Just trying to keep up

 It is my current mission to find things for me and boys to do together where we may even laugh or have fun!  Surfing is one of these things, though there is always room for arguing over who gets what board or who caught the better wave.  So, Sunday I took boys to Rotorua for some epic mountain biking.  The redwood forest there is well known for its amazing trails catering to a variety of ability levels, and I figured this was one way to engage them, tire them and maybe share a joyous moment.  It was a success for sure.  We found incredible trails through fern forests, pump track like trails in clear cuts, caught "huge" air, and got back to the van with all bones intact.  Given the silence on the hour ride down, I wasn't sure how they would take to this one of Mom's adventures, but like fish to water, they rocked it.  And of course I was left trying to keep up the pace as they whizzed in and out of trees, over jumps, and through the woods.  The best was watching them even as they hoofed it up the hill pushing and shoving each other for some silly reason.  Once in Rotorua for some ice cream, there was mutual agreement that fun was had by all.  Thank goodness!  There was even a request to go again!

Had to throw in this photo of boys rowing Sat AM.  It was gorgeous day and so fun to see them actually working together for a common goal!

Trying to decide which of the trails to descend.

Noah catching some big air!

Jack even higher!  

"Did you enjoy that guys?"  "yeah it was ok..."  God, Love 'em!

Things I am liking today....

1. Christmas season in Summer!  There is nothing like doning one's shorts, tshirt, and jandals (that's kiwi for flip flops) and heading out for some holiday shopping!  Weather has been ideal this past couple weeks, almost too warm, but the on shore breezes make for perfect temps! 

2. Minimalist Xmas. Despite what I hear about the holidays being more built up each year here, it completely pales in comparison to what we in America have going!  One has to look hard to even know that Christmas is coming.  Yes there are a few sparkly decorations in store windows and even in our clinic we have a small decorated tree tucked back behind the reception desk, but in general, Xmas is not met with the over-the-top enthusiam I have grown used to being in the US.   HNot one Xmas sweater for example! Imagine that!  Have to admit I am rather enjoying the low key nature to this coming holiday!  Less consumer craziness (who wants to shop really when you can be out at beach surfing or riding bikes or other!) more relaxed atmostphere, less drama in general.

3. Watching the boys row.  Stopped on way to work this AM at the Tauranga Rowing Club where Jack and Noah were setting off with their team in a quad with coxswain.  Gorgeous morning, sunshine sparkling off the water, light breeze, lots of activity at the boathouse, watching my boys show such enthusiasm about this great sport.  They even seem to know what they are doing for novices!  As they are out for summer holiday now, they are onto double practices.   I won't be so glad when I have to get them there at 5:30am, but today coach let them sleep in a bit.  Back at 3 pm for dryland training.

4. The invigorating feeling that sets in about 30" after the 90" hot yoga class.  Been going few times a week to this class that previouisly I was not sure I liked, but now fearing it is becoming a problem.  Feels so good afterwards, so hard in the moment!

5. Boys got accepted to Tauranga Boys College, Testosterone Central, directly across street from my work, which will allow them longer rowing season as they can compete in the school regattas, take Spanish in a class and not online, play soccer and also a bit more of academic challenge.  Don't seem too phased by the single sex nature of it.  Thank goodness for sports to occupy their time and serve as hormonal outlet.  Cool thing we learned this week as they will be able to particiapte in week long regatta on the South Island that bring all secondary school rowers tog to rac in March.  Great opportunity!

6. Last week while working in a very busy Friday afternoon urgent care clinic, the RN came to me around 4 pm insisting I take a break from working, go upstairs and have a have a cup o' tea.  It was the perfect remedy and so appreciated her thoughfulness to look after me as well as this custom, yet again.  Makes me realize how impt it is to stop every so often, at least twice daily here, as things can always wait, clear one's head, enjoy the hot brew and a nibble, and then feel refreshed to get back at it.  Think Group Health will be ok with me instituting this Coop wide??!!

7. Noah Jack and Maggie putting on wetsuits for 2nd surf of the day last night after dinner and off they went. I was off to dine with some fellow Spokanites and missed being with them, but love seeing them saunter off with boards in hand! 

8. Knowing AW is coming so soon!  5 days and counting!  He will join us in time for Xmas celebration at Santi's home, and then we head south to S. Island for mtn biking, kayaking, wine tasting, whale watching and general exploring.  So grateful he can take the time off to be here with me!

