Zorbing

The academy is only Monday through Thursday, so on Fridays the international students get to do an activity around Rotorua. These range from whitewater rafting (which I did a few weeks ago) and other adventure activities to cultural experiences and overnight trips around the area.

I recently went zorbing, something I had wanted to do for a while and had almost forgotten about. Zorbing is basically rolling down a hill in a giant plastic ball. Sounds implement enough, and it's quite fun. I'm in that ball somewhere in that picture.

At the top of the hill they pour in a bit of warm water into the center of the ball. Then you have to slide in "superman" style: arms out in front, and just slide on in. Definitely not great for those claustrophobics out there. Then the ball is closed up and you're inside this ball as it begins to roll down the hill. I tries standing up as Shanelle suggested, but I fell in about one second and just started rolling around. You have very little control over which way you're facing as you're tossed around rolling in several different directions. At one point I was stuck backwards for a few seconds with water constantly rushing over my head. A little freaky, but fun.

The entire experience only lasts about 45 seconds, but it's a blast. I got soaked and had swallowed a bit of water, yet it was all worth it.

The New Zealand Sports Academy

The New Zealand Sports Academy (NZSA) is where I have been learning how to play rugby for the last few weeks. The academy is located at the Rotorua International Rugby stadium, just a short walk from my host family's home.

The academy is a one year program with an option for a second year that takes kids ages 17-25 from all around New Zealand that want to improve their game in hopes of someday playing professionally. The coaches here are world class, and the academy has a history of former athletes that have gone on to play professionally and even for the All Blacks (the national team).

A typical day at the academy had everyone arrive by 8 for a short meeting followed by two hours of weights and core work. Following a short break is classwork for the boys here (like life skills training--a lot of these boys don't have the best education backgrounds) while I have to work on skills training. Except for the first week, I have been the only international student here. It's quite a positive I have found because I get a lot of one-on-one training with ye coaches about the game's skills, strategies, and basic philosophies. That work lasts a little over an hour and is followed by lunch and then the day ends with work out on the fields with conditioning, speed/agility games, and scrimmages. It's pretty fun.

While the NZSA does take boys up to 25, the oldest ones here are 21. Most are still teenagers, some still only 17. I have to constantly remind myself how much older I am than all of these guys. Moreso, they have he maturity of middle school kids. I really feel like I'm back in 6th and 7th grade all over again. All the boys are obsessed with playing pokemon on their cell phones, and most of them don't even have email addresses. No joke. And yes this is New Zealand, not some poor third world country.

So far I have thoroughly enjoyed my time. The first week was a little slower as I got introduced to things, but I've picked up the game pretty quickly and have enjoyed playing in games with the other guys here. They're very talented. And then they'll say something that reminds me how young they are. First day for example:

Boys: Where in the U.S. you from?
Me: Washington, D.C.
Boys: (completely serious) Do you know Obama?
Me: No, no I don't.

Little things like that happen all the time, and I'm sure I'll have more stories to share over the next few weeks. As for now I'm just enjoying working out with them, learning more each day, and every now and then pulling of a great fake pass that makes all the boys laugh at the one who got faked out by the newbie American guy.

My Host Family

Apologies for not having updated the blog in forever. Transition period, waiting to see how things worked out in the new environment, and to be honest I just got lazy. But I'm back, and you can expect nearly daily updates for the next couple of weeks to catch everyone up on what's happened.

One word to describe my host family: awesome. I absolutely love them and could not have been luckier with getting a better situation. Brendon and Shanelle McCashin are only 27 years old each. They met ten years ago and now have been married for five years. They also have three adorable children: Jasmine, Ella, and Isabel. They are only 3, 2, and 1 years old, respectively. That family photo there is almost a year old, so I've also supplied a recent photo of Isabel to show how much she has grown up.

Brendon was in the navy for four years before becoming an electrician, which has been his occupation for almost six years now. Shanelle used to do IT work, but now she is a stay at home mom and also does lots of babysitting for other kids around the age of her own. Very convenient.

I thought I would have plenty of down time while staying with them, to do some reading and study Spanish before I get to Peru. However, I find all my free time spent playing with these three girls. They're just the best, no other way to put it. I've especially taken to Isabel. Shanelle refers to me as Isabel's beat friend, and I spoil her by picking her up any time she puts her arms in the air to ask. I can't help it, she's too cute. She also just learned to walk a couple of weeks ago, and I was there for her first few steps.

The girls love to watch movies, and I've had a chance to catch up on some Disney classics. I've also seen the Tinkerbell movies about three times each (there are three of them). It's amazing how these kids can watch a movie and then go "Again! Again!" right when the ending credits come up.

As for typical days around the house. I have my own room (I'm the only boy staying with them at the moment) but I spend almost all of my time in the kitchen/family area with the family. They make dinner for me each night, and have been more than accommodating. I really couldn't have asked for a better situation. I really do feel like a part of the family, something I never thought would happen and I couldn't be happier about it. We've celebrates Isabel's first birthday together, gone to the family's beach house for the weekend, and stayed up late talking family, life, and other things I never imagined discussing with people who were complete strangers not even a month ago. It's just fantastic. I'm already sad I'm not staying with them longer, but it's just another great excuse to come back and visit sooner rather than later.

Earthquake

Christchurch just had a 7.2 earthquake. I was just there a couple weeks ago, but I'm now about aw far away as I can be and still be in the same country. I didn't feel a thing up here until people started calling me and waking me up. All fine and dandy. Thought people might be curious.