Finally, I found some internet.
First, I’d like to say that I wish I never made that joke about the ash cloud. I ended up getting stuck in Sydney for quite some time and although I tried to turn it into an adventure like I always do, there were times that it definitely wasn’t fun at all. That’s a story for another time, I think. For now, I have more exciting (and recent) things to speak of!
First of all, Josh and I are reunited and I couldn’t be happier. Our time apart has done us both a world of good. Although it was a really rough time it has brought us closer together and our relationship has never been stronger. We are both very happy.
In my opinion, we have already had more fun times and adventures in the past two months than we have in the past four years. That also could be the fact that our attitudes have changed toward the world, too. Well, I guess it could be a bit of both… the fact that there are some more adventures and the fact that our attitudes have changed.
We have our own little place. I really like it. It is about 7km out of the nearest town but I don’t feel completely isolated. I can ride my bike into town (which I do – I rode my bike into the internet cafe to post this) and I have been looking for work in the same way.
It is beautiful here. This is our backyard. That’s right – an orchard. I can’t wait until it’s nicer weather and winter is over and it’s all in full bloom. Though I don’t mind the rain that winter brings here – it means more rainbows. :)
We only have a tiny little car but that’s okay with me. It gets us around. I do have an aversion to driving it, though – and not for reasons you may think. I don’t mind that it’s on “the other side of the road.” I mind that it is a manual car. I have this irrational fear to manuals. Plus it doesn’t help that it is almost as old as I am. The little Fiat is a good, reliable little car and I am glad that we have it. Josh’s Dad is away for 11 weeks at the moment so he lent us his Ute (pickup truck) so we actually have two vehichles right now. I am supposed to be learning to drive this little car but I still bike into town instead. I’m silly.
There is the stress of driving and trying to find a job which has me a bit off kilter but all in all I am so happy here. It’s gorgeous here, I have everything I need, I have my husband, and things are going well overall. We are slowly getting settled in here although it has been a bit of a struggle but it’s easier struggling through it together. I am sure that eventually a job will come my way. Maybe the fact that I haven’t found something yet means that something even more awesome is just around the corner, right? In the meantime I will just keep enjoying myself and doing my best with what we have.
I hope you’ve all been great! Hopefully I will have the internet soon and I will be able to tell you all about my adventures! Keep smiling!
I’m so glad you are happy! :)
Glad you are happy :D! Gorgeous photos and I love your backyard view and look forwards to future pictures when it’s warmer outside :) I’m scared to learn manual too, I want to learn at some point of course but automatic is so much easier! Hope you find a job soon and hey maybe it’ll be close enough where you can just bike to it ;)
It looks amazing! I’m so happy for you and Josh. I’m sure you’ll get a job you love soon, but even if you don’t that’s okay because you’re in NEW ZEALAND! *Super jealous squeal*.
I’m really glad you’re doing so well. I hope you get Internet soon i miss you!
I am so jealous that you are living in New Zealand! Glad to hear you and Josh are doing well. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness together!
So, I was randomly abroad when you posted about going back to NZ, so I had no idea! I’m so excited for you!!
OMG SHEEP!! … I mean… Yay Caity!! I’m very happy for you :) I’m not sure there’s any way to elaborate on that (could be that my brain is half asleep…) just so so so so so (etc) happy for you!! And jealous that there’s sheep. And I will tell you, I have that same irrational fear of manuals! I’m suppose to be learning to drive ours but for a good month didn’t go near it because I had some family stress and also a market to sell postcards at so most of July was a blur. But a week ago on our way home from Camping I actually drove it on the highway!! I went from second into fifth gear and sucked at changing gear (always taking my foot off the clutch too quickly), but all in all it was not so bad. Really the worst part is starting. Once I realized that stopping was easy I felt much better. Might even try taking it out by myself around the parking lot this week if I’m brave enough… Anyways, this is about you. Don’t fear the car, you can’t break it, you do get use to the ‘feel’ of it and it will be a very good feeling once you get going :)
Have missed you around the web, but being away is probably kinda good for ya in a way. Good luck with the job hunt :)
Again…SHEEP! ;)
Caity! So happy to hear this news! Best of luck with the job hunt (yes, often having to wait means something better is coming) and the same for the future. Love the house :)
Hey! Glad you’re back and happy! Where abouts are you guys? Nelson? I suppose you’ve said and I’ve missed it somewhere. Sorry. :(
I hope things start looking up for you job wise! I did find that a long wait did mean an awesome oppertuinty was around the corner, so keep holding up! Apply apply apply!
