Activity: Who am I?

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

I am willing to awhi anyone to allow them to reach their goals in life, however, I am also reserved with sharing anything personal about myself and whaanau.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

Life experiences have made trusting anyone a very difficult hurdle to overcome. 

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

Trusting again takes time, be kind to myself.

1.My name is Yogita I am originally from Fiji (Indofijian.) I came to New Zealand 12 years ago and I live in Botany East Auckland. I am a proud of 3 children aged 29,27 and 23. Currently my one daughter lives with me and my only son lives in Boston USA. I’ve worked in early childhood education for over 10 years and recently completed a Certificate in Mental Health & Addiction. I’m currently working as a kindergarten teacher and now studying towards a Bachelor of Counselling, which feels like a dream I planted years ago and am finally living. 

2.  Definitely there are aspects of my 'open self' that used to be hidden. For a long time, I kept a lot of my personal struggles and emotions to myself. I felt like I had to be strong for everyone else, especially as a mother, so I often put on a brave face even when I was going through hard times.

I didn’t always feel safe or confident expressing vulnerability, but over time, especially through my journey in mental health and now studying counselling, I’ve learned that sharing my true self can actually be a strength. Opening up has helped me build deeper, more authentic connections with others, and it’s also allowed me to grow and heal on a personal level.

Now, I’m learning to be more open about my feelings, my past experiences, and even my dreams. It feels freeing, and I know it also helps others feel like they can be open too.

3. Feedback from a friend (my blind spot)
A family friend gave me some really meaningful feedback. She said she admires how dedicated and hardworking I am, and how I bring positive energy into any space, making it easier for others to feel comfortable around me. That really warmed my heart, because it’s something I do naturally and with love.

Her gentle feedback was around learning to slow down and take a step back sometimes. She noticed that I tend to invest deeply in others — their needs, emotions, and ideas — and in the process, I sometimes forget to tune into my own. Her reminder was about creating more balance by listening to myself first and making space for my own wellbeing and clarity.

This feedback really resonated with me. It made me realise that while being supportive and enthusiastic are strengths, I need to be mindful not to overextend myself or lose sight of my own needs and boundaries. It’s something I’m now working on, so I can continue to grow in a more grounded and sustainable way. Other Friend told me that I am humble, caring and kind also mysterious.

Hi team,

1. I am a cis female, 30 years old, born and raised in NZ of South Korean and Irish descent with natural blue eyes (this is almost always the first thing people notice about me). Unfortunately don't have much connection to my Irish side. I am animal crazy - 4x fur babies and counting - 2 dogs and 2 horses. I have a caring nature, be it for my animals, family, or friends 

2. I am bisexual, and a horse girl. There is always a lot of stigma around horse girls therefore this used to be "hidden" but after making new horse friends this is proudly part of my core personality (as you can tell by the 2 horses haha). I can be a little ditzy and clumsy, I used to think this made me come across as weak and not well put together but I have now accepted this as a part of my being. I hid a lot of my sexuality due to being from a Christian household and a generation 1 Asian parent however as my mother started to grow her own mindset I felt more comfortable disclosing to her as well as others. 

3. Interestingly just had a conversation with one of my best friends about this the other day. I can come across as quite clumsy and forgetful and try to shake it off to be care free but they can tell I worry about being judged. I am a weary person with an oddly comforting energy, as if there is something I am always holding back on saying but other people naturally gravitate towards me and open up with no fear of judgement. 

I am pretty flexible with times, especially after daylight savings ends, however evenings after 6pm work best for me 

Great question! I am still learning who I am. But who I am right now is a 57yr old mother of 2 adult children. Married to David for 33yrs. Born in Te Kuiti. Lived in Akl most of my life and now reside in Whitianga as of 10yrs ago. I am half English on my fathers side and half Maori. Iwi is Maniapouto and I have affiliations with Ngati Whatua and Ngapuhi. I have been a self employed Sports Massage Therapist for over 20yrs & a fitness instructor before that. Both jobs I love but my body is tired. Counselling was always on the cards for me. Just a matter of when, not if. Since I last studied, a lot has changed. Kids have grown. Financially stable. More time. The most challenging is the I.T side but grateful I am married to an I.T guy. I am mostly an open book. Happy to share to the right person if some sort of trust is built. I have a lot of friends that I value and are loyal to. Most have told me, I am honest, sometimes brutually. Which also means I can take constructive criticism well. Highly organised, punctual and motivated. But can be frustrated with others that are not. I need to learn to be patient and maybe not take over if I see things are not being done. As an extrovert, I talk alot. Something I am working on. So I will finish this here :)

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

Some aspects of my open self are that I am friendly, dependable, logical, sensible, trustworthy and slightly introverted 

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

In answer to question one I said that I am slightly introverted. Over the years I feel I have become more confident in speaking out – or putting myself into positions where I have to speak.   

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'.

Friends have commented that I rarely get angry, however when I do it must be for something very serious. 

Open Self : Youngest of four siblings, I am hardworking, empathetic and open minded. I have two black cats and live with my husband. We have no children.

Hidden Self: I am recently separated from my spouse, I fear the responsibility of becoming a parent, I fear the unknown of the future.

Unknown by Self: "you can be mature, smart, independent, organized, friendly and talented. you can be lovely, trustworthy, kind, happy and helpful. you can also be abrasive, careless, belligerent and sullen"

The times that are best for me to meet online are primarily weekends (anytime) or after 6.30pm weekdays as my work schedules change a lot.

I am a curious person who always ponders how things work. When my curiosity takes over, it can sometimes feel quite intense for others. While I still habitually try to get to the bottom of things, I’m more at ease with the Kiwi philosophy of she’ll be right.

