The last 4 months ... have been 'sweet as bro!' :)
I don't know where to start!
 |
| The Pattersons Zak (11), Jo (mum), Hannah (9), Ian (dad), Keith (2) and Cooper (4). |
I have been living with and Au Pairing for them for the last 4 months. I found them on backpackerboard.co.nz, and had been emailing them for a while before hand. I arranged a date with them for them to pick me up, and I managed to get a bus for $1 from Auckland to Stratford - Winner! I am so grateful that they are such a nice family - I had no idea what they would be like! My mum thought I was a bit crazy picking a family with 4 children, but I trusted my instincts and I'm so glad that I did :)
Jo is like my best friend, she is so cool! She is such a good mentor (without even realising it) for ... I dunno ... life? I know - cheesy, but true!
They live in Stratford, which is 'in the heart of Taranaki'. By far the biggest landmark is the beautiful Mount Taranki. Stratford is a small town, with not an awful lot to do, but there are heaps of things to do which aren't too far away by car :) Stratford is twinned with Stratford-upon-Avon in England, and due to this connection there are lots of things to do with Shakespeare here in Stratford (they even have Shakespeares face in illumination lights which makes me laugh every time I see it because it winks!) The one thing I think the town is missing is a proper English cafe ... maybe when I move here that can be my project ;)
 |
| Mount Taranaki |
The little boys go to daycare 3 days a week, the big kids go to school, Ian works for Shell Oil and Jo is a qualified teacher but is working as a manager for a programme called big brothers big sisters, which matches adults with kids who need a positive role model in their life.
As well as working, Jo and Ian also own a huge plot of land which they call 'the farm' out on what is known as 'the forgotten world highway'. There is a small building on the farm, and Ian has planted about 3000 pine trees which when they are matured he will sell. They also own a B&B lodge which is too charming to even try and describe :) They are planning on moving up to live in that lodge next year.
 |
| Me at the farm |
 |
| The Lodge |
There is always something going on, the kids have heaps of after school activities. It's a very busy house, and so much fun.
Being in a family environment has meant that I haven't actually felt that homesick (but GOD do I miss Woody!) I miss everyone at home, but I definitely don't want to come home early.
When I first got here I wrote list of all the things I wanted to see and do whilst I was here and I only have 2 more places to visit, so I'm really pleased about that!
Jo and Ian let me use their car (it's a ginormous 4x4 - something I never thought I would be comfortable driving!). They continue to let me use it even though I have had a parking ticket AND ran the battery flat. Not just once. 3 times.
Since I've been here I've done some really cool things! I have sledged on a Mountain, got a tattoo, went on a chocolatiers course, went on an art course, seen a live Rugby World Cup game, made a quilt, got a job in bar, shot a gun, went away on weekend trips, been in a play (about birth, of all things!), gone on countless bush walks, read 11 books, saw the Wellington Ukelele band live, touched a giant windmill on a wind farm and been to LOTS of museums. Ok, so some of those things weren't THAT cool, but the fact that I'm doing them UPSIDE down is pretty cool eh?!
Other than that, I have just been 100% absorbed in family life here. My days are filled with playing, entertaining, cleaning, cooking and all the other things that come with a family of 4 children.
No stories about my life would be complete without embarrassment right? I mean it's ME, of course embarrassing things have happened. Whilst I've been here there have been many, but by far the worst was when I got stuck in a kids tube slide at an indoors play area. I won't tell the rest of the story - THAT much is embarrassing enough!
As I mentioned before - I made a quilt. The Nan is absolutely amazing at craft things, and she makes quilts to sell. She helped me to make a quilt as a souvenir and reminder of my time here in Stratford... I am SO proud of it, even if I did stay in on Saturday nights sewing, whilst every other 21 year old was probably partying.
 |
| My Quilt |
I feel like I have learnt a lot while I've been here. I've learnt the best way to start the day is with a morning dance - we have lots of fun doing that every morning :) I've had a few realizations ... the main one being something along the lines of "Oh my god, I have so much STUFF that I don't even need!"
I am here until 24th November, when I will be hopping onto a bus and heading back up to Auckland. I don't have a solid plan, but I think a trip right up north to Paihia is something I will be doing with a girl called Gemma. A few others from the BUNAC group are arranging what we're going to do for New Years ... we're going to rent a beach house on Waiheke Island which should be fun!
Beyond that ... well I bought a bus pass from a company called Stray Travel. The pass I bought is valid for 1 year, and allows me to hop on or off where and whenever I like along the route. I think it takes me to 42 different places all over both Islands, and Stewart Island too. I can't wait to get to the South Island.
I will miss this family so much, but I have muscled my way into their family so I'll be seeing them again soon. I think (and hope) I have made a lifelong friend in Jo :) As much as I will miss them, I CANNOT wait to leave, to not know what tomorrow will bring - I'm so happy right now :)
I could write so much about my time here, and about the region itself ... in some ways it is like England, but in a million other ways it is nothing at all like it.
All the local people I have met are so proud of their Country, and genuinely want you to have a brilliant time, and see as much of it as possible. I'm getting good at the kiwi expressions too.
I love how passionate everyone was about the Rugby World Cup - even those who wouldn't usually follow it. The All Blacks genuinely seem like a grounded lot - they made such huge efforts to visit so many places in the run up to RWC and get everyone behind them. They came to Stratford Primary, and Hannah even got to play rippa rugby with them!! I have never been into rugby, but I watched the games and thoroughly enjoyed them (especially the one where Sonny Bill Williams shirt got ripped!) I was Backing Black and was so happy that they won :) Well deserved too!
The Maori heritage here is really interesting. There are so many myths and stories, I absolutely love reading them :)
I have completely fallen in love with what little I have seen of this Country.
Bring on the rest!!
