today ended my third week at school and the second term. all our children are so tired and definitely ready for a break, i hope they get lots of rest because we have had far too many tears and arguments the  past few days. sweet things. anyway we had an assembly with the whole school today (everyone squeezed into the gym or "hall" as they call it here for some singing and awards) and they sang the national anthem. i wanted to share it because i thought it was beautiful, and how beautiful to hear it sung by a room full of children. i almost started crying... geez looks like i need the break too. it also made me want to sing the US national athem...

the first part is sung in Maori, the native language, which i think is so neat!


tomorrow morning i leave for the south island! ah crazy, i'm so pumped! its snowing right now and is in the negative degrees (celcius that is) brrrr cold. finished packing tonight, a very small bag for one week in such cold weather if you ask me but i think it'll be just perfect. i heard landing in Queenstown can be a little scary because its in snowy mountains eek i'll just close my eyes and hope for the best.

i am feeling much better. i went to school for half the day on wednesday, drank some vitamin supplement and walked home and got a new life it seemed. my legs did feel like that were going to fall out from under me on my 10 min walk home but the fresh air and "exercise" was good for me. also i haven't thrown up any food since tuesday which is awesomeee. i was ambitious and ate pizza last night and woke up with heartburn and was pretty bummed but again, with consistent medication i'm ok. just wish my back didn't hurt when it hits but i'll survive.

hoping my energy levels keep rising. i have vitamins packed, plan on buying some snack bars and drinking lots of water. and no alcohol until this whole thing is behind me (please be gone by the 4th of july!). looking forward to some fun times with friends and seeing this beautiful country. prayers for my energy to keep building so i'll be strong enough to do all the fun activities, and the knowledge to know when i don't need to push my body any further. also for wise decisions about my food choices, sometimes i never know what could hurt. and of course for warmth and safe travels (especially on icey roads).

cheers! updates to come!