Settling Back in to the Motherland

Happy December everyone! 

It just occurred to me that I have not treated you to my linguistic stylings since February and Barcelona, and in the tradition of "Christmas Letters" I thought I might give you the modern equivalent. There is a prize at the end, a reward for reading my ramblings.

Leaving Qatar and coming home was one of the most exciting things I have ever done. I haven't kept it too secret that my time over in the heavily Islamic country was professionally demoralising, and I was so glad to return to a semblance of normality. I have probably said this to most of you; but it is not something I regret for a second, but I am very, very glad it is over. In between organising for my liberation, I had some great farewells with the fabulous people who help get me through the tough times.

Synchronised putting at the End of Year Golf Tournament. Yes. Golf.

One of the last brunches.

Afternoon Tea at the Grand Hyatt, daaahhhling.

My awesome class of girls.

Incredibly, I was lucky enough to secure a job for the remaining 2 terms of the New Zealand school year, starting almost immediately after getting home, and I have been travelling out to Rakaia from Christchurch to teach my wee class of 16 ten year olds for the last 6 months. This has been a really full-on time, as I have been job hunting for 2014, and finishing the last slog of my teaching registration. I have managed both, and will be working at a school in Rangiora next year as a fully registered teacher.

I have been insanely busy since coming home, and am using this opportunity to apologise to everyone for being so bad at keeping in touch for the last 6 months. Immediately after landing in Christchurch I tried to recover my jet lag in 12 hours, as the next day I headed to Tekapo with a group of friends.

FRIENDS!!!

The Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo

 We had 3 days away, and then I headed back home for a few days before heading south, back to Tekapo with the Giddens (Cindy, Kelvin and their 6 lovely offspring) and then on to see Granddad in Dunedin. The old guy is amazing, he is 96, has a brand new car, walks down the stairs to avoid the 'old biddies with their walkers' that use the lift, and still remember the exact date that he did that one thing, that time.

Anti-clockwise from Linda (good photo, Mum!), Lucy (hiding behind her) Kelvin, Me, Kate (who is being tickled, mwhaha) Emily, Hamish, Cindy, Cameron, Tom and Shu (their home stay).

Stunning day in Otago

I had a weekend off from travelling around, and then, just because I hadn't had enough, decided to head back down to Tekapo for a bought of skiing with Alex and her family.

On top of the world!

Nicholls sisters and me.

Tekapo. It didn't lose it's majesty even with the fact I was there 3 weekends out of 4.

 As the weeks ticked by, I tried to catch up with everything I had missed - some pretty exciting places have popped up post-earthquake, and the cafe/restaurant scene has some new goodies to explore. I'm still a bit out-of-touch but really beginning to figure out my favourites. It was honestly just amazing to be able to see friends and family regularly.

Tom playing rugby.

Lucy's first birthday shopping trip!

Sumner, sun and leather jackets. 

Celebrating my 26th birthday like a 6 year old - animal onesies, pin the tail on the unicorn, candy and a sleepover. We just replaced the prizes with alcohol. Easy.

Halloween!

The new room in the flat I lived in before I left for Qatar - funny how life works out!

I managed to squeeze in a few trips despite the sudden lack of expatriate funding and need to pay my own bills. I headed to "Sydney" (actually Newcastle, which is PRETTY FAR AWAY from Sydney, which I found out after booking the flights) for the engagement of Doha friends Ben and Tennielle.

We went on a girls trip to Wellington to see the World of Wearable Arts show (http://worldofwearableart.com/) and to catch up with friends.

Managed to remember to take a photo with Josh this time. For posterity. Though he didn't manage to get off his phone long enough to take the photo. Jaffa yuppie. *wink*

Multi-tasking at it's finest - dinner, make-up, hair and getting dressed simultaneously.

Posing with the $25 programme.

Fun with statues.

Up in the botanical gardens with the cable car.

We are all winding down for christmas, I am so excited to be spending the holidays in a country where it is accepted to celebrate it. It is also been 3 years since my last proper christmas day, as I have been travelling for the last two. We are having the day at Mum and Dad's and then the fun really begins - free camping at Glenorchy, like old times, flying back to Christchurch for New Year, with Jamie visiting with the new boyf from England, then on the 2nd, Alex and I are campervanning around Northland and the Coromandel in a 'Wicked' campervan (http://www.wickedcampers.co.nz/), before we head back home to start work in late January. It's going to be a killer month. Alex and I are so excited we have a logo, and merchandise! 

You have no idea how hard it is to find old word art.

Thanks for persevering! Here is your treat - Mother and Father all dressed up for a Masque.