Category Archives: Around the World

We traveled the Northlands (the very northern bit of the North Island) in the first days of our arrival in New Zealand and were unfortunately greeted with the most impossible, sideways falling rain and, eventually, floods that we spent too … Continue reading →

We have been here for nearly two months so I feel it appropriate to note some observations on things that are uniquely Kiwi. I am certainly not an authority but have logged enough hours on the roads and in an … Continue reading →

The initial flood of friends and family checking in from home has thinned to our very closest circle and I completely get it. Life goes on. At home, I would see people more than I would email or call them … Continue reading →

We just had two weekends of guests which has been such a little pick me up for all of us. Despite loving our own company and heaps of family time, it has been a welcome change of pace and has … Continue reading →

I think we have found our hood. We are still on the house hunt but are widening our search to include this sweet suburb about 15 minutes from downtown Auckland City. Kohimarama, affectionately called ‘Kohi’ by locals, is nestled between … Continue reading →

We did family pics a few weeks before we left and they just arrived in my inbox. Sigh. Missing the boys. Missing the cottage. Missing home.

Dave and I pinky swore that we would road trip once a month to ensure we see this amazing country in the four short years we are here. The North Island is probably 12 hours drive from tip to toe … Continue reading →

UPDATE: Day one could not have gone better for both girls. They were relaxed and smiling when I picked them up and I have already been called for a Saturday playdate for Emma. Big exhale. Another first today – Emma … Continue reading →

The housing market in Auckland has gone absolutely mad. I have read many theories on the reasons behind it including but not limited to: a straight up shortage of land leading to sky rocketing prices in prime neighborhoods; interest rates; … Continue reading →

The Kiwi accent takes some getting used to. I am straining and asking people to repeat quite a bit, apologizing for my Canadian-ness which ironically is very Canadian. What I have learned so far is that the confusion mostly lies … Continue reading →