Showing posts with label Dunedin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dunedin. Show all posts
Friday, 21 October 2011
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Mindfulness
How often do you find yourself looking into the future and not living in the moment?
My wife has recently read about the importance of mindfulness or 'living in the moment'. I have been guilty in the past of either looking back to the past or looking to the future and not appreciating the here and now.
How often when travelling do you think about what you will do there but not enjoy the getting there?
I left Dunedin under heavy cloud in thick drizzle. On my flight I listened to John Denver on my i pod and appreciated having time to myself to enjoy the trip. Way above the clouds it was an awesome experience looking down over the fluffy pillow below and taking in the land and sea when the clouds dissipated.
I arrived to sunshine in Wellington and after a bus to the city enjoyed a pleasant train journey along the Kapiti Coast to my home in Raumati South.
I think for the future 'Mindfulness' will be my mantra where I will try and enjoy all of the journey and not just the getting to the destination. I know I have wasted too much time not being in the moment and not celebrating all of what life brings! Here is a poem / song I wrote that reflects 'living in the moment'.
Feel the Rhythm
Don't let those mean spirited get you down
There's beauty all around you...pleasures to be found
You have the power and the glory is yours
Challenges up ahead...set your course
Chorus
Feel the rhythm let your body move
Dance and be happy what's there to lose
What reason could there possibly be
To be down hearted or unhappy
When there's a great big world ready to explore
Get out there...search for more
Life is too short we all well know
Get yourself going don't be a no show
There's a break in the weather sun's peeking through
So much to see...lots to do
My wife has recently read about the importance of mindfulness or 'living in the moment'. I have been guilty in the past of either looking back to the past or looking to the future and not appreciating the here and now.
How often when travelling do you think about what you will do there but not enjoy the getting there?
I left Dunedin under heavy cloud in thick drizzle. On my flight I listened to John Denver on my i pod and appreciated having time to myself to enjoy the trip. Way above the clouds it was an awesome experience looking down over the fluffy pillow below and taking in the land and sea when the clouds dissipated.
I arrived to sunshine in Wellington and after a bus to the city enjoyed a pleasant train journey along the Kapiti Coast to my home in Raumati South.
I think for the future 'Mindfulness' will be my mantra where I will try and enjoy all of the journey and not just the getting to the destination. I know I have wasted too much time not being in the moment and not celebrating all of what life brings! Here is a poem / song I wrote that reflects 'living in the moment'.
Feel the Rhythm
Don't let those mean spirited get you down
There's beauty all around you...pleasures to be found
You have the power and the glory is yours
Challenges up ahead...set your course
Chorus
Feel the rhythm let your body move
Dance and be happy what's there to lose
What reason could there possibly be
To be down hearted or unhappy
When there's a great big world ready to explore
Get out there...search for more
Life is too short we all well know
Get yourself going don't be a no show
There's a break in the weather sun's peeking through
So much to see...lots to do
Friday, 14 October 2011
My Dad
I'm posting from Dunedin, my home town. I flew down yesterday from Wellington. My sister drove dad out to meet me at the airport. She had managed to keep it a secret. It was lovely to see dad's joy and surprise when he discovered the reason for the trip out. I had only a week ago decided after a busy school term to make the trip.
The family had got together in April to celebrate his 80th birthday. It was a special celebration made all the more memorable because only 2 years ago he'd had a life threatening heart problem and subsequent critical operation. It has been a long recuperation for him but he is now looking better than ever. Aware that time is precious triggered my decision to spend some time with my dad.
My dad and I have had a special relationship since I was little that evolved around our Catholic faith and sporting interests.
I was brought up as a Catholic and religion played a big part in my early life leading up to my entering the Seminary to train as a Catholic Priest. My mum and dad were extremely proud of their oldest boy pursuing this calling. Sadly for them I only lasted 2 years and branched out into the big bad world.
When I was growing up my dad and I did a lot together in the sporting arena with competition fierce. We both have a highly competitive streak which occasionally could get a bit nasty. My fondest memories are having dad see me score a try in rugby when I was about 10. We also for many years played regular squash games with honours pretty even.
The sporting activity that I remember best are the early morning golf outings. Through my College years dad would get me up at 5:30 once or twice a week and we would go to Chisholm Park, our favourite golf course and play 9 holes. Sadly no matter how often I played my performance never improved and dad always had the edge.
On leaving school the activity that dad and I have enjoyed most together is going to the local pub, having a beer and shooting some pool.
