New Year

We can't believe how fast 2009 went and now nearly a week into another decade already. Like everyone, it was a very busy year for Chris and I both at work and home. Maybe age is catching up on us! We hosted a number of international girls who attended either Onslow College or Wellington Girl's College. Most have been pretty good but we faced a few challenges with a couple we had to be moved on. The girls came from Brazil, Germany (and our dear Kevin from 2008 for a couple of months again), Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and China. We currently still have Florin from Germany with us until June. Her dad is out here for a holiday at the moment so they are travelling around the South Island for a week.

It was great to see the end of the school year and my class were lovely but ready for a break. This year will be interesting as I am having a straight year four class for a change and we have an ERO visit ten days into the new school term. We have a great school so cannot see us having too many issues.

Unfortunately Chris is extremely busy at work so hasn't been able to get anytime off yet so I did an impulsive trip to Queenstown for three days, enjoying the experience of New Years eve there. It was incredible to experience snow coming over the Remarkables on the evening of 30 December. Very cold and I had not taken very warm clothing so it was good excuse to have to shop in Queenstown! I also did a Fiordland National Park / Milford Sound coach/cruise tour. What an amazing experience. The scenery was fantastic and I would fully recommend it to anyone.

Later in the month Chris and I are heading North as Chris would like to do the Tongariro Crossing, which I did four years ago. We will then head to Rotoura and Taupo for a few nights. It will be a nice break before our other student arrives from Brazil for 5 months and getting back to normal routines.

We hope everyone had a great Christmas and best wishes to you all for a very happy and successful 2010!