Sunday, February 28, 2010
National Interfaith Forum
Friday, February 26, 2010
Attended a national Interfaith forum today in Christchurch. It was amazing. I was there with women who work with the ministers (cabinet members) of New Zealand...women who represent New Zealand at the United Nations. It was fun to be a fly on the wall. I even got to present to the group about what my break-out panel talked about. I was also asked by the church PR person to write a short blurb about what we did. I guess New Zealand has an insert they put in the Ensign magazine. Nothing like jumping right in with your clothes on whether you are prepared or not. It was an amazing day.
A group of LDS sisters joined women from around New Zealand to participate in the 5th National Women’s Forum, Friday, February 26, 2010. The forum was part of the 7th National Interfaith Forum held this weekend in Christchurch. A panel of women speakers represented several religions and spiritual affiliations. Melanie Riwai-Couch, a member of the Cashmere Ward, Christchurch New Zealand Stake, represented the LDS church, sharing LDS beliefs around the theme, “Living My Faith in the Modern World.” Sister Riwai-Couch ended her presentation with a statement, reiterated throughout the day as participants divided into small groups to further discuss the theme; ‘It’s about conversation, not conversion.’ Being able to talk to others about faith, religion and tolerance is needed in today’s world. Women left the forum feeling they had the strength and courage to change the world. This seemed apropos as LDS women around the world celebrate the birthday of the Relief Society.
Attended a national Interfaith forum today in Christchurch. It was amazing. I was there with women who work with the ministers (cabinet members) of New Zealand...women who represent New Zealand at the United Nations. It was fun to be a fly on the wall. I even got to present to the group about what my break-out panel talked about. I was also asked by the church PR person to write a short blurb about what we did. I guess New Zealand has an insert they put in the Ensign magazine. Nothing like jumping right in with your clothes on whether you are prepared or not. It was an amazing day.
A group of LDS sisters joined women from around New Zealand to participate in the 5th National Women’s Forum, Friday, February 26, 2010. The forum was part of the 7th National Interfaith Forum held this weekend in Christchurch. A panel of women speakers represented several religions and spiritual affiliations. Melanie Riwai-Couch, a member of the Cashmere Ward, Christchurch New Zealand Stake, represented the LDS church, sharing LDS beliefs around the theme, “Living My Faith in the Modern World.” Sister Riwai-Couch ended her presentation with a statement, reiterated throughout the day as participants divided into small groups to further discuss the theme; ‘It’s about conversation, not conversion.’ Being able to talk to others about faith, religion and tolerance is needed in today’s world. Women left the forum feeling they had the strength and courage to change the world. This seemed apropos as LDS women around the world celebrate the birthday of the Relief Society.
Friday, February 26, 2010
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Discovering Jane
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Happy Birthday, Kathryn Ann!
For those of you who don’t know about Jane Rowntree Thorley, she was my Great Grandmother and was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1868. Here is a genealogy update:
This week I have made three trips into Christchurch, which has been an adventure in driving on the left side of the road. The LDS genealogy library is located on Fendalton Road in the center of town. Not only that, there is only one way to get into the church and it is on a busy road, across a narrow bridge. It is a beautiful location.
Charles Watson Rowntree, from Yorkshire, England, came to New Zealand by way of the gold fields of Australia. Hannah Parks, orphaned at a young age, came to New Zealand from Ireland with her two older sisters who raised her. Charles and Hannah were married in 1863. Elizabeth was born in 1864, Hannah in 1865, Charlotte in 1866, Jane in 1868, Emily in 1869, Mary Ann in 1871, and Esther in 1873. Hannah, Charlotte and Jane immigrated to Utah. Mary Ann immigrated to California. What I have done thus far is to verify information through the registration districts; I have gone through birthdates, marriage dates, and deaths of Charles, Hannah, Elizabeth, Emily, and Esther. They all lived, married, and died in Christchurch. This next week I will go to the Canterbury Library in downtown Christchurch and look for property records and verify what information I have from our family genealogy. My goal is to find where these five are buried, if the family home is still standing and what family is still here.
Jack and I took a “check out the area” excursion Thursday. We have located some possible cemeteries and farm location. But what we did find is the Harewood School, where she started school, is still there. Well, the original school was torn down, but another one was built in its place and the tree-lined lane is still there. I will go back when there is more time to snoop around in their records. It would seem that all the girls would have gone there. Jane write in her journal that she went to the Harewood School for a few years and then to Papanui School. A teacher at the school said the children would begin at the Harewood School and transfer to Papanui School for the older grades…possibly ages 10-13. Jane mentions that she only went to school until she was 13 years old. That was pretty common. If you are following this on Google map, Papanui is a section of Christchurch that is north and west of the city center. Harewood school is almost at the intersection of Harewood Road and Russley Road (hwy 1), close to the airport. This was a fun day!
Later tonight I was looking to see where the girls were christened. We have records of only about three of them, but they were christened in St. Paul’s Anglican church. I think it is still standing. I will go by there next week as well. I’ll keep you posted. Fun! Fun!
Happy Birthday, Kathryn Ann!
For those of you who don’t know about Jane Rowntree Thorley, she was my Great Grandmother and was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1868. Here is a genealogy update:
This week I have made three trips into Christchurch, which has been an adventure in driving on the left side of the road. The LDS genealogy library is located on Fendalton Road in the center of town. Not only that, there is only one way to get into the church and it is on a busy road, across a narrow bridge. It is a beautiful location.
