Ok well I've been Tagged to do this so I guess I shall :)

1) TV/ Movie characters you relate to...humor wise maybe Ziva?

2) Three places you want to travel to - see if you can guess where these places are - I want to go to more than just 3 places but these are 3 of them - might possibly look at prizes for people who can guess 2/3 or more

A certain city

A particular place of a family member in a certain location

and return to visit a particular person and state

3) Hit shuffle on one music device (comatose) and list 3 songs

Other Side of the Radio - Chris Rice

This means War! - Petra

Lose Control (Live) - Rapture Ruckus

4) Daily must haves

-God

-Friends/sisters

-Music

-Chocolate

5) Things I'm confused about

-People

-Solutions

-Why my printer is currently printing everything that should be black, white - which is very interesting trying to read on white paper...

6) 3 random DVD's on your shelf

LoTR Trilogy (Extended Version!)

Law and Order

Get Smart

7) Three things you wish you'd known earlier

Just because a printer sounds like its printing properly and the paper is feeding through ok doesn't mean there will be ink on the page once it is removed

The computer will usually be demanded right when you're in the middle of studying on it - even if it's yours

and this one will make no sense but 2 and 2 can be combined to make 24 :)

8) If you HAD to date a celebrity who would it be?...I would have no idea

9) If you were a celebrity, what would it be for? probably keyboard - this is actually on the organ and was the first time Id ever tried playing it - plus I dont actually have the music - so its kinda rough sorry

And I don't think 'sirK has done this tag yet - so now she can :)

What's been happening

Well, its official.

As of 5.24 this morning I am officially 21.

I know what I got from my grandparents, my uncle and a few of my friends cause we've already had one of my 21st parties, but I have to wait another week to find out what mum and dad have in store for me

to be honest I didn't expect to have anything on today - I was just thinking bout having takeaways for dinner tonight, so that I could have a night off cooking, but then the children of the family who I catch a ride to church with remembered what was happening, so they phoned me up and invited me to their place for tea (they're both primary/elementary school age) Apparently they're both excited cause they're borrowing a keyboard - and they know I play - so I'm expecting they'll want me to listen to them on it too - so that should be good :)

Thanks to Kiwifruit for her comment, Katie for the facebook post and blog interview, Guitargirl for the blog mention and facebook gift, 'sirK for her blog post and everyone else who I've missed for your posts/comments :)

Earlier this week I had uni as usual. Cant wait for this semester to end. Just wish I could save more money for the summer hols. I know what I want to do - now its just a matter of getting the money to be able to do it.

hoping to post a little more regularly from now on - tho it may be summer before I can do that. I do have some pics to put up sometime soon tho - if anyone wants me to

The hunt goes on :)

Once you have found the clue on my page,

then continue to the next stage

It's Lizzie's facebook next - her status shows you -

the capitalized word is your next clue :D

Happy birthday sis :D

back to blogging

Well after a long absense from the blog world I'm finally back. Will probably be keeping posts short for the next few months still cause everything is just so busy, but I won't completely disappear for a month again.

The last 2 weeks I've been on HOLIDAY :D...of sorts...well to be more accurate it was holidays but I had 8 assignments due in...so I actually got just over 5 hours of break with the remaining time being taken up by the assignments. Have another 3 this week then only another 15 assignments and tests before the end of year exams in bout 7 weeks time.

Besides that I had the first of my 21st parties during this 'break'. Didn't go too badly :) was just a small group of us - mostly family with a few friends too (would have liked for all my online friends here to have been able to come - tho unfortunately that wasn't possible) Having the next one in Hamilton in October, before the get-together with Dad's family in November.

Anyway I think I'd probably better head off now to get some sleep - sorry this is so short - but yes - I am back :)

Photos #2 - landscapes, cars and a few other random things

The Huntly Powerstation

The new section of motorway in Auckland. I't's currently a toll road

the really high bridge spanning that section of motorway - don't see many bridges like this in NZ

coming up to the tunnels on that same piece of road.

about to go through the tunnel - you can also see what is sometimes referred to as a 'cheesecutter barrier' motorcyclists tend to call it that - and many want to see them removed from various sections of highway. If you want to know what I mean by that feel free to ask.

something completely different - the pile of photos we've been sorting through so mum can make the display she wants to for my birthday

Myrtle the turtle - Dad was looking after it for a friend. This was at feeding time - it eats shrimp and apple chopped into tiny pieces

The view of our church fromt he mainstreet side - the actual main entrance is on the opposite side to this

Not the clearest of photos - will put a better one up sometime - Dad's birthday present from me.

