Merry Kiwi Christmas!
Reflections on 10 Years Away from the US
Unexpected Expatriation
In 2015, my husband lost his job… and immediately received a lucrative offer from a prestigious company in New Zealand.
At the time our son was finishing middle school; a tender age for such a huge move. Also, my career in publishing was just taking off. Invitations for bookstore events were starting to come in.
We Tried Every Possible Way NOT to Leave
I was working hard as an author/illustrator, an art director for a small publisher and as a part time art professor teaching on-line courses, but our family needed two earners. Despite our best efforts, no opportunities within the United States presented themselves. Meanwhile, the Universe dangled New Zealand before us like a carrot.
Stress Much?
Deciding whether to uproot our son and move halfway around the world was: Just. So. Stressful. OMG, the sleepless nights. I’m sure everyone entertains occasional fantasies about ditching their old life and starting over. Actually doing it is another matter.
Throughout, Psalm18:19 kept me sane.
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
I read and re-read these words and meditated on them as I watched my husband suffer through his fruitless job search; as we researched New Zealand and tried to imagine a life there; as we explained to our elderly parents (who were supportive) and extended family (who were not) why we were leaving; and as we tried to help our son understand why we were turning his life upside down.
Welcome to Your Big Adventure!
As soon as I woke on our first morning in the southern hemisphere, I knew we were in the right place—and as the days and weeks went by, I was proved right.
My family (shown above at One Tree Hill in Auckland during our first week in New Zealand) settled in. My husband’s job was amazing.
Most importantly, our son (shown above walking to school in the rain—some day I will write a book about the 1 million umbrellas he lost or were destroyed by the elements) went on to enjoy instant rockstar status at his new school (he was “the American”). He adored his kiwi high school experience and went on to study at the University of Auckland. He just became a New Zeland citizen! So… that worked out.
As soon as we became empty nesters, my husband followed other exotic job offers, first to China, then to Malaysia. Digital-nomadery allowed me to tag along with virtually no interruption to my work.
Living abroad makes bookstore events more complicated, but on the bright side, traveling to the US for events is fun and (despite the fact that it is not really glamorous at all, it is extremely hard work) seems glamorous.
Welcome Back
Last year, after five years in Asia, my husband retired from a career that took us around the world. As soon as we could, we returned to New Zealand. After an exhaustive search (and the most fun road trip ever—stay tuned, maybe I’ll write about that!) we bought a little house in Timaru, a charming seaside town on the South Island. Our son recently joined us.
He’s finishing his thesis from our guest room, working at a local pizza restaurant and applying for “real” jobs. The band is back together. We are healthy. Timaru is gorgeous. Life is good.
To Expat or Not to Expat?
Starting over in a foreign country takes a special kind of grit. If it’s not for you, that is a-okay! But if you have the itch, I can’t recommend the experience highly enough. There is nothing like living somewhere else to broaden your world view and feed your spirit of adventure.
No Matter What You’re Going Through…
Psalm 18:19 is so reassuring. If I were you, I’d copy it onto several scraps to keep in all of your various pockets. No matter how you feel about the Divine, no matter what you call him/her/it—God, The Universe, whatever—it helps, I think, to know there is a higher power who really likes you and wants the best for you.
I took this photo of my family exploring Howick Beach ten years ago, on our first afternoon in New Zealand. My heart was flooded with love and thanks and faith: He brought me out into a spacious place. He rescued me because he delighted in me.
So… How About You?
What places would you like to visit? Do you ever have the itch to live abroad? I’d love to hear all about it! Please comment, share, follow me… whatever people do here on Substack.
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Thank you for sharing part of your story, Violet. People who expect Christene and me to return to Canada have no idea what is involved. I'm so glad that, despite the naysayers, you have found peace in your decision to live in New Zealand and that you love the place.