Rabbit Island

I'm trying not to feel guilty that I haven't written a blog in almost 6 months. I think one sign that you've settled into a new place is that you don't (feel that you) have time for "touristy" things, like sending news home about how things are. Well, we are definitely feeling settled in. Days go by quicker than we can count them and the next thing you know it's winter in the Southern Hemisphere!

I've had so many ideas pop into my head over the past weeks and months about topics I'd like to share in the blog.  But finding the time to sit down and write out an entire coherent story has given me writer's block. We've had wonderful times and I'd love to share them with you -- in little snippets, only because if they aren't little snippets, they probably won't get written down.  So here's one...

Rabbit Island

Last weekend was Queen's Birthday, a long weekend, and Jon amazingly didn't have a game to coach on the Saturday (btw, his women's "prems" team finally won a game -- Jon's first win in NZ!). With an entire weekend free, we decided to head north to Nelson, about a 4 1/2 hour trip to the top of the South Island. We took the inland route through the Southern Alps which was one aaahhhh moment after another. We passed through parts of wine country (note to self: must come back and explore further) and came into Nelson, framed by hills overlooking bays and inlets. I remember thinking to myself: this is closer than driving from Columbus to Buffalo but the dramatic changes in the landscape make you feel like you've traveled so much further.

We spent Sunday in the small town of Mapua, or rather on the Mapua Wharf, about 35 km from Nelson. What an incredibly relaxing day (for the most part). After some micro brews and nachos, we decided to take the small ferry/bike-rental-shop across the water to Rabbit Island to go riding through the trails.

Ferry to Rabbit Island

Here's a map of the trails, he said. Keep to the trails marked blue, since the others are closed due to logging. But then, it's Sunday and there won't be logging, so just jump the fence. ok. We had an hour and a half to ride around the island before the ferry would come to pick us up at 4:10, the last pick up of the day.  Off we went on our mountain bikes through the woods on the blue trail.

We eventually found ourselves riding our bikes along a long stretch of beach, sun shining, waves crashing. I think I've seen this scene in a movie somewhere.

And then there were two girls riding horses into the waves. I'm sure I've seen this movie.

But then it was time to head back to catch the ferry. Blue trail this way, Jon said, I saw a sign. Fast forward 10 km, I check my map: this is not "our" blue trail, in fact all the bike trails are marked by blue stakes (not the same thing as a blue line on a map it turns out). We're heading in the opposite direction. Back we go 10 km and then discover our real blue path. 3:55. Still quite a distance to go. (Why did I think I needed exercise this morning and go for a run?) 4:07. My relaxing cinematic moment has turned into the Indy 500 on bikes. But we made it, yay!! (Like the ferry/bike owner was going to leave us and his expensive bikes behind.)
 

Back on the wharf, another micro-brew and some live music was all that was needed to bring that relaxing holiday feeling back. What a fun weekend.

An Appreciation, from Jon

2012 was an incredible year for us and in reflection, there were a ton of people and events that I am so grateful for.

January – The month started with us still being in Immigration limbo with Beth having a job at University of Canterbury and us needing the final stamp of approval from NZ Immigration to get there.  After seven months of red tape and for me, the thought that it was never going to happen, it HAPPENED.  Thanks Jason Stewart, our NZ Immigration officer, for aiding and abetting our departure.

Every time I think of Columbus, I’m reminded of the OAR song, “Road Outside of Columbus.”  While I’m labeled the New Yorker by many who know me, Columbus is my “second home.”  Starting with Beth and Zach, my life is so much richer for the friends we’ve made there and Jon and Beth’s Big Bash was a great chance to celebrate with our friends.  Six years in the making, Beth’s belated 50^th Birthday party/Leaving town/Star-studded dance celebration was as much fun to watch as it was to be there.  Special thanks to Kara and everyone who turned out to wish us well.

The last skate in Columbus and the Al Green/OSU 6am Hockey Club.  My life as an early riser reached new heights over the last three years and I have Mike Stegemiller and the similarly minded enthusiasts I shared ice with to thank.  5am wasn’t usually fun, but the hour on the ice always was.

