When we arrived in NZ nearly 3 months ago, it was all fresh, new, and there were several “first” experiences/adjustments.
WOW…where did time ago? Now I feel like we are in the “final” push and trying to squeeze in all those “final” memories. Memories I don’t want to make memories. No, I want them to be present moments. But with one journey ending, another always begins, right?
This was our Final Week in Christchurch. We wrapped it up nicely I’d say.
We finally got a fun night out with the family, laughing & smiling…
(the mum in law and auntie)
We finally found a good GUINNESS for the hubs……
We finally tried out the Vietnamese restaurant down the road……
Fried Egg and steak, ya that’s a man’s meal!
And we finally went for one last local wine tasting……
I am really going to miss these quaint little places.
Here’s the hubs embracing the full on taper pose. haha.
Well friends, I know it’s not much of a topic for a Friday, but it’s Friday (well Saturday here) and who really wants to think that much, eh?
This weekend is going to fly by and before we know it we will be on a plane to Auckland via Taupo, then race time.
So here’s to a weekend of FINAL REFLECTION.
What are you FINALLY getting to these days?
Cheers,
LC
{ 76 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m finally getting to a point to take time and let God do His thing. I’m finally trying to rest (even though it’s tough). I’m finally ready to make some changes to figure out what’s going on with my tummy. Love ya!!! Enjoy the last few days. I can’t believe how fast it’s gone by.
STUFT Mama recently posted..Games Flat Kitty Plays
resting is tough, but God will for sure bless that time friend. yes, finally!
Ahh love your “Finals”…what gorgeous things to experience… especially the wine
Your journey there has been so amazing to follow and I can’t wait to visit NZ one day!! WOO HOO!!!!
I’m ready to finally let go and realize everything is happening for a reason and go with the flow
xxoo
Kris | iheartwellness.com recently posted..Black Forest Cake Muffins {Grain Free & Sugar Free}
yes, wine land it is! and yes to finally realizing the purpose behind life happenings. thats BIG!
I can’t believe 3 months have already come and gone. Jess and I were just talking about that. It doesn’t seem like you’ve been there that long. And NZ totally agrees with you – of course, I want you closer so we can meet up sometime!!!
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Fun Facts Friday – Fashion Edition 1
i feel like we just blinked and poof it was gone. crazy! but i do look forward to meeting up hopefully, yes!
I just got back from a business trip and am completely wiped out. I’m looking forward to finally sleeping in my own bed!!
Christine recently posted..down the drain.
sleep away sweet friend! you deserve some snuggle time- finally!
Wine and a Hubby! Perfect combo!! Haha!
Its almost race time! I really know your husband will do well, he has been training so hard, no matter what, he should be proud! He should also be proud he had the BEST sherpa by his side!
<3
katie recently posted..Holla Friday { 5 }
i love your faith in us katie! it gives me such joy. love you.
Good luck to your husband!
I am going to take Monday off – to catch up on life! That way I don’t have to rush through the weekend – I’m hoping to sit on the couch and watch a movie tomorrow night. Something I haven’t done in a VERY long time.
yea for monday off! enjoy every FINAL second.
i’m finally getting to connect to the bf. j and i have been living parallel (but not intertwining) lives. ya know what i mean? it hasn’t been bad, just living to function and not living to thrive. we’ve been spending quality time these past few days and it’s been wonderful!
here’s to taper (mine’s tapering before final exams) and here’s to relaxation!
also, here’s to you for bringing a smile to my Friday night self!
teabagginit recently posted..Faux-Dough & PSA
cheers to a weekend of finally intertwining, yes? hope so! you deserve that time. yes, i can totally relate. smiling back at ya. xoxo
I am getting to the LAUNDRY pile. Exciting , eh? Wanna trade places?
Looks like your last few minutes are well spent!!
Raina recently posted..We interrupt this training cycle for…
haha, no but you can always escape and come here for a “final” visit. no laundry needed.
I am finally truly destressing from my college years. I am also finally taking it easy on myself and slowing down to enjoy life!
good!! you finally are living, yes? now stay there and enjoy friend.
Yes, starting to…I think I needed to chill for a while to get going full speed again!
Did you finally finish most of your “things to do” while in NZ list? If not, at least it’s an excuse to go back lol
Chuck recently posted..Flipturns
yep, to do list is done. Well besides IRONMAN, haha. Did you get James’ email?
WOWZA I can’t believe the race is almost here! 3 months has seemed like a time warp haha
Enjoy your last bit of time in Auckland! Based on the pics, I know you are
Alexandra recently posted..Triple Nut Cookies and Spring!
i know, time warp times 10!!! crazy. Better hurry up and enjoy, yes? haha.
