2. Family activities together – this is a value that my family have fostered since I can
remember. I value the time we are together and each of them have shaped who I am
such as through daily activities, celebrations and trips away. My father, mother, sister
and brother have been a part of my growth and will continue to be a part of that.
3. Farm life – I have lived on a farm for my whole life. With living on a farm comes farming
responsibilities, being outdoors, sheep work, horse riding, motor biking, working in the hills
and working despite difficult weather conditions. These are skills and experiences are then
implemented into my everyday lifestyle. All aspects of what I do can relate to my farming
background.
4. Photography – I have discovered a passion for taking photos of everyday interactions
between objects, landscapes and people. It is a form of my own personal expression to
how I see things. I take photos daily, something I do and I believe they hold a lot of value
and express more than words ever will. This is something I do purely for my own
enjoyment.
5. Dogs – This is our family dog
Rum. I have always had dogs
around growing up and learnt to
care for them and train them.
This has taught me responsibility
and discipline. I have spent a lot
of time with different dogs
learning about them. This is a
part of who I am and I would like
to always have a dog.
6. Boarding School – I was a
boarder for 5 years at Acland
House for Christchurch Girls
High School. The
routines, living away from
home, the people, matrons
and environment has all
contributed to me learning
invaluable life skills and
develop fond memories.
7. Horse riding – I have been riding horses since I was 4 years old and this sport has
taken a lot of energy, time, money and motivation. I have met many people through
this sport and have been part of a pony club, an area team representative and worked
with managers, coaches, team mates, parents, etc. I am very competitive and horse
riding has fostered that. I do it for both leisure and productivity, this has been a huge
part of my life and enabled me to discover more about myself in my ability to work
with an animal and communicate.
8. Travel has contributed to shaping me and developing my own sense of self. As a child
my family and I travelled and in 2012 I took a GAP year around the UK, Europe and
South America (photo location – Quito, Ecuador). It was in that year that I truly
appreciated how vast the world is and what there is to see. I plan to continue travelling
for the rest of my life through my work (productivity) and for leisure. There is a
community (network) of people associated with travel which I feel included in.
9. Meeting people and engaging with them is a huge part of who I am. This is the
group that I walked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with. I have been in sports
teams since a very young age (pony club, netball, rugby, tennis, spanish, school,
etc). I do this through both leisure activities productivity and self care – I live in a
flat with 5 girls.
10. Working with children –
I have been a nanny and
babysitter throughout my
life. I enjoy spending time
with children and it has
enabled me to meet many
people and travel to many
beautiful places such as
Spain, France, Scotland and
Ireland. Without working
with children I couldn’t
appreciate the work my
mother had to go through.
11. Studying for three years in
Dunedin to become an
Occupational Therapist. This
is a productive aspect of my
life that I have involved
myself in and committed to. I
am part of a student
community within the
Occupational Therapy school.
I am also in a flat with 5 other
girls and belong to that
group.