Friday: Poly Fest
*Got to take a long bus trip with Kara to Poly Fest where thousands of intermediate and college aged school children performed various dances, speeches, and other forms of entertainment for the audience. I think I would have liked it better if we were able to stay longer and see some of the dances, especially the ones where our friends were performing, but due to the 1 long bus ride to and back, we didn't have much time to enjoy the atmosphere. Kara and I both agreed the best part of Poly Fest was getting our wood carvings for our future homes; mine says "Whanau" which means "Family" in Maori. The verdict from that Friday excursion: Pasifika was heaps better.
The Nieu Performing Group
Proof we were there :)
Saturday Part 1: Sky Tower
*Around 10 am Kara and I got picked up by a taxi service and then met up with all the girls and Dr. Jacobs, Linda, and his sister Alberta in the famous Sky Tower. Katie wrote on our facebook wall that we should all dress up nicely (and I am so glad we did because we went to a very expensive restaurant up top). Everyone looked so pretty. Our first stop in the Sky Tower was the observation deck where we were able to look out across Auckland City and see One Tree Hill, Rangitoto (the volcano I hiked a few weeks back), Devonport, the city's largest buildings, little cars, the beautiful ocean, and other historic buildings like the Museum, all from a different perspective. It was such a cool feeling to walk around the observation deck and see the city from up top. Also, there were sky jumpers (like bungy jumpers) free falling for our entertainment. After the observation deck we all headed up one level to the Orbit Restaurant. My goodness it was a treat! The first and definitely last gourmet food I will have in Auckland. Dr. Jacobs told us that our money was already going to be used for this meal, but man, it was expensive ($50 per person). The food was divine though-I even liked the vegetables! I decided to eat waffles, steamed vegetables, fresh fruit (which was divine), and then share a chocolate delicacy with Kara. Mom and Dad, this dessert was very similar to the one we have at Anthony's, but I'll be honest, it was not as delicious. So, when we get home, I really want to go to Anthony's again and have that amazing dessert :)
A view of the city
A view of the sea
Steamed vegetables-the zucchini was really good :)
Standing on the glass-it was really freaking looking down and feeling that you were going to fall through that glass. This is mine and Katie's footAfter 3 hours of being in the Sky Tower, and then quickly visiting the gift shop, JJ, Linda, and Alberta took Kara and I to our next destination....
Mini in her flower girl dress
Pascal and me-she is in our ward here in Auckland, and Monique is her Auntie.
Sara looked beautiful in her dress, and it fit her perfectly. I love this sweet girl. Honestly, I feel rude that I didn't get a picture of Sara and Dameon, but I didn't just want to ask; he looked very handsome and happy. Actually, in the background off to the side, the man with the gray suit on is the lucky groom :)
Another part of the arrangement
Kara with her beautiful arrangement (before Monique's other sister took some for the cake). Even after that, Kara still did a great job-she has such a talent with arrangements.
This was where Dameon and Sara were married-what a beautiful view. I loved the sailboats
The Lollie table before the kids ate everything, he he. By kids, I mean everyone (which didn't please Sara so much)
*From 2:45 pm to 10:30 pm was all spent in Monique's cousin's house for Sara and Dameon's wedding. As soon as we got there, Monique put us to work, but it wasn't too bad, since we got there so late, so that Monique had most everything done. Kara was in charge of the flower arrangements and I was asked to pull some weeds from the front garden. What was weird was just throwing the weeds in another part of the garden that couldn't be seen as well-but that's what Monique told me to do. After weed pulling I helped Kara with the flowers and I must say they looked amazing :) Our next job was to usher those guests who were trickling in and then alert the photographer and the guests when Sara and her bridal party drove in. At one time we were sure it was Sara in a car, but nope, out popped another guest, but unfortunatly, all the guests thought Sara was there and the poor photographer actually came up the steep driveway with us since he thought Sara was here too. I felt like the Girl Who Cried Wolf. Luckily, nobody was too put off, and Kara and I had a fun time talking with the photographer.
Eventually Sara, her dad, and bridesmaids got to the house and it was beautiful. Dameon was so happy waiting up in the front for her, and as she walked down the "aisle" with her dad, she teared up, and Dameon was all tears. It was gorgeous. Lebron, their son, looked so happy and everyone was just smiles. Farran performed the service and it was over very quick. It was a beautiful service because of the love you could feel from Dameon and Sara for each other, especially when they promised to be faithful to each other for life and live with the spirit. The only sad part was hearing that they will be married for life; it made it so much more important for me to choose marriage for eternity.
After the ceremony was more work. We helped with the food preparation (mostly just putting the food on the tables since the meat was already cooked and ready to eat). There were heaps of food: lobster, nasty seafood I can't remember the name of, chicken, coleslaw, rolls, salad, applesauce, and yummy potatoes. Brigham-Sara and Monique's brother-made the potatoes, which were so good with the sour cream, mayo, and other spices on it. The potatoes of New Zealand are always served with eggs or something else all mashed in. I have not had a naked potato yet. Dinner was served, Sara and Dameon had their pictures taken, and then came the talking with everyone. What was hilarious was that most of the guys watched rugby and boxing during the reception, so this was a super casual wedding. The place was beautiful, and the family was so nice, and I love weddings, but I was glad to go home.
A new week will begin-the last week in the schools-wow, time flies.
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