Gidday maties from wet Auckland.  I am home!  I got back on Friday night, after driving in the dark through those cool NZ roads... lol. 

 

Well lots has happened in the last little while.  I got offered a job in Taupo which I'm still thinking (and praying) about, and right now I'm working reception for my Dad at his work!  So far it sounds like I'll be here for three weeks, and after getting some training yesterday, today I'm flying SOLO.  Yes.  Its a little freaky, but most of the main stuff I did when I worked for my mum, so I should be ok!  Hopefully.

 

How about the rest of life you might ask... well its been a tough few days, just feeling a bit of self inflicted pressure to make decisions about my future, attend all required church activities and interact socially (sometimes I forget how to do that - strange really) with my friends.  Its safe to say that the re-entry culture shock has hit.  Life in China just seemed so much simpler sometimes.  But I know I'm where I'm meant to be, and in time I'm sure I'll start coping a little better.

 

The thought of moving to Taupo excites and scares me.  The job they have offered me is great - working at the camp and also doing some youth mentoring, working with a church down there and going into the two local high schools.  At the same time I feel like it might not be the best time to move away yet again, and even though the trip is only 3 1/2 hrs, its still kinda far away.  Its also hard because its a bit of a scary thing to pack up and move so soon - I'd known I was going to China for about 7 years, so when the day came to leave it wasn't such a big deal.

 

Ahhh, life is so complicated.  Well thats all folks!

Well I made it to Tauranga on Saturday safely.  It rained all the way, sometimes quite hard, but someone was watching out for me so I was safe.  I actually experienced a bit of road rage... well not me but this crazy man behind me.  I'm driving on this nice wide straight road and he wanted to pass me, but expected me to pull over into the side of the road?!!  I didnt quite understand this and after him tailing me for a about 10mins I got annoyed and flashed my break lights...dude just go around me>! (I was going the speed limit!)

 

Anyways, I hung out at Katie's flat on Saturday night, some people came around and we spent some time talking to the Big Guy and reading his word.  It was really refreshing just to sit and listen to him, and worship him.  He's an amazing Father!

 

Sunday we went to fellowship in the morning, came home, ate a late breakfast and then drove down to Taupo.  As we came over the first big hill into Taupo...the sight was SO beautiful.  The rain had stopped, the lake was very big and blue and the sky of bright blue with clouds dotted over it.  Check out the photos in the Taupo album to the right of these words.  I will try and take some more of things around the camp today!

 

I'm excited about this week, am really looking forward to a time of spiritual renewal and some rest! 

 

Yay, home!  Again.  Nice to be back.  Guess what... I'm going away for a week to Taupo (which is in the middle of the north island) to sing on a worship team with my friend Katie!  Her parents own a Christian Camp...one where people can come and stay and there are fun activities, hang out together, have a bit of a holiday and learn about the Bible, pray and sing.  (Thats for my students and friends in China who have probably never heard of a 'camp' before).

 

But Australia!  It was so much fun.  We went to FOUR theme parks (Movie World, Wet'n'Wild, Seaworld and Dreamworld).  We also went to two massive malls, several markets and the beach front was BEAUTIFUL.  It was a very busy holiday, but a lot of fun and I still managed to finish my book!  Aren't I good!?

 

It was awesome to hang out with just my family for 8 days, we had some great times together.  I'm guessing that will be our last big holiday together with 5 people.  Of course there will be more holidays, they just wont be 'Mum and Dad funded' holidays!

 

I've been thinking about this a lot:  I live such a priviledged life.  And exciting!  In the last year I've been to 6 countries other than my home in NZ.  I've visited 14 different cities and met SO many amazing people.  God has certainly blessed me at this point in my life.  I feel so priviledged to live this life for him. 

 

I still dont know what is next, I've applied for a few jobs but nothing has come up yet.  My heart is still open for working in Asia, although being home in NZ makes that feel like such a big sacrifice.  But my life is not my own.  I dedicated it to God a long time ago and look where he has taken me.  I am trusting that whatever he has next is good and I have no need to worry.

