Today, I corrected the checklists and sent them out to everyone else. I am exited to observe and see if the New Zealand schools do most/all of the activities on the checklist. In a week, we will be observing our first school!
The first Lord of the Rings movie is on Netflix. I fast-forwarded through it today and stopped at the parts where you could see some of the New Zealand countryside. It looked so beautiful, and I can't believe that I will be seeing some of it in person soon.
My suitcases are pretty much packed, so I am spending the next few days thinking about what I want to see and preparing myself for the trip. (Dr. Lindsey students: Please check my blog that I posted on March 3rd and give me ideas on what I should look for in the comment section.)
3 days!!!! :)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Last meeting!!
Today we had our last meeting. The first thing we did was divide up all of the KY gifts that we are taking. Dr. Lindsey gave us a lot of packing and travel advice since Brittany is a first time traveler, and I haven't traveled since 6th grade. After we had a quick visit from a puppy and ate some delicious quiche, we got back to work. We went over the observation checklists that I created a few days ago. Some alterations were discussed, so I have to change them and resend them to everyone.
Brittany and I also submitted out abstracts to the Celebration of Student Celebration which is kind of like Morehead's version of Posters-at-the-Capitol. I am doing my research on the differences in the teacher standards between Kentucky and New Zealand.Dr. Lindsey helped me make copies from one of my textbooks so that I can do my homework in NZ without bringing my heavy textbook. She also sent the papers to her e-mail so I have them on my computer and I have hard copies.
When I got back to my dorm I started packing. I actually enjoy packing so I was excited to start since I finally had everything I needed to put into my suitcase. I will be doing laundry tonight so that I can put everything I need from my dorm into my suitcase. Hopefully, I will discover things over the next few days that I will need but forgot to pack.
When I woke up today, I found out about the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Luckily, it didn't hit New Zealand, but I think we are all starting to wonder if the universe is telling us not to go on this trip. Haha. Yesterday, I looked up the forecast for the days will will be in New Zealand. Apparently it is one of the warmest March/April that they have ever had. Almost all of the days had a high of almost 80 degrees which will be a great change since I woke up to snow this morning.
4 days!!!
Brittany and I also submitted out abstracts to the Celebration of Student Celebration which is kind of like Morehead's version of Posters-at-the-Capitol. I am doing my research on the differences in the teacher standards between Kentucky and New Zealand.Dr. Lindsey helped me make copies from one of my textbooks so that I can do my homework in NZ without bringing my heavy textbook. She also sent the papers to her e-mail so I have them on my computer and I have hard copies.
When I got back to my dorm I started packing. I actually enjoy packing so I was excited to start since I finally had everything I needed to put into my suitcase. I will be doing laundry tonight so that I can put everything I need from my dorm into my suitcase. Hopefully, I will discover things over the next few days that I will need but forgot to pack.
When I woke up today, I found out about the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Luckily, it didn't hit New Zealand, but I think we are all starting to wonder if the universe is telling us not to go on this trip. Haha. Yesterday, I looked up the forecast for the days will will be in New Zealand. Apparently it is one of the warmest March/April that they have ever had. Almost all of the days had a high of almost 80 degrees which will be a great change since I woke up to snow this morning.
4 days!!!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
One week!
I met with Dr. Lindsey today, and she suggested a few changes to my PowerPoint and KY presentation. I have to add blank slides, add new slides to spread out the information, and make a few changes to my activities. She also gave me the task of creating observation checklists. I made three of them, and we are going to go over them on Friday to make sure they are perfect.
To get organized, I have moved all of my files onto my NZRT flash drive. I am also securing the last minute items I need. I received the backpack backpack I ordered online which will serve as my personal item. My dad is going to buy me travel shampoo. deodorant, toothpaste, etc. and the Ziplock bag to store it in.
I am really looking forward to our Friday meeting where we will tie up all of our loose ends. It is still raining in Morehead, so I'm anxious for New Zealand weather!
7 days!!!
To get organized, I have moved all of my files onto my NZRT flash drive. I am also securing the last minute items I need. I received the backpack backpack I ordered online which will serve as my personal item. My dad is going to buy me travel shampoo. deodorant, toothpaste, etc. and the Ziplock bag to store it in.
I am really looking forward to our Friday meeting where we will tie up all of our loose ends. It is still raining in Morehead, so I'm anxious for New Zealand weather!
7 days!!!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A week and a day!
I am spending this last week getting organized! Last week, I talked to all of my teachers and got all my assignments for while I am gone. Fortunately, it is not too much work. Packing is still a work in progress, but it is coming along quite well.
Tomorrow, I am going to visit Dr. Lindsey and show her the lesson plans I did. I had to fix the PowerPoint when I learned all the rules of making one in EDEL 302, and I want to make sure that I did it right. I also have a few questions about packing that I need to ask her since she is the expert in travel of the group.
