Making the transition from Salt Lake City, Utah to Auckland, New Zealand

Kia Ora

 

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW!

 

 We loved living in the Brigham Apartments!  We enjoyed our ward, our neighbors, downtown SLC and everything associated with our first year living at #416 The Brigham!!!  We waved good-bye to all things Utah with mixed emotions--knowing that New Zealand would become HOME with so many wonderful adventures awaiting us there!

 
 
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I've always loved clouds.  Flying through these beautiful Salt Lake puff balls made me feel happy!

 Our First stop was Los Angeles.  We had to retrieve all of our luggage--boxes and bags--and lug them what seemed like a mile across that huge, archaic, airport!  I guess it's good exercise?








Up, up and away!  Flying over Salt Lake on our way "down under" brought feelings of gratitude, hope, love, and longing.  After our tearful good-bye at the airport we were ready to face our new future with joy and anticipation!







 
After going through security again and experiencing what felt like a T.V. comedy skit with the airport employees and security personnel, we finally made our way to the New Zealand Air courtesy lounge.  This delicious lunch awaited us!  I loved the soup and salad--and had plenty of time to enjoy it during our four hour layover.
 

 

 

 

After flying all night we arrived around 5:00 a.m. and found the wonderful Halecks there to greet us. We loaded all our baggage in a trailer, hopped in a van and headed home to Auckland--actually Takapuna Beach--a bit north of Auckland.  This welcoming sign greeted us and has been a boon as I try to find my way home driving around the city.  Mighty nice of them to mark the building just in front of our apartments with our name!  Even a blue "N" making BYU fans smile!

 

 

The view out our back windows is always spectacular.  Takapuna Beach is our backyard and always treats us to various scenes of beachy beauty--morning, noon and night!

 

 

 

 

 

I was so delighted to take the posters made by Maddox and Jordi (with liberal help from Jenna:) and put them across our back windows.  For the first few weeks of adjusting they really made me happy!

 

 

 
Our apartment had been cleaned, stocked with everything we needed and even decorated with this beautiful bouquet--courtesy of the wonderful office staff and our new friends at Church Headquarters here in our new home.  They made me smile every time I looked at them!
 
 
 

 

You really can't beat our view.  Every direction we look provides peaceful and scenic beauty.  We love our new home!

 

 

 

 

Walking the nearby beaches always treats the soul.  Here's a new friend I met while strolling along Milford Beach just next to Takapuna.

  

 

 

I learned that Sally Ann and Peggy liked to walk our beach every morning during Seminary hours.  This selfie captures a bright sunrise and three happy beach combers!  What lovely friends I've found here in our "tropical paradise." Since we arrived during winter I found the weather colder than I expected but nothing we can't handle.  It's still so pretty that you almost forget the cold:)

 

 

 

 

Our first trip to Hamilton to attend the New Zealand Temple with the Halecks proved peaceful and uplifting.  A bit windy--it is winter here--but lovely all around!

 

 

  We're told that a trip for ice cream after the temple is a local custom.  The ice cream is delicious--rivalling Blue Bell--and we thoroughly enjoyed our first temple expedition!

 
The Visitor's Center is wonderful.  We felt right at home posing in front of the lovely Christus.
 
 

 

 
Norfolk Pines grow magestically straight and tall here.  We waved good-bye to the Temple and took this parting shot!
 
 

 

Elder G's view from his Church Office is wonderful.  I love this Church and how everything they do is top quality.  It is a joy working with all of the dedicated people here in Auckland and throughout the Pacific Area. 

 

 

 

 

These lovely ladies welcomed me right away at a luncheon for a sister who has moved away. It was great to make friends so quickly and I was reminded that no matter where we travel in this wonderful world we find family.

 

 

 

 

Jenna taught me that there are four phases of adjusting to any new cultural situation.  Phase One is The Honeymoon.  During this phase I cooked dinners like this one and couldn't wait to learn, explore and take in as much as possible of the new sights and sounds of New Zealand.

 

I went to a pottery making factory and bought this pot.  I came straight home and planted it to decorate our front porch.  I did lots of domestic things, including decorating our apartment like a beach house, once our shipment arrived from the U.S.

 

 

 

Phase Two involves Push Back, where all of the adjustments can become too much and you begin to feel stress, sadness, homesickness or other less than fun emotions.  This hit me after about a month and happily only lasted around a week.  I go in and out of the stages a bit but overall I'm delighted to be squarely in Phase Three--the adjusting phase, where everything seems more manageable.

 

 

This lovely full moon reminded me of the wonders and glories of Heavenly Father's creations.  My heart fills with love and gratitude as I witness all of his amazing scenery.

 

 

 
I love this double rainbow, again remembering God's promise to Noah and His love for all of us.
 

I captured a few shots of the native beauty I am delighted to enjoy here in paradise.  Phase Four is totally feeling that you fit in and make the culture a part of you.  I'm attempting to earn that one daily.

Sunrises are always so hopeful and cheerful.  I hope your days are filled with peace and joy!

We're loving colourful New Zealand and hoping that your lives are bright and cheery too!