 

 

Once again I am on the verge of leaving New Zealand.  Yes I am insane.  I love this country but I keep on leaving!!

 

Actually this decision is quite sane.  Brisbane, and more specifically, the Gold Coast has warmer weather right now.  So basically I am going from one insanely beautiful place to another.  (Its all about beautifulness you see).  The fact that this holiday is FREE is also a big bonus.  Airponts are the BEST invention ever.  Well other than things like airplanes - which had to come before the airpoints...  I digress.

 

So thats my news.  I will be away till the 17th of July - soak'n in that Aussie sun, going to theme parks, the beach and what-not.  Just enjoying some quality time with my family.  I promise I'll share photos when I get home!!  (Really it'll just be to make you jealous!)

 

Leesh out :P

Today Lynd and I took a walk to the beach.  I told Lynd it would only take about 1/2hr, but I'm pretty sure its more like 45mins.  Anyways, we walked to the reserve - then walked through the muddy bush track, only to end up at the top of the hill, facing more muddy bush track.  Finally we made it to the beach!  It was not the clearest of days, the sky was pretty cloudy, but it was still fun to get a bit dirty. 

 

I have come to the conclusion that even mud is clean in NZ.  Compared to some of the mud I saw this last year away, we certainly have the cleanest stuff in NZ!  Its been raining quite a bit at the moment, with a few small tornadoes hitting the three small islands that make up this country.  But even in this season of the 'worst weather' I think there are plenty of moments where even if its raining or about to rain, or wet everwhere, its still beautiful.  And not even that cold if you're in Auckland!

 

Well that's all my rantings about how much I love New Zealand.  Makes me wonder why I want to live in Asia - but we'll leave that decision to God!  Enjoy the pics...

 

PS - I know I put all the pics down below, but the album they appear in is the one directly to the right of these words.  Click on the picture and it will open a new page with a larger window and you can scroll through the photos instead of clicking on the little pictures below all the time and having to open a new window.  Most people know this, but I felt obliged to inform others who maybe dont :)

Dear students of OCC:

 

Well here I am, after midnight, sitting at my desk and finally ready to write my first post from New Zealand.  I dont have jet lag, I've just been procrastinating because I wasn't sure what to write.  I know I need to put some photos up to accompany this post, but I figure that can happen tomorrow.  While I'm in the mood I better write!

 

Its SO bizarre to be back.  Part of me feels like I have sighed in relief, the other part of me is having trouble breathing at all.  I enjoy being around familiar faces again, catching up with people and all the sweet sweet rain.  But I must admit I've been a little homesick for China.  For the peoples I've left behind.  (If your reading - I miss you all!  Oh and EPT is NOT a good measure of your Oral English ability - so if you did bad I would seriously consider sitting an IELTS or TOFEL exam to get a real idea about your level.  I just wanted to say that.)

 

Tonight I showed some photos of and you (my students and friends in China), where I lived, and random Chinese people to a meeting of people who share the same belief that I do.  They are really interested in China and I told them a lot of stuff.  I'm always a little cautious though, because I'm not a native Chinese person, and of course I see everything through foreigners eyes.  But despite that, its good to have also have a bit of a personal reflection time about the things I learnt while I was in China.

 

(Something else that is interesting is that I am listening to SHE right now.  Yes, Chinese music!  Its excellent!)

 

Now for some ordinary news.  I have unpacked (that didnt take long) and have set up my room.  It looks quite cute.  (OK thats boring news).  But I have a nice car that my dad painted a really cool blue for me.  This week I'm aiming to catch up with more friends, clean up a lot of old stuff I have in cupboards downstairs in my old room and read some good books.  ENGLISH BOOKS :)  Ones I couldnt bring to China because they would have weighed too much.

 

Thats all for now.  I love you all and miss you.  Keep working hard, I know you have your exams soon.  Dont stress to hard - but do study!  (I'll always be your teachers so I have to say things like that!)

 

Love Alicia

 

PS - Email me, you know my email!