Best wishes to you all for 2008

OUR SECOND CHRISTMAS IN NEW ZEALAND !!

Wow, I can't believe it has been a year since I last updated our Blog! I knew it had been a while, but hadn't expected it to be THIS long. It'll take me a while to think about the past 12 months, all we've been upto, all that has been achieved, all the changes that have taken place. I'll try to keep it as brief as possible, but you know me . . . . . time to get comfortable, get yourself a drink and snack before reading on !!

I've just re-read my last postings and will continue from there.

Where are we living?

With 2 weeks to spare in January 07 we found ourselves another rental in the same area of South East Auckland (right between Bucklands and Eastern Beaches). It was a lovely modern property, with 5 bedrooms (!) but no garden to speak of. The location was ideal, but we missed our old neighbours dreadfully. We managed to put up a swingset for the girls, but that was it for the whole 'garden'. We lived there for 9 months when the property was sold, and then moved to our current rental at the end of Sep07 where we have signed up for 12months. We have considered buying but as I think I mentioned before, house prices in this area of Auckland are VERY high. The mortgage interest rates are now around 9%, and with me not having worked full-time since arriving here, we've decided to continue to rent for a while longer.

Our new rental is a wonderful spacious 70's home. Again in the same area, a bit closer to school so we can walk there now. We do all the living upstairs (3 bedrooms), and then downstairs is a huge 'rumpus' (bit like a playroom), laundry room, double garage, spare bathroom & toilet as well as a 4th bedroom. There is also a large back garden and a nice front garden. We've planted some tomato plants and think we're going to have a great harvest in a few weeks! The girls planted some sunflowers and they are taller than Lianne already.
What's Lianne been upto?

For a while she didn't have an easy time, but she has come out shining at the end of 2007. We thought she'd made the transition to our new life here ok, but then during our winter it became apparent that she was suffering from a delayed 'trauma' effect which manifested itself in a severe separation anxiety to material goods. With some excellent local support she (with us) has worked through her worries and is now much happier for it. For a while though, it was very hard going. She has now made a number of friends, some in our street, which has made big difference. She's done great at school, winning one award after the other for Poetry recitals, Cross Country running, and putting on plays. At the end of year assembly she was awarded with a Principal's Effort award - we're all very proud! She's looking forward to the challenges of Year 4 and re-joining the choir and athletics teams. Her pashion for Dancing has taken her 'on stage' with her dance school for the 1st time a few weeks ago. She took part in 3 of the performances, and looked MANY years older than her 8 1/2 years, with all the stage make-up on. Andy & I are quite worried about times to come when she's 16 ....>

And what about Amy?

She's our little Kiwi - going around the place barefoot and coming out with a totally New Zealand accent (over 'there' has become over 'thear', 'four' now sounds like 'fower') She's had a great year. As per an earlier posting, she's been very happy going to Playcentre with me 2 days a week, and spending a further 2 days at 'Froggies' (a local daycare centre). She's a right little character, loved by all, and full of confidence. She turned 5 at the end of November, and as is the custom here, started school the Monday after. As expected she settled right into her classroom, and thoroughly enjoyed the last 3 weeks of the school term. Her writing, maths and creativity (she LOVES cellotape) astounds us every day. Unlike most (older) children she's counting the days to February 7th next year, when the new school year starts!

Andy enjoying his job?

As I'm typing this update, he's actually out with a work colleague in our local village Howick. He's been plodding along working for Pumpkin Patch as an IT Project Manager for about 15 months now. They're working him hard, and he has successfully delivered a couple of major projects - resulting in a paid for holiday for the family to Rotorua! He does still miss the culture and colleagues of days at Barclays though. To re-create that takes time, and social outings.

That leaves me . . . .

I can't believe how fast the year has gone! Supported Lianne during her 'difficult months' of course. And moving twice has obviously kept me busy also, can't say that has been much fun though. It's been great spending time with Amy at Playcentre, and I got quite involved with the running of the place. Since the middle of Term 2 (June) I have been working 2 days a week at Lianne's school as a Teacher Aide (similar to Classroom Assistant). This involved supporting the three year 4 classes with maths, IT, spelling and reading (sometimes one on one, sometimes small groups of children). Challenging at times, but also very rewarding. I have found I really love this work, though it pays VERY badly. I wish I had trained as a teacher many years ago. You never know, I might still re-train! The teaching staff have been happy with my support, resulting in me working 5 mornings a week (to start with) from February 08 (again with the year 4's). With Lianne & Amy still being so young, this job & hours obviously suits me to the ground, we'll just have to wait and see if financially it's ok for us too, as it would be nice to be able to buy our own house sometime in 2008.

What else? Holidays? Overseas Visitors?

In February an 'old' family friend (Joyce) came to visit for 3 weeks. We've done some exploring of the North Island. During our last summer holiday we went to Taupo camping, which was truly amazing. Andy's parents are due for a holiday at the end of January and we've booked to go there again and show them the sights. In October we went to Rotorua, paid for by Andy's employers (!) and again we were amazed at the marvels of New Zealand's scenery, thermal activity and folklore. We were also treated to an unexpected visit by an old Barclays Bank colleague of ours (Ed Robinson). We spent a lovely few hours with him, great to see someone from 'back home'. Anybody else planning on heading over our way yet? Or are you waiting for the next Rugby World Cup? Remember - you're always welcome.

Well that's a 'short' round up of our past 12 months. Hope you found it of interest. After 20 months we're starting to feel a bit more settled here, though homesickness has not left us totally yet. Thanks to so many of you who continue to send me the occasional e-mail - I really appreciate the efforts you're going to, to keep in touch. Apologies for (occasionally) taking a while to reply - you are in my thoughts.

All that remains is to wish you a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2008.

Babette

babette_maas@hotmail.com andy_edwards65@hotmail.com

Bucklands Beach

Auckland