Rebellion and sandy things

There has been a severe water shortage around the country for the last couple of months now. I'm not a meteorologist [ok, and I don't have the gumption to google for the information, either], but for some reason our area isn't quite as badly hit as a lot of the countryside. We were [and presumably are still--see earlier rant about NZ reporting] under a water ban since December.

The problem is that we have such a lovely garden that we inherited and it's exciting for the whole family, since none of us were gardeners before. I have to admit that my rebellious streak came out the last couple of weeks before the rain and I believe it was passed onto my very law-abiding neighbor. She was over talking to me as I was illegally watering the garden. [To my defense, I have to say that I honestly didn't know there was a ban--again, see earlier rant about NZ reporting] She was commenting that her garden was looking a bit bad because of the water situation. I arrogantly informed her that I don't waste water, and why should our gardens go uncared for just because others don't?! I continued that I didn't think the 'water police' could actually throw me in jail for illegally watering, so I would water until someone official came to tell me to stop! I'm pretty sure that was the turning point for my neighbor to join the ranks of the rebellious because I think I heard her giggling as she quietly went back to her house and directly into the back yard.

Being from the Midwest in America, beaches are a bit rare, so I truly enjoy the scenery when my sweetie takes me sight-seeing. Here are some latest highlights for me:

Sea anemones

Those are dusky dolphins

Lazy seals--what a life!

Rude Kiwis

The doctor I usually see has left the local clinic and I was seen by a Swedish replacement who had only been in the country for about 3 weeks.

We didn't talk long, since I just needed a refill on my meds, but I did manage to warn him that I thought Kiwis were a bit impolite and won't get out of your way unless totally necessary. His comment was that Swedes are *as he made a 'hulk' pose of sorts* stout--I assume he meant a bit unmoved, too.

Maybe it's a European trait that has trickled down the generations.

It's certainly not the American way to do things. Americans will smile at strangers and step out of their way--this being a mutual movement. They will also pull in their feet when you pass by them in a theater or some similar seating arrangement. And if they do accidentally hit you, even a slight graze, 95% of Americans will say "Sorry" in some form, usually with an apologetic smile.

It's strange that I took all that for granted in my former life.

The New Zealand school system sucks

It has been a very long time since I've been to school, but not long enough that I don't remember some of my school days. I know the world has moved along in a big way since those days, but I would have thought that some things wouldn't have a need to change--or at least, not a lot.

My children are 11 and 13 now. But neither have been taught 'cursive writing'. You know, the way adults write when there's not a keyboard handy, the way you sign your name or jot down a quick list for the store--that's cursive, when the letters are connected and you don't raise your pen or pencil from the paper until the whole word is finished.

The first time I signed the younger one's home sampler book, he about had a stroke wondering what I had done to his book because he couldn't read it! I had to translate it for him.

Now, I distinctly remember learning in Miss Gillerlaine's class in second grade [that's age 7 or thereabouts]. It seemed logical and made me feel important to write like grownups. But, they don't do that here.

Apparently, students their age can 'connect' letters if they feel like it when they do their schoolwork, but that's as far as it goes up til 8th grade. I suppose one could argue that it's not important in this age, but the fact remains that those of us that actually write in cursive are still around and they will be so SOL when they have to decypher it one day.

Where's the Kiwi pride?

I was recently at a community function where the national anthem was sung by a school group as the audience stood in respect. As I looked around, there were very few audience members joining in. What is the problem? Is there no national pride? Are the words too hard?

Any American activity that involves the singing of the national anthem is exactly as it is perceived on tv. The bulk of the audience joins in, the older folk with their right hand over their heart, and it is sung solemnly and proudly. And, yes, most of the time, there is a thunder of applause and cheering when it is over.

Maybe New Zealanders don't appreciate the freedoms and rights that they have. *shrug*