This post is a special post for me because today (5th December 2007) marks the 10 year anniversary of when we first touched down on New Zealand soil. I don’t remember many birthdays (I barely remember my own) but that day, the 5th of December 1997 is indelibly etched into my memory. We touched down in Auckland International Airport after a 13 hour stopover in Hong Kong and an even longer flight half way around the world. We were dead tired and I had jet lag for something like a week.
But still, we had made it. For us New Zealand represented an adventure and the promise of good things to come. We arrived with nothing but the clothes on our backs and started rebuilding our lives from that point. For me, it was a wonderful growing experience. Fresh out of high school I was ready for the University environment and I flourished. Susan took a little longer to settle but came into her own of course, Scot assimilated better than any of us, almost instantaneously he taking on his own unique kiwi accent.
So now, ten years on from that day that seems so very long ago, it is my opportunity to look back and reflect on the past decade of life here in New Zealand. I think I can truly say that I have become a New Zealander now. I have never felt such a sense of nationalism and pride for my country as I have felt for New Zealand over these last 10 years. New Zealand has held firm to leftist principles, it has openly denounced the overt acts of aggression by the US, it has instituted social and economic reforms many years before many other countries dared to even conceive of them. We have a long way to go, but I have every faith in the character of the New Zealand people.
It also just so happens that today, by some fluke, I received confirmation that I now have New Zealand security clearance. I won’t say what level or anything, but it’s a pretty big deal to me, I can assure you.
December 6th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Makes my heart glad to hear how positive & happy you sound….congrats to you for making the most of your opportunities. Love to you allXXX
December 6th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Hi Bean
You sure caught us off guard with this one!!!
It seems like a lifetime ago that you had to sleep on the floor at Pinero Place. We have all come a long way since then, it’s great to know that we made the right choice in deciding to come to this stunning country and that our three kids have the world at their feet. Looking forward to seeing you over Christmas.
Love Arth
Thanks for always being there to add to the rent and food bills with your IT money. I’ll never forget the hard times but all is well. Love you boy, see you soon.
Mom.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:20 am
So good to hear you are all so happy in New Zealand. I would miss the wonderfully hot and sunny days of Africa too much. Not to mention all the opportunities we are afforded in SA. One can make a good living if you are prepared to work hard for it. The economy is growing and thankfully so are our bank balances.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
I hope that some day you’ll be able to come visit New Zealand. You are always welcome here
December 11th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Hi Stephen
Wowhee, I just managed to get some time to check up on you via your blog.
Goody, I was wondering how long you all been here in NZ by now!!! It’s another 7 and half years for us to catch up with you all!!!
That’s 1 out of so many milestones you all have achieved, so far in NZ!!! Good on you all!!!
Yeah, we cant look back either coming to NZ. NZ has just been a very positive move for us as well. Can’t complain at all.
See ya later, maybe over Christmas!!!
Regards
CornW
December 12th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Hey Stephen, Maybe you need to come back to the US and tell the idiots in charge the proper way to do things. Lord knows we need all the help we can get over here. :-/