I wrote this post in January, and really have no idea why it never got passed the "draft" stage!! I probably just forgot to hit 'publish':)
I am so richly blessed in the friend department..I felt honoured, sad, joyful, and teary this afternoon as I gathered with my lovely West Coast Doula ladies (www.westcoastdoulas.com) for a bit of a farewell party. Everyone brought such delicious. homey food to share, and we visited about life and birth and of course New Zealand and midwifery.
As we shared food and life, I couldn't help but think about what an amazing gift this year of West Coast Doulas has been to me. What a huge blessing and preparation-in-disguise it has been to be a founding member in such a dynamic and caring group of women! I have learned so much, and now feel so supported in my decision to follow my dreams. Support really is worth so much more than it is given credit for!
I had very few words this afternoon, and I still have little to say but thank you. It means so much more than I can say to know each one of these caring women.
Before my meeting with the ladies we spent some time in Nanaimo and attended our church out there early this morning (www.themeetingplace.org). Heard such a relevant message about fear..and about how our biggest fears in life are often based around what we feel is our reason for living... The fear of losing what we hold dearest and closest is what haunts most people. By placing those fears in God, by making him the thing we hold closest in life, the power of fear disappears as God will never leave, nor can He ever be taken away.
Quite relevant for me anyway, as I'm facing some of my biggest fears in leaving my precious family <3
I hope God can teach me to love him more, and to make him the thing that I hold nearest and dearest.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Ok...
So, I sounded kind of full of myself and my opinions in that last post.
It was really not meant to come across that way.
It's not my intention to offend or insult anyone else's choices..I am just seeing and learning and doing so much new stuff on a daily basis that I feel like I need a place to vent my (albeit ethnocentric, slightly outrageous, one-sided and yes even egotistical) opinions!
..Maybe I need to include a warning in the blog heading!
Or maybe I just need to keep my observations to myself.
It was really not meant to come across that way.
It's not my intention to offend or insult anyone else's choices..I am just seeing and learning and doing so much new stuff on a daily basis that I feel like I need a place to vent my (albeit ethnocentric, slightly outrageous, one-sided and yes even egotistical) opinions!
..Maybe I need to include a warning in the blog heading!
Or maybe I just need to keep my observations to myself.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Right now
Right now I am enjoying my brand new electric blanket that I bought on sale for a mere $42. That's less than 40 cdn, and a small price to pay for warm toes at nighttime, let me tell you.
Right now I am wondering what possesses me to stay up until 1am when I was nearly falling asleep at 8:30pm..The dread I maintain of sleeping usually stems from the dread of another day looming ahead, and considering that tomorrow is Monday I suppose the dread on this particular evening is valid. I have promised myself to not ever, no matter how far behind I am or may possibly get, do any school work on Sundays..so I am always a little bit sad to see them go.
Right now I am grateful for where I live. I never thought I'd find another place that I'd feel as blessed to call home as Ucluelet. That was an awkward sentence, but it's true. As I drove out on the peninsula today, with a car load of friends and chocolate, I couldn't help but be in awe of the beauty of this place. A gentle autumn breeze pushed us along as we climbed rocks, explored the beaches and tunnels (left over from WWII, there's tons of them!), and basked in the sunshine. It was simply a gorgeous day, and this place I'm learning to call home is simply an incredibly beautiful place to be. How amazing is God?? That out of the entire westernized world, I end up at school in such a lovely place..Does He know my heart that well? Does He really know how the ocean refreshes me, how the trees and the sandy beaches inspire me, how all the funny birds and sheep make me laugh, and how the clouds on the horizon lift my spirit every day? Oh..how thankful I am.
Right now I am missing my family..I could just imagine how the apple pies my mom and little sister were baking filled the house with warm cinnamony smell this afternoon, and how the house filled with bustle and chaos as siblings and relatives arrived this evening.
