floor and everyone just gets amped up to jump. There was about 18 of us. Me and two other boys were by far the most scared. I considered not doing it. Some of the pics I have from it are hilarious. My face is priceless. I freaked out twice and wouldn't jump. I had my arms out and the guy counted down but when it was time to go I freaked out and kept going no no no no no no... I can't!!! Finally, I took a deep breathe, made the sign of the cross, pointed to the sky and jumped. It was sick! I screamed my head off! I was hoarse for nearly the rest of the day! The jump guy said I put shame on all of my students back home screaming like I did. I don't know how some other people just walked to the edge and jumped. My friend, Helena, that I met on the bus, walked right up and just bounced on off. It's absolutely terrifying though. One of my other friends, Andrew, had to sit with me and talk me down because I was wigging out so bad. I'm so happy I did it though. There is nothing like it. It really is a personal accomplishment. The bungy is very gentle and doesn't hurt at all. It's surprising how you get down to the end and when you bounce you can barely feel it. I couldn't pull my zip chord to turn myself up right so I had to be pulled back up hanging upside down. Now, that I've done it I would do it all over again. If you ever get the chance you just have to do it. It's more of a mental challenge than anything else. I'm so proud of myself for doing the bungy. All of yesterday I was grinning like a fool! :)

The Nevis is the second highest jump in the world. There are three other jumps in Queenstown but the one I did was three times higher than any of those. I thought, well, If I'm going to do this, then I might as well do it right. The only other jump that is higher is in Hong Kong. There was one in South Africa but it was closed down due to faulty equipment! Aj Hackett, the company I jumped with, has a 100% accident free record. They are also the longest standing bungy company in the world. AJ Hackett created the commercial bungy jump. My jump was 134 Meters or 440 Feet! It really is just crazy high. The staff will not push you. You have to jump on your own accord. They count down and try to encourage you but will NOT physically make you jump. That's what makes doing a bungy so different than a sky dive. During a sky dive, you are not in control. You're literally strapped to someone else so you have no choice in the matter. Sky diving is more enjoyable and last longer. There is time to look around and enjoy the scenery. A bungy is more of a personal accomplishment. The Nevis has a 8.5 second free fall. That doesn't seem long but 8.5 seconds is plently long enough to think about how you could potentially be plummiting to your death. During the sky dive free fall, there isn't so much falling, it's more like you are floating and there's incredible pressure from the wind. Bungy, you fall straight to the ground and you're staring at it the whole time. I swear, I about peed myself at the bottom. After the intial fall though there is nothing but elation and the best adrenaline rush you will ever feel in your life. I was bouncing around down there screaming, clapping my hands, and laughing. I had so many emotions I didn't know if I should cry, pee myself, laugh, or just scream in terror. I'll never never forget it. I'm so glad I did it and grateful for the people that were around me at the time. Our group was incredible and the whole experience was well worth the fear.

I'll post some other pictures when I have more time.

Sky Diving

Sky diving was incredible! I'm so glad I did it. It's not like anything I have done before. They were really backed up so we had to wait for a really long time. I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack I was so nervous and waiting for such a long time did not help at all. It's really weird how they do the sky diving. We didn't get any kind of training at all. You get there and watch a video of other people's jumps and sign a waiver that says you cannot sue if you plummet to the earth and die. My group got to go first and I was with three other Americans that are on the Kiwi Experience bus. We got suited up in red jump suites, leather hats, and googles. Everyone looks so goofy in the hats and goggles. Then we waited some more. The jump masters came out and put on our harnesses. My jump master was this little guy named Malachi. He was cool though. He kept asking me questions but I was so nervous it was tough to conversate. Then literally we just go up into the plane. It was a small white plane that only holds 14 people. Since we all got pictures and a video of our jumps we had camera jumpers in the plane also. It's crazy how all the jump masters were so calm and relaxed. I was practically hyperventilating. My heart was pounding so fast and my stomach was flipping I felt like I had a forest of butterflies in my chest and stomach. We had to wear oxygen masks because we went up to 15,000 feet and it helps prevent altitude sickness. The plane ride was about 20 minutes. About 5 minutes before we jump they hook themselves to us. It literally takes about 3 seconds to get ready to go. I was last to jump. Once they started jumping though it was really quick. They slide you on down the bench and just fall right on out. We sort of sit on the edge of the opening in the plane while the camera jumper goes out first and hangs onto the side of the plane. My jump master held onto these handles near the door and leaned me out so I was literally hanging out of the plane. Legs dangling and all. At this point I seriously considered not doing it. Your on such a sensory overload it's almost impossible to fathom what is going on.



