"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. " - Lao Tzu
Today is the seven year anniversary of my arrival in New Zealand... and while I miss home a ridiculous amount, I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunities that I have been given from living here.
The past seven years has been equivalent to 2 557 days. That's 61 368 hours, which is
3 682 080 minutes and so on and so forth.
A lot has happened in the past seven years... a lot of laughter and many, many tears. I've made friends that will last a lifetime and conversely had friends and acquaintances drift in and out of my life.
I came on a bit of a whim - I found a job posting, it sounded good, I got the job and away I went. I liked it when I got here. It felt right... there were times it was tough and I wasn't sure I'd manage, but I did and I came out better for it.
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I've gone from the top of the country to the bottom and been awed and astounded by its natural beauty.
I've had (and continue to have) professional opportunities within the Montessori community, which I doubt I would have had in Canada. I've got a fantastic opportunity in khane which I'm certain I would have only been able to aspire to had I stayed in Toronto. I've been lucky enough to go to Sydney more times than I can count (when I was a child, I always wanted to go to Australia - that's one dream fulfilled) and had the chance to spend some great quality time with my family there. I went to Singapore for one of the most beautiful and memorable trips I've ever had. Finally, I've met amazing people and have a wonderful support network in my friends, co-workers and my "new" family (are they still counted as "new", when Phill and I have been married for over two years now?) In all honesty, it's turned out a lot better than I ever could have imagined and I feel so blessed.
Each and every day is a journey and a new adventure.
"A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us." John Steinbeck
I didn't plan to stay in New Zealand. I didn't plan to fall in love with the country, the people and the culture. I didn't plan to make a new home for myself. I didn't plan to meet my husband here (and marry him... twice.)
But I'm so glad that I did.
4 comments:
Great one Tez! I think we're incredibly blessed to have discovered countries that we love so much while still keeping Canada in our hearts.
Thanks Al! We are fairly fortunate, aren't we? Once a Canuck, always a Canuck. :)
just like everyone *knew* i wouldn't be back from nyc in a year, i'm sure everyone *knew* nz would be your home for awhile longer than you anticipated!
isn't it crazy how much growth can happen in 7 years compared to the countless years before that?
Sheba - I think on some level, I guess I knew it too!
It is also incredible how muh growth can happen when you allow it of yourself and let go a bit... and give yourself permission to make mistakes. That was a big one for me!
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