One of the first things Abby Erceg's parents asked of her when she got home was to do the dishes.
She recalls the moment with a big smile, because deep down, the Football Ferns veteran knows the significance the chore plays while at home in Whangarei.
Erceg decided to opt out of the National Women's Soccer League's Fall Series due to the ongoing COVID-19 health concerns. Not only does the pandemic continue to wreak havoc in the United States, but it poses a greater threat across the league as well.
While the first half of their season - essentially, from June/July - had stringent health and safety protocols in place, the Fall Series didn't. The North Carolina Courage captain decided to put her health first and return to Aotearoa, where the virus is relatively under control.
For Erceg, it's a chance to reset and take some time out, after a crazy year away.
"I think, just with everything that’s happening with COVID-19, it's just a really good time to ground yourself a little bit," Erceg tells Newshub.
"It's been very busy, it's been very, very hectic. You're constantly organising things, working on things and having phone calls, and I think a lot can be said for just coming back and just really grounding yourself.
"I think my family does a really good job at doing that."
Erceg has been away from home for more than a year. She missed her chance to return during the off-season, because she was in the process of getting a 'Green Card' - a permanent United States residence visa - which marked the start of her crazy year.
Erceg had done everything required for the Green Card and was waiting for the final interview - the last hurdle in the application process.
Unfortunately for her, COVID-19 disruptions meant the Immigation Department interview was delayed.
Now Erceg hopes it will be delayed even further, until she's able to get back to the US.
"I've taken a bit of a risk," the 30-year-old admits. "At any time, they can call me in to say you need to be here for this appointment, and I've kind of just calculated it and taken a risk by coming home."
Should she be asked to return, it would be an expensive exercise. The veteran defender would have to pay for return flights and quarantine period on her return, as well as the quarantine period she has recently undertaken.
"We just don't know. We have no information about whether or not Immigration's going to send a letter and say 'you need to be here'.
"Hopefully, I'd like to stay here for the rest of the year, at least, and spend Christmas with my family.
"I've got my sister's wedding in December that I want to attend as well, so if I could do that, I'll be pretty happy. After 4-5 months at home, I'll be ready to go back, I think."
Erceg wasn't exactly sure how she would spend her time at home, but being among her whanau was high on the list.
"I'll just be spending time with them; exploring the country," she says. "I like going for hikes and just being out in nature.
"We'll see how [New Zealand] goes with COVID-19. I think New Zealand has done a really good job with it so far, so hopefully, if we're lucky, I can just live a normal life."
While the 141-cap international knows her family is happy she decided to come home, there are others in America who aren't.
Erceg's partner and North Carolina teammate Kristen Hamilton also opted out of the NWSL Fall Series, but stayed in the US with her family, a decision that came with many tears.
Both knew it would likely mean six months away from each other, but ultimately, deep down, they realised it was the right move to make.
"At the end of the day, health - and our own health - kind of won," Erceg concedes. "I think, if that was to fall away, everything else becomes irrelevant - if someone becomes unhealthy."
Despite opting out of the season, Erceg continues to be paid. An agreement reached before the Challenge Cup in Utah means players were able to opt out of the second half of the season without any financial repercussions.
That's sure to help with buying those coffees while at home, but perhaps not so much with doing the dishes.