Free falling is so AWESOME! We free fell for a minute or so. The first probably 10 seconds I legit thought I was going to die. It felt like my heart was just going to explode. I screamed my head off and then snapped out of it and enjoyed it. So, it was like AHHHH AHHHH AHHHH AHHh ooooo wow...... It's not so much falling as it is sort of just floating. My ears popped and it hurt really bad. I kept trying to pop them back but they wouldn't go. It took almost all day to get my ears to finally unpop. It was really irritating. The harness around your legs feels like it is going to rip your crotch off. I have bruises from them. After you free fall we just floated around and I got to steer the chute. Malachi kept asking me questions but I had no words. I probably sounded like an idiot. I couldn't get any words out. When he asked me what I thought.. I was just like uhh e I... um? The landing is super smooth. The jump masters have so much control. I was really surprised. The people that are taking the video and pictures fly in really quickly and hit the ground running almost but the jumpers slow it down a ton and you land basically standing up. Our video is so funny and the pictures are great. I'm so so glad I did it. I never thought I would get thrown out of a plame but it's probably one of the experiences I am going to remember most. When I am not paying for every minute I spend on the internet I will post more of the pics.

HEYYY!!

I am having the time of my life on this trip. It's only been three days but it's been WONDERFUL!!!

I AM JUMPING OUT OF A PLANE IN AN HOUR!!! I'M SOO EXCITED. I FEEL LIKE PEEING IN MY CHAIR!!! (Sorry Mom and Dad if you don't approve!) :)

I'm Bungy Jumping tomorrow off a bridge over water!

I went white water rafting two days ago. The guides were hilarious. It was a primo time.

I got to get going. Oh yea, one more thing! I'M OFFICIALLY GRADUATING!!! Such a bittersweet day!

Royal New Zealand Ballet

I went to the ballet last night with J. I LOVED it! All of the dancers were so good! I'm so glad I got to go. For some reason I didn't think it was going to be as good as it was but it definitely surpassed all of my expectations! The first dance was a little odd though. It was called Saltarello. All of the men ballerinas were wearing what could only be described as velvet hot shorts and glittery belts. I was so distracted by their little knickers it was hard to pay attention. Obviously they had to be very tight but they seemed smaller than anything the smallest school girl would wear. The dance was very good though. Powerful and graceful at the same time. My favorite one was called Through To You. It was a duet between a male and female dancer. They walked in and out of shadows and were always connected to each other in some way. It was really cool. The following two segments after that were a lot of fun. They were both much more contemporary. One was called Currently Under Investigation and the music was created by a DJ from DETROIT! All the dancers wore white and did a lot of movements with straight lines that were all quick and flashy. The last one, which was the most fun was called Koo Koo KaChoo and was set to music by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. It was very fun and cheeky. The male dancers were wearing like a black work pant and often danced with their hands in their pockets. They were all just SO good though. I was genuinely sad when it was over!

I'm leaving for Auckland tomorrow to start my tour! I'm SO excited! I hope everyone has a great Easter!

Block Three!!!

I am SO thrilled to hear from you guys! I lit up when I saw your post! I miss you guys! You all were definitely a bunch of characters and I can honestly say I had no idea what I might hear in class on any given day! It was always fun though. Well, at least for me! My year 11's (17 year olds) were learning colloquialisms the other day. Their's are definitely different than the ones we used. We were like "peanut butter and jelly" would make no sense over here! Peas and carrots maybe, but jelly is literally different flavors of jello like substance. It's sick. I'm not fan of the mint jelly I was told to put on the lamb we had for dinner one night. It's such an odd comparison to what we know as jello or jelly. The students here love "The Flight of the Conchords" which is a New Zealand show that we have in America. The humor is all kiwi so it's not as funny to the Americans as it is to them. It's hard finding points of interest to share with them. They don't get the Grandma stories like you guys did! Man, do I miss her and talking about her! Rubie, no I do not have a face tattoo. Actually, I have seen barely any tattoos. I don't think they are as popular over here or at least in the area I am in. Dayton and David, no need to be offended! I was only kidding! You guys are hilarious. I don't have any tall students to be "jealous" of anymore. I appreciated the stories. No more fruit o's or whatever it was you ate before going on those rollercoaster rides! :)

If you guys have any questions while I am here feel free to email me or post on the blog. You can get my email from Ms. B. Email me anytime. I'd love to hear from you! Have a good week. It's already Tuesday here. All of my blogs are posted in New Zealand time. We are now 19 hours ahead because for the first time they have enacted daylight savings time! Be good!

