The First Days Are The Hardest Days

It was exactly one year ago that our plane landed in Nelson Airport and we were introduced to life in New Zealand. The weather was cold and rainy and we were completely out of sorts. Our housing turned out to be freezing with extremely poor facilities. Luckily, as always, we had each other.

In the last 12 months, we have purchased cars, a home, secured jobs and quit them, learned about banking, income tax, insurance, health benefits. We taught ourselves to drive and eat on the left. Kimberly knows more about Rugby than football. We have made new friends, stayed in close touch with old ones.

At least 3 trips back to the states for joy and sadness; losing our hero who fought his last battle with dignity and gaining a granddaughter who rose from the ashes.

Dear friends have come for visits and we look forward to many more.

The Internet has been our best resource. From it we get news, SKYPE, email, Sirius Radio, music, movie downloads and travel. And Howard Stern.

After this short time, New Zealand still looks like the right choice for us.

It seems like we still have quite a few readers so the blog will continue until there is no more to say. ...

Thank you Robin for the constant comments. You are always first.

Howard, sorry we will miss your daughter's wedding. We will send a nice card.

Margo...We will thank you forever for coming to our family.

Tom, we are atheists...why do you try to have us climb backwards on the evolutionary ladder? Perhaps Betty can explain this to you.

Good luck to the Politos in Colorado

Wild Bill will be the funniest man alive. as soon as Don Rickles passes away.

Go Ho J...cut off the jam. And while you're at it, cut off Barry's jam.

To all our teacher friends in SoCal.... Your weather may be better, but English is still spoken here as a first language.

Donna H, we still love you even though you can't use a computer for anything other than a paperweight.

Eyal, the golf lessons are coming. But you will never beat me. And soon, when I figure out how to play leaning on a washing machine, I will be ping pong king.

Frith, you are my newest cookie fan and yoga buddy and much much more.

Tall Deb, Heidi, Jan...come out and experience the blog for real.

Mickey..you are remarkable with those numbers...you know what we mean. Jeff, as usual, you don't know what we mean.

Lauren and Jeff..thanks for all the help with the old house, the car and the Boy.

Rick and Barry...Pam says there may still be a DOD in the future. Hope for the blight, dot,dot.dot and all that implies.

Laura, hope you found a Dan Carter poster.

Cindy..miss our Saturdays at the Forum. We will make it up in SF.

Bill and Nancy. we may have a deal for you on the Maitai River...wink,wink. Stay in touch.

Brandon and Vanessa..that kid of yours give us the most important reason to come back to the USA. Air New Zealand thanks you.

Debby and Greg...you are the new Golden Couple. Good choice to honeymoon here.

Jenny...are you still paying to download music? You shame me, no kidney for you.

Joshua...stay above the ground.

Love and Happiness all year to everyone.

And as Eric the Actor always says, "Bye for now"