Farewell to the Telstar

When Leif and I first arrived home the reality that NZ is certainly not set up for car-less people was very obvious. We got by for a couple of weeks borrowing/stealing cars from family but soon realised we needed to buy our own one pretty quickly. Particularly when living in a small town 90 minutes from anywhere!

Never ones to shy away from a bargain we saw a car on the side of the road for sale for $400. $400! And it was even drivable! So stoked were we we handed over the cash and forgot to bargain (despite honing those skills throughout Asia the previous months!).

The car was a silver (and grey spraypaint) Ford Telstar with a lush red velvety interior. An automatic transmission with a electronic dashboard. Only problem was that the electronics took about 5km to warm up enough to function. I am sure in 1984 it would have been flash-as.

Alas we were sucked in by false economy. As soon as we bought it things started going wrong and it wasn't too long until we abandoned it on the road in front of our house. Pretty soon it had a flat tyre and was leaking oil. After four months of this we thought we had better dispose of it before the neighbours complained...

Spring has sprung...

Emerging out of the winter suddenly we are surrounded by daffodils and the sound of newborn lambs calling for their mothers. Sounds rather cheesy but I am not sure I have ever been so relieved to see spring alive. Living in a rural area the seasons seem to jump out at me so much more than when living in the city... there have even been a few days when our fire has not been lit.

Further evidence of spring is that we once again have vases of flowers appearing on our doorstep. Our very sweet neighbour is a keen gardener and kept us well supplied in flowers last summer also!

We have spent the last couple of weekends weeding, mowing lawns and planting seeds for the summer garden. We are currently eating broccoli, leeks and silverbeet from the winter garden and the cabbages and cauliflowers are not too far away.

Winter has arrived...

I can honestly say that a UK winter is nothing compared to a winter in Taihape with no insulation or central heating! In fact, we reminisce fondly of London winters and that trusty central heating. With the southerly blast hitting us straight off those melting Antarctic icebergs, we have gone into hibernation mode.

The key is never letting the fire die out. After being away for the weekend, we got home last Sunday and it was miserable: it was warmer outside than in. Our days centre round the chilling trips outside to replenish the wood stack, the morning stoking of the fire, the occasional rush home at lunch time to put another block of wood on and the satisfying glow as we get it roaring every night.

For some weeks, every evening we have left the snug cocoon of our wood-fire heated lounge with icepicks to make it down the hallway to our bedroom. We would have our oil heater cranking but this didn't make much difference to the chilly temperatures down there. Realising that we were stuck on being 'normal', when 'normal' didn't make sense, we had the genius idea of moving our bed in to the lounge. Some people spend thousands creating an extra bedroom - we now have 3 spare bedrooms and sleep snuggly every night to the warm glow of the fire. It does feel a little Charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory, but hey - we're warm!

Now all that remains is for a heavy snowfall to close school. They had four days last year when school was closed due to snow, so we are hoping to beat that this winter!

New Zealand's Finest Country Cinema

State Highway One runs through the centre of Taihape, so most New Zealanders know where Taihape is. But very few have ever ventured off the main road. I hadn't - until the indicator went on when we arrived with our first car load of possessions to move here. That first trip up the side road Leif and I both noticed a big sign on a beautiful old building - "The Majestic - New Zealand's Finest Country Cinema". Having never been inside a 'country cinema' before, let alone 'New Zealand's Finest' - we were intrigued.

We had heard rumours that there was a group working to save the theatre and kept meaning to do some investigating. Then a couple of weeks ago the Taihape Times had an article about this group asking if there was anyone in the community who was interested in helping out...

One phone call, a pot of tea and some delicious orange cake later I find myself as the secretary of the 'Taihape Heritage Trust'. Leif is the 'technical advisor'. We had our first meeting a last week. A cold night and five of us huddled round a heater in the 'Nibble Nook' - a room off the side of the theatre that used to be the theatre tuck shop.

The theatre itself is wonderful. It is really like stepping back in time. Old leather seats. Native wood interior. A huge amount of work has gone into it already since it was saved from demolition in 1998. We are currently looking to open it within the next year for regular film screenings.

Meanwhile, I have some meeting minutes to write up...

