And Another...Four

I exaggerated last week when I said there were a lot of birthdays. THIS week there were a lot of birthdays. Anela and Bry clicked past another year on the odometer of life, and their parties couldn't have been in more stark contrast to eachother.
We celebrated Anela's with a Spa Night, where the dining room was converted into a first class haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. Face masks, massages, hair cuts and nail polishing each had a station, and one could wander lazily from one comfortable location to another, employing the hands of their peers in applying each. The guys even indulged themselves a little, getting in touch with their inner desire for some good pampering. Of course, it was Anela's party, so she was given the right to ask anybody to do anything for her that evening, and they had to do it. Relatively speaking.



Bry's party, on the following day, was a slightly different affair. Paintballing is what we did, and pain is what we felt. It was guys against gals in this fight to the death, and while this guy would hate to complain, it's no rumour that the girls' guns were turned up just a little. The ensuing carnage left its share of welts and bruised egos, leaving some wanting more, and others quite satisfied.



On Tuesday, it was Laura's turn. Forever looking for reasons to dress up, we announced that we would be hosting a 'euro trash' fashion show. Big hair, gaudy sunglasses and popped collars were in style for this fashion show, and our resident photographer covered every angle of the runway spectacle. A quick dance rounded out the evening, and the cake of the day had the final word. Well, actually God and Nature homework had the real final word.



Bret, our God and Nature professor, had the good fortune of being here during his birthday. Again and again, he pronounced his disdain for birthday parties where he is the star, but we knew couldn't do nothing . So we went for minimalist on his Friday birthday: the group got together at a local sports field and played some good old fashioned soccer and ultimate frisbee. Of course we offered him a rousing rendition of 'happy birthday' as well. Which, I might add, we are getting very good at.

Oh, and of course THANKSGIVING! We celebrated this feast day on Thursday, and filled our bellies with wonderful delights. Students made their favourite treat from home, and were forever wondering if their concoctions would 'match up' to their grandma's. Whether they did or didn't, everybody left with satisfied taste buds and stomachs.

A Birthday and a Birthday

An air of celebratory gladness pervades the convent air these days as birthday after birthday each begs for its own special notice. Once the brainstorming begins, there's no limit to the ridiculousness that could ensue. Rachel's birthday party fell upon everyone's favourite holiday devoted to candy; Halloween. Nobody turned down the offer to dress up in a costume, and the array of characters, from the traditional to the completely original, made the whole night one big photo opportunity. Those favourite decades of the past were given a nod by those girls dressing in their hippy and 80's garb. Juliette went for earthy with her rendition of a tree. The staff thought they would be funny by dressing up as 'figures of speech'...
Rachel's love for apples and dancing would dictate what happened throughout the evening, so we began with an apple carving contest, with caramel and peanut butter used as glue/dip. As soon as Rachel judged the winner, DJ Matt started the music and the dining hall/art exhibit transformed itself into dance floor. This may just be hearsay, but apparently statements like 'best birthday ever', and 'best night of my life' were being thrown about.




The next honouree would be Tommy, who, we hear, is into video games like Winnie is into honey. A video-game themed party was the plan, and the cookie just seemed to crumble in the right way for this to happen. The labyrinth that had been created for the previous community night (more on that later??), lent itself very well to a life-size version of PacMan. So with a few extra paths carved in it, the maze was set for the game, and PacMan (aka Tommy) ran about collecting paua shells and trying not to get caught by the ghosts (aka his 'friends'). MarioKart followed, and participants wheelbarrowed, scootered and jump-roped around the course, collecting items from the mystery boxes and either hurling a lemon, getting a boost, or getting a star. Our own version of Mortal Kombat, involving popping the balloons attached to your opponent rounded out the evening, and worked up that last bit of appetite for the deliciousness that awaited us. That is, the dirt cake. mmmmm

Our Own Backyard

Stream Ecology

During the week of October 19th, Russ Taylor did us the pleasure of coming to teach our Stream Ecology course. Any class that provides an excuse to get out into the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us is sure to please. Coupled with his knowledge and experience in international development, Russ's stream ecology teachings helped the students to understand the interconnectedness of everything, and that everyday decisions we make have real effects for other people downstream, both literally and figuratively.
The students conducted their own mini research projects, for which they risked flooded rubber boots and damp notebooks in the name of collecting precious data. All involved came away with a more intimate understanding of the way water moves through the landscape, and the many implications that land-use has on that water. Nobody will be able to look at a stream and not think of the multitude of curious creatures that occupy the interstitial spaces, each one eating and reproducing in their own special way.