Oh I miss long evenings of tea and scrabble with my parents. And I miss leisurely saturday morning breakfasts with my Whitworth family..warm little pancakes piled with blueberries, followed by walks with the kids and dogs in the sunshine..does it get much better?
But right now I am tired. And I will go to sleep praying for the ones I love far away, and giving thanks for the incredible blessings the Lord has given me right here. Such sweet community, such sweet conversation, such sweet afternoon sunshine, and such sweet sales on electric blankets <3
Right now I am wondering what possesses me to stay up until 1am when I was nearly falling asleep at 8:30pm..The dread I maintain of sleeping usually stems from the dread of another day looming ahead, and considering that tomorrow is Monday I suppose the dread on this particular evening is valid. I have promised myself to not ever, no matter how far behind I am or may possibly get, do any school work on Sundays..so I am always a little bit sad to see them go.
Right now I am grateful for where I live. I never thought I'd find another place that I'd feel as blessed to call home as Ucluelet. That was an awkward sentence, but it's true. As I drove out on the peninsula today, with a car load of friends and chocolate, I couldn't help but be in awe of the beauty of this place. A gentle autumn breeze pushed us along as we climbed rocks, explored the beaches and tunnels (left over from WWII, there's tons of them!), and basked in the sunshine. It was simply a gorgeous day, and this place I'm learning to call home is simply an incredibly beautiful place to be. How amazing is God?? That out of the entire westernized world, I end up at school in such a lovely place..Does He know my heart that well? Does He really know how the ocean refreshes me, how the trees and the sandy beaches inspire me, how all the funny birds and sheep make me laugh, and how the clouds on the horizon lift my spirit every day? Oh..how thankful I am.
Right now I am missing my family..I could just imagine how the apple pies my mom and little sister were baking filled the house with warm cinnamony smell this afternoon, and how the house filled with bustle and chaos as siblings and relatives arrived this evening.
Oh I miss long evenings of tea and scrabble with my parents. And I miss leisurely saturday morning breakfasts with my Whitworth family..warm little pancakes piled with blueberries, followed by walks with the kids and dogs in the sunshine..does it get much better?
But right now I am tired. And I will go to sleep praying for the ones I love far away, and giving thanks for the incredible blessings the Lord has given me right here. Such sweet community, such sweet conversation, such sweet afternoon sunshine, and such sweet sales on electric blankets <3
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Take your cue from the sheep.
IT'S COLD HERE!!!!!
If you're from Dunedin and reading this, you're probably rolling your eyes with that "I told you so" expression and pulling your woolies more tightly around you, as another gust of wind blows a draft through the crack under the door.
I was pretty sure it wouldn't phase me. I mean, I'm from Canada!! Land of the cold! Or at least land of the wet are miserable. I've grown up where it's normal to walk to work in the pouring rain and gusting south-easterlies, normal not to see the sun shine more than 4 hours between December and April, normal to need gumboots and a touque. I was so used to the rain that I didn't even own an umbrella at home! Oh, what, it's raining? So what? Throw on a hoodie and walk to the Co op anyway!
I was naive to think I was prepared. I was naive to think that with my cotton hoodies and bright red boots that I wouldn't even notice winter. Ppfft...bring it on I thought, I'm from Canada!
Hahaha.
I'm from Canada, and I'm FREEZING.
The temperatures have been plummeting over the last couple of weeks. It was quite a sudden turn, really. And to be honest they haven't even gotten that low...I think today we were looking at a high of 12 and low of 7.
There is something about New Zealand cold that I have never felt before. You know the difference between Calgary-cold and Vancouver-cold? How it can be -10 in Calgary and feel more comfortable than the +5 of Vancouver at times? It's because of the dampness of the coast, I think.
Well, it's like that, but worse. It's like there is the damp-cold of Vancouver, and then there is the DAMPER damp COLDER cold of Dunedin.
How long will you pay attention if I just keep ranting about the weather? It's really quite something. I've been sleeping with a hoody and socks on, and today I went shopping for WOOLIES.