Inspirational Kids

In the last post I wrote about the challenging issues I face in my job.

I need to write a bit about how fantastic all of the kids I meet are - and I need to ask a favour.

Taihape is a small place and my goal is to give these students dreams beyond this small valley. I tell my students that they should definitely come back one day, but that it has to be a conscious choice: not one made because they had no other option.

I love Fridays. But not for the reason that I used to love Fridays when I was stuck in an office. I love Fridays because I get to teach a great bunch of Year 10 kids all day. During this class I hope to go a little way in opening their horizons by empowering them to connect with the world and instilling in them a sense that their voice is important.

The issue this class has decided to focus on is cleaning up the Hautapu River. The Hautapu flows around the town and is polluted by local industry and farming. The students have all set up their own blogs and are recording their progress. They are all first time bloggers and their enthusiasm is infectious. Through the internet, I want the students to learn how to find information, lobby and communicate with people around New Zealand and the world.

Yesterday I told the class that they needed to get their blogs 'out there' in the cyber world and they needed to email their link to as many overseas people that they knew. I was met with a sea of blank faces: Miss, we don't know anyone overseas!!
- One student was a mini-celeb for a second because she knew one person who lived in England and two people who lived in America.

So I taught them how to search for groups who had done a similar thing that they were trying to do. There was such a buzz in the room as they started finding out that they weren't the first group in the world to try and clean up a local river. One student managed to email a group in the USA.

Sweet Story:
I observed one student getting so excited because she was finding blogs written by people in exotic countries such as Denmark and China. I had said earlier that was a great idea to add links to sites that were relevant to their project. She called me back later on to show me that she had added a number of links to her site. She was so excited showing me. "Look Miss - this one is from AMERICA!... this one is from CHINA!" I was a little confused, as they didn't appear to have any relevance to our project... Then I realised: this student was so amazed that she could see something written by someone in another country. For her this was huge enough.

Here's where I ask the favour: Please visit our class website...

• http://www.leadingthroughcommunication.blogspot.com/
  

On the right-hand side, you will see links to the students' blogs. Please visit at least one of them and leave a comment - and say where you live. We are going to have a big map on the wall and we will mark where in the world (including NZ!) each email or comment has come from.

One student got a comment back yesterday from a teacher in the USA. There was yelling and screaming with excitement ...thanks so much in advance!

A Little Bit About My Job

I love my job. My overarching goal each day is to make someone's life a little more happier or a little more manageable. I couldn't imagine a better job description and I feel incredibly lucky to have this opportunity.

My job focusses around counselling, social work and 'behaviour management'. As a result, I see the harsh realities of poverty, abuse and mental health issue on a daily basis. Despite this town providing me with a very Good Life, many kids in this town are not so lucky. There are a number of students at our school who have had a really tough life. The same old story of intergenerational poverty and social disenfranchisement.

Whilst living overseas it was tempting to idealise New Zealand and pretend that the abuse and violence featured so much in the UK media didn't exist in my homeland. Having spent my university years studying criminology, in theory I knew that this wasn't the case, but I hadn't experienced a 'real' view of what life is like for far too many kiwi kids. In our social circles of university educated, socially privileged people, it's easy to pretend that a safe life in a supportive family is the reality for everyone. It's not.

There are far too many kiwi kids growing up in homes full of violence with no real concept of a life without it. I grew up 'knowing' I could achieve anything I wanted to. Too many of the children I meet with every day don't have this same confidence. I know I wouldn't, had I been born into their lives. So many of these kids need someone to believe in them, someone to give them a dream and to show them that they can step out of the life they were born in to.

Not a day goes by that I do not appreciate the life that I had the lucky chance to be born into. So many of my university and work friends are similarly educated and privileged. To all you similarly lucky New Zealanders out their reading this I implore you to consider this next generation of kids coming through who were not as lucky as you. If you are not concerned about what life is going to be like for these kids when they grow up, get real and read about intergenerational violence, poverty and crime. These are 2020's welfare recipients and prison inmates funded by your taxes. If you are concerned, don't sit back to complain because every one of you can make a difference. New Zealand has some fantastic mentoring programmes and I guarantee it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. If you can't give your body, at least give some cash! ; )

NB: There are heaps of great youth programmes out there, really successful and crying out for cash. Project K is just one I have had a bit to do with. Voters yell at politicians to spend money on the results of crime (read: more prisons) than preventing it. I know you guys are wiser.

