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Angelica McCormick
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TitleAngelica McCormick - More than a dot in the oceanDescriptionAs a young girl growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Angelica McCormick never dreamt of living anywhere else, let alone on a tiny dot in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
But 10 years ago, after close friend Anna convinced her to study English in Australia, her life took a very different path.
Then aged 23, and fresh out of a four-year PE degree, Angelica didn’t speak a word of English and had never travelled overseas. She loved Brazil. It was home and the idea of moving to an English-speaking country, away from friends and family, was a daunting prospect.
Nevertheless, she enrolled in English classes and, in 2009, moved to Perth with her friend, where she began working as a waitress at a Lebanese restaurant.
It was her intention to stay in Australia for a year but, after meeting a young bloke from New Zealand – who would turn out to be the love of her life – Angelica ended up sticking around for much longer.
William was taking a break from his university studies when they met. He wasn’t expecting to meet anyone, but after being set up on a date by Angelica’s friend Anna and his friend Chris, they simply hit it off.
It didn’t take long for both of them to realise what they had found.
“When you know, you know,” says Angelica.
In 2010, a year and a half after first meeting, they were married in a low-key wedding in a beautiful garden behind the casino, followed by a reception at an Italian restaurant. It was very simple, and all all they could afford at the time. All of their friends were there but no family, though Angelica’s mum, Angela, told her she was “happy that she had found someone she loves and that loves her”.
Two years later, the couple decided to pop over to New Zealand for a three-week holiday. William had grown up in Canterbury and hoped he might be able to convince Angelica to move. She didn’t take much convincing.
“I loved how nice New Zealand was,” she says.
They decided to settle in Greenpark, Lincoln on a spacious lifestyle block with their own livestock including sheep, pigs and chickens. They also have three dogs.
Angelica has been working at the Selwyn Aquatic Centre for the past five years and swimming is her passion, so it doesn’t really feel like work. Her 5.45am shifts can be a little anti-social but her body clock has adjusted over time.
At the pool, she watches swimmers with an eagle eye and ensures they stick to the safety rules. She says sometimes people misjudge their swimming ability and unwittingly go out of their depth. Occasionally when that happens, “we have to tell people off for their own safety”.
“It can be very traumatic for people who are struggling to stay afloat in the water,” she says.
When she has spare time, Angelica really likes to cook and play her guitar.
“I learnt how to cook at a very young age. My mum taught me,” she says. “I cook Brazilian food and I also like to make pasta.”
Rather than using a pre-prepared meal bases, she likes to cook everything from scratch.
She has been trying to learn how to play the guitar her whole life, off and on.
“Six months after I learn a song, I remember I have a guitar again and try to play,” she says. “I’ve been doing that for quite a few years!”
Since moving to the Selwyn District, Angelica and William spend a lot of time together hunting, and fishing at the Hurunui and Selwyn Rivers.
“My husband taught me how to fish and took me duck hunting,” she says.
The many awesome things to do in Selwyn are one of the things she loves about the district.
“You don’t need to go far to find a beautiful place and you don’t need much money to enjoy yourself – walking is free, you can go swimming in the ocean or rivers, and you can go cycling.”
Also, the place feels very safe and everything she needs is in close proximity. “I live just 15 mins from work,” she says.
“There are supermarkets, restaurants, takeaways, shops and gas stations; we have everything in Rolleston.”
Though a long way from where she started, Angelica doesn’t regret her move south: “I love this country”.
First NameAngelicaLast NameMcCormick
But 10 years ago, after close friend Anna convinced her to study English in Australia, her life took a very different path.
Then aged 23, and fresh out of a four-year PE degree, Angelica didn’t speak a word of English and had never travelled overseas. She loved Brazil. It was home and the idea of moving to an English-speaking country, away from friends and family, was a daunting prospect.
Nevertheless, she enrolled in English classes and, in 2009, moved to Perth with her friend, where she began working as a waitress at a Lebanese restaurant.
It was her intention to stay in Australia for a year but, after meeting a young bloke from New Zealand – who would turn out to be the love of her life – Angelica ended up sticking around for much longer.
William was taking a break from his university studies when they met. He wasn’t expecting to meet anyone, but after being set up on a date by Angelica’s friend Anna and his friend Chris, they simply hit it off.
It didn’t take long for both of them to realise what they had found.
“When you know, you know,” says Angelica.
In 2010, a year and a half after first meeting, they were married in a low-key wedding in a beautiful garden behind the casino, followed by a reception at an Italian restaurant. It was very simple, and all all they could afford at the time. All of their friends were there but no family, though Angelica’s mum, Angela, told her she was “happy that she had found someone she loves and that loves her”.
Two years later, the couple decided to pop over to New Zealand for a three-week holiday. William had grown up in Canterbury and hoped he might be able to convince Angelica to move. She didn’t take much convincing.
“I loved how nice New Zealand was,” she says.
They decided to settle in Greenpark, Lincoln on a spacious lifestyle block with their own livestock including sheep, pigs and chickens. They also have three dogs.
Angelica has been working at the Selwyn Aquatic Centre for the past five years and swimming is her passion, so it doesn’t really feel like work. Her 5.45am shifts can be a little anti-social but her body clock has adjusted over time.
At the pool, she watches swimmers with an eagle eye and ensures they stick to the safety rules. She says sometimes people misjudge their swimming ability and unwittingly go out of their depth. Occasionally when that happens, “we have to tell people off for their own safety”.
“It can be very traumatic for people who are struggling to stay afloat in the water,” she says.
When she has spare time, Angelica really likes to cook and play her guitar.
“I learnt how to cook at a very young age. My mum taught me,” she says. “I cook Brazilian food and I also like to make pasta.”
Rather than using a pre-prepared meal bases, she likes to cook everything from scratch.
She has been trying to learn how to play the guitar her whole life, off and on.
“Six months after I learn a song, I remember I have a guitar again and try to play,” she says. “I’ve been doing that for quite a few years!”
Since moving to the Selwyn District, Angelica and William spend a lot of time together hunting, and fishing at the Hurunui and Selwyn Rivers.
“My husband taught me how to fish and took me duck hunting,” she says.
The many awesome things to do in Selwyn are one of the things she loves about the district.
“You don’t need to go far to find a beautiful place and you don’t need much money to enjoy yourself – walking is free, you can go swimming in the ocean or rivers, and you can go cycling.”
Also, the place feels very safe and everything she needs is in close proximity. “I live just 15 mins from work,” she says.
“There are supermarkets, restaurants, takeaways, shops and gas stations; we have everything in Rolleston.”
Though a long way from where she started, Angelica doesn’t regret her move south: “I love this country”.
First NameAngelicaLast NameMcCormick
Angelica McCormick. Selwyn Stories, accessed 17/02/2025, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/2854