hearts abroad
The dream of an adventure abroad that began before we were married is transpiring into reality. While we feel blessed and excited to be embarking on this adventure to New Zealand, we know that we will dearly miss our family and friends in Canada. We hope that through this blog, you can somehow share in our experiences and journeys.Campervans, tandem bikes, bocce & beaches: An epic East Cape expedition with Matt & Amy
A long-awaited Neilson-Cairns reunion has finally become reality!
It has been so special to reconnect with our dear friends, Matt and Amy Cairns, and share some grand times and exploits together in this glorious land flowing with milk, honey, and fish & chips.
We just got back from a epic, week-long camping adventure to NZ’s East Cape. With our little Peugeot packed nearly to the rafters, the four of us ventured Eastward with thirst in our souls for escapades to tell the grandkids about someday.
Prior to our trip, we had spoken to many people who raved of the beauty of NZ’s Eastern regions, but had never been. Being a bit off the beaten track of the usual North Island traffic flow, it is truly only those who intentionally make the journey East that get to experience its glorious splendor.
Full of its own unique quirks and beauty, and rich in Maori history, the East Cape certainly didn’t disappoint.
A large part of the drive along the East Cape is directly along the coastline, making for countless beaching possibilities and endless photo ops. Not wanting to rush our journey, we took the opportunity to stop in most towns and villages along the way to explore various landmarks and uncover hidden gems.
Some stunning historic wharves, beautiful churches, and intricate Maori carvings were just a few of the treasures we stumbled upon.
We celebrated the two year anniversary of our arrival in NZ by being the first in the world to greet the sun on the morning of January 19, 2012. Not sure what time the sun would rise, we thought we’d ask a local. The cashier at the grocery store told us it rose around 4:30 or 4:45am, but that we also needed to consider that the lighthouse was a good 800 stair climb. Determined not to miss the sunrise, we departed our campsite at 3:30am, and had arrived at the lighthouse and climbed to the top by 4:10am. We were greeted with a black sky full of stars, as the rotating light of the lighthouse swirled above us. It was magical. And magical it was for about another hour and a half… until the blackness was invaded by pastel colors on the horizon.
We were fairly chilled and drowsy by the time the sun finally made its appearance around 6:15am, but it was sure worth it. Had the woman at the grocery store not given us an extra early estimate of when the sun would rise, we may have missed out on experiencing the wonder of the East Cape lighthouse and night sky at 4am… so I suppose it all worked out for the best in the end.
To be continued…
High School Reunions.
Hooray for high school reunions on the other side of the world! This past week held a reunion for myself and a girl I graduated from Paul Kane High School with. Karley and I hadn’t spent much time together in our high school days, but we sure had a great time catching up, reminiscing, and hanging out the past few days.
Karley and her husband, Landon, were in NZ for a week, to kick off a few months of worldwide travel and adventure. Through several mutual friends (*thanks Natasha, Dan, and Mark & Laurel), we got reconnected, and were so thrilled for the chance to hang out with this fantastic duo.
We began our first date with a picnic (as most first dates do), then caught the sunset from the top of One Tree Hill. The sights were magical, and the company spectacular.
After returning from a few rainy days outside of Auckland, we boarded a Fullers ferry with Karley and Landon, and were off on an excursion to Waiheke Island.
We were greeted with sunshine, and visited a number of beautiful vineyards where we tasted some superb wines.
The boys went took a dip in the rolling waves at Onetangi Beach, while the girls beached and soaked in some rare moments of sunshine. (Have I mentioned this has been one rainy and dreary summer in Auckland? I try not to complain too much, but I think maybe we have had 3 days of sunshine so far. So you’ve really got to take advantage of the sun when it makes an appearance!) We had visited Waiheke once before with Mark and Laurel, but it was winter and raining that day. I have to say that it’s slightly more pleasant to visit the island when it’s not pouring rain.
We had such a great time getting to know these two, and had lot of fun together. We are really grateful for the chances we have had to meet and cross paths with individuals we may not have gotten to know otherwise.
Karley and Landon are now off to the land of kangaroos and Vegemite, to visit friends in Australia, and then will venture off to Southeast Asia. We have a feeling this certainly won’t be the last we see of these two!