The Life FM (christian teen radio station of NZ) car outside Central Baptist Wanganui just before Youth of the Nation began

My uncle took us to visit a Lamborghini showroom

Will post some different and more interesting things sometime soon - but in the meantime what would your ideal holiday be?

Photos part one

Well the good news is my computer has been returned - and with all the information present - very helpful...BUT I have an assignment due in 2 days so am just hoping that it will continue to work well and that nothing will go wrong. Besides that, since I have my computer - I have the photos I took between Wangas and Auckland last week - different to the last time. These are in no particular order

In Maori, NZ is known as Aotearoa which means 'Land of the long white cloud' we certainly saw a lot of that on this particular trip - but what was different was how low the clouds were - at the middle of the hills instead of covering the tops

The turnoff to the Forgotten Highway

The railway carriage cafe in Taumaranui

One of the rail bridges

the Banana bridge - from a distance and close up

This is one of the bad areas of the Parapara - the road currently goes abound in a U bend - but one section has a huge washout meaning its currently only one lane (so traffic can only pass in one direction at a time) in order to eliminate this, the new road is being built as can be seen above, cutting across the U using a bridge, then cut into the hill, then another bridge

that same piece of road - you can see the road currently goes around where the small Ute is parked - the new route goes straight ahead - across the bridge and through the v gap that has been cut into the hillside

look at the small amount of almost white in the shade of the trees...what might that be? :D

and a little more (this could only be seen in the shaded areas where the sun hadn't reached yet)
and just a little on the road
and beside the road...what do you all think it might be? (sorry bout the clarity of the photos not being the best)

Mount Ruapehu in winter

the second tag...and a question

Firstly - another tag - from skittles
Where are your pants from? somewhere would be the logical answer to that
When was the last time you drank tea? Don't - Don't like it
Do you have any pets? no unfortunately - borrow everyone elses by petsitting :D
Who was your last phone call from? Uncle
What did your last text say, and who was it from? Plse answer - Uncle
What was your last notification?"this person also commented on that person's status".
Excited for anything? Possibly :D - you'll find out what at some point
What color is your couch in your living room? in Hamilton is beige, at Dad's is brown and Mum still 'will be getting one soon' ....its now 2 years after 'soon' began...
Do you play any instruments? keyboard
Were you ever in a plane?yup - 9 times just in the last 4 weeks - just for the trip to see Bluey - was really worth it tho :)
What was the last song you listened to?I actually don't know - being without my computer means I haven't been able to listen to music for the last week! :(
What is the closest red thing to you? Warwick 1B8 Exercise Book (don't know if you have anything called that in the US - basically just a book for taking notes in)
Who was the last person to write on your wall?Bluey's mother - on my return to NZ
Ready for Christmas? Dunno
When were you last to the movies?see tag below
What's your dad's name? Dad
Do you like Miley Cyrus?Agree with Bluey on this one - ?
How many kids do you want? not sure
When do you think you'll get married?I don't know
What kind of deodorant do you use? silly question
Are you close with your family?sorta
Does anything hurt on your body?not at the moment
When was the last time you laughed really hard?Probably when I was at Dad's
Does anyone like you? if you're talking guys, doubt it
Do you have any Facebook inbox messages?yes a number - but all read
Do you use capital letters? WHAT GAVE YOU THAT IMPRESSION?
What is one thing you want right now? My computer back and working properly
What annoys you on a daily basis? probably only one small thing
Who was the last person to visit you at your house? Family friends
Who's car were you in last? Mums

And finally one question that has been asked many times this week - and I'm interested as to what you all think - if you have an important decision to make, how do you go about it? what method do you use to help you decide?