9. Anticipating Xmas AM surfing with kids.  Need I say more?

10. Coming home last night to Maggie playing with neighbor girls.  We are surrounded on 2/3 sides by young girls and after a few months of being shy, she is now coming out of her shell more.  Love that she has friends so close.

11. Being teased at work for my accent.  I got such a hard time for saying ANT-I-BIOTICS (the I pronounced like "eye") yesterday.  Here one would say ant-ee-biotics.  Whatever.  They had a good time mocking me.

12.Day off tomorrow!! 

Mtn Biking the Timber Trail

So last Friday I packed up my gear, left kids behind with the sitter, and went off with colleague and new friend/playmate, Santi Lala, to bike the 85 km Timber Trail in Pureora Forest in central North Island.  Built in a dense forest that was once logged intensely, it is one of 21 cycleways in the country they are creating with the hope that one day there will be a complete cycle trail from tip of N. Island to the bottom of S. Island.  It was built by the DOC-Dept of Conservation-who spent millions to complete the trail including the 8 big suspension bridges.  It was a fantastic trip despite riding through hours of pouring rain and slick mud.  We rode amongst the Rimu, Kauri, Totara, Panga ferns, Pine-all trees that towered high above.  Many covered with epiphytes growing symbiotically on their branches, homes to the Tui and Kaka-forest parrot.

We rode a good 40 kms day #1 through sunshine and pouring rain.  It rained so hard and the mud was so slick I just had to laugh at the comedy of it all.  Once on the trail there is no turning back, so we sloshed and flew over our handle bars ( no injuries!!), we rode over bridges crossing deep gorges and I was grateful for Santi's companionship and sense of humor.  We landed for the night at the Blackfern lodge, one of the more Kiwi places I'd experienced.  A 30 acre farm and lodge in the midst of the forest, it offered us warm showers, home cooked meal and comfortable beds, a river to cast our rods for trout, a waterfall to hike up to and enjoy, and place to gather with friends for the night.  We were a group of about 12, many other GPs, all outdoor enthusiasts, and eager to take in what the bush had to offer.

Day #2 a bit more of the same though more downhill than up, the track took over what was once kms of tramways used for the extensive logging in the area, and no rain, only bright sunshine and fluffy clouds.  It was so much fun to get out and see this area.  And so glad to meet some new friends who love to do what I do.

Realizations made while riding:

1.  one reason I am sleeping so well here is that I am no longer on call.  Not having this looming over me, takes away so much anxiety that I had not realized was even there.  Glad to have made the decision to let that go.

2.  Kiwis are go getters-no nonsense, nothing stops them from going for it.  They seemed to love this biking in the pouring rain, as did I, but they did not hesitate for a minute!  I had to pause a few times.

3. Good to get away from kids briefly for my own time and adventures.

4.  I want to ride more of these cycle trails!!!

These suspension bridges were incredible, brought in by helicopters, and made the trail possible.  

The Forge-large dormitory style accommodation at Blackfern Lodge

Waterfall on the property, great swimming hole if you are game!

yard art

Days' End

Celebrations of Light and gratitude! With love from us all

 Before we even realized, the calendar alerted us to Hanukah's arrival.  So early and with such long days here, doesn't feel right.  Having left the menorahs stateside, we rallied, group effort style-Jack's idea and Maggie's efforts-and welcomed Hanukah into our home just in time last night.  The shell theme is perfect.  Hard to wait for sunset (8:05 pm last night) here to light candles that have a 3 hour burn time ( the only ones I could find at a moments notice!) without having to blow them out.  Fortunately boys were up late watching some movie so the fire hazard was averted.

As we lit candles and said our prayers, we were able to offer thanks to me, Mom, for bringing us here, for life for having us all together, and for all those family and friends we are missing and can't wait to see and share Hanukah with next year.  And to Herschel who is keeping the goblins away from us here as well!

And what is end of Nov without a proper Thanksgiving??  Thanks to efforts by Spokane friend Dawn Picken who has organized an American Thanksgiving here tomorrow night, while you are all feasting on your turkeys, we will enjoy turkey and the works picnic style outside if the rain holds off.  I gave it my best at homemade pumpkin pies-no such thing as Libby's in the can here!  Really hard to fathom!

Looks good, will report on taste later.