Environmental Literature

God's Grandeur
by Gerard Manley Hopkins

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs --
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.


(thanks to Heidi for the lovely photo!)

Samoan Psalms

As part of one of our weekly community nights, each small group wrote a "Samoan Psalm". The point was to write a psalm, song, poem, or other work of literary genius using imagery from the place around us. Here they are!


by Sara, Bryant, Catherine, Rachel, Ashley, Hannah
Climbing trees swift and quick
Originated dance smooth and slick
Language with rhythm, with beats, with rhyme
Dancing with fire—so sublime
Gift offering unselfish and pure
Weaving baskets that create such lure
Painting bark with the greatest of ease
Carving from all kinds of trees
Cooking with the earth to feed all around
Hunting to provide for all that are found
Serving to present nothing but love
Music sent from directly above
Hospitality to a perfect stranger
Protection to all in the greatest of danger
In all of these things what do you find
Something spontaneous? Random?
That doesn’t align?
Look a bit deeper in love and kinship
These people are whole, it’s their worship.



by Marcel, Sarah, Matt, Shalisa, Kari, Amanda
(To the tune of Jesus Loves Me)
Jesus made the lava rocks
And the volcanoes on our walks
They are very beautiful
Jesus made them
Wow, he’s cool!

Yes we adore you
In all that we do
You made Samoa
All nature gives you praise

Jesus made the waterfall
And the blowholes that we saw
Oceans deep and waters blue
Life beneath sings praise to you

Jesus’ love is all around
In the faces of this town
Serving others joyfully
It’s through them we see His heart


by Gretchen, Juliette, Laura, Joe, Heidi, Bridget
Psalm of the Samoan Sunset
Praise be to God in the highest
In the highest coconut of the tallest tree
Praise be to God in the lowest
In the lowest starfish of the deep blue sea
Praise be to God in the smallest
In the smallest touch of a newborn baby
Praise be to God in the greatest
In the greatest heart of a Samoan friend

Your power is whispered in the softest breeze
And echoed to all in the pouring rain

Praise be to you oh God, painter of the skies
Our breath is quiet
Our hearts are still


by Nissi, Emma, Rich, Leah
Based on Psalm 23
The Lord is my High Chief, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in the shade of the mango tree. He leads me to the reefs of the Savaii shore. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of community for His name’s sake. Though I suffer at the hands of the tattooist, I will fear no pain for You are with me. Your tradition and ava root comfort me. You prepare a feast before me as I do for those of my family. You anoint my waist with a lavalava, my coconut runs over. Surely pigs and roosters will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the fale of the Lord forever and ever. Amen.


by Courtnay, Allison, Rita, Tommy, Anela
Inspired by Psalm 104

Praise the Lord oh my soul
Oh Lord my God you are very great
You are clothed with splendor and majesty
He kindled a fire from the depths of the sea
And she rose up over the water
From the ashes to green,
His sweet Samoa.
As a new day breaks, He paints her sky a deep blue.
She cries in praise, as her eyes turn to the heavens,
Weeping tears of turquoise rain dropping into the ocean.
He covers her with a flowing green dress adorned with
frangipani, hibiscus, and red ginger,
By her side, the lanky coconut tree, its fronds like rain in the wind,
He created a beautiful people to sustain and protect her,
Their music is like a lullaby to her ears, beconihng the night,
He blankets her in a bed of stars,
God’s beautiful creation
His sweet Samoa

Sweet Samoa

taken by Anela

About a week ago we returned from a two week trip to the beautiful country of Samoa! This incredible opportunity gave students and staff a chance to engage with immensly hospitable people and their rich Samoan culture. The first week we stayed at the Safua Hotel where we were serenaded each night by "the band"; where we were shown how food is traditionally cooked in the "umu", and where we were lucky enough to get to hang out with new Samoan friends. We also had the pleasure of following around Warren (an ornery old Australian expat who has lived in Samoa for 25 years). He showed us lava flows, volcanoes, flying foxes, and blowholes. During this time the nursing majors on the trip had a bittersweet experience of missing out on some of the fieldtrips yet getting to see firsthand, Samoa-style healthcare. They were surprised by the comparatively low levels of access to quality treatment but were touched by the immense role that families played in the care of each patient.