yay happy things :) I never learned to ride a bike, but it seems like it would be easier than driving manual, lol. I don’t blame ya
I’m so glad to hear you’ve settled in and are doing good! :) Can’t wait to hear more from you :)
I love your photos, Caitlin! I’m glad you found an internet cafe where you can blog from time to time, until you get your own internet hooked up. Your cottage is adorable, and your backyard is beautiful! ~ Don’t worry about learning to drive the manual car! You’ll learn it when you’re ready! As you can see from all the responses above mine, many others have your same fear! (myself included) ~ I have my fingers crossed that a job will come your way soon! Hang in there! Love and miss you! Love, Mom
So glad that you’re happy and doing well in NZ. :D Things will look up for you soon, they must, everyone there will shortly realize how awesome you are and offer you a job. And I’m scare of manual cars, too, so don’t feel bad ;)
Yay, glad you are happy and have updated all of us!
Good luck learning how to drive the car, I can’t imagine what that is like!
I’m so glad to hear you’re happy and I’ve missed your positive blog so much so when I saw it was updated on my little blog list thingy, I went like YAY CAITY! :) There’s just something so anti-depressant about your blog posts, they always give me a bit of a natural high. <3
It looks absolutely gorgeous in New Zealand… can I come visit some day? :P (And has Josh lost like chuuuuuunks of weight? He looks quite different!)
I hope you get Internet soon so we all get more regular Caity's Positive Injections (CPI)!
I’m glad to hear that you’re having fun in New Zealand! :) You look so happy and the views you have there are just SO amazing, I’m jealous you get to see all of that every single day (and on a knitting/crochet/yarn-phile kind of way, I’m jealous of your close proximity to sheep! but I’m guess it probably doesn’t smell the greatest) ;)
Good luck with learning how to drive a standard/stick/manual/whatever. Are people in New Zealand generally safe drivers? I imagine it’s a much different environment than what you’re used to in the US – but I’d be nervous about driving a manual too. Everyone tells me that it’s better or whatnot, but I’m very much accustomed to driving an automatic too!
So glad you’re happy and back in New Zealand (jealous!) with your husband. I look forward to more updates and pictures.
Oh, and I can’t drive a stick shift either. :-/
New Zealand always looks so pretty! Good luck driving the car!
Oooh Caity, so pleased to have some news; I was quite worried! Ha, ha. You both look so fabulous, rested and rejuvenated !! I am so happy that you two are happy (and together again). Perhaps you both did some soul searching in your time apart and it is a fundamental thing to keep in mind- our desires, our joys, our resentment, and regrets… I am so glad that your spirit is renewed!
You have the cutest home and the most beautiful backyard! Your photos are amazing. I to *refuse* to drive a manual car and make my husband buy second-hand automatics; in France too they are not so easy to come by, but I have overheard my husband on several occasions tell others what an easy drive they make…. and now it is his preference…
What a treat it truly is to be able to read you once again Caity, and live vicariously thru your adventures! We are off to China in a month and so I am also looking for work (teaching). All the very best in your endeavors and in making your dreams come true! Cheers & ciao!
You both look SO great!
Cute house.
And you’ll get better at driving the manual. I promise! And one day it’ll be as natural as breathing.
Off to read your later posts, about you stranded in Sydney.
xo
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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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