Nienke
30th April 2007, 02:20 PM
Can't believe it, but it's time, today I'm one year in New Zealand!:D
One year ago I got on the plane with my then 3 year old son, exhausted and sad and happy at the same time. On our way to New Zealand and my husband, who left for Auckland 3 month's earlier.
I remember that the first thing I noticed here was the incredibly clear sky filled with stars! Just stared up in amazement, to see so many stars in the middle of a big city.
We bought our house in the first week I was here, fell in love with it the moment we saw it. We were renting a house on the other side of Auckland then where our new home was going to be, which made settling in and making friends difficult at first, as we were just waiting to move to our house. The rental was also very cold and damp, and being the winter that it was we had some tough times in that house trying to keep warm.
Since june last year we are living in Titirangi, and loving it. We put a lot of effort into getting to know the place and getting to know people and making friends and making our new house our new home. That takes time and effort, but is working out fine now, have a circle of friends and a full calendar. I joined the West Auckland Parent Centre as a volunteer, which was a good way to meet new people and learn more about NZ society.
My son went to pre-school as soon as we moved to Titirangi, to learn the language and make new friends. He's settled in very well, enjoying the outdoor life we have here.
Looking back the year has gone by so quickly, and most of it went very well. We do miss our family and friends, but have been fortunate to have family on visits here already. We love the lifestyle we have here, love the west coast and the Waitakeres at our doorstep, and New Zealand's nature and open space.
I realise it's al so very positive :roll , but that's how I feel now after being here for a year!
One year ago I got on the plane with my then 3 year old son, exhausted and sad and happy at the same time. On our way to New Zealand and my husband, who left for Auckland 3 month's earlier.
I remember that the first thing I noticed here was the incredibly clear sky filled with stars! Just stared up in amazement, to see so many stars in the middle of a big city.
We bought our house in the first week I was here, fell in love with it the moment we saw it. We were renting a house on the other side of Auckland then where our new home was going to be, which made settling in and making friends difficult at first, as we were just waiting to move to our house. The rental was also very cold and damp, and being the winter that it was we had some tough times in that house trying to keep warm.
Since june last year we are living in Titirangi, and loving it. We put a lot of effort into getting to know the place and getting to know people and making friends and making our new house our new home. That takes time and effort, but is working out fine now, have a circle of friends and a full calendar. I joined the West Auckland Parent Centre as a volunteer, which was a good way to meet new people and learn more about NZ society.
My son went to pre-school as soon as we moved to Titirangi, to learn the language and make new friends. He's settled in very well, enjoying the outdoor life we have here.
Looking back the year has gone by so quickly, and most of it went very well. We do miss our family and friends, but have been fortunate to have family on visits here already. We love the lifestyle we have here, love the west coast and the Waitakeres at our doorstep, and New Zealand's nature and open space.
I realise it's al so very positive :roll , but that's how I feel now after being here for a year!