Day Ten: I Hope Its Not The End

A 3:00 am wake up call sounds miserable right? Well it is.  Since we were all done packing I made the horrid mistake of trying to get a couple hours of sleep witch I discovered was an awful idea and will never do it again, if I have to wake up at 3am I’m staying up! We were all tired and most of us cranky, the few people who weren’t were pretty much despised by me, which is saying something since I’m normally a nice person. I didn’t really go to sleep on the first three-hour flight, I couldn’t. We stopped momentarily at the airport in Sydney for a quick snack and then were back on the plain. 25 hours total we were on the plane we were told. I love planes and all but even I have a limit to how long I can be on them before I lose my mind.  I was glad I sat by friends on the flight home, it was easier to maneuver around then, yep my amazing gracefulness of a decrepit stick got to really shine through on the long plane ride. I didn’t sleep much, it mostly felt like my body was in a tired numbness but my mind raced with thoughts continually flowing music. I fortunately got a window seat witch mesmerized me the entire flight, if I could be guaranteed some of the views I saw on the plane that night every night I could ALMOST live on a plane….

            

The world is so full of wonder when looking down at it in flight, the sky is so filled with possibility and the mind is so full of thought. I’ve never seen the moon brighter and I’ve never seen so many stars. I easily could get lost in the almost unreal world outside of that uncomfortable plane window. I remember wishing for the pilot to slow the plain down because this beauty was all I got left to really marvel at during this trip, so please just make it last.

            I soon discovered just how much I dislike Americas airports filled with unhappy people. I wonder why we are all so bitter, even though we all enjoy the sweetness of others in other countries. I think if people could start carrying for others this country, this world would be a better place. When the last plane ride came around I felt like a statue at that gate. How could it be only one more plane ride and it all be done?

            Anyway after the many plane rides I tried really hard to put on a smile that turned out to be so pitiful I even felt sorry for myself. I wasn’t to excited about heading home until all those plane rides, then all I wanted was a shower and my bed. I try to keep reminding myself to not look back on those days that are lost and think of them as something to cherish. But being back home feels so strange. I really believe something has changed in me, or at least I really want to believe that. 

Top Ten

1.     The Great Barrier Reef- it didn’t really have much significance to my learning or overall travel growth, but there was something about that experience that made a difference to me, it’s hard to explain.

2.     Ranitoto College- I loved meeting my pen pale and this bewilderingly un encounter turned me in me into a people person for a couple hours, something I so am not!

3.     Maori dinner- I thought this was one of the best things culturally we did because we got to try their wonderful food and also experience a long cherished traditional greeting. This was a fun experience that brought out the wild entertainer in a lot of us, including some particular teachers whom shall not be named directly, but you know who you are.

4.     The Maori Village- this was an extremely enjoyable experience and was fascinating, these customs are truly unique to New Zealand’s people and that made this experience wonderfully exploratory.

5.     Sydney City- I believed it was beneficial to us all to see, the way a city should be kept and the way a city should feel. I loved all the street performances and interacting with people I couldn’t quiet understand, it taught me a lot and brought me out of my shell.

6.     The Food- I think throughout the trip we were all forced to try something new, weather it was vegemite or raw fish stew we all had to stray from normal eating habits into adventurous ones, it really makes me appreciate some of the people on the food channel a lot more.

7. The Environment in both countries- America and its citizens could really learn lesson or two about how much the earth around them effects its culture from these two countries, I loved how incorporated the world around these people was to their everyday life, it was wonderful.

8.     Sightseeing- the multitudes of beautiful land scrapes I believed brought forth the creative and intuitive side of a lot of our students.

9.     Lunging- Although this wasn’t all that culturally different from our pastimes like, go carting or simply riding around in a scooter, it was still fun for a lot of students and had us all begging for more.

10. The Bridge Climb-I loved the bridge climb it was an entirely new perspective of Sydney and also slightly terrifying, but those always end up being the things that you are always proud of doing right?

Day Nine: Travel Alone

We began our day on an old styled, charming train ride through the mountains. It was extensively scenic and sweet.  We al knew we were nearing the end of our trip and you could almost feel the eyes fall intently on the foreign beauty of Australia, wishing for it to never leave. When the train ended we were brought to a small village on the mountainside, witch was quaint and had extremely pleasant people. It was a quick trip, we soon left the village and headed towards the wet tropics, a brilliant rainforest. We spent a good amount of time in airlifts, which make even me nervous at times.  We ended up at an aboriginal area and watched a traditional and entertaining performance filled with song and dances. We each got to try our hand at boomerang and spear throwing. I was nervous and sunk back into my shy little ball and hid in the corner hoping I wouldn’t have to throw and fail in fount of everyone, but some boy from our trip just had to notice my stupid pink shirt and convince me to go and try, another instance of being forced out of my comfort zone, and honestly I do owe this boy because I probably would have regretted not going up.

            For dinner my group ate at the food court, we headed to the hotel a little earlier than a lot of the other students, which was great under the circumstances. Amanda and I got the chance to pack and pull a little joke on our roommate, one that would have been funnier if EVERYTHING didn’t go wrong, but it was a fun idea and in the end we were all giggles.