A lot of people have asking me if I am excited or nervous about the trip. I have been excited about it since I first learned that I was chosen to be a part of the NZRT. As we get closer to the trip, I am starting to get really nervous because I don't really know what to expect. I know that after the first day of visiting a school, I will not be as nervous.
8 days!
Tomorrow, I am going to visit Dr. Lindsey and show her the lesson plans I did. I had to fix the PowerPoint when I learned all the rules of making one in EDEL 302, and I want to make sure that I did it right. I also have a few questions about packing that I need to ask her since she is the expert in travel of the group.
A lot of people have asking me if I am excited or nervous about the trip. I have been excited about it since I first learned that I was chosen to be a part of the NZRT. As we get closer to the trip, I am starting to get really nervous because I don't really know what to expect. I know that after the first day of visiting a school, I will not be as nervous.
8 days!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Rainy Saturday
I can't believe I will be in New Zealand in a week and a half! With all of this rainy weather in Morehead, I am more than ready for a little vacation. Last night I rented the move "Waiting for Superman," a documentary about the U.S. education system. After watching it, I am really excited to see if New Zealand has the same problems. For example, what is the tenure program in New Zealand? The movie blamed a lot of the problems on bad teachers, so I am looking forward to seeing NZ teachers in action.
We did not have a meeting on Friday, but we will definitely be meeting for a long time this Friday. At that meeting we will practice the song again, divide up all of the gifts we have to take, and get organized. Packing is coming along slowly, but I try and get a little done each day.
10 days!!!
We did not have a meeting on Friday, but we will definitely be meeting for a long time this Friday. At that meeting we will practice the song again, divide up all of the gifts we have to take, and get organized. Packing is coming along slowly, but I try and get a little done each day.
10 days!!!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
What do you want to know?
A couple weeks ago Dr. Fernandez told me to start making a lost of things that I wanted to observe while I was in New Zealand. I have come up with a few things, but I want questions from different perspectives. Dr. Lindsey gave some of her classes our blog links, so I am hoping that they will comment on this blog with some ideas for me. If you were going into New Zealand schools, what would you want to see? Is there anything you want us to look into while we are there? What specifically do you want to know about New Zealand schools? I want to make sure that we find out as much as we can while we are there, so I would really appreciate it if you have any ideas.
We now have two weeks left, so each day I am trying to make sure that I am more prepared. Yesterday, I stopped by the bank and got traveler's checks. Today, I am finally finishing the standards. I am going to try and read at least one NZ article a day from now until the trip. During class today, my math teacher asked me if I would give a little presentation to the class about what I learned when I get back. Also, my English teacher is having me write a paper about my experiences. I am excited to share everything I learn when I get back.
13 days!!
We now have two weeks left, so each day I am trying to make sure that I am more prepared. Yesterday, I stopped by the bank and got traveler's checks. Today, I am finally finishing the standards. I am going to try and read at least one NZ article a day from now until the trip. During class today, my math teacher asked me if I would give a little presentation to the class about what I learned when I get back. Also, my English teacher is having me write a paper about my experiences. I am excited to share everything I learn when I get back.
13 days!!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
March!
I can't believe that it is March and that we leave this month!!! I am starting to get very nervous about the trip. Although I feel like we are prepared, it is almost like this is a trip you cannot prepare for. I think that once I get there I will be introduced to something that I will be more interested in than many of the things I have been researching. It is hard to think of things that you want to observe in a country that you have never been to. I have been able to learn a lot about New Zealand through the reading I have been doing, but first-hand experience will give me a lot more insight.
This weekend I went home to get my suitcases and start packing. I am hoping that I can pack everything in my large suitcase. That way, I will be able to use my carry-on for the gifts that we are bringing, and it will be used to bring back all my souvenirs when we leave. I also talked to my teacher so that I can go home Tuesday afternoon (I have a night class on Tuesdays). My parents will be taking me to the airport Wednesday morning.
I have been practicing my singing techniques, because I can use all the help I can get in the singing department! Tomorrow I will be working on the standards, because I have caught up with my schoolwork. I think I will be able to finish them so that I have one less thing to worry about.
15 days!!! :)
This weekend I went home to get my suitcases and start packing. I am hoping that I can pack everything in my large suitcase. That way, I will be able to use my carry-on for the gifts that we are bringing, and it will be used to bring back all my souvenirs when we leave. I also talked to my teacher so that I can go home Tuesday afternoon (I have a night class on Tuesdays). My parents will be taking me to the airport Wednesday morning.
I have been practicing my singing techniques, because I can use all the help I can get in the singing department! Tomorrow I will be working on the standards, because I have caught up with my schoolwork. I think I will be able to finish them so that I have one less thing to worry about.
15 days!!! :)
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