I Miss You Guys!

Logan, Logan, Logan...

Well... what can I say? There are definitely no students here like you. No one is as tall! haha. Block 3 definitely was always interesting when you were there! Be good. No more cussing at teachers or the prinicpal! :) You better be doing your work and walk at graduation in May! Do NOT disappoint me!

Jacob and Matt (The Twins!) and the Song Play Lists

One of my students here reminds me of you guys! He is really into designing games and has created this whole world. He wrote a story, has landscapes, creatures, and tons of characters. All of his drawings are really good and super involved. He's really quiet though and doesn't talk a lot so he is definitely different from you guys in that way. His characters look a little Zelda like so I always think about those dang Zelda signs you guys drew all over the room! :)

I was unable to download the play lists you guys made for me. My limewire was not working before I left so I wasn't able to download anything. I'm really disappointed and I still have all of them with me in New Zealand. I'll probably download them when I get back! I'm sorry! :)

Why is There No Ice?!

I have not seen ONE ice cube since I've been here! It's so weird! J and I got tea (which is a variable word meaning some kind of food, dinner, lunch, breakfast, or the beverage) at this adorable tea shop down the road and she got a diet coke. They brought her a glass and a can. No ice! There isn't even ice here at the house or in the fridge at school. I think they like all of their beverages lukewarm or boiling hot. Most the time, the half hour tea time during the school, I can't even drink a cup of coffee because the water is so freakin' hot. I have no idea how the others just gulp it down. I've scorched my own mouth a few times to know better now.

My other complaint, is what in the hell is Indiana known for?! I get asked this all the time and I have NO idea what to answer! Corn? Bob Knight? What is a Hoosier? We are known for being hoosiers but a hoosier is a person from Indiana, not an actual thing. It's a conundrum. If I say Bob Knight they don't really know who that is because they don't pay attention to basketball, if I say corn it's not a big deal because they have corn all over the place here.. Sometimes I say we have all four seasons and that usually pacifies who ever has asked. Snow is once in every 5 year rarity so it's easy to impress people by mentioning the FEET or snow we get, not inches or just frost. Oh Indiana... lovely flat Indiana...Thank god we have Indiana University!

It's also weird how they don't take any pride in their flag. There is no such thing as flag loyalty. There's been a constant debate about whether to use the NZ flag or the use the Maori one. Some people use both but then there is still a divide. Others don't like the... uh.. I'm drawing a blank.. the crossed arms, or whatever you want to call the pattern on th NZ glad. They don't like what it means and want it changed. It's a mess. The only time you hear the National Anthem is at sporting events and even then they don't sing the whole thing. They sing a third or it and then sing the Maori anthem. J said there is NO way you would get a whole school to stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of a school day.

I ate Fish n' Chips on Friday with J and B. J brought them home in newspaper. The only thing around here are Fish n' Chip shops. Though, I have discovered a SUBWAY! but, I'm resisting to attempt to remain in the culture and not revert to the wonderful goodness of a 6 inch turkey sub (they don't have turkey here anyway). Back to the Fish n' Chips. I ate a coney dog type thing also. First of all, the sausage was HUGE. Second, the batter was really bumpy and didn't cover all areas of this massive sausage. Thirdly, the outside layer was pink on the sausage. I just didn't look at it so I could still eat it. The fish was alright. I'm not a huge fish fan but I doused it in ketchup (which is much more spicy here.. sort of like ketchup, barbecue sauce, and Arby's sauce all in one. pretty good though). J and B made me try a deep fried oyster. Oh boy, that did not go over well. I should not have bit through the middle of it! Big mistake. It was SO squishy and dark in the middle. I held it in my mouth for a little bit while my eyes started watering. I swallowed it without chewing and shuddered for I swear a full five minutes afterwords. Yuck! Won't be doing that again.

I'm going to the New Zealand ballet tomorrow. I'm excited. I've never seen a real live ballet. I really like ballet movies so I'm hoping I will be just as impressed with it live.

Olivia West- There are NO Jonas Brothers CD's here. I asked and the lady laughed at me because she was well aware of their popularity. Sorry! I tried!

Okay, I have got to do my first field assignment. Man, are those mother's long! I have almost all of it done except for the last question which is somewhat of an essay. I feel like I'm still waiting for my brain to catch up to the time change because I have been somewhat dim the last couple days. I can't think of quick as I normally can. I've even been playing Brain Quest on Nintendo DS and have improved my Sudoku time dramatically!

