Well, the house has sold!
So, there is definitely no going back now.
Settlement date is 10 October, and we depart the land of the long white cloud on 11 October - heading to Brisbane. The plan is to have 6 weeks in Australia slowly making our way from Brisbane to Sydney in a camper van (with a 5 1/2 month old baby? - yes, thats right!) We are getting excited, but at the same time I feel sick, nervous, confused, scared, sad.. is it possible to feel all those things at once? Of course it is - I am a woman.
NZ has been fabulous to me. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had here. I have surfed, hiked, off roaded, SCUBA-d...eaten scallops caught fresh 2 minutes ago, caught and cooked my own snapper, grown delicious veggies and made beautiful pasta.
I have fallen in love again and again with my adventurous hubby who never ceases to amaze me - he is the most caring person in the world and I am so proud to have him as a best friend. And of course, NZ has given me my gorgeous wee girl.
Career wise, I would never had had the opportunities in UK that I have had here. Who would have imagined that when I left school with no idea of what to do, that I would end up being a bank manager...? A manager that broke the rules injecting creativity and care into the mundane world of finance. While other managers focussed on stats in their Monday meetings, I ran riot creating "service murals," "brand portraits," and watching Timon and Pumba. And it paid off (phew!)
NZ has been a grand adventure to us. We have made it work by truly "living for the moment." We used the FISH philosophy and have had fun everyday. If it wasn't fun, we changed it. If we couldn't control it we didn't worry about it. The plan is to continue like this in UK.... I can't help but worry about how this may go down. Will we be eventually 'voted off the island"? The big brother culture over there may not be able to cope with 3 born again free spirits.
My greatest fear is that we conform to the norm. Especially when it comes to raising Maya. In NZ it is fine to be a barefooted, baby wearing, breast feeding mother. I am what I consider to be a "balanced attached parent." Will this attitude be frowned on? Will I be told to wean? Will I be made to feel like I am spoiling my girl?
Remember, Kiwi, no one can make you feel anything, unless you give them your permission! I must be staunch, stand tall and ride on the wave of my mana (that's maori for power). I must envision the haka if I start to "feel" something other than ok. I must remember that although I am a Brit (and a proud one at that) I have had 6 years developing my kiwi spirit. No one can take that away from me.
3 comments:
Laura - no fear - I managed to maintain my europafoxiness! ha! You'll be fine - you'll find it a reverse cultural shock, but your new kiwi nature will enable you to take it in your stride! Im sure you'll be able to stay part kiwi -you'll just need to wear some wellies!! GOOD LUCK with te camper van thing - you mad hippy you! :) Only joking of course!
I am having a great time catching up on your life. How neat to be able to have lived in NZ and now onto Brisbane!
I, also, am a balanced attached parent. And I definitely get some looks and pressure to be more mainstream. I've had to adopt the attitude of, "You know what? This is my family and I am doing what is best for us all, not for you!" You'll be fine because you have your precious baby's interest in mind.
I look forward to following you on your journey and getting to know you better!
It’s not the end of an era, but the continuation of a great one on different lands. Never fear, this is all about bringing your (especially Maya’s) light to more people, having been blessed with your time and experiences here.
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