Day 2! (1/16/10)

Today was tons of fun!
I woke up and packed to go to the beach for orientation. We parked the car on this park overlooking the ocean then walked down to the nice sandy beach. We played some games and then all swam in the refreshing water. It is so nice to be out of the cold Chicago weather and to be walking around in just a bathing suit!! After swimming we walked back up the hill and had some breakfast.
-More orientation and course briefing... then more games!

We came back for down time/lunch-- I chilled and called home.

At 2:00 we all gathered for The Amazing Race! We broke up into groups and went on a scavenger hunt around Auckland. We had to take pictures with police officers, find prices, talk to locals, sing/play the guitar in hopes for money, and more! It was so fun. Jonothan and James were in my group. The winners got a prize so everyone was really intense. My group was the first to be back and we hoped that all our answers were right... in the end we tied with another group so we had to have a tiebreak showdown. The judges, or the instructors, made us do a 30 sec "music video." My group wisely chose Backstree Boys, I Want It That Way, and of course won! Our price was completely unexpected but I am SOO excited for it! We get to go on a louge and gondela once in a city called Queenstown. It will be soooo much fun; I have always wanted to do that!! (I can pretend I am in the winter olympics : ) hahah

Tomorrow I head off to the Bay of Islands for our first volunter project. I don't know exactly what I will be doing because the projects always vary. I won't have access to phone or interent until we return to Auckland Friday. I can't wait to share everything with you once I return!

Thats all for now,

Cheers!
Natalie