I LOVE NZ

Just to be clear I do love NZ and my little life here. I miss friends terribly, I miss having my parents daily in Max's life, I miss seeing my Aunt Denise (and no mom she didn't pay me to say that!! :), I miss Target and candles that actually smell up my house. I miss cheap refried beans and Salsa and all Mexican food and American "I can accomplish anything/nothing's impossible" attitude.

BUT, and this is a massive BUT I love SO much here. Things in the States annoy me too. National health care is AWESOME & am so proud to live in a country that takes care of all people. But I digress. I loved being in two worlds as I watched the Olympics. I loved cheering for Phelps and Lochte. I loved seeing that flag so many times. I love that anthem, even though Sam laughed that I couldn't quite remember all the words!

That said I loved being a Kiwi and feeling so proud and connected to each medal winner. I loved that each time a Kiwi medaled they profusely thanked New Zealanders and said "I won this for NZ." And I even felt pride hearing the anthem. I might never be able to sing the NZ anthem (hardest anthem EVER) but I loved the pride that swelled. I cried watching some win and lose and felt anger that one of our sports heroes got a silver then was promoted to a gold after drug testing happened. Ugh! Stripped of her gold medal moment, seeing the flag, hearing our anthem in the stadium. But sheer and utter joy followed when I saw her face so happy to be vindicated that her shot put throw was the pure farthest throw.

Sam and I are always talking about the University system and sports and how that impacts Americans. It's fun to watch these students working towards degrees and passionately training to be Olympic Champions. I love watching the heart of these Kiwis training so hard to bring pride to their country. Each medal is for the country. Such a different experience.

I'm both. American and Kiwi and proud. Max will live in both worlds too. Sam and I don't care which country he identifies with or if he changes fluidly back and forth. He will get the best of both worlds. And have twice as much fun watching the Olympics every 4 years!

That said, I will share a funny little laugh I get quite often here. Americans do have a stereotype in other countries. Here is no different. Loud and liking Starbucks is one of the few. Some Kiwi's hate Starbucks and that it's American and corporate (Max's daddy...hehehe). Max always gets a "special drink" aka water, that the guys at Starbucks automatically give him now. So often times when we are walking down the street, me with my drink and Max with what looks like a mini coffee and my loud accent I get looks. Some of disgust. Some of annoyance. Some of just surprise. Each time I laugh a little to myself loving my Americanness.