Napier-Hastings

I went to Napier and Hastings on Saturday with Joy. It was beautiful out and Napier made it so much more of a better day. The area is amazing. It's right on the ocean and has all this art deco architecture, and is full of small boutique shops. There are really incredble houses in the area worth tons and tons of money. J said they are worth a "mint".

The beach was all pebbles and not sand. J called them shingles. I didn't buy anything in Napier. J said we would go to Warehouse which is like a Walmart without any fancy displays. I got a cheap black hoodie, two long sleeve shirts, a watch, and cheap as sunglasses for my trip coming up this Friday. I'm going on a Kiwi Experience bus tour of the North and South Island. I am SO stinkin' excited I can hardly stand it. I'm taking a bus up to Auckland on Thursday and staying in a backpacker's hostel that night, then getting up early and getting on a 7 am bus to start the adventure. Kevin, a fellow IU cultural immersions project is taking the journey with me.

After we wandered around the shops we went to East Pier. When I was putting titles ont he pictures so I would know where they were from I ask J where we at when we ate ice cream and she said east pier but I couldn't understand what she was saying so I asked her to spell it. After she did, I felt like an idiot. Anyway, we got icecream at this little shop and it was the BEST ice cream ever! It did not taste like American ice cream I swear. We sat outside at a table and enjoyed our ice cream and cokes. True bliss. I keep saying over and over how beautiful it is but it's true! I've never seen scenery like they have here! I took the following pics while sitting at that table. So, this is my view while sitting and enjoying Saturday afternoon.

I hope to visit again before I leave. It's only about an hour away from Waipukurua. 3 Days until the tour! I'm counting down!

Random Tid Bits

Here are some odd funny things that have been said or have happened to me while I've been here.

Most importantly, I have only tripped twice and fell down a couple stairs once. This is good.

Let's see....
Terrace (Tce) is another name for street. They have Rd's and Tce's. Very rarely is there a Ln.

The "Itsy Bitsy Spider" is the Incy Wincy Spider here.

No one says "Bless you" when you sneeze. I've been sneezing a lot since I've been here and after I do, I know no one is going to say "Bless you" but I still can't help but feel expectant of it. There is also no reason to really worry about whether or not it's going to be obvious when you wipe the spit off your hand. No one takes notice of sneezes. Normally, you have to go through the routine of putting your arm down to your side casually, wait for people to look and bless you, then wipe if off non chalantly on pant leg or wherever. Problem solved here. It's a nice change.

I found a Jim Beam can on the street. Yup, a can. It was a Jim Beam and Cola and must be served in a can. I immediately wondered where the hell it came from? I have not seen one local drinking establishment while I've been here.

Before I came here I told J that I like turkey and lettuce sandwiches. Now, for lunch, I get a chicken sandwich and a lettuce sandwich. I don't know if there was some kind of confusion or if this is an En Zed thing I am unaware of. Lettuce sandwiches are not bad though (toast bread, butter, and lettuce). I quite enjoyed them until I found a worm in the lettuce. Now, I feel a bit hesitant. All that day I found the worm I felt sick and would swear I could feel a worm crawling in my belly even though the first half I ate was probably clean.

I also ate lamb the other night for dinner. It was alright. I thought it tasted too much like I was eating a little white flully lamb. I kept thinking about "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" when Matthew McConaughey cooks the lamb for Kate Hudson trying to impress her and all she does is cry and holds of a piece singing Mary had a Little Lamb.

I ate my first hot cross bun too. I didn't know such a thing existed. I thought they were just for the song new players learned on the recorder. It's like a dessert bun. It's sort of spicy with fruit in it and an icing cross on the top. I guess they appear in stores starting at Christmas and remain until after Easter.

Vegetables are HUGE here. I have eaten (as Kevin, another IU student here would say) 246354564 vegetables since I've been here. We eat them every night! Steam vegetables! We also ate them in hamburger meat (at least I think it was) along with the normal veggies there was cauliflower, broccoli, squash and pumpkin in it. Pretty good though. We also eat small potatoes every night. So those carbs squash out the healthiness of all the veggies.

A boy student last week was rough housing with another at lunch. I walked by with the HOD of English and she yelled at them. The boy turned around and promptly goes, "He right hit me in the balls though, Miss!" It's only funny to me the American because imagine hearing someone say that with a British accent which sounds all polite but the content is not. Plus, the way the boy said "balls" like it was nothing was funny. Usually you'd think they'd skirt around that word and use something more acceptable.