Charles Watson Rowntree, from Yorkshire, England, came to New Zealand by way of the gold fields of Australia. Hannah Parks, orphaned at a young age, came to New Zealand from Ireland with her two older sisters who raised her. Charles and Hannah were married in 1863. Elizabeth was born in 1864, Hannah in 1865, Charlotte in 1866, Jane in 1868, Emily in 1869, Mary Ann in 1871, and Esther in 1873. Hannah, Charlotte and Jane immigrated to Utah. Mary Ann immigrated to California. What I have done thus far is to verify information through the registration districts; I have gone through birthdates, marriage dates, and deaths of Charles, Hannah, Elizabeth, Emily, and Esther. They all lived, married, and died in Christchurch. This next week I will go to the Canterbury Library in downtown Christchurch and look for property records and verify what information I have from our family genealogy. My goal is to find where these five are buried, if the family home is still standing and what family is still here.
Jack and I took a “check out the area” excursion Thursday. We have located some possible cemeteries and farm location. But what we did find is the Harewood School, where she started school, is still there. Well, the original school was torn down, but another one was built in its place and the tree-lined lane is still there. I will go back when there is more time to snoop around in their records. It would seem that all the girls would have gone there. Jane write in her journal that she went to the Harewood School for a few years and then to Papanui School. A teacher at the school said the children would begin at the Harewood School and transfer to Papanui School for the older grades…possibly ages 10-13. Jane mentions that she only went to school until she was 13 years old. That was pretty common. If you are following this on Google map, Papanui is a section of Christchurch that is north and west of the city center. Harewood school is almost at the intersection of Harewood Road and Russley Road (hwy 1), close to the airport. This was a fun day!
Later tonight I was looking to see where the girls were christened. We have records of only about three of them, but they were christened in St. Paul’s Anglican church. I think it is still standing. I will go by there next week as well. I’ll keep you posted. Fun! Fun!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A Relaxing Morning Walk
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
So the other morning I took a walk. I thought you would like to come along. Go to Google Map New Zealand; find Christchurch. Okay, looking at Christchurch, you need to go south and west. You are looking for the little village of Lincoln. It helps about this point to hit the “terrain” button in the top-right-hand part of your picture. As you are looking at the screen, go left down Ellesmere Junction Road. It’s located just left of the Gerald/Springs Road/Ellesmere Junction roundabout. It is not uncommon here in this area for one road to change names quite often. Notice that Gerald Street becomes Ellesmere Junction Road as it crosses going left past Springs Road. Look at the University. The first road going into the university is called Gate 1. The long building on the right of Gate 1 is Hillgendorf. That is where Jack’s office is. Notice that there is a circle drive that comes out just left of Gate 1 – this is where you catch the bus to get to Christchurch or to Hornby where Jack and Robynn needed to go to get our phone to work. The next entrance into the university is called Gate 2. The map has it as Calder Road but the map and the computer generated street don’t exactly match. If you go left about eleven houses you will come to Sims – three attached buildings that sit diagonal.
So yesterday morning I decided to go for a walk. I headed out the back of my flat, through the fence and onto the oval shaped field. Actually I skirted the field…they keep it immaculate…walking next to the trees on the right side. I walked between the buildings and turned left on Farm Road. When I got to the trees, I turned left on the diagonal road – it’s marked Weedons Road above. Left over the pasture fence from Farm Road are our neighbors: sheep, cows and red deer.
Walking down the road toward the bottom of your screen, I was circling the big circle of grass, another beautifully kept Cricket field. On the bottom right hand side of the field is what we would call the press box or special boxes for dignitaries in the football world. The building looked like it functioned the same in the Cricket world. Jack and I walked around the field last Sunday evening and there are nice wooden benches surrounding the field. I thought they would be nice places to go read my book on a warm afternoon. I turned right along the tree line and came upon South Drive. Here in New Zealand, there are nicely trimmed hedges; several are large pine tree rows they have trimmed into hedges. There is a gravel road that runs along the hedges that cover the bottom part of the Cricket field. I had stopped and explored some pastures and was caught in the middle of a sheep drive using 4-wheelers, so I decided not to follow South Drive to Springs Road and make the circle around the university but cut through, up Calder Drive. In between Farm Road and Ellesmere Junction, there is a square building on your right. This is the student center and the housing office. They were very kind on Monday when I had just gotten out of the shower, went out my flat around the corner to put a load of laundry in the washer. My door closed behind me and I didn’t have my key. Yes, I had locked myself out. Luckily I was dressed and walked down the road…with wet hair to the housing office to get an extra key. They giggled as they gave it to me. (Crap! I hate it when I make a name for myself with stupid things like that.)
I got up to Ellesmere Junction Road, turned left and followed the path, approximately eleven houses to my flat. It was a lovely walk on a beautiful late summer morning in Lincoln. I hope you enjoyed coming along with me.
So the other morning I took a walk. I thought you would like to come along. Go to Google Map New Zealand; find Christchurch. Okay, looking at Christchurch, you need to go south and west. You are looking for the little village of Lincoln. It helps about this point to hit the “terrain” button in the top-right-hand part of your picture. As you are looking at the screen, go left down Ellesmere Junction Road. It’s located just left of the Gerald/Springs Road/Ellesmere Junction roundabout. It is not uncommon here in this area for one road to change names quite often. Notice that Gerald Street becomes Ellesmere Junction Road as it crosses going left past Springs Road. Look at the University. The first road going into the university is called Gate 1. The long building on the right of Gate 1 is Hillgendorf. That is where Jack’s office is. Notice that there is a circle drive that comes out just left of Gate 1 – this is where you catch the bus to get to Christchurch or to Hornby where Jack and Robynn needed to go to get our phone to work. The next entrance into the university is called Gate 2. The map has it as Calder Road but the map and the computer generated street don’t exactly match. If you go left about eleven houses you will come to Sims – three attached buildings that sit diagonal.
