A new chapter: New Zealand: October 2013

Well... Life has been hectic as you can see with the lack of posts to our blog.To make it short and sweet to fill in everyone I will do highlights from the past few months. So many wonderful things have taken place that I know I will have forgotten but with the help of my daily planner I will try to highlight the best adventures.
August: JC and I decided to begin our Elimination Diet. It really isn't a diet but a life style change of eating. We were super strict for the first month to get a firm foundation. Overall, we really enjoy how much the diet has helped with our inflammation (my knee and JC's back), our healthy bodies, and amazing yummy food. From time to time we get off track but then feel bad after that we realize how much it is helping us to continue.We went to the Auckland Food Show which was amazing. We had went to the same food show in Sydney years ago but the Auckland one stole the show. We were so lucky to get to try so many things we see at the grocery store but never venture out to "try." We finally found the closest thing to Costa Rican pure coconut water. After 5 hours we left with many goodies and great options for our future grocery visits.
I kick started my yoga teaching with a few of my friends. I never knew I could be so nervous teaching! especially in front of my friends but boy was I a nervous wreck. I had asked my yoga teacher to give me some pointers and she simply stated just breathe. Well... she was right as I tried to get a few breaths in as I made it through my first class. My friends didn't even sense that it was my first class and were surprised. Since then we have made yoga our weekly habit and added a yoga pot luck dinner afterwards. I enjoy teaching and am now planning a yoga in the Rose Gardens Park once I find some spare time.
I was excited to purchase tickets to my first ballet, Swan Lake. I assumed JC liked Swan Lake and didn't tell him about the event until the week of... Well... I was surprised to find that JC wasn't too keen on going but said he would so we made it a date night. Since we were committed to our new elimination diet we had a lovely meal at home and then headed downtown for the show. The first part was super slow which caused JC to doze off and for me to think... WOW! I just don't think ballets are for me. Then the ballet came together and we both left the show feeling good about sticking it out and enjoying the performance.
September: It's Father's Day in September for New Zealand. We celebrated with our Kiwi Dad, Bryan, with meter long pizza, a homemade rich chocolate chocolate cake that I made, and an evening with great company. I really wanted to go to the silent retreat that my yoga studio held at the beach but it was already fully booked. I decided to ask if there was a "waiting" list and they said I could start one! Within a few days I was called to attend. I was super excited to have a long weekend get away at the beach in Coromandel. I was in silence from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon. There were 15 people that came for the retreat. Overall, what I had expected wasn't what I experienced but can say it was an amazing time that will be a lifelong memory. The weekend helped to spark fire into my meditation practice which is still strong today. My goal is to have this experience once a year. For all who know how much I LOVE to talk, this weekend wasn't at all difficult to remain silent. Yup... It was a surprise to me too! JC and I invited Bryan and Marianne for a Riverboat dinner treat. The weather was not nice at all for a dinner cruise but we made the most out of our time together. We started in Auckland and cruised for 1.5 hours to a fabulous restaurant, Riverhead Tavern, for dinner. The restaurant was lovely and we enjoyed our evening with Bryan and Marianne. On the way back to Auckland the weather did clear but we were full and tired from dinner so the cruise was more of, "I'm getting sleepy." trip. To end the month there was the Auckland Boat Show. What a show it was with heaps of boats and boat "stuff." JC and I went on Friday to check it out. I lasted through the expo but after 3 hours I was feeling a bit tired/bored. JC made the most of his time and went back on Saturday and Sunday to check out companies and seminars that were held at the show. While JC went to the boat show on Sunday, I went with Felix and Jasper to see the Big Cats wildlife park located 2 hours north of Auckland. We went to the ROAR at FOUR! and Boy was it. The cats started to roar and then the others would join in. The road trip was pretty long but the wild park was nicely done with 33 big cats. After the tour we had yummy pizza and headed back to Auckland. Overall, I did enjoy the trip to the park but wouldn't make a special drive to see it! here is their website http://www.kingdomofzion.co.nz/big-cats/
October: JC has been working super hard this semester to balance his class projects along with his final research project. I can't believe he has one month left for his program. I am beyond proud of him and how hard he is working. This month JC has to dedicate all his time to get everything ready and finished before his graduation. For me... I am staying busy with something to do each day. I joined a running club to get back into running. Unfortunately it has been a much slower process than I thought. I am really out of shape. We also bought wetsuits to gear up for the "summer" months here. Strange to say we need wetsuits for the ocean but remember we came from Costa Rica. And to think I would complain about Costa Rica's water temperature. Spring has finally SPRUNG here in Auckland. The birds are chirping, flowers in bloom, and the sun sets much later. JC and I find it weird to eat dinner while it is still light outside, but we can't complain to have more time to be outside. This weekend I finally made the big purchase on a road bike. With the weather changing and inspiration to get back into my exercise routines I decided it was time to buy a bike. I am beyond happy with my new Felt Bike and have enjoyed getting to ride it over the weekend. I went to Matakana today to visit our friends from Costa Rica who moved to New Zealand about 2 months ago. They are starting a Stand Up Paddle company along with tours and adventure gear. I got to try out their boards on a glassy smooth estuary. Once I finally took my mind off of "I might fall in" mode I enjoyed the paddle. I did NOT want to fall into the "COLD" water! After a nice BBQ lunch my friend and I went for a bike ride to the near by beach. It was a beautiful day filled with nice weather, company, and relaxing Sunday FUN day. I think that sums up the BIG bits of our life here in Auckland since our last post. Life is amazing and we love living here more and more everyday (especially with the seasons changing) We are super excited to have my Dad come to visit in 12 days. The countdown has been on for awhile to welcome our FIRST visitor. We can't wait to have him here to show off this beautiful country. Our next blog will be the adventures of Dad's time with us. Until then... We miss you all so much, think of you daily, and want to say that Mi Casa es Su Casa and would love to welcome more visitors to our new home!