Camping That Failed, Elitch's, School and Turtle Races

Life is like riding a bike.  It is impossible to maintain your balance while standing still.

A lot has happened in the last 2 weeks. The first adventure was when we all decided it would be a great idea to go camping. We drove around until we found a spot that looked good. We set up the tent and got the campfire going. Everything was going smoothly. We did what everyone does when they go camping. We ate and sat around the campfire talking. It was a lot of fun except for the lightning off in the distance. We thought it would be fine so we headed off to bed. As you can probably guess the storm didn't stay away. At midnight the wind picked up and the tent was getting all blown around. We packed up camp in the middle of the night. In the middle of a storm. Quite an adventure. Just as everyone and everything was in the car the heavens opened and it bucketed down. Perfect timing I say.


On the Saturday before school started we headed off to Denver to go to Elitch's, an amusement park. It was great fun. We rode quite a few rides, played some games and just enjoyed the family outing.

On the ferris wheel

Connor, Chasity, Me

I have also completed my first week at school which has been a lot of fun. Everyone has been so kind and caring. I have been stopped in the hallway many times by random people just asking if I'm the girl from New Zealand. My teachers are also great. I'm loving it.

My classes are:
Tech Apps (IMT)
US History
US Government
World History
English
Spanish
Senior Seminar (Life after high school)


This weekend is labor weekend so we have had a extra day to relax. On Saturday we went to Old Settlers at a place called Eckley. It was a lot of fun. There was a 3 legged race, egg toss, bike race and also a turtle race. Joe and I entered the egg toss but sadly we didn't win. The same thing happened with the turtle race. We entered 3 turtles but none of them won :(

For the rest of the weekend we relaxed around home with family and friends. It was a great way to finish a great week.


Sarah :)

The Adventure Begins!

Happiness is not an accident, nor is it something you wish for.  Happiness is something you design.

So I have been here in Wray, Colorado for a week now and I am having the time off my life. It all started on Saturday 13th of August when I left Christchurch airport. My wonderful friends and family came to see my off. First it was off to Auckland with Wade, Harry and Tina 3 of the other 8 exchange students. We had a few hours in Auckland airport so we sat round and talked and got to know each other a little more. Then we got some tea (dinner as they call it here). Then it was off to catch our longest flight which was to LAX. The flight went pretty quickly because I slept most of the way which was good.

When we arrived in LA it was off to customs. I had a really nice guy who was interested in my exchange so that made the process a lot easier. When we got through everyone went there separate ways. Some to a connecting flight to London. Some to a hotel. Lastly Harry, Wade and myself went to a different terminal to catch our flight to Denver.

When I arrived in Denver Monica, Joe, Chasity and Connor (my host family) were waiting for me. We collected my bags then it was off home. The first few days we didn't do much because we were all tired. But on Tuesday we went into town to register me for school. When we pulled up there we about 15 cops there with guns. But it was ok because they were doing a mock shooting at the school so nothing had actually happened. Because of this we couldn't register haha. Great first impression of school I say :)

On Tuesday we went and wrote our names on an old water tank that has been written on by the family for nearly 100 years. Then we went and took photos in the sunflowers.

On Wednesday I walked around town and explored a little. It is such a cute place. Tiny but cute.

On Thursday we went to Greeley which is a city about 3 hours drive from Wray. We went shopping. I got some of my school supplies. Later we went out for dinner to a Mexican restaurant. The meal was HUGE but so good.

On Friday was just hung around home and didn't do much at all.

So that is my first week here in Wray. Many more adventures to come over the next year which I am looking forward to.

Sarah :)

15 Sleeps!

You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.

In 15 sleeps I will be heading off on the adventure of a lifetime. I am lucky enough to be heading to the states for a year to attend high school. I will be living in a little town called Wray in the state of Colorado.

My name is Sarah Kerr and I am 17 years old. I live in Christchurch in the south island of New Zealand. Since I was about 12 years old I have had the dream  to study in the states for a year and my dream has finally come true and I it is hard to believe at times. My school here in New Zealand is Middleton Grange. It is a great school with awesome people and teachers. I had my last day there on the 14th of July :( But now I am starting a new school. So many new opportunities. New people, teachers, subjects and sports. This is a opportunity to do something I have never thought of doing. Play a different sport. Take a different subject.

Wray is a little town with the populations of about 2000 people.


That's where my new home is for the next year.

I will be living with the Zwirn family for the next year. I have and younger sister Chasity (11) and a younger brother Connor (5). I have always been the youngest in life in my family, school and friends so it will be different to be the older sibling.

So I don't have long till I leave but I have many things to do, the major one is to pack!

Sarah :)