This now brings me back to the present. My dad now lives at the Little Sisters of the Poor as he is well looked after there. He runs the poor sisters ragged sometimes and he is the life and soul of the Home.
After my run this morning I will be driving up to the Home to take dad out once again to resume old rivalries. Although he has become a little more frail he is as sharp as a tack when he gets on the pool table. I know I will need to be on my best form to take him down. As dad and I often say May the Best Man Win and if he doesn't I'm sure he will come up with a hard luck story or equally good excuse.
What special activities do you do with your dad?
The family had got together in April to celebrate his 80th birthday. It was a special celebration made all the more memorable because only 2 years ago he'd had a life threatening heart problem and subsequent critical operation. It has been a long recuperation for him but he is now looking better than ever. Aware that time is precious triggered my decision to spend some time with my dad.
My dad and I have had a special relationship since I was little that evolved around our Catholic faith and sporting interests.
I was brought up as a Catholic and religion played a big part in my early life leading up to my entering the Seminary to train as a Catholic Priest. My mum and dad were extremely proud of their oldest boy pursuing this calling. Sadly for them I only lasted 2 years and branched out into the big bad world.
When I was growing up my dad and I did a lot together in the sporting arena with competition fierce. We both have a highly competitive streak which occasionally could get a bit nasty. My fondest memories are having dad see me score a try in rugby when I was about 10. We also for many years played regular squash games with honours pretty even.
The sporting activity that I remember best are the early morning golf outings. Through my College years dad would get me up at 5:30 once or twice a week and we would go to Chisholm Park, our favourite golf course and play 9 holes. Sadly no matter how often I played my performance never improved and dad always had the edge.
On leaving school the activity that dad and I have enjoyed most together is going to the local pub, having a beer and shooting some pool.
This now brings me back to the present. My dad now lives at the Little Sisters of the Poor as he is well looked after there. He runs the poor sisters ragged sometimes and he is the life and soul of the Home.
After my run this morning I will be driving up to the Home to take dad out once again to resume old rivalries. Although he has become a little more frail he is as sharp as a tack when he gets on the pool table. I know I will need to be on my best form to take him down. As dad and I often say May the Best Man Win and if he doesn't I'm sure he will come up with a hard luck story or equally good excuse.
What special activities do you do with your dad?
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Living on the Kapiti Coast
Nearing the end of my final year of Teacher Training in Dunedin I applied for about 80 teaching positions. The only successful application was for an interview at a Porirua Intermediate School.
The school flew me up and I was fortunate to have an excellent interview. On arriving back in Dunedin later that day I received a call informing me I had won the position.
It was a challenging and rewarding time at the school and a complete culture shock. The roll consisted predominately of Samoan children. I loved the cutural flavour and the Powhiris welcoming visitors to the school.
After 3 years I decided to apply for teaching positions with younger children that resulted in getting offered a permanent teaching job at Waikanae School in a Year 5/6 class. The school was looking for a teacher with interest in music and thankfully I have had many opportunities to share my skills.
Since coming up north from Dunedin we had been living in Whitby. With starting at Waikanae School I found after 6 months the commuting in a car pool to be inconvenient. We decided that the Kapiti Coast could be a better place to live for a young family and happily we found a home for ourselves on the Kapiti Coast.
Raumati South became our place of choice reasonably close to the beach and the local Raumati Swimming Club down the road.
Raumati South School was within 400 metres and now the girls are at Kapiti College it is merely walking distance away.
We have found Raumati South a wonderful area to bring up the girls with it's relaxed life style and sporting opportunities.
Coming from Dunedin I appreciate the more temperate climate and living near the ocean is refreshing in the summer. Enjoying the outdoors as we do I can't imagine a better place to live a healthy contented life.
My strong bond with my new home is reflected in my song titled Kapiti.
The school flew me up and I was fortunate to have an excellent interview. On arriving back in Dunedin later that day I received a call informing me I had won the position.
It was a challenging and rewarding time at the school and a complete culture shock. The roll consisted predominately of Samoan children. I loved the cutural flavour and the Powhiris welcoming visitors to the school.
After 3 years I decided to apply for teaching positions with younger children that resulted in getting offered a permanent teaching job at Waikanae School in a Year 5/6 class. The school was looking for a teacher with interest in music and thankfully I have had many opportunities to share my skills.
