Christmas was so different this year. After 25 consecutive Christmases in the same house, it is strange to celebrate Christmas in a whole new country, without my family, and in the summer. It was a melancholy sort of thing, especially because I missed my family so much, but all in all I had a wonderful first New Zealand Christmas.
Josh and I went to his Nan’s house. Josh’s brother, his uncle, and his dad were there too. We had a wonderful dinner together and shared some present opening and good times. Josh’s mom gave us a beautiful mirror which I was super excited about since the place where we live currently doesn’t have one except for a small one on the bathroom door. She also gave us nice soap, shampoo and conditioner, and a pairing knife for our super cooking endeavors. Josh’s Nan gave us some much needed cash.
I even got some wonderful presents from overseas. My awesome friend Marissa who is currently teaching over in Korea sent me a cute card, socks for me and Josh, and an adorable horoscope keychain. My parents also sent us some gifts: some pants, a new purse, a new backpack, belts for Josh, and some more much needed cash via Western Union from my parents, grandparents, grammy, and great uncle.
I am so thankful that I got to experience Christmas in a new setting with people that I love. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.
Merry Christmas!!! I hope you had fun with Josh’s family – it looks like the food was good!
That’s one awesome looking Pav! They’re soooo yummy!
I’m glad you enjoyed Christmas! It’s always hard when you’re away from family! Xx
Merry Christmas, glad you enjoyed Christmas :)
I’m so glad you enjoyed your Christmas!
As someone who’s spent the last five years away from home for Christmas, trust me – I understand entirely. It’s scary knowing that your traditions are about to change, but it’s so exciting!
I’ve admired Mark’s siblings the past couple of years. His brother is across the country, his other brother is in Spain, and his sister is in France – and they weren’t home last year either. His sister went to Germany with her boyfriend to have a traditional GERMAN Christmas this year, and it sounds so magical!
It is hard to be away from family, though – I know. Keep your chin up and remember that you’re living your own adventure. Nobody ever experienced anything awesome by sitting still. :)
We’re so happy that you enjoyed your first Christmas away from home! We can’t begin to explain how much you were missed here! Things just weren’t the same without you here with us! We had a nice day . . . but IT JUST WASN’T THE SAME! We love and MISS you so very much! Please give everyone in New Zealand our love! ~ Lots of Love, Mom, Dad, and Corinne xoxo
Merry Christmas! Glad yours went well!
Happy Christmas, Caity! :D
Mmm, I’ve never had pavlova, but that looks delicious. I’m glad you were able to enjoy your first NZ Christmas! I wonder what Christmas in the summer would feel like…
Aw your Christmas sounds so wonderful :) I am so glad that you were able to receive packages from around the world. That is very cool. I agree that it must be a little weird celebrating Christmas in the summer! Crazy.
I’m glad you still spend your Christmas with people you love, despite being in an unusual setting! I am glad that you still managed to have a good time. *hugs*
Glad to hear you had a nice first Christmas in NZ! Merry (belated) Christmas!
that looks delicious. glad you had a great christmas!
Aw, I can’t imagine being so far away from my family on Christmas… since I’ve always spent it with them. I can’t imagine how you must have felt! But how weird was it to celebrate Christmas in the middle of summer??? lol. That will forever be a strange thing to me.
How was the first summer Christmas? Did it feel strange? Even though it is summer here it is quite mild. It was a nice change :)
What is pav? It looks amazing, but I have no idea what it is. It sounds like you had a nice Christmas. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
It is a merenge based dessert.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlova_(food)
:)
I’m glad you had a good holiday Caity, it must be hard being away from your family and your old traditions!
I’m glad you had a nice Christmas even though it was strange. I can imagine the change of weather is a bit weird too!
Sounds like an AWESOME Christmas. And that dessert looks amazing, makes me want to go out and get the ingredients to make one Right Now! But I’ll eat a macIntosh apple instead – yummy.
xoxo
Merry Christmas, Caity! I’m glad you had a nice time in NZ :) And that’s a beautiful dessert … can you share a recipe? lol!
Sounds you and Josh got some much needed things for the holidays :D
That pavlova is mouthwatering.
I’m glad you had a great first Christmas at NZ. :)
I can’t imagine being so far away from home for the holidays. I’m glad you had a good Christmas!
That does look delish. Sounds like you had a pretty good Christmas even if t was your first away from home, which I’m sure was super hard on you! Still, so exciting to be in a different country and take it all in!
I’ve never had Pavlova but it looks amazing!
Glad you had a very blessed first Christmas in your new home. :)
The Blogger
I'm Caity! I am a New Yorker who married a Kiwi and recently moved across the world to New Zealand. I'm a math teacher who enjoys the outdoors, photography, video games, music, and general geekery.
Life is a great big adventure and I am beginning a whole new journey. It isn't always easy but it is always worth it. ♥
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