A tag and a tale

1. What time is it? 5.44pm

2. What's your favourite memory? a few weeks back - getting to spend time with my best friend :D


3. What are you afraid of? Losing contact with one of my close friends and/or living a life that doesn't glorify God would be the main things


4. What is the most recent movie that you have seen in a Theater? Surf's up - haven't been there since 2007


5. Place of birth? NZ.


6. Favorite food? pizza.


7. What's your natural hair color? same as Blueys :D.


8. Ever been to Alaska? no - would like to go there to visit 'sirk tho.


9. Ever been toilet paper rolling? No - and why such a silly question?


10. Love someone? Yes


11. Been in a car accident? Yes. - tho not driving


12. Occupation? Student


13. Favorite day of the week? Sunday.


14. Favorite restaurant? St Johns


15. Favorite Flower? Unknown.


16. Favorite sport to watch? none really


17. Favorite drink? Mountain Dew, L&P, Orange and barley and lemonade, or water


18. Favorite ice cream? chocolate eclair


19. Disney or Warner Brothers? dunno


20. Ever been on a ship? Does a boat count? - tho actually yes anyway - took a tour of one in Wangas once


21. What color is your bedroom carpet? creamy browny sorta in two places, blue in the third


22. How many times did you fail your driver's test? none.


23.From whom did you get your last e-mail? Bluey.


24. What do you do when you are bored? music, TV, computer


25. Bedtime? whenever.


26. Who do you expect will comment on this? everyone hopefully.


27. If you could do only 3 things, what would they be? -Take one of my friends on a world trip, visiting all the others along the way, ending with us all together at Parachute Festival, -Help as many people as possible, -Do all I can to be who Christ wants me to be


28. Who is the person that you are most curious to see their responses? ALL OF YOU.


29. Favorite TV shows? M*A*S*H*, Monk, Get Smart.


30. Last person you went to dinner with? Would have to be people - Bluey and her family :)


31. What are you doing right now besides being on the computer? Isn't that enough? I'm doing an assignment as well as blogging


32. What are your favorite colors? Red, Black, Blue


33. How many tattoos do you have? none.


34. How many pets do you have? like pets but don't have any currently

35. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? I'll leave that open to debate


36. What do you want to do before you die? See Bluey again, possibly visit some of my other online friends, see more of the non-christians who I know's lives changed for Christ, see the members of my family who are in london again - hopefully before my niece turns 5 - I want to do other things too but those are the ones I really don't want to miss out on.


37. Have you ever been to Hawaii? No


38. Have you been to countries outside the U.S.? I'm FROM a country outside there - but I can say I've been there now :D


39. How many siblings do you have? tough question - could be 0,1, 2, or 3 - will say 3 cause that includes everyone


40. Time this survey ended? 6.14PM.


Anyway Dad's going to London soon to see my sister, brother in law and niece. Have bought the little one another outfit for her second birthday - a tiny pair of red jeans and a little blue jacket with 'my bunny' and a pic on it :)

Hopefully will get a few photos of her wearing them :)

Here - but not here

So what's new? basically my computer hard drive has a broken disc in it. Right now my uncle's friend is in the process of getting me a new hard drive (and it'll be twice the size of my old one :D) but...in the meantime it means I only have a computer at Uni - I need my one back soon tho cause I have an assessment due next Monday and I know I work better on that sorta thing at home rather than at Uni - so please could you all be praying that I'll get it back very soon.

Big apologies to those of you who I was chatting to at Uni when Gmail decided it was going to keep logging me out - the problem has been rectified - so next time we talk I should be able to finish conversations properly. To those who I haven't seen - sorry bout that - hopefully I'll have my computer back soon and then we can chat

Hoping to post about my time in the States with Bluey later this week (likely as soon as I have my computer back)

Besides that, as you've likely guessed by now, I'm back at Uni. Second half of this school year - and once its over I only have about 3 more years to go :D. Am really looking forward to having it finished. Am taking 6 subjects this semester (double what most students take) so will be a lot of work - but at least it means ony 3 years left instead of 5 if I keep this rate up.

Anyway will post a longer blog post soon - but for now this computer lab is about to close so I'd better sign off. Can't wait to have my computer back!