The sheep really have it figured out. So do the people here, actually. I have never seen 100% Merino wool clothing (even if it is second hand) for so incredibly cheap!! 4 cardigans, 3 long sleeve shirts, 2 skirts, 1 pair of boots and $75nzd later, and I think I'm set (for a couple of months, anyway!).
(..ps on the thrift shopping thing.. KIM FURNELL, I was thinking about you the whole time <3. I was actually picking up piecing of clothing thinking hmmmm...Grey cardigan, $3, thrifted..Yes, Kim would be proud.)
Besides complaining and being cold, I am actually doing a lot these days. I've done 8 out of my 19 hospital shifts, and can do a lot more than put on sterile gloves, let me tell you! The normal stuff is taking blood pressures, temps, pulses, etc, giving oral medications, hooking up fetal heart monitors, palpating abdomens, bathing babies, and helping a LOT with getting breastfeeding established. I'm pretty sure I've seen and learned more about breastfeeding in the last few weeks than the rest of my life combined. Do you know how many different methods, tricks, and alternative feeding techniques are used in order to ensure babies get the breast milk they need?? It's amazing!!!
The best part is visiting with the new parents in the hospital...I've met lovely people from all over the world! A couple from France, a few from Germany, from North America, Asia, and of course from all over New Zealand. The diversity is exciting and fun, you never know who the next couple will be or what their story is.
Speaking of stories, there is no end of them at Queen Mary Maternity. Whether its watching them unfold yourself, or listening to the midwives chatting at reception, or the interns in the hallways, or the families themselves, there are ALWAYS stories being told. I have learned true things and untrue things, heard of extreme cases of incredible beauty and incredible pain. Highs and lows, joys and heartbreaks..The intimate moments of life such as birth and death bring people together and talking like nothing else I've ever seen. They build bonds and bridges between worlds and lifestyles..It doesn't matter what else is going on in the world, outside of that hospital ward, when a new baby is being born or the team is working on saving a life. Incredible, and often overwhelming. I leave shifts feeling like I can't believe that I'll be paid for this one day.
There are the stories that make you rethink your path though. The calloused stories from experienced midwives who warn against getting too involved..Who have given everything they have and more to a profession that has sucked them dry. These kinds of depressing stories or warnings I am careful to tuck away into the recesses of my mind. They are the kinds of things that will help shape me into the midwife I want to be. As someone wise said to me a few days ago, "Never underestimate how much you can learn from others experiences."
Outside of the hospital I have a full load of coursework, textbooks to read, essays to write, group projects to work on. I am currently getting started on research for a presentation on the lay midwives of the 1920s. Another project I'm working on in a group is on the Le Leche League of NZ, their history and how/what support they offer women.
Beyond school I have a lot happening as well. I am involved in several groups and projects at my church, including recently being asked to be a part of the leadership team for the Young Adults ministry. I'm on the roster for holding babies during the services on sundays, and am on a team with a few other women putting together an after-school program for elementary school kids in a low socio-economic-status district of the city.
...I was planning on writing more but have become distracted with editing and organizing my essay due in the morning, and about a million other things that are staring at me. SO, my apologies for how informative and unexciting this post has been. I will try to make the next one more fun!...and maybe even include a few photos, although I haven't been taking many of those lately either..(man, if only full time school wasn't ACTUALLY full time..:p )
Love and hugs and all of those happy things to you from me. xo!
If you're from Dunedin and reading this, you're probably rolling your eyes with that "I told you so" expression and pulling your woolies more tightly around you, as another gust of wind blows a draft through the crack under the door.
I was pretty sure it wouldn't phase me. I mean, I'm from Canada!! Land of the cold! Or at least land of the wet are miserable. I've grown up where it's normal to walk to work in the pouring rain and gusting south-easterlies, normal not to see the sun shine more than 4 hours between December and April, normal to need gumboots and a touque. I was so used to the rain that I didn't even own an umbrella at home! Oh, what, it's raining? So what? Throw on a hoodie and walk to the Co op anyway!