February – With NZ Immigration approval, it was finally time to move.  After reducing our life’s possessions to one shipping container, we trusted the people at Crowne Relocation to get our belongings half way around the world.  We had our doubts as we watched the process, but it all fit.

With our belongings on a truck to a boat, it was time to get the dogs’ travel itinerary and finally get on a plane.  Special thanks to Kitty and Oliver for getting us to the airport, American Airlines for taking care of the domestic portion of our flight, IPT for their council as we navigated the paperwork for Sammy and Tatum, and Air New Zealand and Canterbury Quarantine as we settled on the South Island.

March – Life isn’t complete without a job and in March I got my first job thanks to Gareth Greenfield and the Selwyn Hockey Club.  While I know there probably weren’t a lot of applicants for the job, I appreciate Gareth and the club taking a chance on a middle age American.  Gareth has always been good counsel and the Prem Ladies team was responsible for the start of my education in the world of Canterbury Hockey.

24 Belleview Terrace is our home.  We wake up every morning with a reminder as we look out the window that we’re not in Columbus anymore.  No offense, but I’ll take the view of the western edge of the Pacific over the Olentangy River any day.  While we waited for our furniture, living here provided me with daily opportunities to apply my Jack-of-all-Trades skills as I “built” a coffee table and imagined other ways to use Ketchup bottles (Q-tip holder).

April – A tricky month in the Southern Hemisphere weather-wise (Fall turning to Winter).  I learned to appreciate the value of layers as I prepared to dress for trainings for the Selwyn Ladies on Monday nights.  The days get shorter, the nights get cooler and the temperature plummets between 8pm and 9:30pm.  Good thing the weather reports tell you how many layers to wear and even better, to always have an extra layer in the bag.

While I didn’t have gear, I did have an ice hockey team to play on.  Through the wonders of the Internet, Canterbury Ice Hockey League and Rolf Holmsen, I found the Rats.  It took another three weeks before our belongings and my gear got to New Zealand, but I had a team.  Thanks to Rolf and the Rats’ patience as I worked my way somewhat into form.

Crowne movers came through again as they arranged for my hockey gear to be released before the rest of our belongings as we waited on MAF/New Zealand Agriculture to inspect our container for release.  When Crowne loaded our belongings in Columbus it took a crew of six.  Two guys and a truck unloaded everything in Mt Pleasant and made it look effortless.  You guys rock.  Finally, we have a home.

Beth is an explorer and “Dora” and I spent Easter weekend in Kaikoura.  Our first New Zealand vacation, the weekend was a sampling of things to come as we find our way here.  Seal colonies, whale watching, quad riding – when in Kaikoura, do as the tourists do – and have a good time while you’re at it.   Thanks Dora.

May – My education in Canterbury Hockey continues and special thanks to Sunjay Ganda for the opportunity.  While I questioned my calling as the Selwyn Ladies coach (we started disastrously in the results column with a 9-0 loss in our first game and worked hard to improve from there), I got to do what I love through Sunjay – COACH GOALKEEPERS.  Welcome to the world of Primary Boys and Girls hockey, ten girls and boys keepers and they’re all under eleven years old.  I love this country.

June – An anniversary trip to Hanmer Springs, and we get to experience first-hand snow in June.  A gorgeous drive through Lewis Pass and an afternoon in the thermal pools is followed by two straight days of snow.  On the good news front, while we may have lost power, the town never closed (eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we shovel).  Thanks again Dora.

Rugby is religion in New Zealand and Canterbury especially.  My sport immersion program continues and while I have no interest in trying the game, the strength, stamina, skill and speed of the game when it’s played well is impressive and the All Blacks play well often.  While I don’t know that I want to play against Richie McCaw, I’d certainly want him on my team.  And the Haka, it speaks for itself.

July – “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play” – John Fogerty

Winter break at University of Canterbury provides me with a chance to play in the Men’s Premier Competition as their keepers are away on school holiday.  Special thanks go to University Hockey Club for the chance and my Selwyn Ladies team for understanding.  In one game, I think I raised the average age of the University team by ten years and the best part was we won.

