Sports Dinner 2010

Could have thought of a much cooler title but it's all good. Sports Dinner 2010 marks the beginning of the end. Ugh. Hate to use awful cliches. However, in the words of Steph Glubb: "This is true." Pretty soon it's prize giving and then -

Well it's the end.

Anyway, let's start this off with a nice picture of TeBay holding a golf trophy a teeBay? Geddit? OK...

The 'sports council' gets to spend the whole day preparing which really means sitting in the PAC waiting for orders. Nothing too interesting. Except at about 11am some guys came in to deliver the tables and jugs which... we had already set up. Awkward. More tea? More jugs?

The set up this year was really, really nice thanks to Ms Elijas who did the flower arrangements and had a fantastic table set up like so:

It looked even cooler with the candles lit up at night.

After set up (which ended up being all day long) we gapped home and got changed. When I say we, I say Jess, and when I say "gapped to get changed" I really meant slept for as long as we could leaving us with half an hour to get ready. Not too pressuring to be honest.

We arrived at 6pm-ish and sneaked into the PAC to our reserved seats. This is the first photo taken of the night from iPhone.

How mischievous. A little while later when guests started arriving, we settled down for a welcome speech from the always awesome Kevin Glubb (who DID NOT sign my certificate! Oh sadness). Promptly following was a spit roast dinner. Omnomnomnomnomnomnomnomnom. I enjoyed the fact that the jazz combo got their own reserved table at the back this time ;) I eat a lot and felt quite botz eating next to Maggie Bradley... Hey! Gotta make the most of $30.

Anna Scarlett was our guest speaker and probably the best we've had for years. She was super funny and really animated so I am told - I sat in the wings with Monique to deliver flowers and we only heard her voice. She seemed nice. Afterwards, Monique and I sat next to her and told her a story about how we had seen her training at College Rifles once. Now she's coming to watch a game. Oh hooray!

One of the highlights of the prize giving was Mr Shaw for Coach of the Year. Everyone was stoked. This year, it was the 1st XI Girls' Football who made all the noise - a stark contrast to the years prior where boys have been the 'life of the party'. We gave him a standing ovation that I'm sure he absolutely loved. Mad respect.

I would go over the prize winnings but what I'm really writing about is the 'togetherness' we enjoyed. Cheesy but you love it.

Dessert was a selection of Pavlovas, fruit salad and brownies and afterwards, Mr Lewis spoke followed by Ben and Leaper. Ben - your speech making has really come far! So proud of the way your spoke and how you incorporated other peoples memories. That was a nice touch. And Leaper - even hough you ripped the girls' worlds from under their feet again, we love you. Your story straight from junior sport was nostalgia-city and man was it good.

Well done to all sports winner and to all sports players for once thing. Sports really gets people together, competitive, social -

...we're all winners.

Do Not Study

Do Not Study. You will only depress yourself. Do not study you will only feel utmost disappointment. Do not study you will get tired and sore. Do listen to The Beatles. Do go for runs. Do organise 2000 photos into person-by-person categories but for the life of you - DO NOT STUDY.

Really though, how much does it suck to be three weeks away and once again having to semi-fluke, semi wing your way through exams?

Every year we go through the same thought process - "OK, so I semi-screwed myself through procrastination, I am so going to make a study time table like, in term three, man!" Well, nah. Soz. Not me. I do get a round to it. Just not yet. You would think, since it's my last year I would have done so, especially with three schol. subjects to sit.

Also, you'd think, as a *superb student, I would be a good example to all other students. Nah. I'm still human. Still a teenager. All I want is Christmas, food, sun, summer, road trip - more time!

"Here Comes the Sun - Dooodoodoooo"

Jubilee.

Dear Marina,

Thank you for your application(s) for the University's entry level scholarships and awards. Your application(s) has been considered and I am delighted to be able to tell you that the University of Auckland Council has resolved that you receive a University of Auckland Jubilee Award.

Well. There you go. After all of that painstaking effort and ridiculousness I managed to nab myself $2000 p.a for three years.

Now, I can go on about how wonderful and amazingly lucky I am to be one of the 100 out of 600 to win this award but, in honestly. I am only slightly disappointed. Cue the wails of ingratitude.

My intended course of an LLB/BA which will cost me at least $8000 per annum. The $6000 is most likely to be funded by the dreaded student loan. Not to mention course related fees of up to $2500.

But really. I applied for the full University of Auckland scholarship. This would have solved all my life problems and I would have danced away with the fairies of happiness and life. I feel disappointed because I have tried too hard I suppose and fell from my high horse. I feel like despite what I have done this year and in the past five years, I have not stood out enough receive one of the 100 full scholarships. And that makes me feel a little shit. There you go. Honesty. Honestly.

