Happy 2014!

While most of you are leaving for NYE revels, we are into the afternoon of 1 Jan. Yesterday was a beautiful day in Wellington, and we looked at two apartments. One we really liked - shiny hardwood floors, beautiful harbour and city views, nice space. The ad said it is available furnished, but it was not furnished when we viewed it, so we are checking on that before taking it. It would be about a 30 minute walk to work for me, which I would enjoy (except on the rainy days, such as today. There is a bus stop, though, right outside the building. I will include photos.

Last night we went to Courtney Place for a great dinner and wonderful entertainer, Sean Preston, who payed piano and sang. He had a real Elton John sounding voice. SO disappointed there were no fireworks over Wellington Harbour! But we still had a memorable NYE celebration in NZ.

Hoped to take a Welly Walk this afternoon, but we are back to rain, so we've having a quiet day inside. It will be great when we can spread out a bit more in an apartment, but that won't happen for some weeks til we get back from our South Island adventures. Still, no complaints here. We are thrilled to be here.

29 Dec - Arrived and looking for apts

The flight on 26 Dec from Seattle to Wellington was long and a bit arduous (with lots of screaming toddlers en route from LA to Auckland), but we managed some sleep and felt ok when we arrived. Weather has been  16-18C (in the 60sF) and comfortable for walking with an umbrella. Yesterday we wandered the harbor and found a great place for dinner - best snapper I have ever eaten! All the food has been wonderful, with no hormones, free range eggs, etc.

Today we walked a few miles looking at potential areas with available apartments. I'm in the hotel lobby working online (it's free here but costly from the room). Lots of young people here! We enjoy watching all the children pushing themselves on their scooters at the harbor walk.

A few pics from yesterday:

26 Dec - last US post for some time

We're relaxing at Kat and Bryan's for another half hour before heading to the airport. Christmas Eve and Day were lots of fun at Bryan's mom Sandy and step-dad Stan's house. The air is crisp, and the snow-covered mountains are beautiful here in Everett, Washington. It's been a great break before the very long trip ahead.

18 December: 4 days left in FL

Busy, busy since last post. The Bocelli concert was wonderful. I spied empty seats right near the stage during the first half in the nose bleed section, so during intermission Dick and I snapped them up and were up close and personal.

Sunday was a last time at the UU Sarasota, and Rev. Roger gave a perfect sermon on simplicity and minimizing. Just right as we embark on a year away with two suitcases apiece! From there we attended an Interweave potluck (gay-straight alliance), then had dinner out with friends Mary and Gerry.

On Monday, I met a friend and co-researcher for breakfast, and Dick and I had our last dance lesson at Empire for some time. Tuesday I drove to Homosassa Springs to visit Mom, then to Lecanto HS where the Ugandan Pearls club (started after I talked to the students about my work in Ugandan 3 years ago) gathered to hear about updates in Lira. These young people are so inspiring as they show how much they want to help the children in Lira. They sell paper beads and stuffed animals I bring back from Children of Hope Uganda and send the money back to COHU for the children. That evening we attended a party at dear neighborhood friends' house, Florian and Kathy.

Today was yet another inspiring luncheon about an organization I am close to, Embracing Our Differences. The stories by young and teen children resulting from this excellent diversity program give me hope.

Somehow, I have managed to nearly pack:

And I've packed more than that to cart to the Goodwill (this, along with my back car seat filled with more stuff):

Geez, another party tonight, at Democratic Headquarters. What happened to my quiet life?

December 14 - 9 days til departure

This morning I bid farewell to Magic, my 18-year old blind horse who I have had since he was 3. He is a SMART therapy horse now, has been for 5 or 6 years, but I try to ride him weekly, and he knows me. I trained him to be ridden while he was going blind, and I competed him in dressage even after my vet removed both his useless eyes. I've owned 7 or 8 horses, but the closest bond has been with Magic. I hung a t-shirt I got sweaty while riding him over his stall door. Since he is blind, Magic relies on sense of smell. Yes, I am very excited about New Zealand, but I have a hard time with good-byes. If only I could explain to him that I will be back.

At home, I spent an hour cleaning and soaking his tack in oil. 9-13 months is a long time to leave tack without a cleaning/oiling. Yesterday I got one of my two suitcases packed. Hope I can stuff the rest in a second bag. I keep looking at rentals in Wellington, but I know we really just have to wait til we get there.

Tonight I'm taking Dick to an Andrea Bocelli concert in Tampa, so it's time now to clean up myself! Still to go: organizing the income tax return, learning how to report NZ income, and a bunch more visits to friends.

December 11, 2013: 11 Days til launch

I am waiting for one last student to send me her (late) final paper so I can wrap up final grades for the year. I am spending WAY TOO MUCH time on trademe.co.nz looking at potential apartments in or near Wellington. Rentals are 2-3 times higher than in Sarasota, so the questions keep me spinning: furnished? view? city or suburb? walking distance or public transport?

This morning a friend asked, "So, how does one pack to be away for 8-12 months?" My answer: I am still trying to figure that out! I need to figure it out, and fast. We will arrive in the midst of summer, but leave NZ after winter. If I get the Fulbright for Australia, we will be there in Spring/start of summer. Two suitcases don't go far for a 4-season wardrobe, but we will make do.

It is strange not to put out my usual solstice decorations for the holidays, but Brendan would have to put them all away by himself, so I have refrained. One less thing to worry about. Meanwhile, I still need to find an accountant to figure out paying tax on the NZ stipend and sending off the income tax while away. I've fit in the dr., dentist, dermatologist, optometrist, legal papers, insurance, finance guy, and nearly everything else I could think of. Today is prepping the car for sitting in the driveway for a year.

It was certainly simpler when I left for Ireland in 1980 as a grad student who owned nothing...

I am not complaining, of course! But I am a bit anxious.