the year

2011


parted with New Zealand  // re-entered the classroom // learned to keep valuables out of the car // said goodbye to Nan with a proper Maori burial (perhaps the most influential event of 2011) // embraced America // ran a 2nd marathon // hiked a volcano // sun-bathed in Fiji // became a yoga regular // tasted the South // conquered Cedar Point // read 40 books // attended the temple 11 of 12 months // welcomed 2 new nephews in New Zealand // started feeling like a legit adult // organized a successful 10K race

“I think you travel to search and you come back home to find 

yourself there.” 

― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I cannot think of a better way to sum up 2011 for us.

Cheers

the only picture

Before I say anything may I just comment about how this picture may be the most awkwardly posed picture yet?    I should also add how this is the ONLY picture we took on Christmas.  Not too sure how that happened.  

Our winter Christmas did not disappoint.  I did my best to live up to all the traditions that make a winter Christmas as memorable as a summer Christmas.  I was thrilled to finally share all the Bratt traditions with Jason.

Highlights:

my sister and I completed a 20 mile run on Christmas Eve

finally got to attend the Bratt talent show with my hubbs

church on Christmas morning

buying a new car  

We hope we can be on the beach in New Zealand  next Christmas!

Cheers.

the day of Christmas Eve Eve

Today I am only thinking of what we are missing in New Zealand.  My heart is a little sad for Jason.  He is away from his family for the first time during the holidays.  


I am trying to live up this first holiday together so that he can see all the wonderful things about a winter Christmas.   Come on, America does not disappoint.


Merry Christmas to our whanau in New Zealand.  We miss you more than you know. 

the comment

Yes, I married someone from another country.  No, New Zealand is not located off the coast of Africa.  Yes, it is an actual marriage involving 2 people that are legitimately in love. 


A few days ago a person that I know genuinely well asked me if my husband was really from New Zealand.  Her question continued, does he actually live in America or is he just visiting?  Of course this is paraphrased, but this little dialogue had me feeling quite annoyed.  


You see, I didn't realize it but I have been keeping a little mental note of each ignorant comment I receive about this topic.  


I realize that marrying someone from another country is uncommon and that there are only 4 million kiwis in this world, so it is plausible to say that some people have absolutely no clue about what my life might actually be like.  



Can I just say that it is really annoying to be asked if Jason lives with me or just visits when he can.  


      

the finish line

Semester 1 done.  
I feel like I have made a complete transformation from the first week of school to the end of semester 1.  


At the beginning of the semester, I found myself in a mental fiasco to manage all things that are my life.  I could not seem to leave school at school and enjoy home time without thinking about the lesson plan for the upcoming week.  This conundrum had me overwhelmed, stressed, and pseudo-happy.  


Well friends, I have come a long way.  Not only am I managing my day, but I feel that I am doing a good job too.  I can say that I love my role.  I am happy to be doing what I set out to do after high school.  It is a grown-up accomplishment that makes me proud of myself.  


I think I have just made the immersion into teacher land.  -meaning that I now know how to suddenly turn around a lesson that has gone down the toilet.  I anticipate what questions will be asked and who will ask them.  I make small accommodations that will allow the ADHD kid to resume his work without being prompted, along with the too cool for school diva, and the I don't care about anything kid.  


Dynamics are everything in a classroom. I never knew that until now.  Sometimes it is all up to the class list.  The perfect mix can allow the most insubordinate kids the motivation to actually do something in school.  Who would have thought?


Definite Highs

• assurance from leadership that I am doing what I need to do
• feeling like I am made to be a teacher and that I am in the right place at the right time
• never-ending support from my Love, that means everything
• receiving a few thank-yous from students every once in a while
• seeing a particular gangster kid transform into a leader 

Definite Lows

• struggling hardcore at the beginning of the year
• getting cussed at by a few 12 year olds
• seeing too many CPS removals, attempted suicides, and bullying
• not giving myself enough credit for what goes right
• grammar--are these kids ever going to get it?

Goals for Semester 2

• more regular assessments
• continue finding creative outlets for major projects
• up the overall academic expectations
• finish the year with a smile on my face

Cheers

the view

Jason's take on the last 7 months of our USA life.

1.  What do you miss most about Aoteaora (family, food, and the ocean are understood)?

"the color green and clouds"

My whole life I have identified home with intense amounts of green, oceans and long thick clouds framing the scenery. Arizona is beautiful in its own right, but I miss the colour of home.

2.  What do you love most about America?

"the differences between seasons and the emphasis on holiday traditions"

Seeing Summer turn to fall, fall to winter, winter to spring and finally back to summer is a completely new experience for me. I have never lived in such extreme heat... And vice versa, I have never lived in such extreme cold.

3.  What do you hate about America?

"medical insurance"

I have never had to deal with insurance ahhh!!! Back home my healthcare has always been covered by the government. I never have to deal with co pays.

4.  What surprises you most about Americans?

"how no one travels overseas or holds a passport"

As someone from a small country, its almost a right of passage to go overseas. They call it the Big O.E. (Overseas Experience). So it was a little surprising for me when I discovered that almost no Americans hold a passport.

5.  What is your opinion on small-town America?

"it's small and slow but everyone is friendly"

I'm from a city and I love the convenience of having everything at my fingertips and not having to travel more than five minutes for anything I need. I don't have that here... Does it kill me? Yes... But having such good kind friends makes it easy to live in a small place

6.  What does New Zealand do better than America?

"healthcare/taxes"

I'm sorry but I have to say it... How many taxes do we have here in America? Back home one tax that covers everything... Much easier to think about and deal with... And healthcare??? Never a worry in the world I'm always covered for anything... I had a major surgery 2 years ago and never had to pay a cent... Good times.

7.  What was the most difficult transition to this USA life?

"being different and fitting in"

It is not so hard now... But being the only one who sounds like me in a strange place was hard. But it is getting easier... I don't really notice it so much now... Mostly I see some cultural differences that are not bad, just different. And sometimes feeling like a cockatoo in a cage being to say this or say that... Yeah sometimes it gets a little old.

the first snow

I think I am lucky.  Every holiday, thus far, has been filled with brand new traditions for either Jason or myself.  This year it is finally Jason's turn to experience a winter Christmas.  


I would like to consider myself a token expert on the typical kiwi summer Christmas now that I have lived it 3 years in a row.  I left my gloves, Christmas lights, and snowflake decorations in the USA and embraced the idea of boardshorts  and jandals to show Christmas spirit.  


This year I am nostalgically anticipating a possible White Christmas or Christmas Eve (please Santa).  Jason is excitedly (assumption made with that adverb) experiencing his first ever winter Christmas. 


Last night we hung the lights from the house.  Jason's kiwiness came through as he hung the lights barefoot and in shorts.  It made my heart happy to see him being his typical self, yet experiencing a winter Christmas.  


It really is hard to put into words.  The things that are so normal and American, like Thanksgiving and Christmas lights are totally new.  You have no idea how exciting it is to share a holiday tradition with someone when they have no prior experience with it.  That is our life.  


Today we both enjoyed a nice morning snowfall.  Jason had a billion questions and I happily answered them.