Hi everybody,

I thought that it would be interesting to find out what countries we all come from. You can post as much or as little as you want to. I'll go first.



I'm from the United States. I was born and live in the state of Georgia. I have a younger brother who is an attorney. He and his wife have three girls. Two of them are now college age. Emily (the oldest) is graduating some time this year. Sara has just started college and Beckie is still in high school. I love animals, especially dogs. I have an adorable black and tan dachshund named Little Bit. I enjoy gardening, birdwatching, computers, and I'm currently working on setting up my own website. Mama lives about one mile west of me. Daddy passed away in the summer of 1997.

Hi Everybody from Mike,

I live in New Zealand. My wife & I have been married for 27 years & we have 3 kid's.

Our eldest Son is living in the US. in Seattle & will be due back in Nov. this year. A very gifted musician & drummer, has has lot's of US. friends he met while attending a Youth Missionary training programme, (YWAM in Montana), 3 years ago. Now he's beginning to live out his calling to young people via the music he & the other band members produce.

Our next is living in a little town called Oamaru in the lower part of NZ's South island. Her & her partner have given us a little grandaughter as well. We get to see them quite often, which warms my heart a great deal. Our g/daughter is now 8moths old, & I think she is the best, (don't we all....?)

Then our last is in Year 11, (similar to 6th form or perhaps your Grade 11...?, I think...) Anyway, she is working very hard at her last 2 years of schooling. She is also preparing to go on a youth missionary school trip to Cambodia for two weeks later this year, before Christmas.

I have been on SAF for number of years, with the occasional contribution.
The company I work for has me reading electricity meters all over the South Island as I enjoy the traveling alot. With having only one child left at home now, this is giving us some more time together eating out & socialising with many friends. My Wife is a Real Estate agent who does pretty well in the current NZ. market. But she is busy..., alot...

NZ. is a beautiful country..., with many great sites & scenery available. Most of which is located within a few short hours from almost anywhere in NZ. It is true to say we are very blessed here, as we don't need to travel overly far to see much of these beautiful places.
We are not part of Australia; we are a separate nation with it's own indigenous Maori people, whom are well mixed with the European people who came here in the early 1800's. Although like many other nations, we have our differences, (even issues...), we live together in relative harmony. I love my Maori friend's. They contribute lot's to me as a person, as I know I do also to theirs.

Anyway, I'm glad to share something of our lives & interests with all SAF. contributors' & look forwards to hearing back about others as well...
Bye for now,
Mike

Hi Mike,
I'm glad to meet you. Daddy was in New Guinea in WWII. I know that's not New Zealand, but I know that it's somewhere close to New Zealand.

Hi Jeanie,
I guess geographically speaking it is close to NZ, but it's well above Australia our nearest neighbour, heading up toward the equator.
So, from my point on the world map, it's still quite a long way away from us here in the lower Pacific...
Still, it is very nice to hear of your Dad's closeness to our locale. May be you will make it down hear sometime...., who knows....
Mike

Yes, may be I'll make it down to see you one day. Like you say, who knows....

Hi,
I'm in England, 40 miles from London. Originally from Birmingham - UK's 2nd city & home to Cadbury chocolate.
Used to be home to Austin / Rover cars before their demise.

There are more miles of canals in Birmingham than there are in Venice!

Richard

Hi Richard,

Good to hear from you. My Mum-in-Law come from the UK, so it can't be too bad there....

BTW, we understand that Cadbury chocolate came from here in NZ. in a city called Dunedin...

You must be mistaken...? There's not much left for us in life if that is taken away from us...

Cheers,
Mike

Hi Richard, Welcome! My brother and sister-in-law visited the UK in the early 80s. They went to London. My brother brought back some tea from Harrod's for me. I still have the container.

Jeannie

Hi From sunny Brazil.

Click to view attachment

Chris

Hi Chris,
I knew you were from Brazil, but I didn't know exactly where. Thanks for the map.

Jeannie

I live in a village called Shek O on Hong Kong island:

Hi Mike,
A bit of Cadbury history here:
http://www.birminghamuk.com/cadburyhistory.htm
An extract:
"Cadbury's as we know it today started from humble beginnings in Bull Street, Birmingham. A shop was opened by John Cadbury in 1824. It did not start as a confectionery shop but sold tea and coffee and home made drinking chocolate or cocoa which he made himself for his customers."

But it does say "as we know it today", so perhaps a chocolate historian ( or should that be 'an historian of chocolate'?!) can trace the NZ connection ...

Richard