If I were to say Rotorua is "Second Lake", it wouldn't make that much of a sense. Te Rotorua nui a Kahumatamomoe in short, Rotorua, got it's name from the lake, where the chief of the Maori found as the second major lake and honoured it to his uncle. Roto means lake while Rua means Two (From Tahi - 1; Rua - 2; Toru - 3; Wha - 4). By all means, "Second Lake".
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Cold, cold, cold, cold...
Te Ngae Road, Rotorua
21st Nov 6.30am (AKL Local Time)
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Got up at the break of dawn. I had first hand experience of how cold New Zealand is in the mornings. A chilly 8ºC despite the summer season. I do indeed hope I wasn't snoring the night before, as said, my flight to New Zealand was a bit off ease.
Eggs, sausages, toast, cornflakes...Sum it all up and you'd have one delightful breakfast to start off your day. True to their reputation, they are fitness & sports crazy. You see swarms of people jogging before work in the morning and immediately after in the evening straight from the office and if I haven't emphasised it enough already, Rotorua streets rise & fall like there's no tomorrow so a simple jog is demanding. In my trying spirit, I followed the locals, jogging around. Needless to say, even for a person like me who swims daily, I cannot explain how tiring it was.
Then I was off to junior college.
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Kareti Hoani Paora
Kahu Street, Rotorua
21st Nov 8.30am (AKL Local Time)
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Today being a Friday, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to start off school at New Zealand just yet. Instead, I was introduced around the school and got invited into the school's Marae. Dena, one of the friendliest person I've ever met was there to show me around as staff of the international department.
The Marae (Pronounced Mae-Rai) - Meeting Area. For many Maori, the marae is just as important to them as their own homes. The marae itself represents an ancestor or otherwise in rare cases. On the front top of the marae, a Tekoteko, or carving is found that represents the ancestor's head.
The carved part of the tekoteko which slides downwards represents the arms of the ancestor, held out as a welcome to visitors.
The pole, which runs down the centre of the whare from front to back, represents the ancestor's backbone. This is a very solid piece of wood which is used, as when the backbone is strong, the body is strong. The rafters from the carved figures on the inside of the whare represent the ribs of the ancestor. The smaller and larger "Koruru" carvings may be seen on the outside of the whare. The protruding tongue often seen is in defiance of the enemy, and is also a defiant gesture during the haka (war dance).
The glittering paua shell (New Zealand abalone shellfish) eyes of the koruru represent the Ruru, Maori name for the New Zealand native owl. The Ruru was a fierce little fighter bird. Also said was the deeper the carving is, the older the story was.
The window however, portrays the eyes and the door as the mouth. As you enter the marae, you're entering the body, through the mouth. The Maori believe that the living enter from the door while the dead will enter from the window.
In this particular case, meeting house of the school. It was built in honour of John Paul. Along side the Maori pope.
I was also brought around the whole school only to find that there's a room for everything, literally. Drama room, music room, arts room, math room, German room, etcetera. Who knows, there might even be a room for a room.
Malaysia has a lot to do with catching up, the library there uses the magnetic sensor panels to prevent theft of books while we use people as magnetic sensor panels that doesn't beep.
There's also a boot camp like "playground". Pictures will be posted later on summary post...Not to mention a cafeteria with good food, 2 rugby fields, 3 tennis courts, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, and a multipurpose gym.
I was introduced to people shortly after. Madison was my buddy for the week, along with her friends, to familiarise me with the school and also how things work out for the week.
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English Experience Class with Kay
John Paul College
21st Nov 1.10pm (AKL Local Time)
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It's impossible to master any language in less than even 3 years. Especially English - being my first language, I decided to notch it up with Kay - dedicated English guru. Not only does she understand your level, she goes by your level. From that point on, I know there's something up for me on the following week.
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Oh! Windows XP desktop picture
The Farmhouse, Rotorua
21st Nov 3.10pm (AKL Local Time)
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Schools at New Zealand begins at 9.00am and ends at 3.00pm. For that, it's rather relaxing and flexible. You wouldn't have to wake up at 6 out of nowhere in the dark and start banging your head on walls you can't really see just to attend school at 7.30am.
I headed over to the farmhouse for horse riding. Tho I was never really a fan of sitting on top of horses while they trot around, it's exceptional here at New Zealand. The panoramic view of the lush greenery just hits you. It's just like those movies were 2 people run against each others. Ya know what it really reminds me of? The Windows XP default wallpaper. No shit!
The horse ride was rather short for it was the first outta four in the course. Yes, it's a course...
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Where are my car keys?!
The Farmhouse, Rotorua
21st Nov 6.00pm
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Had anyone thought that I would have actually danced the Haka? As my 2nd/3rd time in New Zealand, it would be scandalous for me not to know the Haka.
Lucky thing, I've learnt it the first time i came to New Zealand. So what Howie? Why are you still doing it now?
It's fun, it's challenging, it's mental and physical building. I've done it before, so I was leading a group this trip.
Being a leader isn't as easy as the cube root of 191. It's being chosen. If you think anyone can do that by luck, wait till you know that technically a leader must fight back the whole group both ways (the shout and the fury). Crazy right? I was up for the challenge, you should too, if you've done the Haka before that is.
The Haka, for people who have been living under a rock out there who don't know what's HAKA, is a dance from the Maori. Created to taunt enemies characterised by loud chanting, much aggressive flailing of arms and stomping of feet, fierce looks and, in the end, an angry sticking out tongues.
It signifies both hand and feet synchronisation of all respective group members. It's said in the olden days, that if one person goes out of sync, the whole group doesn't go for war
The origins of the haka are deeply rooted in the mists of time. It is a history rich in folklore and legend that reflects Maori heritage. While recent tradition suggest the haka was the domain of men exclusively, legend and history reflects a different story. Indeed, the story of the most famous haka, Ka Mate! proves to be about female sexuality.
Tho some people joke around saying the actions of Ka Mate! are said to be a dance when you loose your car keys (just think about it, you'd laugh), the dance itself WOULD taunt anyone in it's way.
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Moo all night long
The Farmhouse, Rotorua
21st Nov 10.00pm
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I went for my first day at Haoni Paora, got a glimpse of what it's like to school here, and I've got on a boring horse along side with doing the haka right after. Why wouldn't I spend a night in the farmhouse. No matter where you tend to sleep in New Zealand, it's just impossible for anything to disturb you, uhm, except if you're sleeping next to a cow...
Uhh...Moo?