            

Could I travel on my own? I think I could, don’t get me wrong I know that it would be frightening and I would probably have several awkward or depressing moments, but hey what doesn’t really kill you makes you stronger right. The main reason I think I could travel alone is because I think I need to. Sometimes when you’re with people you know you fall into whom you portray yourself as. Sometimes to really grow you need to become someone who is either so completely you venerable and open or become someone else and explore who you truly are. When traveling with people this is exceeding difficult, I mean how can you turn your back on yourself without turning it on them? If I ever do, or really when I venture out on my own I will have understanding of what I’m taking on, and I will not fear it, I hope. I understand the responsibility not only to yourself but also to your country when you travel, what you’re representing and what you’re showing the world. I believe that understanding is another reason I could travel alone; this understanding and this respect for not only for the culture around you but also for your own is need when traveling. I’ve waited to long for a chance for something where I truly grow and I think that burning hunger for that change will drive me to jump head first into an adventure, even if I’m alone.

Day Eight: The Reef

            The great beerier reef was one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life. I could feel myself tear at the seems, fading back to that small girl flying around the room outstretched arms, eyes closed pretending to feel the cool water on her cheeks and the stickiness of finish slid across and through her finger tips. That small girl whom belonged in that beautiful and magical world, that small girl who used to be me, and perhaps in a more significant way then previously thought still is. Its funny how strange I felt while in that water, I gave myself away to my dreams, young and naive as they were they made me who I am today. I felt as though the sky broke and everything in me escaped into a dream. It never bothered me that it wasn’t as colorful as I had imagined and wasn’t packed with life as I had thought, it  only took my breath away, every part of it. For a moment I belonged to a fairy tale and that silly little memory I thought I could never truly have really happened, and really took my everything. I asked myself looking down into that foreign but familiar world if this was the place I used to love? Is this the place I’ve been dreaming of for so long? As I swam I could feel something, something so real, something I’ve needed for a very long time. This world brought me back to a place where only I truly knew.

            

The boat ride there and back was cool although I could only feel my mind fade into distance dark places as I watched the water breath and flow into vivid life before my eyes. Her wild waves seemed to only find outwardly peace but vicious unsettledness when she’s close. I remember understanding just how all those myths about gods and the earth came about. I remember loving the idea of ignoring the pure science of the world, if only for a moment and replacing it with magic.

           

Beside the pure childish fantasy of mine during this trip I also had a lot of fun. My friend’s laughter penetrated my daydreaming silence and I would be pulled back into the purity of fun that was radiating around us all. While swimming I got cut by the coral, which I never expected to be sharp (silly me). The scar wasn’t really pretty either so I spent a good amount of time contemplating what kind of story I can conjure up that makes the scar a little cooler. Maybe I was attacked by a shark? A barracuda? A really angry midget fish maybe? Anything has to be cooler than the sadly pathetic truth of getting into a fight with coral and losing. I also discovered salt water is gross and hurts when you accidently swallow it, ok I knew that but I was unfortunately and curly reminded of it.

            Overall it was one of best moments of my life.

Day Seven: Just for Fun, Change

            We left from Sydney to Cairnis by a short plane ride that was surprising really quick and quiet fun due to the obnoxious amount of turbulence that had me giggling the entire time. I guess I’m just weird like that.  After we left the plain we checked into this rather fancy hotel, when we saw our room we all nearly died. I was so big and beautiful. We were ecstatic and all flew into the beds, it was the best hotel room we have gotten. We had huge smiles on coming out of the hotel room, completely excited for warm weather and water! We walked past this glorious view of mud swamp beaches, which don’t seem that appealing but it was rather lovely, then again, what isn’t in Australia.

            

We walked to a man made beach where Amanda and I laid out in the sun talking and laughing. It felt good to finally to relax and enjoy sunlight. Lexa and me walked around the small layers of sand, both loving the feeling of the sand sinking between our toes. She showed a couple of her mad ninja skills with marvelous flips and twirls, which only showed how relaxed we all were. We all felt like we could take on the world. Later that day the teachers let us all roamed around the town and find dinner. This day was pure freedom, we ate at some adorable little restaurant that had really creepy shrimp, and we were all dancing through the board walk letting our hearts speak louder than our heads. That day was fun and very vacation like; the busyness of the last few days was finally rewarded with this amazing openness.

            

I do feel like I’ve changed a bit throughout this trip. This glorious situation we were all changed in someway, for better or for worse, we have changed. Every moment seems to somehow fall in place and for once I got the chance to see through all the fog and walls I made around myself.  I also got to live in the moment, to not worry what that moment would become, not wonder how long until it fades into a shallow memory, I just didn’t care, I wanted to breath it all in and there where defiantly incidents that I got to lose myself in a world so unquestioned by my anxious mind.  I also let myself drift out of my comfort zone into a slightly embarrassing but overall fun experience. I really hope above everything that when I head home that I wont ever forget what I’ve found and lost here.

