Hello, We Saudi Students came form diffrent parts from Saudi Arabia with one main mission and that is to contribute with King Abdullah’s dream to make our country one of the best top countries in the world in many aspects. I believe that each student comes to US must have a piece of his/her culture with them. Thus, and by the support of our school we held this Saudi day to show the international students and teachers these different pieces as one full beautiful picture. The day started by a presentation of general information about Saudi Arabia. Then, we had the culture corner where the students took pictures wearing the Saudi traditional cloths with their names written in Arabic in cards. Finally, the students and teachers indulged them selves by having the great arabic culinary. I made this video clip to share with you all how amazing that day was. Especial thanks and respects to Study Group for giving us the opportunity to have such event. Ahmed Kaifi
“We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
I hope for you that Christmas celebrations were wonderful with your family, friends or Homestay family; and that the poor turkey was delicious! Here, for the 25th, no turkey, but a fantastic Christmas BBQ with my Homestay family.
In Brisbane, for the last week of the year 2010 and the last day just before the Christmas holidays, the school organized us full of surprises!
Friday December 24th, to celebrate Christmas, we began at the school by a few reviewing of Christmas carols. In my class, we tried to find (or guess) missing words to the lyrics of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". It's a very funny song, listen:
It made us all laugh!
After, unusually, courses stopped earlier, at 10.30am and ...
Let's go! It's ready for finding Christmas candy hidden in the school's hallway: the one who catches the most wins the game, and it was a Brazilian girl friend who succeeded to find over a dozen, yummy!
After, go to the 6J room to enjoy Christmas treats and arbitrate a cooking competition of international food, we could taste: grandmother's cookies prepared by an Australian teacher, Taiwanese ravioli, a Korean recipe, and an apple pie ... a French version cooked by Loic and I, re-yummy! Look!
Then, we could choose between lots of different activities:
Cards and origami: many beautiful christmas cards, and thank you Tom for teaching us the traditional Japanese art of origami. We could create a star, a crane, a ball...
Board games
Learn to sing Christmas carols
Christmas trivia and games with prizes
Cards and origami
The Christmas tree with origami, so cute!
I choose the Christmas trivia and we laughted a lot.
There were several teams of 4, I was in the team "Pearl Harbour" with Swiss and Brazilian friends. And the game was to recognize the characters of Christmas, answer quizzes ... while being fast. And we won the first prize: Tim-Tam (it's a delicious chocolate cake) Re-re-yummy!
Christmas is not Christmas without Santa Claus and Christmas presents.
So going Santa Claus home: before each student had to buy a small gift and we exchanged that day. For my part, I offered a small plush and Santa Claus brought me a fish purse.
Friends and I with Christmas presents, I love my lovely fish purse.
Finally, Christmas cards created by students were delivered to their owners. And for those who wanted, in the afternoon, there was a Christmas movie and free popcorn.
Hi everybody and welcome to my blog! I'm very enthusiastic to start this blog and share with you my new Australian experiences in the coming weeks.
First of all, who I am? My name is Cécilia and I’m 24 years old. I’m from Paris in France, I have always lived in Paris and I’m sure you know Paris for its Eiffel tower or the Champs Elysées. My job is physiotherapist, I've been working in a hospital for one year and I take care of invalids after their chirurgical intervention. I’m really enjoying my work and I appreciate also shopping (like all girls I think!), cinema, cultural events, cooking and reading. My favorite sports are roller-skating, diving and skiing.
So, why have I come to Australia? Four months ago, I decided to take a break for3 months to improve my English and discover a country. And the Australian people are reputedly open-minded, cool and friendly. I had already been to Australia four years ago, and I was charmed by this country. I thought that Brisbane was a good choice because I had never been to this city before and it’s near the Gold Coast with its beautiful beaches and its good weather.
For my accommodation, I choose a homestay because I’m really happy at the idea to share the daily life of an Australian family and celebrate with them Christmas and the New Year. And I could practice my English and exchange about cultural differences.
My courses at Embassy began 5 weeks ago and I have already met many friends of different countries. The teachers are very motivated and always there if you need any help or advice. I’m sure that they will communicate to us their knowledge.
