A to Zealand

Hi friends and family. I guess everyone is gearing up for the holidays. It’s quite strange being in warm weather during this time of year. It still doesn’t feel like Christmas to me yet. At the same time, it’s kind of nice to not have all of the commercialization that comes with the holidays in the states. It’s much more low key here... really just about being with friends and family. I find it funny listening to all the kiwis say they find it commercialized here when they haven’t seen a Christmas on steroids like it is in the states. Unfortunately I have to work on Christmas Eve. Lots of people spend their holidays in the national park by the beach so we stay open in order to get them all to their location with our aqua taxis. Luckily we’re closed on Christmas Day. I plan to go to the beach with my friend Bella and her partner, Marius. Then Marius’s boss is having a get-together, so we’ll head over there. Nothing special, but good to be with friends.

We’ve had some torrential rains in the area. There was quite a bit of flooding which damaged lots of houses, roads and even part of the Abel Tasman track. The Department of Conservation are working tirelessly to get it fixed so people can walk the whole park. We even had an earthquake a couple of weeks ago! I was the only one that didn’t feel it because I was driving home from work. I guess I should be glad, but for some reason I wanted to see what it was like.

Other than that, not too much news to report on except that I absolutely love it here. I’m making tons of friends and I love my job and co-workers. We just had our Christmas party for work and it was good to see everyone let loose. Funny thing I’ve forgot to mention a while back... before I started my job, someone at work started a rumor that I was Miss Texas! Well clearly, I don’t look, or act for that matter, like Miss Texas. One night I was out with some friends and I had five people come up and ask me about it. I’ve never been so confused in my life. I’ve found that this is such a small town and EVERYONE talks. They all know your business and find out fast! I can’t even go to the grocery store without seeing someone. Just last week I crawled out of bed to run to the store (looking pretty crappy) and saw three people I knew. I do miss that a bit about Dallas... it’s a big city.

I think I have decided I want to stay one more year. I spoke to immigration and I can get another working holiday visa. I can go back to my old job in Queenstown at the ski field and then come back for the summer to the job I have now. I’m just having too much fun to go home at this point, plus, I still have jobs here. It’s hard because I definitely miss everyone so much! At the same time, I just don’t want to lose out on this opportunity. So my plan (pending funds) is to do a bit of travelling in Southeast Asia for April and May and then come back to NZ. Maybe this will persuade people to come visit me?!?! I know, I know. Fat chance. Maybe at least mom and dad.

I hope everyone has a happy holiday and an even better new year!