I’m at my best contributing capacity when I’m at home from 7pm, once things have wound down after a day’s work. The occasional completion of 1% of the never-ending house chores motivates me greatly to focus on other things like HD, Whakato, and Intro to Psychology. I’m best reached via text or email, and I’m committed to group assignments—I will do my best to make it work. If you’re not in Auckland and your schedule aligns with mine, please give me a buzz. Currently, I’m in a group with Logan M, who also prefers online meetings. 

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

Hi, I’m Steffi

Firstly, I’ve overthought and procrastinated over this for way too long, out of indecision on how to structure and present this and what context to put it into.

I’m organised, strategic and detail oriented in my approaches. It’s very much something I feel I leaned and internalised through my family and schooling in Germany. I often suspect I carry this quality on the outside to mask and overcompensate for the total chaos that is my brain.  

I dig deep, I reflect, analyse and to some degree theorise.

I’m receptive, sensitive and empathetic and am constantly learning and refining how to stay cantered in myself, especially in bigger groups and new environments.

I guess, I’m an introvert. I love people, togetherness and deep connection but very much value time on my own/in my own space. That’s where I best process (I’m a snail) and recharge.

I’m calm, gentle, grounded and easy-going. Generally, I have an energy “people like to rest in”. There’s an underbelly to all those qualities that I’ll address in Q2.

These days, I’m also at times opiniated, outspoken and confrontational, especially when it comes to values I believe in or when clear boundaries feel overstepped.  I’m definitely mostly diplomatic in my expression.

I’m curious & brave, I seek new experiences. That’s taken me to some fun, bizzare and occasionally dangerous places and I guess that has also landed me here 

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'?

Yes, I think lots of “qualities” have a hidden underbelly that needs to be explored.

Some are hidden to the outside world, others might live in the fourth quadrant and are still unconscious within our own psyche.

Opiniated, outspoken, confrontational  are qualities that have only fully emerged  over the past decade of my life. They are linked to an exploration of my calm, gentle and easy-going self. A realisation that in some part these were based on self-forgetting and self-fragmentation, overly tuning into my environment to harmonize and avoid conflict, to feel my boundaries etc   It’s been a process of recovering my anger and connect to my inner compass and agenda….to be continued

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

It’s difficult to get feedback on this, especially without the context of a situation or specific environment.

My husband says, I have a certain naivety, I’m too trusting and have a blind spot to ulterior motives people might have.

 My friend Boopsie offered that I can be blind to certain “polite cultural dances”, asking three times, taking yes for yes and no for no. I have a certain directness.    

Kia Ora / Hola 

I would like to introduce myself to you all. I'm a Woman from Chile, Mum of 2 girls and Wife of a Kiwi man, I have been in Aotearoa for around 10 years, my Chilean family is all in Chile and I miss them all the time. 

I would like to share with you a few parts of my internal self: I'm a passionate, creative and sensitive woman. I love art, dancing and meeting new people. I very much like being social but also, I prioritize having quality time by myself as much as possible. Being a mum of young children and living on a life style block can be busy. Sometimes I struggle with my insecurities, and I can become shy and introverted. I mindfulness, meditation, journaling and art as tools to filled up my cup. 

I have been working on my personal growth since I was a teenager, I have been curios about human development and why people behave like they do. I studied Psychology right after finishing high school. I learnt so much about myself and patterns of behavior in my family dynamic. I'm a believer that we are always learning about ourselves and others, we are always growing and changing. I'm passionate about human development and I also appreciate disciplines that integrate mind, body and soul for personal growth. The connection with the spirituality, through those types of disciplines, have helped me to create spaces for self-reflection in my life. 

Besides that, I'm a different person that the person that I was 15 years ago when I did my degree and I'm interest to see how much my perspective has change. I'm excited to increase my knowledge and personal awareness, discover more about myself, challenge myself socially and intellectually all in a different cultural context. 

I found challenging looking and learning about my blind spot, because I can become very self-critical and insecure and anxious. My love ones have mentioned my stubbornness and spending too much energy in situations that are simple. Also sometimes a want to do to much and I working on stablishing boundaries for selfcare and timeframes for projects that can be viable. 

What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?  I was adopted at birth to a relegious family however my upbringing was not great with 5 older brothers that didn't want me and a mother who was paralyzed down one side,  I suffer from attachment issues.  I am 56, live in Waiuku close to my youngest daughter and 1 granddaughter 4y and 1grandson 1y.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? I have Multiple scelrosis I used to hide this up until 2020.

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. Direct and sometimes Tactless

PS Because WOT Week is coming very quickly(3 March to 7 March) please add to your Who Am I response a sentence or two about the time that it is best for you to meet with your classmates online. Briefly tell us whose at home that you need to wrangle to get a time for online Groupwork during the Semester. It is easier to be in a group that is similar to yours. In WOT week you will be sorting your groups based on the information added here.

My name is Sukhdeep Kaur Kular. I am a friendly and caring person. I live in South Auckland (Papakura) with my two lovely boys (Jahan Singh and Rahan Singh) and my most caring husband. I come from a Punjabi family, and I am proud of my culture, language, and values. respect, kindness and honest are important to me, I enjoy learning new things and growing as a person. I am still learning about myself, and I want to become the best version of me.

I am very excited to meeting you all.

Good luck everyone.  

1. I'm 23 years old, Samoan, a Christian, security guard, and aspiring counsellor. I wear many other hats and shoes as well, but these are the ones I believe the majority mainly see me wear. 

2. None 

3. My blind spot is I'm very forward. If you ask for my opinion best believe its going to be VERY constructive. Only because i don't want to see your self fall. Upon reflection, I believe I am this way towards others, because I am this way to MYSELF. Which others may see as toxic, but I see it as uncovering the unspoken truths. Its like helping others see their blind spots basically, but shining the light on it with no dim button. I need to be more suttle and patient. 