However, this moment shall pass. Sorry if you applied for a scholarship and did not receive it. Failure sucks. Some of us really, really, don't deserve that. I just can't believe no one in our fantastic year got a full scholarship. That sucks. One a year it has been. Not us. That's not fair and it doesn't reflect the awesomeness of our year.

Now to close the sandwich and end on a light note. Isabella is right. My student loan won't be as big as others (sorry, guys) and I will still go to Uni and have a great time. $2000 off a year. It's like going to a 30% off sale. Not amazing but not too bad either. I will appreciate you soon.

Thank you University of Auckland. Gonna own up when I meet you next year.

OMGSH SUMMER.

Ew. What'd I just write as my title? That disgusts me to an extent. Just wanted to write a blog update regarding the two weeks or so we have left at school. Saddens me to the core. On the other hand, can you believe how far we've come?

Really pleased with one thing - managing to get a 'natural' progression to the steps again. It's really nice having a place too cook noodles, soup etc. etc. However, nothing beats the fantastic aura of bodies lying all over the field, summer hang times, people being tackled and scraped to death -

Well done Kevin Fong for a most brilliant catch today - or so I am told. K-Fong wins best sport this year, I tell you... Battle scars all around!

Since last week we have started up our 'Summer Series' which will include more than simply games and sports... Oh you wait and see! All the more for you to stay on the field. Bring music, bring a ball, bring your friends. We, and when I say we, I really mean - the boys - have been delighting spectators with their shinanigans. I am sure that Ben would love to say on behalf of school end-of-year fun, for us to all have a fantastic time and enjoy it as much as we can.

C'mon. If Kevin Fong can tackle someone like Talon... Surely, YOU can too.

See you on the fields!

Bitch.

NOTE: Blog likely to offend.

Hello and welcome back to school for the last term of your schooling lives.

See, when you're at University, it isn't school anymore. It's tertiary. Defs not school. Nobody went through 13 years of school to spend another 3-5 years at school. How's school? "How's Uni?" I often forget that people are at this so coveted Uni, I call it school. You're there to learn right? School it is.

Annnywaayy... Near pointless, somewhat arrogant statement.

Today Greg referred to me as being a bitch. Ouch. Gee, that really hurt my ego, Greg. Here I am thinking we were buddies. Why blog this? Why put it out to the public, besides for the reason of incriminating Greg? Anger? Disappointment? Notification. Hey, it's still a school blog. Good old school yard bitching eh? Could just be me, in this bitter mood, but lately I have been feeling the bitch.

Let's look at this idea closer. 'The bitch' is a flexible idea. One of my personal definitions is: when you spend too long with a person you notice their downfalls and well, bitch. "Oh, but good friends never do that." Screw it. The good ones love you regardless of yoursometimes bitchy, bitter moods. Let's rather make drama out of nothing. It worked for Shakespeare.

We've only got three weeks left with each other and frankly, I'm pretty tired. Self induced? Possibly. Rewarding? Possibly, to an extent. Tired of doing things to 'make things better' for others when, really, I've been told -I don't have to. Too bad. Already doing it. Soon I can leave all of this behind, laugh, and have a pint in a Uni bar. Hahahahahah! Pint.

I didn't really mean to call this blog 'bitch'. Maybe more, 'self deprecation' or 'get-over-myself'. It is what it is. Here is a pleasant photo of today to remind you that when life throws a bitch at you, screw it, at least someone's happier than you.

I'll unwind when I want to. Hahahahahah! Pint.

Bitch you later, bitches.

I'm Going Up the Country!

...got to get awaaaay!!! <--- lyrics of a song entitled as so by a teenage sibling band called Kitty, David and Lewis. Youtube them. They're so indie and 'cool'... Here's coming from someone who rarely listens to music.

More pressing matters now...

BAY OF ISLANDS HISTORY TRIP 2010 - wow.

The following is a blog about this crazy cool trip we had from 22nd - 25th September to the great and mighty Waikato Bay of Islands, the land where early contact was made between Maori and Europeans.

Wednesday, 22nd September

We began on trip on a really lousy Auckland day - Wednesday, following the successful mufti day. My neck was reeeaallly cold and so I must thank my lovely Zak for his scarf. I have many but of course, when someone gives you a scarf - you wear that scarf dammit! Anyway, it was really nice Zakee boy :) The above photo is the before. I must also add this tearful image:

Oh Hannah and Steph. How funny you two are.

