It was a bit windy, but still a beautiful view of the Tasman.
Happy Easter weekend!
4.16.2012
Makara Bay
I mentioned that we had fantastic weather on Easter, and we actually had great weather all weekend. On Easter Monday, it was relatively clear and warm so Ryan and I decided to go to Makara Beach which overlooks the Tasman Sea. After a very crazy drive, in which I almost got sick going around all of those turns, we arrived!
It was a bit windy, but still a beautiful view of the Tasman.
Happy Easter weekend!
It was a bit windy, but still a beautiful view of the Tasman.
Happy Easter weekend!
4.10.2012
4th anniversary
This week we are celebrating our 4 year wedding anniversary!
(2007)
We found some good tickets a few months back and we are headed to Aussie for the next few days to celebrate. We are both pretty excited and can't believe it has been 4 years!
(2007)We found some good tickets a few months back and we are headed to Aussie for the next few days to celebrate. We are both pretty excited and can't believe it has been 4 years!
4.09.2012
un cafe
It has always been a dream of mine to work at a coffee shop and learn how to make coffee. And, let's be honest, I just love coffee :) There is a cafe at our church, in true Wellington style, and I have been a part of the team. And I've learned to make coffee! Not from a coffee machine, but real espresso coffees. It is fun, and the other day I made myself a moccha, start to finish!
My mom mentioned on skype today that if I can't find a job when we move back, I am now qualified (maybe) to work at Starbucks. And to be honest, that makes me pretty happy. I've always loved the idea of working at a coffee shop. Although I'm sure my little coffee shop bubble would burst the first time I had to show up for a 4:30am shift.
Anyway, that's one thing to check off the life to-do list!
My mom mentioned on skype today that if I can't find a job when we move back, I am now qualified (maybe) to work at Starbucks. And to be honest, that makes me pretty happy. I've always loved the idea of working at a coffee shop. Although I'm sure my little coffee shop bubble would burst the first time I had to show up for a 4:30am shift.
Anyway, that's one thing to check off the life to-do list!
4.08.2012
Easter
Happy Easter, what a beautiful day to celebrate our risen Savior! We started our morning at church, and a new friend joined us. Wang, from Vietnam, had never been to a church before and it was fun to see his excitement. He was even taking pictures on his phone. Afterward Ryan was talking to him about what he thought of the service, and he said Easter was his new favorite holiday.
After church, we walked home via the harbor, and it was nice and sunny. And I think everyone and their brother were out enjoying the sun.
So we stopped for some ice cream. Ha, a nice little Easter treat.
Later that night our friends Brandon and Jen were driving through Wellington so they stopped to stay the night with us. It was good to catch up with them and see more familiar faces. The holidays are definitely the hardest times to be away from home. But I'm grateful that the reason for celebrating Easter does not change no matter where we are. :)
After church, we walked home via the harbor, and it was nice and sunny. And I think everyone and their brother were out enjoying the sun.
So we stopped for some ice cream. Ha, a nice little Easter treat.
Later that night our friends Brandon and Jen were driving through Wellington so they stopped to stay the night with us. It was good to catch up with them and see more familiar faces. The holidays are definitely the hardest times to be away from home. But I'm grateful that the reason for celebrating Easter does not change no matter where we are. :)
4.07.2012
Good Friday
In New Zealand, Good Friday is a public holiday. What a beautiful thing! To celebrate, our friends Rob and Lindsay invited us over along with Johnny and Helina to partake in the tradition of hot cross buns. These were the first hot cross buns that I have ever had (which is unheard of), so I figured it required some documentation:
And I can see why they are an Easter tradition down here, they're delicious. After some great tea, buns, and company we had to head off because we needed to eat this:
Yum! Our team mate Sarah cooked an Easter dinner for us including the Indiana favorite, chicken and noodles. She and Ryan had been dreaming of this day for a long time, and it finally happened. And the whole team was there to participate as well :)
Daniel is enjoying the feast!
And Leigh was eating so fast he's a bit blurry.
Anyway, it was a fantastic day with delicious food. I'm so grateful to get to spend Easter with great friends when we aren't able to be with family.
And I can see why they are an Easter tradition down here, they're delicious. After some great tea, buns, and company we had to head off because we needed to eat this:
Yum! Our team mate Sarah cooked an Easter dinner for us including the Indiana favorite, chicken and noodles. She and Ryan had been dreaming of this day for a long time, and it finally happened. And the whole team was there to participate as well :)
Daniel is enjoying the feast!
And Leigh was eating so fast he's a bit blurry.
Anyway, it was a fantastic day with delicious food. I'm so grateful to get to spend Easter with great friends when we aren't able to be with family.
3.24.2012
a mountain race
Recently, Ryan ran in another race...only this one required climbing a mountain! Anyone else think he's nuts? He is always up for a challenge, and based on this picture, he was pretty excited!
Meanwhile, I found a cafe and had a nice coffee and read a bit. But he made it!
Afterward, he was a bit muddy.
New Zealand race #2 down, marathon next?
Meanwhile, I found a cafe and had a nice coffee and read a bit. But he made it!