I was naive to think I was prepared. I was naive to think that with my cotton hoodies and bright red boots that I wouldn't even notice winter. Ppfft...bring it on I thought, I'm from Canada!
Hahaha.
I'm from Canada, and I'm FREEZING.
The temperatures have been plummeting over the last couple of weeks. It was quite a sudden turn, really. And to be honest they haven't even gotten that low...I think today we were looking at a high of 12 and low of 7.
There is something about New Zealand cold that I have never felt before. You know the difference between Calgary-cold and Vancouver-cold? How it can be -10 in Calgary and feel more comfortable than the +5 of Vancouver at times? It's because of the dampness of the coast, I think.
Well, it's like that, but worse. It's like there is the damp-cold of Vancouver, and then there is the DAMPER damp COLDER cold of Dunedin.
How long will you pay attention if I just keep ranting about the weather? It's really quite something. I've been sleeping with a hoody and socks on, and today I went shopping for WOOLIES.
The sheep really have it figured out. So do the people here, actually. I have never seen 100% Merino wool clothing (even if it is second hand) for so incredibly cheap!! 4 cardigans, 3 long sleeve shirts, 2 skirts, 1 pair of boots and $75nzd later, and I think I'm set (for a couple of months, anyway!).
(..ps on the thrift shopping thing.. KIM FURNELL, I was thinking about you the whole time <3. I was actually picking up piecing of clothing thinking hmmmm...Grey cardigan, $3, thrifted..Yes, Kim would be proud.)
Besides complaining and being cold, I am actually doing a lot these days. I've done 8 out of my 19 hospital shifts, and can do a lot more than put on sterile gloves, let me tell you! The normal stuff is taking blood pressures, temps, pulses, etc, giving oral medications, hooking up fetal heart monitors, palpating abdomens, bathing babies, and helping a LOT with getting breastfeeding established. I'm pretty sure I've seen and learned more about breastfeeding in the last few weeks than the rest of my life combined. Do you know how many different methods, tricks, and alternative feeding techniques are used in order to ensure babies get the breast milk they need?? It's amazing!!!
The best part is visiting with the new parents in the hospital...I've met lovely people from all over the world! A couple from France, a few from Germany, from North America, Asia, and of course from all over New Zealand. The diversity is exciting and fun, you never know who the next couple will be or what their story is.
Speaking of stories, there is no end of them at Queen Mary Maternity. Whether its watching them unfold yourself, or listening to the midwives chatting at reception, or the interns in the hallways, or the families themselves, there are ALWAYS stories being told. I have learned true things and untrue things, heard of extreme cases of incredible beauty and incredible pain. Highs and lows, joys and heartbreaks..The intimate moments of life such as birth and death bring people together and talking like nothing else I've ever seen. They build bonds and bridges between worlds and lifestyles..It doesn't matter what else is going on in the world, outside of that hospital ward, when a new baby is being born or the team is working on saving a life. Incredible, and often overwhelming. I leave shifts feeling like I can't believe that I'll be paid for this one day.
There are the stories that make you rethink your path though. The calloused stories from experienced midwives who warn against getting too involved..Who have given everything they have and more to a profession that has sucked them dry. These kinds of depressing stories or warnings I am careful to tuck away into the recesses of my mind. They are the kinds of things that will help shape me into the midwife I want to be. As someone wise said to me a few days ago, "Never underestimate how much you can learn from others experiences."
Outside of the hospital I have a full load of coursework, textbooks to read, essays to write, group projects to work on. I am currently getting started on research for a presentation on the lay midwives of the 1920s. Another project I'm working on in a group is on the Le Leche League of NZ, their history and how/what support they offer women.
Beyond school I have a lot happening as well. I am involved in several groups and projects at my church, including recently being asked to be a part of the leadership team for the Young Adults ministry. I'm on the roster for holding babies during the services on sundays, and am on a team with a few other women putting together an after-school program for elementary school kids in a low socio-economic-status district of the city.
