Chad Cyboran: Week 2

I went out and spent some time with Melvin today. Not a full 30 minutes because it was drizzling and I've got stuff to do. He seemed lonely in his pot away from the rest of the trees and plants. He can see all the other, much bigger fruit trees that can stretch out and produce much produce. Melvin sadly will never be anywhere near as large as them or produce as much fruit but he understands why and is fine with it. He's special in his own way. I noticed a few spiders' webs on his leaves and thought of it as a sad symbol of forgottenness. Then I considered it and that thought that Melvin may appreciate the spiders. They provide company and give him a new sense of importance. After feeling bad for melvin, I realized that there's no need because he serves a unique purpose and his life is just as fulfilling as any large, freegrowing tree in any forest.

Bennett Mabee: Week 2

My 30 minute encounter with Thor was relaxing. The stresses of the week melted away as I climbed, leaned against, and talked to my tree. As I spent time with Thor, I focused on his features, which was a welcome distraction! I was bit by a mosquito, and then I realized that stagnant water that Thor holds is probably allowing mosquitoes to breed! I was impressed by the large cracks in Thor's bark. They reminded me of deep lacerations that require stitches. I found the smell of the tree and its walnuts on the ground to be refreshing. The smell reminds me of hanging out with my grandpa many years ago. We threw the walnuts out into the street near my grandparent's house and watch cars run them over. I look forward to spending more time with Thor and seeing what memories and experiences will come about.

Alex Rubin: Week 2

Going out to my tree this week was somewhat annoying at first. I knew I had things that needed to get done, and the last thing I wanted to do was sit and be still and quiet. But I have to admit that after I climbed up and found a spot to sit, I was able to relax and appreciate being outside. As I sat there, Ferdinand concealed me from everyone: those burning brush, those doing laundry, and everyone else. I felt alone, both the good kind and the not so good kind. It was nice to get away from people for 15 minutes, and feel the cool breeze on my face. It was a good time to put my focus back on God, where it belongs. As the wind blew, Ferdinand stood strong with his thick trunk. He reminded me of an old grandpa elephant: wringly and grey. Sitting there, I knew it would be a place of rejuvenation during the rest of the semester as I get worn down with class and the girls here. A place of solitude is something I rarely get and realize I need.

Shelby Selvidge: Week 2

The morning was a sunny morning after a nice week of rain. It was pleasant to be in my hammock hanging from my tree out in the sun. It was a challenging week mentally and emotionally, and to be relaxing in my tree, whom I'v named Emmanuel, in a time of solitude was a great end to the week. I felt reverent and relieved the week was over. I relished the time and even felt like climbing around in my tree after exiting from the hammock. The tree seemed happy after such a nice week of watering and sturdy despite the harsh winds of the week. God make me like a tree rooted deep in your stream of living water.

Brett Finley: Week 1

I have sat next to this tree doing homework many times now. This tree fern is very different from trees that we have at home. I originally came to his location to do homework because I could plug in my laptop to work on my papers and be outside at the same time. I get distracted many times when writing papers and observe my surroundings. I found that this tree fern really interested me. The way they show their past in all the broken off limbs, the tops just look like a fern that we would have at home in PA. It is almost as if the tree fern is representative of both my life at home and also my life in NZ. As I sit here now it is a cloudy yet beautiful day. The smell of fire burning in the distance as some ash sometimes finds it's way on this very paper. The warm air makes me think of summertime yet the ash is a reminder of snow. It is just the end of summertime here yet winter at home. When sitting here before I wrote a poem.

The summer air, the sound of birds
for these I have no words
Where I am, is far from home
But in my heart, there I roam

The smell so dear
The sound I hear
Memories come and go
Just as quick, I say no

To time so happy
And ones so sappy
I hold them near

And yet so far

Cara Davenport: Week 1

I decided on the cabbage tree right outside the front gate of the convent. There's a clear view of it from my window, and in the morning and afternoons starlings sit and hang upside down out from its leaves, eating the seedy clumps that branch out from the fronds. I chose it because I could remember its name, and I like knowing the names of things. It's also one of the trees that, since it looks like a palm tree, gives this Pennsylvania-esque farmland an exotic, jungle-like feeling. There's a very simple, clean look about it.