So yesterday morning I decided to go for a walk. I headed out the back of my flat, through the fence and onto the oval shaped field. Actually I skirted the field…they keep it immaculate…walking next to the trees on the right side. I walked between the buildings and turned left on Farm Road. When I got to the trees, I turned left on the diagonal road – it’s marked Weedons Road above. Left over the pasture fence from Farm Road are our neighbors: sheep, cows and red deer.
Walking down the road toward the bottom of your screen, I was circling the big circle of grass, another beautifully kept Cricket field. On the bottom right hand side of the field is what we would call the press box or special boxes for dignitaries in the football world. The building looked like it functioned the same in the Cricket world. Jack and I walked around the field last Sunday evening and there are nice wooden benches surrounding the field. I thought they would be nice places to go read my book on a warm afternoon. I turned right along the tree line and came upon South Drive. Here in New Zealand, there are nicely trimmed hedges; several are large pine tree rows they have trimmed into hedges. There is a gravel road that runs along the hedges that cover the bottom part of the Cricket field. I had stopped and explored some pastures and was caught in the middle of a sheep drive using 4-wheelers, so I decided not to follow South Drive to Springs Road and make the circle around the university but cut through, up Calder Drive. In between Farm Road and Ellesmere Junction, there is a square building on your right. This is the student center and the housing office. They were very kind on Monday when I had just gotten out of the shower, went out my flat around the corner to put a load of laundry in the washer. My door closed behind me and I didn’t have my key. Yes, I had locked myself out. Luckily I was dressed and walked down the road…with wet hair to the housing office to get an extra key. They giggled as they gave it to me. (Crap! I hate it when I make a name for myself with stupid things like that.)
I got up to Ellesmere Junction Road, turned left and followed the path, approximately eleven houses to my flat. It was a lovely walk on a beautiful late summer morning in Lincoln. I hope you enjoyed coming along with me.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Akaroa
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Well, it is the weekend and we needed to be off somewhere. We decided to try a close trip; Akaroa. As you look at Christchurch on the map, just east and south is a round shaped peninsula; Banks Peninsula. Banks bay comes into the center of that peninsula and the little community is Akaroa; pronounced Ah-ka-row-a. Originally inhabited by the Maori, the French and English came in about the 1700’s. It is about an hour drive on windy roads, up the mountain and down into the village of Akaroa. It was a tourist town with shops and historic sites. It was a beautiful, clear sunny day. We took two of the CSU students with us: Tessa, from a sheep ranch up by Sun Valley Idaho, and Leah from a dry-land ranch in Eastern Colorado. Although we were at the coast, the beach was not very sandy, mainly rocky but the seashells were amazing. The tide was down and the smell was pretty strong. We ate fish and chips and took a cruise. We saw little Hector Porpoises and white flippered penguins which can only be found around the Banks Peninsula. We also saw seals. It was fun and Jack didn’t get seasick. We drove our car and it did very well. Incidentally, we came upon Bishop Boyd and his wife who had escaped for the weekend. Ken Boyd is the bishop of our ward, the Cashmere Ward, in Christchurch. They happened to have booked a cruise at the same time. It was a wonderful day.
Well, it is the weekend and we needed to be off somewhere. We decided to try a close trip; Akaroa. As you look at Christchurch on the map, just east and south is a round shaped peninsula; Banks Peninsula. Banks bay comes into the center of that peninsula and the little community is Akaroa; pronounced Ah-ka-row-a. Originally inhabited by the Maori, the French and English came in about the 1700’s. It is about an hour drive on windy roads, up the mountain and down into the village of Akaroa. It was a tourist town with shops and historic sites. It was a beautiful, clear sunny day. We took two of the CSU students with us: Tessa, from a sheep ranch up by Sun Valley Idaho, and Leah from a dry-land ranch in Eastern Colorado. Although we were at the coast, the beach was not very sandy, mainly rocky but the seashells were amazing. The tide was down and the smell was pretty strong. We ate fish and chips and took a cruise. We saw little Hector Porpoises and white flippered penguins which can only be found around the Banks Peninsula. We also saw seals. It was fun and Jack didn’t get seasick. We drove our car and it did very well. Incidentally, we came upon Bishop Boyd and his wife who had escaped for the weekend. Ken Boyd is the bishop of our ward, the Cashmere Ward, in Christchurch. They happened to have booked a cruise at the same time. It was a wonderful day.
We Are Far Away From Home
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tonight we had the CSU students over for dinner. It was fun to hear their adventures of the first few days in New Zealand. None of them live with each other but most know where a CSU student lives. Some live in dorm-type rooms while others live in pods. One of the girls was telling us she was the only girl in her pod; separate bedrooms but share the same bathroom. They are enjoying the many cultures of this university where there are only 4500 students but 45% are foreigners. Something funny they told us was… in the cafeteria the country flags of all the students who have come to this university hang. But among all the country flags there hangs a CSU flag. GO RAMS!!!
Afterwards, Jack and I went outside. It was a beautiful night and the stars were so bright. We saw the “Southern Cross.” As we were looking up on the internet before we went out to see if we could find where in the sky it was, we realized on the New Zealand flag are four stars…the Southern Cross. Duh! Okay, Jack and I are gradually getting up to speed. We found it in the sky and it was so amazing. We were actually somewhere that seeing the Southern Cross was possible. (Don’t I remember that the Shackleton Expedition left from New Zealand?) But as I stood there underneath that beautiful, clear sky with the Milky Way so predominant, I realized how far away from home I was. It was like taking off from LAX in the dark and landing in Auckland in the dark, able to ignore the fact that I had been flying for 12 hours over the ocean. We are a long ways away from family…at least I can call but I’m sure it was very difficult for Jane Rowntree and her sisters to leave the only home they had ever known. There are amazing things in this world to see. If you asked me if I was homesick tonight, I would say, “Yes!” But if you asked me if I wished I had not come, I would say, “No!” There are many beautiful places in the world and wonderful people to meet.