Returning to NZ

What a time this has been.  I had an awesome time in America which Bluey and I will possibly fill you all in on soon ;) but on the 3rd it had to come to an end.  It was really hard to say goodbye after having spent such a fun time together - I can honestly say that I didn't want to leave - but unfortunately it had to happen.  

Bluey and her mother took me to the airport early in the morning on the 3rd.  Had a few hours there before an emotion filled farewell, after which I got on the plane to Charlotte NC.  It wasn't a bad flight, but it did run slightly late...so even tho I saw a shop with something a family member had asked me to get, I had to ignore it and continue at a fast pace toward my next flight which was already boarding when I arrived at the gate.  

That flight took me from Charlotte to Las Vegas and was the most turbulent of any flight I've been on so far - in fact the person sitting in the seat next to me said that she'd been around the world several times and been on too many flights to count but had never been on anything like that flight - it was the worst turbulence they'd ever encountered.  Anyway so that was interesting...and kinda crazy.  

Once that plane had landed I had to go through the Las Vegas airport to get to a different airline which left from a concourse on the other side of the airport.  It was a little different to all the other airports I went through tho cause instead of walking along toward the gates and then clearing security just before reaching them, you had to go through security and then had to wait at a 'station' for a train to take you to the part of the airport where the gates were.  That plane was half an hour late leaving due to it being late arriving at the airport, however it was probably the best short flight I've had so far.  It was a little turbulent to begin, but the crew provided so much info that none of the others did - also even though it was less than an hour long there was a short program shown on the TVs - timewarp (sorta like mythbusters in some ways).  

Got to LA and met up with members of my family who live there - they took me away from the airport for a bit - went to have a pizza and managed to track down some chocolate skittles to bring back to NZ.  

At 8pm LA time I was back at the airport and headed through to the flight back to Auckland.  That was the longest of all the flights I've been on so far at over 11 hours - was really cool tho - had 2 meals on the plane (just like on the way over - dinner #2 and breakfast #1) - and once again they were proper meals - not just snacks.  we also had our own mini TV's again with tons of channels to choose from, plus about 80 movies, the electronic games, documentaries and the real time footage of the trip - which showed things like airspeed, altitude, position, distance and time (both travelled and remaining) outside temperature...etc - was really quite interesting (that part of the journey was about 10500km by the way if any of you wanted to know). 

 

Anyway so I made it back to Auckland...and the first thing I remember from back there is 5 different people asking me if I was visiting NZ and how long I was staying and all - so it seems that even people in my home country can't tell I'm a Kiwi.  Everyone seems to think I'm American.  Also I met 3 people from Bluey's hometown including one who is on an exchange at Waikato Uni. Didn't really get to talk to them cause we were in different parts of the line, but still was unexpected.  Anyway so I got through passport control and then went on to baggage claim and customs where again Dad's policy of declare everything meant I got waived practically straight through.  My uncle was waiting for me just outside that area and after looking at the line of people waiting for domestic baggage transfers (it really was huge) we decided to skip that and take my suitcase across ourselves.  After handing it on, we stopped at Mc Donalds for breakfast #2 (not typical breakfast things but oh well - bluey can probably guesss what I had there ;)) and then half an hour later I boarded the smallest flight of the trip home (a 20 seater) for another slightly turbulent flight (but at least we had warning of it with that one). 

I do have photos of a few of the planes I was on, but not all or many since most of the flights were at night.  Mum and Dad were both at the airport, so after picking up my suitcase we headed back to Dad's where he made breakfast #3 (got to try vegemite at last).  

Overall this trip has been an amazing time and I know I will never forget it.  I'm actually keen to repeat it in the future hopefully - and in the meantime I think I'll always be torn from now on - between NC and NZ.  I really am so glad I went tho and I hope its not too long before I get to see Bluey again :) 

finally reappearing

Well after a very long time off here, I'm finally back. My computer has been the main cause for such an elongated absence - a faulty battery forces frequent restarts of the internet and thus makes blogging difficult...that being said the last few days that particular computer has been one of the farthest things from my mind.

