[Sam B]

It is! Life is good! Despite my Dad's tabloid style exploits and poor health, and despite the bl***y exchange rate, I feel really happy and I can say truthfully that I really feel like we have a better life here. I finally feel like we're past the main upheaval and it's all good. Now we're past the grinding hard work of the emigration process, and the stomach-churning unfamiliarity of the first few months, and I really feel settled and quite often deeply content.

The weather is a big factor. The winter was short and the sunshine is plentiful and this really helps me to feel more cheerful in general. I now have the prospect of a really long and proper summer ahead. The other thing is, we just keep having the most wonderful weekends away, the Coromandel last weekend, Rotorua this weekend, and everywhere is just so amazing. We had such a good time in Rotorua this weekend, I kept bursting into Maria standing on a mountain in the Sound of Music style song. On Saturday we went kayaking on Blue Lake (perfect) and had an after-dark walk to look at glow worms in a forest. On Sunday we took a boat to Mokoia Island in the middle of Lake Rotorua (pest free nature reserve) and we were the only people on the island and it was beautiful and full of rare birds, I don't think I've ever felt so happy.

In between the weekends, work is fun and not too arduous. I like working in Tokoroa, the people are lovely.

So all of you on the emigration grindstone - it is worth it I reckon, and if you can get through the first emotionally exhausting few months, well - for me anyway, it's all been worth it.

Here are some photos of Mokoia Island:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_3649.jpg

a saddleback
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_3666.jpg

[Sam B]

looking at birds

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_3623.jpg

waiting for the boat

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t118/brydons_2007/DSC_3694.jpg

[kiwidebs]

What a lovely positive post. Must admit that the sunshine today made me feel good about life. Love the pics - esp the Saddleback.

Debs

[gil]

Fabulous post Sam and fabulous photos (as always ;))

So glad you are finding happiness here,
Lots of love

Gil
xx

[willsken]

Glad to see you feel so happy Sam. The sunshine plays a great part and I, like you, am enjoying the sunshine and I'm looking forward to the long summer ahead. :nice1

[Milliemoo]

Love that last picture.... sums it all up :nice1

I think the weather makes a huge difference. The past couple of days have been especially glorious :D

Milliemoo

[SharpBlade]

Yes, you are right, Sam, life is good! This country is beautiful and I can`t get bored with the views from our house, althought it is mainly tree tops and hills (and houses). Lots of things make me happy, like the kids`school, the plagrounds at around town, the lovely flowery bushes, etc etc.. or maybe I am just on a high (seeing that I am in late pregnancy, it could be !).
Anyway, good to see you happy, hope your dad is better.
You take great pictures!
Laura

[Familyofmonkeys]

I love your piccies. I think we should start a new thread showing some places we have visited. Think i'll do it now.

[Lupin]

Beautiful post Sam :) :)

[Helsandfamily]

How great to hear such contentment!

Hels

[jubjub]

Well you certainly have settled in well now!

I like the lazing on the fence pic..

[bmi]

Stop it Stop it !!!

Such happiness is more than suspicious and politically incorrect. Somebody should report you to the Ministry of deep sadness and traffic jam.

Have you ever have a sensitive though towards us poor guys still expecting a positive outcome from our lengthy immigration process?

Also do you realize that your post can trigger a massive arrival of (il)legal immigrants in NZ?

:nice1

[pinkpiggy]

Sam, what a great post and great pics! You and the girls look totally relaxed, very happy and content. :D

I hope things improve with your dad very soon.

[Steadybears]

What a lovely post - just what i needed to make me think we all doing the right thing and now cant wait to get there . Loved the photos - would love to see everyones photies to make us all want to make the move today.

Cheers Jayne

[Carey]

Sure looks lovely; from here in UK where its dark before I'm home from work, it's even more enticing. Keep the photos coming for us playing the waiting-for -a-job game.
Enjoy it all!

[victoria]

In a nutshell Sam. Thanks for that.

[wilson182]

I remember your post after you had been here for a few months Sam and its really nice to see that things have completely turned around for you. I keep looking at your photos with utter and complete jealousy!!!!!!! Keep enjoying

Debs xx

[thezorbster]

So glad to see you so happy Sam, what a lovely 'living life' post. We too are now looking forward to weekends of exploring now the weather seems to have turned a corner.
:)

[Kim39]

Your words are totally different now than the words on the phone a few months back Sam. Glad to read and hear that you feel a lot more settled in yourself. Keep it up:nice1


Kim

[Pookeko]

Yay! Great photos too! :nice1 :D

[CjChris]

Very nice to see this...thanks for letting us know how things are with you and the family!

The pictures are lovely, and your happiness is certainly a boost to all those still trying trying trying to get here. Everyone needs a dose of good news, eh?:nice1

Christine