Day Six: Around Sydney

Today was a tour of the city; it was magnificent, and wet. We couldn’t go into the opera house but just looking at it was amazing, I could just picture the multitudes of hours that gone into that building. It’s an architectural marvel to say the least; if I where to ever design a building I would want it to be just as beautiful and complex as the opera house.  Our entire group went on a tour of Sydney cruse afterwards, it was extremely windy but beautiful. I even screamed… kind of… on the boat with my friend Lexa, a silly thing I’ve always wanted to do after the boat we headed towards the indoor zoo. It was a lot of fun, we all giggled as Steven shied away from the spiders and awed at the koalas and kangaroos.  We saw a crocodile and spent a good five minutes arguing weather or not it was real, but it never moved so we pretty much gave up on it. We saw so many wonderful animals that I’ve never seen before including the world’s most dangerous bird. After we left the zoo our group concluded that that a lot of Australian animals reminded us of Pokémon, which is extraordinarily nerdy but we really could care less.

           

After the zoo we ate dinner, I had some strange pasta thing that tasted kind of funny but for some reason I wasn’t really that hungry that one day so I didn’t eat much of it. Our dinner table was fun and active we all joked around and tasted each other’s food. We also discovered the wonders and fun squirting abilities of Australian condiment packets.

            A small group of people and I took the train, I did it because I love trains and it just seemed like a better alternative then getting stuck in the pouring rain. We waited for what seemed like forever for the other group to come back to the hotel. Them unlike us where soaked to the bone, and all much more exhausted, GO TEAM TRAIN! It was a good day in all and I loved getting a chance to actually see Australian animals, even if they were in a zoo, I’m still thankful.

Day Five: Freedom of Mind

Today was a total excursion day. We started with a leisurely morning, fallowed by disappointing news. The whale watching was canceled because of bad weather. I was disappointed but I’d be a foul to let it ruin my day. Instead of the first execution we went to the market. We began at the mall, completely confused because all the stores were closed. Luckily Lexa is smatter than the average bear and found the market below the store. Which to my understanding not all the students found. We wondered around for quiet a bit thrilled with the low prices of souvenirs and the accumulation of shiny objects. I tried my hand at haggling for the first time, which wasn’t actually haggling, it was just sob story, pity price lowering, but it worked. The market, I was later told, was a lot like the shops they have in China, and when thinking about buying Australian souvenirs in a Chinese’s market is kind of nifty.

            

After the market we headed to the bridge. Our group again got separated into two groups, ours being the smaller one traveling with Mr. Berry. We went straight through this lengthy tutorial about safely and equipment. I was called an old Asian man by my friend and Taylor Swift by a stranger; I guess I would be quiet good at undercover work. The bridge climb was amazing, I only almost died twice and that’s pretty good considering my plague of klutziness.  Being on that bridge it was so incredibly easy to drift away into space. The view made your mind fly away with possibility. I stood atop of the road looking down at the small cars, and I stood atop looking out to Australia and its ocean horizon, I’ve never felt so small and so large in my entire life. Nothing can compare to the freedom of thought you can have in moments like that. I will never forget the thrill I had standing on my toes looking down to the multicolored sea. I’ve never experienced that strange feeling before, hat one where you stand atop something so high and have the sudden eager to jump, but looking into that deceivingly innocent and pure ocean, I couldn’t help but to imagine. There was something about that moment atop of the bridge, I don’t know what, or really even if its real or if I’m being silly, but there was a moment up there where I think I saw everything just a little clear, and hope for this world no matter how far it may seem is just within reach. Honestly the bridge is the only place where I truly appreciated the city, which is sad but I couldn’t help but compare it to the commonality of Chicago.

After the bridge we all got back together and then separated for dinner. I initially went with the Thai food group but spontaneously decided to go with Ewen to the Indian place we passed. It was a small group of us, just Lexa me and Tyler. It was great to break away from close friends and try something new, and meet people you have hardly ever talked to before.  Lexa and me became good friends and we actually got Tyler to open up and talk with us, he turned out to be really quit nice. I was quiet impressed with both of them anyway for splitting up with the large group in the first place. We also discovered on our little adventure just how much Mr. Ewen LOVES Indian food, especially this delicious bread called Naan. We laughed and ate, ordering way to much food because it all looked and tasted just so good, I have to say Indian is now one of my favorite foods. One of the best dinners on the trip in my option.

Day Four: Comparing Cities

            Today was mostly a travel day, a small quaint plane ride from Auckland to Sydney. We had sometime to explore the city by buss and we got to walk around a bit. It was lovely, I adored the many street performs and the careful detail and care that was put into its deign.  The streets were filled with either friendly residence or anticipating travelers. It was wonderful but when we entered Sydney I couldn’t help but to long for the mountains and open horizon of New Zealand. Alec seemed quiet excited to show us around his city, he introduced to us a couple slang words thrown around in Australia, like the slang pushy, which means bicycle. The street signs were very similar to those in New Zealand, they all had adorable pictures with people obviously to big to fit into that tiny buss, and pictures of decapitated ligaments. All in all it was a fun day that had us all raring for the next.

            

Sydney unlike a lot of cities looked clean, with less people and stylized just right to represent the culture. The glorification points were just that, they were displayed this pride and shown to the travelers with the deepest amazement. It is unlike Chicago in several ways, these include the amount of people, amount of population, and the surprising lack of sport cars. Its much smaller than Chicago and its also a lot quieter, even in the city the people were kind and helpful, something rarely seen here. I liked it a lot for a city, something I’m not to keen on in the first place though. Chicago and Sydney couldn’t be more different when it comes to its atmosphere but its attraction and complexity they are quiet similar.