Retail Therapy

On Sunday Leif and I decided that it was time for a Momentous Purchase: Our Gumboots.

For those of you not in the know, Taihape is in fact 'The Gumboot Capital of the World'. Being newcomers to such a town we figured that life without gumboots in this town is like living in Montana without a cowboy hat. Most shops have hand-written signs asking patrons to remove their gumboots before entering.

I had not anticipated the array of gumboot choices I would be faced with. Remembering London's fad for dinky gumboots last winter I thought the biggest decision that I would face would be what colour to go for. Well, let me tell you - in Taihape gumboots come in one colour: black. None of those prissy pinks and mauves round this place. Do I go for knee-high, mid-calve or ankle? Steel caps, pure rubber or part neoprene? Snug fit or loose? Red-band, Skellerups or Sloggers? Cleated, molded or mud-grips? Lace-up or not? Overwhelmed by the selection I decided to post-pone my purchase to fully consider all the options. This was not a decision to be taken lightly.

On my way out the door I was drawn to a big Ice Breaker sale. I managed to gather in excess of $500 of goodies but couldn't decide on the colours. I asked if I could purchase them and return the ones I didn't like the next day. The woman just said to me - oh don't worry about it, just tell me your name and phone number. And so then I was allowed to take it all home without any deposit based on her trusting me. I was pretty amazed.

Mushrooms galore

After the seething mass of people and anonymity of London I am constantly delighted by the many acts of neighbourliness that we encounter in Taihape. This evening Leif and I returned home from work to see a car in our driveway. It was the parents of a student of mine dropping off a big bowl of wild mushrooms they'd picked this afternoon on their farm. I had only met them once before but had waved to them in the main street yesterday. They simply thought we might like some mushrooms - given they are the most luscious-looking, picture-perfect (hence the photo!) mushies I have even seen I was a very happy recipient!

Telling Taihape

At the end of staff meeting on Monday morning:
Leif: "Just want to share the fantastic news that Rach and I decided to get married..."
Staff: "ouh, ahhh, congratulations! etc etc"
Leif: "... so we got married on Friday"
Staff: "!!!!"

A great way to start the term! Wonderful having all the congratulations from all the kids too. Although three of the more notorious Year 10s had recently decided that they were going to be my bridesmaids so I copped a bit of flak from them.

Kids are pretty flexible: immediately they adjusted to "Miss Hansen" - whilst I am having a bit of an identity crisis! ; ) Each time I hear "Miss Hansen" I want to say to them: "AHHHHH, that is me!!! that is my name now!! - how can you possibly utter it so nonchalantly?!". (I have explained to them I am Miss Hansen - 'Mrs' sounds way too grown-up). I am sure by next week I will be much cooler about it. Although I am enjoying saying "my husband" as many times as possible each day.

Taihape is the new Vegas!

It's official: we're married!

Once we had decided to get married (Monday evening), we wanted to do it as soon as possible. July school holidays? - too long to wait. Leif suggests - "how about this Friday, it's supposed to be perfect weather"... So Friday 20th April, 2007 it was.

Marriage is a very important step in our lives and we decided it was something very personal that we wanted to do just for ourselves. We wanted the day to be simply a celebration of our love for each other - a time to celebrate with our friends and family would come later. It was hard not to tell people but luckily I just had three days to make it through. We are exceptionally happy and in love and got married in the way that was perfect for us.

Friday dawned a perfect blue sky with a heavy frost. Not a breath of wind and unlimited visibility. We got a helicopter to the top of Mt Ruapehu, an incredible view across the countryside - perfect views all the way to Mt Taranaki. Following pagan traditions we created a wedding circle in the snow with marigolds and herbs from our own garden. We read letters we had written to each other and exchanged vows. It was absolutely beautiful and couldn't have been more perfect. I thoroughly recommend eloping! ; )

We headed off to Whangamomona for the night (http://www.whangamomonahotel.co.nz/) - no luxury lodge, but classic New Zealand!

