Back to New Zealand - Seoul, Sydney, Wellington
Its been a couple of weeks since I last posted. Since then, the USA has elected a new President,and the current one has become something of a lame duck. The economic situation worldwide seems likely to get worse before it gets better and the time between those two events gets longer each time I look at the papers. The recession has changed from V-shaped to U-shaped and now to L-shaped. None of those sound good, but and L-shaped recession could be 3 years. Or more.
New Zealanders in their wisdom have showed Helen Clark the exit and have elected the National Party into power, under John Key - who will most probably form a governing coalition with ACT and United Future and possibly the Maori Party too. Indeed, Clark and Cullen lost little time in resigning as the leader and deputy leader of the Labour Party, and a new leader and deputy have already been selected - Phil Goff and Annette King. So, going back to work in central government next week is going to be an interesting environment. I anticipate a lot of re-drafting of the ‘Briefing to the Incoming Minister’ going on.
As I type this on the flight from Seoul to Sydney, I’m taking a chance to reflect upon what has happened over the past two weeks. I’ve spent some good time with my mum and dad, helped them purchase and bed in a new laptop - an MSI Wind U100 netbook, and bring them up to speed. My parents have never even used windows before, Still, my dad sent me an email which I received in Seoul and we even managed to skype for the first time internationally too - so I regard that as a success. Good going Mum and Dad, if you’re reading this 
I’ve caught up with friends - old and new - and met babies that I’ve not had the chance to meet yet. There are still more friends and babies to see, but there never is enough time when I get back to London to do all the things I have to do. I spent a fair amount of time sorting out some potential work stuff too - I’ll write about that another time - and it was good to re-connect with ex-colleagues and friends too.
I am returning to NZ refreshed - in my mind if not my body to start off with, as I fear the jetlag will be something special. Barely a month to go until two weeks off for Xmas. I’ll be heading up north with Rob, as he comes to visit me on his world tour, arriving in Wellington on Dec 16th.
My Ssambab is here. Yum. Will write / post after dinner, movie and hopefully sleep until Sydney.