Day Three: Culture and Rangitoto

We began our day early heading out to hike the red wood forest; which by the way is huge and wonderful. We missed our first buss and got separated from the larger group, if that wasn’t bad enough it was poring rain outside. Although I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about it, the small group was fun and we all willingly belted out Disney songs in the forest trying to make the miserable morning something to remember. I would have NEVER of done that at home so it was great breaking out of my quiet shell. By the end we were all soaked through, cold, and laughing hysterically.

            Later that day we met with the Rangitoto kids. I was nervous and excited for the encounter, realizing just what we were about to do to late. I knew we had to make a good impression, seeing as this might be the only time these kids ever meet an American. I admittedly doubted our 36 students capability to do that. But this experienced turned out a lot better than I thought it would. I got to meet my pen pale whom turned out to be incredibly sweet and smart, we laughed and talked and walked around for what seemed like merely seconds. I got to meet this other girl to, she was super sweet and I’m glad I got to talk with her as well.  So many things surprised me about the experience, most of it involved just how similar to us they were, I mean I kind of expected it, but I was surprised how just how excited they were meeting us, like we them. I loved answering all the questions and finally learn the answers to some of mine. It was admirable how much respect they had for the Maori culture and just how fascinated they were by it. This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time and meeting these kids especially Joe was like meeting a longtime friend again after years of separation. Nearing the end we all attempted the Haka, something not only the American students were embarrassed doing.  Joe and I traded candy and I gave him a bit of American cash, seeing as he was so fascinated with it. The most peculiar thing that happened was when I gave him the money the girl behind him flipped and asked to see it, then she began to smell it, deciding that’s what America smelled like, when its actually what a soggy dollar bill, after its been in the pouring rain smells like, but whatever. When we went back to the hotel we couldn’t stop talking about the experience. It’s truly a memory I will forever cherish

Day Two: Culture

In the morning of day two we aware all greeted with the most beautiful sunrise ever seen. The water acted as if it was a elegant layer of liquid mirror reflecting the sky’s abundance in color and glory. We were all awestricken, we couldn’t help but take as many pictures as possible, we all so badly wanted to capture its striking vividness but at the time could not understand that it was impossible. This sunrise wasn’t only beautiful because of the unrealistic, and astonishing array of color but also because of the way we all felt about it. How each and every student stood there stunned and hypnotized, how this one beautiful scene made us all feel like we have seen something so special, so wonderful that it will forever live in our deepest of dreams. That feeling came from not only the sappy teenage girls like myself, but also from the rambunctious boys and the, I’ve seen everything teachers.

            

After the sunrise we all went on a scenic duck tour, which was fun but mostly due to the large duck whistles we were all handed. Our duck tour dropped us off at Tewhakarewarewatangaoteopetauaawahiao, or Whaka, if that’s too hard to read. This was the Moari’s thermal village. The native culture utilized the thermal activity and warmth for everyday living. The thermo mud and extraordinary therapeutic powers and are used for staying young and healthy, although the steam smelled it created some of the most delectable food and left your skin soft. It was a fascinating town and I was slightly disappointed that we didn’t stay any longer.

           

We then headed towards the Agrodome, a sheep sheering show, I was initially not to excited about this activity but it proved to be a lot of fun. Our last activity of the night was the traditional Hangi. It started with the Maoris and "Chief" Steven to do their traditional introduction. We watched as they preformed there traditional greeting to us and offered the food that was cooked in the geothermal steam. When we finished eating the Maori's performed traditional song and dance in their native tongues. They called the girls on stage to do the pois, I was embarrassing one of then.  Keeping in rhythm and catching the pois was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I could slowly feel my face begin to turn red the more I was on the stage, thank god Lexa was with me laughing the entire time, making me feel so much better about the performance. At home I would have never of done something like that, me being a initially shy person, but I’m really glad I did, it turned out to be a great experience. Last they called the boys on stage to learn part of the Haka, a war dance done by the Maori people. I almost died of laughter watching some of our teacher’s faces, funniest part of today. Before I knew it dinner was done but me Shelby and Amanda stayed up for hours talking and joking about the days events, even trying the Haka ourselves.

            The shared culture of the Maori people and the New Zealanders really reminds me little of Americas inclusion of Native American culture, strangely I believe that this respect and admirations towards the native people is more similar when comparing them to how America views the Hawaiian culture. We as citizens adore the beautiful dances and elegant beauty the natives have shown us through the years despite all the hardship, which is something I believe is beneficial to any country willing to accept and grow.

