July Update

 This month started off with the Tauranga Brass Band coming to our centre to perform. It was lovely to listen to the tubas, trumpet, trombones and drums play together. A couple of the clients had the opportunity to conduct the band which was cool. Some of the songs they played were “Ben”, “I will follow him” and the “Goodnight KIwi”. We had photos with the musicians afterwards.

We had a FIFA World cup fun day where we came dressed in soccer gear. I wore a Manchester United shirt. We played a game of indoor soccer, then coloured in the flag of the country Panama that I picked from the initial 48 countries that qualified for the tournament to make a bunting. The bunting was strung up in the sports arena. We listened to songs from different countries and then guessed where they originated from. After lunch we watched the movie "The Big Green” about some soccer misfits. It was really funny.

No sailability again this month due to bad weather so my fingers are crossed for next month.

At the gym I am trying different routines and had a cardio day. This was a good workout for me. I like to work out on the treadmill and rowing machine followed by stretches.

I am continuing my community volunteering at Welcome Bay Palmers garden centre. I go every Monday and sweep the cobble stone paths to keep it looking nice and clean for the customers to browse the plants. It is a lovely place to work at.

With a couple of mates we walked up the Papamoa Hills. Not an easy climb but I completed it well and enjoyed resting at the top where we had lunch. It was quicker on the way down.

My woodwork  project has begun. I have done some drilling and lots of sanding and it is starting to take shape.

June Update

 

It's been another busy month.Unfortunately sailability was cancelled due to bad weather so hopefully we will go next month. I walked along the waterfall walk, at McLaren falls, the day was glorious. The sun was shining and not a rain cloud in the sky. I went to Papamoa for a walk and listened to Te Reo stories and waiatas. At Te Puke we played petanque and basketball and croquet with our Arohanui friends.  I was a great help to the staff in putting up the ball decorations I helped with the lights and setting up the chairs. We had an amazing time at the Masquerade ball. It was a very special day with the girls wearing their pretty ball gowns and the men in suits and ties. I wore a black suit and looked pretty sharp. We all wore a mask. Some had made theirs and others had brought some. We had a DJ called Mark who came dressed in the theme and a mystery quest arrived where we had to guess who it was. Surprise! It was Cassie who was an exstaff member. We had a mocktail which was coloured blue and had a savoury and burberry muffin iced with blue icing and it had silver balls on top. We were very spoiled and then we danced the afternoon away. At the gym I have increased the incline on my stepper moving up a level and I have completed some pull ups with assisted help. I am definitely getting stronger.  Out in the community I continue to help with the gardening at the Riding for the Disabled and Welcome Bay Community Centre. I continue to fold clothes as well.

May Updates

 In dance I had a blast and loved leading everyone in my own dance. I love rocking with my mates. I have enjoyed my freestyle moves making them full and explosive. They say I’m on Fire!

In literacy I am really getting faster in identifying opposites and matching the correct cards together. I have been practising a lot.

Out in the community I have completed an awesome walk up Summer Hill. The views looking out towards Papamoa and Te Puke are amazing. I walked from Yatton Park towards the Fraser Park Reserve. I didn’t quite finish that one as time was against us. I hope to complete it in the future. With a few of my friends we went to McLaren Falls for a walk. It is always so peaceful in the bush and the falls are spectacular.

I visited the Tauranga Brass Band to watch the band during their rehearsal. The large tubas were awesome. The largest one weighed eighteen kilos so it had its own stand. They played a variety of songs and then we had morning tea with the band members. It was a great morning. I also visited the Accardia Rest home where I played bean bag toss with the residents. They gave me a chocolate fish for being so good. It was a fun afternoon with lots of laughs.

It was a busy morning at Welcome Bay Community centre folding clothes this month. I sorted and folded three boxes

I am working hard at the gym and am now seeing the gains as I get faster and fitter. I visited the Devoy Squash courts to watch some of the boys fromTauranga Boys High play. It’s such a fast game to watch. A couple of times the squash ball came out of the court which was funny.

Our centre hosted Devon Briggs a para-cyclist who is a world champion at cycling in the velodrome. He brought us his very light bike to show us and explained why it was so expensive. The cost was $110 thousand, it weighed 7kg and each wheel was made of carbon, costing $20 thousand each. He also showed us his medals that he had won. One was Gold and the other two silver. I tried the gold one on and I looked like an Olympian champion. He was very interesting to listen to.

Photos to follow

Squash

A great afternoon at the Devoy Squash courts. Tauranga Boys were having a squash session. DG 

 

Library

 I joined in an activity at the library this morning. We had a Lego challenge to make different things in a short time. I made an aero plane and a robot. DG

Gym sesh

Working hard at the gym. Getting them gains.

-N.O.

 

Out in Nature

I love being in nature. McLaren Falls is one of my favorite walks.

N.O.