After a night in the Whangamomona Hotel and navigating 'The Forgotten World Highway' we headed to Palmerston North on Saturday afternoon to tell our families. To say they were surprised is a bit of an understatement! We celebrated with pizza and bubbly at my parents house.

It's Sunday night here and after a big weekend I am pretty tired. I have promised a few people the photos will be up tonight so will post this now - will put on a few more and edit this in the next couple of days. So check back again soon! From a very happy Mrs Hansen (!)

Taihape Times

Every Tuesday every household in Taihape has the 'Taihape Times' delivered and this is crucial reading if you want to keep up-to-date with what's going on. (Actually, it is called the 'Central Districts Times' but I have never heard it referred to as that...) It is a wholesome read - births, deaths, marriages, playcentre news, golfing results... The monthly court news is a good round-up with what's been going on in a number of our students' families! Last week I was intrigued to see this advertisement in the classifieds. So much so that it's now on our noticeboard. 5 hours all at once? She only services farmers? She offers her services as the farmers work? (multi-tasking practice??)

Me, the 'defendant'

In December, for the first time in my life I was issued a 'traffic infringement notice'. In an instance this brush with the law had tarnished my blemish-free (?!? well, officially) record. My sub-conscious mind was in denial as I ignored repeated official warnings to pay up. Now I have a court hearing scheduled and I am being referred to as 'the defendant'. ! . I felt quite indignant at this so once again delayed fronting up. Realising the fine was quickly escalating, I fronted up this morning with my sob-story. The Registrar wasn't that interested in all my excuses, but I finally won him over (amazing what a smile and simpering words can achieve). But such was the impact of being referred to as a 'defendant' I took a photo of this traumatic occasion. So here, in all it's glory, is the Taihape District Court.

A few overseas friends have asked me what Taihape looks like - I took a photo of the main street this afternoon.

nb: In case you are wondering, I got the fine for having an unwarranted trailer. Borrowed Dad's trailer to move house without checking the WOF. The story constructed to get off the fine is far more elaborate and flowery of course.

Getting started in the blogging world...

I had better start as I mean to continue - semi-regular postings... This afternoon produced some amusing specimens from our first carrot harvest. Good thing I am confident of our organic methods - otherwise I would be worried about Monsanto's influence in Taihape. Happy to hear any carrot-rearing advice for next season.

I spent the afternoon in 1980s style backyard bliss chatting to the neighbours on both sides over the fences as we pottered in our gardens. I gave lettuce to one neighbour and received many cuttings from another neighbour for our new garden. This neighbour is classic - heart of gold - and well worthy of a few stories. They'll come later.

I had bought a packet of leeks which said it contained 30 seedlings... there were 71. And I forgot I had planted 40 seeds. So in a few months we'll have well in excess of 100 leeks.

This evening we dined on freshly collected wild mushrooms, garlic from the neighbour and our own zucchini. Plus a salad of neighbour's radishes and our own carrots and lettuce. A good life.

Hello world!

(I have been told by a multi-blogger fanatic that 'hello world' is the greeting with which to enter the blogosphere. She would consider me truly 'birthed' as a blogger now)

But why a blog?

(it feels a little arrogant that I post one - let me help me justify it to myself...)

Curiosity - everybody else is getting one, maybe I should...
Empirical research - so what is it REALLY like to give up the fast-paced London life and years of world travel to set up home in...Taihape? Here I am - finding out!
'Professional development' - I have decided to teach a class this term that involves the students creating their own blog to detail their learning. I thought I had better learn how to do it myself first...
Bulk emails are SOOOOO 2005 (or so I have been told)
Humour - life in Taihape is quite amusing. Share the joy.

People ask me all the time - but what do you DO in Taihape?! Read on...

nb: If somehow you have ended up at this page and don't know what 'Taihape' is: A small town (popn 1800) in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. Famous for gumboots. Not a tourist destination. Not enjoying the property boom. But very friendly. And soon-to-be-opened brand new public toilets made out of the iconic kiwi corrugated iron. Well worth the stop-off en-route to elsewhere. And fantastic dusk skies. Some lovely historic buildings. And the home of 'New Zealand's Finest Country Cinema' - more on this later.