My first party at Embassy was for the Melbourne Cup; it's a popular event in Australia where men bet on horses and women vote for the best hat! I post my first picture to show you the vote for the best costume.
I hope you’ll be interested to discover Brisbane with me. See you soon…
I'm really glad to join here. At first, I want to introduce myself a litte bit! : D
My name is Shim Hae Me, I'm 23 years old, and I'm from South Korea. I've been in Sydney for 4 months and I'm really enjoying it!
This picture was taken in front of Opera House!
My major is "Japanese translation and interpretation". I want to work in an airport as ground staff. The reason why I hope to work with utilizing my major, Japanese. I thought if I worked in an airport I could utilize my Japanese language skill.
I should become good at not only Japanese, but also English, if I want to get the job. Therefore I decided to study English more and go to Australia.
It's going to be just like my diary. I hope you enjoy mine!!
Well, here is another blog post since the last time my computer somehow would not want to put in pictures -.-
My friend took me to his suburb, where they got a hill from which I had a nice view of Melbourne. Too bad they are going to build houses all over that place...
Today, I went to Chinatown (which is not unusual since there are many Asians in Melbourne). But there is also a Greek precinct nearby.
Something else you should try when you come to Australia are cupcakes and macarons. So nice, but only for people who have a sweet tooth!
To sum up, I can just say that I learned a lot in Melbourne. Not only did my English improve, but my personality developed also. It has been the longest time that I have been away from home. The longest time before was three weeks xD
And because I met so many different cultures here I can understand better why people behave in this or that way.
I first didn't intend to stop by Napier but I thought it'd be good to see a sea of New Zealand and wanted to see a sunrise and a sunset at the horizon. However, something was in my way: I got a cold. T.T At Taupo, my last stop, the bus came late so I had to wait for over 1 hour outside shivering with cold.
* I lay on the bed as soon as arrived at the backpackers' hostel... Look terrible... *
I was lying in the bed thinking only of getting well as soon as possible. And then I looked back on my trip. Lots of NZ people have helped us to find the way, and other things. Auckland is so busy and big that those who don't know NZ well can be confused that Auckland is the capital. City life is just like that so it's hard to feel the kindness of New Zealanders.
This period of NZ is not a busiest travel time so there were not many visitors from other countries. I think that has given us more of a chance to get in touch with Kiwis.
To be frank with you, I don't remember things in Napier because I was too sick to look around the town. Sorry. T.T
Anyway I blacked out that night.
* The moment just before the sun appears. *
* This is the scene of sunrise at the sea of Napier by my friend L.E.H. THANK YOU. *
I resurrected next day anyhow.
Not look good but not bad, don't I? ^.^
There's not much to see in Napier, I think. The town, however, is as beautiful and exotic as can be. The best part is that you can enjoy the view of buildings and nature while walking along the seashore. Anyway, I strongly suggest that you should go up to Bluff Hill. I think you're going to have to hitchhike to go up there. I walked up and regretted doing so.
You maybe recognize that my story in Napier is wandering... and incoherent... Sorry but I really don't remember that day well because I was too sick. T.T
I'm asking for your forgiveness by these pictures.
Mr. Keith gave us a ride on our way back down to the town. I was just soooooo happy. What in my mind at that moment was go to bed... Wellington, the capital of NZ, is waiting for me. What's my condition going to be like in Wellington??? I wished myself luck.
Taupo is not a very big city. You can walk around the whole city within a day. I was going to stay for just one day so I didn't need to rent a car or a bike. I had made good progress in enjoying Taupo by the time I went to bed last night.
Firstly, Cherry Island. It's an island in the middle of the water about 1km north from the city centre. The sign for the island is so small that you are likely to miss it. However when you first see the sight, I'm sure that you will be surprised.
* The very first sight you see when you get to Cherry Island *
I even felt that I was deep in the jungle where a calm river flowed through a intact canyon. It is surrounded by the rock mountains and there's a bungy jump. Some young boys and girls were jumping off the cliff. * The water is so clean that you can see through to the bottom of the water. *
I took off my shoes and went into water to take a picture of the ducks. I recorded some of them landsliding on the surface of water.