Afterward, he was a bit muddy.
New Zealand race #2 down, marathon next?
3.12.2012
12th night
Well, a weather bomb was dropped on us. I'm still not exactly sure what that means, but that is what the weather man called it, and it was nasty outside! Flights were canceled, people locked their doors, hid their children, and Student Life had a kickoff bar-b-que! Naturally.
It was our secret plan to figure out who were our committed student leaders :) Just kidding, but students did brave the terrible weather to come hear about what we hope to see happen on campus this year. We were all soaked and sat around little heaters as we shared the importance of meeting students the first week of campus. They are troopers! We had 14 students come to our training, and each one is committed to serving the Lord and making an impact in Wellington this year. And what a blessing these students are! It made me smile as I looked around the room at everyone all wet and cold, but still trying to think of ways we can love the students on campus this year.
Anyway, as if we didn't learn our lesson in the morning, some girls and I decided to venture out later again that night to see a play.
(let me just note - this is summer. winter coats...and still technically summer. not complaining, just saying... ;) )
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. It was supposed to be at the Botanic Gardens, but fortunately it was moved to Old Saint Paul's Cathedral (due to the weather).
It is such a beautiful old wooden church. The play is hilarious, and we all had a great time.
So that is how we survived the 'weather bomb'. A cold, wet, nasty day. But that didn't stop these Wellingtonians from making the best of it!
Aren't they cute? :)
It was our secret plan to figure out who were our committed student leaders :) Just kidding, but students did brave the terrible weather to come hear about what we hope to see happen on campus this year. We were all soaked and sat around little heaters as we shared the importance of meeting students the first week of campus. They are troopers! We had 14 students come to our training, and each one is committed to serving the Lord and making an impact in Wellington this year. And what a blessing these students are! It made me smile as I looked around the room at everyone all wet and cold, but still trying to think of ways we can love the students on campus this year.
Anyway, as if we didn't learn our lesson in the morning, some girls and I decided to venture out later again that night to see a play.
(let me just note - this is summer. winter coats...and still technically summer. not complaining, just saying... ;) )Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. It was supposed to be at the Botanic Gardens, but fortunately it was moved to Old Saint Paul's Cathedral (due to the weather).
It is such a beautiful old wooden church. The play is hilarious, and we all had a great time.
So that is how we survived the 'weather bomb'. A cold, wet, nasty day. But that didn't stop these Wellingtonians from making the best of it!
Aren't they cute? :)
3.11.2012
3.10.2012
OTJ - Vic
Well, it is official. It is autumn here in Wellington and University is back! Victoria University started on March 5th, and we've been meeting a ton of students ever since. The first week back on campus is always clubs week, where we give out our jandals. This year, students filled out a spiritual interests survey online, so we were using laptops, ipads, and smart phones, which was fun.
We were able to chat with a lot of students. And had over a 1000 fill out a survey, which is exciting!
And we were even able to address some spiritual topics right there on the spot.
Ryan was a great candy man.
We sort of looked like an Apple ad as people walked by.
And giving out jandals!
Yay for the first week back!
We were able to chat with a lot of students. And had over a 1000 fill out a survey, which is exciting!
And we were even able to address some spiritual topics right there on the spot.
Ryan was a great candy man.
We sort of looked like an Apple ad as people walked by.
And giving out jandals!
Yay for the first week back!
3.05.2012
OTJ - Massey
It's that time of year! We try and meet as many students as possible and give away as many jandals as we can.
This year everything went digital - with only a few minor hiccups :)
Oh yeah, and we had some ice cream too :)
Not a bad day in the office, eh?
This year everything went digital - with only a few minor hiccups :)
Oh yeah, and we had some ice cream too :)
Not a bad day in the office, eh?
3.01.2012
Around the Bays
Ryan has been a little running machine as of late. He ran his first New Zealand half marathon recently (AMI Around the Bays), and did great!
It was such a beautiful morning on the waterfront as we waited for the race to begin. They honestly couldn't have had a better day for a race.
Here he is, ready to go. Ryan was so thoughtful and wore bright yellow so I would be able to pick him out of the crowd - only, a lot of people thought the same thing. Yellow was very popular!
And the starting line:
And the end, way to go!
He's already training for his next race, so watch out NZ...
It was such a beautiful morning on the waterfront as we waited for the race to begin. They honestly couldn't have had a better day for a race.
Here he is, ready to go. Ryan was so thoughtful and wore bright yellow so I would be able to pick him out of the crowd - only, a lot of people thought the same thing. Yellow was very popular!
And the starting line:
And the end, way to go!
He's already training for his next race, so watch out NZ...
2.28.2012
Staff time in Martinborough
Our staff team is finally together! Thank you to those of you that have been praying for Max to finish raising his support. The Lord has provided for him to be here another year, and he arrived back to NZ in the middle of February. We have loved having him back, and now our 2012 staff team is finally all in one place...just in time to plan for the year!