It decided to rain intensely on us as we started to pack our bags onto Paul's bus. Lovely driver, Paul. In a mad panic of excitement and raining-on-ness, I hit my arm on the side of the bus so hard a bruise and scrape formed through my jumper. That hard. I know. Irreverent but an important detail at the same time. It's my blog OK?

I sat next to Nadia and we talked for about an hour. Mainly about food at that point. After that we all got tired and she went to sleep with Patrick... in the back seat. Yes. That's right. Unlike Waikato Trip, we had few stops and our first proper stop was Waipu (why not?).

Waipu is known for it's significant Scottish heritage. The Highland Games are held here which we all intend to come and see one day in our lifetimes. The biggest highlight of this town however, as much as we all love museums and history, was the mighty start to our op shop escapades!

Smiling above, you see our 'op shop crew'. From then on, we were united by our love for cheap clothes and 'stylish' jumpers. See our spoils? Oh how wonderful! We endeavoured from then on to beg good ol' Stew-Dawg to let us have 'op shop time' in all small towns that had one. Amazing. I bought a $7 suit and two jumpers for $2 each!

We stopped at Whangerei at about 1pm for lunch. Unfortunately, we didn't get to stop in the bustling city centre so our choices were limited food-wise. Nadia was forced to eat KFC! (OK, she wasn't FORCED but she did anyway...) Sweet Chilli Twister and some wicked wings. All good. That's for you A.

Our next historical stop was just past Kerikeri. Here is where the first stone store is in New Zealand set against an absolutely stunning water inlet/bend of the Kerikeri River. You can see why the Euroeans decided to base themselves there. Totally stunning. Adjacent to it is the mission house, residence of the Kemps built thanks to the chief Hongi Hika's protection. Here's a nice aerial shot. Wowzers.

By 5pm we were all pretty damn tired so we headed back to the Kerikeri township (lots of local game for the boys) and bought some groceries. We had a one hour drive to Paihia where we were booked into the quaint Mayfair Lodge - http://www.mayfairlodge.co.nz/ This was a really nice backpackers that I totally intend to utilise when I go up the country by myself one day :)

We settled in and met the owner whose name I forget - but he is a descendant of a chief whose name I also forget. Anyway, he seemed nice, and we carried on chilling out, buying more groceries from the Countdown - right next door (guts for the stop in Kerikeri), played a bit of pool and cricket and - OH MY GOSH. Met this wicked guy...

Al - who was so drunk he couldn't even pick up a tennis ball directly in front of him. Oh how he made the boys laugh. Peachee.

Dinner that night was nachos which was good or, if you want to take Al's stance: "Nachos are for gays!" Really though, they were pretty good and we have named them the 'Utu special' as we had had them successfully on Waikato trip. Missed Bannister at this point because his were sooo good last time. OK, not that they weren't now... I think we lacked brocolli...

That night we tried to reignite Kingitangi but it really wasn't the same. Instead we all ended up going our seperate ways, playing pool, darts or both. One thing is for sure. On the pool table, it was Team Stewart that took it out and gave great mana to Stew's name. Kia kaha! Poker was good too. Thanks Kev. I lost one dollar. At least Cheerag wasn't there.

Thursday, 23rd September

Woke up somewhat later than everyone else who had gotten up at 7am to go for a swim (Nadia?! Patrick?!) or a bit of an early morning walk. That was fine. Today would be a packed day of walking and listening so we packed on the porridge, cornflakes and scrambled eggs combos and headed off to the ferry.

Russell, aka Korerareka was labelled by Charles Darwin as "the hell hole of the pacific" - now that should not be a reflection on New Zealand as a whole. Before 1840, this was the largest European settlement because whaling was super popular back then. Stories go that here was a place of debauchery, gambling, sex and what not - like Tortuga. Except without the pirates. Or were there...? Anyway, it was actually an amazingly nice place, well, Bay of Islands is nice overall, so it's quite ironic that such a shitty society grew from this gorgeous bay... of islands...

We spent a good ten minutes or so wandering up to the flagpole that Hone Heke (not to be confused with Hongi Hika) cut three times (the fourth was his cousin or something) and another ten minutes wallowing in bliss of clean, well manicured grass. Also we saw the house that was featured in The Bachelor or something. Some people got excited. That was cool.

After reading the tagging on a memorial we started down the hill, walking, running, on others' backs... It was nice.

Later we visited a church of which I cannot remember its significance but I'm sure it had to with being the first of something. Either way it was nice with cushioned pews. One of the major highlights of our time in Russell was of course, op shopping. Good little store just opposite the museum and where the good 'c', I won't say the whole derogative, Troy "Sally" Lunn bought this fantastic outfit.