That of course is due to the biggest trip of my life. It was all finalised on the Thusday. Might explain what went on behind this at some stage, but for now its enough to say that it went from nothing planned, to everything planned in the space of 24 hours...and just 3 days before leaving

The trip began with a 1 hour flight from Wangas to Auckland - the same locations as the first flight I've ever been on - and therefore not too far out of the ordinary...or at least as much as that applies when you've only ever been on 4 flights before and all are 1 hour or less. Shortly after I arrived in Auckland my uncle came and picked me up at the domestic airport - much more pleasant than waiting for 8 hours at the international terminal, I finally arrived there after dinner at my uncles', and equipped with new sunglasses, borrowed digital camera and a whole pile of other extras (and no I had NOT been shopping during that time) at about 7.30 pm.

Once we reached the international airport I went through customs (one of many firsts for me) and then headed down to the gate to wait for boarding. This particular flight was probably my favourite of them all so far. It may have been 12 hours long, but looking back it really doesn't seem like it. Was served chicken for dinner #2 a few hours in, with NZ white Chocolate icecream for dessert. Got a few hours sleep (not a huge amount...but oh well) then a few hours before landing breakfast was served. Was a bit of turbulance on landing, but on the whole was still a good flight. Of course I also went across the international dateline on this trip meaning I had a second 22nd of June...and on my way back I will be missing a day entirely

Next came luggage claim, followed by customs again - and following Dad's wisdom of 'declare everything even if you think it may not need to be declared' meant that this was luckily a very quick and painless process - my passport now officially shows that I have been overseas! Thankfully my suitcase had been tagged right through to my final destination so rather than having to take it with me for the 8 hour stop, it was simply a matter of handing it on to the different airline.

This break was also made more enjoyable due once again to not being stuck at the airport for the entire duration. Dad's cousin met me at the airport and took me to Venice Beach to look around, followed by yet another dinner - this time mexican food. Arriving back at the airport 2 hours before the next flight was due to leave was both smart and crazy... cause I'd been directed to the wrong terminal. Luckily this was easily sorted and I arrived with pleanty of time to make the next flight.

After going through the 3rd set of security barriers/xray machines/metal detectors on this trip I was waiting by the gate for the 3rd flight - the most turbulant of the full trip. 4 and a half hours later I was finally in the state I was headed to, only a 1 hour wait followed by a 55 minute flight away from my final destination.

Walking down to the gate to wait for the call to board, one of the security guys called me over...now since this was my first time out of the country this was kinda crazy cause I had no idea why he'd singled me out... and his first question of 'where did you just arrive from' made me wonder even more what was coming... - It couldn't have been more unexpected as after my reply of 'LA' he asked if it was 'good to be home' and mentioned that it was cool that I was wearing a state T-shirt???? (ok so now the NZ christian magazine - soul purpose - T-shirts are officially a state shirt of NC?????? - and do I really sound American???? - he was the 4th person to think I was headed home!) still it was good to know that I hadn't done anything wrong - simply a case of mistaken identity

Anyway, I got on the final plane and, 1 hour later arrived - with Bluey, her mother and sister there at the airport to meet me :D. After hugs all round we headed back to Bluey's place where I have been for the past few days, and am currently. Still sometimes hasn't completely sunk in that I'm actually here - but I'm definitely enjoying it! :D. Am here for about another week yet before heading back to winter. One thing is certain - This is definitely my favourite holiday so far and I will certainly never forget it!

And the answers...

Well these were relatively hard but everyone did well on them  

1) Turn by PC3 - Bluey got the band correct and Netsirk and Guitargirl got the song - well do to you all

2) Take Me For a Ride - Moped - Skittles and Netsirk got that one (that one still reminds me of that picture of yours Bluey :))

3) I am the Way - Mark Schultz - this was one of the ones no-one got 

4) One Day - Mumsdollar - this is one that I think most of you would like - they're a kiwi band (tho thats not the only reason I think you'd like them)

5) Mighty to Save - the one I used is by Hillsong - very good Bluey - well done for getting the correct version too! :D - also correct are Guitargirl and Netsirk cause it could have been one of the other versions

6) Let it Rain - Newsboys - Guitargirl and Bluey got that one - the first Newsboys song I learnt on the keyboard.

