Six months after....

So, I’ve been back from my OE 6 months yesterday, the blog is finally up-to-date and the pictures are almost all uploaded so I figured this was a good point to let you know what I’m up to these days. Warning, this is a bit more D&M than my other posts… also apologies for the lack of pictures but just links to my facebook albums.

To tell you about where I am know you need to know where I’ve come from. Getting back was always going to be a little bit tough. In some ways this was easier than coming back from Japan and in some ways it was harder. At least I didn’t have the cultural readjustment this time but it was more about coming back and feeling everyone had made real progress in their lives and settled with long term relationships, children and houses everywhere I looked and I just had a backpack filled with clothes and a journal filled with memories. It took me a little while to realise that I had progressed too, just in a different way to everyone here had during the last 18months.
The quote “What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly” helped me through the first couple of months back which were quite rough, as I slowly understood that my experiences had meant I’d grown as a person and could contribute to the lives of those around me in a different way. I still had all the same core values but little things had changed and that was ok, I would actually be a little bit worried if I’d seen and done all I’d seen and done and not changed even a little bit. Maybe it’s that a lot of people back here didn’t seem like they’ve changed, which was probably also a good thing as it’s easier to accept changes in yourself than in others sometimes. Of course there are some changes; all my friends have drifted apart at little, moved closer to their significant others and the small gap I left in their lives was filled quickly with new friends and activities as we all get increasingly busy you have to make sacrifices. Slotting back into their lives has been hard but I want to thank everyone for putting up with me, and for all the support during this time

The last six months haven’t been as adventurous as the last half of 2007 (where the number of countries I’d visited was well into double figures http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2019963&l=cf27f&id=220000480 ) but I’ve been keeping busy in my own way.

By the time I got through graduation http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020339&l=051d1&id=220000480 , a few phoenix games, helping Claire and Ricky move into their new place, Atlas, Elemeno P and Feelers gig, Christmas and camping with Mikey’s family, 2007 was all but over http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020404&l=afafc&id=220000480 . Welcomed in 2008 with a rogue party at Ricky’s old place, a BBQ at the Hammonds and then a few days were spent down at Oriental Bay, watching Claire play handball, Mark compete in the Ocean Swim Series and trying not to lose my tan from the Philippines. Family day trip out to Somes Island, camping with Ricky’s family up North, visited Gemz and Wellum in Napier, went to see the Police concert with Janna and John, checked out OdESSA playing in the Bot Gardens with Sam, Katie and Olwen and showed a couple of Arne’s mates from Germany that you can’t beat Wellington on a good day http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020783&l=e4600&id=220000480

Brady came over to visit in early Feb which was awesome to see him again, cruised up north for a couple of days and then back to Wellies for a free gig in Frank Kitts and Giles and Sheree’s stag/hen night – good times! http://bradytravel.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-zealand-taupo-rotorua-tauranga-and.html Of course a huge highlight of coming back was their wedding, it was so great to have everyone back together again just like the old days (sad to think that it might be the last time…) with people flying up from down south, over from Aussie and back from Germany to share their special day. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020748&l=9f5e2&id=220000480

I started my new job in Human Resources at the end of Feb, it’s a one year maternity cover contract (sound familiar… : P but didn’t want to commit for too long yet) but am still loving it, amazing views of this beautiful city from my office and the people are great which really makes a huge difference. Mid march I moved into an awesome flat ten minutes walk from pretty much everywhere I’d ever need to go (yes, Wellington is that compact!) great location and great flatmates and I live out the back in the sleep-out (totally my style if you ever saw my sunroom in Kelburn) and am loving it : )

March was pretty low-key, there were heaps of cool things going on in Wellington so checked an amazing show as part of the Arts Festival and some free acrobatics in Civic Square, had Hannah’s baby shower, a few more random parties, St Patrick’s Day drinkees and of course no March is complete with a pool party to celebrate my 24th birthday – scary! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020961&l=6c17e&id=220000480 April saw me catching up with some buddies I interned with years ago, Andrew coming back from his semester in Uppsala, exploring Karori sanctuary and checking out a few of the comedy festival shows. I went out for my dinners than any month in my life in May (you gotta use up those 2-4-1 entertainment vouchers) so got a new appreciation for another part of Wellington culture. Went up to Auckland for Mark’s graduation – am sooo proud of him! - good chance to have the whole family together again, eat at the revolving restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower and great to catch up with Janelle and Lettuce too and then I was up there again running a training course for work near the end of the month. http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021564&l=e81d3&id=220000480

Still loving work and my flat and keeping busy in my own way. Still not allowed to play outdoor soccer so have joined to work indoor team and we won the minor final (not too bad for our first season together) and also the gym – great because I can go before work everyday and it’s so close to home, and have started dancing again in an effort to keep fit and meet new people. I definitely miss travelling but it’s nice to be taking a break for a little bit; to let my mind slow down from overanalysing everything, to let my body recover from the rollercoaster adventure I’ve pushed it through and give my heart a chance to decide what it really wants.

Bear with me, and keep in touch.
Love always xx