So, four long years after getting here, I am, well, still here. My limit was three years, but I have agreed to stay on until my sons finish primary school, mainly because one of them is doing very well in school for the first time in his life. But before you all go ‘AHA! That’s New Zealand for you!,’ I have to dampen your excitement: ironically, his school is about as English as it gets in history and approach (a private boys’ primary boarding school). The more NZ typical primary school didn’t work for him at all. So no, sorry, not a point to go on the ‘pro’ side of my list.
I am still living through various stages of grief and am now at number 28b:resignation paired with a large dose of denial interspersed with some delusion that the end of this ordeal is near. We have jobs, friends, a house (not ours, but still a house), family (not mine, but still family) and to most intents and purposes ‘live’ here. However, the longer I’m here, the more I grieve for things that we have given up. Some we are never going to get back, even if we return to England tomorrow.
I don’t want to get into a long detailed tirade about what I don’t like about NZ. I think that is usually quite clear from my other posts (and an array of random thoughts to be collected in my forthcoming publication ‘The Whinger Monologues.’ Just kidding) But in general, I miss some form of intellectual life and drive here. If that makes me sound snobbish, so be it. I miss intelligent commentary in newspapers, critical thinking, educated criticism, and an interest in the world out there that goes beyond ‘aren’t we lucky to live here?.’ I miss a grounding in historical context, appreciation of intellectual skills and a sense of pride in a job well done rather than settling for the mediocre. I understand that it isn’t necessary to spell all words correctly even in the printed press in order to get the meaning across, but why not try? Why not show some attention to detail, and spell the ads on the back of a bus correctly?
And yes, people rightly point out to me that there are online overseas newspapers to get the social and political commentary from (some even using words with more than two syllables!). And yes, it is witty commentary. But it is written by writers abroad about events that are happening somewhere else to people who happen to live someplace else. And that about sums it up for me. NZ: it is just not happening here for me!
Daniela
PS: the actual anniversary is not till Tuesday, but Fridays are the better day for this kind of thing