Day One: New Zealand

Pardon me if I rant on about the airport, I understand that you the reader of this blog know all about air travel, but this was my first time on a plane and even this silly little side adventure meant something to me. So I apologize for this repetitive intrusion but I’m still going to elaborate on it. We began at O’Hare airport standing in line for what seemed like forever. Apparently the system kept crashing when the students were brought up as a group rather than individuals. I felt bad for poor Lexa who stood at there for at least twenty minutes while the workers where trying to sort though technical difficulties.  The luggage check was a lot easer than I had initially expected; in fact I was completely terrified of it after hearing all those wonderful stories about harsh security. Our first flight was from Chicago to LA, three seat rows in a narrow plane that I think has to hold the record for the worst flight we took the entire trip, looking back I’m surprised I wasn’t looking up at the luggage racks expecting snakes to slither out. I was practically hyperventilating out of excitement for the takeoff. I was determined to watch out the window during the flight but the people who sat next to me decided it would be a fun little game to slowly close it on me, which it wasn’t! (Lie). The flight was incredible; the feeling and the view hypnotized me. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

            The second plane was so much bigger then the first. It was packed with electronic toys and comfort accommodations that were actually quite intrusive at the start. I was originally assigned the window but the sweet woman next to me was having trouble getting comfortable so we switched seats.  The flight was long and boring, my only distraction was Riley and her lost shoe.

            When we flew over New Zealand I almost died, it was beautiful, a sea of clouds, with green land seeming to brake through the sky. When we landed I instantly noticed the air: clean, fresh, and absolutely lovely.  The soft dew painted the airport, which was decorated with glass leave windows. It was casual and empty, and in comparison to Americas airports, absolutely wonderful. A dog came and inspected our bags sniffing for food, something we all lied about having, a few got caught and their beef jerky was cruelly eaten in front of them by the excited beagle.

           

Before we knew it we were on our way through the country. I still can’t believe how stunning it is, everything was lush and open. The horizon never seemed so big and the air never seemed so crisp and refreshing. There was also this somewhat frightening amount of cows and sheep, we were told there was a 17:1 ratio between livestock and man, I found that a bit more disturbing than others, but then again I also became strangely paranoid that a sheep from every pasture was staring us down. After riding on the bus for while we stopped in a small village that was largely influenced by lord of the rings, seeing that near that area is where the epic movie was filmed. People from the town couldn’t help but stare; we are loud, matching Americans after all. I ate this strange pineapple sandwich for lunch, which wasn’t my favorite thing in the world, but I was so hungry I inhaled it.

            After we came back to the bus we went straight to lunging, the best thing ever! We got into our Joey group and went up the mountain on a lift. I was surprised how well we all got along seeing as we hardly knew each other. We talked and laughed about the broken plastic dinosaurs that were laid to waste far below us. Our first lunging was unfortunately on the easiest leave, its understandable and all, seeing as we had no idea what we were doing anyway, but we quickly jumped at the chance to ride down at the most advanced level. The lunge is this strange scooter like go-cart thing, which was incredibly fun to drive down the steep turning hills.

           

When our time lunging was over we left to the jade factory, a small store filled with brilliantly crafted jewelry, but way too expensive! We left and finally reached Rotorua, which because of the immense amount of geothermic activity and abundance of sulfur, smelled like rotten eggs. We ate this enormous burger for dinner. Shelby and I spent a good five minutes staring at the meal wondering how in the world it was going to fit in our mouth. We are finally in the hotel and I feel like I’ve had the longest day of my life. Thank god I can sleep, I have never needed it this badly before!

            I’m really looking forward to meeting the other students and seeing more of this beautiful country. My first impression is astonishment: I love it here, the people are kind and have these fascinating accents that are occasionally hard to understand and the landscape is something I’ve only ever seen as screen savers. All in all this was a great first day.

Rabbit Proof Fence

The aboriginal people were never given any respect or rights.  They were treated as though they were invaders in their own lands, animals that can be dismissed and forgotten without regret or consideration. The aboriginal people faced unimaginable trials and painful struggles. In the chapter “the decline of aboriginal society” there are explicated statements of their dehumanization when the colonel white man came into Australia, “the Nyungar people, and indeed the entire Aboriginal population, grew to realize what the arrival of the European settlers meant for them: it was the destruction of their traditional society and the dispossession of their lands,” this of course violates what it means to be a moral equal human being. The treatment of the people is unexcitable but the mindset of the white man towards these people is that they were in fact no more than a simple and inadequate form or man, and nothing more. This destruction of home and all humanity was beyond violation of human rights standards today; man is granted full “right to own property.” When children were being taken from their home or families being forced to relocate because of the arrival of settlers these rights where never granted. Part Aboriginal children were brutally taken from their families and homes, “patrol officers travelled far and wide removing part aboriginal children from their families and transported them hundreds of kilometers down south.” How is this in any way humane? Especially when dealing with children, any fool should be able to recognize how fragile adolescents are, the effect on those victimized still brings fire to their eyes. This of course is in direct violation of both the “freedom from interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence” law and the “right to life, liberty, and personal, security” law contracted by the United Nations.

            The United States own history is very similar to that of Australia because our natives faced nearly the same discrimination and torment, even our honored napoleon was a vicious antagonizer to this sort of cruelty. People believed they where “distend” to spread there culture across America and bring light to less civilized cultures, this belief was latter to be known as manifest destiny. The lesser beings that the European settlers often referred to where native Americans, who were feared and seen as savages, when in actuality they were just trying to protect there home from the white invaders. This is very similar to the “civilizing” of aboriginal people in Australia because they two thought of this culture as a lesser entity and being, they believed the only way to truly bring forth peace is to change the children of that culture and integrate them into the other more European lifestyle.

