The Buckley family (Bay of Plenty) - June 2015

"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place."

I wanna say thank you with this to my Kiwi family who showed me how true this is! 

Honestly right from the beginning my host family made me feel being home here in their family. Nevertheless, the settlement period is a difficult time for everybody: You have to live just from one day to the next with a completely stranger who is one of these odd Germans/ with a completely unknown family who is one of these steak loving kiwi farmers.  Especially for the kids it must have   been hard to be told by this stranger what to do and what not to do.

However, we got to know each other and from then on Phoebe's and Sophie's big "sister" looked after them.  And that's exactly what it was for me to be an au pair in my host family: I looked after myl ittle "sisters" and shared in their happy and free childhood on the farm. I think this sibling-like relationship would have never been possible if my host family wouldn't have always treated me like a family member: I came with them to birthday parties of their family, celebrated Christmas with them, and went with them on holiday to the Bay of Islands. I even had the chance to be part of their own wedding which was indeed special to see and help them with the girls on such a unique day. But I can happily think of so many more great moments on just usual days as for example when the girls were asking for cuddles, when Tom took the girls and  me down to the beach or when Kelli showed me all the girls' baby photos. They lent a sympathetic ear to me at any time I needed it and could always understand my concerns about culture differences (yes, I still prefer the kiwi lifestyle compared to the German one) as they both know how it is to be overseas. And that is what I appreciate so much: They always find time for their girls, their family and me even though they work so hard on their farm.

Next to that I could always have friends here, I got so many weeks off for travelling this beautiful country and now I can even stay with them for nearly 2 more months while working in a kiwi pack house.

Dear Soph, Phoebs, Kelli and Tom,

I can't find words to say how much I thank you for everything... for trusting me to look after your girls, for letting me be part of your wonderful family and for an awesome time! I loved to get to know your laid-back lifestyle, I loved to see how to live that close together with your extended family and I loved to live on the farm here in this beautiful place at the beach. You are definitely one reason why I just had /have the best time abroad with so many life changing experiences (well, and I don't just mean the change about being a vegetarian). I'm gonna miss you so much and I am looking forward to keep in touch and see you again at some point (at least at my wedding with Phoebs and Soph as my bridesmaids ;)).

Thank you for being the best host family! xx