Tonight we had the CSU students over for dinner. It was fun to hear their adventures of the first few days in New Zealand. None of them live with each other but most know where a CSU student lives. Some live in dorm-type rooms while others live in pods. One of the girls was telling us she was the only girl in her pod; separate bedrooms but share the same bathroom. They are enjoying the many cultures of this university where there are only 4500 students but 45% are foreigners. Something funny they told us was… in the cafeteria the country flags of all the students who have come to this university hang. But among all the country flags there hangs a CSU flag. GO RAMS!!!
Afterwards, Jack and I went outside. It was a beautiful night and the stars were so bright. We saw the “Southern Cross.” As we were looking up on the internet before we went out to see if we could find where in the sky it was, we realized on the New Zealand flag are four stars…the Southern Cross. Duh! Okay, Jack and I are gradually getting up to speed. We found it in the sky and it was so amazing. We were actually somewhere that seeing the Southern Cross was possible. (Don’t I remember that the Shackleton Expedition left from New Zealand?) But as I stood there underneath that beautiful, clear sky with the Milky Way so predominant, I realized how far away from home I was. It was like taking off from LAX in the dark and landing in Auckland in the dark, able to ignore the fact that I had been flying for 12 hours over the ocean. We are a long ways away from family…at least I can call but I’m sure it was very difficult for Jane Rowntree and her sisters to leave the only home they had ever known. There are amazing things in this world to see. If you asked me if I was homesick tonight, I would say, “Yes!” But if you asked me if I wished I had not come, I would say, “No!” There are many beautiful places in the world and wonderful people to meet.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Some interesting things
Friday, February 19, 2010
Having been in New Zealand for a week, I have realized some amazing things. There aren’t bugs here. I had to run to the bank yesterday and while I was sitting there this tiny little moth was flitting around. The lady was annoyed but I’m thinking, “be careful, this is an endangered species.” The windows don’t have screens on them. Even at the bishop’s house last Sunday, he had sliding glass doors in the living room that went out to the back yard. I guess they are open just about all the time. I occasionally see a spider web but I’ve only seen one tiny spider. Someone said they have a lot more bugs on the west coast. I’ll let you know when we go there.
It rained yesterday…all day. If we had been in Cedar we would have been concerned about flash flooding. We probably got about 2-3 inches. It seems the pattern is: one overcast day, one rainy day, one sunny day. Today the sun is out and all the windows in the flat have condensation on them. We are to occasionally open all the windows which helps with the condensation. I will probably be washing the windows on a regular basis to keep the mold down. Luckily my allergies are pollens. I haven’t had any problems with allergies so far.
Interesting finds: I can’t find graham crackers. They don’t seem to have canned pumpkin. Hamburger is about $4.50 a pound and chicken isn’t much cheaper. Gas is about $5.00 a gallon. When you convert most things from New Zealand dollars to US dollars they are about the same. When you go to the grocery store, they have most things you need but in the US we are used to having several varieties of things to choose from. There may only be one option and it may be more expensive. They have Oreos but they are about $5 for a small box. Jack and I drove about 10 miles to Hornby to shop the other night. (Hornby is a western suburb of Christchurch.) Of course we stopped at the MacDonalds there for dinner. After, we commented on how spoiled we are as Americans. Of our food, we expect several varieties to choose from and at very low prices. We spend about the least amount on our food of any country in the world. Or as the Animal Scientist would say, “10% of the people grow 100% of the food.”
It looks like a beautiful day. We have students coming over for dinner. I will make lasagna because I actually found two pans that would fit in the oven. If I put salad in the big cooking pot, I can serve dessert on the cookie sheet. There is a yard sale in town tomorrow. If I take my measuring tape, maybe I can pick up a few more pans to cook something different the next time. It just needs to be able to fit in a small oven and a small refrigerator. We’re getting creative.
Having been in New Zealand for a week, I have realized some amazing things. There aren’t bugs here. I had to run to the bank yesterday and while I was sitting there this tiny little moth was flitting around. The lady was annoyed but I’m thinking, “be careful, this is an endangered species.” The windows don’t have screens on them. Even at the bishop’s house last Sunday, he had sliding glass doors in the living room that went out to the back yard. I guess they are open just about all the time. I occasionally see a spider web but I’ve only seen one tiny spider. Someone said they have a lot more bugs on the west coast. I’ll let you know when we go there.
It rained yesterday…all day. If we had been in Cedar we would have been concerned about flash flooding. We probably got about 2-3 inches. It seems the pattern is: one overcast day, one rainy day, one sunny day. Today the sun is out and all the windows in the flat have condensation on them. We are to occasionally open all the windows which helps with the condensation. I will probably be washing the windows on a regular basis to keep the mold down. Luckily my allergies are pollens. I haven’t had any problems with allergies so far.
Interesting finds: I can’t find graham crackers. They don’t seem to have canned pumpkin. Hamburger is about $4.50 a pound and chicken isn’t much cheaper. Gas is about $5.00 a gallon. When you convert most things from New Zealand dollars to US dollars they are about the same. When you go to the grocery store, they have most things you need but in the US we are used to having several varieties of things to choose from. There may only be one option and it may be more expensive. They have Oreos but they are about $5 for a small box. Jack and I drove about 10 miles to Hornby to shop the other night. (Hornby is a western suburb of Christchurch.) Of course we stopped at the MacDonalds there for dinner. After, we commented on how spoiled we are as Americans. Of our food, we expect several varieties to choose from and at very low prices. We spend about the least amount on our food of any country in the world. Or as the Animal Scientist would say, “10% of the people grow 100% of the food.”