The London Olympics were a great chance to experience a part of what it is like to be a Kiwi.  The country shifted to London time as we watched live the exploits of rowers, cyclists, equestrians and all things excellent in New Zealand sport through eight channels of Sky.  Every Olympic hockey game was televised and the lady Black Sticks took the country on an emotional roller coaster that climaxed with an incredible semi-final against eventual gold medalists, The Netherlands.  I have a new appreciation for hard work, belief, Kayla Sharland and Bianca Russell.

After four months it’s time to find a real job.  In hockey circles, I’ve become the American goalie guy.  Unfortunately, that’s not filling my days.  After three months scouring the net for a job, I find my calling at the Canterbury Hockey Association as Community Hockey Manager.  If you told me three years ago that this is what I’d be doing, I’d say you were crazy; crazy like a fox.  Thanks fox and Canterbury Hockey.

August – In my first official capacity as a Community Hockey Manager, I get to be the videographer for the Canterbury Cavaliers, the men’s team in the Hockey New Zealand National Hockey League.  Obviously they’ve never seen me video.  The experience gives me another chance to work with keepers as well as a reminder that I don’t know as much as I think I do, especially when it comes to Gamebreaker and technology.  Thanks to Jeremy Symonds, Simon Bates and Lee Munt.

On a separate note of appreciation, congratulations to the Canterbury Cats, the women’s NHL team, as they ran the table to win the competition.

Our cultural education via TV continues and we have the Voice Australia to thank.  While the show is essentially the same as the American version, the judges, contestants and songs lend itself to an appreciation of Oceanic entertainment and the people, as well as a new crush for Beth, Keith Urban.

September – One question opened a new door, “What is the Hockey New Zealand position on hand position for goalkeepers?”  Thanks to Chris Leslie and Hockey Academy South for one of the best research projects ever.  Additional thanks go out to Mark Hagar, Helen Clarke and Greg Nicol for the opportunity to attend Black Sticks Goalkeeper selections and for sharing your knowledge. 

October – Two months on the job, and I’m still learning that there are no boundaries to what a Community Hockey Manager does as we host the Hatch Cup.  In the first tournament held in Christchurch since the September 2010 earthquakes, I’m reminded daily of how far the City and the people have come in less than two years.  The hockey community was impacted beyond words by the quakes and for five days the country got to see where we have come and where we might go.  The Hatch Cup is the New Zealand national representative tournament for Primary aged boys and Canterbury beats North Harbour in the finals in extra time.  Tradition and Mayor Bob Parker take prominent place at the Opening Ceremonies as he reminds participants what to do in an earthquake and challenges us with the opportunity to “re-imagine” the city and ourselves.  Thanks for the reminder.

Ice hockey season comes to a close as the Cinderella story ends with us (the Rats) losing in the Grand Final 6-4.

November – As one door closes, another opens, Masters Hockey.  I finally have a regular gig with the over-35 set as I play for University.  Once again I’m enlightened.  Over-35 is not dead and there are plenty of former Black Sticks in the ranks of the competition to remind this American that younger and faster are not always better than older and smarter, though all have shown they have what it takes to expose the deficiencies of my game. 

Thanksgiving in America starts with Election Day in Los Angeles on our whirlwind North American adventure.  To the city of Los Angeles, thanks for hosting my parents, Beth and me, and allowing us to leave only semi-scarred (special thanks to the fat man on a bicycle in West Hollywood wearing a skirt and no underwear – a visual that will haunt me for the rest of my life).  Thanks to the American people for listening to the voice of reason in spite of Fox News, Karl Rove and Mitt Romney.  But most of all, thanks to our families and friends in Columbus, New York, and Meaford, the trip was a reminder of how special the people in my life are.

December – 2012 starts in Columbus and thanks to the Mayans for being wrong, ends in Christchurch on December 31.  In celebration of seeing December 22 we spent Christmas on Canterbury’s West Coast.  I’m still awed by the landscape of this country and look forward to more adventures with Dora.  The kids (Zachary, Sammy and Tatum) are growing up.   Life is good.

Our Kiwi Christmas

Season's greetings!

