It's not a goodbye; it's see you again!

The weather did not cooperate all day; however, we managed to keep ourselves busy by going to Food World, a local grocery store, to get some ingredients for our party on Saturday. Mom planned to make beef stew, and I planned to make a Thai dish, Mussamun Kai (Chicken drumsticks with red curry) and an apple pie. Mom treated me a wonderful lunch at a local restaurant. We both had Smoked Salmon salad on a bagel (I was dying for a bagel). Then, we came home and went to see Graham play balls. It was very interesting. At first I thought it was like a bowling game, but it turned out to be an indoors lawn balls. Graham did a great job today. He was very happy to see us there to give him a cheer! I knew he would like support, so I had asked Mom to go. He won the game and expecting to play another game next week. After we came home, I started making dinner for them. I made sweet and sour stirred fry with pineapples with nuts on crispy fried fish served with rice! Ummm! Yum!!! They really liked it big time.

On the next day, we did not go any where far since we both really focused on making food and dessert. We did not get them done until later on because we had to get some some more ingredients. Also, Mom wanted to buy me a gift for my birthday. It was very nice of her. I was more than happy to just spend time with them and not a single gift would matter anyway. However, we ended up buying some rings, so they would remind me of them--every day. The weather started to clear up. Today, Dad from the first host family, whom I stayed with for about 3 months when I was an AFS exchange student, stopped by to see me. I thought that I would not have the chance to see him again and would have lost track with the whole family again since we could not find any contacts. Magically, we made a call to the Lawsons in Kaikoura and he turned out to be Dad's Uncle. Thus, we got Nana's number. We talked for a bit and found out that Dad was in Rangiora on business. Anyway, we met each other and got a chance to reunited. It was a touching moment to see Dad again and later that night I talked Mum 1 and Hyden, my host brother who is now 15 and hoping to become a pilot! Dad officially apologized for giving up on me 11 years ago. I had to change a family even though we got along so very well that I became real part of the family. I felt real bad that made him felt very bad after 11 years. Things do happen for a reason, and , in my case, it turned out quite well with 2 wonderful host families at that time and now. Dad felt very guilty then. I was glad we met and caught up with each other again. I respect him as if my real dad since I do not have one. I had never known what it was like to have Dad until I met him! Tonight I made them another Thai dish and we had a visitor for dinner. We had a great time chatting and did not go to bed until almost 11 p.m. I did not want the night to end. Graham spoke a lot tonight and I enjoyed his company big time. I guess the drink he had really did the trick. He said, "You are just too clever!" after I explained the Thai culture to Mom's friend about a problem with her Thai daughter-in-law. I told him, "I came with the whole package, not just a pretty face," then all of us started to laugh.

Finally Saturday had arrived. It's my last morning here in Kaikoura. We had to head back to Rangiora for a birthday party of Graham, Michael and me. Graham and I share the same birthday (July 15) and Michaels was a week later. I was very sad to have to leave, but the good memories still remain. On the way to Rangiora, I had to go to the loo so bad, so I said to Graham, "Please try not to joke around or say anything funny, not that you ever talk, but just in case!" Then, Mom and Graham started laughing since we all knew that Graham does not talk much.

We arrived Rangiora around lunch time. Mom and I attended lunch at Rosemary's house. I stayed with her family for about a month while I was waiting for host family (which was Mom and Graham). They invited me to their beautiful home and catch up with each other. There, I met her, her husband and Victoria. Also, I met with the Wanty's again. We had a great time catching up. I was so blessed to be able to see all of the people that I wished to see. They all were and are very kind to me. Then we visited another family whom I used to spend time fishing and hanging out with when I was in Kaikoara. We came back to Peter's house and started to prepare food and the party. We had so much to eat and drink, especially tonight is the rugby night between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. We stayed up until 1 a.m. The All Blacks lost since they made some many errors.

Anyway, the morning had arrived and I headed to see Nana and Granddad at their house. They were so thankful to see me again after 11 years. They were still the same to me and I was very glad to see them again. Then, I came back to Peter's to have branch and get ready to head to the airport. Graham, Mom, Tessa and Cassie went to see me off at the airport. It was touching to have them their with me. Graham looked sad. He viewed all the photos taken in the past week in Mom's digital camera while I was checking in. It was not a goodbye, I said, it was "see you later!" I could not help but almost tear down. I MISSED THEM ALREADY!