...I was planning on writing more but have become distracted with editing and organizing my essay due in the morning, and about a million other things that are staring at me. SO, my apologies for how informative and unexciting this post has been. I will try to make the next one more fun!...and maybe even include a few photos, although I haven't been taking many of those lately either..(man, if only full time school wasn't ACTUALLY full time..:p )
Love and hugs and all of those happy things to you from me. xo!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thoughts and musings of life at the moment
Check out my Picasa albums:
https://picasaweb.google.com/101068086910679384837/TheBeginningAndCalifornia2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ21jtupot_SpQE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/101068086910679384837/DunedinOtagoUniversityButterflyWorldAndOtagoMuseum?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ_v2_Xa2o670wE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/101068086910679384837/MyNZBirthday?authkey=Gv1sRgCOOA2cHNgd6Qdg&feat=directlink
Right now they are locked so you need the individual links to view the albums...I'm trying to figure out how I can keep them locked and private but still give you access to all of them with only one link. Maybe its not possible with Picasa, and maybe if anyone knows anything more about photosharing they can share their info with me:) I'm kind of done with Facebook for the moment as far as being "the answer to all information sharing and online photo storage needs"...because its just not. And for those of you that think that posting on my facebook feed about this blog in which I posted links to my photos is THE SAME THING as posting the photos directly onto facebook, well, you're wrong. And that's all I have to say about that.
Anyway, my point wasn't really to start a conversation about facebook or my love/hate relationship with it. I just wanted to share my photos with you:) I'll try to remember to add links here on my blog to new uploaded albums. And HOPEFULLY I have most of your email addresses so I can share that way as well.
-----------------------------------------
Steven left for Canada on Wednesday. Yep. He just moved me to a foreign country and left me here. Away from all of my friends and family, with loads of work to do and no end in sight and no promised date of return. I could make it sound pretty nasty of him, it wouldn't be too hard.
But it would be lies. Because the truth is he worked every day of the last 4 weeks helping me to get set up, doing paper work, buying a car, organizing cell phone plans, bank accounts, visa and school applications, etc etc etc. The list goes on and the list isn't really the point. The point is that he used a years worth of vacation time to do all of that and then flew back to Canada within a day of his leave running out to return to work. He's applying for his visa while he's home working so when he comes back he can immediately (hopefully) find work here and continue to support me in accomplishing my goals.
Ummmm.....Maybe I just have a selective memory, but I really don't remember what I did to deserve that. Never mind the fact that he was the number one motivator (besides God doing what He does very well within my little heart and mind) in getting me to actually get my butt out of my comfort zone and make this move.
Pretty freaking fantastic, that's what he is.
..Just sayin'.
In other news....
MY STUDENT VISA APPLICATION WAS APPROVED TODAY.
That's right. Every one of you still holding onto that last straw of hope that I would be returning home dashed with despair and yet ridiculously happy to see you (and my dog) this April, it's time to let it go. (oh. maybe I'm just saying that to myself for the first time. Turns out I *might* have been holding onto one of those last straws myself..Time to give that to God with every other aspect of my life I've had to hand over during the last 4 months, apparently.)
I will be here, for better or worse, until December 8th.
The earthquake in Christchurch happened on my birthday. We did not feel it, although almost everyone else I've talked to did. We were touring a fort built for WWI way out on the end of Otago Penninsula when it struck, and were actually in a sort of underground bunker at the time. We didn't feel it. But the rest of the country sure did, in one way or another.
I don't think I've ever been so close to such a large-scale natural disaster. Let me tell you, it's pretty different from being across the ocean from it. There isn't an afternoon that goes by that you don't hear something new about it, or people comforting each other. The entire country of New Zealand feels like one harmonious community. Everyone knows everyone, and if they dont then they know someone who does. It's incredible to see a country pull together the way it has. Christchurch looks like it has gone through a bombing raid, but there are thousands upon thousands of volunteers down there, and even more people sending money, food, blankets, toilet paper, and flashlights. It won't fix it, but it will support those who were hurt by it.