It's so hard to believe that 10 months have passed since we moved to Christchurch, and now here we are celebrating Christmas in summer! Not having a clue what that entails, we asked Kiwis how they celebrate Christmas. More than one person told us that they spend it on the beach... hmmmm...I think I could handle that.

So here we are, Jon, me, Tatum and Sammy, on the west coast by a beach on the Tasman Sea, which separates New Zealand from Australia. To be clear though, we didn't need to drive 3 1/2 hours to the west coast to find a beach. We could have gone to the one at the end of our street. But the cool thing about having Christmas in the summer is that you can combine summer vacation with Christmas holidays. That's made all the easier because the University's closed from Dec. 21st - Jan. 3rd. CLOSED! And if that weren't enough, Jon's office is closed as well. That we both had time off at the same time was quite a new concept for us, but one that we could definitely handle.

Before leaving Christchurch though, we decorated our Christmas tree, i.e. the bush outside our front door with the welcome duck under it, naturally.

Then, we loaded up the dogs, bags, food, etc., and climbed into my little Yaris and headed westward.

All of the visitors that we've had, have visited the west coast and then reported back to us on how amazing it was going through the Southern Alps. I have to say though that my favourite description comes from our friend, Andy, who put it something like this: "We'd go around one corner and OMG, there'd be incredible views with crystal blue lakes and snow-capped mountains, and then we'd turn another corner and it would be OMG! More amazing views! And then we'd turn another corner, and it was OMG! And then we'd turn another corner and it was like ... are you f****ing kidding me?????, this is crazy!!" And yeah, it was pretty much like that.

Just past Arthur's Pass (the half way point), the eco-system suddenly changed. While the mountains  on our side of the mountains are relatively bare, on the west side they were suddenly lush with thick green vegetation. I regret not taking pictures but were we too anxious to get to where we were going and didn't want to stop. Next time...

On the west cost, we stayed at the Charles Court Motel, just south of Greymouth. From traveling in the US and Canada, most family-run small motels harken back to an earlier era, sometimes good sometimes not so good. Our experience with motels in NZ has been quite different and this one was even better than the last. It was modern, with a jacuzzi (didn't use), a kitchen with dishes/pots/pans/silverware (used to make Xmas dinner), a hot tub (definitely used), and best of all, it was pet-friendly. Sammy and Tatum were especially happy since they got to sleep in the big bed!

The motel was just a short walk to the beach which Sammy and Tatum loved to explore. The beach by the motel was full of smooth flat stones though north of the city,  there were miles and miles of sandy beaches. And like the one shown below, we could often have the whole beach to ourselves.

Sammy & Tatum by the Tasman Sea

On December 24th, we drove about a half an hour north to Punakaiki conservation areas to see the famous pancake rocks and do a bit of tramping (read: hiking). The drive was wow-inspiring as we followed the road along the coast with emerald blue water to the left and mountains padded in layers of green on the right (again, pictures next time :). As we found out though, dogs aren't allowed in the conservation areas, not surprisingly, so we opted instead to have a picnic on the beach. Hence, our official 2012 Happy Holidays photo!

The next day, Christmas day, Jon and I ventured back to Punakaiki to see the pancake rocks and walk the Truman Track.  Andy's words would again do justice to the scenery: "are you f****ing kidding me?????, this is crazy!!

Here's the evidence.

Jon on the Truman Track

A border of flax and ferns

Pancake rocks

Truman Track

After three warm sun-filled days, we headed back home. Despite the clouds and cooler weather, the drive back through the mountains was just as wow-inspiring.

The only thing that would have made the holiday better would have been to have our big kid, Zachary, along with us. Next time... :)

From our home to yours, we wish you a joyful, safe and healthy 2013.

If you had a shipping container, what would you do?

If you had a shipping container, what would you do?

You could store it in a yard with hundreds of other containers like these on Port Hills Road
 in Christchurch.

Or, you could do what we did: fill it with all of your belongings and let it travel for two months 

on a boat from Columbus, Ohio to Christchurch, NZ.

It turns out that this is a pretty boring use of a shipping container.

 Who knew that there are so many other things that they can be used for.  For example, they can serve as effective fences to block off entry to buildings that have been damaged by boulders jiggled loose by earthquakes.

