Differences

Thursday, January 17

First, I'd like to say thanks to all the people out there who read the blog when Josh and I were living in New Zealand. I never knew so many people were keeping up with us. I mean, I would have written about the experience just for our own benefit, however, it's really nice that other people were following along too.

So, some of the biggest differences in New Zealand and the USA now that I've been back for a month or so:

1. Real life violence...not just in tv shows. When Josh and I returned to the states, the Nebraska mall shooting and Colorado church shootings were just happening. You don't see this type of violence in New Zealand. The biggest problems are drink driving and people being attacked by dogs (still uncommon). Regarding guns, a couple of months before we moved from New Zealand, the government had found a house with a cache of guns and was contemplating charging the owners with terrorism (for having guns). New Zealanders don't have a "right to bear arms" like Americans do. Josh and I were often asked at Rotary meetings if all Americans have guns.

2. Food...glorious food! In America, I can get reduced fat or fat free anything it seems. This is such a luxury. Although, the Kiwis do live longer and healthier than us despite the fact we can eat reduced fat foods. I think New Zealand longevity, in part, has to do with the fact there are not fast food chains on every corner in town. For example, in Fayetteville, if I drive down Sixth Street, I'm hit with the new Chic-Fil-A, Sonic, Arby's, Charlie's Chicken, Wendy's, J.D. China, Burger King, Braum's, McDonald's, Taco Bell (once the new one is built), K.F.C., and Mexico Viejo.

Don't get me wrong, I love this convenience and variety in tasty food....in moderation. I just totally understand now why about 65% of Americans are overweight with 30% being obese. How can we NOT be such an overweight society when all we see are food signs as we drive a main drag through town? Palmerston North had three McDonald's, one Burger King, one K.F.C, and one Starbucks. Only one McDonald's and K.F.C. were on the same road in town.

Another difference in food is the price. American groceries are much more affordable than New Zealand groceries...thanks Wal-Mart! I am seriously blown away by the fact that I can buy Jiffy cornbread mix for 33 cents or a big can of soup for less than $1. Hamburger (the most reduced fat kind) and chicken are much more affordable here as well.

3. Movies...We rented DVDs in New Zealand from Blockbuster and that's who we use in the states. The difference in price is crazy though. The other day, Josh and I rented 3 movies and renewed our Rewards membership and the total was $12 (we even got a free 2 litre of Diet Coke since we'd rented 3 films). One DVD at a New Zealand Blockbuster cost $8 NZD=$6.15 USD/movie! Needless to say, we rent more movies here (especially since we don't have cable yet).

4. Driving....Okay, so I must admit, I almost caused a HUGE ACCIDENT the other day whilst driving. As Josh and I were leaving the Remax Real Estate building by the mall, I totally did not realize I turned the WRONG WAY and was driving down the hill towards the interstate on A ONE WAY ROAD....and, there were other cars driving UP the hill going the correct way! Oh my gosh! I was freaking out! Thanks New Zealand driving on the other side of the road! At least nothing major happened....I just need to focus more whilst making turns. Turning is the easiest thing to mess you up. Well, that and always turning on the wind shield wipers rather than the blinker and visa versa. That's getting really annoying.

5. Central heating....I love being able to turn on the heater whenever I want rather than rolling the oil heater over to where I'm sitting. An insulated house with central heat and air is a luxury I will never take for granted again. I am loving being warm in winter!

To conclude, a couple of people have asked me if I miss being in New Zealand since we've returned to Arkansas. There are certain things I miss, like the time off to travel, landscapes and the ocean, however, overall, I am happy to say that I don't miss living there. I don't miss it in the sense that I think about it everyday saying, "I wish I still lived in New Zealand." But, I think it's a GOOD thing that I don't miss living in New Zealand. I think if I missed New Zealand whilst living here now, that would mean that I made the wrong decision to return to the states.

I am so happy to be back here (especially in Fayetteville which just feels like HOME and where I belong). I'm loving having a dishwasher and a dryer that is INSIDE the house that doesn't have to be connected to an extension cord anytime we want to use it). New Zealand is a WONDERFUL place to visit and live. However, Josh and I were living a very temporary life there i.e. we didn't have a nice flat with central heating and insulation and neither of us were working full time. It was a great place to take a year off, however, if we returned to live more permanently, I'd have to upgrade my heating system and live somewhere that was sunnier in winter. Fayetteville's winters, whilst much colder because they produce frost (and some snow like today), don't seem near as dreary because of the sunshine outside. I also love living closer to my mom and being able to go out for dinner once a week or so.

All this to say that I know I'm changing and that is throwing Josh off a bit. I was always the one saying I couldn't see ever settling down in one place. I always wanted to be moving. Very bohemian. But now I realize that I can still travel the world but return to a home base somewhere. I don't have to always be on the move. Maybe this is a phase seeing as we didn't have our own home for 2 months whilst traveling and living out of a suitcase. Maybe I'll want to live somewhere new again. However, right now, living in Fayetteville feels great!