Blogs from Palmerston North, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

We are preparing to leave on our trip in a few days and will start posting the blogs onto the site from 8 August once we reach Vancouver. Feel free to have a look through the blog and comment via the site if you so wish, but do remember that some of my students will be viewing the blog!... read more

I spent the next four nights with Sue's family in Palmerston North, and I had a wonderful time. They are all readers (I met Sue through a mailing list devoted to the discussion of children's literature), so all around me were bookcases full of reassuringly familiar books. After the shock in Wellington, it was just what I needed. I regrouped, rested, and read. I had the chance to read Clare Mallory's Merry trilogy and her "New House at Winwood." I also read a delightful series of picture books about a Scotch terrier, Hairy McClary from Donaldson's Dairy, which made a nice change of pace. ... read more

Foods I Want to Load up in a Suitcase and Take back to the States! *Chilli Sauce over cream cheese with wedges -You can’t go back to ketchup after trying this. *HP Sauce --is like AW sauce except much more versatile. *Slices -there is such a plethora of flavours for these, should accompany all lunches! *Meat Pies -These are everywhere here! One of the more popular pie shops here in town is a place called Jesters which caters largely to the student crowd, but generally i find the best pies can be found at the local bakery. (Egg and Bacon is my favourite) *Pancakes with fried banana and bacon -defiantly a different type of breakfast, but enjoyable. *Clove seasoning on Chips (French fries) This is revolutionary. *Kebabs -not sure how but they are different here and ... read more

The past few days have taken some adjusting. But today when I finished up orientation, I could not help but let out a sigh of relief. It had soon become clear to me that I was not the only one who had noticed the lack of glamour in Palmy. People were tossing out questions like: What is the night life like? Can you walk to campus from the city? Where is the fashion? What is there to do here? All things I had wondered at some point. But what I figure is the people make the place. So, once the students come filling back from break, the city will come to life. Well as far as plans go for New Zealand, I have a few things on the table. A bunch of us Americans (most of ... read more

Tuesday, March 23rd Mom Corne forwarded an email to us which brought big smiles to our faces. It dealt with confusion and waiting for God to do something, but God says to "get up and go. Give legs to your faith. I move on those who are moving." What a great message and how perfectly aimed at our current situation. We are so worried about missing the Lord's will and plan for us that we are pretty much paralyzed a lot of the time. We're waiting on Him to open the doors while He's waiting for us to move in faith and walk through the doors He'd already opened for us, even though we can't see these doors yet. It amazing how easily we forget and how many times He has to remind us of His ... read more

Left Kerikeri last Friday 29th January to attend Gubby and Jamie’s wedding on Saturday in Whangarei - a great day and night. Caught up with old friends from Taronui and NZMVA days. Great to catch up with Jan and Gary, Irv and Viv, and to celebrate Doreen’s 65th birthday. Thanks Phil and Brenda for your wonderful hospitality and Wick for your dulcet tones - haven’t heard those songs and ditties for about 30 odd years! Stayed in Fielding last night - don’t ask about the camping ground! And tonight we are with Sue and Nev in Palmerston North finishing a few details in the camper, such as fitting my guitar to the back wall, fixing problems with the fridge and other bits and pieces. Tomorrow we will head up the Ruahine range to get close up ... read more

Pix... read more