Another day in Paradise...?

Kia orana, kia orana, kia orana.

It has been a little while since I've posted anything so this going to be a bit wordy. Thank goodness Alina & Tere have had news to post.

When I was at work the other night and in the brief quiet moments, I  had time to reflect on how much things have changed for us since Oct. 2011. Last year, the six of us were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our container and cheering madly for the All Blacks.
This year, Ina is back in Ft. Mac area and won't be home for another six weeks.
Connor is working as a apprentice pipe fitter in Edmonton and is in the process  of setting up his own apartment.
Last year, Alina, Tere and Morganne were in school but not really doing anything other than getting use to uniforms and a system of schooling.
This year, Alina is very close to graduating...
Tere is finishing his first year in college, (in the "brainy" class,) and playing cricket...
Morganne has performed in a pe'e and learned more of her Cook Island maoritanga...
Last year, I was a "stay at home" mum and now I work full time; 40% in the office and 60% in the bar and kitchen...

Working at Aroa Beachside Inn and The Shipwreck Bar has given me the opportunity to experience a few amazing moments. They have been:

1. Watching a humpback whale beach nine times just off the reef while setting up for Saturday night BBQ.
2. Making dinner for Temuera Morrison  a.k.a. Jake the Mus, "Once Were Warriors"  and Jango Fett, "Star Wars" and burning his garlic bread.
3. Meeting people related to people I know, Ardre Foote and one of my cousins, Pae Davis.
4. Seeing the green flash as the sun sets (so it isn't just in Pirates of the Caribbean.)
5. Watching another humpback breach just as the sun sets behind it.

 

There is also the sense of belonging as I'm driving along and waving or nodding to people that recognize me. It's even more so when I can go into one of my favourite breakfast places and Ake knows what I want.

I don't have any regrets about uprooting our family and transplanting us on a tiny island in the South Pacific. I definitely miss our friends and family in both Canada and NZ but I believe that our bonds are strong enough to stand the test of absence.

We are coming into spring and it's starting to warm up again. The mozzies are making a comeback and Alina's poor legs are looking the worse for them. We've taken the blankets off the beds, washed and put them away for the next winter. Yes, we had blankets on the beds. There were nights when I'd get home from work, absolutely frozen because I'd been working at the bar in 18 celsius without sleeves on. I think I'm acclimatizing now! Tere took to wearing his long leather jacket around home (and anywhere else he could). Morganne still wears track pants and hoodies when she gets home from school. Those two are just crazy. Tere and Morganne went to town for an afternoon during their term break wearing their long pants, hooodies and coat. One of Tere's teachers saw him and couldn't believe what he was wearing so it was a hot day, They also miss the cold and snow. I obviously didn't make them shovel enough of it when we lived there.

We went from this…

                                                                                                                         

to this. 

Someone please send us back to a Canadian Winter for a vacation!

That basically sums up our recent exploits.