It looks like a beautiful day. We have students coming over for dinner. I will make lasagna because I actually found two pans that would fit in the oven. If I put salad in the big cooking pot, I can serve dessert on the cookie sheet. There is a yard sale in town tomorrow. If I take my measuring tape, maybe I can pick up a few more pans to cook something different the next time. It just needs to be able to fit in a small oven and a small refrigerator. We’re getting creative.
Monday, February 15, 2010
We have a car!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Yes, Jack and I are the proud owner of a car. We are now mobile. We went practice driving this evening. Jack is a bit more confident than I am but I think we will do better as we go on. We drove part way to Christchurch. Tomorrow we may try to drive to another grocery store. We are to feed the CSU students on Friday. It has been a bit challenging to figure out a meal to serve. I am working with a small refrigerator, a small stove and limited ingredients. I think I am going to try lasagna. I do have two pans that will fit enough lasagna and will fit in my small stove. If I go with green salad and garlic bread, I think I can work it. Saturday there is a garage sale in town and I hope to add a few pans to my collection.
We bought a car from a Maori graduate student. We found the advertisement on one of the For Sale boards on campus. It is a 2003 Mazda but has a lot of miles. We got it for about $900 so we think it will work for the next 4 months. It is a station wagon. There are a lot of used cars in New Zealand. Apparently in Japan, after a car is five years old the registration gets really expensive so they ship their used cars to New Zealand. When you buy a car you look for it to be registered and have a “warranty of fitness.” Every six months, you have to take your car in and have it inspected. Our car was just inspected and looks good. The woman who sold it to us is the president of the Maori students on campus. It was a beautiful sunny day so I snapped a few pictures on my way to pick up Jack for a walk to town to get him a haircut.
Yes, Jack and I are the proud owner of a car. We are now mobile. We went practice driving this evening. Jack is a bit more confident than I am but I think we will do better as we go on. We drove part way to Christchurch. Tomorrow we may try to drive to another grocery store. We are to feed the CSU students on Friday. It has been a bit challenging to figure out a meal to serve. I am working with a small refrigerator, a small stove and limited ingredients. I think I am going to try lasagna. I do have two pans that will fit enough lasagna and will fit in my small stove. If I go with green salad and garlic bread, I think I can work it. Saturday there is a garage sale in town and I hope to add a few pans to my collection.
We bought a car from a Maori graduate student. We found the advertisement on one of the For Sale boards on campus. It is a 2003 Mazda but has a lot of miles. We got it for about $900 so we think it will work for the next 4 months. It is a station wagon. There are a lot of used cars in New Zealand. Apparently in Japan, after a car is five years old the registration gets really expensive so they ship their used cars to New Zealand. When you buy a car you look for it to be registered and have a “warranty of fitness.” Every six months, you have to take your car in and have it inspected. Our car was just inspected and looks good. The woman who sold it to us is the president of the Maori students on campus. It was a beautiful sunny day so I snapped a few pictures on my way to pick up Jack for a walk to town to get him a haircut.
I Love Libraries
Monday, February 15, 2010
Today Jack went to the office for the first time. Lincoln University has provided Jack with an office on campus. Jack was a bit nervous. A colleague from a previous year told him the department was a bit stand-offish. We did not feel that at all. The Head of Department took Jack to his office, complete with nice computer. Another professor invited Jack to a 5 day tour of the north island in April. He also needed help sorting sheep and asked Jack to come along. He had a wonderful afternoon. We were also able to get around campus a bit and visited the campus library and it is beautiful. It is an old building that has been renovated and added on at the back. As you walk in, the library has a nice arboretum in the middle. In fact, I thought I would just love to spend an hour or two occasionally going to the library to read. Jack was to get a library card which would allow him to get a campus password to get on the campus computer system; but not today, hopefully tomorrow. I was able to get to the Lincoln public library this afternoon. They were very kind to try to help me find information about Jane Rowntree. I found Charles Watson Rowntree’s death but no other information. I’ll keep looking.
Today Jack went to the office for the first time. Lincoln University has provided Jack with an office on campus. Jack was a bit nervous. A colleague from a previous year told him the department was a bit stand-offish. We did not feel that at all. The Head of Department took Jack to his office, complete with nice computer. Another professor invited Jack to a 5 day tour of the north island in April. He also needed help sorting sheep and asked Jack to come along. He had a wonderful afternoon. We were also able to get around campus a bit and visited the campus library and it is beautiful. It is an old building that has been renovated and added on at the back. As you walk in, the library has a nice arboretum in the middle. In fact, I thought I would just love to spend an hour or two occasionally going to the library to read. Jack was to get a library card which would allow him to get a campus password to get on the campus computer system; but not today, hopefully tomorrow. I was able to get to the Lincoln public library this afternoon. They were very kind to try to help me find information about Jane Rowntree. I found Charles Watson Rowntree’s death but no other information. I’ll keep looking.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day
Sunday, February 14, 2010
It is Sunday evening and we have had a nice day. The bishop’s father-in-law picked us up this morning to drive us to the Cashmere Ward building which is located on the south side of Christchurch. The drive took about 20 minutes. Christchurch is one stake. The ward is very friendly and welcomed us wonderfully well. It was nice to actually go to all the meetings and be with Jack. Isn’t it amazing how we are all the same worldwide? The ward is made up of all ages. We expected the Maori but there are also many Samoans and Tongans.
