[katandbob]

ONE YEAR TODAY…..

Well its 12noon, we have officially been in New Zealand one year.(MarieP picked us up from Auckland Airport, and we spent the bank holiday weekend with them):che ers

So, do I feel we have accomplished what we set out to do when we arrived?

The answer is a hard one, and a simple Yes or No doesn’t quite do it….

So I will have to reply – I think we were naïve, and that it will take more than 12 mths to make us feel settled.

We have jobs – not our Dream Jobs – but ones that pay the bills, and are ok for the foreseeable future.

We have our home – I got one dream – Land and horses, I just have to get that final hurdle of not having to work full time so I can actually enjoy having them!

Its Winter and today is a dull damp day – nothing like the sunny day we had stepping out of the plane in Auckland, But hey we are now at the other end of the South Island, so what did I expect!

There is a hint of blue skies out my window, and most of our weather is brought from the west, or NorWest, it rained most of the night, and since the weather forecast is for rain for the whole of the bank holiday weekend – I will be pleased that we have a dry day, as I can put a Jumper on!

My dream of our boys and us being here didn’t turn out the way I hoped (this is probably why I don’t feel settled) But Jason is getting on with his life here, making plans for his future – and it will be a better future than the one he’d have had back home – SO THAT’S One of my Goals attained - so the score I suppose when it comes to my boys is 1-0 ;)

Broadband is another stumbling block, and this is my warning to those yet to buy in NON CBD Areas of I NZ and to those at the beginning of the process – IF you WANT to keep in contact via skype, etc then YOU NEED A DECENT BROADBAND connection. Thank god we have Woosh Wireless in our area! Or we’d be on Dial-UP (YUK)

I have used my ingenuity and have a process of ringing on the house phone and launching the video of MSN, and I can get a slow but decent video connection to see my Daughter and Grandson.

As to Leisure time – with only the weekend off, and tons of Chores/.DIY – we haven’t done much exploring or leisure activities since Rachel’s visit in January. But its still there waiting for us – so I will have to be patient and wait till the DIY is done, and our weekends are free once again.

We have a few friends here – But we also enjoy our space, so its nice to have the choice.

I am not going to post an essay today, I have too much to be doing else where!

So to finish I guess I can say – I am glad we made the choice to try it out, I am happy to BE in NZ, and look forward to seeing what next year brings.:nice 1

Kat:exit

oh and I get to wake up to this ..

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Katnbob2006/Sunrise%20Pictures%202007/DSC01153.jpg[/IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/Katnbob2006/Sunrise%20Pictures%202007/DCP_0104.jpg

[Pip]

great post.. its always really interesting to share in other peoples experiences. We are only three months in and already we've had some ups and downs, so no idea what we'll be like when we get to one yr!

thanks for posting...:)

[Lupin]

Wow! Has it really been a year already?

You've acheived a lot in one year Kat, congratulations :raebanana

[StevieD]

Good post Kat, nice pics too. :nice1

[wiki]

Great to read the post Kat - in some ways your journey has been particularly difficult because Southland doesn't have the ex-pat network of say even Chch where you could dump some of your frustrations and concerns. But considering how much you and Rob have achieved on your own, you've done brilliantly!

I raise a glass to your next year, and all the years ahead :cheers

[Marie P]

Great post Kat !

Heres to your next year :cheers

Marie x

[Cardy]

It doesnt seem 5 minutes since we all met up for a meal in tirau when you first arrived. Nice post:)

Cardy and Bev

[leachio]

A good read, thanx for sharing x

[jubjub]

I should have remembered your anniversary, we missed each other at the Auckland airport by just a couple of hours, going in opposite directions!

Lovely pics....

[stu70]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Great pics by the way. Hope there are many many wonderful years ahead of you in NZ. Cheers

[benandclare]

Lovely post cheers for sharing :cheers

[zardell]

My Goodness Kat - the last 12 months have simply flown by.

Remember the meal we had together at Winsford ? The name of the pub escapes me.

You said that Rob had always promised you'd get your horses back and now you have - OK, so it took a while, but well worth the wait....:nice1

It won't be another 12 months before we have another one of these together........:cheers ........promise.


Julie.

xx

[willsken]

I can't believe how quickly time flys. You haven't had an easy start but heres hoping all the rest of your dreams come true!! :yes

[marcia]

Flippin eck - doesn't seem that long since you were at our house in Uk, with only a couple of weeks to go. Time flys doesn't it.

Hope we'll have a chance to catch up face to face at some point in the future. Now Kev's bought his superstock, we may venture down to SI for the racing!

heres to the next year :cheers

[Kim39]

Just to echo the old NW members thoughts that yes 12 months has flown by. Doesn't seem so long ago we met up with you enroute going South in Tirau and had that meal along with Cardy. Glad all is happening for you and Rob, seems as if things have panned out just right for you, and here's to the next 12:cheers


Kim