March 22, 2004

Dear San Diego Rotarians,

Kia Ora from Aotearoa (New Zealand). I apologise for not being in better contact over the past few months. Life has been exciting and challenging with heaps of course fieldwork and Rotary events. I’ve met Rotarians from all over the country, spoken to clubs, and seen the most amazing natural landscapes. I am constantly amazed by the Rotarians here and their eagerness to make sure that Ambassadorial Scholars have a fulfilling experience in New Zealand. I could write a book about all of the wonderful things I have seen and done here in Aotearoa. I'd like to tell you all about a few of my experiences with Rotary here in Wellington.

The District 9940 conference, "Living the Vision," was held in Wanganui from March 5-7. I drove up to Wanganui with the president of my host Rotary club, Kevin Stratton. In Wanganui I met Rotarians, Ambassadorial Scholars, GSE exchange teams, and Youth Study Exchange students from the North Island. I also had the opportunity to meet RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe's representative PDG, Dr. W. Grattan O Connell, who has worked extensively with the Polio Plus Eradication program.

The conference began with the singing of the New Zealand National Anthem in Maori and English, representing the important position of the indigenous Maori people in Aotearoa. This was followed by a speech by Bill English, an MP, who spoke on the importance of improving educational opportunities in New Zealand. Also highlighted that evening was the Youth Study Exchange program.

Saturday brought more opportunities to talk with people and hear some amazing speakers including the author of "No Mean Feat" Mark Inglis, and past District Governor Terry Grant. Mark Inglis’ speech was particularly inspiring to me as his passion for life, commitment to improving the lives of others, and sense of humor allow him to live an amazing life after enduring losing both legs to frost bite after being stranded in an ice cave on the summit of Mt. Cook for 14 days. Inglis’ passion reflects the dedication and commitment of Rotarians around the world.

The Rotarians continued to demonstrate their zest for life on Saturday night with entertainment by Len the Loser for the night’s theme of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." Rotary Clubs dressed up in the craziest of costumes ranging from bright colored clown costumes with snorkel gear to full animal suits. My club donned bright pink shirts, fluorescent yellow vests, and multi-colored hair spray. It still brings a smile to my face to picture the packed room with Rotarians, Ambassadorial Scholars, speakers, Youth Study Exchange students, and GSE team members dancing all night long. New Zealand Rotarians surely know how to look on the Bright Side of Life!

On Sunday the Ambassadorial Scholars had the opportunity to speak at the conference as part of the Rotary Foundation’s presentation. After explaining briefly about where I am from and my program of study (conservation) I was approached by many Rotarians offering me many opportunities for involvement in the conservation field, including the chance to feed Kakapo, an endangered parrot, on a remote offshore island!

The highlight of the conference for me though, was hearing about the international and domestic service programs that Rotary engages in. The North Island of New Zealand recently was hit by major flooding. Rotarians raised over $67,000 for flood relief and among other things are planning an April camp for children affected by the flooding. The humanitarian programs of Rotary equally amazed me at the conference in Laughlin last year when I heard about projects including Project Amigo, Wheelchairs for Malawi, and Thousand Smiles. Please look at the Rotary District 9940 website for more information on some of the wonderful programs they run.

As an Ambassadorial Scholar I’ve also been able to get involved with the Karori Sanctuary here in Wellington. The Karori Sanctuary is a revolutionary conservation initiative that was entirely initiated by the local community. An 8.9 km predator fence was built and possums, stoats, and rats eradicated from the area in order to provide a place where native birds and the native forest could thrive. All of the Wellington clubs come together to work on an interpretive area, known as the Rotary Centennial Discovery Project, in the sanctuary and play an important role in the sanctuary’s vision. I was able to meet the Rotary International President on my first visit to the sanctuary. If anyone is interested please look at this document for more information on the project.