And to all of you who care to read about us and our silly adventures and lives abroad here, we wish you the best at this time of year!  So much to celebrate, so much to be grateful for-especially all of you, and so much love to share!  Thanks for being a part of our lives.  They are all much richer and deeper knowing you are there.  With much love, 

Noah "Man, I am looking so good these days!"

Maggie and Deb "Girls just want to have Fu-u-un!"   and Jack "YOLO, pretty cool, eh?"

Down to Middle Earth II

If you have looked into travel recently to NZ, there is a lot of marketing based on the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit destination location.  Seems a bit silly really, and Middle Earth didn't mean much to me until last Sunday morning.  Up early to enjoy a few quiet moments as children slumbered, I took a walk through downtown Rotorua.  A brilliant sunny AM, a few others out, black swans and their young touring the lake's edge, wandering the streets and then it hit me,  In every direction there was steam emanating from a variety of places: backyards, vents in the streets, all over the city park, restaurants, you name it.  The city park I discovered was sitting on top of an entire geothermal playground: steam vents, bubbling pools of hot water, blurping mud pools, and the not so sweet smell of sulpher everywhere!  Must get used to it if you live there but a bit pungent on first take.  The place felt so alive, so connected to those interior recesses of the Earth's interior.   At last I had found Middle Earth!  

Returned to hotel to share my exciting discovery with rest of the gang, and sure enough on our hotel property was bubbling hot water in streams along the driveway.  Amazing!  We sought a big breakfast and ended up at the Fat Dog cafe, a local favorite, with great coffee drinks, huge plates of food, and a colorful crowd.  And to make my point more real, I then walked us through the city park to see and smell Middle Earth as I knew it.  Funny as one can pay lots of money to see other geothermal areas with geysers and colorful pools, but I have to say what sits midtown there in Rotorua was equally as impressive.  Also to know that at one time, the hot pools there were used for bathing and washing, relaxing in after school and work.  What a concept.  Now fenced off for protection, still a great asset to this city.

Warm pool for soaking their tired feet and then mud pool on the right, photo does not do it justice.  

Steam and more steam, bubbling pools of piping hot water from below.  

Despite the kids' persistent urgings to go to the luge, I held out as there were still a few things on my agenda to see and do.  Wanted to walk through the amazing redwood forest, and check out the great mtn biking trails there for future reference.  En route, in a moment of spontaneity, detoured up to Lake Tikitapu or Blue Lake, a few kms out of town.  Couldn't resist a quick swim and game of king of the raft to cool off.  It is a gorgeous lake, great for kayaking, swimming, relaxing, and as usual on a gorgeous sunny Sunday, only a few others there to share it.

Made it the Redwoods and turns out these are the same trees we have in places like Muir Woods.  They have been transplanted from CA as the conditions here are great for growing and they thrive, growing quickly and densely.  Magical forest and well used by many, though again you wouldn't know it as crowds were none.  extensive network of mtn biking trails to enjoy at later date as well!

And have I mentioned anything at all about the public toilets in this country?  Dear Cathy, you would LOVE it!!  This is your kind of place.  From the toilets in the shopping mall with glass railroad tiles in great colors, to the always well equipped and CLEAN toilets at the base of the Mount to these fantastic metal sculptures hiding the toilets in the Redwoods, I have yet to find a toilet that was not cozy and comfortable and clean!  Maggie and I were excited to be able to share this one with two toilets, sink and electric hand drier.  Life's simple pleasures!!

And then we were off to the luge, not before yet another minor adventure (no photos, sorry) in search of the great Ciabatta bread bakery for lunch.  We saw some yummy loaves at the SAt Market and learned of the bakery so went in search.  Turned out to be amazing find not only with divine sandwiches, but the head baker took us all into the back and had us make our own "go-nuts"-combination croissant/donut with cream filling and chocolate icing!  The kids could not get over the man's generosity and Noah and I have agreed to return in March when he will offer bread baking classes.  

Finally the luge.  Enough said really. I think earlier post talks about this as well: small plastic cars on concrete tracks, fast and faster, really fun!  As the ad says, once is not enough.  Despite the helmets, it can be a bit harrowing.  Noah will trying to rescue the flip flop that was coming off, crashed into a barrier, flew off the luge car, acquired a fe abrasions we are still hearing about 5 days later, and had a bit of ego bashing as it occurred just under the return chairlift.  I of course knew this was karma for some earlier behavior!   It was hot there but really good time for all.  Kids also decided that we have to take Buddy to the luge when he comes as he will love it as well!  Feeling the need for Speed, Dad?

