Almost 6 months in......

And here is what we think about our life in New Zealand.

Mike: "I like the big fish!"

Miss M: "I like going to school and going on trips!"

Master W: "I like 'cool (school)! And the sheep!"

And for me? Well, I do continue to like it here a lot. Exploring the natural beauty of the South Island, the increased amount of time we spend together as a family compared to our life in Portland, biking to work, the slower pace of life, the new discoveries that we seem to make each passing day, Miss M getting to start school, the kid and family friendly attitude of the kiwis, working in a universal health care system, edibles like afghan cookies, antibiotic-free beef and lamb and the taste of sauvignon blanc and lest I forget, the sheep herd that lives in "our" backyard (which has gotten notably thinner in recent weeks.....but we won't go there....)


But, given the passing of my dad and my quick trip back to Oregon, the reality of how far away we are from our friends and family has really hit home in recent months. We just had a wonderful, fun-filled visit from my mom and saying goodbye to her was torture. In talking with other immigrants, this is always the issue that sends people back "home" after a few months or a few years, though many of these same immigrants report that their overall quality of life is better in New Zealand. I must remind myself daily that the 6 month anniversary is a notoriously hard one for most immigrants and that "home sickness" tends to strike at this time. I can definitely say that this is holding true for me.

When we came here in August, 2009, we said we would be here for at least 2 years, in the hopes of gaining our Indefinite Return Resident Visas, and at that time we will evaluate whether we will stay semi-permanently in NZ or return to Oregon for the next part of our lives. That goal still stands but from where I stand now.....well, we will just have to wait and see what transpires. For now, we will continue to explore this beautiful place and enjoy our time together.

Summer in the city

Christchurch has come to life in the last 2 months with all kinds of shows, activities, festivals and celebrations. In December, the Christchurch City Council mails out a booklet to all households which outlines the myriad of activities going on in and around the city. So off to the city center we went today where we enjoyed some food cart sausages, arts and crafts markets and some street performers.

Today is also Waitangi Day, a celebration of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi which you can read about here. We happened upon a performance of music and storytelling by a Maori group. They also performed a haka which we can share with you. While W naps, Miss M and Mike are at the neighborhood park enjoying a game of cricket and net ball. We hope you are having a good day too.

More photos

Endeavoring for a return to normal

....although frankly, I am not sure what that is anymore. Let's have a little recap of the past 12 months or so, shall we?

Decided to move to New Zealand and began immigration process. Also started looking for jobs. Put house on market (note: it must be mentioned that this was our first house that we fixed up, where we married in the backyard, and where we birthed both of our babies in the dining room). Job interview. Offer on house. Offered job in New Zealand. Packed and moved out of house (bye bye sweet house) and into temporary living quarters. Immigration process completed with an offer of permanent residency. Packed up boxes to send to New Zealand. Quit job of 9 years. Goodbyes to dear friends and family. Fly to New Zealand. Buy car. Travel with loaded car and two weary young children down to the South Island. Start new job in new healthcare system. Find place to live. Move into rental house. Working. Exploring our new home, settling in. Dad has a stroke. Fly back to Oregon after only 3 months in NZ and 10 weeks in my job. Dad dies. Say goodbye again to family and friends. Fly back to NZ. Miss M starts school. Christmas away from family and friends. Mom visits for 3 weeks. Miss M and Mr W both start school.

And breathe.....

Live nude seals

On our visit to Farewell Spit, we hiked to Wharariki Beach where we encountered a group of seals who put on quite a show. Enjoy!

Our first visitor...

As most of you know, my mom is here for a visit. We are having a grand time. We have spent time in Kaikoura, Puponga and Farewell Spit, Nelson, and Christchurch. Tomorrow we are off to Hanmer Springs for the weekend. Not much time for writing but we can at least share a few pictures.

Arthur's Pass

A wonderful day up in the alpine splendour of the Southern Alps helped us ring in the new year of 2010. One of the highlights was our encounters with the world's only alpine parrot. That's right, an alpine parrot. The kea is a big bird and, as they are ubiquitously called in these parts, very cheeky. They will come up to you sipping a latte at a cafe and literally steal the fork off your plate just for a few avian giggles. Beware!! Also, don't leave your windows open too far when you go on your day hike. Upholstery is very susceptible to parrot beaks. The lupine was stunningly in bloom and the Waimakarari River was braided with a fresh melting of snow and a recent nor'wester storm. Nature truly rules in these parts. Also, the waterfall was a wonderful reward for a brief day hike which Miss M. managed with only an incidental bribe of ice cream. Oh, and did we mention that the day started off at 33 degrees Celsius and ended at 15 degrees. All this in the span of about six hours. Never a dull moment....