Another exciting thing that the Ambassadorial Scholars are doing here in Wellington is starting a Rotor act club. We all went and spoke to different Rotary clubs in the area to spread the word and we are holding the first meeting this Thursday. I am excited about the possibility of being involved in the Rotoract club. I am particularly interested in the service aspect of the Rotoract club and am looking at the possibility of organizing club members to train

for the Wellington Half Marathon and fundraise money for Project K, a program that works with low-income youth in the Wellington Area. Project K is similar to Outward Bound in that it uses environmental education as a way to raise student’s self-esteem and help them to set personal, social, and academic goals.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank you all for the opportunity you have given me to study and live in New Zealand. I have just started to brush the surface on all of the amazing experiences I have had here through Rotary. Your generosity and commitment to looking on the bright side of life continues to inspire me.)

Cheers!!

July 19, 2004

September 30, 2004

Aloha all,

Sorry for the mass email, but the room i email from reminds me of a scene out of office space and I can't handle it for too long before I start to go nuts. That's my excuse for being so bad at keeping in touch. I wish i could send subliminal messages every time I think about you.

I think the last time I wrote I was homeless on the street of Sydney and marveling at kookaburras. I moved into a flat a few months ago with my friend Michelle from home. It's in a cute part of town near the city called Balmain. There's a great coffee shop across the street where a man that looks like Jesus gives me coffee every morning.

We've got a large Australian flat mate named Brandon and a small English flat mate named martin. They both like to cook which works out fabulously, because I coincidentally really enjoy eating. We have a good time.

It's school holidays for most, but we've got a class from 9-5 everyday this week. The theme of the course is, fittingly, poo. Baking poo and figuring out what foxes are eating is the favorite conservation technique here. We had a field trip the other day to a bizarre old military site where there are over 3000 kangaroos. The trip consisted of getting in the car, looking at a kangaroo, getting in the car, looking at a kangaroo, getting in the car, seeing how close we could get to the kangaroo, getting in the car, picking up a kangaroo skull to figure out how old the kangaroos are, getting in the car, and then crowding around a few fox scats, getting in the car and going home. It was all pretty amusing. No complaints here though. Kangaroos are still novel to me and i am still amazed that they don't fall on their heads when they hop.

Hmmm. not much else new down here. I'm finished on November 19th (crossing my fingers) and then we'll probably travel for a few weeks in Australia. I'm headed to New Zealand for a week to say hi because I loved it so much there. Then I'm off to Hawaii Nei on December 23rd. It's been almost a year and that ocean is going to feel like heaven. waiola shave ice, matsumotos, andys, and warm island nights, here I come!

Just in case anyone is dying to send me some li hing mango (just kidding) my address is
102 Terry St.
Balmain, NSW 2039
Australia.

I even sold my soul and got a cell phone. They really aren't so bad. 61404763444

December 8, 2004

Dear Rotarians,

Holiday greetings from down under! I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful San Diego winter sunshine. I recently completed my masters in Conservation Biology degree and am headed back to Wellington to say hello to my host Rotary club there before continuing on home for Christmas. This year has flown by, but I have learned so much and I cannot thank you all enough for this opportunity.

Studying conservation as an Ambassadorial Scholar has really opened my eyes to how multi-faceted conservation really is. Environmental protection and social justice are intricately connected and are part of the wider goal of sustainability. This realization has given me an even deeper respect for the diversity of international programs supported by Rotary. Whether the focus of a program is health care, environmental conservation, community development, or international understanding, they all contribute to a more sustainable world.

This also fits well with the diversity of interests within the Rotary community. My host club in wellington exposed me to a variety of professions ranging from my host counselor who is a family lawyer, to a therapist, to a stock broker. Likewise, members of the Rotaract club had professional interests ranging from linguistics to international relations to biology. What unites us all is an over-arching interest in making a positive contribution to the world and enjoying friendships made along the way. I'm honored to be a part of an organization with such a wonderful mission.

Thank you all and Happy Holidays!!!

Cheers,