They are saying that this earthquake is actually an aftershock of the big one last September. I was speaking to a student from the University doing his PhD in Geology today, and although his specialty is volcanoes he has a few good friends working on studying the earthquakes in and around ChCh. This one didn't actually surprise everyone. I guess after every major quake there is at least 1 aftershock that is only 1 magnitude less in strength. ChCh hadn't seen one that strong yet since September, and I guess everyone was just hoping they'd get away without it. Unfortunately basically the worst case scenario happened instead. I've heard many people say that they have friends or family who are just leaving, and not going back. It will take years and years for the city and the country to get over this. We continue to pray that God can take this situation and turn it into something that can one day be looked back upon as a stepping stone to something bigger, something good.
Anyway, it's very very late and although it is Saturday tomorrow I do have several modules of Professional Calculations to work through (can't you hear the joy in my voice?:). Thanks for bearing with me as I processed the last couple of days...Good thing this writing stuff is as therapeutic for me as it is informative for you! Double win.
Love and blessings!
P.S. Just in case any of you are super worried about my husband-less state in a far away country, let me assure you that God is definitely holding up his end of the bargain as far as taking care of me goes. He has blessed me with some really amazing new friendships. The kind that are just exactly what you need right when you need it. The kind that offer not only hugs of encouragement, peppermint tea and chocolate, but the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice to watch when some real comfort is needed (I kid you not, I didn't even bring it up). Our God is a great big God, who incredibly can care about the smallest details of our lives even while sustaining His people through war, His children through starvation, and His countries through natural disasters..
Wow, what?! Thank you, Jesus.
https://picasaweb.google.com/101068086910679384837/TheBeginningAndCalifornia2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ21jtupot_SpQE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/101068086910679384837/DunedinOtagoUniversityButterflyWorldAndOtagoMuseum?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ_v2_Xa2o670wE&feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/101068086910679384837/MyNZBirthday?authkey=Gv1sRgCOOA2cHNgd6Qdg&feat=directlink
Right now they are locked so you need the individual links to view the albums...I'm trying to figure out how I can keep them locked and private but still give you access to all of them with only one link. Maybe its not possible with Picasa, and maybe if anyone knows anything more about photosharing they can share their info with me:) I'm kind of done with Facebook for the moment as far as being "the answer to all information sharing and online photo storage needs"...because its just not. And for those of you that think that posting on my facebook feed about this blog in which I posted links to my photos is THE SAME THING as posting the photos directly onto facebook, well, you're wrong. And that's all I have to say about that.
Anyway, my point wasn't really to start a conversation about facebook or my love/hate relationship with it. I just wanted to share my photos with you:) I'll try to remember to add links here on my blog to new uploaded albums. And HOPEFULLY I have most of your email addresses so I can share that way as well.
-----------------------------------------
Steven left for Canada on Wednesday. Yep. He just moved me to a foreign country and left me here. Away from all of my friends and family, with loads of work to do and no end in sight and no promised date of return. I could make it sound pretty nasty of him, it wouldn't be too hard.
But it would be lies. Because the truth is he worked every day of the last 4 weeks helping me to get set up, doing paper work, buying a car, organizing cell phone plans, bank accounts, visa and school applications, etc etc etc. The list goes on and the list isn't really the point. The point is that he used a years worth of vacation time to do all of that and then flew back to Canada within a day of his leave running out to return to work. He's applying for his visa while he's home working so when he comes back he can immediately (hopefully) find work here and continue to support me in accomplishing my goals.
Ummmm.....Maybe I just have a selective memory, but I really don't remember what I did to deserve that. Never mind the fact that he was the number one motivator (besides God doing what He does very well within my little heart and mind) in getting me to actually get my butt out of my comfort zone and make this move.
Pretty freaking fantastic, that's what he is.
..Just sayin'.
In other news....
MY STUDENT VISA APPLICATION WAS APPROVED TODAY.
