Hi all,
It is
turning colder here now; there is dew on the car in the mornings and there has
been a couple of dumps of snow on the Western Ranges (which has nearly all
melted again, of course). But cool enough in the evenings to have the fire on
and for Jan to pile the duvets on the bed while I fry!
Jan
bought some Cox's Orange apple juice last week and really enjoyed it, so last
weekend we headed out to Hoddy's apple orchard to pick some well-aged Cox's
Orange apples to do a last run of juice. It was getting very late by the time
we managed to get enough off five long rows of trees to juice (as you can see
by the photo!). We did another 10 litres of juice which is now in the freezer -
not counting the two litres of freshly-made juice already inside Jan :-)
I also
wee spent a bit of time marking exams for the Facility & Events Management
students and assignments for the Applied Management students. However, those
papers are ticking over well at present. Good, actually, as I have started
prepping for the Marketing and Leadership delivery for next semester.
Also in
the past few weeks I have ventured into manufacturing. I had an idea for a
product that I have had some prototypes made for locally that I am hoping to
get shape patented... and have some other ideas for add-on products. It is a
very interesting process to go through, with lots of considerations. I am
enjoying it.
Jan is
frantically trying to get his last assignment out of the way this week before
we head down to Christchurch this weekend. Then he only has to study for his
exam (which is only a month away). I have completed the first half of the
Certificate in Adult Teaching Foundation Course, which is great, but I now have
six assessments to complete. I have got two of them out of the way, but am
struggling for time at present to finish the rest. One of those assessments was
to determine two principles of adult teaching that I wanted to find out more
about in my own delivery, design an assessment instrument for one of my classes
to seek feedback on those principles, to survey the students and to analyse the
results. I am on the analysis part at present. That has taken quite a while.
Then there's a load of teaching observations both as an observer and observee,
some essays & some reflection. And lots of time.
Jan is
keen to start work on his motorbike, but has been very disciplined about not
getting started until after his exams are over. He is buying all the parts -
the internet is wonderful for purchasing - so that he is ready once the 10th of
June rolls around to get working in the garage. I probably won't see much of
him for a few weeks... aside from grimy hands extending from the door to snatch
food!
Next
weekend we are off to Chch for me to go to a Rotary Training thing on Saturday.
I think we are catching up with some of you for breakfast on Saturday and going
to see Gary & Karen's new house (which will be cool). We will bring our
tentative house plans with us to bore the daylights out of you all - and the
dogs. Jan is no longer playing UWH on Saturday morning as there were not enough
volunteers from Nelson to make up a viable team, so that has made his life a
lot less complicated. We will be at Warren & Trace's housewarming on
Saturday night so hope to catch up with all of you, which will be great. It has
been tooooooo long.
The
weekend after we are heading over to Awaroa Inlet in the Abel Tasman National
Park by helicopter for lunch (doesn't that sound posh?!). As a farewell to
Sandra Crone, the just ex-CEO of the Business Development Company, we gave her
tickets for a chopper flight & lunch at Awaroa. And she has very kindly
invited Jan & myself and Neil Hodgson - past-Chair of the Board - & his
wife Sari to go along for the ride. I think that will be a very nice day
indeed!
Then we
still aren't sure when we head to Europe. As soon as we know, we will let you
all know!
Take care
& more next time. Alles liebe :-)
Sam & Jan