My trip in New Zealand had come to an end as well as my teaching experience in Australia. Judy and her family came to pick me out and took me out to dinner at Sizzler's. They drove me around town for the last time and dropped me off at the airport to catch another plane home to Thailand.

I would like to thank all of the people who helped me made my teaching experience and other things happen. I truly had a great time and learned a whole lot more both in teaching and in life!

Amazing Marine Animal--adorable baby seals!

It was a long walk we had this morning. We thought it was a good decision to start the day with some kind of an exercise before the weather got yucky out as the weather forecast predicted for the rest of the week. We took the same our track that we used to do our hike 11 years ago; however, some path was changed. We had to walk through a bush of pine trees, which was better, I thought. As soon as we got on the hill, we could see the town below us and the endless ocean. It was awesome! We bumped into Carmine, the lady I used to stay with for 10 days during my school exchange between Rangiara High School and Kaikoura High School. She still remained the same, I thought. We chatted for a bit since we intended to visit her later on for a coffee at her house.

On the way back from the walk, we stopped at a nursery where Mom helped out sometimes. The kids were there from baby up to 2 years old. There were about 3 adults running the place. There was one Japanese lady, who is at the same age as I am, just lost her husband who was a teacher at the high school. She decided after her husband’s pass not to returned home since she loved the peaceful environment so much that she thought she would spend her whole life there.

Then, we got ready to start our adventures for the day. First, we went to see Carmine officially. We had a chat and tried to catch up with each other. Her sons are now growing up and William is now a Civil Engineer at my age. He is out abroad at the moment as well as his other two brothers. After the visit, we went to see baby seals. At first, I thought that they would be in an indoor pool or some kind; however, it turned out to be that we had to walk up the hill in a forest for a bit until we reached the waterfall. And there they were about 20 baby seals showing off a trick with pieces of sticks without a trainer. They discovered the freshwater heaven in the waterfall. After they were fed, they would claim up the rocks from the sea to the waterfall to “exercise.” It seemed to me that they really had a great time swimming and jumping in the little pond. It’s just amazing of how cute they were and the energy they had to come up this far from the sea. Mom said last time some people brought some balls for them to play with, but this time there were none. We intended to bring some, but we forgot. They were like little babies.

After we decided we had enough of the rain,cold, and the seals, we headed back to the town to look for some gifts and drop off postcards. There were so many precious things in the stores there, especially jewelry made of jades/ green stones, shells and wood. I did not get anything thinking that I did not really need them. Yet, I got a picture frame for Judy. Then we went to a photo shop to get a picture of me, Judy and Kelly developed.

Later on, we came back to relax and got ready to go to the mid-week happy hour for ladies from the Lion’s club. Mom is the president of the club. Tonight, there were not many members showed up since it’s cold and raining out. We talked about things and had a great time among “girls.” We had chips for snack. Then, Mom and I had to excuse to Shane and Dawn’s house for tea. We are having GREASIE tonight. I loved it so much that I felt so full after a piece of deep fried fish and a handful of chips and a snitch of donut…no wonder why I gained 20 pounds back 11 years ago. I thought this time I did not mind gaining some but not as much! We had a great talk and the kids were just so good and well behaved. I had a chance to catch up with Dawn whom I used to hang out with. Everything is still the same here except me who talks A LOT!

Putting others before ours really makes a difference!

I woke up early to go for a walk with Mom and Graham this morning. However, the weather did not cooperate well. Later on, though, the Mother Nature decided to change its mind and turned out to be great, so we decided to go out for a quick walk and looked at all the new homes. There are many modern houses now in the area. I remembered seeing a few houses along the beach. My family, friends and I used to go for a hike to the peninsula and claimed up the hill to get the other side of the mountain where the town is located. It was even more fun, I still remember vividly, when I went out fishing with Graham and the neighbour. They warned me not to go as I might get emotion sickness. Stubbornly enough, I did not listen, so they had to bring me back after 2 minutes of fishing (well more like feeding fish with the "leftover" from dinner) Graham caught a lot of fish then!