For us, the Uni year starts many weeks before students actually step on campus. As soon as we arrived back from Staff Conference this year, Ryan and I began prepping for the year. We spend a few weeks laying out the vision for the year, as well as developing roles for each of our staff. Ryan is great at doing those types of things, and I like to do the practical...like making a calendar and schedules - basically anything involving Excel.
Anyway, I'm rambling now...but we finished prepping just in time for our official staff planning weeks. Woohoo! We lock our staff team into a small room for hours and hours a day and suck as much out of their brains as possible. I am very grateful for Max and Cherie making coffee!
At the end of the week, our team, which had now spent 5 days total together, took a little team bonding trip to Martinborough:
I didn't take many photos actually, but I thought this little chapel was cute - in the middle of a sheep pasture.
One afternoon we visited my favorite winery. (side note, I seriously don't know how we always end up visiting a winery on team trips. None of us drink that much wine otherwise, but I guess it is a nice relaxing activity...anyway)
cheers!
You sit in the middle of an organic garden, and I saw artichokes! I don't know if I've ever seen them 'in bloom' before.
I am very excited for each member of our team this year! They are wonderful, and it will be fun to have 9 of us! I will have to tell you more about them soon, but we have been having a great time so far this year :)
For us, the Uni year starts many weeks before students actually step on campus. As soon as we arrived back from Staff Conference this year, Ryan and I began prepping for the year. We spend a few weeks laying out the vision for the year, as well as developing roles for each of our staff. Ryan is great at doing those types of things, and I like to do the practical...like making a calendar and schedules - basically anything involving Excel.
Anyway, I'm rambling now...but we finished prepping just in time for our official staff planning weeks. Woohoo! We lock our staff team into a small room for hours and hours a day and suck as much out of their brains as possible. I am very grateful for Max and Cherie making coffee!
At the end of the week, our team, which had now spent 5 days total together, took a little team bonding trip to Martinborough:
I didn't take many photos actually, but I thought this little chapel was cute - in the middle of a sheep pasture.
One afternoon we visited my favorite winery. (side note, I seriously don't know how we always end up visiting a winery on team trips. None of us drink that much wine otherwise, but I guess it is a nice relaxing activity...anyway)
cheers!
You sit in the middle of an organic garden, and I saw artichokes! I don't know if I've ever seen them 'in bloom' before.
I am very excited for each member of our team this year! They are wonderful, and it will be fun to have 9 of us! I will have to tell you more about them soon, but we have been having a great time so far this year :)
2.27.2012
Valentine's Day
What girl doesn't love celebrating Valentine's Day with a tea party!? Sarah (far right) hosted an afternoon tea for some of the Student Life ladies, and it was so fun. I love tea and crumpets!
Ryan and I spent Valentine's Day this year at the Carter Observatory. We tried to find an activity that didn't include eating :)
We watched a fun video at the observatory about constellations with a little valentine twist. I also forgot that those IMAX-type theaters make me motion sick. Am I the only one? Anyway, I couldn't watch the 2nd half of the video! Kind of a bummer, but at least I didn't have to awkwardly feel my way out of the dark theater in the middle of the show.
But, after the video, and after letting my tummy get back to normal, we took in the rest of the museum. And found this huge telescope! Too bad it was a cloudy night and the roof was closed, but this is now on my to-do list if we have a clear night in the next few months :)
Ryan and I spent Valentine's Day this year at the Carter Observatory. We tried to find an activity that didn't include eating :)
We watched a fun video at the observatory about constellations with a little valentine twist. I also forgot that those IMAX-type theaters make me motion sick. Am I the only one? Anyway, I couldn't watch the 2nd half of the video! Kind of a bummer, but at least I didn't have to awkwardly feel my way out of the dark theater in the middle of the show.
But, after the video, and after letting my tummy get back to normal, we took in the rest of the museum. And found this huge telescope! Too bad it was a cloudy night and the roof was closed, but this is now on my to-do list if we have a clear night in the next few months :)
2.13.2012
a date
There was a new, famous, highly sought after restaurant that opened up the coast. We decided to make the afternoon of it, and check it out.
A few of the Christmas trees are still in bloom, which is a treat, since most were finished blooming by the time we got back from Thailand.
We took the train up the coast.
All the way to Paraparaumu.
To have....Wendy's! Ha, this is a new thing in Wellington, and it's very exciting!
Chili, fries, burgers, chicken...and a frosty of course!
So delicious. And the sunset on the train ride home was beautiful.
Yes, I realize this is the second time I've posted about going to Wendy's in less than a year. We aren't even big fast-food people, but you've got to embrace the little things :) Another little piece of America right here in Wellington.
A few of the Christmas trees are still in bloom, which is a treat, since most were finished blooming by the time we got back from Thailand.
We took the train up the coast.
All the way to Paraparaumu.
To have....Wendy's! Ha, this is a new thing in Wellington, and it's very exciting!
Chili, fries, burgers, chicken...and a frosty of course!
So delicious. And the sunset on the train ride home was beautiful.
Yes, I realize this is the second time I've posted about going to Wendy's in less than a year. We aren't even big fast-food people, but you've got to embrace the little things :) Another little piece of America right here in Wellington.
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