7) I Believe - Rapture Ruckus - Bluey was the only person to get that one :)  

8) Inside Outside - Delirious? - Another one no-one managed to get

9) - Excellent guess Bluey :) - it was D-I-E 4 Y-O-U by FF5 - Netsirk also got that correct - well done to you both :)

10) Sometimes by Step - Rich Mullins - that was a hard one

11) Kutless - The Feeling - Bluey and Skittles got that one

12) In Wonder - Magnify - Another Kiwi band thus it was really kinda a hard one - they were one of the last bands on mainstage at Parachute this year - was really cool cause they're good friends with Brad from RR so, when they played this song, he came out and did a rapping part in the middle of it - sounded really cool :)

13) Sunset Sunrise - Moped - Netsirk got that one correct :) 

14) Always and Forever - Planetshakers - An Aussie band that  I think you might all like

15) Needful Hands - Jars of Clay - Guitargirl got that one right

so all in all very well done to everyone :)

Time is Flying... and the Tag

The second half of this semester has just raced by! only one more week til I'm finished classes til after winter break.  In some ways I'm glad it is that time cause I'm looking forward to having a break, but in other ways I wish that time would go slowly cause I'd still like to find a way to get some more money before the holidays.  

Had my parents phone last night to ask a whole pile of questions bout who is able to come for my 21st.  Managed to get a few things I wanted so thats positive.  Like I didn't really want 3 events for it.  Finally Dad's agreed that he'll come to the one with the people I know, as long as I keep the numbers at that one down - so at least it means I can cut it back to 2.  I'd rather it were 1 but 2 is better than 3.

Well the extreme NZ weather appears to be continuing.  Theres an actual snow warning for all the locations that normally get it during winter (tho this is early for it still)  but there are also snow warnings for Taupo, Rotorua and WANGANUI.  It's crazy!  None of those 3 places gets snow!  Wanganui's had it like 2 times in over 50 years! I'll believe it if it eventuates, but it would be typical if it did - cause of course I'm not in Wangas currently meaning I'd just miss it again.  

Anyway continuing the pattern - joining in on the game (albeit briefly) - sorry some of these may be slightly hard - I'm getting most of these off the radio cause I can't get into itunes right now

1) You can change a heart, change a motivation,

Take it right back to the start

2) I'm looking for a pulse, and a sign that I live.

But with unclean hands, and unclean lips

3) Look to me, and you see, 

I will be, there to guide you

4) Next day I'll see you, 

you ran the race, 

you finally made it through

5) Everyone needs forgiveness, 

the kindness of a Saviour,

the hope of nations

6) Once I spoke of power and high position, 

You took a  towel and washed my feet instead

7) I can't contain the thought, you took away my shame

And walked ball and chain, through the wind and rain,

8) Never ending love, I don't know where it begins.

I don't know where it ends, I don't know how high

9) Do the hard times for you,

On the front lines for you

10) And on this road to righteousness

Sometimes the climb can be so steep

11) Turn it up, feel the beat 

and scream the lyrics you know

12) In the trials, in the storms of life

You're the reason, I open up

13) I step up to the mic, with just two things to say

Firstly you rule the night, and second you rule the day

14) And when my world is falling down, in you I will be found

15) You are my eyes when I cannot see

You are my voice, see, sing through me

You are my strength in weakness be

Have fun!

40 hour famine...and a crazy story

2 posts in 2 days.  that must be a record (at least for me this month) and this appears to be a rather long one sorry - so please bear with me - there is a crazy story at the end for those of you I haven't told already.  Anyway this weekend is a slightly different one.  Its the weekend where something I've been involved in for 14 years (only just realised that its been that long!) is taking place.  That event is the 40 hour famine, organised through World vision.  I know I've told a number of you about it before, but for those who don't know or haven't heard of it basically its a time where people (mostly students of all ages) go without something (traditionally food) for either 20 or 40 hours (usually primary age kids do 20 hours and everyone older does 40) and for doing that people sponsor them money, which, when collected, goes towards World Vision's projects overseas.