 In this case, it is the former administrative office for the tunnel that connects Heathcote and Lyttleton.

Speaking of blocking things, you could also pile shipping containers on top of each other.  In this way, they serve as (hopefully) effective blockades for falling rocks.

The road that runs from Christchurch to the beach town of Sumner is flanked on one side by the Pacific and on the other side cliffs. 

Unfortunately, some of the cliffs gave way during the earthquakes sending rocks (and some homes, see below) tumbling down. Shipping containers have been piled two high between the cliffs and road as a safety measure. The shipping containers look so small because, of course, the cliffs are so high and steep.

 

In their natural state, shipping containers are not particularly attractive, especially when you have lots of them lining your roads. So why not turn them into an art gallery?



Design them, paint them or .... cover them in a handmade quilt! Who'd have thought that one could use a shipping container as a place to display quilts? In Sumner, there is amazing knitted/crocheted quilt artistry draping one of the shipping containers positioned to break rock falls onto the main road.



Other functions, you ask? Well, shipping containers have a lot of space inside that can be filled with whatever you want, not just personal items to ship around the world.  So, you could turn a shipping container into a fish and chip shop, like this one in Sumner. The hotel (backpacker) behind it is closed due to earthquake damage.

You could also turn it into a very cool espresso bar like the Upshot in Heathcote.

Or, if you had a few shipping containers, you could paint them red and turn them into a pub,
like the Port Hole in Lyttleton.

Or if you felt really inspired, you could create a whole mini-city out of shipping containers! 

Witness downtown Christchurch where a container mall has sprung up as a temporary replacement for the many buildings destroyed by the earthquakes.

If you had a shipping container, what would you do?

My Life as a Community Hockey Manager

Life as a Community Hockey Manager is one where I never seem to be surprised because in the world of six degrees of separation, everything that I never thought would be in my current job description is something I've done before.

Starting with our office situation. For the first two months of my job we had two floors of an office space around the corner from the primary turfs in Christchurch that we had on a month-to-month lease. On September 23 we were told that the property manager had someone who wanted to lease the space long term and we needed to be out by the end of the month. Half the office moved to a smaller unit. The other half has been relocated to a trailer on the site of the fields for the next two months. The situation is temporary. We actually have our old offices that were at Porrit Park (which is where the brunt of the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes hit). The land will never be built on again, but the building is intact and they'll load it up and bring it by truck by the end of December.

Let me tell you about our trailer. It’s been kindly donated to us by the folks at Just Hockey (THANKS!!!) and it’s really nice. And cozy. The trailer (affectionately known as Nunweek Suites) houses the offices of Planning and Development Manager, the director of Hockey Academy South as well as the Community Manager and all their equipment. Cozy. On the plus side, the weather has been spectacular and it’s pretty cool when your offices are between two turfs and you can park next to your office.

Now, a little about my job. Representative hockey is huge in New Zealand and in the world of youth rep hockey we're currently hosting the Hatch Cup, the boys primary (under 13) provincial tournament. This is the first age group that regional teams compete in and there are 24 teams from
around the country competing. This is the first tournament Christchurch has hosted since the quakes and the first time that a lot of teams from around the country have actually been in the city to see where we are as we recover. Many of the teams have gone down to Porrit to see the damage and where the city is in the rebuild process and it's pretty impressive.

Nunweek Pavilion

I got to my office/trailer on Monday and was told all hands are on deck to get ready for the tournament. Nunweek Park is our primary turf and has two sand-filled (what they call wet-dressed here) fields. It was once a grass facility with an old pavilion that has been expanded over the years so that there are two turfs and a third one that will be done by Christmas.

Monday was spent converting old goals into football/soccer style dugoutswith tarps laid over the top, back and sides. We have a groundskeeper who is a nice enough guy, but high tech and him are two words that have never been used in the same sentence. Where in the modern world cable ties are the easy, efficient fix to securing things (plastic zips), we have buckets of old pieces of hemp rope that are used to tie everything. After an hour of watching this go on, I suggested a trip to our equivalent of Home Depot (Mitre Mega 10) and bought zip ties and got black nylon cord. He watched me work for about twenty minutes and then walked away. I was very competent and was left to do nets for the day.

