Summertime is here

I have been anxiously awaiting our very first beach day of the summer.  My wish came true during Labour Day weekend.  We went to Te Arai Point just off of Highway 1 past Te Hana. 

Te Arai point is the ideal local kiwi beach.  It's off the beaten track, never ever crowded, surrounded by some neat bush walks, great waves, and no tourists. 

Something I've learned since becoming a pseudo-kiwi is that you don't go to crowded beaches.  If there are more than 50 people on the beach you just drive to the next one.  I guess it's that easy when you are always within a hop, skip, and jump to the ocean.  

After being here for a year, I actually do feel like somewhat of a local.  Here I am reading my book at the beach while watching my husband throw a rugby ball with his brothers.  This is so kiwi.  It's moments like this, that remind me how lucky I am.

I'll never forget that feeling I  had  when I stepped off that plane in Auckland for the first time in 2008. Not knowing anything about New Zealand or Jason for that matter.  Yet, the strongest impression of my life occurred and I had the most peaceful feeling about Auckland being home.  3 years and a happy marriage later, I understand now why this is home.  

As all you Americans are trick-or-treating, lighting pumpkin scented candles, and wearing  turtlnecks-I'll be on the beach working on my tan. The never-ending rain during winter makes the arrival of summer that much sweeter.  

Here's to many, many more beach days this summer!

Cheers!

My Hero

Because October is Breast Cancer awareness month and because I miss my mom and because she deserves some recognition- this post is for her.

This week she's walking in the annual 10K breast cancer walk in Winslow and she's also being recognized as a fighter/survivor in her cancer battle at a home football game. I'm still kicking myself for barely missing these 2 events by a week.

I remember during her chemotherapy and radiation treatment how positive she was. To this day I cannot remember even one complaint from her. Even more miraculous is how she refused to take sick days on days of her treatments. She would work all day as a 3rd grade teacher, drive to Flagstaff for chemotherapy and be at work the next day. As tired as she was, I can only assume that her drive and determination to keep going was a definite factor in her speedy recovery.

If there's one thing I've learned from my mom, it's definitely to forget yourself and go to work. Selflessness is a tough trait to emulate but I have a great example to follow. I still wonder how on earth I was blessed to be a daughter of someone so good. I am not kidding when I say I have never heard my mom yell or raise her voice-ever. That boggles my mind.

It's been nearly 4 years since her diagnosis and recovery. She's still cancer free, for which I am grateful.

Mom, you truly are a fighter, survivor, and hero. I'll never be as awesome as you but I'll try and follow in your footsteps.

Yahoo for October!!

Leaving Arizona

Can I just say how proud of myself I am? 

First off, I survived for 2 weeks without my other half.  That was the biggest challenge of all.  We had never even spent one day apart from each other up until my trip, the distance was tough on both of us.  

Second, I realized there was a change in me.  Visiting Arizona was just that, visiting.  As much as I love every square inch of Arizona and even the USA, I was a teeny bit miserable without my love.  
Flying home to New Zealand was exciting.  As we landed in Auckland I couldn't help but smile.  Coming home to New Zealand was just that, home.  This time it's not so foreign.  I have friends, family, and familiarities all around me.  In my book, that constitutes home.  

Just for the record though, I balled like a little baby on my flight.  It's tough to leave the USA.  I love it and I miss it.  But for now, New Zealand is home.  

Airport World

Airport world.

You know, the weird in-between world of terminals, connecting flights, and security? Everyone is from a different place and everyone has somewhere to go.

Tomorrow I'll get on a plane at Sky Harbor bound for LAX. Once in LA, I'll have to make a mad dash to the international terminal-to make a flight to Sydney. I purposely schedule my flights close together to cut down on the airport wait time. And every time I wonder why I do this because I always barely make my flights. It's always a little embarrassing to do the mad dash to the gate and be the late passenger. oops.

How do I even describe the 15 hour flight? The key is to get an aisle seat, force yourself to sleep, and take frequent walks. and hope your seat is not by the bathrooms!

There are countless things I want to mention here about flying. However, Seinfeld says it much better than me.

my arizona

I love this. I love the middle of nowhere.

El Rancho

El Rancho. We are obsessed with it. My trip is complete only after eating there.

It's probably better that I don't live in Arizona-I would probably be the size of a house from eating it too frequently.

sisters

I love my sisters. Really, it's the main reason I couldn't bare to miss my sister's wedding. The thought of being replaced in her wedding killed me. Along with the thought of ruining our traditional sisters picture taken at our weddings.

Moni's wedding went great. I loved how all you could see was huge saguaros for miles and we even got a desert sunset. I loved how Moni was on cloud nine and how she really married her prince charming. I loved how it was well over 100 degrees. I loved being there for her.

Okay Tete, your turn!

I'm Home

After 24 hours of airplane rides, waiting in airports, waiting for baggage, waiting for immigration-I"M HOME!!!! Home Sweet Home.
That 15 hour flight is pretty intense. It would've been nice to have a handsome husband to rest my head on!
We drove straight to Macayos from the airport and enjoyed some authentic and real Mexican food. Amazing. I also got to meet Gary for the first time! He's a keeper and I'm glad that Moni chose him.
This morning, all us sisters got pedicures and shopped for jewelry/shoes for the wedding.
All in all, I'm loving life. Arizona makes me smile so big.

Thank you America