Expat South African or Kiwi? I've spent 35 years of my life in South Africa and to date 8 years in New Zealand. I look forward to the day I can travel "home" to South Africa with my Randel and my children for a visit but have given up my South African citizenship and am proud to be a New Zealander! I love my home in New Zealand. I love my life here and for the first time in my adult life I have found true love and happiness in New Zealand. I will always remember New Zealand as the country that opened it's arms to myself and my children, the country that gave me the springboard to take back my life - both from my now ex-husband as well as financially, the country that made living alone for the first time as a single mother bearable and enjoyable and the country in which I met the love of my life! Most importantly, in New Zealand I reunited with my dreams and zest for life which I had deserted many years ago.
However, I miss my family who still live happily in South Africa and although I feel that I am "home" in New Zealand, my heart still yearns to see a lot more of the world - I dream of living in Australia one day - I dream of living in England and possibly other parts of Europe. I had thought that this wanderlust was due to not having really "settled" here in New Zealand but am realising more and more that as long as my heart is close to my nearest and dearest and as long as they are happy, I would happily settle anywhere in the world!
So thank you New Zealand for being here for me when I needed you most. You will always have a special place in this Kiwi's heart!
How wonderful! Love this post.
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