Tuesday was opening ceremonies and I was brought back to the days of Futures Tournaments and Buckeye All-American Camps. Last minute choreography, whoever is closest does what needs to be done. Hatch Cup is a tournament of traditions and one of the first comes with opening ceremonies, ribbon swapping. Each of the teams exchanges 24 ribbons (one for everyone on the team) with the other team, so effectively each team brings 24 bags of ribbons and gets one from each of the other teams. Sounds simple enough but throw in the fact that it’s 13 year old boys and nothing is as simple as it sounds. Four days after the opening ceremonies teams were still trying to get their ribbons sorted out.

Opening ceremonies

Tradition two is the Supporters Award. At Hatch Cup there is an award to the province with the best supporters. Being a good supporter means positively encouraging your child’s team and being a positive influence around the field. It also includes costumes. Not every supporter comes in costume, but significant groups of parents at least wear something that contains provincial colours. A common motif is coloured wig and hats. For Wairarapi that means green wigs and red bowlers. Folks look like Oompah-Loompahs. Wairarapi wins the supporters award hands down. With colours being Green and red, these people go nuts. Middle age men dressed as Christmas trees (notice I say men, meaning multiple), Robin Hood (complete with matching tights and boots), and assorted other variations on the themes. Some of the team’s supporters are into it more than others, but it provides a great perspective for all, especially as you realize this is the first time some of these players have been out of their province and that it’s about the traditions and the experience.

On the hockey front, it's been amazing watching the level of skill by 13 year-old boys. Canterbury (my boys) is in the finals against North Harbour. For Canterbury to reach the finals is huge, they beat Auckland in the Semis. Auckland is our Michigan.

More on déjà vu and Buckeye Dayz. Tournament hosts are expected to provide a Kookaburra game ball for each game. No ball boys, just one ball for the game. The field is surrounded by fencing so not having ball people isn't a huge thing but finding a white ball is. Sand filled turfs will turn a white ball green by the end of a match and after three days of hockey, all our Kooks were green. Sound familiar?

Once again, previous life experience comes in handy. Deja vu from my Spring break adventures in Columbus after winter hockey. As I'm getting ready to leave Friday afternoon the tournament director, who is our Association board president and is this sweet old lady who has to be at least several kids’ grandmother asks if I can help, we need white balls for the remaining games and she has this bucket of at least 30 dirty balls soaking. In comes Community Hockey Manager, yours truly. On the really good news, I can know tell you there is a product that is amazing for cleaning called Chemico (hopefully it's not toxic). Take a scouring pad and a good dose of Chemico (it's a pink paste) and scrub away and in 5 minutes you can get a Kook mostly white.

Saturday afternoon is the finals, North Harbour versus Canterbury and it’s pouring rain sideways. Welcome to Christchurch. I still don’t know whether their called Southerlies, Westerlies or whatever, all I know is when they roll in (and it’s usually within an hour of the sky going ominously dark) prepare to be cold and wet. 12n the sun was out, by 2pm the third place game had to be suspended because of flooding on the pitch and the final was moved to Nunweek 1. Blown over dugouts had to be uprighted and tables organized for the trophy presentations/closing ceremonies. Can you say Community Hockey Manager?

Once everything was set up, both teams played an awesome final. Canterbury had most of the play but couldn’t score and the teams were tied 0-0 after regulation and extra-time. The game savvy, composure and execution by 13 year-old boys was totally impressive. Canterbury won the stroke off 3-1, but only after North Harbour put two strokes off the post. And I had the best seats in the house, front row, ten meters to the side behind the goal. Just another day at the office.

