Obviously we are all really loving it here. Of course there have been difficult periods and adjustments to be made, but for the most part we feel very content and happy. That being said, if I'm going to give the true and complete picture of our life through this blog, I need to cover that which has been less desirable or inconvenient.
Everyone, wherever you live, through trial and error, must find products that work best for them. Sometimes you can get by with the generic brands for certain things but some items are worth the extra expense when generics or other brands just don't cut it. In the States, I was more flexible with some products but to others, I was most committed. Dawn dish soap, Cascade dishwasher liquid and Colgate Sensitive were staples for me. None of the above have I been able to find here. The first dish soap I tried did very little to clean the hand washed dishes and I'm eager to try another brand. I miss my Dawn! The dishwasher detergent here seems to be effective. Yay! And while there is Colgate toothpaste, I've not yet found it in the sensitive formula. Other items can be found here but they are clearly NOT the same as in the States. Oreos are here but taste more like the low fat variety in the US which are kinda yucky. The cereal aisle isn't an aisle, it's rather a couple of shelves. Some cereals are familiar, others we've never seen and others come in a variety not available in the States even thought it's the same brand (There are some Special K varieties here not available in the States). We also always bought the economy sized Nestles Quik chocolate powder for milk. Here, it comes in a minuscule container for an ungodly price! Haven't had a glass of chocolate milk since our arrival. There is also no Kraft Mac n Cheese!! There is Easy Mac but I wouldn't buy it in the States because it was more expensive and doesn't go far enough in a household our size. I'm certainly NOT buying it here! I also miss terribly my Coffee Mate French Vanilla. I don't want to be one of those Americans though, that gripe about what is substandard here and how what's available in the States is so much better and less expensive. To those Americans I always want to say, "Then why are you still here?" Of course, I don't. (Wouldn't turn away a good care package, however!)
Another oddity, though manageable, is, in our home (not necessarily in every NZ home) we have a thermostat in each bathroom and in the kitchen to set the temp of the water in that room. The shower in our bathroom and the tub in the kids' are either on or off. The temp is controlled on the wall. The problem with this is that some of us like our water really warm and others like it cooler. Billy tends to prefer 38-40 degrees C while I like it more like 42. But once you're in the shower you're really stuck unless you turn off the water, get out and adjust the thermostat. The water pressure, however, is awesome!!!
Driving on the left, seated on the right has not been too difficult to get used to. For three weeks I've done terrific and don't even have to give it much thought. (I do find myself too far from the McDonald's drive thru window.) One day, however, I did manage to get in on the left side as if a passenger, only to quickly realize the wheel was on the other side! It was most embarrassing, as I was by myself and clearly NOT a passenger. I rummaged around the truck as if looking for something, like I fully intended to get in on that side, before going around to the driver's side. No one was likely even watching me but I was embarrassed nonetheless. Oh, and I didn't do it once that day... I did it twice! And we'd been here for three weeks before I ever did it.
The most difficult thing I've encountered regarding driving here (other than being Billy's passenger) is the frequent "Give Way" signs. They are always in roundabouts, but also often at intersections where you'd expect a "Stop" sign instead. They are rather nerve wracking to me but I've done alright.
The most disturbing thing we've found here is the language. Brylie and Will came home from school one day the first week commenting on how much the kids here "cuss", even in the presence of teachers or other adults. Will said, "Yea, but Brylie, it's okay here." Billy and I promptly exclaimed, "NO! It is NOT!" I truly pray that our kids find it as repulsive as we do and don't cave in to peer pressure. We are constantly reminding them that we need to firmly stick to our convictions and behave in ways that are pleasing to the Lord. I find it interesting and rather sad that some adults here speak that way with no regard for how it may offend people they've never even met before. I'm sure it's like that around the world and across the State but growing up in the South and in the Bible Belt, I've found that most people control their tongues, especially around those whom they may not know very well. Worse than even the "f" word that we've heard frequently, by young and old, is the careless use of the Lord's name. It makes my skin crawl and I pray that we can be a light in this particular area.
None of the above are a deal breaker. And the good far outweigh the bad. So far it's all well worth the inconvenience, expense and even the language. I know God has sent us here for a reason or even many. Perhaps one is to simply be an example by our speech.
The kids on our street are wonderful and so inclusive of all our kids. And with it being so safe here, the kids can run the neighborhood, go to the walkway or to schools and parks to play. It's like the 50's (the decade not the temp)!! Just this evening, a bunch of neighborhood kids, ranging in age from 11-18, all went down to the primary school to play soccer and rugby. Yesterday and earlier today, some of the boys took the younger kids with them and they are so great to include them in the games and look after them. After years of being sort of isolated on the farm, the kids are getting some practice in social skills. Last night, after our younger four kiddies went to bed, we had a living room full of teenagers watching a movie with us. There we were, no furniture, only a tellie, a couple of beanbag chairs, me, Billy and about 10 teens! Fun night!
Kaigan got a job!!! He'll be working on a website for Taranaki Environmental Services. I'll have to get the link so we can check out his work!!! Minimum wage here is $12 per hour but they've offered him $16! He's gone in for a couple of hours for a brief orientation and starts Wednesday, 8-3. Kaigan has also gone to a post-high school youth group at our church, specifically for college age youth.
Update on Charlie- He's home and healthy! The vet questions the weak positive Parvo test. He didn't even require IV fluids, only anti-nausea meds. House breaking is going great and we're working on manners. He'll be only dog for 17 more days... then Pete arrives!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment