When the sun in New Zealand shines it brings me immediate warmth and nourishment.  I love the sun and light so right now I’m feeling visually and emotionally challenged.  It’s not full blown SAD but there is no doubt I lose a bit of spring in my step during winter.  But sunshine can come in new forms which I found out about this week.

Firstly I was surprised to find out my blog was featured in the Telegraph as one of ten blogs people “might enjoy”.  I only found out because I happened to notice a spike in my blog traffic graph and noticed a link from the Telegraph site.  I was quite a thrill to know that there was a spotlight on my virtual home. I only hope that people did enjoy their visit given all the misery I’ve been sharing about the weather! Then the lovely people at Expat Focus tapped me for a Recommended Ex Pat Focus Website award.

When I had gotten over the shock of being in such a spotlight I started to think, me and expat?  I guess I am one but somehow don’t see myself as one since I always associate being an expat as being a temporary arrangement and we have adopted a new homeland for good. Whatever definition others may give my blog it is definitely a pipeline home to people I love and miss.  It’s a way of sharing our life here in New Zealand – the good, the bad and the indifferent.  But most of all it’s a way I bring a little ray of sunshine into my life everyday.

It makes me appreciate all that I have even more and forces me to be more honest with myself about what I do and why I do it. I will be ever grateful for those readers who share my journey in this virtual world – thanks for taking an interest, giving me encouragement and coming back to visit as often as you do.