Wow. I must seriously be going over my photo quota this blog... This was a fantastic opportunity for me to buy a red jumper with similarities to the great red jumper of Elvin *cower in fear*. After this, a few of us stayed and ate bakery food and a few of us went up the Pompallier's house which also doubled as a leather working place. Fascinating. Also gave Sally Lunn an opportunity to model his dress, sorry, moomoo, to the young children in hopes they too would "follow their dreams".

The ferry ride back was nice and I even manage to have a bit of a nap. Following this, we had lunch in the main township. I had a pretty legitimate (as opposed to illegitimate bastard) mixed kebab.

Next stop. The great Treaty grounds! We started with a welcoming and reciprocated with a song we had only just learnt (thank you Jana!) and a small speech by Ervin. Samoan Maori? Hahaha! Our tour guide for the afternoon was the wife of the backpacker owner (the chief) and she was certainly... animated. Seriously, she talked a lot. Not that that was bad, we were just tired. Besides, she knew a lot and it was clear she enjoyed history including nice bits of useless information. I would add a photo of the amazing rolling hills but - photo quota...

By now we were absolutely knackered and by now it is a crime to not have mentioned good ol' Riley's birthday! Happy Birthday Riley! We love him so much that we made, well, Leaper made, a great bruschetta and bought some cake. To top it off, for dinner that night, after the bangers and veges (yummy!) we had the cake with left over ice cream AND fried bread. OMNOMONOMNOMNOMGSH! For the rest of the evening we played our usual games, read Time magazines and had the phatest DMC until 3am. Insane. WOW. Turns out STW-DAWG was raised in Africa! Just like that kid, Peekay in the Power of One. What a life.

Friday, 23rd September

Easy come, easy go. Lies. How hard it was to say good bye to the beautiful Bay of Islands and hello to boring old Auckland. I love Auckland. I could never live in the country, but I will really miss the company and atmosphere of such a beautiful trip.

Breakfast was porridge and baked beans, the usual and packed our bags for one last stop before we headed home.

Ruapekapeka. The 'bat's nest'. One of the largest, most complicated pa sites in New Zealand. It was constructed in 1845 and has the MEANEST tunnel system! We didn't stay long though. It was raining - and Auckland Girls' were there too...

Back on the bus read Scott Pilgrim until I got a headache, then slept, then read again, in that cycle until we reached Warkworth. More opshopping, as you should by now assume, and a hearty lunch. Must add that I purchased a delicate tea set that will be shared out to the history kids during our drinks night. Hannah bought a stunning red teapot which I am fully jealous of. This will be used to pour drinks in a very 'Cassette' way. For lunch, I had a roast pork (is there any other meat?) and sat with 'the history girls' at a trendy cafe that had such a nice array of pastas, calzones, pizzas and quiches and what not. I felt inclined to buy a berry iced tea which was also commendable. If only I could remember the name of the cafe, I would totally link it and recommend it to all passerbys.

On the road again for the final time. We reached Auckland, as promised - safe - and before 3pm. Good. I had work. Gotta say, this trip was a hugely fun and hugely educational trip. I recommend it to anyone who has the chance - 6th formers - and will definitely visit again.

History Trip. Better that Geo Trip.

x - see you at History drinks ;)

Expelliarmus!

That's right. I cut my hair boy-short.. and you thought you were cool. Jokes. On Monday, we found out that we were having the mufti day, protocol and all, so I literally had to make up my mind as to what I was going to dress up as. No option - must dress up. Ideas flew around in 4th period Drama - lounge sets, a wedding party... Harry Potter. This actually does relate to school, kiddos.

Tuesday the 21st of September, what a lovely ol' mufti day! Thanks to Amnesty International. The theme was 'Freedom of Speech' while the Year 13 theme was 'who can make the most outrageous statement?' or as 'Benjimin' Maiava' (there is another underlying joke here...) puts it: "Athletics day, all over again..." Ben has provided a totally hilarious and applicable facebook vlog (video blog) to explain this:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1310252451381

Many 'entries' including the three amigos, Tim the tool man Taylor, Spiderman, Superman... Oh what fun!

Additionally, it was International food day which was a really nice treat. I swear, however, that I spend at least 3/4s of my income on food... Thus... not such a nice treat. Nice Bean soup, Korean Bulgolgi and ermm... the Chinese jelly...

This blog has been written quite some time after these events but no matter, I did go on history trip like the day after (to be blogged). I spent the evening finishing my final scholarship - the Arrow Foundation Scholarship - and packing at about 1am. Swell.

It's 12:17am. No one sleeps any more. I'm tired from History trip, which will be blogged tomorrow... and my neck is cold.