My First Haka

About a week or so ago there was a going away party for my former manager, Piri. He was by far the best manager I've ever had. I don't count my last manager as a real manager because she is probably the worst manager I've ever met. I met Piri over the phone from Canada and we chatted about the Child Abuse Taskforce that he thought I would be interested in, so with that in mind, I left my homeland behind and headed for the land down under. I've been here about 20 months now, and Piri was so supportive of the work I did, and of all the teams he managed. I don't think I ever heard a negative work about Piri, which is really saying something. 

So at this going away party, there was a ton of people. Piri is Maori from New Zealand, and so some of the kiwis that worked there and one fella who didn't got together and did a haka for him. A haka is a ceremonial dance/demonstration by other Maoris and kiwis to show respect. I had only seen them on television or on youtube. The All Blacks sport team from NZ does it before every game. It's quite full-on when you're right there and they're shouting out the words. I just loved it! Click on the link here to check it out. Haka for Piri  My friend Peter who is also Maori wasn't familiar with this particular haka, so took a few moments to catch up. He is the guy in the middle. Then a couple of non-Maori kiwis joined in. The Maori women can be seen swaying in the background. I'd love to go to New Zealand before I go home to check it out and would be excited to see this performed there in tribal outfits. 

Also that night I saw Piri and one of the fellas that did the haka touch foreheads and noses, called the Hongi. It was also pretty cool and reminded me of how Inuit rub noses as a greeting. The woman in the photo here is tattooed with traditional Maori tattoo on the chin. They used to do it with ash and a chisel...I don't think they do that quite as often anymore although I have heard they still indeed do it. 

The Maori are cool...

Second Week Settling In

     So I'm in week two of my new job, and it's going really well so far. I am slowly taking on clients, and more to come of course. Orientation continues this week, with bits and pieces here and there so we're not overwhelmed with hours and hours of orientation at at time. The rest of my team started work today, so there are four of us that are new this week and last and so far it promises to be a good group of people to work with. Processes are simple and easy to follow and the mood of the office is quite good. I won't be going outbush this month, and possibly next month with someone else, and then our team will go in January. Men's Cultural Business is on right now for a few months, so we respect that and stay away from the communities as the roads are often unofficially closed. So that gives me time to get to know the work, the files, and my clients. Some will be in town, while the rest are in South Australia. 

first blossoms on this bush!

Dundee rooting for lizards in the garden

     The weather has been amazing, with the temps in the mid twenties most days and only started to heat up again today. The nights are a dream, usually in the teens. We had a good rain last week so everything is green again. My garden is growing well. The rain really helped. 

I've been knitting up a storm, all fingerless gloves for friends and family. I must have over 20 pairs done already. It keeps my hands busy when I'm watching television. Always the multi-tasker. I've noticed my own television viewing habits have changed over the last few years with technology keeping knowledge so very close at hand. How many of you have your mobile phone on the arm of the chair beside you, or on the coffee table, or in your HAND? Mine is usually one of all three. I look up who actors are, what they were in, what the name of soundtracks are, and a million other bits of trivia. And if I'm forced to watch live television, apps and games to use during the commercials. 

     Speaking of television, I cancelled my Foxtel Satelitte service. They didn't take it well and kept trying to convince me to come back. I painfully explained time after time that I cannot solve the issue with the signal. A tree on the neighbor's property has grown up in record time back from the stumps it was last year when the dish was installed. I cannot ask my neighbor to trim the tree every couple of months because it's blocking my signal. So I cancelled Foxtel and signed up for the new Telstra T-box. I have the box now, have it mostly hooked up but I need one more cord because I have a Canadian television here with me and everything must run through my converter box before it goes to the television. I meant to get that cord today, but didn't get a chance. I went out yesterday but brought the wrong cord home. I thought it was simple S-video. It is not. This time around I am taking the other cord that has one right end on it so I get the right one this time around. There is no shortage of programs/movies for me to watch as I have a ton on my hard-drive, movies and television shows galore. Currently I'm making my way through the X files...spooky...

I get my last pay from government this week I think, and my first pay from my new job. Both have the potential to be scary. I would not be surprised if the gov messed it up again and shorted me. I have no idea what my take-home weekly pay will be at my new job. The mystery shall be solved on Thursday and either celebrated or mourned on Friday. Last Friday I was celebrating my former manager's leaving the gov for a local NGO. He is an awesome manager and person, so there was a great turnout. He is Maori from New Zealand, and so they did a haka for him which was amazing. I'll see if I can post it here somehow, probably a Youtube link.

Anyhow, that's all the news. 

awesome aloe vera plant