Graduation Week

I've been saving this post for a long time now. It has been in motion since I handed in my last assignment sometime during last year. Its something that I kept putting off because I simply didn't know what to say after almost four years. Follows a similar tune to many assignments that were written during my three years. Its pretty hard to put to words what the last three years were to me, yet the one word that always comes to mind is sacrifice.

I often get asked why I moved back to New Zealand from the almighty Canada. My answer was simple: its a lot cheaper to study sport in New Zealand and a year shorter. Practically it was the smarter option. Sign me up to a three year degree and $10,000 less student loan. However, I was not prepared for the emotional ride that was the last three years. Coming out the other side I still wonder if it was the right decision. There is a heartache that being homesick creates that just cant be filled by anything but going home. Yet, I would choose to endure it again because of the people that have added value to my life in the last three years.

One of those people is a handsome guy named Nathan. I was fortunate enough to start my graduation week by celebrating someone who has been nothing but supportive since the day we met. Nathan was nominated for two Wintec Sporting awards and was awarded the Cycle Time Sportsman of the Year. Everyone who knows him knows that his life revolves around Waka Ama (Outrigger Canoeing). Not many people know that his decision to move to Hamilton meant that he was choosing me over the sport he loved so much. We made the choice that no matter what he would be training with his team in Auckland. I watched as he dedicated himself over the last two years, studying, working and training - on his own and in Auckland. For a while there he was gone every weekend and a couple week nights a week. I saw as he pushed through all the barriers he faced to achieve both his sporting and career dreams. Then I sat and watched as he was recognised for all his hard work. I was extremely proud. More then that, I was thankful that he is the one who stands by my side getting my late night study snacks, encouraging my brain to work and comforting me during my lowest points.

The next day was my day. As per usual, I arrived just on time. Once I got myself together, I joined my classmates in the waiting game. The pictures above are a snippet from my snap story. I have been so very lucky with the cohort I studied with. Where we needed there were those that demanded structure, others that provided laughter and again others who grew to become more then just peers. We needed each other strengths and pushed each other through our weaknesses. As I was a mid-year starter, I'm in the middle of two great years. I can't thank you all enough for putting up with me.

Now there are a couple of my fellow students I'd like to say a special thank you to.

Dave. Thank you for your constant challenge. Throughout our years you have pushed me, providing me with healthy academic competition. You have brought many many laughs and you have always believed in me and my abilities. I cannot wait to see where you go and the lives you impact. You will make for a fantastic teacher.

Robyn and Corban. You both came into my life at the same time and you both made me think "how the hell are these girls so pretty in sweats and no make up". Looking back I find it so funny how shy we were with each other. Honestly we are three rather outgoing people that were awkward around each other lol. I am so thankful we overcame that! Corbs, you are bloody crack up. I don't know how you can be a mum and study but you look bloody fabulous doing it (Literally goals). Robyn, I had no idea how much I've missed having a friend like you in my life until I you're RBF walked in. Thank you for all the sass you provide and being my co-pilot at the courts. Im excited for both of your futures and hope I'm in it for a long time.

Kayla. Literally you are so smart. People often sell you short but I am standing here today with a degree in my hand because of all the help you gave me. Honestly, I cant thank you enough for constantly answering questions, providing 'reading material' and being that 'mum' voice when I needed it. I am so thankful for you my friend.

Shana. I honestly don't know where to start. Thank you for sitting next to me in our Anatomy tutorial. If it wasn't for that I'd have missed out on a beautiful friendship. Thank you for bringing Kayla into my life cause we both know she saved our asses more times then we can count. All those nights where we almost cracked sitting in the hub at ridiculous hours eating the very things we studied are evil. Thank you for going to exams bra-less for the first two years of our degree cause we literally gave all our energy studying the night before that it then became too much hard work. But most importantly, thank you for being my friend. Though I came to New Zealand and was surrounded by family, my friends were thousands of miles away. You welcomed me into your life with open arms and not once expected anything in return. I will never be able to show you how much your support has meant to me but I appreciate everything you've done. Thank you and know I'm so proud of you for persevering.

Next comes my family.

To everyone back in Canada, thank you, thank you, thank you. I know it wasn't easy saying goodbye but you understood my why and never made me choose between my two homes. Aunty Kathy and Uncle Kendall + the boys, Aunty Trish, Uncle Cliff + family and Grandma and Grandpa, your congratulations video brought tears to my eyes. I loved it so much and thank you all for taking the time to show me some love. To Jo and Caleb, thank you for never hating me for leaving. That was my biggest fear and you never turned on me.

To my family here in Hamilton. Thank you for always bringing the laughs. You understood why I couldn't always be around or involved but never held it against me. I was always uplifted and energised when I was surrounded by you. The world needs more people like you and I know how lucky I am to be supported by you all.