I guess this is quite a big thing for me to a certain extent, particularly since I did the 20 hour famine 4 times, the 40 hour famine 8 times and was the student organiser for 3 years...plus helped 2 of my schools to get the respective scholarships for their age levels and got selected to go on both scholarship camps.  This year however I'm not playing such a big role. I may go back to it one year in the future but will have to see about that.

Those doing the traditional food famine are allowed just barley sugars and juice/water for the time of their famine, however due to people wanting to participate who were unable to give up food, alternative famines have also been added in that see people giving up technology, living in cardboard boxes or even giving up talking for 40 hours.  The years I was a student organiser, the whole school got behind it with a mufti day, student vs teacher sport, bouncy castle (yes even highschoolers like them) sausage sizzle, spot prizes etc.  We had local businesses donating the prizes and even managed to arrange a pizza lunch for the class who raised the highest total.  other years organised things like pancake breakfasts at the conclusion of the famine and many other different events.

The scholarships are given out at intermediate (middle school) and high school level.  The schools (from those who have been involved for at least 1 year previous) are selected based on a number of criteria such as most money raised total, most money on average per pupil, largest percentage increase in amount raised etc.  The scholarships are funded by sanitarium and are provided to about 20 schools at each of the 2 levels who get to select one senior student representative fly to a location to attend the scholarship camp week.  Its a really fun week of activities that ends with an awards dinner where plaques are presented to the students both for their schools and for themselves. 

my plaque from the high school camp

Personally I found I was more surprised at my selection for the High School camp than the intermediate one, partially because for the intermediate one, it was relatively likely that the school would receive a scholarship (we would have the previous year however that year had been the first time the school had been a part of it and so wasn't eligible) and that was the year I managed to exceed my aim in raising sponsorship (I always aimed to raise $100 more than the previous year - starting from $50 - I'd always just reached those targets right til that year, where the goal was $550 which somehow I managed to exceed by $200.) That I did sorta find funny cause there was a bar graph of what each class had raised displayed in the school...but they'd learned from the previous year (where I'd raised $450) so I sorta had my own colomn for it.  

With the High School camp however,  it was not so clear cut.  During the 3 years that I'd helped organise, the total raised had gone from what I think was a shockingly low figure of about $4000 (for a school of over 1500) to $8000 the following year to $16000 in my final year.  We still weren't sure that that would be good enough for a scholarsip tho - and when we did find out that we got one selection was looking at all of us who organised the event.  In fact we hadn't thought that we'd got a scholarship at all cause it wasn't til the day before nominations of representatives closed that us organisers got called into the principals office and were told that we'd succeeded.  I was thinking the position should go to one of the other organisers since I'd already had the opportunity to go to one camp, however, one by one, they pulled out saying they were busy at the camp time or they were going overseas for the holidays and thought someone else should...and in the end I was the one who got chosen again. I can imagine Mum's surprise when I phoned her from school (since it was the final day I had to get permission right then and there).  I think the thing I found most surprising bout that camp tho was when one of the adults who was helping out mentioned that they had thought my high school would never reach a scholarship.  I guess that just made me realise again the true story behind charities like World Vision - people can make a difference - even those who you think can't do much at all can, with a little effort, play a big role in helping in some way shape or form.

To all those involved in the famine this year - well done on your involvement and good luck with this weekend.

Finally that crazy story I mentioned at the beginning - a bank over here is trying to track down a couple after they took out an overdraft for their business that was struggling financially.  That $100,000 overdraft limit was accidentally incorrectly entered as $10 million.  The couple withdrew about 6 and a half million of that and are on the run.  The bank has since tracked down bout 2.8 million of what the couple had with them and have seized properties belonging to one of them worth approximately 1.9 million, however this still means the bank has currently got about $2 million unaccounted for.  An international manhunt was launched for the couple who are now believed to be somewhere in Hong Kong

Weather warnings

Well I will get the remainder of the NZ pics online soon - probably when I get back down to Wangas (yup not long til winter break now) Speaking of which winter definitely seems to have arrived early and with force this year.  Yesterday almost all the roads through the North Island were blocked off due to either slips and repair work or ice and snow.  That didn't happen til July last year (of course the place where I am doesn't usually get snow so I still haven't seen it...that being said Tauranga doesn't usually have extreme weather either but it sure did just over a week ago as you can see here and here. I guess its always a possibility... just not very likely)   

We haven't escaped the low temperatures here tho - was about negative 4 Celsius last night and has been 2 Celsius for much of today (finally up to 8C) but here only gets bad frost (like we had this morning) and the occasional hailstorm (though not like in those pics from Tauranga).  Snow has never yet been recorded here that I know of (and it has only snowed twice ever in Wangas - and only once during my lifetime...but on the other side of town - for some reason I just seem to keep missing it.)  

