Taking stock

I finished my initial 3 month contract at work on Friday (its been extended for another month), which got me thinking about all the things we've done and all the places we've been since we arrived in New Zealand 4 months ago, and how things have changed in that time.

It seem like only yesterday that we were landing in Wellington, and enjoying the end of the summer weather. We were tourists then, exploring a new city, a city which now feels like home. Its not been hard adjusting to kiwi life, everything is alot more laid-back than at home. The first week I was at work, there was a presentation for all the staff on the Friday afternoon from the CEO, and lined up in the corner of the room was a table stacked up with beer and wine! Everyone listened to the presentation with a bottle or glass in hand - can you imagine that back home?? Its called Friday drinks and happens everywhere.

There's still a little of the tourist in us, and on most weekends we'll try and get out of Wellington and explore the surrounding area. We're spoilt with choice, whether its a hike up a hill to get stunning vistas of the valleys and lakes around, or a stroll along the coastline looking out across the water to see the mountains of the South Island in the distance. There's even vineyards not too far away.

We've definitely made the right choice in picking Wellington, I can't think of many cities I've been to that have the feel this place does.

We look forward to showing everyone who's coming to visit, around our great city!

Freedom and adventure beckon!!

I have just given my notice at work! Come July 2nd I will no longer need to wear skirts/slacks and can revert back to my jean clad self :-)

At that point I'll be travelling home to Michigan to watch my baby brother get married and then head back to Wellington where Matt and I will realize our travelling plans to see more of the country (which I'm sure will be more exciting for anyone reading our blog!!). In addition, my parents will be travelling back with me to visit for 3 weeks! We're planning on taking them all around New Zealand and showing them why we love living here so much.

So...mark your calenders for mid-July as we'll soon have more adventures to share!

Capital Culture

I can't quite believe it, but Matt and I have been in New Zealand for over 3 months now. Time ticks on and as we've moved into fall, the nights have been drawing in. So much so that its getting dark soon after we leave work, giving us no time during the week to further explore the 'great outdoors'

But finding things to do in the capital is never a problem, the other week we went to see the Symphony Orchestra, and next week we're going to see the Royal New Zealand Ballet's Swan Lake. The Symphony was really good, the program was all pieces from Tchaikovsky, including the Nutcracker Suite - I've actually see the Ballet in Detroit, but it was nice to hear it live again. It was a new experience for Matt, and as he's never been to the ballet, we thought it was be interesting to see Swan Lake.

Of course culturally music isn't all Wellington's got to offer, we've been enjoying the great food here, and least I forget (as Matt keeps reminding me) all the pubs too!