An easy return home after a full 36 hours, and when asked, we all had to agree that none of the things we did were a flop.  Turned out to be quite the successful adventure!  Jack and I got in a bit more surfing Sunday night to seal the deal.  Surprisingly the Maori event and the Redwoods were among the favorites of the kids despite earlier protests.   One never knows I guess.  I am just happy to have had the chance to do it!!  

back to work and school this week....

A Trip to Middle Earth part 1

Boys had Friday off so I decided to load up the gang for a trip to Rotorua.  Known for its abundance of geothermal activity, Maori cultural experiences, and adrenaline laden activities, figured there would be something for all of us there.  Good time to leave the iPads and computers at home, and spend some good family time together, despite the adolescent groans!  We were up early to get in some surfing before heading out.  Under a cloudless sky, we tried our best to stand up on those boards, some of us more successful than others.  Mornings like these I look around and can hardly contain the gratitude that floods over me.  We step into the warming waters of the Bay, all of us excited about the idea that we may stand up on that board yet, Noah helping Maggie while Jack and I paddle out to the bigger break, and it isn't even 7:30 AM!  I hold these moments tightly, knowing in an instant the moment can change, but for now we are happy, so grateful for what we have been given!

It is an easy hour drive to the land of steam and sulpher fumes.  As we approached the edge of Lake Rotorua, we came upon a most unexpected scene: the 2013 World Rafting Championships.  One of the things I love love love about travel is the spontaneity it can bring if we are open to it.  Hungry and eager to see a kiwi bird, and yet we had to stop to take in this exciting event! WIth 23 countries represented, we pulled up along the banks of the Okere River just in time to see the Head to Head heat.  USA vs Czech Republic, Brazil vs Great Britain, men's and women's, masters and U-19, all happening right there.  A sport we learned was not allowed in the last Olympics, we had to acknowledge we were among some of the world's best.  

This was one of 4 events, the only one to be held here as slalom would be on a different river the following day.  We ran up the trail to catch the boats navigating some good Class 3 rapids which eventually culminated in a good drop over some falls before the finish.  Strong teamwork and strategy it seemed were the key,  not to mention some gnarly biceps.  The kids loved seeing the various countries represented and cheering on the US men and women.

After a tasty lunch at the Okere Store to take care of that growing hunger, we landed at the Rainbow Springs Wildlife Park where the trout abound and the kiwi is cultivated.  They do their bit to help foster the protection of this endangered bird.  We toured through the quality exhibits, including multiple ponds with HUGE Rainbow and other trout, learned about and saw examples of many native NZ birds and saw the only native NZ reptile whose name I can't recall.   A pretty prehistoric looking thing no less.   Got to see our first kiwi  bird in its special enclosure-very exciting for me and Mags.  It was even better when we went back to the park after 9pm to see the kiwi bird night exhibit.  They are a funny bird, long beak, big body, Jack thinks they look a big walking tick.

And like any good tourists, we had to experience a Maori (pronounced something like "moldy") cultural evening, and no place better to do this than Rotorua.  We were picked up by bus at our cosy hotel, entertained by the driver en route to the "village" and then brought into a bit of the Maori world as they taught us many of their cultural activities and traditions.  We got to play games, learn some songs, and even do the haka.  The evening culminated in a lovely dinner that had been cooked in the hangi, underground steam pit utilizing the areas geothermal abundance.  A bit like going to a luau, but NewZealand style.  The traditions are very similar and related in some South Pacific/Australiasian way.  At weekend's end we all agreed this evening of culture was one of the highlights.

We ended our day back at the Wildlife Park so we could see the Kiwi birds in the night exhibit.   Pretty neat!  As my head hit the pillow Friday night I felt we had reached yet another mark in our journey.  It takes getting out of what is familiar, the routine, what we are used to open ourselves up to the new.  The newness brings with it a freshness, excitement,  and joy that I find hard at times to feel in the daily routines of home.   stopping to see the rafting today, watching the boys do the haka, quietly listening for the rustle of the bush and the Kiwi behind it with Maggie brought that excitement out in me.  Makes one feel alive and on the edge.  Feels the same at work here as each day there are new faces and issues to deal with, new colleagues and the personalities that go with them, new systems to learn.  I am grateful for this freshness and the joyous moments it brings.