My Last Day in Pomaria

Goodbye Pomaria: I'll miss you!

The amazing Room 9!!

The table spread of our shared lunch. I don't know if it is part of Maori culture, but I do know they love big feeds, but Jan gave out a notice earlier in the week for each student to bring a plate of goodies or lunch things for us all to share for lunchtime. It was amazing! The parents were so generous, and that really made me grateful because most of these parents are lower socioeconomic and their kids come to school without any lunches, and their parents found the time and money to give to the lunch. I have never met more generous people. It was a glorious lunch, heaps of food, and not enough for even our class to eat, so we invited another neighboring class and eventually all the delicious meat pies, cakes, chips, watermelon, and goodies were gone.

I'm ready to go!

Kara and me walking for the last time to school :) and :(

It was a bitter sweet day. Sweet because I loved being in Room 9 with all the children and Jan, eating a shared lunch, learning, singing, and enjoying our last day together, but bitter because I know that I won't be back to visit them and it really is goodbye. At the end of the day all the students got into a circle and Jan had Logan (who was my student I worked with for CPSE class) give me a book the class compiled together of their love for me. It was darling, and the writing is beautiful and the pages are filled with glitter and paper hearts (each paper is in a page protector, so it is not messy). Of course, I would have cried if I read the words right then, and I was already tearing up, so I waited to read the notes after school. Kids say the cutest things :) Their favorite thing about me was the dance I taught them about the angle of the axis (thanks Kara for the idea). It made me smile :) Then I gave them my love notes and lollies, but something horrible happened. Late last night while I was writing the notes I checked the class list to make sure I got every student covered, but I forgot that on the class list only 28 students were accounted for and not the 29 that are in the class. One sweet girl was not on the list, so of course, I forgot to write a note for her, and I was so ready to be done with writing by 1 am that I didn't think to make sure all were accounted for. So, disaster struck when all the students got a note, except for sweet Waiora. Lathan was kind enough to tap me on the knee and say, "Miss, what about Waiora?" Looking at her tear-stained face, I realized to my utter horror that I forgot to write her a note because her name was the one missing on the list!! I almost started to cry, but I got up, wrote her a quick note, and apologized and gave her a hug to let her know that I really do love her. Being such a sweet girl, she forgave me quickly and smiled at me right before all the students left. I'm actually really glad for the experience because it taught me two things. One, always make sure that all students are accounted for!! Two, Jesus loves the little children because they are meek, forgiving, humble, and submissive. I can learn a lot from Waiora and her willingness to forgive me so quickly, because I hurt her feelings really bad. Lessons can be learned everyday.

I have been so blessed to be part of Pomaria faculty, and while I've had some shaky days and some meltdowns, the staff and students are so forgiving and loving. I doubt myself too much, and that can sometimes affect how I perceive others. People are basically good like my dad says, and I shouldn't assume that others hate me, just because I don't like myself. Now, I really do like myself, but there was a few days this week when I didn't like what I was doing in the classroom or how I was treating the students. Jan was right-I need to check my emotions and separate them from the classroom and get to work to serve the students.

Jan said that my experience will have been a success if I have learnt things. She told me I have grown in confidence and management tremendously since I started 6 short weeks ago, but I want to believe it for myself. So, here are the things I have learnt while in Room 9:
1. I learned that teaching is not about me, it's about the students and the best I can do is to think of their needs.
2. Mistakes and bad days happen and there is nothing I can do about them when they come, but I can do something about how I react (I learned this the hard way and I still don't react the way I should, but I'm learning for future experiences).
3. I learned how to set up a classroom in the beginning of the year and how to teach routines
4. I learned that re-teaching is good and necessary in primary school.
5. Running records can be done while students are doing independent work.
6. Take one step at a time!
7. Not everything has to be done by me-what can be done by the students should be done by the students!
8. Take risks and learn from them!
9. There is no room for comparison-I have talents that others don't have or are developing, just as they have talents I am developing too.
10. Forgive myself and move on.
11. JJ and Jan taught me this one-look at the blossoms and beauties of my teaching and not just the thorns.