The Northern Cape
Following our Christmas Day camping on the Karikari Peninsula, we continued our journey upward to explore the northernmost parts of New Zealand for the first time. In just a few hours, we had reached Cape Reinga, the northwesternmost most tip of NZ’s North Island.
Cape Reinga is significant not only because of its geographical location, but it is an important and special place within in the Maori culture, as it is regarded as the departing place of spirits.
We arrived to darkened skies, just as I had imagined. Cape Reinga was stunning. Though there were a lot of people there, the crowds parted at one point and I miraculously snapped this shot of the signpost and lighthouse, absent of other human beings.
Although Cape Reinga is commonly thought of as being the northernmost point of the North Island, North Cape’s Surville Cliffs, located 30 km east of Cape Reinga, are actually slightly further north. Another headland just to the west of Cape Reinga, Cape Maria van Diemen (pictured above), was discovered and named by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman during his 1642 journey and thought of by him to be the northernmost point.
Something that’s pretty neat about visiting Cape Reinga is that you can see the two oceans come together: The Tasman Sea to the left, and the Pacific Ocean to the right. You can literally see the opposing forces of oceans collide, as in the photo above.
There was excellent signage along the way to explain various aspects of and historical facts about the area.
Cape Reinga is a destination of great beauty and significance to the Maori culture. It was very special to visit this place. And neat to look out and know that our family and friends in Canada were just on the other side of this little body of water called the Pacific Ocean.
A bright 2012.
2012 is upon us, and looking bright! We rang in the New Year last night in downtown Auckland, under the Sky Tower. At midnight, a round of blazing fireworks were set off from atop the tower, and we were in perfect viewing position (although our necks were a little sore from looking up.)
Earlier that evening, we enjoyed a stellar 4 course meal prepared by our Canadian friend, Tanya, and two other lovely Canadian gals, Nadia and Veronica. A spectacular way to welcome 2012!
2011 was a phenomenal year, with many blessings and memorable times. A highlight for Brendon was being accepted into the PhD program, and a highlight for myself was printing my first postcard set. Communal highlights include times with loved ones who crossed the Pacific Ocean for a visit, as well as our trips to Melbourne and Queenstown. As we stare into the dark void of 2012, it appears it’s actually not so dark after all.
In just 4 weeks, I will take on a new class of Y5/6 students, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting already. While I am definitely content with savoring my summer break at the moment, I am also looking forward to the challenge of another year of teaching ahead. In July of this year, I am due to receive my full registration as a teacher in NZ, which will hopefully transfer over or mean something when we return to Canada, but I have yet to verify this.
With two weddings scheduled for for early 2012, I am pumped about the way my photography business is going. My passion for photography only continues to grow and expand, and I have been thrilled with the numerous opportunities I have had recently to photograph people. Being someone who highly values photographs, I find a lot of joy in being able to give people the gift of photos that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Brendon is currently plugging away at the first chapter of his thesis. He aims to finish the first chapter this month, then present it in front of a post-grad committee in February. If all goes as planned, Brendon will officially be a PhD candidate.
And in a couple of weeks, we look forward to a visit from our dear friends, Matt and Amy Cairns! We have some awesome adventures planned for our time together, and are stoked for a Neilson-Cairns reunion.
As we look back on a 2011 that has been very good to us, we realize it has not been so good for everyone, including the people of Christchurch. Here’s hope for a year without earthquakes and the courage to move on or start over after many lives have been overturned, yet again, by the movement of tectonic plates.
Thinking of family and friends in North America as they ring in the New Year this evening. Sending love across the Pacific, and wishing you all a 2012 filled with adventure, growth, yummy food, and good coffee.
A Kiwi sort of Christmas.
It was the night before Christmas and all through the tent, not a peg was missing, and not a pole bent.
The citronella candle gave a scent to the air, in hopes that the mossies would soon not be there.
My wife in her jumper and I in my shorts, had just settled down when we heard a noise of sorts.
A rustle outside… could it be a possum? Or a wild hedgehog… now that would be awesome!
We fell soundly asleep to the sounds of the sea, waves crashing ashore just meters from me.
When morning came, I awoke to a sight: A miniature tree in the bright sunlight.
