Safe Harbor

Reflecting on 2020, I know how fortunate it was that I ended up being in one of the safest countries during the Covid-19 pandemic. For all of its issues, New Zealand turns out to have been quite a good place to move to a few years back. I had no idea how all of the world politics would play out back then of course, but it's made the decision about whether to stay or go back to the US after studying fairly easy. Now that I have secure employment, there's really not much to go back for anyway. Building up networks takes time, and the idea of having to do that yet again in a place where I'd just be another American doesn't sound very appealing. Four weeks of paid vacation, two weeks of paid sick time, and plentiful paid public holidays, along with free public healthcare really take the stress levels down compared to the U.S. Things can always change of course, but for now, I'll enjoy the relaxed lifestyle, ten-minute walk to the beach, and freedom of movement due to NZ's elimination strategy for Covid.

So what have I been up to since the lockdown period that ended in May 2020? 

We got kicked out of our flat because the landlord sold the building, and having the constant string of open houses and viewings was a real pain. But it turned out to be a good thing because that place was damp and full of mold and didn't have a proper kitchen. And when I pulled out stuff from the storage area under the house, there was even more mold so we had to do a lot of extra cleaning just to be able to pack stuff.

This area next to the fridge was hiding lots of gross mold.

After the inevitably exhausting move itself, we've settled into the new place which feels like a real house and has a heatpump/AC in the living room plus two screen doors on either end so we can get more fresh air and be more comfortable. Unfortunately, the landlords here weren't very exacting with the cleanliness when the previous tenants moved out, so I also had to clean up a bunch of mold on the door and window frames at the new place. I was really tired of cleaning for that month because it felt like it was endless. But otherwise this place is pretty good. It's also a quick walk to the beach.

Our cat adjusted quickly and has claimed sleeping spots pretty much anywhere available. We promised to get him a bigger cat condo after the move so he has enjoyed perching here to watch the birds and enjoy the sunshine.

We've gone to the zoo several times and enjoyed watching the animals playing and sleeping and doing what they do. 

There was a second lockdown in Auckland in August due to a community outbreak. I haven't experienced waiting in line with social distancing to go to Kmart before, but there we were. Thankfully this outbreak was contained relatively quickly and since then things have felt close to normal.

Big news was that we got to vote here and see how simple the ballot is compared to ones in the U.S. Two things to make a decision on: local representative vote and party vote, and then two extra things this time for referendum votes on legalizing cannabis and euthanasia. No ID required and there were voting stations everywhere. It felt like how a real democratic process can and does work.

I discovered Martha's Backyard, "The American Store", which is outside of one of the big malls here, and was amazed by all of the food and treats and baking supplies from home available. They had Rice and Corn Chex which made for better Chex Mix and Muddy Buddies. Due to import prices though, it's like going to Costco. You walk out with a handful of things and the bill is over $100. Worth it though!

We had a Halloween party with new coworkers and friends and the pumpkin carving was a hit. I know they don't have these silly traditions elsewhere, but it's still astounding people can live for decades without having experienced things that I did/do every year! There was still trick-or-treating, although apparently we don't live in one of the neighborhoods that has a lot of kids doing it. We got about five or six groups of kids and almost all of them were in costumes. And we had mini Tootsie roll pops from the international section of one of the grocery stores to give out, so I suspect they were in for a surprise when they got to the center of those! I know my coworkers were. What is this? I had to explain and show them the owl commercial. :)

I've been taking the ferry occasionally to get downtown (parking is outrageously expensive, so it doesn't make sense to try to park the car down there), and it's a nice 10-minute cruise across with nice views of the harbor and bridge. 

During the Christmas break, we went to the Auckland Museum and Maritime Museum. They have some cool stuff and it wasn't too crowded at either place. The Maritime Museum had lots of sailing vessels, including traditional boats and outrigger canoes from Polynesian cultures all the way up to the big yachts they use in the America's Cup competition, which is going on during the summer months in Auckland.

There's a special Lego exhibition at the museum, so they added
mini Lego versions to some of the exhibits.

Finally, I felt obligated to go out on New Year's Eve since NZ is one of the few places able to have people congregating and ringing in the new year. I was glad I did - the excitement of a crowd counting down till midnight and enjoying fireworks together is a good way to close out a year. NZ has felt like a safe harbor over the past year and hopefully it continues to be so.