When I believe I have the answer I tend to see my answer as the ONLY right answer, but not taking into consideration that the problem could have many solutions. 

e.g. 2 x 5 = 10. And 7 + 3 = 10 too. Sometimes the math's in my mind will only see 2 x 5 as the only logical solution for 10 to be the outcome, and all else is wrong. ( not for math's of course, but for life in general) Need some serious work on that.

1) Some aspects of my 'open self' are that I'm always in nature off on walks or runs, I really value creativity - I'm always off sewing something

2) An aspect of my 'open self' that used to be hidden (sometimes still is) is that I tend to come across more of a listener and introverted in groups, but once I warm up I love bouncing ideas back and forth in conversations :)

I'm based in Burnside / Avonhead in Christchurch, mornings or lunch times / weekends usually work best for me

- Libby

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

I would like to share with my new classmates my interest in pursuing this degree. I currently work in workplace conflict and culture. I deliver training for team members and leaders, facilitate conflict mediation, and consult on policy. Through this work I have become more and more interested in conflict and am hoping to use this degree to also work in relationship and family conflict.

My home life is half spent in Orewa with my wonderful 12yr old daughter who spends the other half of her time with my fabulous previous wife. We live one street away and are good friends which I am very grateful for. My new partner lives in Raglan so I spend a lot of time there too. I am originally from the UK, with all of my family still there. 

I have a passion for nature and conservation and spend one day a week as a volunteer guide on Tiritiri Matangi (an open scientific reserve island 4km off the Whangaparaoa peninsula) where many of NZs most endangered bird species enjoy a predator free home.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

Yes, but no ones I have shared here.

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

Apparently, being self-employed, instability in my work can impact me more than I would usually admit to. 

Re WOT week wrangling - my schedule is very sporadic but I will try to be flexible.

Hi, im Liv, im 19 and I teach at a West Auckland Primary School. My friends call me a jack of all trades because I find joy at everything. Im a boxer, Hockey coach, surfer, artist, writer, baker, weight lifter and many other things. I find natural talent in instruments and Drum and Bass mixing. I used to hide my instrumental and mixing talents from my friends and family until I started playing gigs, now they are my biggest supporters. I am apparently very chaotic and calm all at the same time. I am a very relaxed person and very easy going, but I have a chaotic way of getting things done. 

Kia ora, my name is Sam. I’m from Papakura and have whakapapa ties to Te Tai Tokerau. I’m a dad, a creative, and someone who’s passionate about growth and helping others. I’ve always been drawn to people’s stories, and becoming a counsellor feels like a natural step for me. I value empathy, honesty, compassion, and integrity. I think these qualities are essential both in life and in mahi.

Something that used to sit in my hidden area is my disconnection from te ao Māori. I didn’t grow up immersed in it, and for a long time, I felt whakamā about that. But over time, I’ve come to see it not as a disadvantage, but as a part of my journey. It’s something I can actively reconnect with. That shift has helped me move it into my open self, and I now speak more openly about wanting to reclaim that part of my identity.

When I asked my sister for some feedback about my blind spots, she told me that when I’m focused, I can come across a bit closed off or distant, even if I don’t mean to. That gave me something to reflect on, especially as we move into more group based learning. I want to be mindful of how I show up and how hold space for others.

The best time for me to meet online is between 10am-2pm weekdays, 6pm-8pm evenings via teams call. 

1. I’m Kirsten, I’m 35 years old and would describe myself as sensitive, empathetic and my elderly dogs are my world! If you have pets I would happily love to see pictures 😍

2. I’m pretty open in general, but I’ve for sure had periods where I didn’t feel I could be myself around certain people, groups or situations. 

3.  I’ve learnt that sometimes I need to know when to leave a conversation instead of trying to have the last word! (Can’t say I didn’t already know this about myself but it’s a work in progress 😅) 

I’m in Manurewa, I generally have Fridays & Saturdays free, along with Tues and Thurs evenings

Hi everyone! My name is Jazz! 

1. I am 26, Samoan/ NZ European, raised in Weymouth, South Auckland and now living in Paerata Rise. I am the middle child of six and a proud Aunty to 5. I've been working in youth and community wellbeing for the past 5+ years, mainly in mental health and addiction spaces. I started out at 20, right when lockdown hit, and that time really grew my emotional maturity and self- awareness. I absolutely thrive through connection, authenticity, growth, and creating and holding safe spaces. I enjoy being in places and space when they align with my morals and values.

2. I can now confidently say that aspects of my open self that used to be hidden would be what I care about. I used to keep my values and thoughts to myself out of fear of coming across "too confident", but now I feel more comfortable expressing them when the time feels right. 

3. I asked my best friend of 11 years for her gentle constructive criticism. Her response was "slow down". She said, "You can't save the world overnight". We were able to conversate about this and through our years together she has always seen me in my passion and purpose but has also seen me over-extend myself when I should be in my times of mauri noho (stepping back, reflecting and regrounding time for myself)

Ps, I am currently working full time and meeting with any of my classmates online would be best after 4-5pm. However, I am open to creating time during the day as some days there is open gaps in my calendar for group sessions. As for one-on-one messages and calls, I am accessible throughout the day anyway.

Open Self: Warm, friendly, kind, direct, open, calm

Blind: Big heart so am taken advantage of, Think I am like a tomboy but actually quite elegant, Take every criticism to heart, overthink everything

Hidden: Suffer from depression, my mind is always busy and spend too much time stressing about everything

I am free to work every evening, weekend and on a Tuesday and Thursday morning. 