Hatch final

I've had some brilliant coaching opportunities here in spite of the fact that this is not my primary responsibility. My role as Community Hockey Manager is to service all the regional hockey associations in the Canterbury Province which includes West Coast, South Canterbury and
Mid Canterbury. A high performance academy has also been set up for the province and the guy in charge is Chris Leslie the women's under 21 national team coach and an assistant for the senior women's team. He's asked me to run goalkeeper training for the keepers in the Academy and
it's been alot of fun. I'm working with a group of five, three men and two women, our Senior guy has been invited to trial for the expanded men's senior squad, my club keeper has been invited to the women's senior goalkeeper squad, one of the other guys just got back from national u-21 squad trials and u-18 squad trials are going on right now and we have a boy and a girl at them.I had asked Chris for more information about the NZ style of goalkeeping and the big highlight for me was that he arranged for me to go up to Auckland as an observer at the women's Black Sticks goalkeeper camp. Mark Hagar and Greg Nichols (the two primary coaches) were there and Helen Clark (who played for the team as a keeper in the 2004 Olympics) ran the camp. I went there completely with the mindset of learning and after about a half an hour of observing, I asked Mark a question about something they were emphasizing in stance. He was awesome, he considered it and gave a well thought-out answer.

He and Greg are completely hands-on. Both were international forwards but obviously know a lot about keeping from the scoring perspective. Greg actually played goal for two years in his 20's so he could get a better understanding of the position. Bottom line, we started talking and Mark said to me, "we don't pretend to be experts about goalkeeping and I'm welcome to provide any input."  There were ten keepers at the camp and it was run over a weekend. By the Sunday, I was working with some of the group. There is a second weekend that I'll be going to at the end of the month and I'm working on presenting a think piece for the coaching staff about elements of ice hockey goalkeeping that are applicable to hockey.

Community Hockey Manager is about development and that’s been a lot of work, but good work. I’m learning how clubs and communities and those entrusted to them work. I’m learning the processes involved in securing funding and those sources. I’m learning how to present to groups. Now I’m starting to see some of the rewards. We’re getting funding, we have schools signing up for Small Sticks. I’m speaking to club presidents and learning their issues because a third of their club members left Christchurch post-earthquake. How do we get more people playing hockey? It’s funny, I think I’ve had half my life to get ready for this job and I can’t think of a better place to be. Life is good….

Company Car - Play Hockey!

August Showers Bring September Flowers

Spring has sprung in Christchurch! The blossoms are everywhere, as are the sweet smells.

Particularly impressive are the towering rhododendrons. If they don't call them trees here, as opposed to bushes, they definitely should.

This rhododendron is about as tall as a two story building and the blossoms look like 

the puffy kleenex flowers we used to make to go on cars at weddings.

Here are some more photos I took while out for walks around home and on campus.  Unfortunately, I just had the camera on my phone so the photos aren't as good as they could be. I'll have to start walking around with my camera in my backpack! 

I'm not familiar with the plants above but I definitely recognize the azaleas below. 

I think Kiwis must sneak plant steroids into the soil. :)

 

Below is a row of (what I believe are) cherry blossoms, lining the road that 

runs next to Hagley Park in the center of the city.

Next blog: My first kayaking adventure in New Zealand. 

(Hint: It was amazing. :)

Mary had a little lamb, fries and a coke

Here are some more additions to my list of observations that now make up my new normal:

- there are no squirrels for the dogs to chase, and no coyotes to get the dogs

- McDonalds serves lamb burgers. Their most recent ad: "Mary had a little lamb, fries and a coke." Very, very clever.

- campus wear is *not* mostly jeans, especially for female students who dress very individualistically. While most individualism is quite stylish, it can also be just individualistic. Example: The 25-30ish year old staff member who gave me a tutorial on how to use the online student management system was dressed in a new dress that was somewhat of a cross between a square dance dress and a traditional German dress, but with lacing on the back. It was quite lovely and very unique.

- some folks walk around barefoot (or in the winter, in flipflops)

- style, even in college administration, is less conservative. Example: one of the 30ish year old staff members in the dean's office has her hair died very bright pink.

- the water from the tap is the best water I've ever tasted, and it's free.

- prepositions can differ from what I'm used to. Example: 1. "Just give a call and we can talk on what's needed." ( I'd say 'talk *about* what's needed'). 2. Sign on bus: "Not on service" (I'd say 'not *in* service')

- I have even more of an accent now than I did when I lived in the States (not that the way I speak has necessarily changed much :)

Cheers,
Beth