Math DLO

Second Day Adventure

Ready and pumped up for the challenging adventure this afternoon. Leaving at 11.30am we were able to arrive at the mountain by 12pm, but on the other side of the mountain. The side that we were among was called Whakapapa, and it was snowing once we were getting our snowboarding gear on. The snowflakes were as tiny as salt, but if you were facing it without glasses, beanie or helmet, or even a scarf to protect you, it would give you a spiky feeling against your skin. By the way I was happy to see the snowflakes again, because last time I did we were heading back home from the mountain, and that was two years ago. 

The day had a great start. I was thrilled to see many people absent from the mountain because the weather was too rough for some, and also people were at school or work. We started by strapping ourselves in our snowboards and off we went. Seeing two young boys (Me & Jordan the second oldest) zooming down like Flash until we reached a certain spot were it was flat. You would have to wriggle yourself down until you start to zoom down again. Then zigging and zagging and reaching the chair-lift to head back up to the top. Do you know what a chair-lift is? The chair-lift is a seat that is attached to a wire and the wire goes from the bottom to the top, and there are poles that the wire is attached to. We use a chair-lift because we hop on once we have reached the bottom and it takes us on a little ride back to the top. If the chair-lift wasn't working you would have to walk up a very steep hill.

My other two youngest brothers (Noah & Toby) were getting taught by Mum and Dad (Shannon & Anthony), and man you see them grow every minute. They were being fantastic by listening every step of the way, and they are achieving Dad's goal which is going to the top of the mountain and coming down by themselves. There was falling, heading the wrong way and more falling from Noah and Toby. But I was so proud of them because they never gave up on snowboarding. Then after a while, they were incredible, and Jordan and I said to each other that "Noah and Toby will be even better then us." That would be so cool.

We have been having an amazing adventure but it doesn't stop there. Once we return back to the bach, we decided to go and buy some kebabs for dinner. They are my favourite kebabs in New Zealand because the chicken and the sauces are just fantastic. The sauce flavours that we had were Hummus, Sweet Chill, BBQ, and Garlic Mayo. Noah and Toby loved their kebabs so much, but they weren't able to finish it. They're quite filling.

Mmm hmm that was a delicious dinner after an awesome day.

First day Adventure 10.08.14

First day Adventure

Freezing cold on Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm ready for a awesome adventure. Mt. Ruapehu is a very big mountain that is covered in snow that many people ride down on their snowboard/skis. Me and my family are all snowboarders and this is our third time at Mt.Ruapehu. There a four kids and two adults. We all love snowboarding and enjoy it. The youngest two haven't been to Mt.Ruapehu before in their lives. We do amazing things together as a family, and mum and dad decided to come back and take us snowboarding for a whole week.  

All the gear for a snowboarder includes a warm jacket, snowboard boots, helmet or beanie, snow pants, snow gloves, snow goggles, and thermals (top and pants). You will need all this gear to survive on the mountain, otherwise you will might end up in an ice cube, just jokes!!!! That has never happened to me yet, but my snow pants DO freeze, when I sit down a lot. The skills of snowboarding included turning (180/360), jumping, stopping, and staying on your board. 

There where a couple of fails with all us kids that day. Me and the second oldest brother were just getting used to the snow again. It had been two years since we have been on the mountain. We tried and tried but we kept falling down until I took it nice and slowly down the hill. From then onwards, I didn't fall down again that day. I felt as happy as can be.

My favourite thing about that afternoon was seeing my two youngest brother's snowboarding down the mountain, and having so much fun. It took them a while to snowboard but know they're awesome and amazing at it and still learning more. My dad's goal is for both of them to go to the top of the mountain and them coming down. Lets find out later if that goal has been achieved. 

I'll get back to you and give you the news in my next blog about snowboarding!

Math DLO!!!!!

PES vs Kings Rugby!!!!

PES vs  Kings

Dripping with sweat on this hot Wednesday afternoon, I was able to escape from my class to play against Kings School in rugby. Kings School had ordered a bus at their expense just for us. We were preparing to face a challenging team, that we have already lost twice to. But that was all about to change. We started to warm up for the challenge ahead, by stretching, passing the ball, and team drills. Then the Referee asked for the captain from both teams to do a coin toss, to see who would receive the ball and kick off. Our coach reminded us “You can beat these guys!!!”

The whistle had been blown so the game began. Pt England had to kick off, and we all chased it and worked hard to get the ball back. After about the first five minutes, Jabez scored our first try and we got our first conversion in. Then Kings drop kicked the ball and Auri caught it. He ran it up, but it was turned over by the powerful Kings forward pack. So we tackled them over and over again but they just kept coming at us and finally scored. “YEAH!!!” the Kings team shouted, but our coach Mazel told us “Boys it’s alright... it’s only the start... you're doing well”. A couple of minutes to go until half-time and the whole team was huffing and puffing. By the end of the first half the score was 14 all. Two of our player had got injured really badly so they couldn't play in the second half. Then the whistle blew and we went into a circle for our team huddle. My legs were quite sore, but my hope high.

The Referee told both teams to switch sides and Kings will be kicking off. So the second half had began and one of our forwards caught the drop kick on the full. He ran it up the guts and a ruck had been played. Our halfback got the ball out of the ruck and passed it to our first five then passed to our second five. Running down the field like a cheetah then sadly jabez got tackled. So then another ruck had been formed but then halfback passes it to first five and then our first five gets a try. All of PES team and supports for Taniela for getting a try. Then we waited for conversion to see if the scoreboard will change. Yes, we do get the conversion in and the score now is 26 for PES and 14 for Kings. But Kings came back at us and scored a try that should not have been given to them, but it was the Referee’s call and we can’t change that now. They missed their conversion. But one of our forwards did a move called PK (pick and go) and Esrah scored but just missed this conversion. At this point Kings were getting angry at themselves for not being able to keep their defence up but I think that they did really well. So they worked even harder to score at least one more try and they achieved that goal. Then it was last play and Kings kicked it out.

The Referee told us the final score was 29 PES - 26 Kings, but the Referee counted it wrong. The actual score was 26 PES - 24 Kings.