Should be interesting seeing what the next few days are like.  The Desert Road still has a road snowfall warning over it for the next few days as well as the other main North Island State Highway, due to the fact heavy snow is again forecast for the next few days for the Central Plateau area (which you can see minus snow in the pics from the drive back north)  If that does happen it's likely the routes through the North Island will be blocked off again cause the other routes currently have construction and road repair going on...all but the Forgotten Highway...and that road is partially unsealed.  Will definitely be interesting seeing how long this weather lasts

Tag

Ok so this was a tag I received on email but decided to do on here.

Favourite snack food?

• Pizza...if you call that a snack...else maybe cheezles?
  

Current location?

• Hamilton
  

Most missed memory?

• depends on which way you look at it - if you mean memory that you would like to repeat then probably conversations with friends - if you mean the memory you keep missing (not remembering) then how would I know cause you've missed it so it wouldn't be a memory
  

First thought when waking up?

• what's on today?
  

Fav movie/book quote?

• now thats a tough one...probably for movie 'We need people of intelligence on this mission....quest....thing' (LoTR)
  
• For book its even harder...I would put my favourite Left Behind quote here but it's 1 and a half pages long so that won't work...(its from apolyon if you were wondering)...and its just too hard to choose between any of the others 
  

Role model?

• one of the youth leaders from my last year in youth group
  

When I grow up I want?

• so I'm not considered to have grown up yet?  Well in that case it depends on what age is 'grown up', tho I'd say most likely travel.
  

Shoes you wore today?

• sandals
  

Fav drink?

• L&P, Mountain Dew, or Orange and Barley and lemonade for cold drinks, hot chocolate or milo for hot.
  

Generally, in life, what makes you happy?

• talking with/chatting with/hearing from friends 
  

How well do you handle critiscm?

• I'd hope reasonably well
  

What would your friends be suprised to know about you?

• well I don't think this'll really surprise you but I tend to wear sandals 99% of the year regardless of weather
  

What can you smell?

• Tea cooking
  

Worried about anything?

• not much currently
  

Last thing you bought?

• I think it was a CD for a friend
  

Name three things you are truly thankful for?

• all my awesome friends 
  
• life
  
• music
  

Three things you are looking forward to?

• Getting the money I need for a few things
  
• Our winter break (which is during June/July)...and also our summer break tho that isn't til November
  
• Being able to travel more
  

Are you reading anything at the moment?

• rereading Brink of Death...and of course the readings I have to do for class
  

Last song you listened to?

• Run (PC3)
  

Pics of NZ - Wangas to Hamilton

Well these are some more NZ pics from that trip - all of these were taken from the car on the road between Wangas and Hamilton.  Auckland ones still to come. (note - these are not in location order)

Looking down at Te Kuiti

Between Taumaranui and Te Kuiti

Mount Ngauruhoe in the distance and the Rangipo Desert (an area also known as the Central Plateau - where 3 of the mountains are - Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe)

The Rangipo Desert

Looking up at one of the viaducts (which was in one of the previous pictures, looking down from the train)

Mount Ruapehu (where a lot of the mountain scenes from LoTR were filmed)

Mount Ruapehu again

Farmland just outside Wangas

slightly further out of wangas

Just after the farmland ends

And again.  This is part of the Whanganui National Park

First signs of Autumn (keeping in mind this was 3 weeks ago)

Whanganui National Park again

and again

The Whanganui River nearing Upokongaro

The Whanganui River from Anzac Pde

The Huka Falls 

The Huka falls again

Will put the pics of the trip between Hamilton and Auckland and Auckland itself up soon