Hello everyone! Sorry it's been a bit since my last blog! To say the absolute least, internet (especially high speed) is difficult to come by. Having said that, I apologize for not posting any pictures yet. I think I already mentioned this, but the house where I'm staying only has dial up and the school's computer system is being updated for the next few days, which makes it impossible to post pictures! Today was the first day of classes, so all of you teachers out there, think of what that would be like without internet or your laptop! Let's just say, I saw some very creative lessons today... At any rate, I promise I will put up my sweet beach pictures soon!
I was part of the coolest assembly last week and I've been dying to tell you about it, so here goes...
Every year, during the last day of the first week of school, the year nine students and new staff members are invited by the year 13 students to a traditional Maori welcome. There is a lot of pride for the native people at this school, not just with the Maori students, but with all of the students and it completely showed through during this assembly. As the new staff and students filed into the gym to take our seats, we were welcomed by a Maori song, performed with movements by the year 13 students. There were three speakers, one being a Maori leader who spoke only in his native tongue, and the other two being the principal of the intermediate school and the principal of the high school. After each speaker, the year 13 students would stand up and support what the person said with a Maori song. You would not believe how involved each student was. Coming from the states and an area rich with Native American culture, it was really moving to see so many young people involved in keeping their tradition and culture of their native people alive.
At the end of the performances, the year 13 students all stood up and performed one last song, which I believe is a preparation for battle. (If you've ever seen River Queen, it's the dance they do..if you haven't seen the movie, don't bother- it's not that great). To start the song, the students began stomping their right foot on the ground and all of the male students, who stand in front of the female students, widened their eyes and stuck out their tongues, which is meant to frighten the opponent. Then, as they began singing, they kept the beat by throwing their arms out in front of them and bringing them back, slapping their hands on their chests. They kept their eyes wide for the entire song and I can tell you, it was the most intimidating thing I have ever seen. I wish I could describe how it felt to be in that gym- it sent chills up my spine.
After the ceremony, part of the tradition is to greet all of the staff and the year 13 students. There are a few ways of doing this. The first way is the Maori way and that is done by lightly touching your forehead and nose to the other person's forehead and nose and breathing in at the same time. You can also be greeted by kissing eachother on the cheek, shaking hands, or giving a "cuddle". As I worked my way down the line, I found that most people chose to kiss me on the cheek, which was just fine, considering the complexity of the Maori greeting. That was until I reached my department head. He's a very tall man and tends to mumble a bit, so when he told me he was coming in for the traditional greeting, I didn't hear a word he said and thought he was going to kiss me on the cheek. Instead, we ended up crashing our heads together...needless to say, it was painful and embarrassing... A great way to be welcomed to the English department, if you ask me. :)
Let's see...what else? It's hotter than hot today with temperatures reaching about 37 degrees celcius. They almost closed the school because of the heat! We are supposed to have a cold front soon, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. All anyone could do today was stand around and sweat!
I hope everything is well! I cross my heart that there will be pictures up sometime this week!