Since coming up north from Dunedin we had been living in Whitby. With starting at Waikanae School I found after 6 months the commuting in a car pool to be inconvenient. We decided that the Kapiti Coast could be a better place to live for a young family and happily we found a home for ourselves on the Kapiti Coast.
Raumati South became our place of choice reasonably close to the beach and the local Raumati Swimming Club down the road.
Raumati South School was within 400 metres and now the girls are at Kapiti College it is merely walking distance away.
We have found Raumati South a wonderful area to bring up the girls with it's relaxed life style and sporting opportunities.
Coming from Dunedin I appreciate the more temperate climate and living near the ocean is refreshing in the summer. Enjoying the outdoors as we do I can't imagine a better place to live a healthy contented life.
My strong bond with my new home is reflected in my song titled Kapiti.
Saturday, 24 September 2011
I wasn't always a teacher [Part 1]
How I became a teacher was more luck than good management. More details at a later date.
On leaving school I trained to be a Catholic Priest for 2 years in Christchurch. However at the tender age of 19 realised that there was so much I hadn't experienced of life and decided I needed to do some exploring. Without giving my life story I'd like to mention about my early work history and some light hearted moments.
Having left the Seminary I looked after delinquent boys under the guidance of a Brother who couldn't believe I could sleep so much. It was a rundown house we lived in and at night the mice came out to play. I remember my feelings of horror when the lounge would come alive with up to 15 mice. Frankly I was quite relieved after 6 months when the Brother suggested I look for other employment.
I stayed in Christchurch for the next 2 years working for Ballantynes Department Store [famous for their fire in the 1930's] in their office in Cashel St. It seems hard to believe that I worked in an area that recently was devastated by the disastrous eathquake of February 2011.
Now in my early 20's I thought I would go back to my home town of Dunedin. I moved in with mum and dad and was fortunate to get a job with Cadburys. I started out as a Storeman to my dad's disappointment. He felt 5 years of College was wasted doing labouring work. Some interesting characters! One I worked with took great pleasure daily winding me up with comments such as 'you're lucky you weren't born a dwarf' [reference to my small stature] and regularly referred to me as a Temporary New Zealander [due to my owning a motorbike]. After a year in the store I moved into the Cadbury Office to the delight of my dad. I delivered mail around the factory and was able to sample some of the wares as I proceeded on my rounds. In those days I was extremely popular with my running buddies who purchased chocolate bars at about 10 cents each.
In my mid 20's I knew there was a big world out there and pursued my dreams to travel America and Britain.
Due to the length of this blog and the reality that I had far too many exciting and interesting times on my 3 year O.E to include here I will sign off. I will reflect on some of the most memorable experiences in preparation for my next entry.
On leaving school I trained to be a Catholic Priest for 2 years in Christchurch. However at the tender age of 19 realised that there was so much I hadn't experienced of life and decided I needed to do some exploring. Without giving my life story I'd like to mention about my early work history and some light hearted moments.
Having left the Seminary I looked after delinquent boys under the guidance of a Brother who couldn't believe I could sleep so much. It was a rundown house we lived in and at night the mice came out to play. I remember my feelings of horror when the lounge would come alive with up to 15 mice. Frankly I was quite relieved after 6 months when the Brother suggested I look for other employment.
I stayed in Christchurch for the next 2 years working for Ballantynes Department Store [famous for their fire in the 1930's] in their office in Cashel St. It seems hard to believe that I worked in an area that recently was devastated by the disastrous eathquake of February 2011.
Now in my early 20's I thought I would go back to my home town of Dunedin. I moved in with mum and dad and was fortunate to get a job with Cadburys. I started out as a Storeman to my dad's disappointment. He felt 5 years of College was wasted doing labouring work. Some interesting characters! One I worked with took great pleasure daily winding me up with comments such as 'you're lucky you weren't born a dwarf' [reference to my small stature] and regularly referred to me as a Temporary New Zealander [due to my owning a motorbike]. After a year in the store I moved into the Cadbury Office to the delight of my dad. I delivered mail around the factory and was able to sample some of the wares as I proceeded on my rounds. In those days I was extremely popular with my running buddies who purchased chocolate bars at about 10 cents each.
In my mid 20's I knew there was a big world out there and pursued my dreams to travel America and Britain.
Due to the length of this blog and the reality that I had far too many exciting and interesting times on my 3 year O.E to include here I will sign off. I will reflect on some of the most memorable experiences in preparation for my next entry.
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