1. I'm someone who really values connection and being real with others. I love listening to people’s stories and learning about what shaped them. I’m always keen to learn more about other people’s perspectives — especially when they’re creative, honest, and come from different backgrounds or experiences. I’ve worked in early childhood sector and also spent time volunteering at my church, which has helped me connect with people in meaningful ways and support others in tough times. 

2. Yes — people often see me as an outgoing, fun, and friendly person when I’m outside or around others. I love connecting with people and having a good, loud laugh. However, I also truly enjoy my alone time and having my own space to recharge. I believe I have very contrasting aspects within me.

3. The other day, my mum told me that I can be a bit too obsessive when I get into a task or focus on solving a problem. I was surprised because I never saw myself that way — I thought I was just being determined and trying to get things done properly. But after thinking about it, I realised that even if my intention is good, the way I approach things might come across to others as narrow-minded or overly intense. It made me more aware of how my energy or focus can affect people around me, and that I might need to slow down sometimes, or be more open to different ways of doing things.

** I am a single mum with a son (20 years old) and a cat, Camo, living in Northshore AKL. I can meet online any evenings during the weekdays and early morning and evenings on weekends! 

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

Kia ora, my name is Zoe and I live in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. I work part time as a support worker (like a number of other people here!) and I live with two flatmates and two cats in Point Chevalier. I immigrated here from the UK when I was 10 and I whakapapa to England and Scotland, potentially through clan Gray but I am not entirely sure. 

Previously I worked in marketing roles but after an extensive mental health break I decided I wanted to work in a role that contributes positively to society and use my ability to listen and understand people in a positive way. 

I'm a direct and open person so am always keen to chat and share ideas. I am excited to learn and grow on this course and want to make the most of my time studying. 

The best days for meeting online would be Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the day although I could make evenings work in a pinch. 

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 
I am open about having ADHD in my work life and in my student life. Previously, when I was working in a corporate work environment, this was something I kept hidden due to concerns about stigma and the environment not being particularly welcoming to neurodivergent people. However, in a helping role it is something I am comfortable sharing and can also help me understand clients more and relate to their  behaviours and attitudes. 

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

I asked a close friend about this and she mentioned that I over-apologise for not being "entertaining" or "on" while we are hanging out. She said she enjoys just being in my presence and I don't have to feel like I need to feel bad if I'm not feeling 100%.

Open self - Kia ora, I’m Amelia. I’m 35, a mum of two, and I live in New Plymouth. I’m neurodivergent (autistic + ADHD) and passionate about mental health and supporting others through life’s challenges.

Used to be hidden - For a long time I kept my neurodivergence to myself, but these days I’m more comfortable sharing it, it’s a big part of how I understand people and the world.

Blind spot - I asked my husband for feedback and he said I might not always speak up in the moment when something bothers me.

WOT Week Group Time - I’m available during school hours (9:30 AM–2:30 PM) or after 7:30 PM once my kids are in bed. A group with other parents or people with similar availability would be great.

Amelia

I live on the sunny East Coast in Gisborne. I have a husband Nic and 3 sons.  Jimmy is 20, River is 16 and Silva is 9. I also have Rylan who is my extra son he is 24y and has lived with us on and off since he was 8y.  His mum is one of my best friends. Before starting this course, I resigned from my role of 22yrs as a massive swimming/water safety advocate for Gizzy and the East Coast.

I am a pretty open person, I love talking with people and figuring things out.  I like helping people, in any way that i can.  As I have aged, I am more open than I used to be.  Also, after I turned 40 I stopped caring so much about what people thought of me.  My blind spot is leaving people to work it out at their pace.  Trusting the process.

I am available mostly during school hours, but I am flexible.  Looking forward to meeting everyone soon. Kia ora.

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

I consider myself to be an extroverted introvert.

I am passionate about supporting others in living healthy, empowered, and connected lives. My expertise lies in the field of somatics, facilitating various embodiment experiences, yoga and meditation, archetypal work, nervous system regulation and supporting others (I work mainly with women) in authentic connection and expression.

I sometimes find it hard to take up space as a leader unless I am in an official leadership role.

I am deeply self-reflective and committed to my personal growth.

I am a very caring person. I love nature. I love animals. I am passionate about living a wholistic life.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'?

My sensitivity, I used to see this as a burden and now I see it as one of my gifts.

Something that has recently moved from hidden/or blind (I think it was obvious to some of my family members) is that I am a bit autistic, this has been an interesting discovery.

I am a single mama, my child free times are Mondays, Fridays and Tuesday mornings

My Open Self

I was a florist before having my two daughters. My hobbies are Woodturning. I'm in the process of completing my National Woodturning certificate through the South Auckland Woodturners Guild. I love creative projects, arts and crafts. Im a problem solver and love to help others, sometimes to my own detriment 

My eldest daughter has Autism and is my inspiration for starting this journey.

I feel like I'm an over-sharer of information sometimes, so not much is hidden 

My blind spot - I asked my mum for gentle, constructive criticism/feedback. I give unsolicited advice, which I have taken on board 

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

Im someone who really loves helping others, a big part of why i want to become a counsellor :) I've always been that friend that people share their thoughts and struggles with so I guess Im a good listener.  I care about people and look forward to helping others as a profession one day.  I enjoy the gym, going for walks and spending time with my family. 

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

Yes, definitely... Ive recently become divorced which has been hard and i bottled up a lot of my feelings to be strong for my young family.  Navigating life as a single mum has definitely had its challenges.  I struggle with self doubt and negative self talk especially in the last few years.  Ive come to the conclusion sharing how Im feeling actually helps build connections with others.  

I have a lot more that I chose to remain hidden.  Im sure as I go on this journey I will learn to become more vulnerable.

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

I asked my mum to give constructive feedback and she has told me I need to 'Ask for help when I need it" I can try and do everything myself which has led to me feeling burnt out.  I feel like this is timely as I'm going to need it.

