We're going where...?

Here it all is...the background, the history and the excitement behind "The BIG Move to NEW ZEALAND".....

Mark is finishing up his masters degree (his MSc.) and started to look for opportunities to study for his PhD. One that caught his eye was a Dr. Jeff's at the University of Auckland. He has similar interests and areas of study in the same fields Mark wants to study in for this degree. Mark contacted him and he let Mark know about a scholarship that he could apply for.... fast forward a year.

Mark applied for the scholarship and WON IT!!!! We found out on Monday, March 5th, pretty late in the evening (thank you 14 HOUR time change!). I was actually out of town, so Mark called me to tell me the good news. I picked up the phone to hear "You're going to New Zealand"....there were no "Hello's", or "I love you's", or I miss you's" ... Just "You're going to New Zealand". It took me a minute to have it all sink in. We weren't able to celebrate until Tuesday when I got back and we did that with rootbeer floats!

Us ---going to ---New Zealand!?!?!!? (Pretty much my main thought at the moment)

Since we found out, our life has become one big office of paper work. I feel like I work for the government (oh wait, I do!). It is form after form, letter of reference after letter of reference and certified copies of everything --- including the high school graduation certificate.

We are hoping to send out the first round of paperwork this week as it can take over 35 days (from the time they get the paper work) to go through it and come to a decision. The first round is myself applying to have my teaching credits transferred so that I am able to apply for a teaching license (ergo, teach in New Zealand).

We have also started to do more in depth research (the stuff other than, "hey, that looks neat...if we ever go to New Zealand we should visit that"). A few funny tidbits - when you lease a "flat" the landlord is only responsible for supplying you with a stove. Think about it...that's right .... no fridge! We also are responsible for paying "green fees" which are lawn care fees. Rent is paid by the week and the main meat consumed is lamb. The weather looks mild (a very big positive for one who hates feeling cold!), but wet.

Mark will be working primarily out of a marine station (in Leigh, New Zealand), we hope to rent somewhere close to there. We are planning on selling our car here and purchasing something over there. We have been told by our New Zealand penpals that we will want a car. Leigh is pretty much close to nothing and is a small touristy town. My dear New Brunswickers, think of Saint Andrew's. The small town only has one elementary school and the middle school students study at the universities satellite campus. They do not actually have their own building. High school students are bussed near by.


Mary-Ellen