            

The source of this violence was fear, nothing more, nothing less. The relocation of the children was brought on by the fear of the differentiating cultures and lifestyles. The fear that these people who were  less civilized; if not taken and changed in someway there would never be peace. There is no moral justification for fear because it is one of the most horrid traits and emotions of mankind. It leads to violence, especially in this instance. It leads to rash decisions of good people, and it leads to blindness of right and wrong.

Invasive species

IInvasive spices

The cane toad is a physically large; in fact it’s the largest species in its family. Adult toads weigh an average of four pounds. The cane toad’s thick skin can secrete a milky like position that’s harmful and can induces harsh burning and irritation. Te cane toad is originally native to central America and Hawaii, but it was introduced to Australia in 1935, a species brought across sea to help stop the insects that were threatening sugar cane farms.

            The cane toad’s poisonous skin has caused major intrudes in the ecosystems and has killed several species of snake, goannas, and quolls. This unnatural threat to these spices has really hurt Australia’s ecosystems. Several things have been done to try to prevent the Cane Toad from doing any further harm. A method being researched is the introduction of alarm chemicals being placed into cane toad inhabited ponds. This would inhibit the toads from avoiding predators because the alarm pheromone is only released when a cane toad tadpole is attacked to other tadpoles of that spices can flee, if substance is introduced in a large scale than this pheromone, and protection is essentially useless making them more vulnerable.  The government is currently encouraging the public capture of cane toads so they can be frozen or gassed to death so they can be turned in to fertilizer. Some Australians have taken to using the toads as sports; this includes using them as balls, or racing them.

  

                       Buckthorn was first brought to America’s northwestern hemisphere from Europe in the mid-1800s as hedging plants. It was found to be extremely invasive in natural areas harming many other plants around it. It’s no longer being sold and wildlife conservationists are fighting its ever-increasing spread. Buckthorn is very harmful to the surrounding plants because it deprives them of light and nutrients. Threatens forests, wetlands, prairies, and other natural habitats because it serves as a host to other pest, and aids in erosion due to its thick shading of other plants and its impenetrable layer of vegetation. It also lacks natural susceptibility from insects and diseases that would usually curb the growth of natural spices. Ways of prevention include herbicide and simply cutting buckthorn out of natural preserves like Rollins Savannah.

  

   Invasive spices are dangerous they threaten our ecosystems that have already spent thousands of years developing to become balanced. Weather it’s the Cane toad or Buckthorn when an introductory animal is brought into an ecosystem it threatens the life of many spices perhaps causing them to become endangered. This should be a huge problem for all Americans because we must love and take care of this earth for her to ever do the same for us.

                                    

                                    http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/ferals/cane-toads/index.html

                                     

                                    http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/buckthorn/index.html

The Stolen and Venerable

Dear Prime Minister,           

            

            The first aboriginal people came to Australia about 70,000 years ago. The aboriginal people settled and developed into a great culture separated into family groups or clans. They sued land and all of its resources wisely, trading and building. These people were completely isolated until 1788 when the English settlers arrived. The English made the aboriginal people move away from their land, they cut down their forest, introduced harsh diseases like smallpox, and brought foreign animals like sheep. The aboriginal people and the settlers were at war for rights of land and valuable resources. In 1900 traditional clans were still existent in central and northern Australia. There were laws in place to protect the aboriginal people in 1900s, but these laws also brought forth many restrictions to the aboriginal people like whom they could marry, and where and how much land could be owned. Not until 1967 was full rights of citizenship was bestowed on the aboriginal people.

            

            The stolen generation is estimated to be composed of about 100,000 Indigenous children that were taken from their families and raised in homes by white families. This was done to ‘breed out’ the aboriginal part of these children. This was an official government policy that was taken out by churches, and even welfare officials, from 1906 to 1969. This forceful cruelty harshly affected those children who were believed by many to be living better lives. Latter reports found that many institutions and families that the kidnapped children where placed into were cruel and highly abusive. Many were treated like animals that were used and worked as practical slaves. This was highly traumatic to the children because it “broke cultural, spiritual and family ties”. Being taken from there home as a child, highly susceptible and most venerable has an irreversible effect, one that could never be forgotten and ones whose scar will always sting bringing forth new nightmare. But, Prime Minister you already know their history, but do you understand the enormous impact?

            Citizens of the Stolen Generations are more prone to go through depression, poor health and a shorter life than others of their people. Many Aboriginal people that were taken did not find out about their background until later in their life. Disengagement from land and language meant loss of culture, for many there was concern for who they are and to what they belonged to. Many Australians now realize what cruelty these people were placed under and cry for justice, can you not hear them?

             An official apology needs to be made because without any acknowledgment and true regret for the past there can be no progression for the future. Its common curtsy and a sign of true respect to say out loud without regret “I’m sorry.” If you truly recognize the aboriginal people as your equal then please express it with the utmost of heart and moral reverence and apologize for the cruelty these people had to endure.

Thank you for your time,

Yours sincerely, Jane Doe

Fish Are Friends Not Food ;)

Blog 1, Factorial

1.     The Great Barrier Reef is considered the “largest living structure on earth”.

2.     Coral extracts Calcium Carbonate from the ocean to make solid tentacles.

3.     How does red algae impact the structure of a coral? It acts like glue or cement, incrust coral together to form an integrate connection within the reef.

