Aotearoa

It has come to my mind many times over the past 18 months that some friends and family have no idea where in the world I really did go to.  In light of the earthquakes in Christchurch today, I would like to give my thoughts on this beautiful "land of the long white cloud" my family now calls "home".

• Wellington is the capital city, and is home to approx 390,000 people
• As the crow flies, it is approx. 300km (186.411 miles) from Wellington to Christchurch
• Summer is Dec - Feb; Winter is approx. May - Aug (garden planting usually starts in September)
• School year runs Feb - Dec in 4 terms
• English, Maori and NZ Sign Language are the official languages, but on any given day while out and about in town, we may hear: Hindi, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Malay, Arabic, German, French, Italian, Greek, Russian, Finnish, Swedish, Dutch, English with the following accents - NZ, Australian, British, Scotch, Irish, North American (includes Canadian) and on the rare occasion Swahili or another African language that I cannot place.  Southern Hick (which got a huge reaction on the odd day that I slipped and let out a "ya'll") is not heard too often but garners an instant bond, as does finding those visitors who are from mid-west America.
• Mr E makes good cheese crackers
• There are many creatures and plants that only live in NZ.  Miss A is especially fond of the kiwi bird and fantail, Mr E and myself like the Tui Bird, the Artistic Pixel Man likes the Weta (workplace, not creature)  :D There are no snakes, the spiders are said to not be poisonous (but they sure can look menacing!)
• We drive on the left side of the road.  It is not too difficult, although I have yet to try a stick shift.
• Total Land Area of New Zealand = 103,483 sq. mi. = just a tad smaller than Colorado's 104,094 sq. mi.
• Many of you all have a twin here in Wellington.  When I see your twin I think of you fondly and pray for you, hoping you are well.

Although America is my home country, I am glad to call NZ home for now. Like the rain coming down, my heart is heavy for the people of Christchurch. Please pray for them as they pick up the pieces, bind up the wounded, bury their dead and try to move forward, even as the ground continues to shake.