To the Rennie Whanau. Thank you for welcoming me as your own, this crazy Canadian. I bet you didn't realise that having me also meant a crazy bunch of Islanders and a couple extra Canadians. Mere, thank you for being my mum when I needed her. Malcolm, thank you for doing all the hidden jobs like washing my car. Most importantly thank you for raising your boy. He is a beautiful blend of you both and I am beyond blessed to have been chosen by him. To Dawn and Marie thank you for being my sisters when I couldn't have my own. You have been my family when mine is in Canada and I cant thank you enough.

Mum, thank you for being my mum. I get many compliments about the person I am and its a testament to the child you have raised. I am proud to be the first with Spear blood to achieve a Bachelors degree. Thank you for teaching me its not just grades that matter. These last few years took alot of effort. I think you'd be happy to know that if Uni had effort grades I be doing bloody great.

Dad, thank you for always providing me with the means to be independent. Your support hasn't gone unnoticed but we are far to much alike, unable to share how we feel in words. From a young, you always showed me the value of hard work and how far it will get you. Many of my tutors have commended my work ethic. Thank you for never putting a rose colour-lens over the real world yet always encouraging me to be a dreamer.

Aunty Deb. We definitely haven't had a smooth ride but its been a fun one. Thank you for taking me in and supporting me. None of this would have been able to happen without you. I appreciate all the hard work you do to make sure everyone is looked after, and it is hard work you do. Thank you for letting me be a moody teenager, spreading my life out across the dinner table as I scrambled to get assignments done. I cannot thank you enough and I cannot put into words how much your support has meant to me. Also a big shout out to Danielle and Josh for putting up with their older cousin. You two are some talented kids and I know your dad would be proud of the people your growing into.

Many of those I grew up with knew either one or none of their grandparents. I am lucky enough to know both and for them both to be equally as fantastic. These last few years have taken me away from my Canadian set and brought me back to my Cook Island side. My Mama and Papa, thank you for being hilarious. You have provided so many laughs yet you are always imparting wisdom. I am beyond blessed to be a grandchild of yours. Throughout my life you have instilled in me the importance of being independent and having a quality education. Listening to you laugh and chat (sometimes bicker) in Cook Island makes me deeply jealous of those that can share with their grandparents in their native language. I have relied on you and your support and you have always provided it. Grandma and Grandpa, I have missed you beyond words. I have missed the peace that driving onto your property provides looking out over the river. Thank you both for being nothing but supportive and understanding. Always asking how we are doing over here and checking in with mum. I am proud to be the oldest grandchild of you both.

As you can tell I am extremely luck you be supported by so many. I could go on and on and on about them and what they have done in my life. I know I have also missed alot of personal thank you's. I love you all and thank you again for loving me. None of this would be possible without each and everyone of you. I know this has been a very selfish time for me but you have understood that it is simply the season where I needed to do so. God has blessed me with a powerhouse support team as he knew thats what I needed. He gets all the thanks and recognition for making sure I was always moving forward and looked after. Without Him I know this road would have been much harder.

The afternoon that followed the ceremony was full of love and fun. My Aunty and her friends had laid out a feast! So much good food to be eaten and enjoyed. Thank you Aunty, Senoni and Tisiola for all the handwork done in the prep. Special thanks to Tisiola for the beautiful lollie leis I received at my ceremony and their son for creating my graduation banner (last photo). I missed out on an island graduation in high school and loved every minute of having the island flavour to this one. Everyone loved the food and I definitely didn't need to eat for a solid day!

We ended the day celebrating the beautiful Shana with her family at Good George. It was awesome seeing her celebrated for all her hard work. I watched as she pushed through self-doubt and came out the other end. I have been encouraged by this girl more times then can count and as you can see by my thankful she means a lot to me. The night ended after lots of laughs and more good food. I will also take the time to thank Sivi for supporting Nathan in my haka. I know you pretty shy when it comes to that stuff and it ment the world to me that you were there supporting as you often are in the backgrounds. Thanks for looking out for my girl and treating her like the queen she is.

Again thanks girl for sharing you special dinner with us. I cant wait to see where in the world you end up! Sky's not the limit girl, aim for what you want. I know you got this.

If you have made it here well done. This was a long one but I couldn't cut anyone out. If you are reading this no doubt you are special to me in someway. Thank you for supporting me in whatever way you do. Life is nothing when it is done alone. I know for a fact that I couldn't achieve if I was doing it on my own. My family knows how hard it is for me to show loving emotions, I seem to have zero problems expressing unloving ones lol!

I love you all my family and friends. Here is to getting my Masters and landing my dream job in the near future.