Plants and Animals

In thinking about it, the way in which the first weekend was spent here was funny. For one, we went to look at plants in the botanical gardens.

The cactus is more for artistic value than anything.

The foliage is unique. Picture doesn't do it justice, but there is sunshine! A rare occasion!

Part of Wellington :) So beautiful!

These were at the zoo...again, more for art's sake than anything, I guess.

This is the view that the chimpanzees have of Wellington. Isn't it lovely?

He's just too cute!

And for those of you who know my boyfriend, Jesse, this creature's stance ought to remind you of him...

Soon to come: Pictures and details of the two trips that I've taken so far! Hopefully I'll finish that up before I have three to report on! Oops!

Internship Excursions

What a week it has been! This last week, everything was switched up quite a bit as I accompanied my supervisor to several meetings in town. The first of these meetings was at Access, the in-home health care agency that RWNZ took on recently. I meet the heads of that, and then sat in as Noeline discussed with Graham the process of reviewing that Access just went through. I was very interested to listen in. Some of the topics that they covered included recruitment of younger members into RWNZ, the struggle between governance and management that RWNZ is facing. As Noeline is the executive officer, she is technically in charge of management, which entails helping RWNZ to achieve the goals set in place by the national RWNZ council (elected, and in charge of the realm of governance). From what I understand, the council is sometimes hesitant to hand over the reins to Noeline where the reins need to be handed over. Seems like they need to be made more exclusive and have better defined roles and duties. Really, I suppose what I walked away from that meeting was insight into the running of a non-profit organization. I really appreciate that insight as that may be the direction I head (although don’t quote me on that).

I also accompanied Noeline to an event at Parliament where the Ministry of Consumer Affairs presented their plans for reforming consumer law to anybody who holds a stake in the matter. I was impressed by the environment (understandably so, I suppose) and by the engagement of the stake holders. I had never really seen anything like that in person before. Also, I am discovering a deep fascination within me in regards to how government works.

Perhaps one of the most amazing things to me from last week, though, was discovering that some of the mini-reports I have written up per the direction of my supervisor have been used by RWNZ. One was sent to the president of the organization, and may have helped to determine the course of action that RWNZ would take on an issue, and another report (on evaluation forms from a recent conference put on by RWNZ) is being used as a source to write up something else. It’s a bizarre feeling, I guess. One would think that as a decent student I would have more confidence in myself, but I don’t. I’m excited that I have been useful so far.

Second Week On the Job

Week 2

June 18, 2010

What I Did:

Most of this last week at work was devoted to looking up information about school bus safety, a current issue that Rural Women New Zealand is focusing on. The aim is to raise awareness among Kiwi motorists that the speed limit while driving past a stationary school bus is 20 kilometers per hour, which is particularly an issue on open roads, where the speed limit is 100 kilometers per hour. Few drivers are aware of this rule, or if they are aware do not adhere to it. As a result, there have been too many deaths and injuries of school children as they cross the road getting off the bus. I have been working on looking up past documents on the activities of RWNZ on the issue, and also made a few phone calls to people who are working on the same issue. One of these was Peter Baas, who is developing a prototype sign to put on the back of buses that have been chartered for school usage (as opposed to designated school buses like in the States). This prototype research is being funded by the Road Safety Trust, but will not be ready in the near future. Another call I made was to the Horizons Regional Council to see if they had erected any signage in their area trying to raise awareness. As it turns out, they had put up seven signs and done some follow-up research.

As it is, I dislike making phone calls, and really dreaded making these ones. Kiwis talk really fast, and sometimes I feel like I am translating. Adjusting. Adjusting.

How Did I Feel?

For one, I admire the tenacity of the people at Rural Women New Zealand. The school bus safety project has been going on for several years now. I feel quite overwhelmed jumping in during the middle of such a huge undertaking. There has been a lot of back paperwork that I needed to look over (previous applications to the Road Safety Trust, submissions, and so on), and though I can understand it perfectly fine, I still am having a hard time grasping the context of this possible project. However, I am getting settled into RWNZ and am looking forward to next week when I will be accompanying Noeline to some meetings, including something at parliament.

