One Week to Take Off

Things have been extremely busy both in Canada and in New Zealand as both Mark and I make final arrangements before our BIG airport reunion!

In Canada, I have been busy packing, making 10 million (well, maybe just 15) post-it note lists  containing everything from gathering tax papers for the next tax season, to packing lists, to lists of all the assignments I need to finish before I take off (just one more paper and I'm free of coursework until January!) to choreography ideas for my replacement coaches.

Two partially packed suitcases and a sock monkey

A few of the many post-it notes I have stuck everywhere

In all of this, I am so incredibly grateful that family and friends were able to attend a gathering at the house and I am truly overwhelmed by all the positive advice, well wishes, and love that they left behind as I continue to pack. In addition to a fantastic party hosted by my in-laws (and delicious ginger cake!), I had some fantastic news to share last night. I have recently accepted a teaching post in New Zealand and will start teaching with the new school year in January (the equivalent to our September start). I will be at a college (high school) in Auckland teaching grade 9 and 10 Maths.

Mark has also been very busy as he has been out on the boats making headway with his projects. He is also continuing to look for an apartment and we are hoping he will have more luck now that we have been able to increase our weekly allotment for rent. We are looking in a few neighbourhoods close to the school. Here's hoping that some of the places he is seeing this week might work for us.

The next 7 days will be filled with a whole lot of events from our nephew's first birthday party, to breakfast brunches and coffee dates. I am going to continue packing and hopefully cram everything I need for my time in New Zealand in two suitcases.

Could he be any cuter? I can't believe he turns "1" the day before I take off to New Zealand!

Our next update is most likely going to be some of our adventures in New Zealand and we can't wait to update you on our little cozy apartment, Mark's thesis project, my new school, and the adventures we have as we start to explore the landscape over our Christmas holidays.