For the second week everyone moved to Faga village and got to experience Samoan life a little more personally via homestays. The families treated us like kings and queens by serving us their best food, letting us sleep in the coolest, most beautiful "fales" (beach huts), and even giving us traditional outfits to take home. On the last night we enjoyed exchanging songs with the Samoan young people during the "fiafia", which literally means "happy happy". So full of happiness, new experiences, and coconut milk we returned to the land of kiwis and cooler temperatures never to forget our two weeks in sweet Samoa.

taken by Ashley

taken by Heidi

taken by Heidi

taken by Leah

taken by Amanda

This week was devoted to our first class, Sustainable Community Development part one.  The story-loving Mick Duncan gave provocative lectures which challenged the class to think about issues of social justice and evangelism.  We learned that it’s not just giving a man a fish or teaching him to fish- it’s both.  Living as followers of Christ we are called to attend to the pressing here-and-now needs of others as well as the longer term transformational changes that are needed.  Mick is a brilliant professor and we are delighted to have him with us.

Celebrations and Feasts

At CCSP, birthdays are a big deal, and the staff doesn’t hesitate to celebrate their own birthdays to the fullest extent. It just so happens that the first three birthdays this semester have all been those of staff members, and each was celebrated in their own uniquely outrageous manner. Sara, the lover of lambs, experienced an entire day of sheep-themed humour, games and gifts. Marcel’s constant references to the current issue of Skymall resulted in a party game where goofy (yet clever) invention ideas were presented by students and staff. Hilarity ensued. Courtnay, who grew up a huge fan of WWF wrestling, was given what she always dreamed of: a WWF-style Royal Rumble, complete with a ring and colourful spandex.
Through all of it, our very own chef-extraordinaire, Jess, has provided the token birthday treats, along with a meal of choice for that special birthday girl or boy.
Those students who have birthdays coming have lots to look forward to.

A week and a half full of activity greeted the students, as orientation commenced.  They spent time getting familiar with their new hometown and its friendly locals, starting with a photo scavenger hunt.  The goal was to explore Kaikoura to find many goods and services they might need such as "gum boots" and a cheap place for mom and pops to stay when they come to town.  Later on, they went tramping around the Kaikoura peninsula, led by Ranger Paul (aka Heartthrob Paul), where they saw Hutton's shearwater habitat reconstruction, sunbathing seals, and perfect panoramas.  As if getting to know the place and locals weren't enough they got to know each other better too during "Big Red Stool", our version of a 4-minute-random-question-hot-seat.  The week ended with a trip off campus to a destination of their choosing.  Most travelled to Christchurch to check out the city life while others carved up the slopes at neighboring Mt Hutt.  

Sunbathing seals, as well as people, like to pose for pictures

With a successful landing on the Christchurch International Airport tarmac, the SoPac Fall 2008 students made their glorious entry onto New Zealand's south island.  Armed with passports, cameras, and a semester's worth of luggage, their bright eyes absorbed the beauty of the raw New Zealand scenery with all the excitement you would expect from a group that is going to spend three and a half months in it.  On the two hour drive from Christchurch to our new home in Kaikoura, the scenery transformed itself from a rolling pastoral setting, all the way into a rugged, winding mountain scene.  Gasps turned into silent awe as we came into Kaikoura, where the ocean finally greets those mountains.  We went to the lookout to get a good view and then finally proceeded to our new home at 'The Old Convent'.  A gorgeous old building with an even more gorgeous view, this is an answer to many hopes and prayers, as it will serve as CCSP SoPac's home for years to come.  

The students settled in, and went to bed quickly as jet lag had

 the final word on the day.