The Good and the Odd

Life is really good down here on the bottom of the world. In no particulate order, here is a list of the good and odd things I have noticed about living in New Zealand. 

The Good List:

The landscape. From nearly every direction you will see a picture postcard perfect landscape. You don't come to New Zealand for it's architecture like you would for Europe. Mother Nature and her natural majesty dwarfts any man-made construction here. Mother Nature is the queen of New Zealand. From the majestic snow-covered mountains, through the rolling green hills, to the sandy beaches and beautiful oceans, the landscape of New Zealand never disappoints.  

A low arching rainbow outside our window.

And nature is so accessible. Within minutes you can be deep in the bush (the forest) or walking on a beach. And there are so few people that you feel like you are the first to discover the gorgeous surroundings. This compact country is packed with natural delights. 

A Wholesome Life. I feel a sense of enjoying the simple pleasures of life here. I feel like people give proper respect to others, family, nature and time. I hear people say the word sensible a lot. They seem to value using common sense, being reasonable and not going to extremes or excess. 

This is the outside wall of the library. I love that they lists many of the things to be valued like family, lunch, books... The words are in Maori then English. 

I hear people talk about nurturing and I see a lot of dads hugging and kissing their sons and daughters in very sweet and affectionate ways. Kind of on that thought, my oldest daughter had an end of the year dinner and semi-formal dance. It was different from dances I went to at her age. They ballroom danced with assigned partners from their class. Parents were invited to the dance and watched. The last dance of the evening was for the students to dance with their parents. Mallory quickly taught Stephen how to properly ballroom dance. 

Since moving here my kids are less concerned about having phones, video games or devices. Very few kids do. And if they do, they have their parents' hand-me-downs with very limited calling and texting ability. And they seem quite happy and content with that. 

Also, my kids aren't as concerned with having name branded shoes. My daughter has opted to wear her old gym shoes from last year to school instead of her cool Converse high tops or Adidas. Kids just don't seem to care what you wear. They will be friends with you regardless. 

I think this wholesome life is very happy and healthy. 

Very Friendly People. My daughters have very quickly made wonderful friends. At school I see very friendly and inclusive kids. Kids are smiling at and hugging each other through the halls. As parents wait to pick-up their kids, I rarely see a parent staring at their phones. Instead all the parents chat with each other. 

I saw this mural on the wall at a restaurant we went to

There is a Maori proverb that goes: He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. Translated into English that means, "What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people." I feel that people live by that. 

Educating the Whole Child. We have been so pleased with the enriching activities that are taught during school. My girls have had swimming, cooking, sailing, beach days, sewing, shop class, art, orchestra, ballroom dancing and signing. In addition to these activities they still have been getting a good education in reading, writing, and maths (math).

Their school also makes great efforts to include Maori culture into the learning. They use Maori words regularly in the classroom. They are taught Maori songs, dances and Hakas. I have loved my girls getting to experience and appreciate the Maori culture.

The National Anthem- I can't hear it without getting choked-up. Its words are so beautiful. It's a prayer to God thanking and honouring him and asking for his protection. I absolutely LOVE IT! You can hear it here.

Roundabouts- My first time driving through a roundabout I panicked a little bit, but once I got the hang of it I really enjoyed it. They are an efficient way to keep traffic moving. They are much better than waiting at a stop light. There are many times when I will be driving around town and I will realise I didn't need to stop once. A very satisfying feeling.

Lack of Traffic- Enough said. Who likes traffic? Absolutely no one ever! With that said, that brings me to my first thing on my odd list...

The Odd List: 

Lack of Parking Spaces- There may not be a lot of traffic, but I find it odd that there is never any parking spaces in the carpark (parking lot) or on the street. No one is driving the streets, but the streets will be lined with parked cars and no where to park.

Bare Foot- People old and young, male and female walk around barefoot all the time. At our house we call that, "Going full Kiwi." Once I saw a woman on her morning run in exercise clothes and no shoes running on the roads of our town. I just think it is odd.

Eating Ice Cream Cones- I see people (usually older people) walking the streets with ice cream cones all the time. I am not complaining. I am just staying, it's different than what I am used to. Each time I see it I think to myself, "Good for you. You have lived a good life. You deserve that ice cream." I guess it helps that ice cream is so good and accessible. There are dairies (corner market stores) everywhere.

An odd man eating ice cream in public.

Vocabulary- I know Americans and Kiwis both speak English, but there are plenty of words that are new to me.

For example:
jumper = jacket
mate = friend
tog = swimming suit
jandal = sandal
stationary = school supplies
fringe = bangs
platts = braids
plasters = bandages
mosi spray = insect repellent
to post = to mail
EFPOS = debit card
trolley = shopping cart
waiting in queue = waiting in line
mum = mom
she be right = it will all workout just fine
sweet as = no problem
take aways = fast food
twink = whiteout
car park = parking lot
foot path = sidewalk
tea = lunch, snack or a light meal
dairy = small convenience store in a suburb
bush = forest
kia ora = hello
ka pai - good work
tramping = hiking
rubbish = garbage
lolly = candy
capsicum = peppers
kumara = sweet potatoes



The weather- Everyday is a weather adventure. One day will be sunny and warm. The next day rainy. The next day windy. Then sunny and warm again. It is completely random.