Orewa Beach Sand Castle Competition

     Sunday Charlotte and I went to Orewa beach to have a relaxing day on the beach. They were having a sand castle competition. Most of the entries were just families that had made something together. I liked how they used sea weed and sea shells to enhance their designs. There was one professional group that was probably hired to make a really awesome castle. It was cool to see them making their castle. They used the same type of tools that sculptors would use on clay. I really enjoyed getting to watch them work.

This is one of my favorites. 

This is the professional one. 

Lantern Festival (Again?!?!)

     This is a really odd post for me to be writing. I remember writing about the lantern festival last year and having it be my most viewed post (I think it still is the most viewed). Going to the lantern festival was the first time that I really felt that I was here semi permanently. Doing things that I did last year again is weird because I never intended to stay here for a whole year much less multiple years. I had a big plan and now it's changed. I didn't realize quite how much it changed until I was walking to university orientation and they were setting up the lantern festival around me. It was an odd and some what emotional experience to say the least.
     Everyday as I went to orientation I had to walk through Albert Park where the festival was being set up. It was cool to see it set up all week. It takes and entire week to set up the whole thing. It was cool to see all the bits and pieces that go into making the lanterns.
     Friday night I went into town with two of my friends. We were going to meet another friend at the festival but ended up not being able to meet her. It was fun to wander around the park with my friends. Some of the lanterns were the same as last year but there were also some new ones.

This is from when they were setting
up

This is during the day while I was going to
campus. 

This is one of my favorite lanterns because it
is similar to my life. As soon as you turn your
back then the kids do silly things. 

I think it might be the year of the sheep.

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This is a duck herder. 

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This is the same one pictured above but lite

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