Kiwiana Aroha!: April 2011

Where to even begin. . .This past weekend we were up North in Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga. Mainly for my future reference, I will go ahead and give a slight play by play of the wonderful week.

Thursday was one of the best days of my life. It started out with an anxious drive up North with many random stops on the way. We stopped at an 800 year old tree and took pictures in lava lavas that James bought us. We then stopped in town for some of NZ's famous meat pies. By now, we were sick of stopping because we knew that we had emails awaiting that told us if we had been accepted to get an internship. Oh don't worry, we stopped a couple more random times and the last time, it was to see mosaic toilets, yes, mosaic toilets but before we could even see those, we spotted free internet so off we ran! I sat there anxious as can be, my heart felt like it was going to explode. I heard the results of two of the girls and got even more scared. It was my turn to check, and I had prepared for the worst so when I read the first line that said, "Hi Nicole, I have been asked to tell you that Jordan Ridge Elementary would like to offer you an internship, " I was shocked and had to re-read it a couple times. Neeley stared at me waiting for me to tell her the verdict and I couldn't even say anything, I just showed her the screen, nodded, and the tears came. It was such an overwhelming, exciting feeling. Everything I have ever worked for, my dream since I was 8 years old was coming true, I am a teacher, a class is being prepared for me right now as we speak. That was definitely the highlight of the trip.

Friday: We drove all the way to Cape Reinga, which is the Northern most tip of NZ, to experience the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. It was absolutely gorgeous up there on top of the mountain just listening and watching the ocean. So peaceful, so green, so beautiful! We then planted a tree in honor of us BYU girls which was kind of cool! After that we headed out for lunch, sand surfing, and driving down 90 mile beach. That was actually really fun, just to drive along the beach for an hour or so, wind blowing, ocean waves crashing, and singing along to some quality music! Not only that, but having to dig our 13-seater van out of the sand was an adventure and a half as well! Later that night we made Poi balls with James!

Saturday: We drove to the little town of Russell that you have to get to by ferry. We went to the beach house of one of our professors we had back in January. This town was so quaint, so English and again, had amazing views from lookout points overlooking ocean and vast amounts of green! His beach house was on a small secluded beach with hardly any people, definitely a place I could get used to! We basically spent the day there playing around, and catching fish with our bear hands.

Sunday: Went to another friendly branch for church in the middle of nowhere. We basically just hung around, made dinner, watched the amazing sunset, and went for a stroll along the beach.

Monday: Went on a gorgeous hike through the jungle to a nice waterfall. Great way to start the day. We then just relaxed at the beach across from our Motel the rest of the day. It was so peaceful, no stress, nothing to worry about, which doesn't happen often. The night ended with another beautiful sunset on the beach, the last one we will see in NZ, and an emotional last group FHE.

Tuesday: We simply woke up nice and early and sang (or tried to through the tears) our "Te Aroha" and "Lean on Me" songs for James and presented him with a gift. We said our goodbyes and to home we went!

As this trip has come to an end, there has been a lot on my mind. The whole time I have been here, I have been thinking why I am here, and why I didn't go to Africa like I have always dreamed. I have come to realize that this journey has all been centered around Faith and I realize now, that is why I am here. I have been tested countless times since the second I signed up for this trip all the way till now. I look back at all the things I had to have faith in,and I see now that this entire trip, I have had to learn patience, faith, and trust. I can not even begin to express my gratitude for this experience, and the personal growth I have gained. Dr. J told us that when choosing who to bring here, he prayed that the girls that were chosen would be those that needed NZ and that NZ needed. He said it is no accident that any of us are here and I believe that. These 15 girls are amazing, and we have been told countless times by countless people that we are by far the closest group that has ever come around here. I couldn't be happier with the way this experience has turned out. I am so sad to leave, and kind of scared to go back to the real world. I am so used to having 15 girls that have my back, and that constantly have plans with that it will be strange to let that all go. I am excited to see what the future holds though, for all of us! Again though, one of the main things I have learned here is to have faith in what's ahead and that is what I will do; I will take what I have learned and continue on with my life, I feel like a whole new person! :)