THOUGHTS FROM NEW ZEALAND
Vol. 3
Three weeks from today, I will begin my long journey home. I take off from Auckland on July 9th at 9:30 pm. I arrive in LA at 2:40 pm (Thursday still/again). I take off for Chicago at Midnight and land at 6:00 am Friday morning. My final leg - Chicago to Boston - leaves at 7:00 am and lands at 10:35 Friday morning. I am exhausted just typing it out!
When people comment about me being "stuck" in New Zealand, I quickly correct them. I have never felt stuck here. Although I have stayed twice as long as originally planned, this time with Michael, Jamie and Amelia has been such a gift. I figured it out; I have actually spent more time with Amelia since she was born than away from her. I NEVER THOUGHT THAT WOULD HAPPEN! I have experienced such joy watching her take her first steps, watching as she asserts her independence. I see her personality starting to blossom. She is curious and precocious. She loves books and music and dancing. She is learning sign language and has uses "more" when she wants more to eat or drink or if she wants us to re-read a favorite book.
I have had the gift of time with Michael and Jamie as well. Time to cook, enjoy great wine, great conversation. As a family we have had some nice weekend getaways and fun little day adventures. These are memories I will cherish forever!
But after six months, it is time for me to come home. It's time for this family to create their routines as a family of three. And it's time for me to go home and figure out what life is going to be like for me under the new rules. That is going to take some getting used to! All restrictions have been lifted here because the virus has been contained and is no longer in the general population. I will have to self isolate for 2 weeks when I get home. I will be taking up residence on the second floor. This will be interesting!!!!
But right now I don't really know what I'm going home to. I don't think I will be able to work because the preschools won't be opened yet. I'm not sure I can teach my yoga classes out on the base yet. I'll have to get some masks so I can go to the grocery store. Truth be told...I'm a little anxious about coming home. The number of cases keeps going up. People are so divided about social distancing, wearing a mask, being with other people.
Then there is all the social unrest and political shenanigans.I have to say, I have enjoyed the peace of mind I have here. I run. I work out. I practice my yoga. I've taken a few on line classes. I have enjoyed cooking here. Stephen is in big trouble when I start cooking again. Michael and Jamie like very spicy food and I have grown accustom to it. I have acquired a taste for tagines and curries and a variety of new spices. I hope that I can continue to enjoy this simpler life when I get home.
Yes, I have enjoyed a wonderful six months here. When I got here, it was summer. As I leave it is winter (cool and rainy most days, but nothing like winter in New England). I am coming home to summer. Good timing on my part! I am looking forward to catching up with family and friends (whatever that will look like). I want to run around my nice FLAT neighborhood, although 6 months of hill training has been great for my speed and endurance. I'm looking forward to running my virtual Falmouth Road Race to support Heroes in Transition. I want to walk to the spit; meet my friends for coffee at Cape Cod Coffee. I want to see Cait and have Tim come home for a visit.
It is time for me to come home! Three more weeks! Two weeks of quarantine! Mark your calendars...July 25th I can come out to play. I wonder what the rules will be by then???????
I have had the gift of time with Michael and Jamie as well. Time to cook, enjoy great wine, great conversation. As a family we have had some nice weekend getaways and fun little day adventures. These are memories I will cherish forever!
But after six months, it is time for me to come home. It's time for this family to create their routines as a family of three. And it's time for me to go home and figure out what life is going to be like for me under the new rules. That is going to take some getting used to! All restrictions have been lifted here because the virus has been contained and is no longer in the general population. I will have to self isolate for 2 weeks when I get home. I will be taking up residence on the second floor. This will be interesting!!!!
But right now I don't really know what I'm going home to. I don't think I will be able to work because the preschools won't be opened yet. I'm not sure I can teach my yoga classes out on the base yet. I'll have to get some masks so I can go to the grocery store. Truth be told...I'm a little anxious about coming home. The number of cases keeps going up. People are so divided about social distancing, wearing a mask, being with other people.
Then there is all the social unrest and political shenanigans.I have to say, I have enjoyed the peace of mind I have here. I run. I work out. I practice my yoga. I've taken a few on line classes. I have enjoyed cooking here. Stephen is in big trouble when I start cooking again. Michael and Jamie like very spicy food and I have grown accustom to it. I have acquired a taste for tagines and curries and a variety of new spices. I hope that I can continue to enjoy this simpler life when I get home.
Yes, I have enjoyed a wonderful six months here. When I got here, it was summer. As I leave it is winter (cool and rainy most days, but nothing like winter in New England). I am coming home to summer. Good timing on my part! I am looking forward to catching up with family and friends (whatever that will look like). I want to run around my nice FLAT neighborhood, although 6 months of hill training has been great for my speed and endurance. I'm looking forward to running my virtual Falmouth Road Race to support Heroes in Transition. I want to walk to the spit; meet my friends for coffee at Cape Cod Coffee. I want to see Cait and have Tim come home for a visit.
It is time for me to come home! Three more weeks! Two weeks of quarantine! Mark your calendars...July 25th I can come out to play. I wonder what the rules will be by then???????
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