Yes, I know, it's been so long...

Nearly a year since my last blog post... does time really fly that fast? Here's the brief rundown since last September:

NOV-JAN'09 - Brandon's parents came for a visit spending a week with us on either side of a two-week NZ tour. About 48 hours after they left, my parents arrived for a month-long visit which included less than 24 hours of rain and lots of sunshine. Check out the photo slideshow on my and my dad's facebook pages.

DEC'09 - I turned 27 and said goodbye to teaching.

MAR'10 - I started Masters (of English) studies at the University of Auckland. Also, Mark and Laurel Koslowski arrived for a year in NZ. They have settled in Mt. Maunganui, so we'll be visiting them there at our "bach".

JUNE'10 - Brandon completed his first year of his apprenticeship and celebrated his 26th with 6 of our Canadian friends.

Looking ahead:

JULY'10 - I start my second of four semesters at the UA.

AUG'10 - Brandon heads home without me for his sister's wedding while I'm stuck here doing studies.

OCT'10 - I run my first half-marathon. After all, my parents, along with some close family friends, are set to do the same in November, so I figured I would jump on that wagon.

Generally, we're doing quite well. Since I quit teaching we've had to cope with a diminished income, although I've tried to supplement with piano teaching (I've got eleven students), and Brandon has thankfully gotten a much-deserved raise. We still thoroughly enjoy Auckland and NZ in general, taking in new sights as often as possible, and cherishing the friends we have here. We both continue to miss family and friends and hate missing out on life back home. Still, NZ is set to be our home for the next foreseeable years as I complete my Masters studies and Brandon finishes his apprenticeship. While I'd like more than anything to come home for a visit, plane tickets are ridiculously expensive, so that doesn't seem to be in the cards quite yet. However, if anyone from back home finds themselves headed this way, our door is always open to visitors!

Anyway, I apologize again for not keeping this blog up-to-date...

We miss and love you all a great deal,

Kristen