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

I moved to the Far North 15yrs ago to grow avocados with my partner but when we 'made it', I realised I hadn't found the happiness that was meant to go with that success, so started to question everything about who I was and what my purpose is.  That lead me on a journey to self awareness, authenticity and ultimately to this place.  Sadly my relationship didn't survive this deeply transformative time and I am still in a process of grieving that ending.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

I used to hide my spiritual side out of fear of judgement and being perceived as being too weird for people.  

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

I'll have a go....

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

I am Kiwi born Samoan, married for the past 13 years (been together for 17 years) and have three children. Working fulltime and run step classes on the side with my husband. I'm the youngest of 8 and raised down in Wellington., Lower Hutt.

I'm an extrovert with a tendency of an introvert haha , like to meet new people, outgoing, bubbly and hate confrontation haha  

This is a lot harder than I thought, I lost my Dad last Sep, he was my best friend and he decided to go through the "end of life" process. Being a PI this didn't sit well with my family or extended family as its not a normal practice for us to go through but I stood by my Dad and advocated for him. He had been battling lung cancer for the past 5 years and was slowly deteriorating. Now that he is gone, I have been struggling a lot with it. Think about weather or not it was the right choice to stand beside him and what not. 

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

Yes, a lot, esp. about my Dad and the way he left, also with how I feel about it. I felt ashamed talking about this. but with counselling its helped me be more open about it

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

This my husbands 'constructive criticism' Open communicator - Can overthink some situations - Appreciates physical comforting - Very authentic in caring for others - Expressive in her thoughts - Strong cultural identity

Yes! I can definitely overthink situations, I feel like I'm learning a lot more about that side of me cause I like to dig a hole of no return (haha) I feel sometimes my energy in person can be a bit much and very passionate about things. I love on people who I feel comfortable with 100% and can overshare too haha 

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

I am family-oriented, grateful recovering addict, thankful to be part of this positive space, excited to see where this journey takes me.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

I would keep my recovery journey a secret because I was full of shame and guilt, but I have now learned to draw on my strengths and lived expertise to be proud to share my recovery journey with others in the hopes I can inspire positive change in a person's life.

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

I was told in a nice way that I have to be the one to engage people and not wait to be approached. It's up to me to warm up cold situations. 

1- I would say aspects of my open self are energetic, passionate, bubbly, empathic, loyal and inclusive. 

2-  Yes definitely, I would say growing up I masked my emotions a lot, so I often dampened down my over energetic and passionate personality.

3-  I learnt about my blind spot that I can sometimes rush into things without thinking of the consequences. Also that when I am passionate about something I can be too overbearing with getting my point across. That I need to work on my motivation skills with home tasks that I find boring (eg. cooking).

Aspects of my Open Self: I guess at the core, I am a heart-led, creative, fun, loving, nature enthusiast!  I'm a mum to 3 amazing humans and I'm super excited to start this new chapter for the next half (fingers crossed) of this lifetime.

Aspects of my Open Self that were Hidden: I'm a bit of a dork and most likely nuro-spicy and a bit dyslexic (self-diagnosed). I have quirks that I have learnt to mask over the years.

Blind Spot Feedback from whanau & friends: According to my Step-mum and 2 of my close friends, my blind spots are my empathy and people-pleasing programming. Which is a funny one, because I know I'm an empathic person (Ads make me cry!), but in their view, when these two traits team up, I often put the needs of others before my own. According to my step-mum, "it's your blessing and your curse." 

Who am I?

Hi there, my name is Sabina and I live in New Plymouth.  I have 2 girls at school, aged 11yrs and 8yrs old and we have lots of after school activities.  I'm studying full time and I am not working so my best times for studying, making contact and working together is during 9am - 2.30pm or in the evenings.  I'm really looking forward to getting to know you all during this course.

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

My open self is a kind and quiet person who is generally shy until you get to know me.  I love being in nature - this is where I feel most happy.  My dream is to be in a job where I can help other people with emotional and mentally difficult situations in their life. Once I'm properly trained and grounded as a counsellor I like the idea of working in outdoor nature therapy for some of my counselling sessions.  I am from Finland, but my dad is a New Zealander and we moved to New Zealand when I was 3yrs old.  I have been back to Finland many times and I have a yearning to try living there in the future.  I have a big family in Finland that I dearly miss and this leaves me with a sense of emptiness from time to time.  I also feel the cultural pull to Finland and their way of living as they live a simple family orientated life with nature, surrounded by forest and lakes.  I struggle from time to time with depression and anxiety.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

A couple of aspects of my open self that used to be hidden was my struggle with depression and anxiety.  For my earlier years growing up as a child and teenager I never actually knew that what was happening to me was depression and anxiety.  It probably wasn't until I was in my late twenties that I could clearly grasp what it was.  After that I never told anyone as I didn't want to be seen as weak or a failure.  Then finally it wasn't until I had my first child and I was hit hard with postnatal depression that it was officially recognised from a medical point of view.  This made it easier for me to talk about it openly with my friends and family that I had depression and anxiety.  From then on I have been able to be open about it and it now belongs in my open self.  Plus I have a much better personal understanding of it now, to recognise when it is happening and what I need to do for myself to get better.

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

This was a difficult question for my husband to answer as he felt I was very aware of my behaviours, traits etc.  His answer was that I am too over protective of our children and this is to their detriment.  It hinders them from building independence, resilience etc.  He is 100% correct and he thought I was probably already aware that this is what I do.  I have only recently in the last 1-2years come to accept this is what I have been doing and I am trying to change my behaviour in this regard, but it is a struggle because of my own insecurities and my own hurts from childhood.  I have been reading up about it and attended an education session at school about it and trying to put it into practice.

Hi.

I'm Becs. 

