Arthur Street School enters a Radio Contest!

The girls have been buzzing about being on the radio for about a week now. Apparently, there was a radio competition that Arthur Street School decided to enter.

The radio station is a local one here in Dunedin, 89.4 FM, Classic Hits. Schools had to write a song including words, which in part included: Cadbury, Easter, and Callum & P. Students and the music teacher, Mrs. Tyson, wrote the song and then the whole school got together to practice. The song was then recorded and played on the radio yesterday, along with other school that entered.

At that point, I got to help. For the next 24 hours the public was to text and phone into the radio station to vote for their favorite school. I called, I texted, and called some more. I was even on the radio casting my vote, because we were visiting from the USA!

This morning there was 1 hour left. We were calling, we were texting, and we were listening to the radio. Stas headed out for work, and I don't think anyone told him goodbye. The girls tag teamed up, one would make lunches and the other would call the radio station. One would brush her teeth, while the other listened on the radio for the results. It was stressful and intense, but they were focused. They pushed redial over and over and over again. Sophia had the advantage, as she has the accent down, and said "Arthur Street School" with the correct pronunciation.

Finally, 8:30am came, and the winner was announced....

ARTHUR STREET SCHOOL WON! The principal was on the radio, as he was notified the school won. Tomorrow, the radio station will be hiding hundreds of chocolate (Cadbury, of course) Easter eggs all around the school grounds.

I have never seen to girls so excited, screaming, and thrilled! They even called Grandma and Papa in the States to tell them the great news!

Hopefully, I can take photos tomorrow of the Easter hunt!

Cattle Drive per Sophia's Request

On the first day of our journey, a cattle ranger was trying to get his cows across the road. He very thoughtfully waived us by, before beginning to move his herd. Well, Miss Sophia Jo, was quite disappointed and really had hoped she could see the cattle crossing the road.

As luck would have it, a day later we stumbled across another farmer who was herding his cows. Now I am not sure where the cows were going to, because they headed across the road, then some would come back over again, and some even headed straight down the road next to us. Obviously, these cows were still learning how to properly and safely cross the roadway. I think this why they kept going back and forth! It was so nice of the farmer to let us drive next to the cows, and gently encourage them on their way. Sophia was thrilled and considered this her lucky day!

I don't know if our driver Jesse felt the same way....

Lily's Potty Break that led to Bordland Road that let to the largest landslide ever that led to another need for a potty break!

On our way someplace (not sure where, since I have no sense of direction), sweet Lily said from the back seat she needed a bathroom. Our helpful men in the front, began diligently looking for a restroom sign- or a toilet as it is called in Kiwi Land. Soon, they spotted a sign, and a right turn we took.

After 8 kilometers on gravel road we finally found a recreational center. As we pulled in, the director came out to greet us and pointed us to the toilets. She also told us that down the road there was the biggest landslide in all that had ever happened in New Zealand. Wow! So off we headed down the gravel road...

Several kilometers later we had seen several waters falls, beautiful trees, some birds- but no landslide (that occurred 12,000 years ago).

Several more kilometers later, dusty dirt seeped into the van from the gravel road, people became wiggling in their seats, and then there were questions coming from the back rows of the van. When will we be there? What does the slide look like? How much longer? All of which were very good and legitimate questions, if I may say so myself.

A few more kilometers later, we stopped to admire a waterfall, took some photos and pondered our next step. At this point, we were at least 20 kilometers past the toilet, and remember it took us 8 kilometers to get there. Should we go back, or keep driving forward. Well, we were out of an adventure, so forward we headed!!!

Finally, we arrived! What an amazing 12,ooo year old landslide! We were actually standing on the slide, so there was really nothing to see or take a picture of! We took some photos, and there was a wonderful forest filled with moss dripping from the trees. There was a rainbow and a beautiful landscape. Was it worth the drive- that would be debated by some of the passengers.

PS- Once we finally headed back to the main road (back through the gravel road, past the rec center, then onto the highway over an hour and a half later) literally 20 feet past where we took our turn off the main road for out potty adventure-on the main highway there was a toilet sign!! Apparently, we had taken the wrong turn- it finally made sense why the recreation director greeted us! She was not used to strangers coming to use her toilets!!

Parakaunui Falls

As part of our three day road trip trip with our friends, 8 people piled into a van, and we headed out to visit to southern part of the south island. Here are pictures from out trip- but a bit out of order!

We went a small hike in order to see these falls. The falls were not very big, but the rock formation was very different. The rocks were square in shape- as if they were man-made.

"This is DEFINITELY going on the blog!"

As we headed out onto the roadway leaving the boulders behind, Jess asked if it was illegal to drink (Diet Coke) while driving. I was wondering why he would ask this question, when I turned and saw a police car behind us. Soon, it was discovered the police car was in fact wanting to chat with our driver, Jesse.

