On New Zealand, 4 years

As you have likely discovered, we are relocating to San Jose, Costa Rica in November.

I feel extremely sad to be leaving Christchurch and what I consider, quite a great network of life changing people.

I have also learned quite a lot about myself, our relationship, other people and how the USA is viewed in this sector of the world. My goal here in New Zealand, and whenever I travel, was to be the best American people meet. I do not do this out of falsehood for my personal beliefs or personality, but because I might be the only American some people ever meet. This does not mean I am the loudest American, most boastful, most drunk or most aggressive (how the world generally sees us).  I also love people, and find them endlessly fascinating. you can learn something from everyone you meet. you just have to be quiet and listen.

 Living in New Zealand has taught me many things. All of which I find extremely valuable and will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. You do not have to be in a hurry 

2 . it's OK to take time off of work, even if that means 'no pay'

3. you should know what is in your food

4. most Kiwi's are very humble, a lesson more people can take

5. Fuel is expensive; walk more, bike more

6. Everything is expensive; buy less

7. Kiwi fruit comes in two colours, green and golden, both delicious

8. Every fruit and vegetable should not be available in all seasons

9. You are completely isolated, your network of friends and particularly your husband, is extremely precious

10. The world is small

11. No one knows where New Zealand is located and no one knows what time it is in New Zealand (and no one really cares)
12. you will miss major events and your family and friends back home, all the time
13. people will say they will visit, but they won't and it will break your heart, so enjoy your time and take advantage of all opportunities that come your way

my most favourite things I've done/seen in New Zealand, in non-specific order
1. THE BIRDS ARE AMAZING! Bell birds, fantails, pukeko, tui (two voice boxes), kea, morepork...
1. hiked the Banks Peninsula Track
2. spent the night in Muller Hut
3. spent the night in Mt. Brown Hut
4. dined at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Wellington
5. flew to Stewart Island and landed on the sand of Mason's Bay
6. saw a giant kiwi in the wild (bird not person)
7. saw a takahe in captivity
8 paddled on Doubtful Sound, saw amazingly athletic circus dolphins
9. Lake Ohau
10. met Dan Carter
11. the seals in spring at Kaikoura , so wild hopping through the forest
12. Apollo Power Yoga in Christchurch CBD

13. Mauria hot springs 

14. breathtaking Lindis Pass
15. Godley Head walkway

Lindis Pass

Godley Head Walkway

my most favourite things I've consumed in New Zealand
1. green mussels
2. bluff oysters
3. pork and watercress pie at Hillmorton bakery
4. steak pie and custard square at Sheffield bakery
5. mushrooms on toast and flat white at Café Lumes on Fitzgerald
6. any pies at the Te Anu pie shop
7. flat white from Laneways Espresso on Durham Street
8. any food from the Monday Room
9. The wine and plentiful wine regions! special mention to Pyramid Valley Winery

10. The soup at Cafe Primo e Secundo in Methvan 

11. Pic's peanut butter 

11b. Marmite (just kidding)

The work in Christchurch has been interesting and I feel proud to have contributed positively to the Christchurch Earthquake recovery efforts though my time at SCIRT and CERA. I have been fortunate to meet literaly hundreds of people from all over the world and now have the pleasure of adding them to my network. I cannot speak highly enough of the the friends we have made here in Christchurch and the numerous adventures we have taken.

I will miss you all dearly and cannot wait to welcome you in Costa Rica with my broken Spanish. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives, city and country, e noho ra. xx

September - December 2013

The blog posts will be coming fast and furious now, recapping in 6 month (or so) increments.
in October 2013 we went on a wedding planning trip to California and purchased wedding bands in Boston. It was a whirlwind. We stopped by Michigan to say hello to the family there and to California to help Lisa celebrate her birthday and visit June and Grandma Choko.

We also moved from the beach to the central city. we were a bit apprehensive about this at first, but we soon got used to the quick commute to work and more free time in the evenings. Forrest also
benefited greatly from less road rage.

Avon River - Central City

Boston

Lobster in Boston

Michael and Ellen

Halloween

Wine Tasting in CA with Lisa

Visiting Big Trees State Park

June, Choko, Forrest

Chocolate School at She Chocolat

Thanksgiving set up

Thanksgiving Friends

Great Santa Run year 3

message from Mom

a real Christmas tree in our new place! 

Bob and Sheila visited (Forrest Dad and his wife) for Christmas. It was lovely to have visitors for the holiday. We travelled to Wellington via train and ferry before Christmas and then went to Fjordland and Queenstown after Christmas.

FoodBox - FoodCreation 1

I am sure by now you've seen my Facebook posts proclaiming the wonderfulness of the local food co-op that started here in Christchurch a few weeks back. 
If you missed it, i can summarize. For $20 I've received all of the pic pictured items, delivered to my door. check their website

Tonight, I complied my first meal from this box (actually, a beautiful jute bag) of food. Four days post delivery; the meal turned out fantastically.  I would actually refer to this meal as happiness in a bowl.  Even my beet hater, Forrest, 'they taste like dirt!', loved the soup!
I followed this recipe, borscht, pretty much exactly. additions were: three cloves of garlic (from the delivery) with the onions and a few sprinkles of dried dill throughout the cooking time.  Top tip: wear black clothing when match sticking the beets and some latex gloves, otherwise you and your kitchen will resemble a murder mystery sitcom.
Now, if you study my photos closely, you will likely see that my match sticking is not quite at professional level (my sister the chef won't be too impressed, sorry E!)... nor is my cabbage shredding. and I'm fairly certain that the Russians would not refer to this soup as borscht, but it matters not, the soup was absolutely divine. Beautiful sweet and earthy flavour. Even better, easy enough to prepare post-work.