Terrestrial Ecosystems

SoPac:

We're back! After ten days on the South Island's west coast, we have learned much, seen much, and have much to tell. Joe Sheldon (Eastern, Messiah) has been our fearless leader as we studied the various ecosystems on the west coast. Here's a glimpse...

Walking to the foot of the Franz Josef glacier.

Joe Sheldon talking about the glacial landscape.

Emma (kitchen manager and botanist extraordinaire) imparting knowledge regarding New Zealand forests plants.

Darin (Messiah) soaking it all in.

Allie (Program Administrator) and Emma.

Now students are working away compiling their ecosystems research projects, using the data gathered on the last two days of our trip. Our semester is quickly coming to a close, as only two weeks remain.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Marine Ecology

SoPac:

This week was spent exploring the remarkable diversity of marine life here in Kaikoura with Professor Beth Horvath (Westmont). Limpets, algae, chitin, starfish, paua, sperm whales, fur seals, to name a few. What an incredible opportunity to be able to actually get out into the tidepools and study them firsthand instead of just talking about them in the classroom.

Jonny (Eastern), Kathleen (Messiah) and Laura (Waynesburg) seeing what they can see.

Oh yea, and did I mention we got to swim with Dusky Dolphins, widely considered the most acrobatic dolphin in the world? Because we did.

It's been a while..

SoPac:

And we're back! To all our faithful followers, apologies for the brief blog hiatus. Much has happened since we last connected, namely, Environmental Lit II with Susan Felch (Calvin) God and Nature II with Rolf Bouma (UMich) Spring (Fall) Break. So there is much to tell, but we'll just share some pictures from Spring/Fall Break.

After some weeks in the Convent together, everyone was given a week-long break to scatter about the country and go off on their own adventures. Some went to Queenstown, some went to the sandy beaches of Abel Tasman, some went to All Blacks crazed Auckland, some road tripped the South Island, and some hike the Heaphy Track. Here are some photos to give you a small taste.

The beautiful South Island

An unbelievable sunset on the West Coast at the end of the Heaphy Track.

A familiar sight in Kiwi-country

Crossing a swing bridge on the Heaphy Track.

Literature, Lawn Games, and Laughs

SoPac:

Happy Birthday to John (Property Manager) and Kaitlyn (Wheaton)! If you follow this blog, I realize that it may seem that all we do here at CCSP is have costumed birthday parties, go to class, and sit on the beach.  While somewhat accurate, know that much more goes on around here, we just chose to report these particular events. 

With that said, John is a fan of lawn games and Kaitlyn loves dressing up. Kaitlyn also enjoys improv. So we smashed them all together for a fantastic party.  We created and played some lawn games, then sat down for a dinner theater of raucous improv games. Oh, and everyone had to dress as their favorite literary character. See for yourself...

Kristen (Wheaton) dressed as, well, I think you can figure this one out.  Bingo. Voldemort. 

The honored guests: John (Captain Ahab from Moby Dick) and Kaitlyn (Rosie Cotton from the Shire). Aragorn, Huck Finn, and Legolas look on as Kaitlyn takes her horseshoes throw. 

Other notable characters included Penelope from the Odyssey, the Cheshire Cat, Frankenstein, and, my personal favorite, Fantastic Mr. Fox. 

God and Nature 1

SoPac: 

This past week Eric Steinkamp from Northwest University came and taught God and Nature 1 in which we explored the biblical vision for man and the earth.  Topics ranged from the hope of heaven to the pleasures of eating as we attempted to understand what it means to be human here on God's good earth.

Wednesday afternoon was spent helping out Mark at Stony Creek Fruits and Veggies, a small farm where we get most of our fruits and veggies.  The goal of the field trip was to get outside, have fun, and participate in some way in the food production process. We were able to plant beans, weed flower gardens, cook potatoes in a fire, and plant lettuce in a greenhouse.  

Planting lettuce in a hydroponic greenhouse.

Enjoying the sunshine at Stony Creek Farm. 

Sustainable Community Development (Part II)

SoPac:

Mick Duncan leading a classroom discussion

We've just finished our second week with Professor Mick Duncan.  It was great having Mick back with all of his passion and wisdom.  Throughout the week, Mick shared more of his Manila story, teaching from his experience living in the slums of the Philippines.  His stories were striking and sure to be remembered for some time to come. 

May we, as Mick says, have the courage to stand besides those who stand alone. 

Happy Birthday to me (Lindsay/Birdie)

SoPac:

This post was written by Lindsay, Calvin '11

When people ask me what is my favorite day/holiday of the year, I honestly tell them my birthday. Why? Because I do enjoy being the center of attention, and lucky for me CCSP celebrates birthdays in style. Caleb and Jess are amazing party planners and used my favorite decade (the Roaring 20's) as inspiration for my 22th birthday party and added a murder mystery twist. The dynamic duo sent party invites a few days prior to the celebration and assigned everyone a character to be at the party. My character was Birdie Fitzgerald, a successful flapper who does the best Charleston in Chi-town and is adored by all men (no joke, that is what my invite said). To make things better, Jess happened to find a blue and purple (my favorite color!) flapper dress at the local thrift store in Kaikoura!

Come the evening of the party, what used to be the dining room in the Old Convent was now a speakeasy run by Tom Gatsby (Caleb) and Debbie Buchanan (Jess) who were throwing a dinner party for me. Everyone awaited outside the doors, all in character and dressed to impress. We had a diverse group of people, from feminists to fashion designers to writers to gang members. Little did we know what the night had in store for us. After knocking on the door twice and reciting the secret password to the bouncer I entered the speakeasy, unprepared for the change in scenery. I was greeted by Caleb and Jess, errr I mean Tom and Debbie, with hugs and kisses and New Jersey/Long Island/Italian accents. I was so caught off guard I could not help but laugh! The rest of the guests funneled into the speakeasy and we conversed over drinks (non-alcoholic of course) with jazz music playing in the background. Then it was time to sit down for tea (aka dinner for you American folks back home) where the main entree was my favorite type of food: Indian. Shortly after, Debbie informed us our dear friend/foe Agatha the nun was found dead outside the speakeasy! We learned more about one another's character over tea and reported our findings to the whole group. After tea, my flapper gals and I put on a little dance show, which was unfortunately cut short due to one of the flappers being narcoleptic. Then my birthday cake arrived, a delicious fruit cake served with chocolate mousse and a pineapple truffle (my favorite desserts!) and over dessert we discussed who we thought murdered Agatha. Accusations were made, secret love affairs were revealed, and one guest was even shot, until we finally discovered the identity of the murderer.  He/she/it was promptly kicked out of the speakeasy and soon after the speakeasy was turned back in to the dining room we know and love oh-so-well at the Old Convent.

All in all, it was an amazing party and I hope all you readers in the states are jealous that you could not attend. I can not get over how great everyone looked and was impressed by how well people played their characters at the party! I was woefully unprepared for everyone I had gotten to know the previous six weeks to take on a new personality. My personal favorite was our dear Kiwi cook Emma, who played a hypochondriac flapper from Alabama. And Caleb and Jess's accents cracked me up. I could not stop laughing the entire night. This was sadly my last birthday party in college and I must say this was the best birthday party I have ever had. Thanks to all the CCSP staff and students for making it such a memorable night! Enjoy the photos below!

SLCs Caleb and Jess with the most stunning flapper (Birdie aka me) in town.

My flapper gal pals and I doing the Charleston (or what I thought was the Charleston, haha)

A toast to the birthday girl!