4.     In 1975 the Great Barrier Reef become a national park.

5.     About 33 percent is fully protected from fishing.

6.     Scientists believe the current reef is 20,000 years old. But the ancient reef is believed to be half a million years old.

Blog 2, Marine protection

           

          Coral Bleaching

1.     What is a polyp? What does a polyp need to be considered “coral”?  a polyp is an organism that when provided with the right materials to grow, lands on the ocean floor then multiplies and becomes coral. To grow polyps requires zooxanthellae.

2.     What types of things are coral sensitive to in the ocean?  Its very sensitive to change of temperature of the water.

3.     When does coral bleaching occur? When the water stays warm for to long the zooxanthellae become uncomfortable and leave, causing the polyp to lose its color and ability to grow.

4.     Why do scientists think that coral bleaching is occurring more now than ever?  Pollution and everyday activity that endanger the environment are big factors in the rapid spread of coral bleaching.

5.     List three ways people can reduce their impact to climate change? Turn off the lights in you house and conserve energy, avoid unnecessary car journeys, and of course recycling.

                                               
Climate Change

1.     How many species of: fish, hard coral, soft coral, sea birds, shore birds. The coral reef is home to 15,000 species of fish, 360 species of hard coral, 1/3 of the worlds soft corals, 22 spices of sea birds and 32 spices of shore birds.

2.     Climate change responsible for warming our oceans.

3.     This increased flooding affects the reefs, fish and birds that live there because storms and cyclones break up coral reefs.

4.     List three additional ways (not listed above) that people can reduce climate change:  Reduce the use of polluting materials, buy environmentally safe ideas, and open window instead of turning on air conditioning.

                                                Educating children

1.     List two benefits and two drawbacks to using this kind of media to teach this information. This kind of media educates children about wildlife preservation, and starts them form a young age caring about the environment. Although this kind of demonstration could paint the entire problem as somewhat of a joke. Also misinterpretations of information is really easy and common among young children so this could get in the way of the educational side of these videos.

2.     After watching these videos, use YouTube to find and POST LINKS to videos that you feel would be more beneficial to teach the following types of people and WHY!

Adults- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTE_hQVccps

            It talks about more than just one wonder of Australia, promoting bationalism.

Foreigners- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCQ2IwFuwxE

            It educates people properly about the reef, but also inspires people to look for more information about the reef.

Tourist- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQp19u_MH-Q

            Because this video inspires travelers to go and see the reef and al its glory.

During our present time, expression of oneself is done mainly through social networking. Face book, MySpace, twitter, even blogs are used as showcasing of an individuals personality rather than what they where originally intended for, simply communication. When did our world change so much that a profile seems to be more relevant to that individual than his or her actions?

            The article Savor the Trip, Don’t Tweet it is a narration based on the concept of travel now being experience through the screens of technology rather than traveling through the adventure ourselves. When updates on tweeter and face book constantly steam through cyberspace the traveler is missing the adventure, and is simply living his travel as a stories to tell his friends back home, “instead of having the experience you observe yourself having the experience”(Elliott). In this particular case Christopher Elliott is completely right. But in my opinion the reason people stick so closely to technology is because the are grasping to who they believe they are based on that silly little profile. It’s a home away from home; it’s a reminder of what is at home waiting. But that reminder, that safety net is only hurting the individual in the long run. To travel in the fullest extent is to be willing to change, open your mind, and find something out about the world or perhaps even yourself that you never knew about. To truly travel you have to leave your safely net and light a candle in the darkest of rooms and find out what’s there. In my personal opinion I think technology use on our trip should be limited to avoid this epidemic. Phone usage should probably be scheduled and honestly face book can wait.

P.S

             GPS are lame, I’d rather be lost and  feel the great satisfaction when I finally know where I am, just saying.

HIstory, of Struggles and Pride
A.D.: Britain claims Australia. It settles the first of six colonies in 1788

                        “Australia's first inhabitants were dark-skinned nomadic hunters who arrived around 35,000 B.C. Anthropologists believe these Aborigines came from Southeast Asia by crossing a land bridge that existed at the time. Their Stone Age culture remained largely unchanged for thousands of generations, until the coming of European explorers and traders….During the next 30 years, Dutch navigators charted much of the northern and western coastline of what they called New Holland. The Dutch did not colonize Australia, thus in 1770 when the British explorer Captain James Cook landed at Botany Bay, near the site of the present city of Sydney, he claimed the whole of the east coast of Australia for Britain, naming it New South Wales. In 1642, the Dutch navigator, A. J. Tasman, reached New Zealand where Polynesian Maoris were inhabitants. Between 1769 and 1777, Captain James Cook visited the island four times, making several unsuccessful attempts at colonization. Interestingly, among Cook's crew were several Americans from the 13 colonies, and the American connection with Australia did not end there” (A USTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALANDER AMERICANS).

            This is quite interesting when considering Americas own history. The Native Americans where very similar to the Aboriginal and Maori people. The colonies did they same thing to their homeland. Also the origins of the people is surprising; traveling great distances to finally end up in Australia, just as the native Americas are said to come from Europe by crossing the frozen waters of the world to their new land. The technology used must have been so innovative and amazing, Although the colonization of Australia seemed to be more delayed and hesitant then the colonization of America.