Becoming Acquainted with a New City

Hello All!

I apologize for being behind on this whole blogging thing!

We stuck around in Wellington on the weekend of the 11th to get to know our city a bit, and it was a good decision! I went for a nice run on Friday morning by the harbor (guessing about 2.5 miles? Not a lot, but twas enough), which was beautiful. The weather this last weekend was perfect for exploring -- the sun was out and shining, the weather was decently warm. Winter here isn't so bad, I think.

Anyway, after I got back from my run, we headed out to get a New Zealand lunch: meat pies. Delicious. Think pot pie, but way better. Then the group split up. Camille, Adam, and I headed to the Botanical Gardens, and the rest of the group went shopping. The gardens were spectacular! NZ has such interesting plant life. We all came back to the apartments that night for some socializing.

Saturday, I took my journal, Bible, and such out along the path that I had run the previous day and enjoyed the sunshine once again, but this time on some rocks by the water. I found a lot of beach glass, which reminded me of weekend trips up to Aunt Jill and Uncle Rick's cottage! Bringing some back for you, Aunt Jill! When I got a bit chilly, I headed into town and went to a cafe called Sweet Mother's Kitchen and got a sandwich for lunch. It was a really cool place -- had a lot of toys to play with while waiting for food (a big plus for me!), sweet music, and great food. I will definitely be back!

I got a text from the group saying that they were ready to head out to the zoo, and so I went back to the apartment and we moved out. I am such an animal lover as it is, and this particular zoo was wonderful because we could get really close to the animals. If the giraffes were close enough, visitors are allowed to touch them! Unfortunately, they didn't get close enough for me to touch, but maybe next time!

We made up fajitas that night for dinner, and watched a few movies. Good stuff.

Sunday, I wasn't feeling too hot, but I went to church, then Skyped my parents and Jesse. Spent the rest of the night laying low.

Monday, I went to work, but was feeling even worse (head cold), and so called (well, texted, which is much less expensive than calling) in Tuesday. Apparently, all I needed was fourteen hours of sleep, a bowl of soup, and a hot bath.

I have also booked my first trip! I'll be going to the South Island with Camille and Wes to do some whale watching and train riding this weekend. Actually, I'm using a plane, a train, and several boats over the weekend. Hooray transportation.

This last weekend, I went with the group to South Island as well, but to a different city. Pictures of that adventure soon to come when I have suitable internet that can handle the uploading of pictures.

That's about it for now! And pictures are coming soon -- promise!

About My Internship

Hello All!

As a part of the academic element of my Internship, I am to keep a journal of my experiences and such. I figured that once I get it written up there, I will include it here as well to keep you in touch with what I'm up to "at work".

Love from NZ!
Gracie



Week 1
June 13, 2010

What I Did:

This first week of work was mostly dedicated to getting myself oriented to a new setting. For one, I had to figure out how the bus system worked. On the Queen’s Birthday (Monday the 7th), I didn’t have to work, but wanted to do a dry run of things so that I wouldn’t be late the next day. I asked the driver to let me off at the bus stop listed on my profile thing with Australearn. Well, he dropped me off alright…in the middle of nowhere. The address I had was fine, but apparently there are two Victoria streets around. I was very discouraged, but got my bus back to Wellington okay (the drivers here are very nice, if not always accurate about where they’re letting you off at). The second day, I asked the bus driver to let me off at a more specific location, which he agreed to …but he forgot about me. We drove right past where I am working. Again, I got very helpful directions on how to get where I needed to go, but it would have been nice to have it work out the first time. The third time I was on the bus, I got off way too early in all of my eagerness, and so had to hoof it for a while. Finally, on Thursday, I arrived right at the stop I wanted to get off at. Victory!

