Christmas/Boxing Day Catch up!

Kia Ora!

Happy New Year!

May 2014 be a bounty for us all!

Sometimes things happen so fast around here it is hard to keep the blogging up, so I will resign to let the photos say a thousand words-with maybe a caption comment or two from yours truly.

As previously remarked, Xmas in Summer is such a plus, warm weather, low key, flowers blooming, even Santa found us here much to everyone's surprise!  The arrival of AW on Christmas Eve was a huge plus as then things felt a bit more complete, and the fun could be begin in earnest!

Hydrangeas-my favorite flower that blooms everywhere here!  

Our version of Christmas tree this year, more of an essence of tree,  leaving plenty of room for presents!  Maggie and I even made our own hula hoops!

Happy Noah with new tea mug!

Happy Jack with new hoody from AW and boys!

The lovely little darlings!

We spent the morning hanging out at home, watching the rain fall, waiting until we could load up for the rest of the day at our friends' house.  Santi Lala, my colleague from work, and her family-husband Laurie Jones, sons Hemi (17) and Jaz (14) and daughter Aneka (18) who has been sitting for Maggie this past month since Lina left.  They live a bit out of town on a section on the water in a home that Laurie built, so cool, and time seems to slow down out there. They have horses, boats, and many motorized toys.  We joined them for the Xmas feast!

Here is beautiful Aneka and her Auntie in the kitchen

This is the family bus they travel around the country in.  Laurie used to lead groups of Americans touring in it

Here is Jaz, the boys' new BFF, who greeted us as we drove up by pelting us with water balloons.  Soon we were all chasing after each other with water guns, balloons and then hoses and then into the pool!

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Here is exterior of their home, lots of windows/doors opening up to the outside, just so cozy and cool!

Here is some of the feast which included Ham, Roast beef, Salmon caught on holiday and then smoked on sight,  lamb curry, prawns, pork loin, potatoes, salads, roasted veggies-ridiculous amounts!

Happy diners!

Before we knew it, Santa joined the crowd and was passing out gifts to all! 

Then it was time to test out the new boat, recently purchased for fishing, but good for other more adrenaline laden uses as well.

Maggie befriended Pup who joined her in digging holes on the beach.

And it wouldn't be a day at the Lala/Jones' without some time on the motorized vehicles!!  Noah managed to run through a cow patty at one point and get sprayed with cow poop!  

Boxing day, the 26th, a national holiday here as well, saw me off of work, the arrival of Ed who was here to take the kids traveling for a couple weeks, and some amazing shopping deals to be had!  First the boys had to get in one last row before their trip away.  Looking good, though what you don't see is them dripping wet at the end of this row after tipping the boat over when they lost their balance.  Gets tricky out there, esp when cooperating and working WITH your twin brother is not really your forte.

Out for dinner with Ed and the entire family before they left for South Island.

Who can resist a sweet moment climbing a tree?!

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