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Reverse Culture Shock – Returning To America

April 18th, 2012 Brandy I'm Just Saying..., Travel 7 Comments

We’ve been back in America for 2 weeks and the reverse cultural shock has been surprisingly wonderful for me.

We were lucky enough to stay with family for the first week which was amazing! Seeing family after traveling afar is really special especially with a toddler. Chachacha-Changes! I feel like Kai has really blossomed into a little boy and it’s fun to share him. After our week with both sets of grandparents we headed home which was a beautiful drive along the Columbia Gorge. Reuniting with our dog Stanley has been the icing on the cake. Life over the last two weeks has been anything but dull.

I do miss my New Zealand friends and their accents. I know I’ll get excited when if I hear that sweet Kiwi accent in America. I miss living right on the beach but know being near the Columbia gorge will have it’s own summer treats. I love being so close to family so maybe we’ll take the fam with us next time. I know we’ll return to New Zealand someday so I’m enjoying the American ride right now.

Driving on the right side of the road was fairly easy almost like riding a bike again. However, I’m still running on the left side of the trail but at least noticing it. Using my iphone with easy, unlimited wifi anywhere has been a real treat. I’ve been delighted with the exceptional customer service that America offers on a regular basis. From counter service at a lunch place to coffee shops to grocery stores to Amazon. People in America are generally so service minded and that’s really nice. I’m just saying…


Local coffee shop in Hood River, OR that offers all sorts of sweetners. That’s splenda, raw sugar and stevia in the raw up top. And from left to right below is: cinnamon, nutmeg, agave nectar, honey sweetner, pure cane sweetner (perfect for iced tea) and Oregon wildflower honey. There is NO white sugar, which I love!

For the most part, coming “home” has been really easy to settle into.

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Spin Class – Whakatane, New Zealand

March 28th, 2012 Brandy Fitness 6 Comments


Setting up my bike at the first (promo) spin class


The spin room in Whakatane, New Zealand

Finally! There is a new spin studio in Whakatane, New Zealand. It’s called Pedal Planet and is located above the bowling club on Merit Street. There are 15 bikes arranged in two tight rows. The music was good, the energy in the room was tangible and the workout was amazing. (like always) That’s the best part about a spin class, it’s a sure thing. I certainly won’t miss my spin classes for one. :)

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White Island Volcano – New Zealand

March 26th, 2012 Brandy Travel 2 Comments

White Island is New Zealand’s only active marine volcano and is only a hop, skip and jump away from Whakatane. (49k from Whakatane, which is usually a 90 min boat ride)


After the 2 hour “bumpy” boat ride, I was ecstatic to arrive at White Island. The night before the trip White Island Tour called to let us know that the trip was a maybe because of the swell. The next morning they called 90 minutes before departure to let us know it was on. As we drove to the dock, it was foggy, lightly raining and a little chilly. The ocean looked a little rough but the show must go on.


Posing on White Island with yellow sulfur crystals oozing behind us. The sulfur was so strong that my eyes were stinging and burning before we got to the island. I wore my gas mask most of the time and noticed that people who didn’t wear it were coughing quite a bit. As we walked to the crater’s edge, I could hear hissing and see plenty of steam rising out of nearby puddles.


Sean striking a pose on White Island.


Boiling pool of water on White Island


All Aboard! Taking the quick dingy ride between the island and the boat.


White Island in all it’s glory.


Saw a school of dolphins on the ride back which was my favorite part! Sunny, warm and easy boat ride back to Whakatane.

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New Zealand Summer

March 22nd, 2012 Brandy Travel 2 Comments

As summer comes to a close in New Zealand, we’ve been reflecting on what an awesome experience it’s been.


Play Day at Lake Rotoma


Digging At West End- Ohope Beach, New Zealand


Pool Party


Date Day at West End, Ohope Beach


Pony love at Playcentre

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Moo Moos In New Zealand

March 20th, 2012 Brandy Kai 3 Comments

Kai has been obsessed with cows since we came to New Zealand. Luckily there are a lot of cows to be seen here.


Daddy and Kai getting up close and personal with the moo moos


When we first arrived in New Zealand we noticed a lot (20 or so) baby calves in a field near our house. As the calves get bigger and bigger, I love seeing them enjoying mama’s milk. I joked with Kai saying that will be him as we’re still having mama’s milk at 23 months. Good times.


Calf at Julien’s Berry Farm

Julien’s Berry Farm is a wonderful place for kids! You pick your own berries or buy them, have lunch at the cafe, play on the playground and visit the animals. There’s sheep, a baby goat, a cow and rabbits. It’s a petting zoo with no handler. The first couple of times we visited Juliens, Kai and I just looked at the animals but after I saw other locals handling the rabbits and petting the sheep and cow, we stepped it up a knotch.

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Is It Okay To Leave Your Toddler In The Car For A Minute While You Pay For Gas?

