Internship Journal 7 of 10...Time Flies!

This last week was an interesting one. I was still feeling quite defeated from the “call to action” scenario from the week before, and spent much of my time at work re-thinking my initial approach. By Thursday, I had an idea of the direction I wanted my report to go in, but still was having a difficult time achieving that goal. In the end, I just started writing to myself, asking myself what point I wanted to make. I sent my ramblings over to Noeline with a request for more specific guidance in how to achieve what she was looking for.

Her response greatly encouraged me. “You have no idea how well you are doing, I should be telling you more!” Additionally, in the comment’s section of a bi-weekly progress report thing I have to turn in, she noted that “Over the last two weeks I have really pushed Sarah along on ECE only because of the view that she can handle this very difficult issue. And I am proving to be right! I gave an additional challenge in that she needs to think about calls to action when investigating policies that may be
impacting negatively on a community and come up with solutions. Sarah is
proving to be a valuable asset to this office, and she makes a great cup of
coffee!”

I have come to realize just how much I value a positive comment (probably why I love instructor feedback on the papers I turn in for school). A quote from the movie Gladiator really captures how powerful of an impact words of praise have on me: “One kind word…would have been like the sun on my heart for a thousand years.” I hold on to praises and encouragement, for they build me up.

Anyway, I had the opportunity to be a part of the office outside of the office on a few occasions. On Tuesday evening, I was invited along to the book release for the RWNZ cookbook, A Good Spread. It was a nice evening, if somewhat overwhelming; I met many of the Council members who were in town for meetings, as well as the wife of the Governor General, although I only found out who she was afterwards. For the most part, I ended up hanging out with Angela, who was the chef for the evening and the daughter of one of the women who work in the office with me. We had some good laughs, and she was kind enough to offer me a ride home after all was said and done.

Also, Noeline generously took me out for lunch over the weekend. She picked me up on Sunday after church and together she, her partner Ronan, and I all drove out to Maranui Surf and Life Saver’s Club for lunch. On the second floor of the club is a nice café that overlooks the water. It was lovely – the sun was shining, there were people out surfing, and the food was delicious! Afterwards, Noeline drove me along the coastline, pointing out different locations of significance or interest (memorials, Peter Jackson’s old home, a nude beach, walking trails). My favourite thing about New Zealand is by far the outdoors. It’s spectacular! The last stop on my adventure with Noeline was to go to her home and meet all of her cats. It was great to hold an animal again, that’s all I can say.

All in all, I suppose it has been a very diverse but interesting week at work! I feel as though I have emerged on the other side of a challenging assignment and that I’ll be able to pull through it in the end. This next week ought to be a change of pace, as well, for I’ll be getting a taste of some administrative duties, from what I understand.