This week I was blessed by having Mrs. Hart (Home Ec Teacher) take me down to Rotorua to see the sights and smell the sulphur. I am continually blessed by the staff at Hebron Christian College. Mrs. Hart said that she had people take her on an amazing trip when she was in America and would love to repay the favor. I am so incredibly grateful to be able to go on this trip. Rotorua is a fascinating place and I am so pleased that I was able to experience it before I head home. I look forward to paying it forward someday and taking someone else on a wonderful adventure. Our travel plans were rather last minute (made on the bus ride home from camp), but everything went smoothly from gorgeous weather when rain had been forecasted to little traffic on the roads to delay our journey. The trip could not have been any better.
For most of you that don't really know what Rotorua is, let me quickly explain. The city of Rotorua is widely known for its geothermal activity (mainly geysers and hot mud pools). Fault lines under New Zealand are the cause of this intense geothermal activity. At some points in the city molten lava is just a mere four kilometers under the surface. Rotorua has also been nicknamed the Sulphur City, because of a rotten egg smell, caused by the hydrogen sulphide emissions. It definitely isn't the best smelling city, but it sure has some beautiful works of nature. While in Rotorua I saw some real life Kiwis (the bird not the fruit), ate a hangi (Maori style of cooking food in the ground), relaxed in a mineral pool, and belted out the Halleljuah Chorus in the car with Mrs. Hart.
Another week of full control in Room 7 has nearly come to a close. I didn't realize how much I missed being in Room 7 (I had the week off for camp) until I stepped off the bus at school returning from camp and found both legs being immediately embraced by the little people of Room 7. It is hard to accept that next week will be my last week here. I have grown so attached to everyone at school and at home. Mrs. Sellar has been a wonderful cooperating teacher to work with, she has fully trusted me and given me complete control of the classroom. She also never fails to encourage me and fill me with praise. Encouragement from such a master teacher as her is not received lightly. :) The picture on the right is of a recent science experiment that took place in Room 7. Our focus in science has been on metals and we recently discovered that metals are good conductors of heat. The experiment had us placing objects, with a little slab of butter on the outside end, into a bowl of super hot water. If the butter melted we then knew that the object that the butter was on was a good conductor of heat. Never before have I seen children more eager to stare at butter melting.
My latest great accomplishment is baking this delicious pavlova! The pavlova is a pretty iconic pudding (dessert) here in New Zealand and cooking a pavlova was an object written on my Top 10 list by my host Mum. A pavlova is similar to a giant meringue, just a little softer on the inside. This one is topped with homemade whipped cream, a lemon sauce, and fresh passion fruit. It would not have been a successful baking experience if it wasn't for my host Mum, she really guided me through the recipe and clued me in on all of her tips. The real tests comes when I return home and attempt to make a pavlova all by myself. When I think about returning home I struck with just how bittersweet my thoughts are. I eagerly anticipate seeing my family and friends again (I do miss you), but I am also realizing just how hard it is going to be to leave everyone here. It fascinates me how quickly we can make connections with each other and become so attached. The only thing that I can do is make the best of my remaining time here and begin planning my return trip (this time dragging along some friends so that they can experience it along with me).
For most of you that don't really know what Rotorua is, let me quickly explain. The city of Rotorua is widely known for its geothermal activity (mainly geysers and hot mud pools). Fault lines under New Zealand are the cause of this intense geothermal activity. At some points in the city molten lava is just a mere four kilometers under the surface. Rotorua has also been nicknamed the Sulphur City, because of a rotten egg smell, caused by the hydrogen sulphide emissions. It definitely isn't the best smelling city, but it sure has some beautiful works of nature. While in Rotorua I saw some real life Kiwis (the bird not the fruit), ate a hangi (Maori style of cooking food in the ground), relaxed in a mineral pool, and belted out the Halleljuah Chorus in the car with Mrs. Hart. 
Another week of full control in Room 7 has nearly come to a close. I didn't realize how much I missed being in Room 7 (I had the week off for camp) until I stepped off the bus at school returning from camp and found both legs being immediately embraced by the little people of Room 7. It is hard to accept that next week will be my last week here. I have grown so attached to everyone at school and at home. Mrs. Sellar has been a wonderful cooperating teacher to work with, she has fully trusted me and given me complete control of the classroom. She also never fails to encourage me and fill me with praise. Encouragement from such a master teacher as her is not received lightly. :) The picture on the right is of a recent science experiment that took place in Room 7. Our focus in science has been on metals and we recently discovered that metals are good conductors of heat. The experiment had us placing objects, with a little slab of butter on the outside end, into a bowl of super hot water. If the butter melted we then knew that the object that the butter was on was a good conductor of heat. Never before have I seen children more eager to stare at butter melting.
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