Amanda Beck: Week 1

Choosing a Tree
The tree that I chose is a pear tree, situated just beyond the corner of the deck in a bed of mulch. There's something about it that catches my eye, beyond the provision of fruit. I like the way it stands, stretching and bowing as if tempting you to pick a pear, though not quite ripe yet. I like the way its trunk and bottom branches feel - rough and moss-covered. It gives the impression of age. The tree is surrounded by flowers, little chairs and pots. This isn't a wild tree, but the work of humans on the ground can't affect the way the branches bend in the air. I guess there's two sides to every story. I couldn't really say what makes it good for me other than convenient places to sit, but I have no qualms making spontaneous decisions, especially when there are pears involved.

Renee Conrath: Week 1

The tree that I chose is the peach tree in the back yard of the convent. I chose this tree for two reasons: one, because it's amazing to me how it can provide such sweet, juicy nourishment. The taste of this  fruit right off the branch is the only way to go. I feel spoiled; I'll never want a store-bought peach again. I also chose this tree because of it's location. It is rooted by the deck, where our little community eats lunch together, laughs together, and studies together. The tree has been there throughout our time here, and throughout times before we were here, providing delicious fruit for us and for them. This tree creates anticipation as we wait for it to ripen and a sort of disappointment when it's season end.

Shelby Selvidge: Week 1

I was to drawn to my tree from the beginning. The first day we arrived in Kaikoura at The Old Convent while exploring our new home I noticed a dark blue hammock strung between two large limbs, about 10ft above the ground, of a tree. Later, I was told it was a walnut tree one of which produced much of the walnuts we had in tubs inside. Not in walnut season now you would have to be able to identify the tree by other means. I had never seen a walnut tree before. I was drawn to climb the tree and sit in the hammock initially. As I daily came to the hammock and I began to recognize and become familiar with the nubs and branches that I used as climbing holds on the tree. Each day I would seek retreat and solitude with God in the branches and I found it and Him there. Somedays I stare through the layers of leaves to the sky, seeing God in their movements or stillness; or shut my eyes and listen to the songs of the birds as they hop form branch to branch overhead, hearing the voice of God in their song; and other days running my fingers over the ridges of the bark while singing my own song, just to feel God in every line. The walnut tree in our backyard is more than a tree it's a piece of God speaking to me, my friend, companion, peace, solitude, rest, and sometimes pain, frustration, but most of all when I'm there in the hammock its 'Emmanuel' - God with us, with me. So I've named my tree Emmanuel.

Bennett Mabee: Week 1

The walnut tree next to the clothesline I have chosen. The location of this behemoth is attractive, in the corner of the yard near the chickens. The calling of the "chooks" is pleasant. The walnut tree reminds me of home with its ideal climbing branches and generous shade. The branches are textured but smooth, and the thick branches aid me as I climb into the hammock which is where I now reside. I love the miniature ecosystem of the walnut. Water pooled in the base offers water, while its canopy provides perches and nesting sites for birds. The walnut stands strong and tall, so I shall name him Thor. With his big branches he cradles my hammock and allows me to rest. I look forward to developing a relationship throughout the semester with Thor.

Chad Cyboran: Week 1

I sit here beside my tree, only a foot away but with a pane of glass separating us. It is the dwarf apple tree (the smaller one) and his name shall be Melvin. Don't make fun of my name choice; it's a fine name. Had the weather been nice today, I probably would be outside and we would be able to more appropriately enjoy each others' company. Instead, the cold temperature, strong wind, and scattered rainfall keeps me inside. Melvin understands though. I have realized that I have thus far forgotten about the prompt and have consequently ignored it, so I shall now discuss it. In selecting a tree, my decision was influenced by the fact that today's weather is not very conducive to outdoor enjoyment, so I wanted to remain indoors and connect with a nearby tree at the same time. Melvin happens to be right next to the house and I noticed that the dwarf apple trees appear to be somewhat of outcasts in the tree world. Because of this, I decided to provide one of them with some attention. That's about it... also, please don't criticize my grammar too much because correcting it isn't a desire of mine.