38 days later

I can't believe that we've been in New Zealand for over a month.  And in that short amount of time, we have lived in three hostels in two cities, found a flat, and found jobs.  It's been a whirlwind of emotions, excitement, fear, and nerves.  I am hoping to finally take time to relax and enjoy the laid-back kiwi lifestyle. 

It's hard to think back a few months ago, when we kept talking about this trip.  It didn't really seem real.  I was still working, living in the apartment, driving my own car, enjoying summer.  The only thing I had that proved it was real, was the large plane ticket purchase.  But even the ticket wasn't physically in my hands.  Then the summer ended, and school started back up.  I was no longer teaching, and the countdown was growing smaller and smaller.  It still didn't seem real.  It wasn't until the going away party when it started to hit me; there were lots of friends and family members that came to support this journey.  And there were lots of tearful goodbyes.  It was really happening.  The 'last' dinners and drinks spent with families I had cared for, my best girl friends, and family were fun, but sad.  The 'last' babysitting job and yoga class were emotional as well.  It finally started to hit me in that last week, as I said good-bye to my car, packed up my apartment and its four years of memories into a 10x10 storage unit, and crammed anything I thought I would want or need in New Zealand into 5 space saver bags and two suitcases.  The last night before I left was spent with Jody and her brother, reminiscing, planning their vacation, and trying to keep it together, and finally in the comfort of my family's home, sharing wine, while taking care of last minute details and good-byes.  The morning that I had been counting down for was finally here.  As I stumbled out of bed, tired, and groggy, I still don't think it had fully hit me.  We packed the car and we were off, running late.  My parents accompanied me to the airport, where we met Bret and his parents.  It felt so surreal.  Most of the times that I had been at the airport with such high-strung emotions had been when Bret was leaving...or coming home.  And he did that a lot.  But now I was going with him, finally.  The good-byes were tearful, even though I thought I could hold it back.  One hug just wasn't enough.  We embraced one last time at the start of the security checkpoint, and slowly walked towards the machines, as our parents stood in astonishment, awe, pride, or sadness, probably a combination of them all, and as I choked back tears and shoved my items onto the conveyor belt.  Retying my shoes, and repacking my carry-on, I glanced up and saw our parents turning around, and walking away.  It was for real.  We boarded the plane, and took off into so many unknowns.  Together. 


This is the longest I've ever been away (I hit that point about three weeks ago), and it's been a challenge.  Communicating across an 18 hour time difference, long distance, through Skype, email, and the phone, and trying to find a good time that works for everyone (which, frustratingly, is usually at the same exact time!) has become more difficult since we're both working now.  But the point is, we're here.  And we made it.  Now the countdown is in the opposite direction, telling me it's been 38 days since we've left.  Although I miss home, fall, friends, family, and all of the kids, and certain parts of Omaha, and America, that could never be matched in New Zealand, I am extremely proud that I have accomplished this so far!  Thank you so much for all of your support and advice, comfort, and encouragement.  Whether you know it or not, it helps me and Bret get through each day here and the new challenges that it presents.  Journeying on...
<3 Tara