Has it really been that long?

[peebles16]

Well hello there tis been a while – over 3 years now since we made the big move to NZ… Not sure how many folks will still remember us as it’s been a while since I’ve posted regularly but I still pop in from time to time to check out what is going on in ENZ land.

Now where to start?? Well of course for us the last year has been pretty much occupied by the two major earthquakes we had here in Canterbury. I say Canterbury cos through work I’ve been prettily heavily involved in the welfare response and recovery in Kaiapoi as it was very badly damaged in the September event – a fact the media irritatingly seemed to ignore at the time. However, obviously life as we know here has completely changed after the February quake and the recovery from that will be a long and arduous process.

Explaining the earthquakes to folks back in the UK and more so why we wouldn’t just jump ship and leave was a difficult one for us – no-one really had a similar experience and most found it very hard to relate to. I have to say the compassion, strength, determination and sheer bloody-mindiness of Canterburians in the face of such colossal disasters was enough for us to know we made the right choice moving here, that we wanted to stay, be part of the recovery and that it was indeed home

So earthquakes aside we are all doing pretty well as a family. Both the boys are very settled at school each with a great group of friends and academically doing a really good job. We’ve had a few run-ins with one parent in relation to my youngest boy with some fairly horrible incidents of adult bullying child but the school have been fantastic and dealt with it really well – could have happened anywhere but impressed with the school’s response They both enjoy heaps of activities including swimming, fishing, tennis, cub scouts, soccer and event the odd bit of rugby – basically they never sit still for long….

Both me and OH enjoy our jobs and I’m just about to move into another role within the local council supporting earthquake recovery so am really looking forward to that challenge… We’ve got a really good, tight network of friends that we socialise a lot with and share camping trips and holidays with. OH has enjoyed improving on his golf game and has even been known to play the odd game of squash…

Just an observation that our closest friends are expats and IMHO that’s because I tend to make friends through shared experiences and we seem to have more in common. It hasn’t been a deliberate choice and I do have a quite a few kiwi mates but we just aren’t as close… Just reflecting on that fact though it’s not like we all sit round lamenting the fact that we miss the UK or indeed talk about the UK at all so wonder why that is – odd??

So all in all we are happy and pretty settled If money were no object life would be easier as we are still no nearer buying our own place mainly due to the difficulty in saving when you are entertaining visitors from the UK regularly…. A visit back to the UK to see OH’s elderly rellies would be ideal too but hey, now I’m just being greedy…

All the best

Karen x

[benandclare]

Nice one Karen and really must get together with Duncan and compare "swings "

[Sam B]

Great post Karen and lovely to hear from you. I also have a disproportionate number of ex-pat friends. My theory is that they, like me, are looking for new, deeper friendships, whilst Kiwis aren't. I like Kiwis just as much - but none of them need to replace lost friendships like I do.

Here's to many more years.

[JandM]

Lovely to have the update.

[mptopham]

Great update

[ralf-nz]

Good to read - and all the best up there!

Just an observation that our closest friends are expats and IMHO that’s because I tend to make friends through shared experiences and we seem to have more in common. It hasn’t been a deliberate choice and I do have a quite a few kiwi mates but we just aren’t as close… Just reflecting on that fact though it’s not like we all sit round lamenting the fact that we miss the UK or indeed talk about the UK at all so wonder why that is – odd??

I understand that you use expat in the meaning of UK expats. Or are there expats from other countries amongst them?

With us it is not so much that other expats and especially not from our former home countries are our friends. But there is quite a high percentage of Kiwis amongst them who spent themselves (quite) some time overseas.

[peebles16]

Good to read - and all the best up there!




I understand that you use expat in the meaning of UK expats. Or are there expats from other countries amongst them?

With us it is not so much that other expats and especially not from our former home countries are our friends. But there is quite a high percentage of Kiwis amongst them who spent themselves (quite) some time overseas.

Mostly UK expats to be honest although I've one close SA friend but maybe that's linked back to the years I spent in Africa - who knows I tend to agree with SamB, I had a really close group of girlfriends prior to emigrating (as most women do) and I've actively pursued that and, lo and behold tis happened... It was vital for me to find that group of friends around me that I could be close to, rely on and care about because that's what I have always had throughout my life experiences and it's just as important to me now

Karenx

[themilkybarkid]

Just nice to hear you and your family are happy and settled and feel good about what you've got and value where you are.

I think I remember a couple of years ago (unless I'm mistaken) I replied to a post you'd written when you were missing the UK and wondering whether NZ compared well enough. I was likening the move to NZ like a relationship and saying it's just not a good place to be to keep going back and wondering if your ex was better.

So it's great to catch up and read such a positive experience of living in NZ.

I do value the updates that people give after different time spans

Great! Pleased for you

[Manks]

Nice update and glad to hear things are working out well for you, despite the shakes.

I also relate to the comments about having more ex-pat friends than Kiwis. I'd love to have more Kiwi friends so I don't seem like a fraud! But I've not found that many that really extend the offers of a deeper friendship. I don't know if it's cultural or what! But I do think the shared experiences bit has a lot to do with it.