December 2010
......
I finished working as a waitress at the Hotel de Brett's restaurant called "the Kitchen".
Celebrating with friends and whanau (family) at an island off of the Te Atatu Peninsula for Christmas Eve, was a hoot! We played rugby after Christmas dinner, swam, ate, and chatted with Ali's family.
We had a potluck and Community Christmas Carols at Bethels: Singing in the cave, drinking cheap wine and sharing food with friends at Ali's batch afterwards. :)
Christmas day: I got few bits and bobs from Ali and her mom: A Christmas stocking, a set of shell earings (handcrafted by Ali), a couple candles, and a big loving hug from Ali's mum. :)
I felt a warm, welcome from Alison's family and while I was lonesome for my own 'whanau' family I tried to just enjoy myself where I was and who I was with that day. I took deep breathes and wished you all a very Merry Christmas from the island of New Zealand. I fell into a deep sleep after Christmas brunch and envisioned all of you gathering together. I am homesick, but I believe that's normal for anyone away from home during the holidays. Whether you are living in the U.S. and are unable to make it back to family over Christmas or living in another country. We all know the experience from our own personal journey of leaving the family and growing up and coming into our own.
The journey of self-exploration continues to light my path.... I wrote a peice about my vision for the next year- 3 years below. It hopefully will generate some more understanding for WHY I am HERE and WHAT I am doing:
"I am still in New Zealand still contemplating life and purpose. I am trying to sort through some stuff/information/plans. The process of discernment is not easy, nonetheless I am grateful for the time and space to self-reflect. And it certainly does not seem natural to plan the next 5 years of my life. I usually just go with the flow, but as I am finding... as I get older, there is something to say about having a vision and pursuing it. Even if it takes a long time to get there. That being said, I am thinking about a couple things...
One, I am thinking about going back to school for nursing. I am at the moment studying to become a yoga teacher and I will see where that leads me. However, I also believe that with my Spanish degree and a nursing degree I will always be able to find a job ANYWHERE in the world! .... Right?
Whether I decide to pursue studying yoga or nursing or both, I'd like to go to school in a sunny place (possibly Arizona?) and be close to Spanish-speaking people (which I miss this!). I'll also be looking for an affordable situation: living costs, spending costs, ability to grow my own food, volunteer/ and grant opportunities, etc. I am also thinking long term, where'd I'd like to be. It may be New Zealand or it may be the states. But I'd like to have the option so I am checking into residency here. I am trying to stay optomistic and open about what will unfold in my future. I realize I do not have much control over what happens with the residency issue, or what may happen in the future, but I do have the ability to direct my energy and focus into good things. One of which will be returning to the U.S. to be with all of you. This may be in May or in November of this year 2011. I simply cannot be away from you all any longer!
Sending you love from Aoteroa "New Zealand",
xxxx
Hannah
