I spent the last week at work having lunches and saying my goodbyes to all my retailers and co-workers. The Centre Security team threw me a surprise lunch and gave me such a special meaningful gift. Rose presented me with a Pounamu. The Pounamu plays a very important role in Maori culture. It is considered a taonga (treasure). I am absolutely honored to receive such a thoughtful gift. They have been so great to work with, no other security team will compare!
Wednesday I was also treated to a farewell lunch in the office. We had a vegetarian (mostly) lunch and it was a very nice time with everyone. I once again received a very generous gift to take home with me. Karen Walker earrings! She is a New Zealand designer that I absolutely love, and now I have some jewellery!
Friday night we had our last team drinks (probably won't be able to bring that back to America!) Everyone hung around a half and hour later to say goodbye and enjoy our last Friday drinks. I am going to miss my Centre SOOO much. Everyone I work with is amazing, genuine, nice and easy to work with. It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life getting to work with this talented group. I have learned so much personally and professionally which I can bring back to America and beyond.
Saying goodbye was defiantly a hard time for me (there were tears, and more tears later on in the night) but I guess that is a pretty solid indicator of how special this group of people are. :( I will miss running into Jaime's office and discussing oh so very important things, walking the Centre, hearing Jan's stories and her being 'quite concerned' about a situation. I can only hope we all stay close and that some day Colin and I get back to visit the team.
After the hard goodbyes we headed over to Jaime and Steve's new house for one last hang out. Fish and chips (veggie burger for me!) for dinner and some bubbles while we delayed the goodbyes. Jaime has not only been my boss but become a really good friend and we have enjoyed hanging out with the two of them so much. It is going to be really hard not seeing her every day or coming around for dinners/drinks.
After basically crying myself to sleep we woke back up for our last day in Wellington. It consisted of packing - Colin saying I have too much stuff, me saying get over it and then packing some more. We went into town and out to a great HUGE rope swing near the water. After that it was time for some lunch and back to our place for one last afternoon laying on the deck in the sun. - Oh and OF COURSE playing with kitty!
Kitty my love -
One year ago, Colin and I hopped onto a plane bound for New Zealand, some crazy foreign country where we would be starting a life from scratch. No idea what it would bring, or where we would be staying, it has now become our home. As exciting as it is go see friends and family (in only a few days!!) it's also extremely sad to leave. This is the first place we have been able to call home together and the experiences were beyond incredible.
New Zealand is much more than a stunning country with sweeping mountains and lush green grass, this country takes my breath away from its natural beauty and caring Kiwi's. People have opened up their homes for us and taken us in for dinners/furniture and friendship. We couldn't be any more lucky.
The last few days spent in New Zealand will be soaking up the sun in Taupo, zorbing down the hills in Rotarua and spending one last night in Auckland. We then will hit the sky's departing our beautiful country and spend 6 days frolicking on the beaches of Fiji.
Our life is pretty amazing and as this adventure comes to a close, a new exciting one is about to begin... Back in America.
Until next time New Zealand - I love you.