That's right. Every one of you still holding onto that last straw of hope that I would be returning home dashed with despair and yet ridiculously happy to see you (and my dog) this April, it's time to let it go. (oh. maybe I'm just saying that to myself for the first time. Turns out I *might* have been holding onto one of those last straws myself..Time to give that to God with every other aspect of my life I've had to hand over during the last 4 months, apparently.)
I will be here, for better or worse, until December 8th.
The earthquake in Christchurch happened on my birthday. We did not feel it, although almost everyone else I've talked to did. We were touring a fort built for WWI way out on the end of Otago Penninsula when it struck, and were actually in a sort of underground bunker at the time. We didn't feel it. But the rest of the country sure did, in one way or another.
I don't think I've ever been so close to such a large-scale natural disaster. Let me tell you, it's pretty different from being across the ocean from it. There isn't an afternoon that goes by that you don't hear something new about it, or people comforting each other. The entire country of New Zealand feels like one harmonious community. Everyone knows everyone, and if they dont then they know someone who does. It's incredible to see a country pull together the way it has. Christchurch looks like it has gone through a bombing raid, but there are thousands upon thousands of volunteers down there, and even more people sending money, food, blankets, toilet paper, and flashlights. It won't fix it, but it will support those who were hurt by it.
They are saying that this earthquake is actually an aftershock of the big one last September. I was speaking to a student from the University doing his PhD in Geology today, and although his specialty is volcanoes he has a few good friends working on studying the earthquakes in and around ChCh. This one didn't actually surprise everyone. I guess after every major quake there is at least 1 aftershock that is only 1 magnitude less in strength. ChCh hadn't seen one that strong yet since September, and I guess everyone was just hoping they'd get away without it. Unfortunately basically the worst case scenario happened instead. I've heard many people say that they have friends or family who are just leaving, and not going back. It will take years and years for the city and the country to get over this. We continue to pray that God can take this situation and turn it into something that can one day be looked back upon as a stepping stone to something bigger, something good.
Anyway, it's very very late and although it is Saturday tomorrow I do have several modules of Professional Calculations to work through (can't you hear the joy in my voice?:). Thanks for bearing with me as I processed the last couple of days...Good thing this writing stuff is as therapeutic for me as it is informative for you! Double win.
Love and blessings!
P.S. Just in case any of you are super worried about my husband-less state in a far away country, let me assure you that God is definitely holding up his end of the bargain as far as taking care of me goes. He has blessed me with some really amazing new friendships. The kind that are just exactly what you need right when you need it. The kind that offer not only hugs of encouragement, peppermint tea and chocolate, but the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice to watch when some real comfort is needed (I kid you not, I didn't even bring it up). Our God is a great big God, who incredibly can care about the smallest details of our lives even while sustaining His people through war, His children through starvation, and His countries through natural disasters..
Wow, what?! Thank you, Jesus.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Theives Alley Street Market, and the silly little dog that barks
This is Alex. Our upstairs neighbours are dog-sitting it. I say it because I have a hard time admitting it is a dog. It's smaller than our cat. And sounds like its dying whenever they leave it at home, which is why we let it into our space. (we let it bark for over 2 hours the first morning...it did not stop.)
Bustop...
Me, apparently looking like a medieval hippy..I was told this afternoon that I looked the part to join the Medieval club and was invited to a feast on March 13..which apparently includes archery and leather book making....fun? I think so.
ASHLEY! This one's for you...Aren't you proud, I'm using a glass jar :) My husband thinks I'm genuinely insane, btw....
The Theives Alley Street Market Waffle Hut...kind of like Beaver Tails (if you've ever been to Mt. Washington), but waffles instead.
Wooden furniture for sale at the market that I think Dad and Jonny should make: Because its amazing. AND is just wood, rope, and copper. Very classy and very cool.
Market fun
OH the candy floss: amazingly, sweetly delicious and plentiful
Steven preferred the Samosas...We're different like that:)
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