Adorned with hearts and a girl with some poi, I knew that I must be an extremely lucky boy.
The sun shone down upon gifts below, messages from loved ones surrounded by snow.
After a savory scramble and a slice toast, we were off to the beach that Mel loves the most!
Maitai Bay is a gem of place, where the water is turquoise and warm on your face.
Lathered in sunscreen, we took to the waves, where we swam and floated in conditions one craves.
Then back to our camp for a Christmas feast: grilled mushrooms, asparagus, and pork tenderloin, at least.
We raised our glasses and in good cheer, said, “Merry Christmas to all, and to the Southern Hemisphere!”
Hot weather, beaches, kids on scooters, ice cream. It feels exactly like… Christmas?
I would like to begin this blog post with a quote from my incredible Kiwi friend, Beatrice.
We were walking down the street in the beach town of Pauanui a couple of months ago, and she said something like, “Look at the kids on scooters! It is starting to feel like Christmas!”
Summer/Christmas is upon us here once again in the Southern Hemisphere. This combination still feels odd to us, and according to a parent in my class who migrated here over 10 years ago from Ireland, it can take decades to get used to it. While we are looking forward to cozy and magical white Christmases of North America again someday, we have decided to embrace the season over here and head out on a Christmas camping adventure. For the next week, we will be living like the Kiwis do: camping, beaching, and enjoying the beauty of New Zealand’s northernmost places.
Love we send to our families- we wish we could be with you guys on this occasion that is special to all of us. And love we send to friends- thinking especially of those who will be celebrating first Christmases with little babes… and who are expecting new babes very soon!
Whichever continent you find yourself on, wishing you much love & peace as you celebrate the meaning of Christmas in ways traditional or not so traditional.
Love Brendon & Mel
Advent wreath, a modern take.
Growing up, one of our family traditions around Christmas, and particularly the season of Advent leading up to Christmas, was the lighting of an Advent wreath at family meal times. I have fond memories of the soft glow of candles, arguments over who got to light and blow out the candles, and picking hardened wax off of the greenery on the wreath.
This year, I wanted to bring back the tradition of the advent wreath in our home, and found inspiration for a modern take on the advent wreath online.
While it’s not very traditional with its red candles and lack of greenery, I am enjoying this creation and the things it calls us to reflect upon.
To make this modern version of an advent wreath, all you need are 4 wine bottles, white spray paint, some ribbon/string, and a small amount of cardstock- both plain and patterned.
Cover each wine bottle with two coats of spraypaint, then let dry. Create tags from the cardstock, layering a smaller white tag on top of a larger one that is colored or patterned. After hole punching, fasten the tag to a ribbon or string which can be tied or draped around the bottle- there are infinite ways to do this- get creative! Shave down four pillar candles so the bases fit into the mouth of the bottles.
To make your advent wreath extra-portable, place on a tray so it can be easily moved off the table to an alternate location when more space is needed. This advent wreath is also easily disposable and can be recycled if you havn’t got the space to store it!
I’ve been looking around for some good Advent meditations and reading to do with this season of waiting, and so far have come across some shorter, more liturgical advent meditations, along with some contemplative art and reflections by artist/writer/minister Jan L. Richardson through The Advent Door.
If anyone has any other suggestions for good Advent resources, I would love to hear about them!
School year experiences.
I love this time in the school year. Reports are in (after 60 plus hours of work). Marks are entered. The pool is open. Year end celebrations are planned. Summer is (almost) here. Both kids and teachers can taste the excitement of the impending summer holidays, but have to wait two more weeks to fully seize its goodness.
Though I am definitely looking forward to Christmas break, it has truly been a phenomenal school year. A was entrusted with a very special group of kind, crafty, enthusiastic students this year who most definitely grew very dear to my heart. We shared a lot of awesome times together over the past 10 months, but one that stands out in particular was a recent fieldtrip.
As part of our social studies unit, “Connect + Contribute = Community,” I recently had the pleasure of taking my gorgeous class on a fieldtrip to visit another school in South Auckland. Prior to our visit, we began first by researching the school as our focus community, and then communicating by email with another class of Y5/6 students.