Work itself has been fine. I spent most of last week reading up on how the New Zealand government works, how Rural Women New Zealand functions and what it is focusing on right now, the whole bit. Good information, but by Thursday, I felt ready to start doing some actual work. My wish was answered, because Noeline asked me to make up a report on some surveys she had done in which respondents evaluated a recent Rural Women conference. When I handed it in, she said “well done, you!” This made me glad – I want to do a good job!

How Did I Feel?

This last week has given me a mixture of feelings, and has shown me a lot. For one, I have been struck with what it means to be a part of the work force. University doesn’t seem so bad! But at the same time, I wonder what college is doing to develop me? I mentioned this to Noeline (my overseer/supervisor) and she said “I know it…but it teaches you how to think.” I am excited to go in tomorrow to get a better idea of my specific project that I’ll be working on over the summer – likely, it will involve raising awareness or evaluating the policy of establishing a 20 km/h speed limit past buses that are letting children off after/ picking them up for school. More on that later!

Getting Settled

Hello from wet...cold...windy...wonderful...mountainous...hospitable New Zealand!

Quick pictures from our seal coast safari mentioned in my last post --

Here's me! We're just outside of Wellington here on some private property that the tour company had access to. While driving through there, we saw two ostrich (is that the plural of that? not sure, b/c I've never used it in a sentence before), a red deer, and the rock wall that they cast a mold of to make the set for when Frodo, Sam, and Gollum climb up the stairway to Shelob's lair.

This is our vehicle.....stuck in the sand. The area just got a whole bunch of rain, and as such the beach was wetter than beaches usually are. That's hard to imagine, considering they are the border between large bodies of water and land...but anywho. While waiting for the car to be removed from its perilous settlement, we wandered around the beach, and I got a few pictures!

And, at long last, seals!

On Saturday, we all got moved in to our flats for the next few months. I am in a penthouse suite (no kidding -- our Resident Director said we're really lucky to get it for such a reasonable rate), have my own room and bathroom, and am living with three wonderful flat mates: Amanda from Minnesota, Kendal from Wisconsin, and Camille who is from Colorado.

Here's Norbs enjoying a cuppa tea in the kitchen, with a pic of our kitchen below.

Living Room

Some of the gang! :) Adam and Wes are on the left, in the middle with the computer is Amanda, then Nikki, Marlow (sp? Sorry!), and Kendal (again, sp?).

For the last few days I've been exploring the city. It isn't what I would call a pretty city, but all the same I really enjoy it. It somewhat reminds me of Dublin in that way. I also went to a local church on Sunday, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! More details on that to come, I'm sure! Suffice it to say that the atmosphere was saturated with the Spirit, there was an incredibly passionate worship service, and a message that cut straight to the bone!

Today, I had my first day of work. I will write more on this in posts to come, but my initial impressions are favorable! I'm just afraid that I'll screw up!

I need to get to bed, but my love from Wellington!

Gracie

PS - We as a group bought tickets to the All Blacks rugby match in Wellington against South Africa! So excited, even if it is a month away!

Safe and Sound

For now, I can only do a quick post saying that I'm safe in New Zealand, and that I absolutely adore this country! I feel right at home, and it's beautiful!

So far, I've just done an orientation to the program and the city, which was cool. It included a lot of really good food (sea food -- I know you'll be proud, Dad), a walking tour of the city, and a seal coast safari. On the safari, we went in some rugged off road vehicles out to the coast to see a fur seal colony. It was breathtaking scenery, but the excursion had an unfortunate twist - our cars got stuck in the very wet and soft sand on the beach. So, while the drivers and a local fisherman dug out the cars, I got some nice pictures of the coastline. At long last, we met up with the seals (smelly little guys, but so cool), and then came back to Wellington.

Today, I move into my apartment for the rest of my time here. From what I hear, it's pretty "flash" (as in we're lucky little interns to have such a place as that). Hopefully, my roommates and I will have internet set up soon, so I can actually talk to some folks via Skype.

Gracie