I'm a single Mum to 3 awesome kids, we all have spicy brains in one form or another. Amber is 17 (going on 50), Toby is 13 and Bowden will be 11 in September. I live in beautiful Te Puke in the sunny Bay of Plenty. 

I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and many of the comorbidities that go along with it and unfortunately have passed them onto my kids as well. It's been a journey learning to accept the limitations and allowances I have because of them but am excited for this new journey into a Bachelor of Counselling to begin. This task was an interesting one for me because I feel like I'm a pretty open person with most things in my life. Having a rare disease has taught me that if no one talks about it there are so many that are missing out on knowledge that could potentially save someone's life. The limitations it causes used to be a source of embarrassment for me and i used to be quite private around my illnesses, including having to use a mobility card from time to time. However, by learning to accept and share some of my struggles I believe helps others who are in the same boat. Also, I know of at least 2 people that I've spoken to have since gone on to also be diagnosed with EDS who had no prior knowledge of the illness.

I asked my daughter about my "blind spot" making sure to emphasise the gentle part, because well teenagers can be a bit blunt. The thing she raised was that I cannot always follow my own rules I put in place for the kids. Things like I'll leave a dish on the bench when the rule is to put it in the dishwasher or I'll have the TV louder than what I let the kids have it. My first response was to try justifying my actions. for example, that I have to clean up the bench anyway so it's my own mess I'll be cleaning up. I think I might let it sit for a bit and potentially go ask an adult the same question.

Kia Ora I am Logan McDonald.

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

I am very sociable but some times struggle to find my footing in group conversations but this usually changes and develops when my comfortability gets better as by nature I am usually someone who observes. I have been working in mental health for a few years now supporting young people mainly boys in many complicated issues they unfortunately find themselves in, other than my job I also volunteer as a firefighter in my home town to help support my community further.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

I believe with my volunteering and my work I do it has bought out a more confident side of me that is okay with confrontation as this was something that I struggled with in my earlier youth.

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'.

My blind spot is probably my unwillingness to ask for support even if it is able, this has been bought to my attention many times and is something I am trying to amend proactively.

Working full time I am only really free after 4:30 and on weekends. Being in south Taranaki I am aware a few are in New Plymouth but as this is a bit of a trip for me I am mainly looking for those wanting to study online that can fit my time schedule. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates? I can come across sometimes as loud but quiet to some, i like to think i am extraverted and introverted at the same time. I have a caring nature and a part of that comes from being a mother to my little girl who i love deeply. i like to get things done and enjoy the process, i work well under pressure. My core values come from a te ao Maori perspective and belief system.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? For me feeling overwhelmed and a fear of failure isn't something I'm completely open with or express as an open aspect about myself. Recently i have taken this saying on board that if it scares you then you are in the right direction, so currently sitting with those thoughts and feelings! 

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'.  My cousin told me today that sometimes i can let other people's problems affect my mood and that i need stronger boundaries in place. which i agree and will take that on board, there is always room for improvement and i think apart of being an empathetic person sometimes different energies affect me.

Hi everyone Nicholle here, I am commonly known as Nicky to most of my friends and family. I am 52 and have 2grown children Jessie 32 and Billy 30. I have had full time care of my grandson Axel (11) since birth.  I was raised by Mother along with two older sisters and a younger brother. We all had a very open and honest house hold that was always filled with my many friends and family. My Mum was a trained counsellor and therapist who worked with a lot of youth and adults from all types of backgrounds. I have always been a bit  of an over sharer and now I am a you get what you see with me.  I try to live by the rule of give without expectation. I used to be quite self conscious as a young child but have come to love myself . I think age has taught be that other people opinions of me are not my concern only how I feel about myself really matters. I have gone through a lot in my life and feel if I can help someone heal or find peace in their lives then that is a good thing 

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

It has been a long held dream to become a Counsellor so I am excited for the journey ahead. I am studying the BAC because I want to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. I consider myself to be inclusive, respectful and non-judgmental of people’s differences. I am a mature student with life experience; I am empathetic and care deeply about people. Kindness, honesty and loyalty are traits that I value.

I often doubt myself due to my own insecurities especially when stepping outside my comfort zone.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

Yes, I have not always been open about my self-doubt.

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'.

I asked a family member and a friend, and they both said I have very high expectations of myself and I am very hard on myself. To some extent I was aware of this so perhaps it is not a true blind spot but to receive the feedback indicates I was not aware just how hard I can be on myself.  

Although I am a mature student, this is not my first time studying, I also have a Bachelor of Business so have experience with the demands of tertiary study.  I am based in Whangarei, I am studying fulltime so am very flexible with my availability for group work. The evenings and weekends do get busy but my study is a priority for me so I will always try to be flexible. Looking forward to connecting with you all throughout our study journey. Would be great to touch base with any others that are local to Whangarei at some stage and although I’m not that experienced or confident with online connections I respect the need to embrace it so I am happy to connect with anyone online at any time.

What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?
Hi! My name is Lana, im 31 and im currently residing in Whangarei. I dont have any children, but i do have a small dog named Iroh who is my best friend. I'm a lover of all things creative and im regularly taking up new hobbies and projects. In my spare time you'll find me listening to audio books, playing video games, painting or in the garden.

Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 
I used to be quiet cautious of who i would share myself with mostly due to a fear of judgment.
I'm now alot more open with my feelings and actively try to share my honest thoughts about people and situations when asked. 

Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 
I can be stubborn in my view point when the topic is something that im passionate about. It can be difficult for me to empathize with things that i feel are un-just.


I'm very comfortable with technology so im happy to join in with a group either locally, online, or a mixture!
I'm living in Whangarei at the moment and my time schedule is very flexible i'm easily available Monday - Friday from 10am.

