It is amazing what I notice now that I might not have before. While shopping at the local grocery store a sign caught my eye that said Jazz Apples. The GSE team visited an apple orchard outside of Nelson that grew jazz apples. We were able to pick some right off the trees and enjoy them on the spot. They were delicious so naturally those were the apples I selected that day at the store. They were just as sweet, juicy and tart as I remembered. Last week I was in Salt Lake City for the National Re… Continue

Since August the GSE Team has attended several Rotary club meetings in District 6440 and presented its program on the fantastic experience in New Zealand. It is amazing how clubs can be both different and the same not only within the district, but in another country too. The themes of service and fellowship abound at all. One big difference is that back home most of our presentations are at breakfast meetings that start at 7 am. This means we may be getting up at 4:30 am to get there on time. It… Continue

It has been a while since we visited our blog site and alot of things have happened since then. First, team member Jeff Akin accepted a new position soon after our return and now lives in Boston. Emily Buckler is free lancing and working on several different projects. We wish them all the best in their new endeavors. Jon Mariano's wedding to his sweetheart Stephanie is fast approaching and November 7 will be here before anyone knows it. We wish them the best on this adventure. Dayna Niemi and Al… Continue

I'd like to follow Dayna's lead and offer a few words of thank you to the wonderful people that hosted me during the month in New Zealand. When people back home ask me what my favorite part about the trip was — what I really took away with me — one of the first things I say are the people I met and lived with. It's a very generous thing to let a stranger live in your home, as life events — whether with work, health, family or other relationships — are unpredictable. Every host still took time to… Continue

This past Sunday Dayna, Emily, and I entered the 5K Run/Walk fundraiser for Polio Plus, otherwise known as the Race to the Finish. Last winter our New Zealand GSE Outbound T eam had selected it as its community service project to give back to Rotary. The event is a cooperative effort between District 6440 and its neighbor District 6450. The race is held on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, just a few blocks from Rotary International. The course runs along the shore line of Lake Mic… Continue

I'd like to give a special THANKS to my AWESOME host Moms and Dads!

Throughout the four weeks, we stayed with six host families. In several homes we stayed for two to three nights, and others five to six. The GSE and New Zealand experience would not have been the same without the host families, and I think I can speak on behalf of the team, that we were hosted by some really great people.

There is so much to share about all of my host families, but I picked several memorable experiences that I… Continue

I have been home now just under two weeks and I am just now getting back into the swing of things... So, now that things are almost back to normal and I have found time to sit and blog away, where do I start? How about if we start off with the obvious contrasts; for example, driving on the left side of the road.

The people... I was amazed at how laid back and friendly the people where not just those who hosted us and of course all of the Rotarians we met but even just the people you pass on the… Continue

Many thanks to my host family, Oscar Alpers and Glynne Mackey, for making my last weekend in paradise a fantastic one. On Saturday we took a leisurely drive to Akora, a town originally settled by the French and where the District Conference will be held next year. There were so many twists and turns in the road that it rivaled any amusement park ride for sure. We stopped along the way for an ice cream and some sight seeing at a local art store and gallery. We also watched cheese being made at Ba… Continue

looks like you all had a great time on your trip. glad your back.

Hi, all!

I'm sure I speak for the team when I say that it has been a whirlwind of work, social commitments, and other events since we've returned to Illinois. It's interesting how quickly it feels like you were never anywhere else, especially when you have to return immediately to a routine. Still, the memories and relationships we've made on our exchange to District 9970 will last a lifetime. I'm anxious to get in touch with my host families and other GSE volunteers and coordinators to say tha… Continue

Dayna and Alicia had a fantastic day at the Queen Elizabeth II Sports and Recreation Center. It is huge as it was the site of the Commomwealth Games in the 1970s. It has a big stadium for track plus fitness center and group exercise rooms as well as gyms. The center repurposed several of its squash courts. It has tenants that deal with sports and wellness for alot of its space. Regional sports offices are there as is a full service spa and sports medicine office. The center also has multiple typ… Continue

Ás Alicia has indicated, the GSE team has been busy lately, from the district conference at Mount Cook to starting our vocational visits in Christchurch today. We're on our last week of our whirlwind South Island tour, and will be updating everyone on these professional visits as soon as it is possible.

Team, great presentation tonight!

The team arrived back in Christchurch on Sunday evening. Today was full of vocational visits for all as will be the next three days. Dayna and Alicia spent the morning at the University of Canterbury Recreation Centre and the afternoon at the City Council Offices for Marketing and Special Events. Both were very informative and interesting. Lots of information to share from both. Tomorrow both travel to Queen Elizabeth II Recreation Centre and Stadium, the biggest recreation facility in the South… Continue

The District Conference was at the most awe inspiring venue ever...Mt. Cook. With snow gently falling down it was a beautiful and breathtaking view. There were also some fantastic guest speakers. One was the New Zealander mountaineer that climbed Mt. Everest as a double amputee. What remarkable spirit and determination. Saturday night featured the Winter Ball with most everyone dressed in black tie and long evening gowns. Awards for best dressed were given out and the one for the man was given t… Continue

Who said it couldn't be done. This past Monday we hiked the Josel Franz Glacier on the most beautiful day ever. The younger members of the team opted for a four and half hour hike. It is unbelievable the energy and stamina they have. Jeff took a tumble but his fall was broken by a young Austrailian hiker. Both emerged unharmed. I opted for the two and half hour glacier hike. We have to get real now and know our limits. I took a helicopter to a higher level which was an amazing experience in of i… Continue

How absolute marvelous are the New Zealand Rotarians! Each and everyone has opened up their hearts and homes to us. Those in charge of our itinerary have done an excellent job in balancing out vocational opportunities with exposure also given to culltural and recreational pursuits as well as an introduction to government, business, and commerce. We have toured or will tour a fishing company, an apple orchard, a sheep farm, a robotic dairy farm, a spinning factory, an alpaca farm, a vintage car r… Continue

We had a wild day today, from panning for gold in Shantytown, avoiding snow on a winding drive through Arthur's Pass, and getting a jet boat stuck in the rocks in the middle of the Rakaia River. Jon and Jeff got their pants soaked on the latter item, trying to push the boat out of the knee- to thigh-deep water after our pilot failed to do the same thing solo.

We also had a really pleasant meeting tonight with the Ashburton Plains Rotary Club. Cheers to Ashburton Plains! They are a great group o… Continue

Hello, everyone!

We've just arrived in Greymouth, after a beautiful afternoon drive from Hanmer Springs through Reefton (thanks to Charlie, our "chaperone," chef, and driver!). We are now living with our fourth host families, and sixth bed in two weeks.

We had a great time in gorgeous Hanmer Springs, where Emily and Dayna survived their uphill 10K race. (The endorphin surge and the hot pools helped us recover from the 60-degree incline.) Meanwhile, Jon and Jeff played a million rounds of golf,… Continue

Team,
Hope you are having agreat time. Try to experience it all AND remember it. "You can get all thge sleep you need when you are dead", so do it all. Thank you for representing us all, especially Alicia and Dana from Waukegan. I wish I was there with you! The weather here has been lousy most of the time, so you picked a good time to go. I can't wait for your return presentation.
Mark Thorn, 1988 GSE Member to West Germany and present Waukegan Rotarian

Anna, thank you for posting the photos. It's great to see everyone having such a wonderful time! And to the team - we love reading your updates. Keep them coming! Continue