If this hasn’t been a flavourful month, I don’t know what has. It’s been more of a month of growing than anything. I’ve walked into my flat a couple of times feeling like I didn’t belong there, because I’ve felt like a different person (not to mention I almost considered changing flats at one point). You can just be thankful and in praise that I am overcoming a lot in many areas of my life, though I can’t go into the specifics. This has required long times of thought, Rest, sadness, and highs. Thank God for my sister, who is an incredible support.Anyway, I’ll give you some highlights from the past month or so:
My job at the planetarium challenges me (in a good way!). I’m in the transition phase from being trained to being an actual presenter, now. Thankfully, they ease you into the process (it’s quite nerve-racking being up in front of 50 some odd people when you’re not used to it)- I’ve started by doing the introduction shpeel (i.e. safety precautions, turn of cell phones- thankfully, I’ve noticed I don’t speed up when I’m nervous, nowadays), and this week I’ll be presenting certain parts of the show. On June 23rd, I’ll be giving my own full blown show- yee haw! I’m excited. Some of the fun things of this job are learning astronomy in a new way- I get to chose what I want to say and how I want to say it (I get to be creative!); doing some clothes shopping (hey! I want to look snazzy and professional); and of course meeting lots of different kinds of people; plus, I get to fulfill my love of teaching!
I’ve joined a new life group (via church) that meets from 6:30-8 AM every fortnight, since I can’t be as committed to the other night one as I’d like. I really like this group- there are about seven of us from VERY different walks of life. Two of the adults have marriage partners who are unsaved, two are uni students, others are in between in the work world and single.
University lectures for semester one ended this past week. I dropped one (my first ever!) of my classes since it was a combination of two subjects and I completely wasn’t understanding one of them. I’ll try again next semester. I have no remorse over this. I see and know clearly it’s the best the Lord had for me. Now I get to take it independent study with two teachers I really like. Anyway, now I have a week to study before exams.
Cliff’s (my flatemate’s) parents (who own the flat) are visiting for a few weeks. Sometimes we have to work a bit at communication (they are both from Taiwan), but it’s so great cuz they are quite friendly and love to cook dinner for everyone.
Teaching choreography to choir has been a ball!
The US Ambassador for NZ came and spoke to US students studying at Auckland this past week. He told us about what his job involves and how great it is, and a bit about Kiwi/US relations. See pictures at www.michellesjourneys.com
I suppose the last thing I’d like to mention deals with my Kapa Haka class- you’ll remember this is the Maori performing arts class. We had our end of the semester performance on Tuesday night and a few of my friends came to watch- how kind! Go see the pictures at www.michellesjourneys.com. Anyway, our teacher is quite respectable and high up in the Kapa Haka world of New Zealand. There was a HUGE national Kapa Haka competition at the Town Hall downtown today (9AM to 8PM). Turns out, one of the groups representing Auckland had to drop out, so our teacher arranged it so that our class (even though most of us were beginners), got to take it’s place as a service to Auckland, and as a result, had the privelege to watch the remainder of the competition for free!!! (it’s $20 a ticket!) You should have seen the groups- they were all decked out in body- painting and costume and obviously had spent a long time practising. It reminded me of show choir competitions from high school. It was a great honour for our noncompetitive class to represent Auckland next to all these competitors. Usually all the performers are Maori, we were recognized for having three Americans and one from Germany- they actually had us come to the front and introduce ourselves. The whole audience was so supportive- one of my classmates suggested that it was a kindness for us foreigners to take interest in their culture, so they were appreciating us back. Kewl, eh?