Outside of the assessment I'm also keen to connect with any other BAC students who are interested in socializing and meeting new friends!

Hi everyone! I am 37 and live in Christchurch! I am a wife to Billy, we have been together since we were 17. I'm a mum of 4 - Cameron is 8, Madeline is 6, Lewis is 4 and Angus is 6m. Busy  busy busy but Id never change it. I have amazing support from my parents, my inlaws, my hubby, so I am flexible with times - during the day and weekends, or after 7pm. 

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

I love talking about my children, my family and our life together. The reasons why I am studying counselling, and what I want to do in the future. 

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 
Yes, some things that hurt to talk about but over time and circumstances, have made it easier to discuss. 

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 
My husband said I am not very good at hiding how I feel, its written on my face. If I am with a client I will have to work on holding my emotions better. 

Hi Everyone

I am living in Gisborne. Im studying full time and am available weekdays during school hours and usually after 730pm as well : )

1. I am a single Mum of 3. Both of my parents live in Gisborne as well as my older brother and nephew. I am currently working as a life coach and hypnotherapist and wanted to deepen my knowledge and skills by studying counselling

2. Yes, I used to have a lot of shame around being a single mum, and my daughter having a different Dad from her brothers. I definitely keep some things hidden even now until I know people well enough. 

3. I asked one of my long time friends and her response was that I am incredibly empathetic and I see the positive characteristics of everyone I meet which allows me to build strong and trusting relationships, however this can be an area of concern as some people may take advantage of this and lead my kind nature astray 

Hi all,

Eva and live in Hawkes bay. Full time student so pretty flexible but Fridays.. I worked in the social sector for the last 25 years - mainly in intellectual disability field - especially high complex needs, mental health and dementia. I used to be in senior leadership and management roles but expired in that area :) I have a dog named Milo and a cat named Pepper and are a lot surrounded by my niece and nephew. 

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

Communication is very important to me and I believe I communicate transparently and accurate. I'm always happy to help if someone is stuck or confused. I like to plan ahead and know what I am supposed to do in group works. 

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? I have a strong solution focused thinking and approach and with that, easily take over a space to get things quickly done. I am aware of that and work on stepping back and let others figures it out themselves if I have the answers already.

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. My sister said, that I can easily take on too much and then get overwhelmed and struggle to ask for help. I'm aware of this and will focus on this.

Hi everyone!

I'm Anushka, I'm 20 and will be studying full-time. I live in Mangere East; I am flexible any time with my studies :) 

A little about me: I am the oldest daughter to my parents; I have one younger sister. I work as a casual ward clerk in Middlemore Hospital and I simply love my job! I have been eager to study counselling ever since I was in high school, I took counselling sessions myself and realised how much we can contribute to our community just by helping/ listening to people during their tough times!

Open self:

I am a friendly person with a vibrant nature, it takes me a bit of time to warm up but once I start a conversation, I am unstoppable... I am considerate of others and look out for my peers,

Open self that used to be 'hidden'

I am very open person, I will express my views/feedback in a positive manner. 

Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback'

From a friend: "You took everything to heart"

Frankly, speaking it is true... at some point during my teenage years I would take every feedback to heart and tie a knot around it. As growing up I realised those feedback and comments were for my benefit and helped me mould myself to the young woman I am today 

I am looking forward to meeting you all during our WOT weeks, can't wait to share this new exciting journey with everyone!

Hiya everyone! I’m Misceeanna, I’m 23 and studying full time. I live in Auckland, Mount Eden, and I saw last night a few of you live in South Auckland or over the shore - maybe we could become a group. :) 

Some random things I love are reading, ballet, script writing, and spending copious amounts at markets and op shops. 

I’ve partially studied other things which weren’t the right fit, worked my way up in a previous job, and just generally flailed hopelessly until I realised what I actually want to do with my life. Interestingly, I’ve wanted this since high school, but I didn’t realise it until years later (!)

Open Area:

I’m a very open person, friendly but quiet, and always willing to make connections with people. I’m quite free-spirited and positive, and also deeply intuitive and emotional. The combination of these traits are probably why I want to become a therapist to help people! I’m tidy and organised, but also a bit of a perfectionist which can poorly impact my life. I can also feel significantly anxious and overwhelmed at times, but I still push through which I really appreciate about myself. (It can be such a mission, but I thank my parents for instilling perseverance in me and also myself for taking the time to work through things properly.) 

Blind Spot:

I asked my partner about a weakness of mine, and we discovered that because I do have a perfectionist mindset that I can’t seem to shake, this also means I can be quite strict with myself, meaning sometimes others may also feel that I’m a little judgemental and strict with them also. (Even if I’m not meaning to). The next step for me would be reminding myself that we’re each so different, and we’re all doing our best with the knowledge we have. My life is for me, as is yours for you.

Hi Everyone, 

Some aspects of my open self that I would like to share: Well I am a solo mother to two beautiful, full on, energetic and loving boys who are 5 and 3. I moved to Auckland in March to further my studies and although I don't know anyone it has been the best decision and adventure so far that I could of made for my little family and I. We love the beaches, love having everything so close by. I work in healthcare currently aswell as studying so am very full on, however knowing at the end of all of this it will all be worth it. 

Are there any parts of my open self that used to be hidden? Honestly, not really. I have always been quite open, however I did used to shy a way a little bit when telling people my children have different fathers. I think the stigma around being on my own with two children to two different dads carried a bit of judgement around that, however I have learnt to let that go as it does not define me or my children in the slightest. 

Activity: Who Am I?
Based in East/South Auckland (Whitford/Botany Downs/Howick etc)
Available for groups between 09:30 – 13:30 and evenings after 20:00

What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

My name is Andrew. I’d love to say I’m an open book, but the truth is that I’m more like a book that is technically available to borrow but is on a high shelf, covered in dust and is in the wrong section. I’m married and have one son who started school this year. He’s been diagnosed with ADHD so it’s been a journey of learning all about neurodiversity and trying to be the best parents we can be.