When we came back to the house after our walk in about 10+ degrees (it was a cold morning alright), we spotted two whale watching boats, so Mom told me to look at them with the telescope to see there might be some whales. Sure enough, I saw some spurts of water from a whale and finally this spectacular moment appeared before my eyes. I saw a whale’s tale flipping above the surface! It was a great experience seeing it without having to spend $100+ at all.

Then, I baked Chocolate Chip and Walnuts Muffins to bring to a meeting of Kaikoura Garden Club. There were about twenty ladies at the ages from 60 to 80. They were there to make flowers arrangements to bring to the local hospital for patients. I helped them make one arrangement as well,and I thought I did a great job doing it for the first time. I made more “friends” there. I thought how great it was to be able to bring a smile on the faces of the patients. Giving tender care, love and happiness to other people is blessing...merely little things we give out to others without thinking of getting anything in return can make a big difference on both the sender and the receiver.

On the way back, Shane and Dawn’s children, Hamish (15 yrs of age), Tessa (13 yrs of age), and Jake (11 yrs of age), came along with us home. They could not recognize who I was at first, which was sad, but we clicked so well not long after the muffins I made. I guessed the muffins did the trick! When I was here 11 years ago, Hamish was about 4 years ago, Tessa was about 2 years old and Jake was about 1 month old. I kind of understood and was then thinking of Kelli in America. I was with Kelli when she was 6 months old and 2 years old, so I was afraid that Kelli would not be able to recognize me when I go back to see her in the States again. The kids and I made some flower arrangements together and the kids brought them to their mom. They are great kids I have to say. Tonight, we had lamb chops with mashed potatoes and some steamed peas and corn with red and white wines. Another day has gone by again and I just could not believe it that I am actually here in New Zealand again!

Reunion in New Zealand!

Sunday 20 July 2008

I could not sleep well on Saturday night since I had to wake up early to get ready for my trip to New Zealand. The plan left around 9 am., but I had to be there 2 hours prior to leaving. We woke up before the alarm clock went off really. We stopped at Rick’s on the way to the airport to drop off the house keys. Rick’s mom was so kind enough to get me some presents. I thought that was very nice of her to do so. She said that I was a great tenant. I guess I did not have that much of a party then during my stay!

We got to the airport in time and could not believe it of how crowded it was on the Sunday morning. Judy and I were in line the check in for about half and hour. Then, I had to get into the terminal without having a coffee with the family since the place was so packed that they had to announce for boarding early. We said our goodbye and hugs. I was so very touched by how wonderful Judy and her family to me. The plane took off on time and arrived at Christchurch International Airport within about two hours. Everything was smooth sailing. I was very excited to see Rita and Graham again. I could not help but tear down when I saw them waiting for me patiently at the waiting area. They were tears of joy and happiness really. It felt as if I was seeing my parents after such a long time since we last met, which was 11 years ago. Since we stayed over night at Melanie and Peter’s house tonight, so they took me to the places I had been when I was here. We drove by at my best friend’s house, Heather (the Warren’s family). She and her mom looked the same. It was very nice to see them again and will see them again next Saturday for a get-together at Rosemary’s house. I thought it was very nice of her to offer to throw a party for me. I was with Rosemary and her family for about a month during my transfer to Rita’s family. I remembered having a great time with her and her family. Then, we went to my high school, Rangiora High School. I still remembered my way around vividly.

After finished wandering in the small town, we went to Auntie Eileen to visit her real quick. She did not change a bit except that now she is a widow; however, she manages her life meaningfully. We came back to Peter’s house to stay over night. Peter now has two kids, Michael and Cassie. Joanna and her little ones, Isaac and Katie, came along and had dinner with us. Mom, Rita, brought a jar of veggie soup I like, French bread and Lasagna. We had this great white wine with our dinner. Then, what a combination, we had Hokey Poky for dessert. We did some catchup in the past 11 years. I showed them some pix from my laptop. I did not go to bed until almost 11 pm. It was a great day really and I was so thrilled to be back home again.