           

1840:  The Maori sign the Treaty of Waitangi giving control to the British in exchange for protection and guaranteed Maori possession of their land.   “Australia's population today includes about 210,000 Aboriginal people, many of whom are of mixed white ancestry; approximately a quarter of a million Maori descendants currently reside in New Zealand. In 1840, the New Zealand Company established the first permanent settlement there. A treaty granted the Maoris possession of their land in exchange for their recognition of the sovereignty of the British crown; it was made a separate colony the following year and was granted self-governance ten years later. This did not stop white settlers from battling the Maoris over land” (AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALANDER AMERICANS).

            Even the population of the Maori is similar to American ancestor, although I believe that we have less of a native ancestry today with the natives because of the massacres that took place. The British seemed a little more compelled to work with the natives in this case, rather than our own, its quiet interesting when considering that there cultural and land benefits seemed lass of a pressing issue. This of course merely leaves questions like, would our country be this divided if, infect Britain granted the same right to the Native Americans? How come Australia could not seem to overcome this potent cultural battle even a little to day? Am I native to think our country has overcome such prejudice?  Does Australia have their own version of Pocahontas?

1907: 
The country becomes a dominion, or self-governing community, within the British empire.

1947: 
New Zealand gains independence from Great Britain.

            “The historical development of New Zealand’s foreign affairs is “the history of a colony becoming independent.” [2]  When the British Parliament passed the New Zealand Constitution Act in 1852, New Zealand embarked on a journey of independence from Britain in exercising sovereignty – legislative, judicial, and executive authority – over its domestic affairs. However, ‘imperial interests’, (including foreign relations, external trade, the constitution and ‘native affairs’), were beyond the powers of the New Zealand Parliament. New Zealand did not obtain ‘Dominion status’ until 1907, but this also did not mean full sovereign independence because “the status of the dominions in international affairs is not necessarily identical with dominion status.” [3]  

            “In fact New Zealand did not achieve full independence – in the sense of complete autonomy or sovereign power over its own constitutional arrangements and its foreign affairs – until 1947. The year 2007, while it marks the centenary of New Zealand’s transition from colony to Dominion, also marks 60 years since New Zealand passed the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947 and gained legal and formal independence from Britain in the exercise of its external affairs”(New Zealand Sovereignty: 1857, 1907, 1947, or 1987).

            

This is amazing; I never thought New Zealand was under control for such an extensive amount of time, it’s shocking. In comparison to New Zealand our independence was gained rather quickly. Why is that I wonder? What did New Zealand have that made them valuable to Britain?  I could hardly imagine living in a modern world under control from a country so very far away.

1962:
Aborigines are given the right to vote. Five years later, they're recognized as citizens.

1976:
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act is passed. It is a legal turning point for Aborigines, giving them the right to make claims on their ancestral land in the Northern Territory. Nine years later, Uluru is returned to Aborigines.

2008:The Australian parliament formally apologizes for past wrongs committed against the Aboriginal people.

1924:All Indians declared citizens of U.S (Important Events*
American Indian History)

1934: Wheeler-Howard Act, passed to protect Native Cultures in the United States of America (Important Events*
American Indian History)

            Is it just me or is this kind of creepy how similar these things are? After years of suffrage and horror, a moment comes where the tears are granted there falling wish. I find it a little shameful though that when all is said and done all that’s left is a promise of protection or a simple apology. Really? After every dead and fallen child, parent, sibling, family member, friend? I guess that’s all that can be done, but even now that seems as though many where thrown into the flames with there meaning full deaths where left sundered.

 All

            "Australian history is almost always picturesque; indeed, it is also so curious and strange, that it is itself the chiefest novelty the country has to offer and so it pushes the other novelties into second and third place. It does not read like history, but like the most beautiful lies; and all of a fresh new sort, no mouldy old stale ones. It is full of surprises and adventures, the incongruities, and contradictions, and incredibilities; but they are all true, they all happened." ( Mark Twain, 1897 )

           

            “Yet America is a poem in our eyes; its ample geography dazzles the imagination, and it will not wait long for metres.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The Poet," Essays, Second Series, 1844

           

            “God bless America. God save the Queen. God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia. “Russell Crowe

\          Imperialistic motives caused each of these countries to arise and develope. That egotistical ideal is what gave life to these countries that would honestly be a mere inconvenience to the ever-growing Europe. In a way that superiority idea, caused the birth of the nations but the growth and pride of these nations lies within their tails of their struggles for freedom and equality. There proudly held chins not only of the stealers but that of the natives. Each of those struggles where worth the outcome. These timelines and dates represent something to be proud of, and it’s a grand feeling, to truly be proud of your country.

In order of use

a)     http://www.everyculture.com/multi/A-Br/Australian-and-New-Zealander-Americans.html

b)    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/ParlSupport/ResearchPapers/9/1/8/00PLLawRP07041-New-Zealand-sovereignty-1857-1907-1947-or-1987.htm

c)     http://www.bluecloud.org/43.html

d)    http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/yankaussie.htm

e)     http://www.quotegarden.com/patriotic-usa.html

f)     http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/zealand.html