March 5th, 2012 Brandy Kai, Mommy Decisions 14 Comments

As we were driving in Ohope, Beach my husband and I starting talking about leaving toddlers in the car, just for a minute. We needed to get gas and I was telling him how hard it was to pump, and pay inside with a wiggling, heavy toddler. Just leave him in the car, he exclaimed. I could feel my face getting hot as I told him I’m not comfortable doing that and it isn’t safe. He tried to explain about the Ohope (population 3,000) Mobil station and how one particular pump is right next to the front door/cashier counter. I’ve always been of the mindset that it’s never okay to leave babies in cars even for a minute. Unless, you live in the burbs and drive your sleeping baby into the locked garage and can set up your baby monitor so you can hear them when you wake up. So, my feathers were ruffled to say the least as we had this discussion. Here is the picture below of what he was talking about where it could be okay to leave Kai in the car for a minute while he paid for gas. After seeing this particular situation, I can see where he’s coming from.

What’s your take?


The cashier is located right inside under the Mobil sign

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A Day In The Life Of Kai

February 27th, 2012 Brandy Kai 4 Comments

Kai has a pretty sweet life here in New Zealand. Our typical day starts around 6:30am with some breakfast boob (yes, I am the longest “weaner” alive). Then eggs, toast and lots of water before we walk to play centre.


Kai getting his gloup on at play centre

After a 3 hour play session we race home for lunch and nap time. We either hit the beach or the pool after nap time. And, if we’re lucky some of his friends come to play in the pool and hot tub.


Kai and Ella having a soak in the hot tub

After that we might have a play upstairs in our apartment before having dinner. Last week, we even walked to the park after dinner for another play!


Kai at the playground near our apartment


Happy as a clam for the 5 min walk home after the park

Bath (shower in New Zealand), story time and beddy by. Pretty sweet day if you ask me..

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Avocado Stands In New Zealand Are Like Lemonade Stands in the US

December 27th, 2010 Brandy I'm Just Saying..., Travel 1 Comment

I’ve been craving avocado on toast ever since we visited an avocado farm last week in Whakatane, New Zealand. We toured around the farm, nearly 750 avocado trees and then munched on toast with avocado (spread like butter) and sea salt. Lots of avocado stands along the side of the road. I was delighted when I ran by this avocado stand in Ohope Beach. I love the honor system style! I’m wondering if an honor system paid lemonade stand would work in the US?

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Beaver-Baby Kai’s First Babysitter In Ohope Beach, New Zealand

December 25th, 2010 Brandy Kai, Travel 1 Comment

Beaver is like a mascot in Ohope Beach, New Zealand. He owns and operates the only surf school and board hire shop on Ohope Beach. Sean and I met him last year on our 4 month trip and rented boards and wetsuits from him for a week. It was fun to see a his familiar face the first day I went for a run and passed his surf tent. As I walked up to him and said Hi Beaver, he looked a little surprised to say the least. I told him that I was from the States and met him with my boyfriend, now husband last March. He had that flash recognition in his eye and then said Wicked, where’s Sean? I caught up with him briefly and told him we’d be back later that day to rent surfboards. After a few days of Sean and I taking turns to surf, he offered up his babysitting services. Sean asked, what will you do if you get a customer? Beaver said, no worries mate, Kai will just help me rent the boards. I said super, just wave me down if you need anything. Happily, we hustled into the water for our little surf date. I love this place!

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Renting A Movie In New Zealand Is Easy

December 17th, 2010 Brandy I'm Just Saying... 4 Comments

Yesterday we went over the hill to watch movies in the big town of Whakatane. (About a 5 min drive from Ohope Beach) I watched the new release Due Date, which was hilarious while Sean and Kai cruised the strand (about 4 blocks of shops). Then the husband watched Tron: Legacy while Kai and I be-bopped around. It was a lot of fun to see a movie as the weather in Ohope Beach is rainy and nasty right now.

On the way home we popped by the local video store to rent a movie for this weekend. I remember renting movies from Video Ezy in March 2009 when we were touring New Zealand by camper van so figured I had an account. After I picked out my indie film, I went up to the counter and the woman tried to look up my account. She couldn’t find it by my last name or phone number. Under her breath with her strong accent she said, you must’ve used an employee account to rent videos last year so that’s what I’ll do. She charged me 8 bucks and sent me on my way. No name, no picture ID, no phone number, just $8. Wow, I’m continuously surprised how laid back Whakatane is (population 15,000). Which by the way is pronounced “Fuck-A-Tane.”

Update: I went back to rent another movie and had a different experience with a different person. This woman made a little stink about me not having a video card. She wrote down my US address and cell phone number saying that if someone forgets to return a movie they call them. I still find it interesting that there isn’t a deposit or a credit card imprint. Personally, I hate late fees so will definitely return the movies AND on time. :)

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