Our visit to the South Auckland school ended up being an even greater success than I had hoped. It was a really neat experience for my students to visit another school community, especially one much more culturally diverse than their own. Though I think everyone was a little nervous at first, the two classes warmed up to each other, and we were made to feel very welcome by both students and staff in this very special South Auckland school.
The day began with some introductions and a collabroative art project. This was followed by a sharing of dance: We taught the other class a hip hop dance, and they taught us a Samoan dance. The kids did a fantastic job of taking leadership of this component and did all the teaching themselves!
The exciting announcement that our home-made pinatas hanging in a tree lit up eyes and grew huge smiles on faces. While it was probably the highlight of the day for many, this operation was quickly shut down when numerous injuries resulted from the uninhibited lunging for lollies.
After a tasty and enlightening shared lunch where students had the opportunity to try many foods that were new to them, including taro and chop suey, we spend the final part of our day doing some buddy reading with younger classes under a tree.
The whole experience was truly special. I got some great pics of the children interacting, and really wish I could share them with you so you can see their gorgeous faces! It was truly beautiful watching the kids form friendships with one another. After taking some time to debrief with my class, it is neat to know that they did get some awesome learning and new understandings out of it too. Here are some of the things my students had to say…
“I learned different types of things to do to make new people at our school feel welcome.”
“The highlight of the trip was learning the Samoan dance because my partner encouraged me to come up to the front and just do it!”
“I feel more confident about meeting new people now.”
“I feel more appreciative of other cultures.”
I think it will be an experience that none of us will ever forget!
School fair.
‘Tis the season of the fair here in NZ- school fairs, church fairs, strawberry fairs, fairs of all sorts. This past weekend, Mel’s school had their annual fair, and it went down with great success, despite slightly unstable weather conditions.
This school fair has developed quite a reputation as being one of the biggest around. It is the primary fundraising opportunity for this educational institution- being a Decile 10 school, they don’t receive as much funding as lower decile schools, and therefore must do more to raise funds to cover the costs of various resources.
If you were a 5 year old kid, highlights of the fair would have included the bouncy castles, horizontal and vertical bungees, being pulled around on a cart by some very large, drooling dogs, or decorating your own baked good at the “Ice It, Eat It” stall. If you were an 11 year old kid, you probably got a kick out of throwing a ball at a dishware of donated plates and other ceramic dishwear, otherwise known as “Smash Palace,” or getting revenge on your teacher at the dunk tank. Adults, on the other hand, would probably be more into the food.
Brendon had a hard time choosing between the samosas and the paella, so opted instead for this tasty, gourmet sausage.
Brandon also got into the quick fire raffle for a chance to win a Thanksmas ham. Sadly, luck was not on his side.
Candy floss was messy business, but brought smiles to the faces of kids and adults alike. Below, Kristen models her wad of the pink, fluffy stuff as well as her budding belly bump! Congrats to Brandon and Kristen for the little Goodkey that is on the way!
After running between hip hop crew and staff dance performances, to the quick fire raffle and helping out in the used book stall, I sadly didn’t have time to take as many pictures as I would have liked, but here are a few more glimpses of some of the delights of this past weekend’s school fair.
Long live the French (vehicle)
After a timing belt issue on the motorway with our dear Suzuki Alto, we knew it was probably time to let her go. Baby Shea has been good to us, but she is getting old and needs someone more mechanically inclined with love to give to take her in and fix some of her ailments. Up she went on TradeMe, and 2 days later, a delightful Yugoslavian man came to look at her and fell in love. Was he the mechanically-inclined person we were hoping for? No. But he has “experience driving bad cars back in Yugoslavia.” Oh my… He was a nice guy though, and we felt good about handing Baby Shea off to him.
The same day we sold our car, we picked up our new one: A dark green 94 Peugeot, which we scored via an online auction on TradeMe.
We were amazed and so thankful for how quickly the car dilemma was solved.
So far, the Peugeot is working great. We christened it with a roadtrip down to Pauanui in the Coromandel with Kyle and Bea this past weekend.
As for a name for this little foreigner, we are thinking maybe Pierre. Pierre the Peugeot… But we are open to suggestions if you have any.
Although NZ defeated the French in the RWC final, let’s hope this is not the case with our new vehicle. We’d like it to stick around in NZ at least as long as we do…
