Another 12 months on, and approaching 8 years of married life, and living in NZ. Another year of adventure, growth, fun and love. Next weekend we head to Queenstown to celebrate our wedding anniversary and I am growing concerned that I am forgetting them as time goes by, so for posterity a record here may be necessary:
1) Coromandel and the Hilton Auckland
2) Matua Valley Vineyard Cottages
3) Great Barrier Island
4) I think we stayed in Auckland
5) Kohukohu
6) Queenstown
7) Melbourne
8) Queenstown
This year has been about consolidation again, in every part of our lives. So at home, work, with friends, in faith, financially ... There have been a couple of challenges to face this year, but mostly that means we have "grown". This is mainly in terms of faith and careers, but I think it has meant we have developed the outlook on what we are living for and what our contribution should be within community and to society. To some extent this "growth" has been a surprise, and certainly caused us to reflect more on how we live, but all in all it is good.
We spent time back in Europe at the start of their autumn. It was good to visit, to see friends and family. I particularly enjoyed a visit to the Clifton Lido, and English pubs. We left knowing it's unlikely we'll visit for a longer time, but we returned home to NZ happy to be home in Oratia and Kohukohu, with a new outlook on life here.
In two weeks I will have been in my current role for 2 years, and just recently I have begun to enjoy it more than I thought I would. In all likelihood there is significant change around the corner, so it may not last long, but right now I am feeling relaxed and good about work.
Things to look forward to include:
Christmas in the Hokianga with friends
Stevens visiting in January
A new passion for ski-ing for another ski holiday next year
A plan for a Cook Islands holiday next year
New Zealand Summer to come
Yep, life is good and I will try to write more and get back into this blogging thing while life is calm and full of consolidation ...
Good to have you back blogging
Posted by: Marts | November 28, 2011 at 01:21 PM