We bought a car yesterday and will get it licensed Tuesday or Wednesday. It is a 2003 Mazda with a lot of miles but a great price. I think it will be fine for five months. It is a station wagon and a bit larger than what we were looking at. I now hope we can get this driving on the other side of the road down.
Sims is in front of the cricket field. I guess the cricket season starts in about a month. We can walk through a hedge and sit on the benches right behind our house. We don’t know much about cricket but I guess we will learn. Lincoln University has about 4500 students, 45% are foreign students. We are realizing we have a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to a lot of different cultures. There was a young couple at church who came this week from Germany to attend Lincoln. We also met the woman over the students association who is LDS. We are really enjoying all we are meeting.
Jack and I have both mentioned how glad we are to be together on this excursion. There was a professor a couple of years ago who left his family home and came by himself. We can’t even imagine that. We have enjoyed the time together. The students come this week and there are several days of orientations. I hope to take many more pictures to show you where we are.
Family, thank you for all your support the past several years. Jack and I feel so blessed to be able to come here. We will keep writing.
Love ya!
It is Sunday evening and we have had a nice day. The bishop’s father-in-law picked us up this morning to drive us to the Cashmere Ward building which is located on the south side of Christchurch. The drive took about 20 minutes. Christchurch is one stake. The ward is very friendly and welcomed us wonderfully well. It was nice to actually go to all the meetings and be with Jack. Isn’t it amazing how we are all the same worldwide? The ward is made up of all ages. We expected the Maori but there are also many Samoans and Tongans.
We bought a car yesterday and will get it licensed Tuesday or Wednesday. It is a 2003 Mazda with a lot of miles but a great price. I think it will be fine for five months. It is a station wagon and a bit larger than what we were looking at. I now hope we can get this driving on the other side of the road down.
Sims is in front of the cricket field. I guess the cricket season starts in about a month. We can walk through a hedge and sit on the benches right behind our house. We don’t know much about cricket but I guess we will learn. Lincoln University has about 4500 students, 45% are foreign students. We are realizing we have a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to a lot of different cultures. There was a young couple at church who came this week from Germany to attend Lincoln. We also met the woman over the students association who is LDS. We are really enjoying all we are meeting.
Jack and I have both mentioned how glad we are to be together on this excursion. There was a professor a couple of years ago who left his family home and came by himself. We can’t even imagine that. We have enjoyed the time together. The students come this week and there are several days of orientations. I hope to take many more pictures to show you where we are.
Family, thank you for all your support the past several years. Jack and I feel so blessed to be able to come here. We will keep writing.
Love ya!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Loose Ends Finalized
Saturday, February 13, 2010 (am)
After the first few days of scrambling to get things started, we finally feel that today we can take a breath and enjoy. The first day we were here we decided, rather than sleep, we would try to get as much done as possible. First, the CSU phone we were given to use here in New Zealand would not work and no one we called could answer our questions. Next, the adaptors we brought would not work so using the computer was not an option. Then we went to the bank to open a checking account with the certified check we brought from our bank. The bank here has had problems with US checks so they will need to send the check back to the US to verify funds, so we don’t have access to our money for a month. It was kind of a lonely feeling that first night to go to bed without a way to call home, a way to email home, or a way to get money.
But a good night’s sleep helped a lot. We rode the bus to Hornby, a little village, to take the phone to the Vodaphone store. The young man promptly diagnosed the problem. We had been given the wrong phone number. He immediately fixed the problem and handed us the phone. Not only was there $59 credit on the phone, we can call a land-line in the US for only $2 for an hour. We will have to Skype Coy and Tyler. We walked across the street from the mall to a little electronics store who had the few adaptors we needed. Two problems solved. Next we called our US banks to see if we could access other funds we had in the US to tide us over. Our bank here said we should have brought traveler’s checks, but we were told that was bad. After all the banking I did to come here, not one time did anyone tell me I was to contact all credit/debit cards to tell them we were out of the country so our cards wouldn’t be flagged. We’ve had to do that as well. Moving anywhere is such a headache. Luckily the New Zealand people have been so kind and they speak English…at least most times we think they do.
We have a nice little flat (apartment). I would call it a tri-plex. “Sims” in what the complex is called and we live in Sims 3. It is small but adequate. You walk into a small kitchen, then a living room with nice television. Off to the left is a small room, an office. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, and a small bathroom in between. The bed is nice and we have plenty of blankets to keep warm. There is no central heating but there are two portable radiator units; one on each floor. The first day we got here it was raining. It was cool. Jack wore his jacket. It was probably only 55 degrees but the moisture makes it feel chillier.
It is beautiful. We have walked quite a bit which is good for Jack and me. We plan to walk around campus tomorrow (Sunday). Things look much better.
After the first few days of scrambling to get things started, we finally feel that today we can take a breath and enjoy. The first day we were here we decided, rather than sleep, we would try to get as much done as possible. First, the CSU phone we were given to use here in New Zealand would not work and no one we called could answer our questions. Next, the adaptors we brought would not work so using the computer was not an option. Then we went to the bank to open a checking account with the certified check we brought from our bank. The bank here has had problems with US checks so they will need to send the check back to the US to verify funds, so we don’t have access to our money for a month. It was kind of a lonely feeling that first night to go to bed without a way to call home, a way to email home, or a way to get money.
