Homeward Bound Already?

By the time Debrief Week arrived, it was hard to believe 15 weeks in New Zealand were almost over. Saying goodbye (till next time) wasn't easy, we have so many memories and even our own song by an album-worthy musician. Move over Jack Johnson and Ben Harper for Lady Bell! Beginning our transition back to the US was made easier by going back to the mountains and staying in the same place as the cast for another famous NZ film (LOTR!) We went sledding, reflected on the semester, and wondered whose bed Stryder bunked in?

West Coast Bound!

We spent our final week of classes taking Forest Ecology on the West Coast of the South Island. After crossing the Southern Alps, we spent a little more than a week trying to keep up with Tim Martin. From Arthur's Pass to the shore of the Tasman Sea, he showed us how plant and animal life varies according to different ecological conditions. Along the way, we saw some glaciers, stayed at a Maori marae, and carried a 2 year old to the summit of Alexander Knob! [Photo: Unknown]

Environmental Literature

When we returned from our semester break we launched into another course, this one on environmental literature. It was good to share another common experience together after being separated. Just like Sustainable Development and God & Nature, this week stretched our minds, hearts, and souls as we considered how our words and language shape our perceptions of ourselves, Creation, and God.

Term Break...Kiwi Style!

We scattered across the South and North Islands of NZ with friends and familty for semester break in groups of 2-4. Some us went for the urban adventure, while others went into the mountains. More memories, more pictures, less money! It was all good and when we returned we had a coffee house slideshow (another party!).

Birthday's Are Big Deals!

It turns out they (as in the the CCSP staff) look for any excuse to have a good party. And that includes people's birthdays. Probably the most interesting celebration we had was the "Pirate Party" for Brendon and Morgan. Have you ever tried dressing up as a pirate with whatever you've got on hand? Needless to say, it was a memorable experience! [Photo: Unknown]

Samoa Week 3 - Marine Ecology

Remember all those Discovery shows about the abundant life on the coral reefs? Well, we saw it - puffer fish, starfish, parrotfish, hard coral, and soft coral. All underwater too! We spent this week on the beaches at the eastern edge of Upolu, Samoa's second main island. It was beautiful place to end our trip before we headed back to Christchurch. [Photo: Unknown]

Samoa Week 2 - Faga

Did you know that in Samoan "g" is pronounced like "ng" at the end of "song"? During our 2nd week in Samoa we moved in with the families of Faga, a rural village, for 4 days. We each learned about different aspects of village life, a little Samoan, and how much we have to appreciate about our life back in the US. Out last night ended with a "fia-fia" - a ceremonial singing competition between us and villagers. We sang each other songs as gifts to one another. It was hard the next morning to leave our adopted "mothers" and "fathers."