Apparently, in the land of Kiwis they give tickets to drivers going 120 km in a 100 km zone. Jess did tell the officer that he did not think he was going that fast, but the officer politely told Jesse, that he was in fact going over the speed limit. Now, I really think Jesse should have been let off the hook, because as just about anyone knows, most Californians drive like bats out of hell. I can confirm this personally, having driven in California several times. In California, you would probably get a ticket for driving too slowly, if you were only going 20 mph over the speed limit.

Jess asked the officer if we could take his picture, since Jesse now had a $125.0o fine, so it would be worth his while! The officer said yes, and Jess even posed on the roof of the car like he was being arrested. Smiles and laughs were had by all, and I am sure the officer had a story to tell about the crazy Californians!

Certainly this experience was "blog worthy!"

More Pictures from the Boulders

Moeraki Boulders

The Moeraki Boulders were incredible!! First, there were shells everywhere- and the kids went crazy finding tons of shells.

Maori Welcoming Ceremony

We were lucky enough to be invited to a Maori (New Zealand's indigenous people) welcoming ceremony.

Roacco and her husband were incredibly kind and the Willamette students stayed two days and one night at the Maori Learning Center.

The Maori traditionally greet each other by touching noses. This represents the first breath between the two people (and all of their ancestry).

The plants are what are used to make their baskets and weavings.

Taking a Break!

At one of the stops, the girls had to climb a tree. Climbing trees has become one of Leah's and Sophia's favorites pastimes since we have come to Kiwi Land!

Lily has taken up this hobby, too with great enthusiasm.

Pictures from our Train Trip

Sophia had a wonderful time looking out the train window.

Taieri Gorge Railway

Last week both families headed out for train ride, through the Taieri Gorge. As we left Dunedin for our 3 hour trip, the landscape slowly changed from lush and green to rocky and dry. Along the way we saw where the gold rush had hit New Zealand, and rugged boulders and rocks.

The train station itself is an amazing piece of art. The tiles on the floor were done made by Royal Doulton. There are stained glass pictures, and the outside is beautiful. The train cars themselves were vintage, and full of character. The girls enjoyed spending a lot of their trip hanging onto their Dad standing outside the train car.

Scenery while traveling through the countryside

Sheep! They are everywhere!

Allan's Beach

Allan's beach is the home to penguins, sea lions and other sea creatures. We went in hopes of finding penguins, but instead we saw a huge sea lions and some birds. For the safety of the sea lions and people, it is recommended to stay at least 30 feet away.

Otago Museum and Butterfly Exhibit

Next on the schedule was a local museum. The Otago Museum is wonderful, and many parts are free! There were rooms filled with artifacts from the indigenous people of the area and the surrounding islands.

They also have a wonderful butterfly exhibit that was very enjoyable. There were many species of butterflies, and also turtles, koi and some small birds.

Another visit to the Botanical Gardens

We took another stroll through the botanical gardens this week to see what was growing. The dahlias, roses, and snapdragons were all in full bloom.

Back to Larnach Castle

Our friends, Jess and Melissa are now visiting with their two daughters, Jackie age 3 and Lily age 7. Last week we headed back to the castle for them to discover the gardens and tour the castle. We did not know when we visited it, there is an Alice and Wonderland theme throughout the gardens. We found the Queen and King of Hearts statutes, Alice, and the Chesire cat sitting in a tree.

Cooking Day with Leah & Sophia

Last weekend we were getting for our friends to arrive from California, so we did not do much traveling outside the city.

We did, however, do a lot of cooking. Sophia made spaghetti sauce and applesauce, and Leah made banana bread. All three were a great success, but Sophia was not very fond of peeling the tomatoes!

More Kiwi language!

trolley- shopping cart
wagging- skipping school
plaster- band-aid
see you later- literally, see you later (and someone will ask you what time!)
mate- friend
mobile- cell phone
tea- could be tea, could be a full meal

Yummm, what I love about New Zealand

Fish & Chips from the takeaway shop
Egg and Ham sandwiches
Crunchie Candy Bar made by Cadbury (basically it a seafoam candy bar)
Hokie Pokie Ice Cream (a vanilla ice cream with chunks of soft toffee)
Fresh Strawberries from the farmers' market
Large bag of basil made into tomato salads
Turkish Bread (a great light white bread with sesame seeds)
Lemon Cordial (lemonade)
Shortbread made by Mrs. Wyatt

Art Studio for the kids

Sophia and Leah were in heaven on Saturday. We discovered a kid's art studio over the weekend. The girls did some sketching, molded some clay, and worked a pottery wheel! This studio is within walking distance of our house, and allows kids to try whatever they want! There is painting, clay, masks, dollhouses, and more.

Sophia has started taking a class each week, and over the Easter break we will all be spending a lot of time there!