But a good night’s sleep helped a lot. We rode the bus to Hornby, a little village, to take the phone to the Vodaphone store. The young man promptly diagnosed the problem. We had been given the wrong phone number. He immediately fixed the problem and handed us the phone. Not only was there $59 credit on the phone, we can call a land-line in the US for only $2 for an hour. We will have to Skype Coy and Tyler. We walked across the street from the mall to a little electronics store who had the few adaptors we needed. Two problems solved. Next we called our US banks to see if we could access other funds we had in the US to tide us over. Our bank here said we should have brought traveler’s checks, but we were told that was bad. After all the banking I did to come here, not one time did anyone tell me I was to contact all credit/debit cards to tell them we were out of the country so our cards wouldn’t be flagged. We’ve had to do that as well. Moving anywhere is such a headache. Luckily the New Zealand people have been so kind and they speak English…at least most times we think they do.
We have a nice little flat (apartment). I would call it a tri-plex. “Sims” in what the complex is called and we live in Sims 3. It is small but adequate. You walk into a small kitchen, then a living room with nice television. Off to the left is a small room, an office. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, and a small bathroom in between. The bed is nice and we have plenty of blankets to keep warm. There is no central heating but there are two portable radiator units; one on each floor. The first day we got here it was raining. It was cool. Jack wore his jacket. It was probably only 55 degrees but the moisture makes it feel chillier.
It is beautiful. We have walked quite a bit which is good for Jack and me. We plan to walk around campus tomorrow (Sunday). Things look much better.
5:15 a.m. New Zealand time
Thursday, February 11, 2010
WE ARE HERE! We just arrived in Auckland. It is 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday in Colorado. Yes, we just lost a day. We flew Air New Zealand. The plane ride was a bit bumpy; not in a nauseous kind of way but a side-to-side lulling kind of way. The seats were extra wide and I had enough leg room to stretch completely out. I’m not a fan of sitting up to sleep and I didn’t sleep much but I rested well. I think of my entire extended air plane traveling experiences, this is the best. We could watch any number of films. I watching one last night (Michael Jackson’s This is it) and a few short travel films on Christchurch this morning. They fed us a nice dinner a couple of hours into the flight and woke us up with a nice breakfast this morning. The flight was 12 hours almost exactly. Since it was dark when we left and dark when we landed I never had to look out the window at water…just a little anxiety issue. As we got off the plane, the humidity was immediately felt. We had to go through security again but our big suitcases were checked through to Christchurch. Security is always interesting with the “bionic man” I travel with (i.e. heart and hip) but the people here were extremely kind. We are now waiting for our next flight which will take us from Auckland to Christchurch. I think it leaves at 7:00 a.m. We are sitting in some comfortable chairs in the middle of shops in a very nice, clean airport. On my right is a Burger King but along the left are bookstores, New Zealand shops, etc. So far I feel comfortable and not tired, but keep in mind that to my body it is 9:00 in the morning. This is the usually time I finally wake up even though I have been up for hours. I’m sure Jack and I will be going to bed early tonight.
WE ARE HERE! We just arrived in Auckland. It is 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday in Colorado. Yes, we just lost a day. We flew Air New Zealand. The plane ride was a bit bumpy; not in a nauseous kind of way but a side-to-side lulling kind of way. The seats were extra wide and I had enough leg room to stretch completely out. I’m not a fan of sitting up to sleep and I didn’t sleep much but I rested well. I think of my entire extended air plane traveling experiences, this is the best. We could watch any number of films. I watching one last night (Michael Jackson’s This is it) and a few short travel films on Christchurch this morning. They fed us a nice dinner a couple of hours into the flight and woke us up with a nice breakfast this morning. The flight was 12 hours almost exactly. Since it was dark when we left and dark when we landed I never had to look out the window at water…just a little anxiety issue. As we got off the plane, the humidity was immediately felt. We had to go through security again but our big suitcases were checked through to Christchurch. Security is always interesting with the “bionic man” I travel with (i.e. heart and hip) but the people here were extremely kind. We are now waiting for our next flight which will take us from Auckland to Christchurch. I think it leaves at 7:00 a.m. We are sitting in some comfortable chairs in the middle of shops in a very nice, clean airport. On my right is a Burger King but along the left are bookstores, New Zealand shops, etc. So far I feel comfortable and not tired, but keep in mind that to my body it is 9:00 in the morning. This is the usually time I finally wake up even though I have been up for hours. I’m sure Jack and I will be going to bed early tonight.
6:30 p.m. Los Angeles time
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
I won’t be able to post this until I have internet but I will write along the way. I am sitting in the international terminal in Los Angeles. We got 4 bags (two each for Jack and me) through security at about as close to 50 pounds each as one possibly could. We had to readjust a few books at the last minute. Jack and I are notorious for bringing way too many books. But it is always nice to bring along a few friends. Wish family was just as easy…put them in that side compartment at the last minute. I have called both our boys to say so long and I find myself with a little time. I haven’t had any of those “Oh my gosh, I forgot…” moments yet. In adjusting for weight I pulled things out and put things back so I may get unpacking and realize what I did forget. I also find myself thinking that Jack and I might not have been here if his health had not improved. What a gift we have been given, and in a way, I wonder if we are supposed to do something important. It is always nice to leave a place better than when you found it. I hope I can say this when I leave New Zealand
I won’t be able to post this until I have internet but I will write along the way. I am sitting in the international terminal in Los Angeles. We got 4 bags (two each for Jack and me) through security at about as close to 50 pounds each as one possibly could. We had to readjust a few books at the last minute. Jack and I are notorious for bringing way too many books. But it is always nice to bring along a few friends. Wish family was just as easy…put them in that side compartment at the last minute. I have called both our boys to say so long and I find myself with a little time. I haven’t had any of those “Oh my gosh, I forgot…” moments yet. In adjusting for weight I pulled things out and put things back so I may get unpacking and realize what I did forget. I also find myself thinking that Jack and I might not have been here if his health had not improved. What a gift we have been given, and in a way, I wonder if we are supposed to do something important. It is always nice to leave a place better than when you found it. I hope I can say this when I leave New Zealand
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
One Week to Go
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Today I posted on my blog for the first time. I had written my first entry last week but couldn’t figure out the blog process. I am doing a blog for several reasons. First; I realize many of you reading this will not get to New Zealand. Could it be the $1500+ airfare or the 22 hours it takes to get there? Both can be “deal breakers.” Either way, this can be your virtual New Zealand experience. Second, I have thought a blog with students in a classroom could be a fun way to get them to writing and responding to others writing. So you are my guinea pigs as I try to maneuver my way around a blog, adding pictures as well.