I can’t believe that’s three months has gone by already!! Love all the photos and seeing all the cool places that you guys have seen and done. Can’t wait to cheer on the hubs, and can’t wait till you guys return to Austin!
you will probably be able to follow him more than me that day. haha. Wish you were here to sherpa. Gosh, we’d be at coffee for at least 9 hours, yes? LOL!
that steak and eggs..now that looked like a portion my hubs would eat!!
looking for quaint little places, and small local wineries….victoria bc …
also good triathlon training grounds, home of the national training center.
enjoy your last days there!
victoria BC is on the list. We need to visit you at some point of course!
WOW – hard to believe your time has really come to an end! I loved this post – the full on taper pose, time with family, quaint wine tastings and especially James’ “Have an awesome day” shirt (I want that!).
Keep embracing and enjoying the end of your time…here’s to new adventures ahead and the big race – all the focus, determination, and hard work that got you guys here.
I’m embracing rest…trying to! Been fighting all week a bad cold/throat thing that my in-laws had; haven’t run once! Feeling pretty wiped out in the head but might do a few push ups – only small movements.
It’s snowing hard out, so it’s definitely an easier day to embrace rest than on a typical sunny Calgary day. 
Bonnie recently posted..Tight Space Body Weight Workout
resting is hard because we are so used to fighting it. I hope you get to heal this weekend and are back out in that sunshine come monday. Thank you for being a ROCK of support during this time Bonnie.
xoxo
I’m so sad you will be leaving Christchurch soon, as I know you are too! I have really enjoyed all your pictures and adventures there.
Good luck to you hubs during his race
MegSmith @ Cooking.In.College recently posted..Broccoli Pesto
i had no idea you were following along. Oh thank you for that sweet comment Meg, it made my day!
That winery looks lovely!
Finally… Hubby and I sat down to do our 2012 budget (only 2 months late) — but there was race-training to do on other weekends! Pre-race taper weekend is perfect for catching up on other household To Dos.
Beth (i run like a girl) recently posted..Weekend interweb roundup
oh thats a though one to actually “sit” down and do. Way to go for knocking that out! want to come do ours?
Sure thing! (As long as you’re providing travel and accommodations.)
Beth (i run like a girl) recently posted..Weekend interweb roundup
ask me after Ironman, maybe we’ll win some $$. haha.
Your time there is almost done, but that just means you guys are ready to start off on another new adventure. But first things first–he needs to kick some butt, no?
As for me, I’m really trying to finally let myself “be” instead of “do.” My body and mind are exhausted, but ignore those signs and convince myself I’m invincible. I need to trust that rest is what I need, let go of that control and recover a bit–from life
Thank you for reminding me!
Abby recently posted..Say What?
Yes, one adventure closes but another always starts up soon, yes? As for rest, Abby, you know i struggle with this. We try so hard to fight it because it is unnatural to us. So here’s to TRUST. TRUSTING that rest is what we need NOW.
So are you guys tempted to just stay in NZ forever? It sure does look amazing…. !
I’m realizing (in today’s snowstorm…) that I need to move to a nicer climate. I also need to focus on my work and be less scatterbrained! Baby steps…
Lisa recently posted..Chocolate Coconut Cream Mousse (grain/gluten free and dairy free)
yes, we would love to. For the lifestyle of course. slow…. ahh. But we will be back. Hopefully each year for this. Fingers crossed. Now go focus and enjoy the weekend, finally!
This weekend I’m finally spending time doing what I want independent of school/work/PhD programs, etc. I’m spending time on ME, and it scares me half to death. I almost don’t know what I’ll think about!
Laura @ LauraLivesLife recently posted..Friday Wrap-Up
face those fears and take care of you. Thats what you would tell me, right? xoxo
This is such a great post Lindsay! Love that you have accomplished and enjoyed so many awesome adventures. I am stuck at this finally question! I am going to put some more thought into it. I can’t wait until James does his race I know he will do so well
thank you Kalli. I love your support. How about your final answer is your FINALLY running and LOVE IT!
looks like a blast! good luck on the race. am seriously considering traveling to NZ with a few friends.
oh you should!! I’ll wait here for you, k?
I can’t believe it’s almost over! What a crazy wild ride you two have had there! You guys are staying on my mind right now. I know this will be a great week for you!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) recently posted..Taking time in the kitchen…
thank you sarena. I am going to be using a lot of your recipes this week to full the hubs. He goes dairy free as well before a race!
FINAL?? NO!! It went by too fast!!
