Feb 24 2009
Life In Tutukaka & Teaching
There was a time when New Zealand held the Americas Cup, and even Dennis Connor and the New York Yatch Club gazillions and the legal wranglers couldn’t keep us from winning it. There is a Tutukaka connection here.When the defence before last was held in Auckland, New Zealand, the Tutukaka Yatch Club put in a bid the mount the challenge from here. It would have been amazing. In some ways I am so glad it didn’t happen. The lure of money doesn’t always result in development along environmentally conscious directions.
This is the speck of paradise where I am now living.
And I must confess I am living. Totally. In the sense of having a job, a regular income and being able to pay my bills and get out of debt.
As I think I stated in my last post about buying jandals, simple things hold a lot of pleasure in the face of a world that’s struggling with economic stability.
Last week I went for several evening walks down to the marina late at night and out to the breakwater. The reflections of the night lights on the water, the mullet jumping, the sights and sounds of boats at their mooring, all this is sensually captivating.
It’s just lovely to immerse myself in at the end of long and hard days. I love the night and you can feel the marina a real sense of all the boats and bodies resting after a hard day in the elements and the sun.
29 Marlin have been caught and tagged or kept this summer so far.
It’s been a record year. The old timers are saying things like, “It hasn’t been like this since…”.
Zane Grey once went game fishing from here.
Interestingly enough, this season several punters have had injuries from Marlin swords after they have been landed. A rich mans occupational hazard I spose.
Being back in teaching is pretty consuming time wise, gratifying some days and down right frustrating on others. There are 31 students in my class. 9-10 year olds.
I am pleased that I see in myself a level of tenacity that I can only thank America for. You gotta do what you gotta do.
My working now is no longer because I have some need to prove, if only to myself that I can do it. I know I can do it. I found in America a confidence in my ability to survive and put into practice the well known ‘kiwi’ trait of versatility and of being ‘hard’ working.
And I thank those who allowed and helped me to do that.Not the least of which was Susan’s help and support.
Now I work to live. I have a purpose and getting through the tough stuff brings that grit I have discovered in myself to the surface.
That in itself is a simple thing again.
I want to build a base for my future, my future with Susan, my kids, and so you do what you gotta do. That’s motivation enough.
So when the few kids in my class are not tuning into the programe, I simply remember what I am trying to do here, why and for whom I am trying to do it, and I grit my teeth, take a deep breathe and say it again…….or wait until those off the programe get back on it.
These are simple things and I am a slow learner, but I get the message in the end.
Simplicity brings happiness.
I am a very happy man and excited about the future.
The best I believe is yet to come.
Hey Graham,
The days can drag and the years fly, and I’m beginning to realise more and more how important the relationship built as a teacher is more critical the the information passed.
Our kids need teachers who hope for the future; who dream BIG dreams; who believe the impossible just might be possible; who inspire them to believe there is a wonderful future awaiting while also enjoying every moment of right now; who have learned that the mistakes of the past were decisions made with the best information available at the time.
They deserve teachers that have the courage to cease following the crowd and teach from their heart, not from some easy-to-follow ready-made plans, but from plans carved out of experience and passion for life. If we each taught like that, hardly any child would have the same learning experience as another, and there would hardly be a bored teacher or kid in any class.
Teachers in it for the money or the holidays will never experience the depth of joy that those in it purely to make a difference - no matter how small - get to delight in.
To love and hope is life, and opening ourselves up enables us to give it and to receive it. Trouble is, it allows in pain along with the pleasure.
A most inspiring book that’s helped turn my life around in the last few weeks is ‘The Present’ by Spencer Johnson. For the first time in my life I’m truly loving being a teacher while knowing I’m also helping kids learn and grow.
See ya,
Craig