We leave in a week and we are getting down to the “nitty-gritty.” Jack just finished up his class Monday and traveled on business yesterday. He is home madly doing taxes. I am “making a list and checking it twice:” pick up the lawnmower tire that always goes flat, get five months of dog food, get someone to fix the fireplace that just started acting up, take that last group of clothes to the dry cleaners hoping they can get them done by next Tuesday, arranging five months of prescriptions, etc. We set out the suitcases this morning to add as we think about things. I will continually remind myself that we are not going to a third-world-country. I’m sure I can get many things in New Zealand. We are allotted two fifty-pound bags. How do those missionaries do it? Well, I’m off.
Tah Tah
Robynn
Today I posted on my blog for the first time. I had written my first entry last week but couldn’t figure out the blog process. I am doing a blog for several reasons. First; I realize many of you reading this will not get to New Zealand. Could it be the $1500+ airfare or the 22 hours it takes to get there? Both can be “deal breakers.” Either way, this can be your virtual New Zealand experience. Second, I have thought a blog with students in a classroom could be a fun way to get them to writing and responding to others writing. So you are my guinea pigs as I try to maneuver my way around a blog, adding pictures as well.
We leave in a week and we are getting down to the “nitty-gritty.” Jack just finished up his class Monday and traveled on business yesterday. He is home madly doing taxes. I am “making a list and checking it twice:” pick up the lawnmower tire that always goes flat, get five months of dog food, get someone to fix the fireplace that just started acting up, take that last group of clothes to the dry cleaners hoping they can get them done by next Tuesday, arranging five months of prescriptions, etc. We set out the suitcases this morning to add as we think about things. I will continually remind myself that we are not going to a third-world-country. I’m sure I can get many things in New Zealand. We are allotted two fifty-pound bags. How do those missionaries do it? Well, I’m off.
Tah Tah
Robynn
Preparations
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
In two weeks we leave for Christchurch, New Zealand. Except for getting our visa information together, there have been those details that come with leaving your home for 4 ½ months. It appears that Lincoln University has a two bedroom flat for us, furnished, at Sims Hall on the Lincoln campus. What does furnished mean? The international study person at CSU, Kristi, said our cleanliness and theirs is sometimes different, so I suppose that cleaning the apartment may be the first thing I do. One of the previous professors told us about a new grocery store close by that was just finished. That will be nice. When we get there in February, it is like August in this hemisphere. But by the time we leave, it will be like December here. So it is going to be cold. Supposedly New Zealanders don’t build like we do and don’t insulate their buildings, so it is cold in the apartments. It makes me want to take my heated mattress pad and down-comforter. But I figure New Zealand it a great place to get wool blankets. I think we will be fine.
I wonder what it will be like? The driving is going to be strange. We plan to buy a car. I am looking forward to living close to the ocean. I was on the web yesterday looking at hiking trails. I think Jack and I should take a hike every Saturday; try to see as much of the island as we possibly can. There are several national parks from tropical to snowy mountains.
I also plan to look up Jane Rowntree’s three sisters who were left behind when she came to the United States in the 1870’s. She was my great Grandmother Thorley. I will carry with me a book of hers she received from the Papanui schools when she was a girl. She won a first place for sewing. Schools have changed a lot in a hundred and forty years. I am looking forward to discovering an unknown branch of my family.
Onward and upward.
Robynn
In two weeks we leave for Christchurch, New Zealand. Except for getting our visa information together, there have been those details that come with leaving your home for 4 ½ months. It appears that Lincoln University has a two bedroom flat for us, furnished, at Sims Hall on the Lincoln campus. What does furnished mean? The international study person at CSU, Kristi, said our cleanliness and theirs is sometimes different, so I suppose that cleaning the apartment may be the first thing I do. One of the previous professors told us about a new grocery store close by that was just finished. That will be nice. When we get there in February, it is like August in this hemisphere. But by the time we leave, it will be like December here. So it is going to be cold. Supposedly New Zealanders don’t build like we do and don’t insulate their buildings, so it is cold in the apartments. It makes me want to take my heated mattress pad and down-comforter. But I figure New Zealand it a great place to get wool blankets. I think we will be fine.
I wonder what it will be like? The driving is going to be strange. We plan to buy a car. I am looking forward to living close to the ocean. I was on the web yesterday looking at hiking trails. I think Jack and I should take a hike every Saturday; try to see as much of the island as we possibly can. There are several national parks from tropical to snowy mountains.
I also plan to look up Jane Rowntree’s three sisters who were left behind when she came to the United States in the 1870’s. She was my great Grandmother Thorley. I will carry with me a book of hers she received from the Papanui schools when she was a girl. She won a first place for sewing. Schools have changed a lot in a hundred and forty years. I am looking forward to discovering an unknown branch of my family.
Onward and upward.
Robynn
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