It was like when I was leading a discussion and this girl (I can't remember the question) but she goes "I think he wanted to take the puss right out of her!" I paused, and go "Wait... what?! Are you supposed to say that?!" The whole class laughed more at me than her saying something inappropriate. I'm not entirely sure what it means but I can guess.

The kids also keep trying to say that shit is kiwi slang and they should be able to use it whenever they want. Please.

Two days ago a girl came into class and goes "Mrs. K! I learned a new word! WIGGER!" I froze in my seat and was thinking omgomgomgomgomgomg. Hoping it is used differently here. But nope, sure enough she goes "It's a white person and n*gger! A white n*gger!(It's even tough for me to TYPE that word). Seriously, I was sweating by the time she finished. She has no idea what the word means and how offensive it can be. I don't think they quite even understand how harsh and demoralizing the "n" word is. They don't have the history here like other places do to understand it. It's just like how they have a really hard time with "The Crucible." Witch hunts are uncomprehensible to them.

I just figured out two nights ago that there is an electric blanket on my bed. Mind you I have made up my bed while I've been here and I have no idea why I didn't put two and two together. It's really nice when the sun is out during the day but in between it is chilly. Especially in the back of the house where my room is. The electric blanket is WONDERFULLNESS. I'm ticked it took me so long to figure it out.

I was having a nice little chat with the principal in the teachers lounge. I don't have a classroom so I sort of wander about sometimes. I just got done drinking coffee which I put too much mix in so I was practically vibrating, not shaking, from all the caffeeine. Anyway, he asked if my school were rural or urban. For the LIFE of me. I could not say rural! It kept coming out a sloppy mess or too many R's and L's. It was awful. I tried three times and embarrassed I gave up. He was looking at me like, "oh you poor girl." He also laughed pretty hard though. Hopefully with me and not AT me. Then the word statistics came up. I knew I was going to have to say it and was already peein' my pants in anticipation a little, welp, wouldn't ya know, when I did have to say it, it was a mush of s's and t's. WAY to impress the principal, Leslie!

The teachers were talking during lunch and I was only vaguely paying attention so I wasn't quite sure what they were talking about. I kept hearing the words, premium nipple, and masterbation. So, I of course start listening more carefully trying to figure it out. Literally for about 15 minutes I kept thinking there is no way that this is what they are saying! It turned out to be "premier netball" and the "master station". Whew! Damn accents!

I wore heels for the first time yesterday and for some reason it was a VERY BIG deal. I don't understand. Why are heels at school such an oddity? There was another woman teacher there wearing calf length boots with a heel. Nobody made a fuss to her. I am short and look young. Adding a 3 inches by putting on a pair of heels is helpful! Plus, I have great shoes. They should be worn! And no, most the time my feet don't hurt, and yes, I CAN walk in them. (well, you know what I mean.)

This morning I was playing with the cat my host family has. I was flinging her around in the air being stupid. Well, I scared her and she put her claws out. Her stupid claws got STUCK in my FACE! I had to pull them out! I now look like I have two big unslightly pimples above my lip.

Things I Miss From Home!

-My parents of course

-Grandma!!

-When I'm laying in my bed at night all I can think about it is how I wish I had my black soft microfiber fleece blanket from home.

-Turkey sandwiches! They don't eat turkey here.

-Chicken Noodle Soup! The watery condensed style and the chunky kind!

-Cans of Coca-Cola

-Cheese Nips! The cheese crackers here are NO substitute!

-My students at OV who actually know me and can relate to me! I miss the familiarity of the normal routine I had there. I miss Ms. Benton of course. I don't understand the humor here yet so the kids are not nearly as funny as my old students were.

-My own sense of humor. I'm very sarcastic and I know it wouldn't translate. Even when a student asked me a stupid question and I said "really?" He kept say, "uh yea, really?..."

-The little fur baby (Grandma)

-ALL OF MY SHOES! I brought more than I had been told to but I still feel like my feet are way too boring everyday.

-Central heating and air conditioning! It is SO flipping cold in the mornings. There is absolutely not use shaving my legs. It's really difficult to get up in the morning and out of bed because the only warm place is the pod under my covers. Showering is miserable. All of you OV students who said you hate being cold getting out of the shower, you have no idea. On the upperhand though, I get dressed SO quickly. I am never late. Sure, I've gotten used to perpetual bad hair days but always being on time is a nice change.

-The way Grandma smells! I swear she is the best smelling cat ever (when I'm not setting her butt on fire!)

-Rockstars