An Unexpected Weekend

So I planned on having a relaxing nice weekend in Auckland and let me tell you – I had a FANTASTIC weekend! It was so nice to not be traveling because starting next Friday I will be traveling for 14 days straight! 

So let me first be honest, I was a bit homesick on Friday, my friends who all graduated last year went to Bloomington this weekend to visit and reunite. I was really sad I wasn’t there to see all of my friends who I miss so much! But this weekend turned into something wonderful and quickly helped me keep my mind off my friends back home.

Friday:

This past week has been Cultural Week at Westlake, there has been chopstick competitions, henna tattoos, dancing, concerts and so much more. On Friday to end the week long celebration there was a food festival. The girls made the food and they sold it to students and faculty. Let me tell you – it was a MAD HOUSE! It was crazy but of course teachers slip behind the tables and get the food and scurry away. I had really great Asian food and some delicious French desserts!

This week some of the ladies from my department invited me to go to the Proms – it is a celebration concert usually related to the British culture. Westlake Girls and Boys orchestra got together and had a concert and the choir was there as well. They had some wonderful songs and at the end the audience participated – we sang the NZ national anthem, Hail to the Queen, Oh Britannia and Jerusalem. Some people dressed up and it was so cool! It was such a lovely evening out with some ladies from my department.

Saturday:

Allison and I met up with Jordan and Brittany to plan our two week holiday (Brittany, Jordan and I are going together) that begins next Friday.  We officially booked it! We are going on a hop on hop off bus tour of the South Island!  (here it is: http://www.straytravel.com/explore-your-pass-options/stray-hop-on-hop-off/south-island-passes/short-willy-pass/ ) 

 I love visiting museums, after working at the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis I have a new appreciation for museums. On our way to the Auckland War Museum we came across the Museum of Art – and it was FREE so we walked around a bit then headed out.

The art museum 

trees we came across 

so beautiful 

  Brittany and I headed to New Market to see the Auckland War Museum. So Brittany and I got to explore this really awesome place. There was Maori culture, history, New Zealand war history, a volcano exhibit, and some natural history exhibits.  

Earthquake simulation

So Brittany and I were planning on going to the rugby game, buying general admission tickets and sitting in the stands but while we were at the museum Brittany’s host mom called and gave us an offer we could not refuse!

Dinner! 

After having  dinner Brittany and I caught a bus to Eden Park for the Blues v. Hurricanes (from Wellington, NZ) game! Tanya and Nick (Brittany’s host parents) offered me a VIP ticket, It got us into the clubhouse where the family of players and coaches hang out before and after the game. 

**Side note: Brittany’s host dad works for the Blues ( the Auckland Rugby team)

After that we went to our seats(AMAZING) and watched an wonderful and unexpected win against the Hurricanes! It was such a fun game to watch, i have seen rugby before - at IU but never in this setting. It was really interesting! After we went and got some autographs from some players - super awesome. 

After getting many autographs on my sweet Blues flag , Nick offered to take us into the CEO suite!  The Auckland Mayor, CEO of the Blues and past All Black's captains were there so it was really quite fascinating! 

Us eating our Fritz Weiners (yummy) 

TRY! 

 I felt so honored and so lucky to have gotten the experience!

 As if that wasn’t enough, we headed back to the family room to wait for the players arrival. It was really awesome seeing them after their game, really happy about the win.

This weekend has been so wonderful with some great surprises! I am so grateful to Tanya and Nick and their family for bringing me along to the match. It is something I will never forget! Thank you J

I am so blessed and having a wonderful time here in NZ!