Monday, May 28, 2018

How living in New Zealand has changed us


When our American family decided to spend four months in New Zealand for my sabbatical, the objectives were for me to get some writing done, make some connections, and otherwise have a wonderful adventure together. We had not anticipated the impact the experience would have on us. Here are 11 surprising ways we have been touched:
Fran relaxes in Auckland
1. We are less stressed
I believe this is a combination of working less and being in nature much more. We aren’t more physically active here than we are back home, but that activity has almost all been outdoors and is more a part of our everyday lives, such as walking to the store. This has led to the next change:

2. We have realized how much we need nature
Our improved mental health is likely a direct result from all the hiking we have been doing. We have decided that we need to make getting out among the trees and water a priority when we get home. New Zealand may be the most gorgeous place on the planet, but Colorado is a close second. My already acute love for our planet almost hurts now- I am so grateful that I have devoted much of my professional life to helping protect Mother Earth and the diversity of life here.
All my clothes, KonMari style
3. We have learned that we can live more simply
All of my clothes can fit in one drawer here. All other personal belongings fit into a suitcase. We heat with wood and hang clothes to dry. Although we are eager to get our electric clothes dryer, central heating, and well-insulated house back, I hope to incorporate living with less “stuff” into our lives at home.
A tiny, typical NZ "rubbish bin", plus all our American junk

4. We produce less trash
Living in New Zealand has shown us just how much more rubbish (to use their word) Americans produce than Kiwis. Every place we stayed had tiny trashcans, and it is not unusual for public parks to not have any- and yet no trash problem. I believe that this is because: A) Kiwis don’t eat out as much and when they do “take away” (fast food), it is in much less packaging. No cups with lids and straws, for example.
B) Kiwis each much less processed food. Fresh food has less packaging (if any), and
C) Most stores don’t give you a bag unless you ask for one. Some grocery stores charge for plastic bags.
Fran and Jeremy embrace on the Driving Creek Railway (DCR) in Coromandel

The view on a rainy day on the DCR

5. We have become closer as a family
All of the together time that results from doing homeschool and traveling for days on end at one go forces issues to surface.  It actually amazes us that we are still enjoying each other’s company after these four months! We aren’t perfect, but we are much better at voicing hurt feelings and frustrations in a productive way and thus working through it and becoming closer as a result. Jeremy still has to tolerate the PMS of two mothers (poor kid), but we can have a sense of humor about it.
Jeremy gets a tutorial on the Erhu at the Dunedin Chinese Garden
6. We have a new perspective on “school”
We see education differently now that we have allowed the world to be Jeremy’s classroom. As my mother says, “You can’t stop children from learning,” and we have seen what a sponge Jeremy is on this trip. We are glad that he will be going to a school this fall that uses a student-customized, project-focused pedagogy. This trip has given him loads of ideas for “units” to study further when we are back.
My crazy "New Zealand hair"
7. We are less concerned with our appearance
Four months without our 10x lit magnifying mirror has been a good thing. To my surprise, I have had fewer breakouts and generally have better skin here than at home. Fran tweezes her eyebrows much less often. None of us has really been that concerned with our appearance. Casual rules the day, and we only brought clothes we liked wearing. Since no one around me seems to, I’ve not worn makeup of any type since the first week here. I’ve also embraced the “Curly Girl Method” of hair care here, which actually means that I haven’t combed or brushed my hair in four months. No kidding.
Even if it's local and not organic, it's likely to be expensive
8.     We are willing to spend more on food
Meat and produce are ridiculously expensive here -$4 USD for one NZ-grown avocado, anyone?- but so delicious. Given my sensitivity to corn, it has been wonderful living in a place where all dairy and meat are from pasture-fed cows and the sweets and jams aren’t made with corn-syrup; back home we’ll have to pay extra for this. The produce is so good, we are now much more willing to spend more on organic, fresh local food when we get home. And we are now chocolate snobs!
Jeremy enjoys his first "fluffy"
9.     Our legs are stronger
Between hauling more weight around (see chocolate, above) and climbing the hills and mountains everywhere, our quads are pure steel! The increased strength in my legs has been great for my knee problems, which have been nearly non-existent here, despite all of the stair-climbing (I guess the physical therapist was right, dang it!). This doesn’t stop Jeremy from complaining at some point during every hike, but we hear “my legs are tired” much less.
On the Routeburn Track
10.  We have fallen in love with birds
I’ve always thought birds were sort of cool, but after living in the land where birds rule the day, they have earned our respect and affection on a whole new level. Since they didn’t evolve with mammals (including us), many native birds aren’t skittish around humans (see previous blog post for videos documenting this). Thus, they seem much more friendly than birds in the US, and so also more endearing. Fran and Jeremy’s favorite are the little blue penguins (that’s really what they are called), and my favorite are the fan-tails, which follow you around when you hike, making one feel like Snow White.
Jeremy with new friend, Mango, an eclectus parrot
11.  We are now citizens of the world
It is one thing to travel, quite another to live in another place for several months. We learned that we can adapt: we can call a new place home, make good friends, find new favorite foods, and generally adjust to what feels strange and different. We know what it is to be the stranger, at the mercy of the locals (and how very merciful and generous they have been!). As we literally repeat each night during prayers, we are deeply, deeply grateful to have been able to have this experience. 
A view of Wellington from Mt. Victoria Lookout

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