I've learned a lot and there are more, and I am grateful for the time I have spent working with the Pomaria staff and being supported. So many gave me their emails and want to keep in contact with me. One girl who teaches Mandarin was so kind and told me that I am really sweet and will make a great teacher. It made me feel so great! Also, being told by my students and other teachers that I am really pretty doesn't make me feel to bad either. Seriously though, I am grateful for Jan and Room 9 and the lessons they've taught me and her encouragement for me to be a more effective professional.

Enjoy the pictures of my last day in a practicum experience; next time I'm in the classroom I'll be a real teacher!

Love,
Miss Mills

And It All Comes to an End

Well guys and gals, this is it, my last week...at Pomaria :) He he, hoped I would have tricked you. No, we lucky BYU Princesses as JJ likes to call us, are going to travel more of this beautiful country and head up North for a week and then it really will be over. But for now Miss Mills is stressed. Kara is right I really do need to live with Hakuna Matata not only in NZ but in the USA too. Knowing me though, it's going to take a life time and perhaps longer for me ever to slow down and have no worries. At least I'm getting a little closer because of the laid back atmosphere here.

The reason why I am so stressed is that this is the last week for all assignments to be completed, and yes, I shouldn't be blogging, or watching Boy Meets World with Kara, but I've been at school all day, then planning lessons and reading for my online class, and I am just done. JJ still has a paper for me to write, and I need to get that finalized, and a final project started, but I'm ready to call it a night. Today also wasn't the most emotionally happy day-the students were mocking me, and I know I shouldn't care, but when I saw one of my favorite students pretending to be a mean teacher (and Mrs. Scott and I assumed she was mocking me), it hurt just a little. I almost broke down in class, but I remembered that I am going to be a lead teacher soon and there is no room or time for me to walk out on a class then, so why now? After having a little chit chat with her, and two other boys who weren't showing the most respect, it got a little better. I think reminding the kids I loved and respected them, and oh yeah, tearing up, really got to them. No, we aren't friends, but we should respect each other. Actually, after that chat, we had fun starting self-portraits and then playing a variation of Monkey in the Middle. Yes, I was the monkey (or the bad lady who took the ball away if a student didn't pass it on fast enough). It was so fun! I loved hearing their squeals, and pretending to grab the ball from them, but I wasn't fast enough because they passed it in the nick of time :) So, the ending of the school day made the beginning worth it.

I'll miss the kiddies, especially their goodbye hugs and pictures. Already I got some coming up to me saying, "Miss, I'll miss you when you go back to your country." That's what is so precious, and that is one of the things that makes teaching worth it.

Poly Fest, Sky Tower, Sara and Dameon's Wedding...Oh MY!!

It was an exciting weekend:
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 foot

After 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)

Clyne-Monique's second daughter, mixing ingredients for the cake-Sara had German Chocolate Cake for her wedding :)

Saturday Part 2: Sara and Dameon's Wedding
*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.

Body Garden-A success

Here is my wonderful group for maths and their finished product of their body garden! I was so proud :)

More will come tomorrow, but today, I am just tired and hating my snotty nose.

Fruit Kabobs and Auckland City Walk

At the end of the journey...you got to take a picture ;) Look at the beauty behind me

Birds all around

Rock monument for the Auckland City Walk

One of the many types of fauna we encountered on this walk

It started to get really dark near the end of our hike

Stream and jungle...ohhh, ahh...

I loved this tree, so I had to take a picture of it

Hiking in action

Scary but way cool statue...there is a funny story that comes right after this picture was taken. Alice told us girls that there were some falls we should look for once we finished with the statue, so we took a fork in the road and went down to hunt for these falls, but of course, we got lost for a little bit and found ourselves trying to forge across a river. I failed miserably and just took my shoes off and walked along the stream with the slippery mossy rocks, but eventually as we kept to the road there was a sign farther up ahead that lead us on the path to get to the rocks that hid the waterfall. Needless to say, the waterfall was tiny, and it wasn't worth all the time we wasted trying to find it. Oh well, it was still gorgeous in that area.