I love story telling. For the last 10 years or so I’ve been running/playing Dungeons and Dragons or other tabletop roleplaying games. It has been how I’ve made my closest friends and found sanity even in the hardest parts of life.

I’ve been on and off treatment for depression and anxiety for most of my life.

Really happy to be moving in a direction that lets me help other people. I just want to make the world a kinder place.

Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

I used to hide my nerdy stuff. I worked in very macho-man industries, and I didn’t want to deal with the ridicule I just knew would follow.

I also tend to talk about depression and anxiety only if I know someone else is struggling.

Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

From a friend: You always deflect when I ask about you or the family.

This was pretty accurate criticism. I have a default assumption that people are only asking those questions to be polite not because they are genuinely interested. This is a facet of myself that I’ve been working on in my personal counselling journey.

Hi there Everyone,

Who am I? 

I am Celia, I am a 39 year old solo Mum of two boys 14&11, with a 8 year old dog Tinkerbelle. I have qualifications in Makeup Artistry and Horticulture, I am also a artist. I live in Christchurch and strive to live as a sustainable life as I can, I love nature, walking in the forest most days.

In my Open Window I will share these aspects about me. I am a creative person, I draw, paint, sew, crochet, bake, these all crossover into the side of my personality which is compassionate as it brings me joy to gift these creations. I am a reliable trustworthy person whether it be turing up for friends, family or professionally. As everyone does, I have had my own journey this far into my life, it has bought me challenges but its what I have learnt about myself through them that I hold most valuable to how I see myself now. I am strong, resilent, accepting and empathetic of any situation as I see them as a opportunity to learn. Learn something about people, nature, life, my own morality.

From my Hidden Window I now express to the people in my life if I feel jealousy, shame or fear of missing out. I use to keep these aspects hidden to myself, but found that didn't do me any good. Especially since I pride myself on being open, honest and true to myself.

From my Blind Window I have come to see aspects of myself as I have learnt from my life experiences. One is I use to talk too much without listening, I'd interupt because I thought either I knew more or better, that I could fix it, solve it. I would also overshare, for a few reasons, I wanted to just take the opportuniy to be heard, but also I wanted to shock, out do others. Becoming concious of these has helped me grow and become more compassionate. There is more I've bought into my Open Window and I look forward to discovering other aspects about myself though this study. 

I asked my mother if she could give me some 'gentle contructive criticism' I explained to her what I had written in my Johari Window. She told me that she couldn't think of anything else to add, that what I'd already put down she would have said, but as we communicate very openly she said I had discovered already my oversharing and talking too much apects.

I am available during the days more than the afternoons, but can be flexible.

Hi Guys, 

Im Lucy from Oakura, Taranaki, 

As you could see last night I live with my 5 yr old daughter Barnie, we live on a farm with dogs, cats, chickens, ect ect, we are very lucky to live very close to Oakura Beach and spend a fair bit of time there, even in winter. 

I have a nursing degree but due some circumstances I have not worked as a nurse since having Barnie, and am currently working as a support worker for Care on Call which works great alongside this degree as it is casual and on my terms, so in saying that for group work I am flexible during the week, and prefer school hours when possible :) 

1. I am a drainlayer by trade and my time in the trades is what helped me learn/understand that I may be of value as a Counsellor because of how open so many very closed off men were towards me. I love working in the trades because I like being outside, thinking on my feet and moving. I also paint in my spare time

2. An aspect of myself that was hidden for a very long time is that I'm gay (I don't know how well hidden) but it is certainly a part of my open self now as an adult.

3. I spoke to my partner about things I may not notice about myself, and he said that at times when I'm nervous I can blurt out random statements and I don't seem to mind if it's unrelated to what's actually going on, it mainly happens during smaller group discussions, so I look forward to noticing once I've done that now.

I am a tradesman contractor so my hours are pretty flexible I tend to just get given days that jobs pop up but aside from those hours I am free during the day and flexible, I'm free most evenings and weekends as well.

1. What are some aspects of your 'open self' that you would like to share with your new classmates?

Family.  Work.  Church.

2. Are there any aspects of your 'open self' that used to be 'hidden'? 

No, I don't think so.

3. Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'. 

I'm open to discuss things, but I am mindful of what to share and what not to share.  I'm aware yet cautious.

Some aspects of my 'open self' that I would like to share:   Having grown up in Gizzy, I now live in Auckland with my husband and two teen/pre-teen children (12 and 15).  I have a background in law and have more recently (in the last 10 years) worked in HR.  I'm super excited to be working towards the third "trimester" of my career and happy to finally discovered found what I want to be when I grown up haha.   I like to think I am a friendly person and am curious about others and enjoy interacting with and getting to know other people.  I am excited to be starting this paper - having done the first two papers in Semester 1.  I look forward to meeting you all in WOT week!  

Aspects of my 'open self' that used to be 'hidden':  I am a bit on the anxious/worrying side, which I'm working on (it's a process).  

Go and ask a friend or family member for some gentle 'constructive criticism' or feedback, then come back to this discussion and share what you learnt about your 'blind spot'.   From a friend: you are more brave than you realise.  They explained that: there are things that I decide to do, which they know I might be anxious about (and have a list of reasons why I might not be able to do / do well), and I do it anyway.   This was interesting to hear and I'm still processing this information - the context of the key example she gave me was quite specific.  I'm going to have a think about whether it applies more broadly, as I don't currently feel I am very brave.  

Times that works best for me to meet online: 3-4.30pm Tuesdays and after 3pm most Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Evenings.