Thursday, February 7, 2013

Go Big then Go Home

Venturing off to a foreign land was certainly an interesting way to start a marriage, but we have grown immeasurably because of it. When we left, we had the idea to stay here and live for a while, possibly gaining residency. Since then, we’ve come to the realization that NZ really isn’t much different than The States in the aspects that are most important to us. As Jenny from Big Fish would put it, “If nothings gonna change then I’d just assume it not change in the way things haven’t been changing all this time.” We can find what we want in the U.S. while being closer to our families and not run the risk of being booted out of the country. We kept hearing people say they wished they had stayed and lived here, well we’ve gotten a taste of living abroad in NZ and although it is beautiful, it still falls victim to the ills which every country succumbs to. With this as the case, we set our sights on Oregon where we plan to forge our own version of a home.

What we’ve learned in NZ:
2.     The world is smaller than you think (yes, in a big philosophical way, but we’ve also seen multiple people with Colorado shirts on, one campsite owner whose son lives in CO, and the brother of the people we housesat for lived in Bozeman for a few years)
3.     What ‘essential’ means- surviving out of a suitcase & a car while stifling the urge to by because of want 
4.     The skills to integrate into a new culture
5.     Great teachers exist regardless of educational style

What we’ll miss:
1.     Morning tea time
2.     The ocean
3.     The beautiful people we’ve come to know
4.     Meat pies (not so much Chris, but man I’ve gotten use to egg, ham & cheese pies J)
5.     No tipping

What we’re looking forward to:
1.     Knowing where everything is in the grocery store (or at least be familiar with the logic behind it!)
2.     Target & Michael’s
3.     No more 15% GST on everything (Oregon doesn’t have sales tax at all!)
4.     Creating the things I’ve pinned (I’m about to burst with great ideas from Pinterest!)
5.     And of course, FAMILY!


We jet off Saturday evening at 7pm and arrive in CA at 10:30 Sat morning- creating the longest Saturday EVER. At the moment, we’re mostly anxious and just want to be on the plane with our luggage checked in! Soon enough!
The relationships we’ve created here are priceless and we will cherish them for the rest of our lives. Honestly, it is because of these fabulous people that our trip has unfolded so flawlessly. Congratulations, you’ve made the Christmas Card List.

People say, “Go big or go home!” Well, Chris and I have gone big and now we are happy to return home. You can have both.

My head is already in the clouds, so here are some pictures.
See you soon ‘Merica.


Maori start to the 6 hour hike 






Dinner & drinks with Lauren and Simon who we met on our hike 


Lunch with our German friends, Elisabeth & Melina, in Christchurch 

Hard to imagine the devastation 


A freshwater eel 

Jailhouse Hostel in Christchurch 









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