Holiday period has begun . . .

Let's recap 2008 . . . 

Whanau:

• LOVE being with my whanau everyday . . . even on the days that it gets a little challenging to be positive.  
• Unconditional love alive and kicking
• My kids continue to make me proud everyday . . . 
• Glad to be healthy and able to help others everyday
• Nellie Ann still doing some amazing things . . . and still happy
• Sean Michael finished college and preparing for university
• Te Awa really blossomed this year, wanted college to challenge her again so took it upon herself to move from Te Kura Maori to an English medium college and enjoyed everyday of school since then.  After two terms she was awarded a prize at their prize giving.  She is determined to take out all the main awards before she leaves too . . . good on her.
• Whare still loves drawing . . . and creating amazing art pieces.  Enjoying wharekura although it's still challenging for him
• Tautahi is still confident, started playing rugby and was offered a number of opportunities to trial out for the reps in his first year . . . not bad.  Wants school to challenge him a little more so will work on that happening in the new year.
• Lost an uncle I absolutely adored this year . . . what a dumb way to end the year.  Never mind, he had been sick for a long time and although he was as stubborn as a mule at least he is resting now.  Got the opportunity to go home and rekindle the fire again so that was good.  Saw my nana and papa, and too many uncles, aunties, and cousins in the urupa but they keep us connected to the whenua so that is always good.
• Found out I'm going to be an auntie again early 2009.  Mum and dad would have been so proud of all their mokopuna.

Work Achievements:

• Started the year as a Team Leader with 3 team members . . . ended it as a manager with 6 team members.  More people doesn't equal less work.
• Completed the consultation of our revised Maori medium curriculum and then launched a world leading indigenous curriculum with some amazing people . . . definately something worth remembering.  So priviledged . . .
• Got the opportunity to work with some amazing people yet again this year.
• Attended 2008 WIPCE conference in Melbourne with work mates.
• Got offered some interesting jobs and experiences.
• Got tired by the end of the year.

WHAT AWAITS US FOR 2009 . . .