This year for the holidays, I made my way to New Zealand with the BF. We’ve been once before for vacation but this was my first Christmas with the BF’s family. And even though I had spent Christmas apart from my family before (when I was teaching in Korea), this time felt harder. Perhaps because this time it was a choice for me? It didn’t really feel like a choice, though. Felt more like the fair thing to do. The BF spent the holidays with me and my family last year and we visit my family more often throughout the year because they live closer. It made sense that it was my turn to join him and his family for Christmas. I also think it was different this time around because I’m not sure my family and I will be doing Christmas together next year or if we’ll be too spread out across the world to do so. And lastly, it kind of feels like the BF and I are growing into our own mini family and that will impact how we think about spending Christmases in the future.

Deep thoughts aside, here’s what we did over the course of our 10-day trip:

• Spent time with the BF’s family (that was the main focus of our trip obviously)

• Went on a couple of hikes—a light walk on a path in the Port Hills and a stair-heavy hike to Devil’s Punchbowl in Arthur’s Pass

• Ate a ton of food. Like so much food. I look and feel heavier. Will need to exercise and commit to portion-control in the new year…

• Visited the botanical gardens

• Went to a cool bar with a ‘secret’ speakeasy room

• Drank mocha at a cat cafe

• Decorated the house we spent Christmas at

• Played board games

• Had a picnic at Castle Hill

• Took an ice cream trip to Brighton beach

• Climbed trees and ropes at Adrenalin forest

• And watched Holmes & Watson…shame about that one…

I’ll write more about the food and the landscape in later blogs—this is just a taste!

I hope everybody enjoyed the holidays. And hello, 2019!