I'm sure that here is a good place to have a rest for a change. I couldn't go onto the Cherry Island but looked around because it was private property and closed. I just wondered who can have an island. It must be someone who's very rich.
I left the island behind for Lake Taupo.
* Got a shot on the way to Lake Taupo. I love looking up at the clouds floating up in the air ^.^ *
I was comparing nature in Korea and in New Zealand. Fewer people and more land than Korea's make a big difference, I think. In fact, it's hard to see such green lawns just everywhere in Korea. I just can feel a new beauty of the nature. The best part is walking along the Lake Terrace.
* It cost me $2 to use the telescope so I was just pretending to look through it. ^.^ *
Wherever I stepped ahead, I couldn't go forward. The various and astonishing views from the lake shore stopped me from going away at every spot. Time to appreciate the fantastic photos taken by me.^^
* One hundred percent transparency of the water of Lake Taupo *
It's a sea not a lake. I'm leaving for Napier. Now I will see the sea tomorrow.
I got up early in the morning, had breakfast and packed a lunchbox. The good thing was that I could leave my bags until I took the next bus even though I had checked out.
I stepped out of the Spa Lodge after having got ready! In fact, I prefer the sea or lakes to mountains, so I did expect to see the Rotorua Lake. Ah, I saw a Chrysler Taxi... What a fancy taxi it was...^^
Anyway I don't have to say anything. I think that the impression would be less than real if I said how I felt. Great photos - just for appreciation.
Lake Rotorua has many good places to take a photo and this is one of them.
The weather is clearing up now.
The surface of the lake is like a mirror.
A very harmonious black swan family.
I spent almost two hours taking pictures: birds flying freely, people strolling along the lakeside, beautiful hills at the opposite end of the lake and reflecting images of the sky on the lake's surface like a copy machine. It was just marvelous.
This is the real New Zealand, like Siva always says. Isn't it, Siva? ^^ Now I know what you mean. I just didn't want to move my steps.
The lake is this big....
On the way back to the lodge, I dropped by the Government Garden. There were people running a marathon and people cheering them. The stop watch on the wall said 3:47:30. I stood for a while giving a clap for the runners.
And there were people who were playing bowls as well. I think bowls is the most popular sport for seniors in New Zealand because wherever I go I can see people playing.
People are playing bowls. I think it's a good sport for seniors.
The impressions that I had due to Rotorua Lake, I couldn't get the images out of my head until I fell asleep on the bus to the Taupo.
I will be walking the road that I walked today again in the near future . This is the very place that I want to come to again. One more thing, I was so lucky because I saw a rainbow while waiting for the bus. I've never seen a rainbow. I was just satisfied with everything during this trip! And tomorrow is Taupo. Taupo has its reputation for the lake too. I can't wait to see the lake tomorrow morning!
Bonus shot. That short and small bridge is very dangerous because of the birds' xxxxxx. ^^
This will be my honest feelings about New Zealand not just about a trip. I haven't been out of Auckland so far, so I haven't experienced many real New Zealanders. I'm sure that I will see, learn, feel and think lots of things during the trip.
And this is my story.
Part1.1 - Rotorua
I have planned to travel all around New Zealand for more than 2 weeks. I've never been throbbing this much in my heart with expectation in my life. And I have to admit that I have turned away from studying because I was so excited and had lots of things to prepare.
I received the YHA membership card five days before going - and I got a 'one free night' voucher~!
Time flies and D-day finally has come. Five of my friends and I got together at Britomart Transport Station and had a light lunch box. As a matter of fact I lost my key to open my big bag before I got to the Britomart so I had to break the lock... One of my friends told me to bear it as the price for the escape from misfortune ahead and I really hope so! ^^
12:15 pm - Time to hop on the bus. The bus we took is the Nakedbus. Everybody who was first told the name of the bus was surprised but I even don't know why it's called that. Nobody is naked, don't worry.