Nichole recently posted..Spring Fever & Cold Snaps
i know, and you still haven’t come to visit. Maybe i should stay longer and wait. hehe
Amazing how time flies when you are having FUN! Love seeing you and the hubs smiling so much and enjoying this wonderful experience! Enjoy the rest of the weekend or whatever is left of it for you over there…xoxo
She Rocks Fitness recently posted..MILA WINNER + Lots of Yoga and Running
thank you friend. You too! enjoy that sunday slowness and yoga. I know you will!
Wow, crazy it’s your last week! Time flies huh. At least you’ll be moving on to more stable ground though. Bet you’re going to miss all the good gluten free products/tempeh
Not to mention the WINE. Australia does a mean red. Just sayin.
Lou recently posted..sneaky pumpkin pie pudding
i feel like we just met up yesterday. boo, sad! I think we will be back next year, so make sure to save us a room at your casa. k? hehe.
I hate when Im nearing the end of a vacation
. enjoy it while you’re there!!!
Lindsay recently posted..Rememberin’ Races
well it hasn’t been a vacation, more training focused, but it has been a lot slower life and that is a huge blessing, ya know? 3 months here and it flew BY!!!
I consider any break from the usual a vacation!
I’m finally getting a *little* better at putting the first things first and balancing the rest. I’m a work in progress, but trying to slow down and enjoy life.
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Bourbon Bananas Foster Crepe {Recipe}
ya for quick recovery and balanced life. feels good i am sure! we are all a work in progress, but progress keeps us human. ya know?
Those sunny, colorful pictures never get old! Really can’t wait to get myself to that country sometime sooner than later
You know this, though.
Hope you guys are enjoying your weekend! race time so sooon!
Heather @ Dietitian on the Run recently posted..Round II with Lulu: Challenge, Accepted!
the sun, the trails, the cycling. It’s all waiting for you friend. I’ll make sure you get here sooner versus later.
wow, your final week?! it must be so bittersweet but such a rewarding perfectly timed time. I am looking forward to your reflections!! And that wine tasting looks awesome!
jobo recently posted..My 6-month run challenge: week 13 (on why the barre helps my running)
and i am looking forward to maybe seeing you. Shall i bring you some NZ wine?
Good luck to the hubs!
Be sending you SO many good vibes! <3 And I'll have the Riesling, please, lol! 
Yummy! xyx
Yolie @ Practising Wellness recently posted..Shopaholic
thank you thank you. you sure you dont want to fly down and watch? hehe
Wow, time sure does fly… I remember when you first announced that you were doing this!! I’ve loved reading all about it and getting a peak at NZ has made me want to go so bad!! Enjoy your last few days!!
Tara recently posted..ThinkThin Giveaway Winners
i know, crazy how time flys. thank you so much for supporting us the whole way tara.
I cannot BELIEVE your NZ time is coming to a close already. It flew by to me and if it flew by to me, I can’t even fathom how fast it flew by for you guys! BUT I’ll say this – you two lived the sh*t out of your time there and that is huge, amazing, awesome and makes ME so happy to see!! I am rooting the hubs on for his big day, I can’t wait to hear how it goes! xo!
Jess recently posted..Foodie Friday — food repeats
oh jess, you seriously fill me with such hope and joy! thank you for ALWAYS being a cheerleader. love you.
yay wine!! we enjoyed some while home
and really 3 months already?? crazy how fast time is going
Pure2raw twins recently posted..our weekend at Disney
oh good!! it’s about time you two savored some winr. cheers to traveling!
cheers to great memories!
I experienced my 1st wine tasting this weekend and had so much fun!!
And Vietnamese food = one of my most favorite cuisines!! YUM YUM YUM!
I agree- time is flying for me as well!
Have a great week!
oh yea for wine weekends!! glad you had fun. savor those times, yes? life is too short!
I need to divide my “to do” list into into “DO THIS NOW, DAMNIT YOU SLACKER” categories. All of your “finals” look so awesome, and you know how much you’ll appreciate that you took the time and effort to see and do all of those things after you leave. I’m sure it’s very bittersweet to leave and come back to the States- I can’t wait to read about your transition!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning recently posted..[Bottling up] the weekend
haha, great catergories Lauren. I guess when it comes down to it, its all about enjoying the last few things, right? Thanks for the support, very much appreciated!!
<3
I’m finally getting to the point where I can accept me for me and build some self-confidence. I have struggled with negative self image for so long, but I’m not putting up with it anymore. I am grateful I have come to this realisation and am moving towards a happier healthier me!
Sarah @ The Healthy Diva recently posted..Could Wondering & Worrying be distracting you from your goals?
yes yes!! so awesome lady! new you… real, honest, and moving FORWARD!!