Long overdue.

Clearly the best way to start a new blog post would be to apologize for the length of time it's been since the last one. But, knowing how much you all love me and have long ago forgiven my horrible blogging skills, I'm going to skip that part.

It's nearly mid-July. It's been 21 weeks (147 days), 6 hours and 57 minutes since I watched my husbands plane fly out of Dunedin airport.

Not that I want you to feel sorry for me or anything ..........
......
...........nah. I'm not one for sympathy:)

Honestly, these past 5 months have felt like the longest and the shortest of my life, combined. I know that sounds impossible but it isn't, trust me.
I've spent time mostly on school, sometimes on fun, and every now and then on something completely random like wasting time on facebook;)
I've learned many clinical skills (was the last one I wrote about really donning rubber gloves? That almost feels embarrassing!) such as blood pressure auscultation, intermuscular and subcutaneous injections, IV medication administration and venepuncture (yes, that means taking bloods).

 I have also written several assigments and two exams, and have spent nearly 200 hours in the maternity ward of the city hospital. I know more about breastfeeding than I thought was possible without experiencing it, and have now perfected the art of folding cloth 'nappies'.
Apparently I say 'chups' instead of 'chips' (although I still can't hear the difference) and my 'awesome' has a definite kiwi ring to it.
...I even like vegemite! (shh. don't tell my husband.)

Yes, it's been an experience. I watched the epic rise and fall of the Canucks 2011 season from a litte sports bar called the 'baa'. yes. The Baa Bar...The two words sound exactly the same coming from a kiwi...just like 'Bear' and 'Beer'.....Anyway...
I've been to a steam-punk gala in a cute little town called Oamaru, and have been a tourist in the well-known Queenstown for Winterfest, although much to our disappointment the snow didn't turn up to meet us there.

Speaking of snow, it came blustering down out of a giant dark cloud for the first time in Dunedin, today. Well, the first time this year, anyway. It's the first time in my life that I've seen it snow in July...and to be honest, it wasn't that much more remarkable than when it snows in January!


 Basically, every day Ive been trying to focus on every day, and having been trying not to get too ahead of myself thinking about the fact that there are still 2.5 years left between me and midwifery. Each day has enough trouble of it's own, I have discovered over and over again.

God is faithful. Even when I am the most sleep deprived and the most stressed and the most just missing my family more than anything in the world, He is still here, still caring for me in ways that make me laugh out loud and just shake my head at His amazing provision and continued guidance and support.
I would not still be here without Him, I can tell you that much with absolute certainty.

At the moment I am looking forward to getting a few major projects behind me (if anyone is interested in the Mechanism of Normal Labour, let me tell you a story....) because I am going HOME for three weeks on August 13th!!!! I will be attending a wedding of some very dear friends, saying a MUCH needed hello to my amazing family and sweet puppy dog, and will be returning to NZ on September 2nd..HUSBAND IN TOW....Thank you Jesus, his work visa has finally come through. Steven will be joining (and STAYING WITH) me after the summer (/winter) and I simply cannot wait to share my life with him again. Living on your own is quite a funny thing after nearly 4 years of marriage..I can't imagine the adjustment that separation of any kind must be for people who have been together for even longer than that. NO FUN, let me tell you! Lots of growth, change, strengthening, and reliance on God, but not very much fun at all!

Sorry this has been quite bland and to the point, but it is well past my bedtime and I have an overly-full day of presentations, prayer meetings and yoga to look forward to tomorrow!

I will try to include some fun stories or other interesting elements in the next update:)

Love to you all and I hope you are enjoying the summer sunshine as much as you possibly can.
Warmest Blessings,
Kait.