After school I went with the two other girls who go to Pomaria with Kara and I, Katie and Rebecca-to the Waitakare Ranges (their host mom, Alice, was kind enough to drive us up there) and we started on our hike. This was taken near the beginning on a swinging drawbridge :)

Doesn't it look so creative!!

This little man-Mr. Wyatt, as I like to call him, is the sweetest boy you will ever meet. He does his work, always is ready for the day to start, doesn't complain, and he was the only one in his group to make sure all the grapes were washed before he started putting his kabob together (even though all his teammates had already eaten their first one). His hard work paid off though with this yummy treat that he looks proud of.

I love this little girl. Her name is Zara and she is brilliant, but so quiet and shy. She barely acknowledges me when I smile and say hello to her, but if you look hard enough you can see a hint of a smile.

Oh cute Lathan...I love this little boy-he was so friendly to me my first day and just wanted to please me as he does know. When Lathan finishes his work or writes a good story, I am the first one to know :) I always get a great big hug from this guy at the end of the day. He just loves his kabob, and I had to take a picture of him because of his cute face and marshmellow mouth.

"We've worked hard, now it's time to eat!"

Taniya's fruit kabob! We were so proud of her!

Darling Savannah and full of life Waiora

Can I just say that I love the way Waiora is chomping down on that fruit?!!! She is so adorable! Isabella was the only one actually ready for a picture, he he

Logan-with a marshmellow arm-is enjoying his fruit kabob as is Faye-Marie

"Yum, I love fruit kabobs!"

Ben with his always ready smile :)

Great teamwork from these boys (only all-boy group)-Ian, Jaden (who is such a cutie, and I realized looks a lot like a good friend Jackson), Joseph, and David

Time to eat!!

Zara cutting banana pieces, Shawn smiling at the camera, Wiora working, and Isabella cutting apples slices.

Noble and Lathan preparing their kabobs

Another team preparing their kabobs-Logan (I work with him for my CPSE class), Brian, Faye-Marie (a spirited she bear), and Hamiora (sweet boy who tries so hard everyday to learn)

The only all-girl team making their kabobs-Lila, Julia, Rebeccah, and Paula

The first team to get started on their kabobs, so of course they got ahead and got eating. Tikenati is smiling at me, Losaline is cutting bananas, Salvanni is peeling oranges, Tane and Cheyanne are working together and talking (or should I be so bold to say, flirting) as always.

It was a wonderful, gorgeous day in Auckland! I took many pictures at school during our inquiry learning block and after when Katie, Rebecca and I went on a beautiful 45 minute hike through the Waitakere Ranges. The ranges have many hikes and parks, and we just explored one of the many, but it was a great time. Enjoy the pictures!!

The pictures at the school were doing a 30 minute block near the end of the day when Mrs. Scott gave 6 groups an instruction sheet to make fruit kabobs. The materials needed: apple, banana, plate, bowl, marshmellows, skewers, 2 mandarin oranges, and grapes. Each team had a team leader and they gave out jobs to each of their teammates and after all the jobs were done, the kabobs were made and looked just beautiful and so yummy! Overall the teams worked well together and helped each other get their jobs done before some of them started to make their kabobs and eat. Others didn't wait, but there weren't many complaints and by the end of the day Mrs. Scott and I were surrounded by happy, marshmellow stained students. Too bad I couldn't eat one...but the kids here are usually really hungry and aren't given the nourishment they need at home, so this little treat was really good for them. I don't know, some of them may not get snacks at home at all. It makes me so grateful for my loving environment at home when I was growing up. My parents are gems and I am grateful for them.

Auckland City Walk...what a beauty of a place. Words can't express how beautiful it was and of course the pictures don't give it justice. Can I just say it was like walking through a rain forest and jungle all at the same time. I expected either a monkey, jaguar, or dinosaur from Jurassic Park to come storming out at me. The lush green atmosphere of the place, and walking through at dusk when the canopy of trees blocked much of the sun was just amazing, but also creepily eerie. I loved it! Rebecca and Katie were so thoughtful to invite me and Kara (Kara didn't go because of homework and other things), but I am really glad I got to walk through the land and experience yet another New Zealand natural beauty.