We hopped on the bus and gave our reservation numbers.The bus driver loaded our bags himself. I may well expect a driver to do so in Korea but I didn't in New Zealand so it felt very kind of the driver to do that. That must be the principle of relativity. ^^
No sooner than I had a seat, I got carsick... It's just because it's been too long since I've been on a bus trip.The road conditions of New Zealand are much better than in Korea so I can't get carsick... Anyway I luckily fell asleep at once and then when I woke up I felt much better.
Our bus was in the middle of its way to Hamilton. I looked outside through the window to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
I took this photo because the clouds looked like a grand panorama. The thing I like most in NZ is that mountains are not very high around the road. Of course it's very charming to drive the road which is surrounded by the mountains with beautiful trees in Korea. However, to have a good peculiar experience is always delightful.
When I was on the road between the pastures both sides, I could see the cows, horses and sheep graze on the greenary grassland. The blue sky and green land mixed so well and they became just a fantastic picture. I'm not a prefessional photographer but this beauiful nature allowed me to be a pro at the moment. The best part was that when a wide prospect bursted upon my view as I came out of the little forest. I felt refreshed at the moment when a road was opened up.
The bus arrived at I-sites (Travelers' Centre - very useful and good!), Rotorua via Hamilton (I gave my word to myself that I will travel this city some day too).
Actually, we didn't made an accommodation reservation because I had heard that it was not a high-demand season so we could find a good bacpackers or other kind of accommodation.You can find lots of information about accommodation and activities if you go into the I-sites. The bus lets you get off right in front of the Centre. We found a place, SPA LODGE, that suited our taste and headed there.
Check in, unpack and have quick dinner. The very reason that we chose the SPA LODGE among the many other places was we were able to use the Natural Thermal Spa for free!!! We intended to go the Polynesian spa at night but we decided not to. Thanks to the help of the kind staff, we got a free map of the Rotorua city and made a quick stroll at night.
I have to go to sleep early because I've got many things to do tomorrow.
It was a little tough to go to One Tree Hill by bus last time. However I was lucky this time because my friend's car took me there.
After I became aware of the pleasure of the short trip, it's hard for me to stay home at weekends.
Although my friend got lost on our way, we managed to arrive at Mount Eden. I first didn't intend to write this short trip on my blog. It changed because I wanted to let you know the history of Mount Eden.
- From the Google Satellite Picture -
It always feels good to tell someone something that I know.
A bit chilly, clear, fresh and not crowded - the best conditions to take a stroll. You can go up to the summit on foot or by car. I recommend to use a car if you are not on a diet. I think it's enough exercise to walk around the summit.
These are the pictures of the city from inside the car while going up to the summit.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
I love to see landscape which looks like a piece of a painting: the houses, cars, trees and other buildings go together very charmingly like toys in a fairy tale.
At the top, I could see people running, walking, talking and looking down at around the city.
* Time for learning about the origin of Mount Eden
Mount Eden (Maungawhau, the 'Mountain of the Whau tree' in Maori) is the name of a cinder cone and surrounding suburb in Auckland City, New Zealand, situated five kilometres south of the city centre. The mountain is the highest natural point in the whole of Auckland. The English name honours George Eden,1st Earl of Auckland.
- If you take a look for yourself, you can feel that it's so huge and deep. -
- Geography The central focus of the suburb is the dormant eponymous volcano whose summit (196 metres above sea level) is the highest natural point on the Auckland isthmus. (This is kind of surprising to me because the town in Korea is surrounded by high mountains so it's difficult to see the horizon unless you were on top of high mountain.) The majestic bowl-like crater is 50 metres deep. The volcano erupted several times resulting in a series of craters, with the last eruption about 15,000 years ago.
- Tourism Mt Eden sees strong tourism use, as it is the highest non-manmade point in Auckland, and provides good views in all directions over the city. The large numbers of coach buses, which previously could go all the way to a parking lot on the top of the hill has been considered to have degraded the top of the cone. In August 2006, a ban on tour buses was announced. They will have to park halfway up the mountain in the future.
Just as was expected, there were two big tour buses packed with tourists. I was able to hear people speaking Korean. It was good to hear my language far away from my country.
Next destination is Devonport. Have a good week, everyone. Cheers!
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